In-person event
Mental Fitness Forum 2026
May 8th, 2026
9 AM to 2 PM EDT
WSFS Bank Sportsplex, Chester, PA
Together, we can champion mental well-being in soccer and beyond.
Presented by
What is HeadFirst Mental Fitness Forum?
The Philadelphia Union Foundation, through HeadFirst, is committed to championing the importance of mental fitness. Each May, in Mental Health Awareness Month, we host a forum that brings together the soccer community, mental health professionals, and inspirational speakers to raise awareness and kick the stigma surrounding mental health in sports — ensuring a strong support system for our athletes.
About the event
What will I learn?
Mental Fitness Forum includes discussions, workshops, trainings, and activities. You’ll learn about pressing topics on mental fitness in sports.
- The clinical perspective on mental health challenges and solutions
- Insights from players, parents, and coaches on navigating mental health in sports
- An exploration of mental health at college and professional levels, and more
Previous panelists
Moderator
Suzie Pileggi Pawelski, MAPP, freelance writer and well-being consultant
Keynote Speaker
Keith Wilford, Philadelphia Union, YSC Academy Health and Wellness Coach. Keith Wilford is widely recognized throughout the Greater Philadelphia region as both an accomplished athlete and a respected educator across the Mid-Atlantic. Now gaining national prominence, Keith delivers high-energy, impactful messages to schools across the country, inspiring individuals of all ages and backgrounds to break through barriers and unlock their full potential. In addition to his speaking engagements, Keith works closely with athletes at every stage of development, equipping them with the physical and mental strength needed to excel in the next chapter of their journey.
Panelists
Panel 1: The Mind Game: Mental Wellness in Competitive Sports — Clinical and Positive Psychology Perspectives
- Dr. Ryan Connolly, Behavioral Health Medical Director, IBX
- Dr. Meghan Walls, Nemours, Public Policy Leader, Pediatric Psychologist, National Speaker, Pop Media Author
- Dr. James Pawelski, professor of practice and director of education in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania
Panel 2: Coach the Mind: How Coaches Shape Athlete Mental Fitness
- Colleen Finegan, Mental Performance Coach, Germantown Friends — CMPC candidate, Mental Performance Coach, Mental Wellness Educator, Athlete, Mentor, Speech-Language Pathologist
- Dr. Liz Nobis, Athletics Psychologist, U Penn
- Kevin Miller, Director of Sports Performance, Villanova
- Connor Robick, Co-Executive Director, Philadelphia International FC
Panel 3: Beyond the Pitch – Supporting the Whole Athlete
- Maddie Elwell, Retired Professional NWSL Soccer Player, Washington Spirit, Vanderbilt University Student Athlete SEC Standout
- Julia Marrone, Virginia Wesleyan 4 Year Student athlete, played in Division 3 Final Four, Graduate Student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Dr. Stephany Coakley, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Mental Health, First full-time mental health specialist at Temple
- Dr. Alec Baker, Family Psychologist
How can I register?
What is included?
The event includes:
- Breakfast and networking session
- A keynote presentation and additional speakers
- Expert panels for group discussions
- Breakout discussions
- Swag bag
- And more!
Where is it held?
WSFS Bank Sportsplex
2485 Seaport Dr, Chester, PA 19013
How else can I help kick the stigma?
- Spread the word about this event — and HeadFirst resources.
- Share your bag tag — let another player scan the QR code.
- Attend a Philadelphia Union game in May and visit our Foundation tent to show your support and learn more.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can create a world where the strength of our minds is celebrated as much as the strength of our bodies.
Who is invited?
Mental Fitness Forum brings together:
- Young athletes ages 12 to 19
- Coaches, athletic directors, trainers, and club administrators
- Parents
- Mental health professionals
- College coaches
- Soccer mentors
- Inspirational speakers, and more
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Myron L. Rolle
Neurosurgeon · Rhodes Scholar · Former NFL player for the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers · Pediatric neurosurgeon at Harvard Medical School · Former All-American at Florida State · Bestselling author of The 2% Way
Dr. Rolle has lived the pressure that sports can put on a mind, and he has made a career out of understanding it. He will open the morning with a keynote you will not stop thinking about.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEARS SPEAKERS & SESSIONS
Suzie & James Pileggi Pawelski: Red Cape, Green Cape: The Power of Positive Psychology On and Off the Field.
