Mental fitness for students who perform
under real pressure.
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
Dr Ben Robbins delivers mental fitness presentations and programs for school students — practical tools for managing pressure, building focus and understanding emotions. Built on the same psychology used with elite AFL athletes. Delivered in a way that actually connects with young people.
Group presentations — all year levels
Multi-session programs
VCE and Year 12 focus
Tailored to your school
He doesn't just explain the theory. He's lived it.
WHY STUDENT CONNECT WITH BEN
Most of what schools teach students about managing pressure is abstract. Ben makes it immediate — because he can point to real moments from a career in elite sport when these exact skills were what separated the good days from the great ones.
Nine seasons in the AFL across the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne. Head of Psychology and Wellbeing at Essendon FC. The combination of elite athletic credibility and clinical depth is what earns the room — and keeps it.
Students who have sat through plenty of wellbeing sessions respond differently to Ben. Schools report hearing his concepts referenced by students throughout the year — not just the week after the session.
9 AFL seasons — Brisbane Lions & North Melbourne FC
PhD, Clinical Psychology · AHPRA registered psychologist
Head of Psychology & Wellbeing — Essendon FC (current)
Nearly 7 years as a Smiling Mind Program Facilitator
Two ways to bring Ben into your school.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
Both options are fully tailored to your school context, year level and student cohort. Contact Ben to discuss which is the right fit.
Option 1
Group presentation — Finding Focus
A single engaging session for your students. Up to 90 minutes, interactive, with Q&A.
Up to 90 minutes — presentation plus Q&A segment
Works for all student group sizes, face-to-face
Fully tailored to your audience and context
Practical takeaway tools students can use immediately
Relatable real-life stories from AFL and everyday life
Best for: Year assemblies, VCE kick-off days, wellbeing events, leadership days, sports programs or any whole-year-level session. Works for Year 7–12.
Option 2
Four-session program — Attention & Emotion Regulation
A multi-week program to build lasting mental skills through practice.
Two hours per week over four weeks — interactive training
Tailored to your school — unlimited participants
Builds attention control, emotional regulation and resilience over time
Access to tools and resources to support behaviour change and wellbeing
Students leave with a practical mental fitness toolkit — not just awareness
Best for: Year 12 cohorts preparing for VCE, student wellbeing programs, pastoral care integration or any school wanting sustained skills development rather than a one-off session.
Four topics. All tailored to your students.
WHAT’S COVERED
Every session is built around your school's context and student cohort. These are the core topics — the emphasis, examples and depth are adapted to fit.
Performance starts with focus
Practising the skill of attention control keeps us focused on what matters. Ben shares how to deal with distractions, manage procrastination and direct focus to the task at hand — skills that are as relevant in the classroom as they are on the field.
Understanding emotions and pressure
Ben shows students how to deal with pressure situations, intrusive thoughts and difficult emotions — in order to make better decisions and maintain wellbeing and performance when things get hard. Relevant to VCE, sport, relationships and life.
Motivation and self-compassion
If it doesn't make sense, it won't stick. Ben's tried-and-tested stories and strategies are motivational and relatable, helping students analyse their own actions with compassion rather than self-criticism — a foundation for lasting change.
Sustainable ways to change behaviour
All Ben's approaches are evidence-based and scientifically validated — and designed to be easy to incorporate into everyday life once you've been shown how. Students leave with practical tools, not just concepts.
Schools come back every year.
What educators say
Feedback from teachers, coordinators and school leaders who have brought Ben in to work with their students.
Ben presents key messages around positive stress techniques, personal management strategies and preventative mental health measures into an interactive, engaging and entertaining package. Our students responded very positively and have recalled strategies throughout the year to assist themselves and their peers. I would encourage schools to work with Ben.
Justin Henderson
Head of Year 12
Ben's AFL playing career and current position in the AFL captured their interest — and then held it with relatable, everyday life stories. His content was relevant to life as a young adult: emotions, pressure, handling stress, anxiety and change, rather than focussing on study and ATAR results. Throughout the year I regularly heard Ben's concepts referenced by students.
Kristen Michelle
VCE VM Coordinator
Ben is a highly engaging speaker and our students related well to the practical examples from his work with football clubs. He was most effective in providing the theory behind practical suggestions to help them make achievable change. We will use him again for each new year of students.
Jason McManus
Vice Principal
I would like to thank Dr Ben Robbins for his captivating presentation on mental health and mindfulness. His insights on being present and attentive to reach one's full potential on and off the field were thought-provoking. Our students left with a renewed curiosity and a desire to learn more. Dr Robbins' presentation served as a reminder that mental health is equally as important as physical health.
Kristian Leeson — Assistant Head of Sport
Scotch College Perth — Senior Football Squad
Get in touch
Enquire about bringing Ben to your school.
Tell Ben your school context, year level and what you're hoping students will take away — and he'll recommend the right option and tailor accordingly. Rates are available on request.
Reach Ben directly
0425 744 988
Based in Melbourne. Available nationally for in-person school programs. Every session is priced based on format, duration and location. Please get in touch to discuss rates and availability.