Avsnitt
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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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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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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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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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Matthew S. Ibrahim, PhD(c), CSCS, LMT, is a strength and conditioning coach, college professor, public speaker, author, and founder of Athletic Performance University (APU). 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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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 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 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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Lanni Brown grew up surrounded by basketball. Her father, Dee Brown, was an NBA legend with the Boston Celtics. Her sister is currently playing in the WNBA and her brother is a D1 Basketball player. While she also found success in the sport, she faced lots of comparisons with her family, struggled to separate her self identity from her performance and ultimately realized that she was “not feeling basketball.”
Her transition to the D1 level exacerbated her struggle as she felt different from her teammates because she didn’t love her sport and even felt selfish, ungrateful and guilty that she was getting a scholarship despite not being fully invested. Lanni chose to shift her mindset and focus on energy, positivity and enjoying the moments and making an impact in her own way.
Since her competitive career has ended, she is pursuing a Master’s at Jacksonville University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with the plan to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology She is combining her personal experiences and education to better support student athletes as an advocate, ambassador and future clinician.
@alanni.noelle
- Visa fler
