Thinklete Information

Founded by former professional athlete Derek Shunk, Thinklete is a mentorship and athlete development company dedicated to helping young neurodivergent athletes build the mental, emotional, and life skills needed to thrive both in sports and beyond. We specialize in supporting athletes with ADHD, anxiety, executive functioning challenges, emotional intensity, and other unique ways of thinking and processing the world. Too often, these athletes are misunderstood, mislabeled, or expected to fit into traditional coaching approaches that don't align with how they learn and compete. At Thinklete, we help athletes and their families recognize that these differences can become powerful strengths when properly understood and developed. Through one-on-one mentorship, parent education, practical tools, and a team of former high-level athletes and professionals, we help athletes navigate challenges such as confidence issues, negative self-talk, emotional regulation, focus, motivation, pressure, and resilience after mistakes. Our mentorship framework focuses on developing self-awareness, emotional control, productive habits, communication skills, leadership, and the ability to respond positively to adversity. We teach athletes how to better understand themselves, manage their emotions, build confidence, and develop the mindset needed to perform at their best. We also work closely with parents, providing guidance and support to help create environments where athletes can grow, learn, and succeed both on and off the field. At Thinklete, we believe many of the traits athletes are often criticized for can become their greatest competitive advantages. Our mission is to help athletes embrace who they are, unlock their potential, and realize that success doesn't come from thinking like everyone else—it comes from learning how to leverage their unique strengths and discovering that different isn't a disadvantage—different is your edge.