MEET OUR TEAM

Prepared to help you take your mental game and leadership to new heights.

Rainer J Meisterjahn, PhD, CMPC

FOUNDER & CEO

  • Mission Statement

    Striving for excellence is what drives me. I’m passionate about supporting our clients in finding unique ways to maximize their mental performance in ways that feel authentic to them. That’s why I started Courtex in the first place. When I was a collegiate player, I lacked the tools to consistently utilize my mental potential to my advantage. Instead, I just relied on trying to outwork everyone--and that wasn’t enough of an edge. I want more for you. Whether you’re a player, coach, or executive, my goal is to help you excel in your mental game and feel connected in your performance and life.

  • Role & Experience

    Rainer, who founded Courtex in 2013, is the lead mental performance coach for our NBA and FIBA clients and also oversees many of our daily business operations. As a former collegiate player, skills trainer, and youth coach, Rainer understands the game from different angles. He has worked closely with numerous high level pros and prospects, as well as with some of the top coaches and executives in the game. 


    Additionally, he has provided NBA Pre-Draft consulting services to multiple organizations, including the Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, and Milwaukee Bucks. Outside of basketball, Rainer has consulted with clients in numerous other sports, up to the Olympic level. A native of Germany, he is fluent in both English and German. 

  • Education & Credentials

    Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) | Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) | Since 2013

    PhD in Kinesiology | Sport Psychology & Motor Behavior Specialization | University of Tennessee | 2011

    MA in Counseling Psychology | Frostburg State University | 2008

    BA in Behavioral Sciences | Psychology Concentration | Coaching Minor University of Maine at Machias | 2004


Dave Laughlin, PhD

DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENT & SKILL ACQUISITION

  • Mission Statement

    "I believe that talent beats hard work when hard work doesn't understand their talents. Because of that, I love helping our clients discover who they are so that they can use that knowledge to excel in whatever way matters to them. Every person has an amazing capacity to learn but we do not all learn in the same way. My goal is to blend my expertise with your talents to develop a plan specifically designed to get to where you want to go. I truly believe that no matter what makes you tick, we can make it work!"

  • Role & Experience

    Dave is in charge of Courtex's assessment and research operations, and provides mental training services to select clients. As a former collegiate athlete and coach, and current college professor, Dave understands the mental game in both theory and application. He has worked closely with players, coaches, and executives across the NBA, MLB, and NCAA. 


    Additionally, he has provided NBA Pre-Draft consulting services to multiple organizations, including the Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dave currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  • Education & Credentials

    Assistant Professor of Exercise Science | Grand Valley State University | Since 2015

    PhD in Kinesiology | Sport Psychology & Motor Behavior Specialization | University of Tennessee | 2012

    MS in Exercise & Sport Sciences | Sport Psychology Concentration | Ithaca College | 2007

    BA in Communication | William Jewell College | 2003



Aren Ulmer, MA, CMPC

MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

aren@courtexperformance.com

  • Mission Statement

    "The mental game is about creating a life or performance that feels good on the inside, not just one that looks good on the outside. Through my experience as a player and coach, I discovered that the mental game is the difference between good and great. In my work, I focus on the development of the whole person to enhance performance on and off the “court”. My goal is to help clients fine-tune, train, and optimize the mental skills they already have and develop new ones as necessary."

  • Role & Experience

    Aren is a mental performance coach for Courtex athletes and coaches. As a former collegiate basketball player and coach, Aren developed significant proficiency in developing mental and physical skills, techniques, and strategies for individual and team play. He has consulted largely with players across the NCAA, and high school basketball levels, and has also been working with Courtex pro athletes. While in pursuant of his CMPC certification, he completed his research review on the Holistic Development of Amateur Athletes. 


     Additionally, Aren has coached clients from many other sports and professions, including golf, football, soccer, cross country, and educators. He also offers expertise in social media and brand development. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, Aren currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

  • Education & Credentials

    Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) | Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) | Since 2023

    Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Candidate | Sport & Performance Specialization | University of Arizona Global Campus

    MA in Applied Sport & Performance Psychology | Holy Names University | 2022

    BS in Mass Communication | University of West Georgia | 2015


Mo Merritt, PhD

MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

mo@courtexperformance.com

  • Mission Statement

    “Championing happiness, progress, and success is what drives me. I believe in being an advocate of the performer. Whether supporting performers in recognizing themselves as the ultimate system or helping them refine through exploration, my goal is to help individuals leverage their mental game for greater success (as defined by them).”

  • Role & Experience

    Mo is a mental performance coach for Courtex. She is a former collegiate basketball player and a member of the United States Women’s National Handball Team, in addition to having experiences as a researcher, coach, and professor. Mo deeply understands the mental dynamics, physical demands, and the impact of team culture within competitive sports. 


