The Mindset Experience®
‘The Mindset Experience’ is a personal growth and development podcast presented by The Hidden Opponent, top mental health non-profit recognized as a standout resource for athletes by Kobe Bryant. The podcast is hosted by Arman Taghizadeh, M.D., also known as “Dr. T,” who is a Johns Hopkins trained psychiatrist and former Division 1 athlete. The Mindset Experience integrates Dr. T’s professional expertise and lived experience as he and his guests explore how high performers can overcome challenges and achieve success in order to live their best lives.
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Jill Schulman On Courage Over Regret and “The Bravery Effect”
07/02/2025
Jill Schulman On Courage Over Regret and “The Bravery Effect”
Jill Schulman is a former U.S. Marine Corps Officer, leadership development expert and founder of Breakthrough Leadership Group. She also has a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology. Jill has dedicated her career to studying the science of bravery, resilience, and peak performance, drawing on disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science. Her work merges the academic rigor of research with practical tools that help individuals and teams increase their performance, resilience and well-being. Her upcoming book, The Bravery Effect is the culmination of years of exploration, offering evidence-based strategies for increasing bravery by developing a courageous mindset, taking bold actions, and building brave relationships. In short, Jill helps people do hard things—and loves it! @jillschulman, www.jillschulman.com
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Female Footballer Sierra Enge On Failing Fast and Failing Often
06/18/2025
Female Footballer Sierra Enge On Failing Fast and Failing Often
Sierra Enge is a professional soccer player for Racing Strasbourg in France. She started her career in the US, playing for the San Diego Wave in the NWSL. She received her BA and MA from Stanford University ('22) where she was a five-year member and captain of the soccer team which won a National Championship in 2019 and 3 Pac-12 titles. Sierra was named the 2022 Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the year. In addition to her soccer career, Sierra is a mentor for Female Footballers and Athletes Better Together as well as an advocate for mental health. She works with Athletes for Hope and Katie's Save to increase conversations around mental health and wellness. Her passion and lived experiences have led Sierra to creating communities and spaces where people feel comfortable talking about the challenges and struggles, they are facing. @sierraenge, @femfootballers, @athletesbettertogether
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Miles Williams On The Value of Love, Equity and Wellness
06/11/2025
Miles Williams On The Value of Love, Equity and Wellness
Miles is a former student-athlete (Elon FB 2X team captain)turned award-winning educator and school principal. After nearly a decade leading in classrooms and communities, Miles now focuses on storytelling, mental health advocacy, and building platforms that center love, equity, and wellness. Known for his powerful voice on identity, transition, and healing, he brings lived experience and deep empathy to every conversation. Whether it’s in schools or on sidelines, Miles is all about helping people show up whole. His passion and purpose come from lived personal experiences and the mindset to develop a true understanding on how to define and implement the concepts that he teaches. Miles shares the importance of communication through listening and empathy which creates a community that inspires and allows us to feel like the wealthiest people in the world. @themileswill
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LPGA Golfer Allisen Corpuz: “The Most Important Shot is the Next One”
06/04/2025
LPGA Golfer Allisen Corpuz: “The Most Important Shot is the Next One”
Allisen Corpus was introduced to the game of golf at the age 4 by her father and older brother. She played through a few junior circuits and ultimately went to USC where she became a 2X NCAA All-American. In 2021, she turned pro and has earned several top 10 finishes on the LPGA tour. Allisen shares the importance of making sure that no one shot defines her by reinforcing the mindset that, “The most important shot is the next one.” By focusing on her pre-shot routine she is able to relax into her shots and make sure she is comfortable in the most difficult situations. Despite some injuries, she has trusted in her process, reminded herself that everything happens for a reason and had faith that golf will come around again when she is ready. Her support system and approach to her sport have allowed her to experience meaningful opportunities, see iconic places and live so many “pinch me” moments on and off the course. @allysoncorpuz
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Duke Runner Jackson Heidesch On Training Your Brain to Deal With The Pain
05/07/2025
Duke Runner Jackson Heidesch On Training Your Brain to Deal With The Pain
