THE TEAM
Dr Hannah Stoyel, HCPC, CPsychol, MSc
Founder and Director of Optimise Potential. Hannah is an HCPC registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist and a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society. Beyond her private practice at Optimise Potential, Hannah is a Sport Psychologist for the UK Institute of Sport (formerly the EIS) working with British Diving and is a consultant Sport Psychologist for Aquatics GB with the Olympic Swimming World Class Programme.
Hannah also has experience in professional Football and is currently a consultant with the men’s First Team at Fulham FC in the Premier League. She previously worked as the Sport Psychologist for Oxford United Men's first team and with Reading FC girls’ Academy.
Hannah also works in the arts as the Performance Psychologist for the English National Ballet and she has previously been a British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) registered practitioner.
Hannah uses an integrative approach with an emphasis on Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy, and Compassion Focussed Therapy.
Hannah has a PhD from University College London (UCL) in Clinical Sport Psychology. Her PhD research focussed on disordered eating and eating disorders in athletes. She has a BA in Psychology from Kenyon College in the US, and an MSc in Applied Sport Psychology from St Mary's University Twickenham.
Hannah is also a BASES Supervisor for Trainee Sport and Exercise Psychologists.
Aneeka Hopkin, HCPC, MSc, PGCert
Aneeka is a HCPC registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. Her passion for sport psychology stems from a background in swimming and athletics, alongside a keen interest in psychology. As a Grenadian who has lived in Canada and the UK, Aneeka has a multicultural sporting perspective. She has worked locally and internationally with individuals, teams, and organisations from several sports, ranging from recreational to the Olympic level.       
 
Aneeka uses an integrative approach in her practice, drawing from several therapeutic modalities to support her clients’ unique needs. Her approach is IFS-informed and includes a blend of mind- and body-focused modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and somatic techniques. Her practice is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and centred around working collaboratively with clients. She believes that taking her clients’ unique strengths and experiences into account is vital to helping them achieve their goals. 
 
Aneeka also specialises in providing disordered eating and over-exercising support. She helps athletes and exercisers navigate challenging relationships with food/exercise with the aim of helping clients achieve increased food/exercise flexibility.    
 
Aneeka has a BSc in Psychology from the University of Toronto, an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Brunel University London, and a PGCert in Counselling Psychology from City, University of London.
Louise Byrne, HCPC, CPsychol, MSc
Louise is an experienced Psychologist who has worked extensively within professional sport. Some of her most recent teams have been Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Surrey County Cricket Club, and GB Diving.
Her ability to develop secure relationships quickly allow her to apply unique interventions no matter who the client in front of her is.
Prior to a career in professional sport, Louise worked as a Data Analyst within an Investment Management company, meaning she learned how to navigate turbulent environments and remain composed. She has translated her approach to work within competitive business settings too, with much success and positive feedback.
Sport and Performance Psychology can be delivered in many ways, however Louise has developed a formula through research and applied practice meaning her processes are well tested with successful results within elite performance environments.
If you wish to explore how this approach could work for you then please get in touch.
Nicole Smith, HCPC, MSc
Nicole is a HCPC-registered Sport Psychologist with a deep-rooted passion for performance and wellbeing, shaped by her own journey as an acrobatic gymnast. Her experience in high-performance environments facilitated her interest in sport psychology, and since then has gone on to support athletes, teams, coaches, and organisations across more than 20 different sports. Nicole has worked with and embedded support with clients and multi-disciplinary teams from youth performance pathways through to elite and professional levels, including those involved in National squads and pathways.
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At the core of Nicole’s approach is the belief that greater self-awareness leads to better performance. She works collaboratively with her clients and teams to develop psychological skills that build resilience, manage challenges, and support long-term goals. Her aim is to provide proactive support, where athletes are not reacting to setbacks, but instead are equipped to handle challenges before they arise.
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Nicole offers 1-2-1 support tailored to individual needs, integrated sport psychology sessions within training and competition environments, and educational group workshops. Her practice is rooted in a humanistic approach, where she focuses on the person not just the performer. By understanding the individual behind the athlete or coach, Nicole creates space for meaningful growth and development.
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Nicole’s psychological framework blends a combination of approaches; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), allowing her to tailor support that’s both evidence-based and client specific.
Nicole holds an MSc in Psychology of Sport from the University of Stirling and is fully registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Alex Stoyel, MSc, GMBPsS
Alex is a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training (SEPiT). Alex has an MSc in Psychology from the University of Westminster and MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Roehampton.
 
Alex has worked with a professional and amateur sportspeople across wide range of ages, sports, and competitive levels. Alex has particularly extensive experience with talented teen and pre-teen athletes, through his role as lead Sport Psychology practitioner for Swim England and having worked with the LTA’s wheelchair tennis pathway. Alex has also worked with a number of other elite sporting organisations, including British Swimming, World Aquatics, Oxford University and Imperial College.
Alex also offers performance psychology beyond sport, and can support individuals and organisations in corporate sectors and the performing arts. Alex has worked with a number of organisations including financial institutions and the NHS, and leverages his decade of experience in management consultancy to provide actionable and relevant psychological support at both an organisational and individual level. 
 
