Amanda Fazio (she/her), or “Faz” as athletes often call her, is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), mental health counselor, and expert in integrating clinical and performance psychology to help athletes and performers achieve peak performance while maintaining mental well-being. Amanda specializes in working with high-achieving individuals navigating performance anxiety, injury recovery, life transitions, and mental health challenges. She currently serves as the Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) where she assists in building an international network of mental health providers and wellness programming for major and minor league baseball players and their families. Faz is also the Director of Mental Performance for Fordham University Athletics, where she collaborates with athletes, coaches, and staff to optimize both individual and team performance.
With dual master’s degrees in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Tennessee and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Bonaventure University, Amanda has cultivated a unique ability to address the psychological demands of elite performance while prioritizing mental health. She is also a certified trainer through the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), equipping her to train coaches, clinicians, and organizations on effective strategies for fostering behavior change and motivation.
Outside of working with individual clients and teams, Faz regularly contributes her expertise to organizations such as the New York City Ballet (NYCB), New York Road Runners, and Runner’s World magazine. She has worked with athletes and performers on overcoming performance anxiety, returning to competition post-injury, and building confidence in their craft. Her deep understanding of the unique psychological needs of high achievers enables her to foster authentic connections and guide clients toward sustainable success.
Amanda’s clinical training includes over 1,500 hours at the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC) in New York City, where she gained expertise in treating substance use disorders, mood disorders, and co-occurring challenges. She is skilled in applying evidence-based modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her dual background allows her to provide athletes and performers with tailored strategies to enhance mental resilience, manage stress, and thrive in high-pressure situations.
Before transitioning into mental performance consulting and counseling, Amanda spent five years coaching collegiate softball at both the Division I and III levels, most recently at the University of Tennessee. As a former NCAA Division I softball player at Bucknell University, she set multiple program records and developed firsthand knowledge of the pressures athletes face. This background informs her empathetic and solutions-oriented approach to working with clients, making her a trusted resource for athletes, coaches, and teams.
Faz is also a second degree black belt in Isshinryu karate, which she credits for much of her own mental fortitude.Through her combined expertise in clinical and performance psychology, Amanda empowers individuals and teams to excel in their pursuits while maintaining balance, resilience, and well-being in all aspects of life.