Jackson Heidesch is a sophomore on the Duke Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Hailing from Iowa, Jackson first made national headlines by winning the NXR Heartland Regional in 2022, earning the nickname “The King of Iowa” from The Running Effect. His momentum carried into a historic 2023 season: he won the mile at New Balance Indoor Nationals, shattered the coveted 4-minute mile barrier at the HOKA Festival of Miles, and captured victory at the prestigious Brooks PR Invitational. Following his historic senior year, Jackson has faced a series of injuries that sidelined him for much of his freshman and sophomore seasons at Duke. The physical setbacks were compounded by mental health challenges, as he battled depression that turned training into dread and everyday life into a struggle. Through it all, Jackson discovered a deeper resilience, sharing openly about his experiences with therapy, medication, and the slow, patient process of rebuilding his love for running. Now redshirted and healthier, Jackson has embraced a broader mission: to speak out on the importance of mental health in athletics. Whether competing at the highest level or advocating for mental health awareness, Jackson Heidesch is committed to making a lasting impact both on and off the track. His journey is one of resilience, community, and a relentless belief in moving forward—no matter how difficult the path may be. @jacksonheidesch, @duketfxc
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Morgan’s Message’s Dona Rodgers On the Stigma That Took Her Daughter’s Life
04/30/2025
Morgan’s Message’s Dona Rodgers On the Stigma That Took Her Daughter’s Life
In the Rodger’s household, Dona and Kurt discussed everything they could ever imagine their children would encounter. Nothing was too uncomfortable to talk about including alcohol, drugs, sex, etc. However, the one subject they never discussed was mental health, not because they avoided it but because it never came up. They were fortunate to have a close loving family, and their kids were safe, supported, loved and most importantly, happy. Their daughter Morgan was a bright student, a talented athlete, a gifted artist, a lover of music and dancing and a loyal friend. She achieved her dream to play lacrosse at Duke University. In January 2017, just before her sophomore season, she experienced a devastating knee injury along with other stressors but feelings of isolation and being misunderstood along with the stigma of reaching out for help prevented her from getting the help and support she deserved. Morgan Rodgers died by suicide July 11, 2019, at the age of 22. In the wake of this tragedy, her friends and family have created something so meaningful and powerful. What was supposed to just be podcast to share stories has turned into an internationally recognized nonprofit called Morgans Message that is impacting thousands of student athletes. While the organization has grown beyond anything imaginable, the message is simple: You are not alone, there is always someone in your corner. In this episode Morgan’s mother Dona shares her passion, her purpose and her unwavering pride for her daughter, her love of her family, her gratitude for daughter’s friends and her respect for the athletes who have chosen to take a shot at mental health. @morgansmessage WARNING: This episode contains sensitive material including comments about suicide that may be triggering to some listeners. If you are struggling with thoughts of self harm, please contact a mental health professional or dial 988.
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Kylie Ohlmiller: Things May Happen for a Reason But What Are Those Reasons
04/23/2025
Kylie Ohlmiller: Things May Happen for a Reason But What Are Those Reasons
Kylie Ohlmiller is a true legend in the sport of Lacrosse. Her accomplishments include 2X Tewaaraton Finalist, 4X NCAA All-American, 2022 Team USA Gold Medalist and Professional lacrosse player with the NY Charging. She is also the Founder of KO17 Lacrosse, Owner KO17 Lacrosse App and Co-Founder of TBD Lacrosse. However, what is most impressive is her journey through two devastating knee injuries, surgeries and rehabs within a two-year period. During a time when women’s lacrosse was gaining massive notoriety and exposure, she was asking herself, “why now, why me, why is this happening?” Because she had already developed and was actively training her mindset pre-injury, she was able to dedicate more time to her process. Instead of just trusting that things happened for a reason, Kylie went further to find the reasons creating a challenge that inspired her competitive spirit. Not only did she return to her sport, but she also scored the first ever goal in the history of the WLL Champs Series! While others celebrated her record, she is celebrating the wins along the way including her relationship with the game that has introduced lifelong friends, her fiancé, travel around the world and the ability to inspire young girls to grow the game she loves. For Kylie Ohlmiller, her new definition is success is so simple: suiting up, catching, shooting and running up and down the field! @kylieohlmiller17, @ko17lacrosse
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Madison Doucette On Consistency, Transparency and Appreciating for the Vibes
04/16/2025
Madison Doucette On Consistency, Transparency and Appreciating for the Vibes
