COACH ABBI
Coach Abbi Prater MS, BCC
Coach Abbi lives in the greater Nashville area with her husband, two sons, and her energetic Australian Shepherd mix. With more than 25 years of elite coaching experience, Abbi has worked with Olympians, Olympic Trials qualifiers, state champions, conference champions, youth athletes, adults, professionals—and performing artists and musicians who compete on some of the biggest stages.
She is a Board-Certified Coach through the Center for Credentialing & Education and specializes in mental training, sport psychology, and holistic life coaching. Her mission is simple: to help high performers master their mindset so they can elevate both their performance and their quality of life.
From Elite Athlete to Elite Mindset Coach
Abbi’s coaching philosophy was forged through her own athletic journey. Growing up in Lima, Ohio, she played every sport she could squeeze into her schedule. With 12 varsity letters and no true off-season, swimming ultimately chose her. She became a two-time Ohio State Champion and broke the Ohio High School State Record, earning national recruitment.
She went on to compete at the
University of Tennessee, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (with honors) and two minors. As a
two-time All-American
and team captain her junior and senior seasons, Abbi thrived in leadership roles. She later served as a
Graduate Assistant for the Lady Vol Swimming & Diving Team,
earning her
Master’s degree in Sport Psychology
while gaining firsthand experience in Division I coaching, recruiting, NCAA regulations, and team operations.
Shaping High Performers — On and Off the Stage
Abbi’s career path expanded her passion for helping people thrive beyond competition. She began as an Academic Advisor Intern, helping student-athletes sharpen their focus and confidence in the classroom. At the University of Pittsburgh, she served as Career & Life Skills Coordinator, where she supported over 500 student-athletes across all sports.
She has led programming in:
- Academic success
- Career development & graduate school prep
- Leadership & character development
- Health & wellness
- Financial education
- Public speaking & media training
This experience uniquely positioned Abbi to help clients navigate pressure, performance, and transitions—whether on the field, in the boardroom, or on stage.
Working With Athletes, Artists & Achievers
Since relocating to Middle Tennessee in 2010, Abbi has worked with a wide range of driven individuals, including:
- A professional singer overcoming stage fright to land a recording deal
- Olympians preparing for gold-medal performances
- A baseball player developing an alter ego to control nerves
- An Irish dancer chasing perfection
- A nurse practitioner preparing for the MCAT
- New graduates navigating career transitions
- Business owners seeking balance
- Musicians and performers mastering confidence, presence, and pressure
Whether it’s stepping behind the mic, onto the starting block, or into a high-stakes meeting—Abbi understands performance psychology at the deepest level.
Why She Coaches
Blending her background as an elite athlete with her expertise in psychology and performance science, Abbi is passionate about helping people break through mental barriers, build confidence, and perform at their highest level—consistently.
Her driving force is simple:
To help others believe in themselves and rise to their full potential.