ABOUT

MD (Argentina) · LMHC, NCC (USA) · M.A. Applied Psychology, NYU

I’m Dr. Maria Bruce, an executive and performance coach with a background spanning medicine, applied psychology, sports medicine, business, and entertainment. I work with executives, founders, investors, entrepreneurs, senior professionals, and people in high-performance or public-facing careers who want thoughtful, practical support navigating pressure, difficult decisions, career or business transitions, workplace dynamics, or the demands of sustained performance. My approach is highly individualized and integrates applied psychology, stress physiology, biofeedback, and practical strategies to support clearer thinking, steadier performance, and a more sustainable way of operating.

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How My Background Shapes the Work

I work with executives, founders, decision-makers, and high-performing professionals navigating pressure, complex decisions, interpersonal dynamics, and the demands of sustained performance.

My approach looks at performance as a whole. How we think and make decisions matters, but so do stress physiology, confidence, relationships, habits, recovery, and what is happening outside of work.

My background across medicine, applied psychology, sports, business, and entertainment allows me to bring different perspectives to the same problem. The goal is not simply to perform at a high level, but to do so in a way that is effective, grounded, and sustainable over time.

I am also the author of applied mental-training resources designed to translate psychological and physiological principles into practical tools people can use in real situations.

Entrepreneurship & Consulting

Alongside my coaching work, I have founded and advised projects at the intersection of psychology, performance, technology, sports, and entertainment.

Building my own ventures has given me firsthand experience with many of the pressures my clients navigate – uncertainty, competing priorities, difficult decisions, responsibility, and the challenge of maintaining perspective while moving something forward.

That entrepreneurial experience continues to shape the practical way I approach coaching and advisory work.

Selected Leadership & Advisory Roles

Over the years, I have founded and led performance-focused initiatives across digital platforms, publishing, and applied mental training, and have served in advisory roles within esports and other performance-driven environments.

I am the author of Mental Training for Soccer and Entrenamiento Mental para Jugar al Fútbol, and the founder of Thanks You Made My Day and Optimalist.

My advisory work has focused on the human side of performance – cognition, stress regulation, behavior, and the systems that help individuals and teams function more effectively under pressure.

Early Career & Transition

I began my career in medicine and sports medicine, including work with Argentine and Italian Olympic athletes in Rome.

That experience sparked a deeper interest in the psychological and physiological factors that influence performance under pressure and eventually led me toward applied psychology and performance work.

Today, I continue to integrate that medical foundation with applied psychology, biofeedback, HRV, and practical performance strategies.

Background in Music Industry

Before moving into applied psychology and performance work, I worked in the music industry as a label manager at Universal Music and later as a consultant to 5020 Records (Sony Music Entertainment).

That experience gave me a firsthand understanding of high-pressure creative environments where performance, visibility, relationships, and decision-making intersect every day. It continues to inform how I work with clients in demanding, public-facing, and creative roles.

Education

M.A. in Applied Psychology, New York University, USA

Medical Degree, Universidad del Salvador, Argentina

Credentials

  • Physician – Federal Health License (Argentina)
    Ministerio de Salud de la Nación Argentina
  • National Certified Counselor 
    The National Board for Certified Counselors
  • Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
    New York State Office of the Professions
  • Certificate of Achievement in Biofeedback
    Biofeedback Resources International Corporation, New York, USA
  • Gestalt Training
    Gestalt Institute of Toronto
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Professional Society Memberships

  • Association For Applied Sport Psychology

Honors & Awards

  • Samsung Innova IoT Award– Nomination
  • Latinas in Tech – Finalist

Community Initiatives

I am the founder of “Thanks You Made My Day,” an online community focused on constructive dialogue, positivity, and everyday resilience.

I also support therapeutic riding programs and initiatives that expand access to mental skills training for young athletes. These projects reflect my broader commitment to applying psychology and performance principles beyond executive and professional settings.

Volunteer Experience

Featured in:

Magazines/Newspapers/Web Links:

Forbes↗

Vogue↗

L’Officiel↗

Diario La Nación↗ 

TV:

AMC (Spanish TV)

Radio:

Radio Nacional (Argentina)

For press inquiries and interview             requests: please email                             contact@optimalisthealth.com