Madison Doucette is a 2x World Champion with Team USA and a current pro lacrosse player for the New York Charging. She recently set a record in sixes lacrosse for the most saves made in a championship series game and holds the saves per game record at both Northwestern and Johns Hopkins, where she played collegiately. However, her first love was hockey, and her father was her coach. While her dad expected a lot from all his players, he made sure he was composed, consistent and always checked in. As such, Madison never dreaded the ride home and embodies many of her father’s traits in own athletic career. Even though she is the player to represent the US in all three disciplines of lacrosse, which demands variability, she created a process that she can replicate and a mindset that allows her to believe that “the only thing going in the net is her.” As a currently student manager, she has combined her father’s coaching style with her experience as a player to take the perspective and approach of consistency, transparence and gratitude. As she plainly states, “I am just here for the vibes!” @_madisondoucette
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Colleen Magarity On Mental Toughness through Discomfort, Humility and Adaptability
04/09/2025
Colleen Magarity On Mental Toughness through Discomfort, Humility and Adaptability
Not only did Colleen Magarity grow up playing multiple sports, but she also excelled in them. In fact, she was specifically told by her Team USA lacrosse coach that she, “will make the team because she played basketball.” Given her diversity in athletics, she was rarely hurt, had better situational awareness than others and could play both offense and defense. She was ultimately inducted into Germantown Academy Hall of fame Inductee for Soccer, Basketball, and Lacrosse. More importantly, learning how to play on different teams serving different roles allowed her the mental toughness to adapt to various challenges within the college game. At Northwestern University, she incorporated mental skills training into her physical training setting her up to win 3 National Championships, become an All-American, NCAA All-Tournament and serve as captain for the 2011 team. Colleen is now the director girl's HHH lacrosse club, and the head coach of Penn Charter's girl's lacrosse team where she has taken them from not ranked to a nationally top ranked High School Program. She also serves as Head Coach of the WLL New York Charging. Her ability to connect with her players personally, keep her all-stars humble and use mental training to help them adapt to challenges has earned her the respect of all players youth, collegiate and professional. She doesn’t just preach true mental toughness, she lives it! @cmagarkelly, @hhhphillygirls, @limitlessphilly_ksp
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Kate Daley, MA, LPCC, RDN: Readiness Is Not a Feeling, it’s a Decision
04/02/2025
Kate Daley, MA, LPCC, RDN: Readiness Is Not a Feeling, it’s a Decision
Like many elite athletes, Kate Daley grew up playing multiple sports and only considered indoor track in high school as it provided social opportunities and allowed her to “get her homework done between events!” However, once she realized the ability to consistently improve, break new barriers and feel a sense of accomplishment, she caught the “running bug.” As her career evolved, she needed to shift her mindset around success but also health and nutrition. As a retired collegiate distance runner, registered dietician and mental health therapist, Kate has combined her own athletic experiences, educational background and personal struggles with an eating disorder to treat athletes struggling with eating disorders. She also continues to study weight stigma, trauma, and disordered eating in marginalized populations. She is passionate about taking a non-diet, weight-inclusive approach to sport psychology and nutrition as well as instilling hope that recovery is always possible. @katedaleynutrition, @athlete_edge_at_edcare
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WBC Champion Danny O’Connor On Fighting His Biggest Battles Outside The Ring
03/26/2025
WBC Champion Danny O’Connor On Fighting His Biggest Battles Outside The Ring
Danny O’Connor was an honor roll student, a Massachusetts HS wrestling state champion, and a nationally ranked wrestler as a sophomore in high school. By his junior year, he was failing every class, dropped out of school, fell into substance abuse, experienced homelessness, and had 22 involvements with the criminal justice system before adult age. He was on a path destined for prison or death. In just two years two years after finding boxing, he became a two-time national amateur champion, ranked #1 in the U.S., and traveled the world as part of Team USA. He made the United States Olympic boxing team, turned professional, won 31 fights, and became the WBC International Champion. He was ranked in the top 5 in all major sanctioning bodies, managed and mentored by the Dropkick Murphys, and fought on HBO, Showtime Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and more. However, the hardest and longest battle he fought was not on a mat or in the ring but rather with his eating disorder. The very same discipline that led to his success also led to his demise taking away his dreams and almost his life. Danny shares his incredible story and struggles in hopes that others can learn from his mistakes and be inspired from his resilience. @therealdannyoconnor,
