Meet Ben Wolfe | Tennis Performance Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Wolfe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a former teacher and a service-oriented person, I felt inspired to start my own business because I realized that my unique pathway in learning tennis allowed me to help others improve not only their game but also their overall well-being. Watching my clients transform through a holistic approach to tennis is incredibly rewarding.

I also enjoy the challenges that come with this type of coaching. To improve in tennis, one needs to be fit mentally and physically while also having the skills to hit the ball correctly. That’s a lot to unpack! Thus, each individual faces their own unique hurdles to improving, and part of my role is to help them recognize these obstacles. Together, we develop tailored game plans to tackle these challenges head-on, empowering them to not only overcome their difficulties but also to grow stronger in the process. In the end, we both learn and grow to become better tennis players and people.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started tennis in high school with no outside training other than public courts and a hitting wall where I spent much of my days on. I was able to improve rabidly with my passion for the sport. I also learned quickly that if I could get stronger than my opponents, I would be able to narrow the gap of talent that was evident in our matches. This allowed me to get from last to #1 on my top 5 in the state high school team.

I started coaching under high-level coaches at Michigan State, where I learned the essentials of leading a team and creating lasting memories for my players. After earning my certification as a science teacher and later a master’s in education, I coached in Michigan, Hawaii, North Carolina, and Colorado. Although I am no longer a teacher, I still love to coach. Over the last 8 years, I’ve had the privilege of transforming a mediocre high school tennis program into a top 16 caliber team, making the state championship tournament for two consecutive years—a significant leap from the bottom of the conference when I first started coaching at Castle View High School.

As a self-taught player, I understand the unique challenges athletes face beyond technique, from injuries to mental blocks. My journey led me to become a certified health, fitness, and mental coach, helping me overcome these obstacles and improve my game. I soon realized that while players often want a ‘new forehand,’ real progress happens with strength training, nutrition, and mental resilience. My teaching background helps me build tailored programs that allow players to thrive, even remotely, and my book, Teach Yourself Tennis, emphasizes these concepts, backed by over 70 research articles.

Today, I’m dedicated to meeting players where they are, identifying their main obstacles, and helping them reach the next level. The results are incredibly rewarding, and I love working with players willing to commit to a fit mind and body as their foundation.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver is full of outdoor and city activities. While we’d catch a Rockies, Nuggets, or Avalanche game, I’d spend most of our time in the mountains. We could stay at my mountain home in FairPlay, hiking Mount Sherman for a solid physical challenge that isn’t too technical. Of course, we can always change it up with some hitting at a nearby tennis court. Tennis at 10,000 feet is incredibly tough! Afterward, we’d unwind in my sauna and hot tub, then explore Fairplay’s small-town charm. Breakfast at Java Moose, drinks at the Snitching Lady Distillery, and a meal at Highside Brewing would round out the experience. Colorado makes it easy to stay active, enjoy good food, and have fun.

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?
I owe a huge thank you to many amazing people who have supported me, embodying the ‘it takes a village’ spirit. Barry Riddle at Parker Racquet Club believed in my vision of holistic coaching from day one, while Ed Anderson at Denver Tennis Park has been both a friend and mentor, never doubting my potential. A special thanks to my college friend Mike Thom, whose guidance and support as I built my brand over a decade ago meant the world to me.

I also want to recognize my wife, Kristin, my mom, Janaan and my brother, Jason. Their unwavering faith in me has been instrumental; for them, it was never a question of “if” I would succeed, but rather “when.” Having this positive energy surrounding me has made all the difference in my journey.

Website: https://www.wolfetennisperformance.com

Instagram: @wolfetennisperformance

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlwolfe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfetennisperformance

Youtube: @teachyourselftennis

Other: My book can be found at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-Tennis-holistic-potential/dp/1693364743