Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea “Fitz” Fitzgerald.
Hi Andrea “Fitz”, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I really think my story starts back in 7th and 8th grade. I got cut from my middle school basketball team both years. But despite that, I kept going and eventually earned a scholarship after playing at the great Kirby High. That experience gave me what I call an underdog mentality.
After college, I thought I wanted to be a basketball coach. But once I tried it, I realized I was more drawn to the business side of sports. I interned with the NBA and WNBA team in Charlotte and discovered I really loved marketing and event management. That led me back home to an internship with the Memphis Grizzlies, which turned into a full-time role as the Coordinator of Sport Development where I hosted camps, clinics, and community outreach events. From there, I moved on to the Atlanta Hawks as Manager of Basketball Development in a similar role.
I loved working in the league, but I was working all the time. In sports, you are the entertainment. I started thinking, what kind of job could I have where I still get to wear sweatpants but work a little less? That led me to consider becoming a PE teacher. No judgment please, but that was my original motivation. Becoming a PE teacher didn’t work out, so I became a math teacher instead. That first year was rough. I almost quit. I had a moment where I was on the phone thinking I was talking to a parent, but I was actually talking to a student in my own class. I realized real quick that content knowledge wasn’t enough.
I thought I was just going to be teaching math, but it turned out to be so much more. I needed to build connections with students. My classroom management was all over the place. I didn’t see a path forward and honestly felt stuck. But as I started working on myself, building relationships, and growing in my craft, I became a much better teacher. I reached Level 5 consistently, meaning students in my class were growing significantly. Even though I started for the sweatpants, teaching led me to my purpose.
What I discovered as a math teacher is that it wasn’t that kids couldn’t do the work, they didn’t believe they could. When they succeeded, they would say, “If I just did math and that was hard, what else can I do?” That stuck with me. My purpose now is to help build that kind of confidence and belief in everything I do.
After seven years in the classroom, I became a Math Advisor with Shelby County Schools, supporting teachers and leaders. During that time, I attended a Student Achievement Partners conference and had the opportunity to speak on a national stage. That moment lit a fire in me, and I knew I wanted to speak more.
I went on to work with a few nonprofits, helping educators build their skills and confidence with what we call the “new math.” Around that same time, I launched my own company, Mental Fitzness, focused on helping new teachers and new math teachers stay in the game. The challenges I faced as a first-year teacher inspired me to write The Rookie’s Playbook for New Teachers because there was so much I didn’t know in those early days.
Now I travel the country speaking and consulting, helping new teachers with practical tools they can use right away and building their mental toughness to thrive. A lot of times, it’s not that teachers can’t do the job. They just need the support to believe they can.
Now I get to pour back into teachers the way I wish someone had done for me, reminding them that they’re not alone, they’ve got what it takes, and the rookie in them is exactly where the greatness begins.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not even close. It’s been full of detours, doubts, and straight-up hard days. That first year in the classroom almost broke me. I went from NBA arenas to a classroom where I felt like I had no control and no clue what I was doing. I struggled with classroom management, lesson planning, building relationships. Honestly, everything felt hard. There were days I sat in my car questioning if I was cut out for this.
But those struggles shaped me. They forced me to grow, to ask for help, to get serious about my own development. I learned that it’s not just about grit, it’s about having the right systems, support, and mindset to keep going. One of my greatest teachers has actually been relationships, both personally and professionally. Teaching taught me compassion. It taught me the power of seeing people, really seeing them. I can be super results focused, so I’ve had to be intentional about slowing down and building connections. That shift didn’t just make me a better teacher, it made me a better person. I am still learning this skill day by day.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s made me who I am. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business is called Mental Fitzness, and it’s all about helping new teachers, especially new math teachers, build the confidence, structure, and resilience to stay in the game. I specialize in supporting teachers during those first few critical years when everything feels overwhelming and the learning curve is steep. I do that through speaking, professional development, coaching, and digital tools that are practical, real, and grounded in what actually works in classrooms.
What sets me apart is that I’m not giving theory. I’ve lived this. I’ve sat in the car wondering if I was going to make it through the week. I know what it feels like to want to be great but not know where to start. I bring that realness into every room I walk into. I’m known for breaking things down in a way that makes sense, building teachers up without fluff, and creating spaces that feel both challenging and supportive.
I’m most proud of how the brand brings heart and hustle together. Mental Fitzness is not just about strategy, it’s about mindset. It’s about reminding teachers that they are capable, they are needed, and they can grow. My book, The Rookie’s Playbook for New Teachers, was born out of that same mission, to give teachers the play-by-play I wish someone had handed me.
What I want people to know is that Mental Fitzness is not just for teachers in year one. Every one of us is a rookie at something. That’s why my motto is, keep that rookie state of mind. The level up is in the losses. Problems are a privilege. And yes, you might be new to this, but you are true to this. I believe in you.
Whether it’s a keynote, a workshop, or ongoing coaching, everything I do is designed to help new teachers not just survive but thrive. If you’re a school leader, a new teacher, or someone who supports them, I want you to know this. Just because you’re new doesn’t mean you’re not ready. You’ve got what it takes. You just need someone to walk with you while you figure it out. That’s what Mental Fitzness is all about.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes, I love a good book. I don’t know what I would do without Google Calendar. Shout out to my Time Wealthy Coach, Tamera Malone, for helping me keep my life together. Coaching was so influential in my basketball career, and it’s definitely a key part of my personal and professional life now. I truly believe in the power of having someone who can challenge you, guide you, and help you grow.
Therapy has also been a game changer for me. Shout out to my therapist, Toni Louis, for helping me do the inner work that fuels everything else I do. I’m also part of a few coaching communities with other speakers and business owners, and those spaces have been a lifeline. We pour into each other, share strategies, and hold each other accountable.
And honestly, one of the most valuable resources in my arsenal is my wife. She challenges and supports me daily. She helps me see my blind spots, pushes me to be better, and holds it down in ways that keep me grounded and focused.
There are so many books that have shaped me, but a few of my favorites are The Four Agreements, The Science of Hope, and Calling in the One. Whether it’s mindset, healing, or strategy, I’m always looking for ways to grow both personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mentalfitzness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentalfitzness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mentalfitzness
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajfitz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mentalfitzness
- Other: fitz@mentalfitzness.com
