DR. DIRK DOWNING

Dr. Dirk Downing is the Owner and Founder of Zoning In: Peak Performance Coaching, a mental performance coaching practice established in 2017. With over eight years of experience in sport and performance psychology, Dr. Downing specializes in one-on-one mental performance coaching designed to help athletes of all ages and skill levels improve focus, confidence, consistency, and motivation.

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Dr. Dirk grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri, where his early love of sports and curiosity about the mental aspects of performance shaped his professional path. This passion led him to earn his PhD in Sport Psychology from the University of Missouri–Columbia. During his graduate training, he worked extensively with a wide range of Division I collegiate athletes and conducted research examining the mental performance practices of world-ranked, elite competitors. His academic and applied training provided a strong foundation in evidence-based strategies for peak performance.

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Through Zoning In: Peak Performance Coaching, Dr. Dirk currently works with athletes ranging from high school and collegiate competitors to individuals simply seeking greater performance, consistency, and motivation in their athletic pursuits. In addition to his private practice, he serves as a golf coach through The First Tee and a chess instructor with the Saint Louis Chess Club, further reinforcing his commitment to developing focus, discipline, and strategic thinking across performance domains.