About Us
THE VPA STORY
Performance training built on character, guided by psychology, and driven by a belief that the best athletes are the most complete humans.
Our Mission
Why We Exist
We empower individuals to unlock their full potential, both in sports and in life. At Vitality Performance Academy, we don't separate the athlete from the person. We train both — because lasting performance is built on a foundation of mental resilience, self-awareness, and purpose.
Our programs integrate physical training with performance psychology — not as a bonus, but as the backbone of everything we do. Athletes who train here don't just get stronger or faster. They learn to manage pressure, build confidence, and carry those skills beyond the field.
“True success is achieved when the mind and body work in unison.”
Core Values
Our Journey
The VPA Story
From a focused golf academy to a multi-sport performance center — built on the belief that athletes deserve more than just reps.
Vitality Golf Academy
Founded by Eric Stevens — a performance coach, golf coach, and educator with a background in psychology and counseling. What started as a golf-focused training program was built on a simple belief: the mental side of performance isn't extra — it's foundational.
Eric brought his experience in coaching, education, and human development into a different kind of training environment — one focused on awareness, presence, and helping athletes learn how to trust themselves under pressure.
Vitality Performance Academy
The philosophy worked — and demand grew beyond golf. VPA expanded into a multi-sport performance academy housed in a 10,000 sq ft facility in Watertown, SD. With indoor turf, batting cages, TrackMan simulators, a weight room, and putting technology, VPA now serves athletes across golf, baseball, soccer, and general fitness. The mission remains the same: athletes as humans, not transactions.
Founder
About Eric
Where the philosophy comes from. The coach behind every program at VPA.
I don't believe people need more instruction.
I believe they need better awareness.
Most athletes — and honestly, most people — aren't held back by effort. They're held back by overthinking, doubt, distraction, and a constant pull away from the present moment.
Start here
Book a Free Intro CallWho I Help
I work with athletes, competitors, and individuals who want more out of themselves — not just in performance, but in how they show up every day.
The athlete who practices hard but can't take it to competition
The player who gets in their own head at the wrong time
The person who knows they're capable of more but can't seem to access it consistently
The high achiever who's tired of chasing results and wants something deeper
If you care about growing, learning, and finding your best more often… you'll fit right in here.
How I Help
At Vitality, we don't just "work on skills." We build people who can trust themselves under pressure.
Present-moment training
Get out of your head and into the task
Awareness-based practice
Understand what's actually happening
Intentional routines
Structure before, during, and after
Constraint-led learning
Improvement happens naturally
Reflection
Every rep becomes feedback
You won't be told what to do on every swing, rep, or decision. You'll learn how to figure it out.
Because that's what holds up when it matters.
Coach
About Gus
Building athletes from the ground up — fundamentals, mental approach, and the love of the game.
Coach
Gus Steiger
Who I help / What I help them do
I aim to help athletes of all ages and skill levels reach their potential. I try to maximize an athlete’s potential through athletic movements, fundamentals, and the mental approach to the game. Whether you are looking to become a better athlete, a better hitter at the plate, and/or a better fielder, I look forward to helping you achieve those goals.
How I coach / What players can expect
My coaching style is aimed at building a solid foundation for an athlete. I use that foundation to build into more advanced drills while continuing to work on the mental approach of the game.
I like to show and explain to athletes what they should aim for on a given drill. A player can expect to work through drills with a specific focus in mind. I believe this focused approach helps the player improve while making sure they are not overthinking during the drill.
Why I coach
I coach to stay in touch with a game that has given me a plethora of opportunities in life, and to give back to younger players that are hungry to learn and work hard.
The Team
Meet the Team
From operations to coaching, the people who keep VPA running and growing.
Photo Coming Soon
Manager
Logan Waba
Logan oversees daily operations at VPA, ensuring athletes and families have a seamless experience from the front door to the training floor.
On Camera
Mental Performance Partnership
Rick Sessinghouse — Eric's mental performance partner — introduces their coaching relationship and what it means to develop the whole athlete.
Rick Sessinghouse on Coaching the Whole Athlete
Student Results
What Students Say
“
I have worked with many different coaches throughout my golfing career, but what sticks out most about Eric's way of coaching is that he accepts golf swings for what they are and focuses on the mental aspects of the game. Whether it's getting you outside your comfort zone or altering your mindset, Eric does whatever it takes to assure his students show up on the golf course and more importantly in life.
Ty Lenards · University of Sioux Falls
“
Once I started working with Eric everything about my golf game changed. My skill, swing, scores, consistency, problem solving, and mindset. Within a year Eric had completely changed what I thought was a chore, into a game I constantly am trying to improve at. He explains the changes he's making until you understand it and why. But, he also has given me a mindset that allows me to perform better and not just rely on a specific swing. The mindset allows me to problem solve on my own, ultimately making me a better golfer.
Gabi Olson · Watertown High School, Class of '27
“
Eric has been my coach for 4 years and has helped me transform my golf game. Before I started to work with Eric I thought golf was all about how you physically played but Eric has helped me see how important the mental part of the game is.... Eric has not only helped me refine my skills but also taught me how to believe in myself and enjoy the process. I'm playing my best golf ever and feel equipped to take on any challenge- on or off the course.
Brynn Roehrich · Clark High School, Class of '27
“
Since working with Eric, I have been able to make huge improvements on the golf course just by changing the way I think. He taught that golf is not all about the swing but rather what you think about before, during, and after each shot. His ideas apply to every level of golfer, especially one trying to compete at a high level.
Jake Olson · South Dakota State University
Train with us
Eric's approach is hands-on. The fastest way to see if VPA fits your goals is a free 30-minute intro call — share where you're at, and we'll figure out the right plan together.