Professor Marks: Optimal Performance Through Mental and Physical Systems

Professor Marks: Optimal Performance Through Mental and Physical Systems Dr. Kevin Marks has been teaching for 22 years at the college level and has been at Solano since the fall of 2007. He holds two master’s degrees and a Ph.D.
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Marks is a full-time Tenured Psychology/Health Science Professor at Solano. In Psychology. Teaching Philosophy
First and foremost, I am a lifelong LEARNER myself. Learning is at the center of my teaching philosophy. My definition of the learning process is: LEARNING TAKES PLACE WHEN I change the way I think about this subject, change the way I feel about this subject, and change my behavior as a r

esult of this subject. What guides my teaching is an ATTITUDE to relentlessly find ways to cultivate a LEARNING environment that fosters deep critically thinking. Below are some key core principles that guide my decisions as an educator in higher learning. ATTITUDE- This has nothing to do with a positive attitude, even though I am an optimistic person. Rather, this ATTITUDE is a mentality, an approach to consistently look for ways to improve academically. This ATTITUDE is all about progression, growth, straining, and striving to pursue capacity in the learning process. Relationships- I teach the person first, then the subject. I care deeply about my students and have a deep regard for you as a person and as a scholar. Discomfort- The process of learning is not comfortable. In fact, learning new material takes tremendous effort and openness to explore new ways of looking at things, thinking about things, and applying critical thinking skills. Assessments- How do you know you are learning? I will provide multiple assessments in many formats that will provide you with the necessary feedback for you to measure if you are on track. You will have the opportunity to test yourself in many ways: essay exams, practice exams, multiple-choice, matching, fill-in, small projects, discussion boards, and much more. Learning is not linear, it takes on many forms. Learning as a process- The ends don't always justify the means. I am not interested in students who just want to "chase points" and find ways to pass tests. Rather, I am interested in building a LEARNING COMMUNITY that is centered on "the process of learning". Scholarship- You have the skills inside you to be a scholar. The goal is to relentlessly find ways to reveal to YOURSELF what your best academic self looks like. This takes a lot of work, and many times it takes pain that comes from discomfort.

Fun training session with Oakland basketball coaches. We talked about how athletes have changed over the years. A while ...
01/09/2026

Fun training session with Oakland basketball coaches. We talked about how athletes have changed over the years. A while back, we had a lot of “nails.” Today, we have more “screws.” If we try to hammer a screw, we are screwed.

Sport psychology literature shows that today’s athletes require an updated approach. This is not about lowering standards. In fact, the goal is to raise standards and communicate them clearly, with consistency and accountability.

10/30/2025

Constantly challenging myself to “learn my learners”, to truly understand how they think, and process information. One thing is clear: passive lectures don’t cut it anymore. Cognitive psychology comes alive when it’s fun, practical, and personal.

Fun training session with Sacramento area wrestling coaches, working on competing skills/motivation, alongside this dude...
10/25/2025

Fun training session with Sacramento area wrestling coaches, working on competing skills/motivation, alongside this dude, Marc Schmatjen! Great to connect in my role as the NorCal Bay Area Regional Captain.

Awesome being a part of this work! This is Joe Thomas, longtime PCA trainer and published author on parenting athletes. ...
09/20/2025

Awesome being a part of this work! This is Joe Thomas, longtime PCA trainer and published author on parenting athletes. This dude can flip a switch and lock in. His energy and passion for helping athletes and parents thrive is contagious. Grateful to collaborate and learn with leaders like Joe as part of the PCA Bay Area team.

09/13/2025
09/11/2025

Fun opportunity to deliver a training workshop to 45 soccer coaches in Marin County. Workshops like this remind me why I love applied psychology. Watching coaches step into the work, competing, reflecting, sharing stories, and applying tools in real time shows what a switched-on/ positive environment can truly look like.A positive coaching culture is about relationships, supporting athletes, and challenging athletes in ways that help them grow both on and off the field. Grateful for the chance to be part of building that culture.

08/26/2025

Many thanks to the San Francisco 49ers and Positive Coaching Alliance for the generous invitation. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and access, as well as the chance to reconnect and meet with such outstanding people. -in the house

Grateful to Coach Cardinal and Coach Ratcliffe for setting this in motion. Last week, I had the opportunity to join some...
04/24/2025

Grateful to Coach Cardinal and Coach Ratcliffe for setting this in motion. Last week, I had the opportunity to join some thoughtful and forward-thinking conversations about supporting modern-day athletes—navigating the complexities of the transfer portal, NIL, and how we communicate with elite Gen Z performers. Humbled to be part of this important work. There’s so much to learn, and even more to consider as we continue exploring what it means to pursue high performance in today’s world.

04/22/2025

Yes, the physical talent is there—but that’s not what sets them apart. What stood out more was:

Extraordinary effort on every rep

Full concentration

Zero cell phones

Eyes on the coach the moment he speaks

No side conversations during teaching

Athletes arriving 10–20 minutes early to prepare.

Next visit, I’ll be exploring the academic side of life as a Stanford student-athlete. Stay tuned.

04/20/2025

Last weeks work location!!

THE MIND GYM – Mental toughness isn’t built in the weight room; it’s revealed. Many athletes push themselves hard in tra...
03/28/2025

THE MIND GYM – Mental toughness isn’t built in the weight room; it’s revealed. Many athletes push themselves hard in training, but when everything is on the line, they choke as their heart starts thumping.

Mental toughness must be taught, understood, targeted, and systematically applied with feedback at the right time to allow for adaptation.

Exciting visits ahead! Fired up to be heading back to Stanford University. Department of Psychology and Athletics in Apr...
03/15/2025

Exciting visits ahead! Fired up to be heading back to Stanford University. Department of Psychology and Athletics in April.

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Sacramento, CA
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Our Story

Personal Information: I am happily married and have a beautiful daughter named Zoey. My family and I enjoy hanging out and staying physically fit. Health and wellness is a priority in our family. I enjoy reading. I usually read around 20-30 minutes daily. I have completed 4 full marathons, 1 half marathon and 2 Spartan races and 2 Ironman Races (1 half & 1 full). I am consistently looking for ways to develop myself in all areas: family, training and teaching. My personal philosophy is centered on one central theme and word- ATTITUDE! Attitude is everything. My attitude and mental approach is always being in a relentless pursuit of a competitive edge to develop and build capacity in all areas. My overriding vision is to build and optimize capacity in: family, training and teaching. As a result, I am able to be more present. Further, I am able to express my most authentic self.

Professional Background: Professor Marks has been teaching for 16 years at the college level and has been at Solano College since the fall of 2007. Marks is a full time Tenured Psychology/Health Science Professor at Solano. He holds two master’s degrees. One master’s of science degree in sport/exercise science (biomechanics & exercise physiology, sport psychology), and a second master’s of science degree in psychology; is a former college football coach (associate head coach) of back to back conference championship teams and 3rd best team in school history at SCC in 2010). As a professor at the college level, Marks has taught peak performance and sport psychology courses for the past 16 years. Marks has received formal high performance mental skills training from: Licensed Psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais who is the psychologist for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. Additionally, Marks has received training from US Olympian’s Nicole Davis and Courtney Thompson (Volleyball). Prior to joining the Falcons, Marks taught and coached football at Modesto Jr. College. Coach Marks has also coached football and taught at Laney College in Oakland. In addition to his duties in Education and as women’s soccer high performance mental skills coach, Marks is an endurance triathlete.

Former High school and College level athletic Experience: