When young people learn to care for their energy and honor their values, their performance stops defining who they are. Their purpose becomes clear, confidence deepens, and life opens. This practice isn’t about slowing ambition. It’s about making it sustainable.
This is why we partner with organizations like TeamFAME (Future Aces Modeling Excellence). Their commitment to developing the whole athlete, not just the competitor, resonates with everything we stand for at The Person First. Together, we are on a mission to redefine what success looks like for young athletes.
What is TeamFAME?
TeamFAME serves under-resourced students in Newport and surrounding communities through one-on-one tutoring, tennis programs, social and emotional lessons, and enrichment activities that keep students active, engaged, and growing in their love of tennis and the character benefits it fosters.
TeamFAME’s approach centers on four pillars: Tennis & Wellness, Character Development, Academic Support & Enrichment, and Community Building. They develop their program through a deep commitment to values: Integrity, Respect, Determination, Positive Attitude, Teamwork, Competitive Spirit, Self-Worth, Empathy, Communication, and Gratitude. By creating spaces to develop these skills, athletes and coaches can grow alongside each other, and walk away from the court ready to embrace life’s obstacles with confidence.
This philosophy aligns perfectly with our mission at The Person First. As partners, we understand that exceptional athletes are built on a foundation of strong character, mental wellness, and purpose.
Why This Partnership Matters
Youth athletics has traditionally emphasized effort and achievement, while underestimating the essential role of recovery, education, and mental wellness in sustaining great performance over time.
We’ve seen the consequences:
- Young athletes burning out before they reach their potential
- Students sacrificing grades for extra training hours
- Mental health struggles hidden behind the pressure to perform
- Identity crises when sports careers come to a close
- Physical injuries as a result of overexertion without proper recovery
The Person First and TeamFAME understand there’s a better way.
What We’re Building Together
Through our partnership, we’re bringing Dr. Jim Loehr’s 30+ years of performance psychology research directly to TeamFAME’s community of young athletes. This means science-backed training in energy management, the oscillation principle of balancing stress and recovery, purpose-driven performance, and sustainable excellence without burnout.
This work helps athletes build character and values that last beyond athletics, develop mental wellness skills for life’s challenges, create balance between athletics, academics, and personal growth, and discover their identity beyond their sport.
For 8 weeks, the students at TeamFAME are engaging with customized virtual learning modules, participating in facilitated group learning, and reflecting on their lessons through journaling to connect what they’re learning to their everyday lives. TeamFAME athletes are learning to protect their health while training hard, managing academic pressures alongside athletic commitments, building mental resilience for both competition and life, and leading with integrity in their communities.
The Results Speak for Themselves
When young athletes learn to put themselves first – their health, their values, their authentic purpose – something remarkable happens. They perform better, they recover quicker, and most importantly, they thrive.
The impact shows up everywhere. In the classroom, TeamFAME students report improved focus and time management. On court, they’re learning to use their inner voice for positive self-talk and to think before they act.
TeamFAME students are even noticing shifts in their relationships. One athlete shared how working with The Person First “has helped with family because I learned that instead of getting mad, I can just take deep breaths and talk things out calmly.” Another reflected on learning not to jump to assumptions. These aren’t just performance improvements. They’re life skills. By building confidence rooted in character, not just accomplishments, young athletes are creating sustainable habits that will serve them for life.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Our partnership is energized to deliver:
A place where young people discover their potential – athletic AND personal.
A community that celebrates the whole person, not just their stats.
An environment where mental wellness and physical health go hand in hand.
A foundation for lifelong success, regardless of how far sports take them.
What’s Next?
We’re excited to continue expanding our work with TeamFAME, developing new programming that meets the evolving needs of young people. Whether you’re a current TeamFAME athlete, a parent, a coach, or someone who believes in this mission, we invite you to be part of this movement.
Because when we put the person first and prioritize who they’re becoming over what they’re achieving, we create athletes who don’t just win trophies.
We provide the tools for future leaders to change the world.
