David L. Cook, PhD

ABOUT DAVID COOK

Sport and Performance Psychologist, Speaker, and Best-Selling Author
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Dr. David Cook is peak performance coach in the field of Sport and Performance Psychology. He served as "Mental Training Coach" for the San Antonio Spurs from 1996 – 2004 that included two World Championships. He has coached performers from the PGA, NBA, NFL, MLB, Olympics, and collegiate national championship ranks. His business clients have included Exxon Mobil, Sprint, USAA, Valero, Merill Lynch, and many other Fortune 500 companies. In 2006 he released his best selling novel, Seven Days in Utopia: Golf’s Sacred Journey. This book was made into a movie, Seven Days in Utopia, starring academy award winners Robert Duvall and Melissa Leo and was released in theaters across the country Sept. of 2011. He served as Executive Producer and screenwriter on this project.

Dr. Cook has represented the U.S. at the International Olympic Academy in Greece; served as president of the National Sport Psychology Academy; and was recently named, "Top 10 Mental Game Consultant" by Golf Digest Magazine. He served as Mental Training Coach for the San Antonio Spurs for eight seasons, including their first two World Championships.

 
 
 

TESTIMONIALS

David Cook is an extraordinarily gifted coach, counselor, speaker and writer who is able to motivate and encourage people like no one I’ve ever seen. He spoke at our Senior Management meeting last year, and people are still talking about him a year later and the performance enhancing principles he shared. His incredible experience at coaching individuals to achieve peak performance is as relevant and applicable in a business environment as it is to professional athletes. He is a “Picasso”!
— Joe Gorder - President/CEO Valero 
During the eight years Dr. Cook was employed by the Spurs we experienced much success including two NBA Championships and the best winning percentage in all of professional sports. His input to our team contributed significantly to these accomplishments. I am confident that David could prove to be a worthwhile resource for your organization.
— R.C. Buford
 - Senior Vice President/General Manager 
San Antonio Spurs
Of all the guest speakers we have had over the past 11 years, Dr. Cook by far was the best in relating to our audience with his message. He inspired many of our customers that day and we have had more positive feedback about this speaker than any other.
— Monty Rogers - 
Executive Vice President, 
Security Bank
My team was absolutely blown away both by Dr. Cook’s knowledge and experience but even more by his delivery and obvious passion for helping others grow. I’ve also been fortunate to witness Dr. Cook interact with Fortune 500 CEO’s at an annual golf/leadership event at Pine Valley (number 1 rated golf course in the world) and I know for a fact those executives were equally impressed with his communication skills and added value to their leadership styles.
— Eric Affeldt 
- Chief Executive Officer
, ClubCorp
The energy you were able to convey via video feed was remarkable - the audience was glued to the screen and fully participative. I know you would have rather done this in person, but you really were terrific - David slayed Goliath this morning! I am so grateful to you. Thank you.
— Trina Evans
 - CAO and Director of Client Experience, 
KeyBank (via video feed because of historic storm in the northeast)
We had to opportunity to have Dr. Cook speak to a group of our advisors. He did a remarkable job relating what we do every day to the mental obstacles his clients have encountered in the sports world. He was able to change the way many of us approach the hurdles we face every day in continuing to grow our business.
— Cody Vardeman - Edward Jones, Inc.
Dr. Cooks presentation to our leadership team was special. He is a man that we not only tremendously admire, but highly recommended to any organization looking to strengthen their management teams approach to achieving goals. David teaches and gives proper perspective to leaders via an encouraging and challenging program for self development.
— Trey Vick - 
CEO, DTK, Inc.
Bottom line is this. If anyone is looking for help getting their team to FOCUS on where to go, have PASSION enough to do what it takes really want to get there and MENTAL TOUGHNESS to not let distractions along the way derail them, then David Cook is the right person to have come and motivate their group!! He will have everyone engaged and on the edge of their seats by intertwining real life stories into his message. This is a can’t miss opportunity to make your event a success.
— Mark Owens
 - Regional Manager for Belfor
David Cook brings the full package to an audience when he speaks: wisdom, experience, insight, encouragement, challenge, and humor. He embeds challenging perspective into structured presentations sure to help motivate achievement oriented groups. You’ll want to have him back!
— Bryce Danley
 - Managing Director, 
Ameriprise Financial Services
Dr. Cook quickly connected with our executives. Through his expert use of storytelling to convey a concept and how it shows up in real life, our executives quickly understood how to apply the information. Dr. Cook is one of the most authentic leadership speakers we have engaged and it is a privilege to call him our partner.
— Carol Jennings - 
Vice President Education and Organization Development, 
Memorial Hermann Hospital System Services
David possess an unparalleled style and ability to connect large and diverse audiences to meaning and higher purpose. Whether as a keynote speaker, or diving deeper into the transformative leadership techniques from his book, your team will benefit from his insight and teaching.
— John F. Lacy - 
Chief Human Resources Officer, 
Baylor Scott and White Health System
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