I’m thrilled to be part of the Thrive Mental Performance team, where I can combine my passion for understanding athletes’ unique stories with a commitment to helping them unlock their full potential. My philosophy centers on meeting athletes where they are, empowering them to navigate challenges, and fostering an environment where success, growth, and joy intersect.
Lee Arakawa, PhD, CMPC, is a sport psychology coach at Thrive with extensive experience as both a player and coach in soccer. As a collegiate athlete who competed in the NPSL and PASL, and as a coach at the youth, high school, and college club levels, Lee brings firsthand knowledge of the game to his work with athletes.
Armed with a PhD in Sport Psychology and Sociology and certification as an AASP Mental Performance Consultant, Lee combines academic expertise with practical experience to help athletes optimize their mental performance and overall well-being. Before joining Thrive, Lee served as a professor of sport and exercise psychology, enriching his understanding of athlete development and performance optimization.
Lee has worked with athletes across diverse sports and levels, focusing on helping them overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and find joy in their pursuits. His approach emphasizes understanding each athlete’s unique story and sociocultural context, empowering them to harness their strengths and navigate obstacles effectively. In addition, Lee mentors aspiring CMPCs, supporting the next generation of sport psychology professionals in making meaningful contributions to the field.