Meet Abd-rahman Saad | Mental Performance Coach & Performance Enhancement Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abd-rahman Saad and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abd-Rahman, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Many people have blessed me with good health, knowledge, and experience. My previous experience as a Director of Performance opened my eyes to the gaps in the profession of youth performance. While pursuing my education at the University of Denver, I actively initiated changes in team culture and individual performance. I strive to work with teams and performers who are looking to refine and enhance their skills, regardless of the level they are currently at. This was a lesson I learned from a great coach Scott Krall, may he rest in peace. He was my throwing coach; however, he taught every athlete the skills of imagery, goal-setting, and mental resilience training. I would not be the man I am today without him. I aspire to be there for athletes, coaches, and parents looking to develop skills to help them in their domain and serve them as the foundation of life skills that will allow them to be even better people. Soul Strength has become my avenue to help connect to performers in a world where we may only see how they performed instead of who they are.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Soul Strength started as a mission to inform the public about mental skills training. However, I saw the opportunity to utilize mental skills to enhance my time in the weight room . I am most proud of the performers who come in, seeing the moments their mental growth transfers to their physical results. Being in this moment as a business owner, I remind myself of the many challenges it takes to be in the field. Aspects such as determining a business name, finding a location to train, and what is my true mission. There have been so many mistakes that I have made to be in this position, and the greatest lesson of all is patience. There can be this overwhelming wonder if keeping the business is worth the time and effort. When I run into those moments, I remind myself of the relationships that have been built over the years and trust in the foundation of connecting with people who had always been there in the highs and lows. Being thankful for the people who have been present, and remember who this work is for.

Soul Strength is for the person looking to build habits towards their success. Building the physical and mental capabilities to handle moments of uncertainty with composure, developing or refining personal values that align with your future aspirations. I have been through failure, and I have been through grief. Many people focus on success; I focus on how you have learned from previous experience and what steps you want to take to accomplish your vision. You can find a trainer anywhere. Have you found a coach to guide you toward the success that already lives with you? The name Soul Strength comes from the idea that we all have the things we need to unlock our potential.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first thing you must do in Colorado is a hike. One of my favorite casual hikes is Lookout Mountain. A beautiful sanctuary is at the top, where you can observe the deer and enjoy a lovely view. If you feel adventurous after that hike, you can take the Buffalo Bill Trail to Buffalo Bill’s resting site and a little museum. You probably built up an appetite, so we would head to one of the few Dave’s Chicken restaurants for a fantastic chicken sandwich and maybe a milkshake. We’ve got to replace those burnt calories. After a long nap, we can enjoy a calm evening at The Hound, where we would play pool and enjoy some small appetizers; they also have some excellent burgers and a jukebox that anyone can play their music on.

The next day is calm, so we can start the day at the relaxing corner and get a quick massage if we feel sore from the hike. We can still see some beautiful plant life by spending time at the Botanical Gardens. Depending on the time of year, there is music, a light show, or a quiet walk to reflect on the previous day or catch up on old times. For lunch, Cava is an excellent Meddateranian spot to make a light bowl or wrap to give us the energy we need for the rest of the day. As a DU Alumni, I have some bias; however, I believe the campus is beautiful in the Spring. It is very lively and has fantastic architecture. We can head to RiNo, the art district, to enjoy a great dinner at Linger; get the DUCK BAO BUNS! Ice cream is right next door at Little Man’s. Always go for a double scoop.

If you couldn’t tell at this point, I thoroughly enjoy food. Breakfast at Pete’s Diner off Evan’s and University is a must. Growing up in Pennsylvania, the diners on the East Coast were unmatched. However, Pete’s brings the same comfort and great food, and most importantly, the hospitality is always ready to fill your coffee cup—the energy for the day to explore some art and remember history. City Park has some of the most influential statues created by Honorary Doctor Ed Dwight, who has crafted statues of Martin Luther King Jr, Frederick Douglass, Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and Sojourner Truth. On Sundays, they also have jazz in the park, an excellent opportunity to enjoy music and have a social gathering.

The last item on the list is to take the Lightrail to Union Station. On the way, we get to see Empower Stadium and Ball Arena. Union Station provides a wonderful scene to see history and modern art come together. We will ride some scooters to 16th Street Mall to visit the Museum of Illusions and create some great videos and photos. Of course, there are so many places to visit, such as Red Rocks, Buell Theater, and Estes Park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been so many influences in my life. I will start with my family. My mother encouraged me to get involved in sports and learn from the coaches, seeing them as role models, as my father was absent. I am thankful to all my coaches from my time in Football, Wrestling, and Track and field. My college coaches and teammates at Kutztown University have always been there for me throughout my life transitions. GO GOLDEN BEARS!!!. I am grateful for my time at the University of Denver, where I became friends with Mike Mata and Jake Kluver (Limitless Mental Performance). I am currently blessed with some athletes I have the privilege of training; their effort and persistence make my career enjoyable.

Website: https://soulstrengthmpc.com

Instagram: https://soul.strength.llc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abd-rahman-saad-m-a-cmpc-nasm-cpt-pes-5bbb77164/