From Questioning Her Path to Confident Coach:
How Rachel Olson Found Clarity, Purpose, and Her First Paying Clients
“This program meant more to me than I ever thought possible. It gave me a belief in myself and a path I wouldn’t have taken on my own.”
-Rachel Olson-
Meet Rachel
Rachel Olson—a former athlete, parent of high-performing athletes, and seasoned sales professional—was at a personal and professional crossroads. Her daughter was struggling with confidence as a Division I basketball recruit, and Rachel was wrestling with uncertainty in her own career. Something needed to change.
She discovered the Mindset Coach Academy (MCA) through a connection between former MCA graduate Bre Smedley’s Elite Competitor program and Lindsay’s partnership—an online breadcrumb trail that turned into a defining life pivot.
“I wasn’t completely convinced it was the path I wanted to go down. I filled out the application, didn’t take it that seriously… then I got to the interview and it cemented everything. I saw Lindsey as a mentor I could align with.”
When a post from former Iowa State athlete and mindset coach Lindsey Wilson popped up on Facebook, it clicked.Â
“I knew who she was, I trusted her. As soon as I saw the MCA program, I didn’t hesitate. I was all in.”Â
Despite lingering doubts—"Who was I to be a mindset coach?"—Rachel decided to leap in, not fully knowing if this was a business path or just a tool to support her daughter.
Breakthrough #1:Â
Rediscovering Herself
“I was probably having a midlife crisis. I needed to revisit who I was… validate in myself that I’m still living in alignment with my values.”
Before Rachel could coach others, she had to coach herself. During Phase 1, as she traveled the country for work and her daughter’s games, she carved out quiet moments in hotel rooms to do the internal work. Visualization, self-reflection, and daily mindset tools helped her rebuild a shaken sense of identity.
One powerful moment came in her kitchen after receiving a job offer that wasn’t perfect, but checked enough boxes.
Thanks to the internal work she had done, Rachel had a clear mental shift:
“It doesn't have to be perfect for me to choose a new path… I can make this change. I can do this for myself.”
That was the moment she chose a new direction—and it stuck.Â
Breakthrough #2:Â
Imposter To Impact
“I worked with my kids, my husband—even though I was scared he’d think I was nuts. I needed to prove this could work.”
Rachel started practicing with fellow MCA coaches, her kids, and even her husband. But doubt lingered: I'm not a sports psychologist. Who’s going to take me seriously?
She brought her fear to the MCA coaching calls, and Lindsay’s response stuck with her: “You don’t need a degree to make money in this field. If you’re helping people solve real problems, people will pay for that.”
Armed with this mindset, Rachel flipped the script. In sales calls, she began addressing her “lack of credentials” upfront, confidently sharing her unique value—a blend of personal experience, parenting insight, and evidence-based mindset tools that traditional sports psychology often overlooks.
Breakthrough #3:
A Paid Client, A Changed Athlete, A Coach is Born
Rachel’s belief solidified when her first paying client’s parent came back with a message: the coach had noticed a completely different athlete this season. The only change? Her daughter had started mindset training with Rachel.
“To me, that was a life-changing moment. I realized—if I can keep finding the right clients, I can change lives.”
She now sells her signature 8-session program (with two parent sessions) consistently—serving high-achieving athletes ages 12–22 across multiple sports.
 Referrals are the backbone of her business, and she’s recently added a lower-cost monthly maintenance offer for athletes ready to continue at a lighter pace.
“That first paid client changed everything. It was like—oh my gosh, I’m actually doing this.”
The Support That Made It Possible
“I joined the MCA for the tools—but Lindsay was the mentor I needed during one of the hardest times in my life.”
What  community was both inspiring and intimidating at times, Rachel admits. She intentionally stepped back after graduation to prove to herself that she could do this on her own—but she still keeps one foot in the door and plans to rejoin retreats and mentorship when the time is right.
“I’m balancing a lot. I want to keep championing myself for the small victories.”
Where Is She Now
Today, Rachel is happy to say her mindset coaching business is growing, she’s on a path to meet her financial goal for this year, and still balancing her life as a working professional and a mom.
She gives herself credit for the hard times, it helps her identify with what the parents of her athletes are going through and it allows her to be authentic in how she connects and shows up with families in this space.
“My daughter was the reason I started. Now I get to help other parents and athletes just like us.”
“I’m literally pursuing another life and career because of this program. I’m old enough that most people wouldn’t start over—but I say, why not?”
“This was the right investment for me. I’m so glad I did it. I’ve put so many resources into my family—this was one I made for myself.”
To anyone on the fence about joining the MCA?
“Just do it. Be open. Commit to the work. Even if you don’t turn it into a business, you’ll change yourself—and that’s the best ROI there is.”
Ready To Create Your Own Transformation?
Discover the certification program that helped Rachel Olson become a confident coach and business owner—while staying true to herself, her family, and her purpose.
Learn More About The Mindset Coach Academy