Today we’d like to introduce you to Arman Taghizadeh M.d.
Hi Arman, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Like many families, my parents often asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. They would ask, “How about a doctor?” I replied,”I don’t like blood.” They would say, “What about a dentist?” I would reply, “I am NOT putting my hands in someone’s mouth.” They would declare, “Well, you clearly like to argue, so why not a lawyer?” I would retort, “I don’t like to read THAT much.” They would give up, “So, then what?” I would firmly say, “I want to be a teacher-coach.”
I was a wrestler and wanted to stay in the sport as long as possible. I was fortunate to wrestle at the Division 1 level and even spent 1 year as a teacher and wrestling coach. My experiences as a collegiate athlete taught me the concepts of hard work, discipline, confidence, humility, and teamwork. As a student, I majored in psychology and was fascinated by the brain. As a teacher and coach, I learned how to create relationships, build trust, and motivate others. I started to think that maybe I was training to be a doctor all along so let me at least apply.
I was granted an interview and ironically, the conversation centered around the traits I learned as a wrestler and the qualities that make a successful professional. My interviewer concluded with, “The world needs more wrestlers. The field of medicine needs more wrestlers. That’s why I am recommending you to medical school!” To everyone’s surprise, my dream and relentless dedication to my sport was leading me on the way to becoming a doctor!
After considering other specialties, I decided on psychiatry. It revolved around the most important muscle, the brain. I could also build relationships and empower my patients to be their best. So, I committed to helping others “wrestle” with their limitations and become champions in the sport of life. Ultimately, I have combined my knowledge and experience as a competitive athlete, medical doctor and mental health professional to provide education, support and mindset training to elite athletes, coaches, and teams. Every single day, I choose to teach and coach…just with an M.D.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been so many challenges. When I started this process, there were very few “sports” psychiatrists, especially ones who emphasized performance. Also, the medical field and medical training does not provide formal education and support in creating a business model. It can also be difficult to get athletes to truly buy into mental health support and treatment and feel validated and understood. So I had to really ask myself, “if there is no template for this, why would you go into this space?” My answer was simple, “If there is a need that is not being met, why wouldn’t I go into it and who better than me?”
Even tough I have been doing this for over 15 years and have impacted so many athletes, families, coaches and teams, there is still resistance from certain programs to invest into mental health support especially for prevention and performance. Even though I am fully confident in what I can offer, I still find myself trying to convince others why this work his so important.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a former NCAA Division 1 athlete, Johns Hopkins trained Board Certified Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist also specializing in Sports Psychiatry. I am also the founder of Mindset Training Institute® (MTI), host of the “The Mindset Experience®” podcast and a 2023 TEDx speaker.
I maintain an independent practice in Baltimore and am a faculty instructor at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I am the official psychiatric consultant to Gilman School in Baltimore, a member of the #SameHere Psych Alliance and serve on the advisory board of Synergy Dryland. I have partnered with the NFL Alumni Baltimore Chapter as the Advisor for Mindset and Mental Health support. I am also the medical director for “The Hidden Opponent,” a top mental health non-profit recognized as a standout resource for athletes by Kobe Bryant.
I am a member of the International Society for Sports Psychiatry, Certified by the American Board of Sports & Performance Psychiatry, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
MTI was created to address the following objectives:
1. Build Confidence, Promote Resilience and Improve performance
2. Develop and Integrate Dr. T’s Mental Skills Training Program
3. Address Mental Health Vulnerabilities (including performance anxiety)
4. Support management of athletic injury and facilitate recovery
5. Create balance to Increase motivation and mental endurance
6. Achieve fulfillment in sports and transition to life after competition
Services include individual athletes or team mental skills training program, parents seminar, coaches seminar, program for medical professional as well as specific programs designed based on targeted needs.
How do you think about luck?
I believe the reason I have been able to impact and relate to this population is not necessarily because of my previous experiences, education or expertise. I believe the biggest factor that sets me apart is that I continue to train and compete in various physical and endurance challenges. I am fortunate to have the ability to challenge myself physically and mentally on a consistent basis which keeps me humble and hungry. That is a critical in order to impact this population.
I have also had significant adversity athletically and personally that allows me to better understand and empathize with my patients, families and athletes. Those experiences are so much more valuable than anything I learned in medical school or residency.
I don’t just teach this, I live it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mindsettraininginstitute.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.t_sportspsych/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arman-taghizadeh-m-d-62a38771/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mindsettraininginstitute
