Breathe Easy…You’re in Good Hands
Ricardo Urbina,
Peak Performance Coach
Ricardo is a peak performance coach, specializing in the integration of breath control to promote both physical and emotional well-being and optimal personal performance. Through private coaching sessions and group workshops, he educates his clients on the benefits of breathwork, guiding them through techniques and practices, helping them unlock their full potential.
Ricardo is committed to making a difference and championing positive change, His extensive knowledge, personal experience, and supportive nature foster an environment framed in continuous improvement for his clients. Ricardo is dedicated to customizing breathwork programs that give both groups and individuals the tools necessary to harness and develop their physical, cognitive, and emotional capacity.
As both athlete and coach, Ricardo has over 20 years of World Championship level experiences, such as Triathlon, Running, Open Water Swimming, and Prone Paddling. Driven and disciplined, he approaches personal challenges by setting goals and committing to comprehensive training plans. He qualified and raced the Ironman World Championship in Kona 4X and has prone paddled across channels and large bodies of water, including the Catalina Channel (California), Channel of Bones (Hawaii), and Monterey Bay (California). He has coached triathletes to world championships and has also guided some of the best open-water swimmers in the world during their record-breaking long-distance endeavors, and most recently, surfed world renown big waves in Hawaii and Northern California.
In addition to his current coaching, he is a lifelong learner, and committed to furthering his knowledge and skills through ongoing professional development and education.
Donna Norkeliunas, Ed. D
Educational Consultant
Dr. Donna Norkeliunas is an educational leader with a passion for student and community wellness. With a diverse background working in various educational settings including international and private schools, Donna brings a wealth of experience and a global perspective to her work.
For thirteen years, Donna served as the Head of Lower School at the Community School of Naples. During this time, she played a pivotal role in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for students, fostering their academic, social, and emotional growth. Her commitment to student wellness extended beyond the classroom, as she actively engaged with the wider community to promote the well-being of both students and families.
Seeking new experiences and opportunities, Donna embarked on a three-year journey to Vietnam, where she assumed a leadership position at Saigon South International School. This experience allowed her to further expand her understanding of diverse cultures, embrace inclusivity, and foster a sense of belonging in an international educational setting.
In 2017, Donna returned to CSN, bringing back her invaluable insights and experiences, and assumed the role of Director of Admissions and Advancement. In this capacity, she utilized her experience to promote the mission and values of the school to prospective families and the wider community.
She is committed to nurturing a school culture centered around academic and personal excellence. Her personal passion for education, wellness, and serving others fuels her commitment to developing an innovative and integrated Peak Performance Program.
At APEX Peak Performance, we believe peak performance is not a single event—it is a way of being. Our mission is to help individuals and communities unlock their full potential by aligning mind, body, and breath within a framework that builds strength, resilience, and purpose. Whether in schools, on the playing field, in the workplace, or in daily life, our work equips people to thrive—not just perform.
At the heart of our approach is the power of breathwork—a bridge that connects physical performance, mental focus, and emotional regulation. Rooted in research and honed through lived practice, breath becomes the foundation for learning, leadership, recovery, and growth. When paired with movement, mindset training, and deliberate practice, it transforms the way people live, learn, and lead.
APEX Peak Performance was co-founded by Ricardo Urbina and Dr. Donna Norkeliunas. Ricardo, a four-time Kona Ironman qualifier, competitive freediver, and peak performance coach, brings decades of expertise in endurance, resilience, and elite athletic training. Donna, an educational leader and wellness innovator, integrates her deep knowledge of learning science, student development, and leadership into every program. Together, they’ve built a model that merges breathwork, physical conditioning, cognitive development, and emotional well-being into a comprehensive system for individuals and teams.
Our framework is holistic and scalable. We partner with schools, athletes, corporations, and communities to embed peak performance principles into culture and practice. From classroom lessons and faculty professional development, to athletic conditioning, wellness workshops, and leadership coaching, our programs are designed to be lived, learned, and taught—creating ripple effects that last well beyond a single session.
Ultimately, APEX Peak Performance is about more than performance—it’s about thriving with balance, resilience, and purpose. In an age where stress and burnout are all too common, our work equips people of all ages and abilities with tools to reset, refocus, and reimagine what they are capable of achieving.
Our business is also our purpose— seamlessly merging our passion and gifts to provide others with what they need. Our courses and workshops provide foundational tools for personal and professional development, encouraging people to tap into their potential, live optimally, and reach for peak performance in life.
