Julius Thomas is a former NFL Pro Bowler turned neuroscience researcher, dedicated to helping athletes and high-performers strengthen mental health, leadership, and life fulfillment. As a proud PAC Advisory Board Member, Julius helps drive initiatives focused on athlete wellness, mindset development, and post-sports identity—bringing unmatched credibility to the intersection of performance and psychology.
Julius played seven seasons in the NFL as a tight end, beginning with the Denver Broncos, where he became one of Peyton Manning’s top targets and earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2013 and 2014. He later played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins, finishing his NFL career with 226 receptions, 2,406 yards, and 36 touchdowns.
What sets Julius apart is what came next.
After retiring from football, Julius pursued his deep curiosity about the mind and human behavior. He’s now a doctoral candidate in psychology at Nova Southeastern University, where his research focuses on positive psychology, neuroscience, and preventative mental health. His work explores how athletes and leaders can optimize performance, emotional regulation, and resilience under pressure.
PAC is going to keep showing up for people. We are going to keep showing up to help people be who they are professionally – but also going to make sure that they’re whole by providing services and support.
Julius thomas
7 Year NFL Veteran
Julius is the Founder and CEO of Optimal Performance, a consulting company providing science-backed strategies in mental health, leadership development, and performance coaching for individuals and organizations. His goal: to empower people to perform at their best without sacrificing their well-being.
In addition to his private work, Julius serves as:
- President of the Society for Sports Neuroscience
- Behavioral Health Advisor to the NFL Players Association
- Advisory Board Member at Men’s Fitness for mental performance
- Contributor to national conversations around athlete mental health and post-career identity
“PAC is going to keep showing up for people. We are going to keep showing up to help people be who they are professionally – but also going to make sure that they’re whole by providing services and support.”
— Julius Thomas
At PAC, Julius brings brain science into real-life impact—helping athletes rediscover purpose, navigate transition, and build lives rooted in both high performance and holistic well-being.