Dr. John Sullivan, ’93: From Niagara to New Zealand and Many Places In Between

In 1993, John Sullivan walked across the stage at Niagara University, curious about where his passion for psychology, health, sport, and human performance would take him. More than three decades later, he has become a global leader in clinical sport psychology and neuroscience, his work grounded in a commitment to service, innovation, and translating science into impact. The recent publication of his book, "The Brain Always Wins 2," reflects the people, experiences, and lessons he has gathered across a career rooted in listening, learning, and service. Here, he shares his journey and how Niagara helped launch his career.

How did your time at Niagara inspire your career?

Dr. Timothy Osberg nurtured my interest in psychology applied to sport, and he also expanded my understanding of the broader discipline and its impact on human flourishing. During my senior year, he played a key role supervising a yearlong internship with the men's and women's swimming and diving team that sparked a lifelong connection to sport psychology, human behaviour, and service through science.

Head coach Mike Skowronski embraced the idea that athletes' well-being and performance was deeply interconnected and equally important. With his openness and Dr. Osberg's guidance, I spent the year delivering psychoeducational sessions focused on health and human performance. The collaboration, mentorship, and opportunity to apply science in a real-world setting proved to be a pivotal experience in shaping my career.

Where did your journey take you after Niagara?

After completing my undergraduate studies, I pursued graduate education at Springfield College, where I earned a master's degree focused on counseling psychology and sport psychology. Two years of applied work followed before I continued my academic path at the University of Hartford, completing a second master's and ultimately a doctorate in clinical psychology. My focus evolved into integrating brain-based approaches to performance, resilience, well-being, and health.

I began my career in the NCAA as the clinical sport psychologist for the University of Rhode Island's Division I athletics program. At the time, I was one of only seven sport psychologists in such a role across the entire NCAA. As my work progressed, I was fortunate to contribute to the sports medicine and sports science teams at nearby institutions, including Brown University, Bryant University, and Providence College. In subsequent years, I also served as a consultant to the University of Michigan and the University of Oregon. These settings taught me what it truly means to support athletes, not only physically, but cognitively, emotionally, and holistically.

I transitioned into professional sports when the New England Patriots of the National Football League reached out in 2000. Initially, my work centered on supporting athlete and coach well-being, overseeing clinical care, and enhancing human performance. Over time, the role expanded to include broader strategic initiatives related to talent development, such as draft evaluation, player selection, learning and decision-making processes, situational awareness, neurological resilience, and performance under pressure. I also led efforts in talent protection, focusing on player assimilation into the team and league, optimizing rest and recovery, facilitating professional growth, and supporting athletes' families until leaving the organization in 2016.

Alongside that, I was privileged to contribute to performance environments in the NBA, MLS, the English Premier League, the Football Association, the Australian Football League, and Olympic teams in both the U.S. and Canada.

Today, I reside in Auckland, New Zealand, where I serve as head of psychology at High Performance Sport New Zealand. This government agency provides technical leadership, direct service, and research to support Olympic and professional sport sectors across the country.

What are you most proud to have accomplished during your career and why?

Among my proudest professional moments was the opportunity to serve those who serve, within law enforcement, firefighting, and the U.S. Special Operations Command supporting elite military teams, particularly within the U.S. Department of the Navy at the Navy Special Warfare Development Group, commonly referred to as SEAL Team Six. These relationships later extended into research and collaboration with NASA and DARPA, exploring human performance in extreme environments.

Who has been a mentor or major influence on your professional journey, and what did you learn from them?

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working alongside exceptionally talented and respected psychologists, neuroscientists, and sport science professionals who have instilled in me the importance of intellectual humility, recognizing the limits of our knowledge, remaining open to new evidence and perspectives, valuing others' contributions, and balancing confidence with curiosity. Their support and the learning opportunities I received consistently paved the way for each next step in my career, guiding me from one meaningful challenge to the next.

What inspired you to write "The Brain Always Wins 2," and what is the biggest takeaway for readers?

My experiences as both a practitioner and scientist culminated in the creation of "The Brain Always Wins" and its second edition, "The Brain Always Wins 2," both co-authored with my colleague Chris Parker of Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom. Together, we aimed to make complex psychology and neuroscience accessible, to translate it into actionable strategies for those seeking sustainable, high-performance outcomes.

The biggest takeaway is that everything we do, whether in sport, work, or life, begins and ends with the brain. When we understand how the brain drives performance, health, and resilience, we can make better choices to protect and optimize it. The book gives readers practical, science-based tools to train, fuel, and recover their brains so they can think more clearly, adapt more quickly, and perform at their best, especially when it matters most.

Why do you do what you do?

Ultimately, I do this work because I've witnessed the remarkable difference that applying science can make in the lives of individuals, teams, and communities, and that is what keeps me committed every day.

For me, the work is not only about addressing difficulties; it's about fostering growth from a person's unique strengths, enhancing performance, and promoting well-being in ways that can transform both individuals and communities. The human brain is extraordinary, and supporting people in understanding and optimizing how it works is both a privilege and a responsibility I hold with deep respect.