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Becca Mann On Swimming Outside The Lanes to Create Life Defining Experiences
03/19/2025
Becca Mann On Swimming Outside The Lanes to Create Life Defining Experiences
Becca Mann is a writer and athlete. A member of the USA Swimming National Team from 2012 until 2021, Becca is a 2x USA National Champion and was the youngest person ever to place in the Top 10 in 4 events at a single Olympic Trials. She has also represented Team USA at 4 World Championships. Becca initially fell in love with the solitude, power and efficiency that swimming offered but was ultimately motivated by the ability to consistently achieve goals. Whether moving to a more advanced lane, breaking a school record, breaking a state record or becoming a world champion, each small goal led to an even bigger one. No matter how big the goal was, her mindset stayed the same. She maintained the same pre-race routine (as it had worked before) and reminded herself that every meet was the most important meet of her life. After missing her 3rd Olympic team, she decided that if she was going to walk away, she would need to do something that had never been done before. With clear understanding and mastery of her mental strengths and vulnerabilities including OCD, she became the first person to have consecutively swum the triangle between the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. This life defining experience allowed her to redefine her relationship with swimming and reminded herself that it is supposed to be fun. Becca Mann shares her struggles, insights and knowledge in her latest book, “Outside the Lanes.” @becca__mann
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Lacrosse Standout Emily Hawryschuk On Loving the Game and Never Putting Her Stick Down
03/12/2025
Lacrosse Standout Emily Hawryschuk On Loving the Game and Never Putting Her Stick Down
Emily Hawryschuk has been standout player her entire career. She is the all-time career goals leader at Syracuse, 2X All-American and 3X First Team All-ACC Selection. She has been involved with Team USA since 2013 and secured 2 gold medals at both the prestigious Super Sixes tournament and the first ever Women's Box Lacrosse Championships. Most recently she earned the Golden Stick Award and All- Tournament Team Honors at the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) Champ series. However, her introduction to lacrosse was unique and her love for the game came from a perspective of healing exemplifying why they call it “the medicine game.” What most fans don’t realize is that Hawryschuk still considers herself a nervous player and has chosen to acknowledge her thought and accept her feelings and always come back to her preparation. While she appears naturally calm with a quiet but intentional intensity, she has developed this mindset through extensive training. Whether she is navigating a physical challenge or mental obstacle, she reminds herself that “She will not quit.” As founder and head coach of 51 Stars Lacrosse, she is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of women's lacrosse players by focusing on both on-field skills and off-field personal development, ensuring athletes excel in all aspects of the game. @ejaneh803 @51starslacrosse
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Pro Soccer Player Carly Nelson On Saving Yourself Over Saving a Goal
03/05/2025
Pro Soccer Player Carly Nelson On Saving Yourself Over Saving a Goal
Like so many elite athletes, Carly Nelson grew up playing multiple different sports and was attracted to soccer because she could run around with her friends and kick a ball. She was both a field player and a goalie until a pivotal moment at age 15. During a typical game while playing goalie, she saved a great shot and experienced feelings of excitement, euphoria, validation, appreciation and ultimate confidence realizing, “I can do this!” Despite this life changing moment, she was talented enough in college that she didn’t fully understand the work ethic required to be great. That was until she sustained a severe concussion and learned that her sport could be taken away from her at any moment. She also learned the critical values of self-talk, discipline, and effort through the unlikeliest of circumstances. After 4 years at the University of Utah, achieved her goal of becoming a professional athlete where she has played for the last 5 years for the Seattle Reign, Kansas City Current, Orlando Pride, Utah Royals FC. Carly explains however that while many consider professional sports a dream, it’s really a job and it began to take away the joy, excitement, and validation she once felt. As hard as it was to get into pro sports, she made an even harder choice to step away. By taking care of her own health and wellness and appreciating herself, she is highlighting that if we want people to show up for us, we need to show up for ourselves. Showing up for ourselves might include walking away from something we love. @carly_nelson
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Wrestling Champion Katherine Shai On Anchoring Into Our Values and Choosing to Come Back Monday
02/12/2025
Wrestling Champion Katherine Shai On Anchoring Into Our Values and Choosing to Come Back Monday
