The Overview
What is Struggle Into Strength?
Struggle Into Strength Performance helps high performers, teams, and organizations strengthen how they perform under pressure.
Through performance psychology, leadership development, and organizational consulting, we help individuals and teams develop the clarity, resilience, and systems required for sustained success.
Our work integrates evidence-based mental performance training with leadership and behavioral performance frameworks to help high performers execute when it matters most.
the origins
Meet the Founder
Hello! I'm Tom Smalley, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant who works with high performers, teams, and organizations to strengthen performance under pressure.
My work blends performance psychology, leadership development, and behavioral performance systems to help individuals and teams develop the clarity, resilience, and accountability required for sustained success. Through coaching, workshops, and consulting, I help high performers build the systems that allow them to execute consistently when it matters most.
TESTIMONIALS
What My Clients Say
"I came to Coach Smalls, 6 months after ACL reconstruction surgery, I was not confident in my knee and its ability at all. Within 2 and a half months, I was able to compete with contact again, while regaining confidence in my knee’s ability. He is an awesome coach, who truly cares about his athletes as humans and pushes them to reach their full potential as an athlete.”
Bella Stuart, Albany Women's Basketball
"As a national level Olympic weightlifter, I found myself struggling with performance anxiety that started to carry over into my training sessions. I started seeing Tom a little over 6 months ago now, he has helped me not only improve my mindset for meets, but for my daily training sessions as well. We have worked on challenges with my environment, mindset, and emotions. After bombing out for the first time at a national meet, Tom helped me work through my fears to get back on the platform for my first senior national level meet. He has been patient and understanding throughout the process and is a great person to have in my corner."
Karlee Strong, 3x NY State Champion, 76kg State Record Holder, U25 Bronze Medalist
“We all have our own anxieties we live with, especially as a student athlete. Talking with Coach Smalls about performance anxiety truly has helped break through tough barriers I've had in my development as a student athlete.”
Brian Wojichowski, Saint Anselm College Baseball
“Coach Smalls has been a game-changer for me and my performance on and off the basketball court. With Thomas’ help with my mental performance, I’ve been able to stay confident on the court, stay focused under moments of intense pressure, and become more resilient through moments of adversity. Meeting with him is both fun and helpful! Coach Smalls is the guy to go to if you’re looking to improve your own mental game.”