Leadership in Mindset Certificate

Created by Alec Ingold (NFL Fullback, Owner of Inspired Athletics) in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin’s Badger Inquiry on Sport (BIOS)

A 9-week virtual certificate helping athletes build leadership skills, strengthen mindset, and prepare for life beyond football.

JOIN THE 2026 COHORT

Elevate Your Game: Master Your Mindset

1:1 mental performance coaching for high-achieving student athletes ready to unlock elite focus, unwavering confidence, and ultimate competitive edge.

APPLY NOW

Overview

The Leadership in Mindset Certificate is a secondary education program created by Inspired Athletics and UW BIOS to help athletes build leadership skills and prepare for life after football.

By combining athletics, research, and innovation, UW BIOS works to “grow the good” of the world through sports, while Inspired Athletics helps athletes channel passion and dedication into a new perspective on their careers.

Together, this program blends research and NFL experience to equip athletes with the tools they need to lead with confidence on and off the field.

NFL-Inspired Leadership & Mindset Curriculum

Train with a professional athlete’s approach to leadership & performance
Learn authentic leadership skills for sports, business, and beyond
Build mastery in mindset through discussion, lecture, and collaboration
Gain tools to make a lasting impact as a leader beyond the game

2025 Cohort Highlights

8 Weeks (post-NFL season)
13 Participants (AFC + NFC)
7 Guest Speakers (7 industries)
Hybrid Format (live + self-paced)
Virtual “Locker Room” (high-trust community)

Team-Ready Leadership

Tools to lead across roles and tenure

Transferable Mindset

Habits that work in sport and business

Stronger Networks

Trusted relationships beyond team lines

Action Plan

A clear, next-phase leadership blueprint

A curated, virtual “locker room” culture fostered deep connection and trust across teams, positions, and years in the league—turning shared experience into shared leadership.

“I enjoyed this course so much. The research along with the practical steps of how to shift the mindset of leadership will pay dividends.”

"This class was a great way to learn about being a more intentional leader and person overall.

The best part about the class was it was structured in a way that it was more about actually applying content to yourself than trying to teach to a test and having a lot of homework you are just trying to get through.

It let me focus on the parts that I thought I could really benefit from."

"One stop shop to sharpen and learn better leadership skills to bring to the field and also the workplace. Strengthen your specific leadership style and develop more ways to lead!"

Next Steps

During NFL break periods, Inspired Athletics and UW BIOS will be sharing information about the 2026 Leadership in Mindset Certificate with interested participants.

In the meantime, we continue to support our 2025 graduates as they lead their teammates and colleagues throughout the season, while also updating our curriculum to meet the evolving needs of today’s athletes.