    Mo has worked extensively with diverse populations, including military personnel, Major League Baseball, NCAA teams, and youth athletics. Additionally, she offers expertise in behavior change, resilience building, and return from injury processes. A native of Philly, Mo currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

  • Education & Credentials

    PhD in Kinesiology | Sport Psychology Concentration | Auburn University | 2022 

    MS in Exercise Physiology | Auburn University | 2018  

    BS in Kinesiology & Exercise Science | Nova Southeastern University | 2016 


Angel M. Elderkin, MA

LEADERSHIP & PERFORMANCE COACH

  • Mission Statement

    "The opportunity to help people grow, develop, and achieve their full potential is what motivates me the most.  I am driven to co-create opportunities that inspire and empower individuals and teams to unlock their full potential. I believe that everyone has the capacity to grow and succeed when given the right guidance, support, and tools. My goal is to cultivate environments that foster growth, resilience, and success with the aim of helping others unlock new levels of performance. Seeing individuals and teams excel inspires me on the daily."

  • Role & Experience

    Angel is a leadership and performance coach at Courtex. With 24 years of college basketball coaching experience, Angel has developed a deep understanding of leadership dynamics, team performance, and the importance of building a strong and positive culture within competitive sports.


    Throughout her career, Angel has worked with student-athletes at the NCAA level, guiding teams to success through a focus on individual growth, resilience, and collaborative leadership. Her coaching philosophy centers on unlocking potential in both individuals and teams, empowering them to exceed their goals.


    In addition to her extensive coaching experience, Angel offers expertise in leadership development, performance optimization, and mentoring emerging leaders. She is passionate about fostering environments where people are motivated to perform at their best.


    Originally from Providence, RI, Angel now resides in Charlotte, NC. 

  • Education & Credentials

    Executive Coaching Certificate (in progress) | Brown University | 2025 

    MA in Sport Management I East Tennessee State University I 2001

    BA in Sociology | University of Southern Maine | 1999


Lyonel Walker, MA

MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

  • Mission Statement

    "Helping individuals broaden their self-awareness through creative inquiry is what drives me. Unlocking full potential means tapping into the core of who someone is, not just what you see on the surface. I support clients in moving toward their own version of success while emphasizing that high performance isn’t one-size-fits-all. I believe embracing the messy, complex side of performance leads to peak performance and is achieved when your mental, emotional, and physical strengths are in sync. At the end of the day, I strive to inspire others to show up authentically and perform in a way that stays true to themselves."

  • Role & Experience

    Lyonel is a mental performance coach for Courtex, working with athletes, coaches, and individuals striving to perform at the highest level in their respective fields. As a former coach and athlete, Lyonel has a unique understanding of organizational dynamics, including at the individual, group, and team levels. He has worked with competitive athletes at the NCAA and high-school levels, and is a strong proponent for innovation in sports psychology.


    Additionally, Lyonel has consulted with a diverse range of clients including those performing in esports, volleyball, basketball, as well as within the firefighting profession. He has worked extensively in developing mental performance strategies that will help you build confidence, mental flexibility, and team cohesion. A native of the Greater Boston Area, Lyonel currently lives in Boston, MA.


  • Education & Credentials

    MA in Sports & Performance Psychology | University of Denver | 2024

    BA in Political Science | University of Rhode Island | 2017


Samantha J Surillo, MSTOD

MANAGING DIRECTOR & COACH

sam@courtexperformance.com

  • Mission Statement

    “Helping others connect the dots, experiment, and think outside the box fuels my motivation. I love encouraging my clients to learn new things about themself, strive for more, and tell their story from a strength’s based and growth mindset. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or new manager, my goal is to help you develop and fine tune your mental game, leadership skills, and professional performance within and outside of business. As a coach and organization development practitioner, I genuinely believe the micro affects the macro and sometimes that means taking baby steps to make larger leaps towards discovering one’s actualized potential.”

  • Role & Experience

    Sam is in charge of Courtex’s strategy and business operations, and provides executive, leadership, and professional coaching services to select clients. Sam has worked with legal, medical, technology, association management, start-up, sport coaching, sport agency, and education professionals in an organization and talent development capacity. As a former business professional leading teams around the globe, Sam understands the mental game within and outside of business settings. She has worked closely with professionals ranging from managers to CEOs across varying landscapes and leads Courtex’s leadership development assessments and workshops. 


    Additionally, she has provided mentorship program development as well as business operation consulting services to global organizations, including those that serve law firms, as well as corporate, government, and technology professionals. Sam also offers expertise in creative  communications and presentation as well as leadership and team dynamic assessments. A native of Westfield, WI, Sam currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

  • Education & Credentials

    MS in Talent & Organization Development | Queens University of Charlotte | 2022

    Executive Coaching Certificate | Queens University of Charlotte | 2021

    Certified Facilitator | Actualized Performance Cycle | Leadership & Team Dynamics | William Sparks & Associates | 2021

    BA in Psychology | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee | 2011

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR MENTAL GAME TODAY

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