About

From Athlete to Academic Coach: A Journey of Resilience

I know firsthand the challenges student-athletes face — because I’ve lived them.

Now I’ve made it my mission to guide families with the tools, confidence,

and mindset their teens need to succeed.

Hi! I’m Tika Haake, founder of CarpeDiem Academics...

And a former Division I gymnast, academic coach, and mom of four student-athletes - including two national junior elite gymnasts.

I didn’t step into gymnastics until I was 12, with no elite facility or early start - just raw talent, grit, and a deep fire to learn. In six years, I went from total beginner to competing as a Division I collegiate gymnast, training under legendary coach Chow, who taught me that success is about far more than skills or scores.

At the same time, I earned a degree in Biomedical Engineering, learning firsthand how to thrive under pressure, manage my time with precision, and stay steady when the stakes felt overwhelming. Those lessons became the foundation of the coaching programs and mentoring CDA offer's today.

Tell us Your Teen's Story

CarpeDiem Provides Sports Specific Academic + Mindset Coaching

We know the unique pressures student-athletes face - the relentless schedules, the mental fatigue, and the quiet fear of falling behind. I built CDA to be the support I wish I had earlier: a place where athletes and their families can get real strategy, real structure, and real emotional support.

Our mission is simple: help student-athletes thrive in school and in life by building not only academic skills, but also resilience, confidence, and self-worth.

Through our holistic academic coaching, ACT prep systems, mindset training, and family support tools, we’ve helped hundreds of athletes raise grades, restore balance, and step into their full potential - on and off the mat.