Joost Pluijms is a sport and performance psychologist (PhD) working with elite athletes, teams and professionals in high-stakes environments. His background combines design, science and performance: he holds a bachelor in Industrial Design, a master in Human Movement Sciences, and a PhD on perceptual-cognitive skills and expertise in sailing.

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This multidisciplinary foundation translates into his work: analysing behaviour, perception and decision- making under pressure; and turning this into practical, applicable interventions. Joost has worked with TeamNL and BrabantSport and is affiliated with Anna TopSupport, collaborating with medical and performance specialists to support sustainable high performance.

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He is a sought- after speaker and regularly featured in national media (e.g. NRC, Trouw, AD), sharing insights on performance under pressure. In 2025, he was nominated for the Frank Bakker Award in sport psychology. His Prepare–Peak–Recover framework translates principles from elite sport into leadership and organisational contexts, helping individuals and teams perform when it matters; without burning out. He is known for his energetic, practical and experiential approach.

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Joost is also the author of Think Like an Athlete, Don’t Act Like One.

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