PRACTICE PROFILE

Winning Edge Sports Psychology was founded by licensed psychologist Joe Lenac. Joe has been active in competitive sport throughout his life, and his love of sports and psychology synchronized into the sports psychology practice of Winning Edge. Joe recognized the role that mental skills play in athletic success. He believes and teaches athletes that the single most important factor to consistent successful performance is mental training. Joe recognizes that athletes want to win, but winning is not an effective goal. "Winning" at Winning Edge is developing yourself to your full potential. By focusing upon personal goals and personal growth, our athletes succeed at every level of life and sport.

As owner of Winning Edge, Joe brings his passion for sports and psychology along with eighteen years of professional experience to work with athletes, teams, coaches, and families. Our clients range from developing amateurs, to select juniors, to weekend warriors, to collegiate, to world class and professional. Winning Edge partners with athletes to strengthen confidence, achieve balance, and improve performance. Understanding the needs of the developing athlete is critical in today's competitive sport culture where athletes are specializing in sport at earlier ages. We recognize the sacrifices, long hours and hard work that competitive athletes endure. Winning Edge also partners with the athlete's family to improve communication, understand competitive needs, teach the skills of positive psychology, providing the foundation for our athletes to excel. Our expertise includes career transition when an athlete has decided to leave competitive sport due to injury, age, finances, and retirement.

Joe is a Past President of the St. Louis Psychological Association, and a past liaison to the Missouri Psychological Association. He is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sport Psychology, as well as a member of Division 47 (Sport Psychology) of the American Psychological Association. Joe is an adjunct professor at Logan University where he teaches Psychology of the Athlete. He ran collegiate division one cross country at St. Louis University. Joe continues to be a life time runner, tennis player, golfer, and snow skier. Joe holds a black belt in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do.