MindSavvy
Empowering Communities
One Mind at a Time
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Company Overview
Mindset growth is the key to avoiding many mental health related issues. We believe that mental strength is an integral, if not foundational component, of maintaining good overall health.
At a time when the population are experiencing higher levels of anxiety, mental disorders and stress, MindSavvy believes there are tried and trusted ways to strengthen a person’s mind in the same way people improve physical wellbeing.
Our core solution is based around a worldwide recognised mindset program called MAP- the Mindful Athlete Program, developed over many years by the leading mental performance coach, Daria Albers.
MindSavvy has taken learnings from her work with elite sport people, members of the Special Operation Forces (SOF), business leaders, leading university professors and has converted these into technology-based learnings that can now help everyone deal with their personal issues, ongoing development, and help all people overcome daily challenges.
The B2B courses (at our Belgian retreat – see later) will be aimed at stakeholders who represent communities - it could be the CEO or wellness officer responsible for employees; a community leader seeking to effect change within their parish; the armed forces looking to equip their soldiers with proven mind strengthening techniques; a gym chain wanting to deliver best practice to their members, or teachers looking to instil core skills in pupils early on.
These courses will be backed up by an online digital platform providing daily mindfulness, counselling and coaching concentrating on areas like purpose, removing daily demons, mind/body connection, daily re-sets and being centred/present.
Why Us? Why Now?
At MindSavvy, we unite experts from the realms of sports psychology and business to seamlessly bridge the gap between innovation and commercial success. We are dedicated to spreading the power of best practice beyond elite circles to all those in pursuit of resilience and overall wellness.
All of our founders, associates and key staff have been involved in fitness, sport, or resilience training at a professional or amateur level, and will ensure learning and best practice are fed into the MindSavvy Digital platform.
Endorsed by Experts:
The Mindful Athlete Program stands out as a beacon of advancement in mental performance, with its roots firmly planted in the acclaimed research facilities of Nova Southeastern University's Fight Science Lab in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Here, it has earned high praise, by Professor Tony Ricci of the Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience & Human Performance, who heralds MAP as the pinnacle program for mental prowess and human potential optimization.
Our Vision:
Mental strength is the foundation stone of our vision. We are already advanced on the next savvy pillar critical to society -financial resilience - delivered through MoneySavvy. (See our latest article)
Going forward we will then look to deliver physical and nutritional pillars. Our intention is to give people direction, purpose, resilience and grit.
Piers Morgan
“The biggest crises facing young people is mental health. And
what we are not talking about is the best way to combat mental health problems. We need to celebrate mental strength and resilience
Our Goals
As a business MindSavvy intends to prevent illness, particularity mental health related, reduce the inefficiencies of health services, empower children upwards with mindset development programs and help alleviate the staggering costs linked to lifestyle related illness, anxiety, and disease.
Ultimately the Mindsavvy platform will bring together best practise in all areas of resilience, but our belief is that mental strength is as important as financial, physical, emotional and nutritional, to gain overall health.
The global mental health market is estimated to reach $537.97 billion by 2030, but this barely scratches the surface of the costs of related illnesses such as obesity, employee illness days faced by businesses and the spiralling costs of healthcare.
It is estimated that issues with mental health will cost the global economy $16 trillion by 2030.
Jan Błachowicz
Polish UFC Fighter and Former UFC Champion
When I lost my UFC belt due to a lack of motivation and drive, I knew I needed a game changer.
Working with Daria was a turning point in my career.
Her approach was not only efficient but also incredibly productive. Daria's ability to make changes and adapt in real-time is impressive.
She understands the unique mental challenges athletes face and knows how to address them effectively.
Our Retreat
GreyHouse is a lovely property in the peaceful town of Diest, just 30 minutes from Brussels providing excellent Airport & Eurostar links. While we are currently upgrading the property, it remains a popular and relaxing Airbnb.
Diest town centre has charming restaurants and boutique shops.
This setting is designed to offer an environment for learning, complemented by opportunities for relaxation and interpersonal connection among both instructors and fellow attendees who share a commitment to driving positive change.
The primary objective of the retreat is to facilitate the dissemination of best practices in wellness and mindfulness, with the ultimate aim of teaching a toolset of mental, financial and health skills.
Co-Founders
Meet Daria, she is a former professional kickboxer and world-class striking and mental performance coach to a variety of athletes, including championship MMA fighters and boxers all over the globe. She holds degrees in psychology and physical therapy, which she uses to further deepen athlete’s understanding of how their minds and bodies are intrinsically linked in mindfulness and efficiency.
Daria has dedicated her life to improving people’s performance and wellbeing by freeing their warrior spirit. She is the founder of The MAP – The Mindful Athlete Program; a mindfulness-based mental performance program, which is dedicated to improving the mind-body connection/integration.