Alex offers a welcoming and collaborative practice style based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), although he is also trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). ACT is a practical, evidence-based methodology designed to give clients the tools they need to define and achieve their goals.
Joanna Train HCPC, CPsychol, MSc
Registered with the British Psychological Society and the HCPC, Joanna is a fully trained Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. She completed her master’s degree at Loughborough University and two years of supervised practice, bringing a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her work.
Joanna currently works with the Oxford Blues performance scheme, supporting student-athletes and teams at the University of Oxford. In this role, she collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver integrated psychological support in a high-performance environment.
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She has worked across a wide range of sports, including hockey, cross-country, triathlon, rowing, fencing, and swimming — supporting athletes from youth development through to elite level. Her experience includes working with regional Swim England squads and previously with Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing), delivering workshops and individual support to junior and senior athletes.
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Joanna’s practice is collaborative and flexible, offering both 1-to-1 sessions and group workshops tailored to the needs of individuals and teams. She draws on evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), using techniques like mindfulness, visualisation, cognitive reframing, and performance routines to enhance psychological flexibility, resilience, and well-being.
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She regularly delivers engaging, practical workshops on topics including confidence in competition, performance anxiety, emotional regulation, team cohesion, focus, and mental health in sport — working with athletes, coaches, and parents across grassroots to national levels.
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Outside her professional role, Joanna is a keen runner and triathlete. She is a strong advocate for inclusive sport and believes participation should be accessible to all, regardless of background or ability.
Serena MacLeod, HCPC, CPsychol, MSc, MPC
Serena is a HCPC registered, Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist (CPsychol) and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). She pursued her career as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist due to her experiences as an elite footballer including a severe knee injury (and fear of re-injury) and pre-competition anxiety. She has a diploma in Social Work, BSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Qualification in Sport andExercise Psychology Stage 2 through the British Psychological Society and is also a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Canadian Sport Psychology Association.
Serena has worked with individual athletes, exercisers, coaches, business executives, teams and organisations ranging from amateur to professional level. She has worked in a range of sports including football, swimming, athletics, ballet, gymnastics, field hockey, ice hockey, golf, cycling, lacrosse, rugby, baseball, fencing, shooting, volleyball, adaptive BMX, VI (visually impaired)swimming, wheelchair racing, esports (FIFA, Fortnite, League of Legends) and VI tennis. Currently she is a Sport Psychologist for Manchester City FC (Esports), Certified Mental Performance Consultant for Canada Soccer (U16 Canada's Men's National Team), Consultant Sport Psychologist with The Royal Ballet and Sport Psychologist at Imperial College. Previously, she worked for Reading FC Academy, UK Athletics, Oxford University and Swim England.
Some of the areas Serena supports individuals and teams with are fear of injury/re-injury, managing pre-performance nerves, mental blocks, perfectionism, disordered eating, body image, self-esteem/self-confidence, motivation, concentration, fear of failure, managing negative/unhelpful thoughts, coach-athlete relationships, imposter syndrome, pre-performance routines, mental preparation for competition, team values, team culture and supporting individuals with an acquired disability post-injury.
Serena’s services include virtual one-to-one sessions with individual athletes, coaches, business executives and exercisers. She also delivers bespoke educational workshops for amateur to professional clubs, universities, governing bodies, and organisations. Serena uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help athletes understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and behaviours. She is also trained in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT).
Mona Lamotte, MSc
Mona is a French and Irish Sport Psychologist in Training (SEPiT), fluent in both languages, currently working in France with athletes at the Apex2100 International Ski Academy in Tignes after working at INSEP in Paris in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Although she now practices in France, her academic and professional training followed the UK system. She is currently completing her Stage 2 through BASES (British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences), under the supervision of Hannah Stoyel, a HCPC-registered psychologist working with GB Diving and Swimming. Her practice draws from evidence-based approaches, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with a focus on helping athletes build psychological flexibility and align their actions with their values.
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In her role, Mona designs and facilitates both group workshops and individual sessions that support athletes in navigating pressure, developing confidence, and exploring their identity beyond sport. She has worked with a wide range of profiles—from young U12 athletes to Olympic hopefuls—offering adapted, engaging content tailored to their developmental and competitive needs. Her workshops cover topics such as setting healthy boundaries, defining internal motivation, and reflecting on the meaning behind one’s sporting journey. Known for her careful preparation and sensitivity to group dynamics, Mona creates spaces where athletes feel safe to reflect, grow, and speak openly.
Alongside her applied work, Mona is currently developing a documentary investigating sexual abuse and harassment in sport. This project stems from her Master’s thesis, which revisited a topic that has received little attention in France since the last major national study in 2009. Her approach is grounded in care, integrity, and a long-term commitment to athlete welfare—whether through performance support, education, or broader systemic change in the world of sport.
Hannah Winter, HCPC, CPsychol, MSc
Hannah is a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training registered with the British Psychological Society. Hannah’s clients range from recreational exercisers of all abilities to elite athletes and teams, parents, personal trainers, clubs and coaches delivering both 1-1 sessions and group workshops. She has experience working with clients across a range of sports including tennis, football, swimming, cycling, running, triathlon, rowing, netball, fencing, skiing and rugby. Hannah also provides exercise psychology support, helping people with long-term, sustainable lifestyle change and works with personal trainers to educate them on the psychology of behaviour change.
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Hannah places a significant emphasis on building strong relationships with her clients. She works collaboratively, using cognitive behavioural theories to tailor her work to each unique client.
Hannah says - "I am passionate about the wellbeing of my clients. Often sport psychology is perceived as only focusing on performance or that it is there for people when something is wrong and an issue needs to be dealt with. However, really it is about helping things to be as good as possible for people. Working in sport psychology I am often working with people who are trying to do something really challenging. My role is to help individuals navigate those challenges."
Hannah’s sport is triathlon where she has competed in both half and full Ironman. Through her own sporting challenges, Hannah has seen the power of developing the right mindset in the pursuit of achieving goals, personal development and improving wellbeing.
Hannah is currently splitting her time between London, UK and Vancouver, Canada.