sign up for our latest pepTalk™ with Brian Roberts
What? “WIN THE FIRST 5”, Managing the First 5 Minutes of the Game
When? Wednesday, May 20th 2026 from 7.30pm to 8.15pm
Where? Zoom link issued to participants upon registration
Who? Players in the DEVELOPMENT PHASE (u11-u14)
limited places available!
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pep360° is a mental performance initiative focused on helping athletes, coaches, and teams develop both performance and personal growth.
Built on the belief that performance is deeply connected to the person behind the player, pep360° combines:
- applied sport psychology
- education
- human connection
- practical performance tools
- real-world sport experience
Our approach supports athletes not only in performing under pressure, but also in developing the self-awareness, resilience, confidence, and emotional skills needed to thrive both in sport and in life!
At the center of pep360° is a simple philosophy:
Whole Player. Whole Person. Whole Potential.
We believe sustainable high performance happens when athletes are:
- seen as people first
- educated with practical tools
- empowered to perform with confidence and authenticity
welcome to our pepTalk™ summer series
mental performance conversations for aspiring elite soccer players
pepTalk™ is a live online workshop series designed to help ambitious youth soccer players develop the mental side of performance in a practical, modern, and soccer-specific way.
While many players spend countless hours training their physical and technical game, few are ever taught:
- how to manage pressure
- respond to mistakes
- build confidence
- stay brave under stress
- handle setbacks
- compete with freedom and clarity
That’s where pepTalk™ comes in.
Created by Brian Roberts (pep360°), each session focuses on a specific mental performance topic commonly experienced by aspiring elite players navigating:
- academy environments
- high expectations
- selection pressure
- confidence fluctuations
- performance anxiety
- identity and resilience in sport
Rather than “motivational speeches,” pepTalk™ provides athletes with practical tools they can immediately apply in training and games.
Core themes throughout the series include:
- Courage over comfort
- Response over perfection
- Confidence through action
- Emotional regulation under pressure
- Self-awareness and reflection
- Learning how to compete freely
Players will leave each session with:
(1) practical mental performance tools
(2) greater self-awareness
(3) simple routines and strategies
(4) increased confidence and clarity
(5) a deeper understanding of how elite performers think, respond, and grow
our pepTalk™ structure
Pre-event: participants will have access to an 'Athlete Workbook' to complete prior and during our event.
Event: 45 minute virtual workshops delivered on the specified date.
Post-event: participants will be issued with a follow-up ‘Player Resource Guide’ post event.
Session 1: Player Workshop “WIN THE FIRST 5” on Wednesday May 20th from 7.30-815pm
pepTalk™ with high performing players, coaches & teams
At pep360°, we believe mental performance development should extend beyond the individual athlete and into the wider soccer community. Through pepTalk™ in the Community, we have partnered with clubs, leagues, coach education programs, and player development organizations to deliver practical, evidence-informed workshops focused on confidence, resilience, emotional regulation, leadership, pressure management, and psychological wellbeing in sport.
Previous events and collaborations have included workshops and presentations with:
pepTalk™ at United Elite Soccer Club
During the 2023, 2024, and 2025 United Elite Camp Residential Programs, pepTalk™ sessions were delivered to support the psychological and personal development of aspiring elite soccer players.
Across the residential experience, players were introduced to a range of practical mental performance themes and interactive workshops, including: Building a Sense of Team, Raising My Game, High Performance Mental Skills and My Mental Game Plan.
These sessions aimed to equip players with practical tools they could immediately apply both on and off the field while reinforcing the importance of developing the whole player not just the athlete
pepTalk™ with Illinois ODP Players & Parents
Through Illinois ODP, pepTalk™ workshops were delivered to players and their parents, focusing on helping athletes better understand and develop the mental side of performance within high-level youth soccer environments.
Player sessions included: An Introduction to Psychological Skills Training (PST), Self-Talk Techniques and “The Next Play Mentality” building psychological flexibility and helping athletes learn how to respond effectively to both ODP selection and non-selection.
Parent sessions focused on: Navigating Selection and understanding how parents can help build resilient, adaptable, and emotionally supported players throughout the development journey.
These workshops aimed to normalize the emotional demands of elite youth sport while equipping players and families with practical strategies to support long-term growth, wellbeing, and performance.
pepTalk™ at WABA Development
pepTalk™ partnered with our friends at WABA Development to deliver a workshop focused on developing a high-performance mentality in aspiring athletes through an introduction to Psychological Skills Training (PST).
A key focus of the workshop was the Self-Talk Technique, helping athletes recognize the impact of their internal dialogue and develop practical strategies to improve confidence, composure, and performance during competition.
pepTalk™ with FC United Players
pepTalk™ sessions at MLS Next and Girls Academy club FC United helping aspiring athletes better understand the mental side of performance and long-term development within elite youth soccer.
One of the central themes explored was: “Shoulda, Coulda, Didn’t : Why Don’t High-Potential Players Make It?” This session challenged players to reflect on the non-technical factors that influence development, including mentality, consistency, resilience, emotional control, coachability, and response to adversity.
Players also worked through: Building YOUR OWN Mental Game Plan and Managing Mistakes. The workshops were designed to provide practical mental performance tools that players could immediately apply in training, games, and everyday challenges both on and off the field of play.
