Who is Julia Donauer?

Mission & Philosophy

Julia Donauer is a football coach and certified sports mental trainer whose work bridges neuro-centered football training and mental performance. With the motto “Your head is your most important equipment – make it fit for peak performance,” she is dedicated to helping athletes strengthen their mental game through structured, brain-based training methods. Her mission is to equip athletes with mental and cognitive tools that enhance focus, boost motivation, and improve decision-making under pressure—unlocking their full potential through the powerful combination of physical and mental strength.

Core Principles

Julia’s coaching philosophy is centered on four core values:

1. Self-efficacy – fostering belief in one’s own capabilities
2. Growth – learning through challenge and adversity
3. Balance – maintaining composure and control in high-pressure situations
4. Personal support – providing tailored guidance toward mental strength and development

She believes that athletic excellence stems from combining physical conditioning with mental preparation, enabling faster and more sustainable development.

Qualifications & Certifications

Julia holds a range of certifications in mental and football-specific training:

• Certified Sport Mental Trainer (Deutsche Mentaltrainer Akademie e.V., Academy of Sports)
• Certificate in Psychology for Sports Coaches in High Performance (FC Barcelona Innovation Hub)
• Courses in values-based coaching, self-confidence, motivation, and goal-setting (Home of Goals)
• Candidate: Football Mental Coach (Completion July 2025)

Football-specific and athletic development qualifications include:

• Soccerkinetics Neurocentric Football Coach
• Certificate in Coach Selection and Development (Internationales Fußballinstitut)
• Candidate: Speed Coaching (by Raphael Schuler)

Her academic background in biology reinforces her scientific approach to mental and cognitive training.

Coaching Career

Julia brings over two decades of athletic experience and years of applied coaching expertise to the field:

• 2024–25 Season: Assistant Coach, FFC Wacker München (Regionalliga Süd, 3^rd League Germany)
• Four years as a youth girls’ team coach
• Over 19 years as a football player and 17 years as a tennis player

Her competitive and coaching experience across multiple sports provides her with a unique understanding of athlete needs, mindset development, and performance routines.

Athletic Background

In addition to football and tennis, Julia actively participates in squash, padel tennis, long-distance running (including the Munich Half Marathon 2022), alpine skiing, and cross-country skiing. Her diverse sports background enables her to adapt training principles across disciplines and design holistic programs for her athletes.

Vision & Commitment

Julia is committed to lifelong learning and sees ongoing education as essential to personal and professional growth. Her goal is to establish mental and neurocentric training as a standard pillar in modern football development. With a focus on individual support and brain-centered training, she works to empower players both on and off the pitch.

Our Exclusive Interview with Julia Donauer

Who is Julia Donauer outside of football, and how have your personal experiences shaped your coaching philosophy?
Outside of football, I’m an individual who embraces life’s lessons with openness and curiosity. I find joy in staying active and engaging in sports, which not only keeps me physically fit but also mentally resilient. My relationships with family and friends are paramount, providing a support system that enriches my personal and professional life. Additionally, my compassion extends to animals; I have a rescue dog who reminds me daily of the importance of empathy and patience. These personal experiences have profoundly influenced my coaching philosophy. They’ve taught me the value of continuous self-improvement, the significance of a supportive community, and the necessity of empathy—all of which I integrate into my approach to (mental) coaching.

What inspired your focus on mental training and neuroscience in athlete development?
During my time as an active athlete, I realized that mental and cognitive aspects were simply not being addressed enough. It wasn’t until I faced a prolonged injury that I sought ways to aid my recovery, leading me to explore mental training techniques. This journey revealed that many strategies I had been using intuitively had solid scientific foundations. Motivated by this, I pursued formal education in mental coaching to bridge the gap between physical training and mental preparedness. My goal became to reintegrate these underrepresented elements into football, providing athletes with comprehensive tools to enhance their performance.

How do you integrate cognitive and physical training in your daily work with footballers?

I work both on an individual level and within team structures to integrate cognitive and physical training seamlessly. Many cognitive and coordinative elements can be built directly into warm-up routines or adapted into technical drills and game-like scenarios. But none of it is random—the goal is always clear: What do we want to target specifically? A major focus of my daily work is on improving movement quality, which plays a critical role in injury prevention. This often involves unfamiliar movement patterns and exercises that challenge players on multiple levels—physically, mentally, and neurologically. I follow the Soccerkinetics approach: taking traditional exercises and enhancing them with additional layers like cognitive, coordinative, technical, or visual stimuli.

Mental aspects are also woven into training sessions, equipping players with tools to handle pressure, boost motivation, enhance concentration, and build self-confidence.
You ask yourself – why is this important?

Because football has changed. Ball contact times are shorter than ever. Pass speeds and accuracy are at a level that demands both precision and split-second decision-making. Game pace and sprint intensity? Exploded. And over all, more pressure. Today’s footballers need to process information faster, move more efficiently, and make better decisions under pressure. That’s where cognitive training becomes not just useful—but essential. At the same time, it’s important that training isn’t just demanding, but also uplifting. It should build performance and joy. If players feel challenged and supported at the same time, they stay motivated—and that’s when real growth happens, both on and off the pitch.

Which experiences or mentors have had the most lasting influence on your professional path so far?

My professional journey has been shaped by a blend of formal education, personal experiences, and the influence of inspiring individuals. Each course and certification has introduced me to passionate colleagues who share my mission, enriching my perspective. Personal setbacks, particularly injuries during my athletic career, have provided invaluable lessons in resilience and adaptability. Collaborating with fellow coaches continues to offer fresh insights, reinforcing the importance of teamwork. Above all, I’m grateful for the mentors and supporters who have believed in me, their encouragement has been instrumental in my growth.

What future developments or innovations in mental performance training are you most excited to explore?

I’m enthusiastic about the rising recognition of mental training as an integral part of athlete development. The increasing openness towards mental health, especially in women’s football, is encouraging. But many voices and role models are still needed. I advocate for early psychological support in competitive sports, emphasizing prevention over reaction. There’s a pressing need to destigmatize mental health issues and incorporate mental health into regular training routines. Enhancing awareness and understanding of psychosomatic processes among medical and coaching staff is crucial for this integration.

Which books, disciplines, or off-field activities help you grow as a coach and mentor?

For me, reading is inspiration. It’s something I build into my day, whether at home or on the road to matches. There’s always something new to discover. Listening to podcasts helps me step outside my own bubble. I love hearing how others approach things—it inspires me, challenges me, and often reinforces what I believe in. Attending workshops and further training sessions is another avenue through which I expand my knowledge. These experiences not only enhance my expertise but also provide opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, fostering a collaborative environment for growth.

I have a long list of book and podcast recommendations—just ask! I’m always happy to share inspiration and exchange ideas. 😊