After nearly eight years as one of Team USA’s premier water polo players, Brian Alexander is looking to once again reach the highest pinnacle in American sports, but this time in a different way. Recently named the Official Athlete Mental Skills Coach for Team USA Water Polo, Alexander is ready to once again represent his country. “It means everything,” said Alexander. “That’s always the dream in the sport psychology practice, to work with the top of the sport.”

Back at the top of his sport, Brian Alexander is leading the way for sports psychology in sports, starting with the sport he’s dominated in since a child. “You get so much more from the sport when you compete for your country than just playing the sport,” explained Alexander. “I didn’t really understand that when I was 17 or 18 years old, even until I was probably 23 or 24, but when you’re in an experienced political situation overseas, you get a different view of the world.”

 

As a child, Alexander was a multi-sports athlete, playing all kinds of sports, including baseball and after seven years of playing baseball, he stumbled upon water polo. “A lot of my friends started with a club water polo team in my neighborhood, so I decided to give it a try.” Alexander continued. “ I liked it, but I didn’t love it at first. I played for a couple of years and then stopped when I was 12 years old.”

After taking a short hiatus from the sport, Alexander returned to playing water polo at the start of his high school career.” The summer before high school started, I decided that I wanted to go back and play again.” Alexander said. “That’s when I committed full time to it.”

Upon committing full time, he quickly became a rising star in the sport, resulting in offers from Cal Berkeley and UC Santa Barbara, but when it came to choosing a college, the decision was easy. “I didn’t really know much about college,” said Alexander. “I was the first person in my family to go to a four-year college, so that’s where it started. I had a good relationship with the coach and it ended up being between UCSB and Cal Berkeley, so I chose UCSB.”

 

At UCSB, Alexander developed an interest for sports psychology, saying, “I majored in psychology, so I had an interest in the study of behavior.” However, it wasn’t until later that his interest became his passion. With the USA team, he met a sports psychologist and was naturally drawn the subject. “As I was nearing the end of my playing career, I realized that I wanted to do this with athletes, go back to school, and get a higher degree.”

Once Alexander came to this realization, he started school at John F. Kennedy University, hoping to obtain a degree in Sports Psychology -- something that he achieved in 2015. “Now, I’m working with athletes anywhere from 10 years old to the oldest person I’m working with, who is a 70-year-old golfer, who is just trying to find their love for the game again.”

 

Alexander ended his playing career in 2012, and since then he has not only become a premier name in the field of mental skills training but has also had two children. Now, he has to take on the responsibility of parenthood, something that he could’ve never have prepared for. “The first time, I felt like you could prepare and have it all nailed down and then there will be a curveball thrown at you that could change everything,” he said. “ I think it’s also changed me in a way where it’s no longer just about me. I’ve been living a life of service for the kids now, and that’s a big difference, especially when you’re an elite level athlete.”

From a stellar playing career to a mental skills coach to a parent, Brian Alexander has always shown tremendous passion for what he does. While it will be interesting to see how he does now as the Official Mental Skills Coach for Team USA Water Polo, he has some advice for high school athletes, as he said, “ think that the number one thing for a high school kid to consider is, really identify where they can take responsibility for their own actions in their sport. . What is the reason that they chose to dedicate their time to playing their sport? There are going to be a number of answers to that question for each individual, but part of taking ownership for your progress.”