About Us

Our mission is to dramatically improve the way people experience life by improving their mindset.

A few years ago the Vision Pursue team members were tired of having insomnia and feeling dissatisfied, stressed and irritable even when we were enjoying business, academic and sports success. Research shows that we were not alone as stress and stress-related disorders and illnesses are prevalent and growing rapidly.

Most people escape stress through excessive drinking, eating, spending and TV watching. They also periodically try to change behavior and results by getting more knowledge, or using positive thinking, happiness techniques and goal setting. This usually does not create sustainable change, because it does not impact the source of the stress and behavior.

We have learned, and science has demonstrated, that an effective way to reduce stress and improve behavior and results is to improve mental functioning or mindset. Once the mindset is right, productive emotions and realized potential will follow.

Mental skills training that includes focusing on the process, mindfulness, meditation, and properly responding to emotions creates performance mindset. These types of skills are being used with great success in companies and by sports teams like the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons and the Golden State Warriors.

VP training is effective, but more importantly, our app and system make the impact of the training sustainable as well as cost and time efficient.

Contact us to get more information about Performance Mindset™ and how it can dramatically help you and your organization.

 

Contact Us

 

Team

Russ Rausch, Partner

Russ Rausch, Partner

Russ is an executive with over 16 years of C-Level experience with companies in the hedge fund and technology sectors. Before VP, Russ was the COO of the hedge fund Emil van Essen in Chicago. He was also part of the executive team that took the trading software firm, Trading Technologies, Inc. (TT), from a 20-person startup to a successful 650-person global company as CFO, Head of Global Support, and EVP of Global Buyside Sales.

Jon McGraw, Partner

Jon McGraw, Partner

Jon is currently an entrepreneur and mentor after recently retiring from the NFL after the 2011 season. During Jon’s 10-year NFL career, his leadership skills earned him the position of team captain and NFLPA team representative. Jon also completed NFL-sponsored business management and entrepreneurship programs at Harvard Business School and Wharton Business School.

Ian Connole, Partner

Dr. Ian Connole, Partner

Ian is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with over a decade of expertise in Sport and Performance Psychology. As a coach, speaker, author, and researcher, he focuses on the pursuit of human excellence. He has advanced degrees in Sport Psychology (Ph.D.), Kinesiology (M.S.), and Counseling (M.A.). Prior to joining VP full-time, Ian served as the Director of Sport Psychology for the Kansas State University Athletic Department.

Melinda Wolford, Advisor

Dr. Melinda Wolford, Team Member

Melinda earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology with a minor in Neuropsychology. Melinda is the President of No Stone Unturned Foundation, which provides financial and therapeutic support for families with children with exceptionalities. She recently served as Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Youngstown State University and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

Katherine  Reutter,  Team  Member

Katherine Reutter, Team Member

Katherine is a former Olympic speed skater who specializes in training and coaching. Katherine was a silver and bronze medal winner at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Katherine used VP as an athlete making her comeback from significant injuries that caused her to retire from skating in 2013. After her VP experience, she devoted herself to helping others develop their mindset.

Andre  Coleman,  Advisor

Andre Coleman, Advisor

Andre is the Football Offensive Coordinator and a member of the ASACC diversity and inclusion committee at Kansas State University. He played in the NFL for 5 years with the San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Andre has been an advisor to VP for over four years.

Maribeth  Quinn,  Advisor

Maribeth Quinn, Advisor

Maribeth is an executive coach specializing in helping business professionals bring their best authentic self into every situation. She has spent over 15 years helping executives develop and deliver strong messages. Prior to her career in coaching, Maribeth worked in the financial services industry specializing in Marketing and Investor Relations.

Joe  Sanchez,  Advisor

Joe Sanchez, Advisor

Joe is a teacher and coach dedicated to enriching the lives of young people. At Barrington High School he teaches Social Studies is the winningest coach in school history with 123 victories in 16 seasons as the Head Football Coach. In addition to his success on the field, many players credit Coach Sanchez for teaching them skills that helped them in life.

Bernard  Franklin,  Ph.  D.,  Advisor

Bernard Franklin, Ph. D., Advisor

Bernard is the Special Assistant to the President at Kansas State University where he focuses on leadership, diversity, inclusion, and community issues. For over 30 years, Bernard has worked with foundations, colleges and universities, and businesses across the US to help people see their worth and inspire them to pick themselves up from where they are to connect, contribute, and create.