Written by Jack Stankey
Michael Goldberg sat at the edge of his bed in his childhood home in Northeast Philadelphia on September 5, 1972, watching history unfold in horror on a 12-inch black-and-white television. The tragic events of the Munich Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes were taken hostage and murdered by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September, left a lasting imprint on his young mind.
Decades later, that nine-year-old boy is a seasoned mental performance coach. But Goldberg still carries the weight of that moment. Rage and other intense emotions resurfaced when news broke of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“I was shocked to even imagine that it was something that could actually happen,” Goldberg said. “Still blows my mind, many months later.”
Yet, from tragedy has come resilience. This summer, Goldberg will assist the Maccabi USA delegation at the Maccabiah in Israel, not just as a mental health specialist for the athletes, but as someone honoring a lifelong promise.
“I hope to walk on representing that little nine-year-old and the Munich Eleven and hopefully give myself some peace,” Goldberg said. “I’ve been filled with a lot of rage over the years and strong feelings. This is my way of paying respect and finding a sense of closure.”
Goldberg has built a career of more than 25 years centered around helping individuals including athletes, executives, and high-pressure professionals navigate the psychological challenges that come with their fields. His approach is rooted in a fundamental belief: performance is 100% mental. “When a critical moment comes, you are now in charge,” Goldberg explains. “Having that mental edge over one’s opponent is a difference maker when peak performance is required. Our thought is that for the elite athlete and/or performer, when isn’t there a time that you wouldn’t want that edge?”
Goldberg’s practice focuses on teaching individuals how to control stress rather than let the stress control them. He emphasizes the importance of “protecting your brain” from negative influences and distractions, ensuring that high performers remain focused and mentally resilient. “Life is full of distractions—good and bad. Anxiety is a huge distraction,” Goldberg said. “So protecting the brain is sort of my slogan, in terms of keeping it at 100%.”
Goldberg’s Jewish identity has always played a significant role in his life and career. He grew up in a strong Jewish household, attended Camp Ramah in the Pocono Mountains in northeast Pennsylvania throughout his childhood, and later lived in Israel as a student. His Jewish heritage is deeply ingrained.
“Since ’72, I’ve had some pretty deep feelings, angry feelings, towards Israel’s enemies,” he said. “It’s a level of pride, but it’s also about standing up and not being afraid to represent who you are. I wear my IDF sweatshirt out hoping for a comment or a notice.”
When Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7th, Goldberg found himself transported back to that day in 1972. “It immediately triggered something in me,” he said. “The nine-year-old boy, the 61-year-old man—they both came out. The anger, the rage, the heartbreak.” Watching history repeat itself only strengthened his resolve. “I knew we were going to get called up,” he said, referring to the Jewish community’s collective responsibility to support Israel in times of crisis.
Goldberg is now preparing for this summer’s Maccabiah in July. Having visited Israel more times than he can count, this trip carries a different weight. “Whether you’ve been to Israel once or a hundred times, it’s always an incredible experience,” he says. “I want people coming home with a medal, but I also want them to come home with an experience—one that stays with them forever.”
When Goldberg steps into Teddy Stadium for Opening Ceremony, it will be a culmination of decades of emotion, resilience, and unwavering dedication. “I’m really hoping, in some ways, that both the nine-year-old and the 61-year-old will find peace in that moment,” he said. “That I can walk on there, get emotional, and not just represent myself, but the eleven who were murdered, and all of those who have fought to defend our faith and our country.”
For Goldberg, this summer is about more than just a competition. It’s about honoring history, finding peace, and helping the next generation of Jewish athletes and leaders embrace their identity with pride and resilience. But more than that, it is giving that nine-year-old boy some closure. “I feel like I’ve waited 53 years for this moment,” he said. “And I’m ready to walk onto that field and finally have it.”
Jack Stankey is a broadcast & digital journalism major at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Follow Jack on his website: jackstankeymedia.com and connect with Jack on Linkedin.