Athletic Mindset Coaches

Tina Leuthner

Athletic Mindset Coach, James Madison University

Tina is all about coaching and helping young athletes achieve their best potential for their sport. She grew up as a tennis player and lived every moment for the sport. Tina was ranked in the juniors, played on both the boys and girls high school varsity tennis teams and eventually played Division 1 tennis at James Madison University. Although she loved competing, her passion was coaching and grooming players to their best potential whether it be in their sport, health or life.

Tina eventually became a mom and began the role of guiding and watching her children become student athletes and live to their full potential. She has three children and understands how different personalities can affect performance. Tina’s kids include a Division 1 pole vaulter, a three-sport varsity athlete, and a Division 1 pitcher. She has a full understanding of the importance of staying engaged as challenges arise within all levels of a sports career.

Furthermore, Tina’s love for coaching propelled her to become a Certified IIN Health Coach and Gentle Sleep Coach. Her desire is to help families understand the importance of sleep and help them sleep train their children with various techniques, schedules, and lots of encouragement.

Tim Dibisceglie

Athletic Mindset Coach, University of Scranton

Tim began his career working with children when he was a freshman in high school, volunteering for a program called TopSoccer. This program paired him with a group of children with various special/physical needs in which he spent his time coaching them the basics of soccer and how to be part of a team. From that experience, he knew that he wanted to be a teacher and coach. His passion blossomed over the years, as he graduated from the University of Scranton with a degree in Early Education with a Minor in Coaching. After graduating, he played soccer professionally for the Philadelphia Atoms for a year and then knew that he wanted to teach and coach full time. Tim began teaching and coaching the year after graduating. He taught a wide range of grade levels at a special needs school for four years, working with elementary, middle, and high school aged students. He then went back to his alma mater in New Jersey, Gill St. Bernard’s, where he has been coaching the high school soccer team for the past six years and teaching in the middle school for the past two years. Tim couldn’t be happier working with the youth of Gill St. Bernard’s where it all started for him, and aiding his community towards a successful future on and off the field.

Accomplishments:
As an athlete, Tim has had a very fulfilling soccer journey. He was a trialist with Kilmarnock FC in the Scottish Premier League at the age of 16, and a trialist with MFK Votkovice in the 2nd Tier of the Czech Republic Pro League at the age of 21. He played for the University of Scranton for four years, winning two Landmark Conference championships and reaching the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament both of those seasons. Tim also played semi-professionally for the Electric City Shock for two years in the NPSL based out of Scranton, and professionally for the Philadelphia Atoms in the NASL for one year. As a high school boys soccer coach at Gill St. Bernard’s, they have won the New Jersey state title in all six of his seasons there from 2018-2023. They have finished as the #1 ranked high school team in the state, finished as the #4 ranked high school team in the country, and have sent players to Division 1,2, and 3 schools along with one currently at the professional level playing for Fulham FC in London, England. Tim’s favorite accomplishments are seeing how happy and successful my former players are at the next level.

Brandon McIlwain

Athletic Mindset Coach, University of California, Berekely

Brandon McIlwain is a professional baseball player and former Division 1 college quarterback with a passion for helping young athletes unlock their full potential. His career has been defined by dedication, versatility, and a deep understanding of what it takes to excel at the highest levels of competition.

Brandon was honored as the Pennsylvania Gatorade Football Player of the Year and the Mini Maxwell Jim Henry Award Winner, achievements that set the stage for his standout career in football. As a Perfect Game Baseball All-American, Brandon’s success in baseball was evident as well. He went on to play both football and baseball at the University of South Carolina, showcasing his versatility by excelling in two major sports at a Division 1 level. Later, he transferred to University of California, Berkeley, where he played Quarterback in football and Outfield in baseball, demonstrating his leadership and ability to perform under pressure.

Brandon’s professional career in sports was equally impressive, as he signed with the New York Mets and played up to AAA in baseball. Now, he looks to take his talents overseas and play in the Serie A league in Italy. The lessons he learned from his years of competition — from the discipline and mindset needed to succeed, to the challenges faced along the way — are now being passed on to young athletes.

As Brandon continues his offseason training in preparation for the upcoming season, he’s passionate about sharing the insights and techniques he’s gained throughout his career with aspiring athletes. Whether helping kids navigate the pressures of multi-sport performance, balance academics and athletics, or develop the mental toughness required for success, Brandon’s coaching approach is focused on holistic development. His goal is not just to help young athletes excel in their sport, but to foster resilience, confidence, and the mindset needed to thrive in all aspects of life.

Through his work with STARS Kids Life Coaching, Brandon is committed to mentoring the next generation of athletes, guiding them through challenges, and helping them reach new heights in their athletic journey.

Patty Stroup

Athletic Mindset Coach

Hi! I'm Coach Patty. My coaching goes beyond the court and field. I coach the whole person. I empower children and youth to dive into personal growth, academics and life skills. This is my approach and philosophy to wholistic athletic development and overall wellness.

I have 20+ years as an educator, as a sports coach and sports camp developer. I am nationally certified as a Health and Wellness Coach through the American Council on Exercise. I am a Child & Youth Specialist, and hold a degree in Recreation and an M.Ed. I am also a Play Specialist in the science of play and its impact on us.

My vision is to help children, youth and their families bring a passion, a love and a balance to playing sports. Plus, the attitude of "I might not be able to perform that skill just yet, but through practice I can develop any skill I put my mind too!"

Nicole Dudas

Athletic Mindset Coach, University of Illinois

Nicole attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a BS in Psychology and Child Development. She also studied at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA for her MA in Human Development. The first 25 years of her career were centered on working with young children ages birth-6 years old as a teacher and administrator in early education schools, and navigating her own children’s school and athletic journeys. The latter half of her career was centered on coaching competitive cheerleading.

Nicole coached youth, middle school, high school and competitive cheer for 20 years. She began her coaching journey in Northern Virginia working with athletes ages 5-14 for a competitive youth rec cheer organization. She created choreography for multiple teams and was the head coach for the travel competitive middle school team, and later assistant director of the program. After earning several championship titles, including two national titles for her middle school team and several choreography awards for the organizations teams, she moved to New Hampshire to coach a competitive high school cheer team. After 8 seasons with the varsity team, she earned 3 state titles, 4 runner up tiles, one third place and several choreography awards. She also coached the JV team to a state championship title. In NH, Nicole worked with all the cheer youth feeder teams, the middle school cheer team and a middle school all-star team cheer. Upon moving to Arizona, she coached another competitive high school varsity team, earning a state title, multiple runner up state titles, choreography and stunt awards and a runner up National title. Nicole also was the head coach for The University of Arizona competitive cheer team for 8 seasons, earning a National title in her final year. Growing up Nicole was a dance athlete starting in preschool. She competed with her high school’s cheer team for 1 year and the pom and dance team for three years. She taught youth ballet and acro-rhythmic gymnastic classes while in high school, as well as preschool movement classes in college. She was a member of her college’s modern dance troupe. She is currently studying for her certification as a yoga instructor.

Throughout her coaching journey, Nicole utilized her background in human development to work with her athletes in areas of self-esteem growth, leadership, fitness and nutrition and goal-setting. In each state that she worked, she became a community mentor to cheer athletes regarding physical and mental health awareness. Nicole has been married for 34 years and has 4 grown children, all who participated in their sports at the high school and college level. This experience as a parent has proven invaluable in her ability to differentiate perspectives between coach and parent. Upon recently moving to North Carolina, Nicole has found, given her background, that she will best serve athletes through a focus on mindset coaching, and is motivated to bring more athletes toward their full well-rounded potential.