MY STORY

HEY, I'M RAPHAEL LIMA

I’m originally from São Paulo, Brazil, I moved to the United States at 18 years old to continue my athletic career and improve my knowledge about high performing athletes and their mindset. During college, I decided to major in Psychology and minor in Business for my undergraduate degree.

Swimming has been a part of my life since I was three years old. I have swam at the National Level in Brazil for almost 10 years, earning multiple medals and titles. My Brazilian background also gave me a love for soccer and basketball.

My obsession with swimming and my work ethic resulted in the opportunity to come to the United States and achieve my dream of competing at the NCAA Division-1 level, where I not only pursued my academic degree but also excelled as a competitive swimmer, making the most of every opportunity both in and out of the pool.

My journey in college started back in 2020 at Carson Newman University. During the 2020/21 season, I achieved All-American honors in the 100 and 200 meters freestyle. After a successful season, it was time for me to face new challenges, so I decided to bring my talent and challenge myself at the Division-1 level. For my last 3 years in college, I pursued a Psychology degree with a minor in Business at Texas Christian University (TCU). During my time at TCU, I broke the school record in the 50-free and also set records in the 200 and 400 free and medley relays.

Being an NCAA Division-1 athlete was an extraordinary experience. Competing at this level required immense dedication, discipline, and time management skills. Being able to balance academic life and the demands of daily training sessions, travel for competitions, and maintain high physical condition was a challenge that taught me very important life skills.

 
As part of the Division 1 environment, I had the opportunity to compete against some of the best swimmers in the world. This experience not only made me a better athlete but also got me ready for future professional challenges. It helped me build a strong work ethic, become more resilient, and learn how to handle pressure effectively.

After graduation, I moved to Miami and began working as a Registered Behavior Technician, helping young children. At the same time, I launched a company in Brazil called PlayAthlete, which is dedicated to assisting Brazilian athletes come to the United States as student-athletes. Our goal is to secure scholarships to make their journey possible.

My passion for helping athletes achieve their dreams led me to create this mental training program. This program combines the knowledge I gained from my Psychology degree and my personal experiences as a professional athlete. I understand firsthand the unique pressures and mental obstacles that come with competing at high levels. By sharing what I’ve learned, I aim to provide valuable support and guidance to help athletes reach their full potential.

Through this personalized program, I help athletes build mental strength and overcome the challenges of competitive sports, whether it’s dealing with stress, staying motivated, or improving concentration, my goal is to help the athletes succeed in their careers.

my story

HEY, I'M RAPHAEL LIMA

I’m originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, I moved to the USA at 18 years old to continue my athletic career and improve my knowledge about high performing athletes and their mindset. I decided to major in Psychology and minor in Business for my undergraduate degree.

Swimming has been a part of my life since I was three years old. I have swam at the National Level in Brazil for almost 10 years, earning multiple medals and titles. My Brazilian background also gave me a love for soccer and basketball.

My obsession with swimming and my work ethic resulted in the opportunity to come to the United States and achieve my dream of competing at the NCAA Division 1 level, where I not only pursued my academic degree but also excelled as a competitive swimmer, making the most of every opportunity both in and out of the pool.

My journey in college started back in 2020 at Carson Newman University. During the 2020/21 season, I achieved All-American honors in the 100 and 200 meters freestyle. After a successful season, it was time for me to face new challenges, so I decided to bring my talent and challenge myself at the Division 1 level. For my last 3 years in college, I pursued a Psychology degree with a minor in Business at Texas Christian University (TCU). During my time at TCU, I broke the school record in the 50-free and also set records in the 200 and 400 free and medley relays.

Being an NCAA Division 1 athlete was an extraordinary experience. Competing at this level required immense dedication, discipline, and time management skills. Being able to balance academic life and the demands of daily training sessions, travel for competitions, and maintain high physical condition was a challenge that taught me very important life skills.

As part of the Division 1 environment, I had the opportunity to compete against some of the best swimmers in the world. This experience not only made me a better athlete but also got me ready for future professional challenges. It helped me build a strong work ethic, become more resilient, and learn how to handle pressure effectively.

After graduation, I moved to Miami and began working as a Behavior Technician, helping young children. At the same time, I launched a company in Brazil called PlayAthlete, which is dedicated to helping Brazilian athletes come to the United States as student-athletes. Our goal is to secure scholarships to make their journey possible.

My passion for helping athletes achieve their dreams led me to create this mental training program. This program is a combination of the knowledge I gained from my Psychology degree and my personal experiences as a professional athlete. I understand the unique pressures and mental obstacles that come with competing at high levels. By sharing what I’ve learned, I aim to provide valuable support and guidance to help athletes reach their full potential.

Through this personalized program, I help athletes build mental strength and overcome the challenges of competitive sports, whether it’s dealing with stress, staying motivated, or improving concentration, my goal is to help the athletes succeed in their careers.