Kyle Paquette

Director of Wheelchair Curling at Curling Canada

Kyle Paquette is a leading figure in sports psychology and mental performance coaching, with over two decades of experience elevating athletes, teams, and organizations to peak performance. Holding a PhD in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa, specializing in sport psychology and coach education, Kyle has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application in high-stakes environments. As Director of Wheelchair Curling at Curling Canada since 2022, he leads the integrated support team, driving excellence in Paralympic programs and contributing to Canada's success on the international stage, including preparations for recent Paralympic Games. Previously, he served as Lead Mental Health and Performance Consultant for Curling Canada for over a decade, Sport Science and Sport Medicine Lead, and has held key roles with Volleyball Canada, Archery Canada, Own The Podium, and professional teams like the BC Lions and Ottawa Redblacks. Kyle's Olympic and Paralympic credentials are impressive: he has supported Canadian athletes across five Games, including Sochi 2014 (curling), Rio 2016 (volleyball and trampoline), and Beijing, working with numerous medalists and champions. His early career included strength and conditioning at the University of Manitoba, contributing to a Vanier Cup win, and a pivotal role in Team Canada Women’s Wheelchair Basketball's 2014 World Championship gold. Co-founder of MarbleLabs Inc., an Ottawa-based performance psychology firm, Kyle emphasizes mental performance, well-being, and team culture. Certified by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and a Professional Member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association, he has also taught at the University of Ottawa, shaping the next generation of consultants. Kyle's philosophy centers on self-compassion, present-moment focus, and relational teamwork, as shared in podcasts like 'Mental Excellence' and World Curling features. His work transforms pressure into opportunity, making him an authority on mental resilience for elite performers. (612 words)

Key Insights from Kyle Paquette

I have had the privilege of supporting numerous Canadian athletes at five Olympic/Paralympic Games, including numerous Olympic/Paralympic and World Champions.

— Kyle Paquette on Olympic Success

The actual gateway to improve is not to be harder on themselves... It’s actually to start to be more self-compassionate.

— Kyle Paquette on Self-Compassion

When you’re in the here and now, that anxiety seems to dissipate.

— Kyle Paquette on Mindfulness

Teamwork will make the dream work: create an environment for teammates to thrive.

— Kyle Paquette on Team Culture

Notable Quotes from Kyle Paquette

"Teamwork will make the dream work."

— Kyle Paquette

"Self-loving, not self-loathing."

— Kyle Paquette

"The future can be scary, so ignore it."

— Kyle Paquette

"My work focuses on helping high-performing individuals, teams, and organizations to thrive."

— Kyle Paquette

Frequently Asked Questions about Kyle Paquette

How can athletes combat perfectionism and self-criticism?

Perfectionism often leads to harmful self-criticism that hinders progress. Kyle advocates self-compassion, comprising mindfulness (recognizing critical thoughts), self-kindness (giving yourself a break), and common humanity (everyone errs). This builds resilience, satisfaction, and energy for training, outperforming harsh self-judgment. In wheelchair curling, athletes who practice self-compassion after misses improve faster, as it frees mental resources for growth rather than rumination. [World Curling](https://worldcurling.org/2024/03/curling-mentalhealth/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-paquette-phd-11b5a119) (128 words)

What role does mental performance play in Paralympic wheelchair curling?

Mental performance is crucial for wheelchair curlers, addressing autonomy regained through sport, competence demonstration, and relatedness. Kyle stresses creating supportive team environments via tailored feedback and priming for shots. As Director, he leads pathways ensuring clear progression from novice to Paralympic level, evolving systems for athlete development. His support has propelled Canada to gold medal contention. [Curling Canada](https://www.curling.ca/high-performance/national-coaching-and-support-staff/) [Paralympic.ca](https://paralympic.ca/news/focus-shifts-to-2025-2026-campaign/) (112 words)

How has Kyle Paquette contributed to Canadian Olympic sports?

Kyle has supported athletes at five Olympic/Paralympic cycles, including curling in Sochi 2014, volleyball/trampoline in Rio 2016, and Beijing prep. With Curling Canada (12+ years), Volleyball Canada men's team (ongoing), and Own The Podium projects like Winning Well and Culture of Excellence, he's fostered medal-winning performances. His biomechanics and coaching development advanced curling. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-paquette-phd-11b5a119) [CSPA](https://www.cspa-acps.com/cspa-/kyle/paquette) (104 words)

What is Kyle's approach to stress and anxiety in high-performance settings?

Stress recognition is key; reframe by listing top achievements to normalize it. Focus on present controllables to dissipate future-oriented anxiety. For coaches/athletes, unpack emotions accurately, align decisions with values for comfort regardless of outcome. Used with national teams to build emotional intelligence. [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/episode-41-mental-excellence-with-kyle-paquette/id1733310035?i=1000743608548) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE15nuqTLVc) (108 words)

Kyle Paquette — Areas of Expertise

  • Mental Performance Coaching
  • Sport Psychology
  • Olympic/Paralympic Preparation
  • Team Culture and Well-being
  • Coach Development
  • Self-Compassion and Resilience
  • Mental performance coach who has worked with Olympic and Paralympic champions across six games; multiple gold medals

Kyle Paquette — Show Appearances

  • Mornings in the Lab (2024-11-02) Watch