Mental training isn't optional.
It's essential.

Mental training turns hard work into reliable race-day performance. It’s the skill set that keeps you calm, confident, and ready when it counts.

Meet David

More than mental coaching.

Using neuroscience and sport psychology, I help rowers train their brains with the same precision and discipline required for every stroke. Professor. Counselor. Former Rower and Coach. Contributor to Row 360

I bring years of experience on the water and in the classroom to help rowers perform under pressure, build resilience, and improve focus in competition and beyond.

Programs & Coaching

Whether you’re a rower, coach, or team, these programs turn mental performance into a competitive advantage. Each option combines sport science, rowing expertise, and practical tools you can use from the first session.

Team Programs

Designed to build collective focus, resilience, and communication. Perfect for teams aiming to elevate performance, long-term.

Workshops

Interactive sessions that teach mental skills and strategies. Great for groups wanting hands-on learning and practical tools.

Individual Coaching

Personalized coaching tailored to your unique mental performance goals. Ideal for rowers seeking one-on-one guidance.

Speaking & Media

Engaging talks and interviews that motivate and educate on science-based mental performance. For teams, clubs, podcasts, and events.

Testimonials

"Our athletes and coaches loved working with David on mental performance."
-Kit Bennet, High School Coach
“He uses easy to understand concepts and is very relatable.”
-Liliana, Division I Collegiate Rower
“Dr. Schary really helped me do well on my 2k.”
Layla, High School Rower

Find Your Rowing Style

Are you Fire, Ice, or Flow? This quick quiz reveals your natural intensity and gives you strategies to train smarter, race stronger, and handle pressure with confidence.

Contributions to

David has a keen understanding of sports psychology and the athlete mindset, not only as an academic but as a mental health and well-being practitioner. Drawing on his experiences both as an expert in sports psychology and as a former rowing coach David has contributed numerous Row360 articles, and his sharp and insightful writing is always well-received by our readership.
-Tom Ransley MBE
Editor Row360 and Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Champion

The 3 Types of Racing Brain Rowers

How to Recognize Them and Respond on Race Day Part 2 of the Racing Brain Series Not every rower reacts to race‑day pressure the same way. Some thrive, some wobble, and some tighten up. Knowing which “Racing Brain type” you or your rower falls into can change how you train,…
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