Trevor Moawad was a renowned mental conditioning expert and strategic advisor who worked with some of the world’s most elite athletes, teams, and organizations. He was also a powerful and captivating speaker, as well as an author and exceptional thinker. Moawad was dubbed the “Sports World’s Best Brain Trainer” by Sports Illustrated in 2017¹. He co-founded Limitless Minds with Russell Wilson, an eight-time Pro Bowler, in 2018². He passed away on September 16, 2021, after a two-year battle with cancer³. He was only 48 years old.
Early Life and Education
Trevor Moawad was born in 1973 to Bob Moawad, a motivational speaker and founder of the Edge Learning Institute, and Carol Moawad, a teacher and counselor. He grew up in Washington state and attended King’s High School, where he played football and basketball. He graduated in 1991 and went on to study at Occidental College in Los Angeles, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science in 1995. He later obtained a master’s degree in education from Alabama in 2007⁴.
Career and Achievements
Trevor Moawad began his career as a mental conditioning coach at the IMG Academy in Florida, where he worked for 12 years and helped train thousands of athletes, including Serena Williams, Alex Rodriguez, and Cam Newton. He also served as the director of performance for the NFL Players Association and the executive director of the IMG Performance Institute⁴.
In 2014, Moawad joined the Alabama football program as a mental conditioning consultant and helped the Crimson Tide win two national championships in 2015 and 2017. He also worked with other college and professional teams, such as Georgia, Florida State, Oklahoma, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Seattle Seahawks⁴.
Moawad was best known for his long-term partnership with Russell Wilson, the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, whom he met in 2012 at the IMG Academy. Moawad helped Wilson develop his mental toughness, confidence, and leadership skills, and the duo won the Super Bowl in 2014. In 2018, they co-founded Limitless Minds, a company that aimed to optimize performance and enrich culture within the world’s top organizations and peak performers².
Moawad was also a prolific author and speaker, who shared his insights and strategies on how to overcome negativity, enhance focus, and achieve excellence. He co-authored the book “It Takes What It Takes: How to Think Neutrally and Gain Control of Your Life” with Andy Staples in 2020, which became a New York Times bestseller. He also delivered keynote speeches at various events and platforms, such as TEDx, SXSW, and the NFL Combine⁴.
Moawad received numerous accolades and recognition for his work and impact. He was named one of the “World’s Greatest Leaders” by Fortune Magazine in 2017, and one of the “Most Innovative People in North America” by Esquire Magazine in 2018. He was also inducted into the King’s High School Hall of Fame in 2019⁴.
Personal Life and Death
Trevor Moawad was married to Tammy Moawad, a former volleyball player and coach, and had two children, Tyson and Tatum. He was a devout Christian and a passionate philanthropist, who supported various causes and charities, such as the Russell Wilson Why Not You Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Wounded Warrior Project⁴.
Moawad was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and underwent several treatments and surgeries. He kept his condition private and continued to work and inspire others until his death. He died on September 16, 2021, surrounded by his family and friends. His death was announced by his company, Limitless Minds, on Twitter, and was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from the sports and business communities³.
Trevor Moawad was a remarkable man who touched many lives and left a lasting legacy. He was a brilliant mind, a loyal friend, and a loving husband and father. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.