Lauren is a professional ballet dancer, with much of her career spent as a Soloist with The Sarasota Ballet and dancing with The National Ballet of Canada. She has performed lead and featured roles in works by renowned choreographers including Balanchine, Ashton, Robbins, Tharp, Taylor, Graham, and MacMillan. Lauren trained and performed in Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, Pennsylvania, and Amsterdam, shaping a diverse and versatile foundation for her career.

Lauren will graduate with her Master’s degree in Sport & Performance Psychology at the University of Western States in September, 2025 and is actively working toward her Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential. Lauren will also be joining the Mental Performance Coaching team at IMG Academy for the summer. She holds a double major from California Baptist University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Kinesiology and a BS in Sport and Performance Psychology. Lauren is also a Certified Pilates Instructor and a Certified Personal Trainer.

She has presented at numerous regional conferences for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) on topics related to classical ballet and mental performance. Lauren is passionate about increasing awareness and access to applied sport and performance psychology for elite athletes and performing artists of all sport & performance domains, with a special interest in helping dancers develop the mental tools for excellence, enjoyment, and long-term well-being both on stage and off.

Lauren is a professional ballet dancer, with much of her career spent as a Soloist with The Saras... Read More

Arianna Ciccarelli Shimits, MA, CMPC, Co-Founder of Persistence Psych, holds a Master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology. A former professional ballet dancer, she earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology at Arizona State University. Transitioning from ballet, she pursued an MA in SPP and is currently a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Springfield College. Arianna applies her expertise to various fields, working with performers like dancers, musicians, athletes, surgeons, and more. Passionate about enhancing performance, she believes in combining rigorous physical training with SPP for optimal results.

Arianna Ciccarelli Shimits, MA, CMPC, Co-Founder of Persistence Psych, holds a Master’s in Sport ... Read More

Alyssa Epstein, MA spent 16 years kicking up her heels as a World-Famous Radio City Rockette. She has been seen dancing on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Live with Kelly and Michael, America’s Got Talent, and many more. Alyssa is currently a sanctioned teacher with the Verdon/Fosse Legacy. She is the first individual who has never worked with Bob Fosse or Gwen Verdon to hold that title. Alyssa has been a faculty member at both Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She has been a guest teacher at Juilliard, the University of Illinois, Wagner College, and more.

Alyssa holds a Master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from National University and a BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign. She currently works with performing artists and athletes in addressing concerns such as performance anxiety, return from injury, mindfulness, and career transition. Alyssa is passionate about helping individuals from all walks of life in achieving their greatest potential.

She is most proud of her title as an 8-year Breast Cancer Survivor! Alyssa works with various charities around the country spreading hope to those that need it most.

Alyssa Epstein, MA spent 16 years kicking up her heels as a World-Famous Radio City Rockette. She... Read More