For Katherine Shai, the sport of wrestling is embedded into the culture of her family. Her father was an Olympic wrestler, Olympic coach and was instrumental in growing the sport of women’s wrestling. Her sister was also an elite wrestler. She was drawn into it for its competitiveness and intensity but excelled once she understood the power of choice. By choosing to show up for herself and choosing how to train regardless of the outcome, she created the process to achieve success at every level. She became a 2X College National Champion. Senior National Champion, University World Champion, 7X Team USA National Team member and a 2X Olympic Alternate. More importantly, she helped give the sport a platform where others could advocate for themselves, get more opportunities and achieve the unthinkable like winning Olympic Gold Medals for USA in women’s wrestling. She has also used her experiences to create LuchaFit which is a series of resources including articles and workshops to address gaps in education, mental preparation and athlete well-being. Whether or not you get your hand raised at the end of a match, Katherine Shai teaches us to anchor into our values and choose to come back Monday! @katherineshai, @lucha.fit
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Strength and Conditioning Coach Matthew Ibrahim on Discipline, Structure and Mental Fortitude
02/05/2025
Strength and Conditioning Coach Matthew Ibrahim on Discipline, Structure and Mental Fortitude
, is a strength and conditioning coach, college professor, public speaker, author, and founder of. Currently, he serves as Clinical Coordinator/Instructor of Exercise Science and Co-Advisor of The Hidden Opponent chapter at Endicott College. Initially drawn to strength and conditioning for the structure, routine and discipline, he started to see the impact on self-efficacy, problem solving and positive change. He has shared his knowledge and experience in over 25 U.S. states at prestigious venues such as the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), Perform Better, EXOS at Google Headquarters, Sports Academy (formerly Mamba), UFC Performance Institute, Duke University, Stanford University, and Equinox, along with several engagements across Europe. His professional work and expertise have been featured in leading platforms and publications, including Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Journal, NSCA Personal Training Quarterly, Science for Sport, and T-Nation. As an author, Matthew is set to release his first book through Human Kinetics in July 2025: “Train Like a Pro: Programming to Develop Your Inner Athlete”. @matthewibrahim_, www.athleticperformanceu.com
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Marcus Holman On Playing with Emotion Not playing Emotional
01/29/2025
Marcus Holman On Playing with Emotion Not playing Emotional
In the sport of lacrosse, Marcus Holman is the standard of ultimate success. He was a 3X NCAA All-American at UNC Chapel Hill, 11X Pro All-Star, 2017 MLL Championship MVP, 3X Team USA Member, 2023 PLL Attackman of the Year and is currently 3rd All time in Pro Goals Scored. However, he will be the first to tell you that he has never been the best player, but he truly enjoys the process of getting better each day. In addition to training physically, he focuses on being present and remembers, “to play with emotion but don’t play emotional.” Marcus’ is not only the son of a lacrosse coach but also the husband of another professional lacrosse player. He shares both the challenges and unique relationship with lacrosse that he gets to experience. For him, this is truly a family affair! @marcusholman1
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Anthony Pecorella: Give Each Moment Your All and Just Keep Swimming
01/23/2025
Anthony Pecorella: Give Each Moment Your All and Just Keep Swimming
Anthony Pecorella is a Division 1 football punter, cancer survivor and mental health advocate. Like so many elite student athletes, he played multiple sports until he became a specialty player as a quarterback, kicker and punter. When given the opportunity to play at University of Maryland, a Big10 program, all seemed to be going well until it wasn’t. One night, while with family and friends, he heard a voice in his head saying that “he would not make it until tomorrow.” In that moment, he learned that “someone could have the biggest smile on their face while fighting the biggest war in their head.” Fortunately, that moment passed but shortly after, he was faced with the hardest but most rewarding period in his life. Diagnosed with cancer, he began his treatments on a pediatric floor where he was inspired by so many young kids who taught him that, “if they can do it (fight), he can do.” In particular, a 3-year-old named Elianna taught him the power of resilience, friendship and how to “Just Keep Swimming!” While Eli is now gone physically, her legacy and mindset lives on in Anthony as he shares his story, her story, and so many others who are struggling physically and mentally. Through his speeches and advocacy work, the message is simple. “Give each moment your all because tomorrow is not promised and always keep 10 toes on the ground” @ant_pec98, @healthyminds____
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State Champion Coach Allie Coyle On Bringing the Candy Back!
01/15/2025
State Champion Coach Allie Coyle On Bringing the Candy Back!