Co-Founder Andrew, a commercial entrepreneur, has been building businesses since age 23 years initially with the Hambro banking family. He has run a joint venture company with American Express Global Financial Services and most recently was one of 4 founders and the COO at Succession Advisory Services that was recently sold to Aviva for £360 million. Andrew has balanced the stresses of work life by training alongside his best friend, who happens to be an exGB triathlon coach and being involved in various forms of martial arts.
Fellow founder Dunja has an accomplished tech background and a talent for languages, having lived on four continents. She founded her first tech company, using developers she knew from her studies in South Africa. With 13 years as a London firefighter, Dunja brings invaluable insights into human nature. Her diverse pursuits, from Ironman training to karting, and her work with Daria have taught her a lot about going the extra mile. Now in Belgium, she is creating our unique retreat model, using her interpersonal skills to help reach communities worldwide
Advisory
Patrick Kozakiewicz, Mindfulness, Agile and Design Thinking Thought Leader, IBM
“There are few people I come across in my life that I would like to be a part of my board of directors. Daria is one of those. The depth of her experience, the vastness of her heart, and the skills she possesses are not only most needed these days, they are needed all days. Daria has my vote.”
Steve Trew, has been involved in professional sport, notably triathlon, as an athlete, coach and GB team manager
“ Andrew Smith and I have worked extensively in the corporate market with our company Personal Best. Stress and everyday resilience were common themes to deal with for both athletes and employees at every level of a company. “
Prof. Tony Ricci, Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience & Human Performance, at Nova Southeastern University's Fight Science Lab in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“She is truly one of the most dedicated, gifted, and outstanding individuals not only in Fightsports, but across humanity!
I can confidently state that Daria is one of the most skilled coaches in the world and now working on advancing Mental Performance with numerous fighters in Professional Kickboxing, Olympians, and the UFC.”
FAQ’s
Is MindSavvy Wellness, HealthTech, or Something Else?
While we're venturing into the wellness space, we believe it's more accurate to position ourselves as a WellnessTech company with a strong emphasis on mental resilience and agility. We're not solely a HealthTech company, as our primary focus is not on physical health or medical interventions, but rather on enhancing mental strength, personal growth, and community engagement. Our chosen technology partner aligns with this focus by providing the necessary infrastructure to deliver these services at scale, but it is not the central innovation—our bespoke content and unique approach to mental resilience are.
Key Differentiators in the Wellness Space
Our key differentiator is the focus on mental strength rather than just mental health. While many apps aim to reduce stress or improve mindfulness, our approach is about building mental resilience and agility—helping users navigate life’s challenges more effectively and grow stronger through them. Daria’s MAP, for example, is not just about overcoming challenges but actively growing from them, turning adversity into a catalyst for personal development. This focus on growth and transformation is what sets us apart.
Role of MindSavvy in Building Communities
Communities are indeed a significant part of our strategy, and MindSavvy will enable us to create tailored, secure spaces for like-minded individuals to connect, share experiences, and support each other. Our capabilities will moderate and personalise community experiences, ensuring that users find meaningful connections and that discussions remain relevant and supportive. This would include features like topic-based subgroups, expert-led discussions, or peer-to-peer support systems, all of which promote a sense of belonging and shared purpose. By aligning users with similar goals or challenges, we can enhance engagement and retention, making the app a daily resource for our users.
Justification for our Tech Strategy
Our technology partner serves as a facilitator, enabling us to deploy our proprietary programs effectively. While they provide the underlying tech infrastructure, what sets us apart is our bespoke IP—the programs and methodologies we develop, such as Daria’s MAP, are unique to us. These are tailored to our specific goals of mental strength and resilience, rather than being generic wellness solutions. This approach allows us to focus on content and community, rather than getting bogged down in tech development, while ensuring that our solutions remain adaptable and robust.
Mental Strength Score: Evaluation and Improvement
The concept of a mental strength score is our most innovative feature. This score would be derived from users’ engagement with the app, their progress through MindSavvy (MAP) exercises, and their participation in community activities. To evaluate it, we would use a combination of self-assessments, behavioural analytics, and feedback from community interactions. Improvement in the score would come from consistent engagement, completion of challenging modules, and demonstrated resilience in real-life situations, which the app could track through periodic check-ins and reflections.
In real life, a higher mental strength score could translate to better stress management, improved decision-making, and enhanced emotional regulation. We could also consider tying the score to personalised rewards within the app, such as unlocking advanced content or gaining recognition within the community, thus incentivising users to strive for continuous improvement.
Daily Benefits of Using the App: MindSavvy vs Headspace
Daily, MindSavvy will offer users more than just meditative practices or relaxation techniques, as apps like Headspace do. Instead, we’re offering a comprehensive suite of tools designed to build and measure mental strength. Users will engage in daily challenges, reflective exercises, and community interactions that are all geared towards enhancing their mental resilience. MindSavvy will guide users through structured programs, offering daily content that is dynamic and responsive to their progress.
In summary, while Headspace focuses on mindfulness and reducing stress, MindSavvy is about active mental training and growth. It’s not just about feeling better but becoming stronger and equipped to handle whatever life throws at you.