Suzie Pileggi Pawelski is a well-being writer, consultant, and coach specializing in the science of happiness and its impact on relationships, health, and performance. Passionate about youth well-being, she regularly speaks at schools and universities on the importance of strong social connections and serves as well-being chair for Philadelphia International FC, where she leads mental fitness trainings for coaches and athletes, helping young people build resilience, connection, and well-being on and off the field.
Suzie holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania. She is co-author of the best-selling book Happy Together: Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts (Penguin Random House), written with her husband James. She writes a popular Psychology Today blog with over one million reads, and her work has been featured in outlets including CNN, Time, O, The Oprah Magazine, NPR, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
James Pawelski, PhD, is Professor of Practice and Director of Education in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where he co-founded the world’s first Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program with Martin Seligman. A leading voice in the field, he is a former Founding Executive Director of the International Positive Psychology Association and currently leads a grant exploring connections between well-being and the arts and humanities. An award-winning teacher and international keynote speaker, he has delivered talks in more than 20 countries across 6 continents and is frequently featured in major media outlets including the New York Times, Univisión and The Today Show.
Together, Suzie and James create courses and lead courses workshops around the world focused on building flourishing relationships and lives. They regularly present internationally—including multiple invitations to speak at the Vatican—and most recently spoke in Rome to educators from around the globe on strengthening youth mental fitness and well-being. They also co-created the Audible Original Love in Your Golden Years (2025).
Danielle Schetter: How to Build a Mentally Strong, Confident Athlete
Lead by Danielle Schetter a Registered Nurse at Nemours Children's Health and a Certified Life Coach whose work centers on elevating the well‑being and performance of young athletes and their families. Danielle is completing her M.A. in Sport & Performance Psychology from Commonwealth University in June and is a CMPC candidate under mentorship, bringing passion along with a whole‑athlete approach to every space in which she works. A longtime youth sport coach, former athlete, and mom of three, she blends lived experience with evidence‑based mental performance strategies to create supportive, developmentally attuned training programs.
Keith Wilford: Still and Strong: A Mindfulness Meditation Session & Actively Listening to your Athlete
Lead by Keith Wilford a Mental Health & Wellness Educator with 20+ years of experience and a former All-American athlete, Keith Wilford helps leaders build resilience, strengthen confidence, and maintain control under pressure.
He doesn’t just talk about mental health - he lives it, teaches it, and equips others with the tools to navigate high-performance environments. His work sits at the intersection of mindset, leadership, and emotional control, the things that allow you to show up consistently when it matters most.
Alan O'Mara: Next Play Mentality: Resetting After Mistakes
Lead by Alan O’Mara the Founder of Real Talks and a Mental Performance Coach with a proven track record at the highest levels of sport. Through high-impact coaching and workshops, he has helped championship-winning teams on both sides of the Atlantic build resilient, connected cultures that perform under pressure.
He has also experienced success in elite sport as an athlete, head coach, and player development specialist with the Gaelic Players Association. In 2013, Alan became a national trailblazer in Ireland as the first active inter-county Gaelic footballer to publicly speak about depression; a decision that helped transform the conversation around mental health in sport. He is also the author of the best-selling memoir The Best Is Yet To Come.
Originally from Ireland, Alan now lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Mary Kate Boylan, where he works with programs across youth, collegiate, and elite sport to develop mental performance.
Jeremy Rahn: Lessons from Professional Sports: Mental Performance Skills
Lead by Jeremy Rahn a mental performance coach and licensed mental health counselor with a proven background in supporting both the mental health and performance of elite athletes and high performers. He currently works with the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), where he helps athletes stay composed, connect better with teammates, and bounce back stronger from setbacks.
Jeremy began his career in the NBA with the Washington Wizards, where he supported players and staff in managing the mental demands of a long season, building trust, focus, and performance consistency in a high-pressure, team-oriented environment. He also contributed to the NBA Referees Association in a consulting capacity. Jeremy has also served as mental performance coach for the Baltimore Orioles for one season.
Jeremy blends evidence-based sport psychology techniques with a relationship-driven approach. His work spans individual coaching, staff collaboration, and organizational culture initiatives-supporting athletes at every level in building confidence, navigating adversity, and sustaining high performance.
A graduate of Boston University, Jeremy holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling with a specialization in sport and performance psychology. His practice is rooted in both professional sports and youth development, and he is committed to helping athletes thrive not just in their sport, but in their lives.
Tag In
In a few honest words, tag in with the heart of why you’re here: why you play, why you coach, why you care, why you support someone you love in sport. Share your moment and add your voice to a space that puts every player’s whole self first.
Our partners