Allie Coyle is the head coach of the Montgomery Blair Boys Soccer Varsity team. Over the last 3 years as the head coach of the Varsity Boys Soccer, she has led the team to numerous titles including: 2x County Division Champions (2022, 2023), 2x Maryland 4A Region Champions (2022, 2024), Maryland 4A Semifinalist (2022), and, most recently, Maryland 4A State Champions (2024). Through numerous injuries as an athlete that required multiple surgeries, she learned that it doesn’t matter how bad you get knocked down, what matters is how you get up. She knew her teammates needed her, and she needed them. While working as a teacher as an adult, a group of boys lost their coach mid-season and approached her to help. By saying yes and showing up for them, they began to show up for each other. Allie instilled her refusal to take no for an answer coupled with a culture a positivity. The outcome is remarkable. Coyle became the first female of a boys’ soccer team to win the State Championship in the state of Maryland. This fall she not only brought in the coveted trophy but earned the title of Maryland’s Large Public High School Coach of the Year by the Maryland Association of Coaches of Soccer, as well as the Boys Soccer Coach of the Year from the Washington Post’s All Met. @coach.coyle, @montblairsoccer
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Soccer Sensation Ally Sentnor On Success by Staying True to Yourself and Your Values
01/08/2025
Soccer Sensation Ally Sentnor On Success by Staying True to Yourself and Your Values
Ally Sentnor grew up playing multiple sports, but soccer held a special place because on Saturday morning, soccer was always followed by Dunkin Donuts! By age 11, she committed to the sport itself and looked for every opportunity to improve. When it came time to choose a college program, she picked UNC not necessarily because it was the best soccer program and would make her the best player but because UNC would make her the best person given the focus on core values and building a culture of excellence through discomfort and chosen adversity. Ironically, sustaining a serious injury and navigating the psychological challenges she didn’t expect allowed her the opportunity to grow even more. By meeting with a sports psychologist and learning to better communicate her feelings, she gained a deeper appreciation for the concept of resilience, which was the core value she initially identified with. Her successes include 2019 Sports Illustrated Sports Kid of the year, , NCAA All-American, FIFA World Cup Bronze Medalist, US National team member since age 14 and 2024 First Overall pick NWSL draft. Through it all, she understands that being true to your values is the secret to increase motivation, satisfaction, happiness and ultimately success. @allysentnor
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Voice of the Mountain Colleen Rue from Seeing the Struggle to Bringing out the Best
12/18/2024
Voice of the Mountain Colleen Rue from Seeing the Struggle to Bringing out the Best
Colleen Rue’s relationship with fitness has evolved over the years. Starting as a dancer and drill team member in high school, she transitioned to a fitness, aerobics, spin instructor then began running marathons, triathlons and ironman ultramarathons. While the events got harder, her connections with others grew stronger instilling a confidence that she could do anything if they believed in her. In addition to being a 2x Ironman finisher (with plenty of 70.3 finishes too!) and having 20+ years of experience as a coach, personal trainer and fitness instructor, she stands on the other side of the start and finish line with 10+ years of experience as an event host, speaker, emcee and race announcer. Her ability to truly understand what competitors are going through, meet them where they are at, identify what they need at any given moment and offer a level of support they didn’t realize they needed has allowed her to create deep connections, fosters participant’s personal growth, and develops bonds for life. Colleen Rue has the privilege of having a front row seat to see the struggle and heroic journey that endurance event participants’ go through and chooses to see the best in others for who they are and what they have to offer. @voiceofthemountain, @colleenrue
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Mitch Mathews on Redefining Hard to Heal Himself and Others
12/04/2024
Mitch Mathews on Redefining Hard to Heal Himself and Others
Growing up, Mitch Mathews didn’t know what hard was. He enjoyed what he was doing and was good at it. That was until the age of 25 when he lost his mother and his football career in the same weekend. These experiences lead to 3 years of pain and anger until he finally learned that hurt people hurt other people, but healed people can heal other people. This shift in mindset led him to give his life the theme, “Redefine Hard” where he started improving his perspective on life through doing hard things repeatedly. These experiences not only help authenticate and heal himself but also expose him to others where he can learn their stories. This former NFL athlete turned entrepreneur is using his chosen and unexpected adversity to accomplish 3 major “hard” goals that he hopes will impact millions of people. Mitch Mathews wants to break a world record by 34 years old, be the entrepreneur of the year in Utah by 39 years old and plans to give away $50 million dollars away in his lifetime. @mitchmathews10
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Pro Lacrosse Star TJ Malone on The Power of “Kaizen”
11/27/2024
Pro Lacrosse Star TJ Malone on The Power of “Kaizen”
TJ Malone is largely known for his accomplishments on the field including PLL Rookie of the Year, 2x All-American, 2x All-Big Ten Offensive player of the year and 2-time Tewaaraton Award nominee for the Penn State Lacrosse program. However, what he loves most is his process off the field. In fact, he prefers practice over games, uses wall ball as a form of meditation and believes in the power of “kaizen” or continuous improvement. By devoting hours to practice and falling in love with process over product and visualizing the feeling he wants vs the outcome he desires, he has been able to overcome various obstacles or adversity. Instead, he creates moments that he will remember for the rest of his life versus living with feelings of defeat. TJ chooses a mindset that takes him away from “I CAN’T” through “I CAN” and all the way to “I GET TO!” @tjmalone1
