Matthew Pinchak

Intern

I'm currently working toward my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Waterloo. I've been involved in sports my whole life, playing soccer since I was 3 and boxing since I was 16. My experience being a lifelong athlete and fan has sparked a deep interest in the mental side of athletic performance. I am of the firm belief that the mental and emotional aspect of sport is equally as important as the physical aspect with factors like confidence, external pressure and motivation all playing major roles in the performance of athletes.

Currently, I'm focused on learning more about the crucial role coaches and trainers play in keeping athletes at their best. Specifically, I want to learn more about the techniques used to increase confidence, limit the effect of pressure and get the most out of each and every athlete in situations such as halftime pep talks or breaks in between rounds. Through this work, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that drive peak performance and mental resilience in sports.

Performance Interests: When I’m not working, I love to play soccer with my friends in pick up games and intramural leagues. I’ve also recently purchased a Virtual Reality headset where I play a game that simulates one on one boxing matches which is surprisingly intense and a lot more tiring than you would think.