ABOUT ME
Bc. Eliška Hozáková
Hi, my name is Eliška Hozáková and I´m Mental Performance Coach for Athletes. I was born on January 24, 2002, in Karlovy Vary, a beautiful spa town in the west of the Czech Republic. Sport has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are of my dad kicking a football around with me in our garden or taking me to ice hockey games. It's incredible how sport has the power to bring people together and awaken emotions unlike anything else. When I was around twelve years old, my dad took me to my very first running race. That day, something inside me came alive - something I didn't even know existed. Soon after, I stepped onto an athletics track, and that was the beginning of a journey that lasted more than seven years. Looking back, I couldn't be more grateful for every single moment of it. Athletics taught me more than any classroom ever could. It taught me discipline, perseverance, patience, hard work, respect, and humility. It taught me how to accept feedback, handle criticism, and grow through defeat. It introduced me to inspiring people and lifelong friends. I often say that once an athletics track brings people together, nothing can truly pull them apart. The bond we share is built on friendship, laughter, sweat, tears, pain, and a love for the sport. I believe every athlete feels a similar connection - not only to their sport, but also to their teammates and even their opponents. It's almost impossible to explain that feeling to someone who's never experienced it. The truth is, I was never the most talented athlete. But I was a hard worker and I was a dreamer. I even dreamed of winning the Olympic Games one day, despite knowing that, realistically, I probably wasn't good enough to get there. Maybe that's why it hurt so much when my journey in athletics came to an end. Athletics wasn't just my first love, it was also my first heartbreak. And yet, I wouldn't change a single moment of that journey. Why? Because if I changed even one chapter of my story, I might not have become the person I am today. Although I'm no longer an athlete, I'll always have the heart of one. The fire inside me still burns. And I know that same fire burns inside every athlete. If you're reading this, chances are something is burning inside you too. A love for your sport. Passion. The desire to win. My mission is to help you keep that fire alive. I want to teach you how to work with it, how to channel it, and how to turn it into your greatest strength instead of letting it burn you out. I want to watch you succeed. Whether I'm cheering for you from the stands or following your journey from the other side of the world, I'll be there, applauding you with tears of pride in my eyes. I want to be part of your story. I know what it's like to have big dreams and I want to help you chase yours. Because helping athletes achieve their dreams has become my greatest dream of all.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
• 2017–2021 – Secondary Pedagogical School, Grammar School and Higher Vocational School Karlovy Vary
• 2022–2025 – Charles University, Faculty of Arts, field of study: Education
• 2024 – Pilates Instructor certification
• 2025–2026 – Elite Mentor Academy, MSc. Mental Coaching in Sport
• 2025–2026 – One-year Mentoring Program with sports psychologist Mgr. Václav Petráš
WHY WORK WITH ME?
As a former athlete, I know sport from the inside, so I understand what it’s like to face pressure and nerves. I know how bitter defeat can taste and how hard it is to swallow your own mistakes. I can relate when thoughts keep drifting elsewhere or when motivation drops almost to freezing point. I even know what it’s like to get back into shape after a long break. Besides understanding, I also bring a wealth of practical exercises, tips, and mental hacks that can be easily incorporated into a sports routine. And even though I take my work seriously, there will be no shortage of laughter, perspective, and humanity in the sessions, because this is what creates an environment where growth is possible. Above all, the aim is to be a safe place – a space to be yourself, relax, and speak openly without fear of being judged by anyone.
ELLE IS ME. ELITE MIND IS WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER. MENTAL COACHING THAT MOVES YOU FORWARD AND IS NEVER BORING.
GLIMPSES FROM MY ATHLETIC ERA
Q&A
1. Why did you become a Mental Performance Coach for Athletes?
When I was competing as an athlete myself, I often felt pressure, doubts, and moments when my mind caused more problems than my body. At that time, I needed someone to help me. My own head was no longer enough to handle my struggles, and I didn’t want to share all my inner doubts with my coaches, teammates, or parents. That’s why I started working with a sports psychologist, who helped me with setting realistic expectations and goals, managing nerves and emotions, and much more.
And that is exactly what I want to do for other athletes now. I want to help them find a way to handle nerves, mistakes, losses, and pressure so that their mind becomes their ally, NOT their enemy. My goal is to offer an approach that is youthful, modern, cool, and fun – the kind I would have appreciated myself if I were back on the track.
I want athletes to leave my workshops and sessions with the feeling that it works, that it is playful, inspiring, and that they can grow and keep moving forward. Mental coaching may be serious work, but at the same time it can be energetic, interactive, and fun – and that is exactly how I build it.
2. How soon can I expect to see results from Mental Coaching?
Some athletes notice changes after the very first session, for others it takes a few weeks. It depends on what is being addressed and how consistently the techniques are practiced outside of the sessions as well. Do not forget that the mind needs to be trained just as diligently as the body. But once the effort is put in, results come quickly – the mind responds sooner than expected.
3. Is Mental Coaching only for professional athletes, or can juniors and amateur athletes benefit from it as well?
Mental coaching works for absolutely everyone. Mental skills are not "a luxury for pros". They are the foundations that help every athlete grow. They teach juniors to handle nerves and enjoy their sport, help amateurs move towards their goals, and support professionals in coping with pressure. In short, the mind is crucial at every level. And the sooner work with it begins, the greater the advantage it brings.