201. Why You Can’t Separate Mental Health from Mental Performance
Release Date: 10/07/2025
Basking in Grace: Marcia Earhart's Journey Through Grief, Healing, and Divine Strength
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201. Why You Can’t Separate Mental Health from Mental Performance
Warriors Unmasked
This week on Warriors Unmasked, Dr. Christine Silverstein, Peak Performance Coach, registered nurse, hypnotherapist, and author joins Chuck to explore the powerful connection between mental health and mental performance. With decades of experience helping athletes, students, and professionals, Dr. Silverstein specializes in working with children, teens, and adults, offering her transformative program Winning Ways for Teens. Through her unique approach to mindful toughness, she equips people of all ages to heal from trauma, strengthen resilience, and perform at their highest potential....
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198. 10 Life-Changing Lessons From Nearly 200 Warrior Stories
Warriors Unmasked
After nearly 200 episodes of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss takes the mic solo to reflect on the most powerful truths he's learned from the courageous athletes, veterans, survivors, and mental health warriors who’ve shared their stories on the show. From vulnerability to quiet courage, Chuck distills the top 10 takeaways that have forever shaped his view on healing, resilience, and connection. Whether you're new to the show or a longtime listener, this episode is packed with wisdom to remind you that you're never alone — and your story matters. Topics include: Why vulnerability is...
info_outlineThis week on Warriors Unmasked, Dr. Christine Silverstein, Peak Performance Coach, registered nurse, hypnotherapist, and author joins Chuck to explore the powerful connection between mental health and mental performance.
With decades of experience helping athletes, students, and professionals, Dr. Silverstein specializes in working with children, teens, and adults, offering her transformative program Winning Ways for Teens. Through her unique approach to mindful toughness, she equips people of all ages to heal from trauma, strengthen resilience, and perform at their highest potential.
From stories of Olympians like Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin to her own childhood skating victory and deeply personal experiences of overcoming trauma, Dr. Silverstein shows how the mind can either hold us back or launch us forward.
You’ll hear about:
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Why mental health and performance are inseparable
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How trauma and the “recency effect” can sabotage even elite athletes
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The origin of mindful toughness and how it shifts stigma into strength
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Dr. Silverstein’s powerful personal journey of healing childhood trauma
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Practical techniques anyone can use to build confidence, resilience, and performance
Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or professional striving to show up fully, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you heal, grow, and perform at your best.
Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome & Intro: Chuck introduces the theme of mental health and performance
02:00 – Mental Health vs. Mental Performance: Dr. Silverstein explains why they can’t be separated
03:30 – From “Mental Toughness” to “Mindful Toughness”: Reframing the stigma
05:00 – Olympic Stories: Simone Biles, Mikaela Shiffrin, and the recency effect
10:00 – Childhood Lessons: Roller skating race and discovering inner strength
15:00 – Fear, Imagination, and Performance: How mindset shapes outcomes
17:00 – Defining Mental Health: Beyond diagnoses and stigma
22:00 – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): How early trauma affects performance
23:30 – Personal Story: Dr. Silverstein’s eye surgery trauma and healing journey
30:00 – Helping Teens Heal: Wrestling stories and mindful toughness techniques
34:00 – Writing Wrestling Through Adversity: Why she wrote the book
37:30 – Mindful Toughness Tools: Practical skills in the book
40:00 – Hope and Healing for All: Final words of encouragement
Chuck’s Challenge:
Reflect on an old wound or challenge that might still shape how you show up today. Take one small, intentional step this week to begin healing it.
Connect with Dr. Christine Silverstein:
Website: drchristinesilverstein.com
Website: idealperformance.net
LinkedIn: Dr. Christine Silverstein
Connect with Chuck:
Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/
Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked
Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we’re breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.