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Marc Hodulich On the Struggle to Continue Despite the Desire to Quit
11/20/2024
Marc Hodulich On the Struggle to Continue Despite the Desire to Quit
Marc Hodulich is an avid adventurer, accomplished entrepreneur and proud father of two boys. While he has founded and exited multiple event series converging community, athletics and philanthropy, he is likely most known as the CEO and Co-Founder of 29029. This is an uphill premium endurance challenge that asks participants to hike up a major ski mountain, take a gondola down and repeat until they ascend 29029 feet or the equivalent height of Mt. Everest. As Marc describes, 29029 combines a physical obstacle, mental adversity, sleep deprivation, hunger, and unpredictable elements of weather to create an experience that helps one find out who they really are. Marc also explains his mindset as an endurance athlete who has completed this challenge 15x along with several 100-mile events and an Ironman triathlon. He discusses his definition of endurance and the ability to make a choice between what we don’t want to do vs what we are able to do. Through his experiences and business, he appreciates the opportunity to establish connections and relationships, help others become their best, and allow vulnerability and authenticity to bring out the best in himself. Marc is telling his own story while helping others write theirs as well. @marc29029, @29029everesting, @29092trail
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AthletesTogether’s John Armistead On Standing Out While Blending In
11/13/2024
AthletesTogether’s John Armistead On Standing Out While Blending In
Growing up in a sports family, John Armistead always had a ball in his hand and found success at an early age. In fact, he relied on his talent too much while neglecting the mental side of sports. When he found himself without any college athletic offers, he needed to shift his mindset to create an opportunity by making an impact on the field, in the weightroom and in the classroom. He traveled across the country to play lacrosse at Richmond for 4 years then took his 5th year to go back west and play football and one of the most historic and prestigious programs in USC. While he didn’t focus on mental health growing up, he quickly learned how important it was while balancing athletics, academics, and college life. Navigating severe injuries also tested his identity without sport and forced him to find satisfaction in new things when his usual things were no longer there. John is now combing his personal experience and passion to help others to build a platform called AthletesTogether to create awareness, community and actionable resources. @athletestogether, @johnarmistead
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Pro Softball Player Valarie Cagle on Experiencing Every Moment vs Enjoying Every Moment
10/30/2024
Pro Softball Player Valarie Cagle on Experiencing Every Moment vs Enjoying Every Moment
Valarie Cagle essentially grew up on a diamond as her siblings played baseball and softball. Practicing with her father, she learned how to become a player before becoming a pitcher. Her approach to the game translated to the collegiate level where she played and excelled at multiple positions at Clemson earning awards as a pitcher and hitter. Throughout her collegiate career, she became a 4X All-American, 4X All-ACC honoree, and ACC Player of the Year in 2021 and 2023. In 2023, she was also named as USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, NCAA D1 Softball Player of the Year, and Rawlings Gold Glove award winner. Despite her tremendous success on the field, she struggled with her identity and faced several challenges that impacted her mental health off the field. She was so focused on being the player others needed her to be that she lost sight of the person she wanted to be. By learning to give herself permission to take care of herself and prioritize things she enjoyed doing, she redefined her relationship with the sport including her role on the field. Valarie candidly shares that while we may see athletes smiling on the field, it does not show their entire story. She also explains that while others often remember us for what we did, it’s much more important to be remembered for who we are. @val_cagle
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Kevin Krause On Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
10/23/2024
Kevin Krause On Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
Growing up in a lower income household as the 5th of 6 kids, Kevin Krause did not have some of the privileges that others had and while he always knew there would be food on the table, he didn’t get to choose what he would eat. Early on, he learned that if he worked hard, he could earn the freedom to make his own choices. While he stumbled into law enforcement as a career, his work ethic combined with his love of physical activity allowed him to excel and better handle the stress of his job. His appreciation for people and experiences caused him to invest in life outside of work by prioritizing scheduled and meaningful trips with friends and family evolving into what is now known as “Kevins rule.” Kevin takes an intentional approach to his job, family, friends, fitness and other “boxes he needs to check” on a daily basis. As such, while others focus on the pain and discomfort of completing a major endurance event like riding a bike for 100 days x 14 days across country, climbing the equivalent of Mt. Everest in a weekend or completing an Ironman, Kevin looks at these challenges as a vacation! Kevin Krause has been a law enforcement officer for 30 years, Ironman, winter mountaineer. He has completed two 100-mile races, finished Boston marathon in 2:28 and biked across America. He is a husband and father of 4. However, he believes that he is just, “an ordinary man doing extraordinary things!”
