Mental Fitness (Positive Intelligence) Coaching
The seven-week mental fitness program, based on the Positive Intelligence (PQ) framework, helps you strengthen your capacity to respond to life’s challenges with less stress and greater clarity. Through science-based strategies and coaching, participants build new mental habits that improve performance, increase happiness and strengthen relationships.
Participants receive access to the PQ app and weekly group coaching by Olga Kipnis, a certified life coach. Optional individual coaching is available during the program.
We’re all navigating stress, complexity and change — this program helps you lead yourself and others with calm, focus and greater ease and flow.
Why we need it
Every day, individuals and teams face challenges — many of which are beyond our control. This often leads to overwhelm, frustration and burnout, making it harder to maintain high performance. The result affects how we feel, how we collaborate, how we lead and how effectively we execute.
As they go through the program, participants often report:
- Greater clarity and peace of mind
- Improved communication and relationships
- More resilience during challenges
- A noticeable reduction in stress
What is mental fitness?
Mental fitness is your ability to handle life’s challenges with a positive mindset rather than being hijacked by negative thought patterns (your “saboteurs”). This program trains three core mental muscles to help intercept those patterns and activate your wiser inner voice (your “sage”).
Wide range of applications
Participants have applied mental fitness tools for:
- Leading and motivating teams
- Navigating change or conflict
- Strengthening personal and professional relationships
- Remaining grounded during challenges
- Creating and maintaining trust with colleagues
- Improving conflict management and collaboration
- Sustaining energy, engagement and clarity in decision-making
- Building awareness of impact on others
Program details
Next cohort
January 30-March 17, 2026
Registration closes January 16
Weekly time commitment
- ~15 min/day (self-guided app practice, Monday-Friday)
- 1 hour/week (individual practice, Friday-Sunday)
- 1 hour/week (group coaching session on Mondays)
Audience
All WashU staff (leading self, others or the organization)
Cost
How to join
To express interest or ask questions, please email Olga Kipnis at olga.kipnis@wustl.edu.
Learn more about the Positive Intelligence framework at positiveintelligence.com.
The cost of coaching is fully covered, and the majority of the PQ app cost is sponsored by WashU Medicine. Each participant contributes $100, and no departmental funding is required.