Check Out Tina Pese’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Pese

Hi Tina , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Core Mentality was born out of necessity during one of the toughest times—the COVID pandemic. What started as a small backyard training program for close friends and family quickly grew into something much more. It was during those uncertain days that I discovered the power of community, resilience, and determination.

A family friend, who worked closely with the nonprofit Success in Challenges LBC, recognized the potential in what I was building. She offered me the opportunity to partner and bring circuit training to young adults in the community. For two years, I poured everything I had into this program, helping them stay strong and connected when the world seemed to be falling apart.

But funding eventually dried up, and I faced a crossroads. That’s when I reflected on my own journey as a college basketball player. I remembered the lack of support and opportunities I had when I was younger, and I knew I wanted to provide what I didn’t have for today’s youth athletes. Their potential inspired me to take Core Mentality in a new direction. With the support of my partner, Lala Shegog, and a partnership with RebelFit Boxing Academy, we had the space to build on this vision.

At Core Mentality, the word “core” stands for Changing Our Reality Every day. It’s a mindset we instill in every young athlete we train—shaping their mental and physical strength to create new possibilities for their future.

Today, I’m proud to say that Core Mentality has trained over 100 youth and teen athletes, helping them grow not just as players, but as confident, resilient individuals. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but with Lala by my side, seeing these young athletes break through barriers and believe in themselves makes it all worthwhile. And this is only the beginning.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most journeys worth taking, the road hasn’t always been smooth. As a small business owner, I’ve had to wear many hats, from handling operations to staying consistent on social media, learning the intricacies of advertising, and mastering client acquisition. Partnering with sports programs has also been a learning curve, as it requires constant networking and building relationships within the community. Each day brings new lessons, especially in understanding the different needs of athletes as seasons change. There are times when doubt gets the best of me and I constantly have to remind myself of the bigger goal at hand.

But these challenges have shaped the growth of Core Mentality. They’ve taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to build stronger systems. While it hasn’t been easy, the passion I have for helping youth athletes develop both physically and mentally keeps me moving forward. These experiences have made me even more dedicated to ensuring that Core Mentality thrives and continues to make a positive impact on every athlete who walks through our doors.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Core Mentality, my priority is to create an environment where athletes can truly be themselves. I believe that when athletes feel comfortable, they perform their best, which is why fostering an inclusive, supportive atmosphere is essential. One of the core principles here is that everyone cheers on the person next to them—supporting each other becomes an expectation, not just a suggestion.

I also design the exercises and circuits to be competitive, so the athletes stay fully engaged and locked in. They simultaneously have fun while getting a great workout in. I want them to know that both can coexist. By organizing the training so that they’re moving in unison, I build a sense of accountability—each athlete knows their performance impacts the whole group. This is also done during my private sessions as well in a different structure. At the end of every session, we have a routine where every athlete shares one thing they did well and one thing that challenged them. Then, they have to compliment a fellow athlete, which helps build confidence and a strong sense of community.

Beyond the mental aspect, we also focus heavily on physical development. At Core Mentality, we emphasize core work, full-body strengthening, and improving speed to create well-rounded, powerful athletes. It’s this combination of mental and physical growth that sets Core Mentality apart and ensures our athletes are equipped to excel on and off the field.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
My vision is to really build a community of growth within the youth/teen athletic space. I strive to create a space where everyone feels that they can thrive and growth is linear. Core Mentality isn’t just a training company, it’s a way of mind. I am excited for us to impact more and more athletes and scale our vision to an extent that we couldn’t even imagine.

Pricing:

• Private One On One $895 for 10 Sessions
• Semi Private $495 for 10 sessions
• Group Training $295 for 10 sessions
• Team Training $30 per athlete with commitment

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.corementality.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/corementality101/