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Olympic Wrestler Darian Cruz On Keeping the Main Focus, The Main Focus
10/16/2024
Olympic Wrestler Darian Cruz On Keeping the Main Focus, The Main Focus
Darian Cruz was always a huge dreamer working to chase the next great thing. Exposed to wrestling at age 4, he didn’t have to look far to find his heroes. They lived in his house or went to his local high school. Every Wednesday and Friday evening at the local dual meet, he witnessed how champions looked and acted. By surrounding himself with greatness and “keeping the main focus the main focus,” his own ideas turned into thoughts and ultimately became beliefs. That belief system has been continuously tested with adversity, but he keeps learning to struggle well which lights a fire that motivates him even further. He has gone from a 2X Pennsylvania State Champ to a 3X NCAA D1 All-American to an NCAA National Champion and most recently he achieved the ultimate dream of becoming an Olympian competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Darian shares his experiences, his perspective and the evolution of his mindset that have helped him become the man he is today, continues to be and wants to be in the future. @dariantoicruz.pur
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Lindsey Wilson On Developing Belief for Positive Performance
10/09/2024
Lindsey Wilson On Developing Belief for Positive Performance
is a mindset and mental performance coach best known as The Sports Hypnotist™. With a professional basketball career spanning close to a decade, Lindsey took her knowledge of the mental game to work with collegiate athletes, professional athletes from Olympians and players in the NFL and WNBA, all the way to youth athletes. She is the founder of Positive Performance™ and The Mindset Coach Academy™ where she helps aspiring mental performance coaches start their dream business and impact lives. She’s also the author of the upcoming book Think Like an Athlete which teaches the critical and undertrained skill of belief and how to build it to be successful on the playing field and off. Lindsey’s exposure to mental performance came at age 16 and completely changed her perspective on how to navigate physical training with her mental barriers. She also learned the power of belief and importance of consistently training it to achieve the highest goals. Despite a successful career, she did fall short of her ultimate athletic goals but is using that experience and message to create and surpass her professional goals! Her mission is to teach mental performance tools so that coaches can have a massive impact on athletes’ performance, enjoyment of competing and life. @lindseypositiveperform
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Dr. Michael Gervais on Developing Psychological Agility and Finding Mastery
10/02/2024
Dr. Michael Gervais on Developing Psychological Agility and Finding Mastery
Dr. Michael Gervais is a high-performance psychologist, national bestselling author, and one of the world’s leading experts on the relationship between the mind and human performance. His clients include the NFL’s Super Bowl Champions, Seattle Seahawks, world record holders, Olympians, MVPs from every major sport, internationally acclaimed music artists, and Fortune 50 CEO’s. He is also the co-creator of the Performance Science Institute at the USC Marshall School of Business and has been featured in premier media outlets including NBC, ABC, FOX, CNN, ESPN, NFL Network, Red Bull TV, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Outside Magazine, WIRED, Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. As the host of the Finding Mastery podcast, he explores the psychology of the world’s most extraordinary thinkers and doers. Through his work and conversations, he explains how the top 1% have a fundamental commitment to be the very best leading them to seek out information and practices to train their mind. Dr. Gervais also discusses the difference between mental toughness vs. psychological agility and how we can use specific mental training techniques to become better versions of ourselves, stop worrying about what others think of us and improve performance. @michaelgervais
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