Becoming My Stronger Me

Text me your thoughts! For many athletes, sports aren’t just something they do—they’re a core part of who they are. But what happens when that chapter starts to change? In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities of navigating identity beyond sports. Learn why the transition can feel so difficult, how to reframe your perspective, and practical strategies to rediscover and redefine...

Text me your thoughts! As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset. In this episode, we explore how to end the year with intention and start the next feeling energized and focused. Learn how to: Reflect on your personal and athletic growth over the past year. Recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally during the busy holiday season. Refocus your goals to se...

Text me your thoughts! Food fuels the body, enabling us to run, jump, train, and recover. However, its impact extends beyond physical performance—nutrition plays a critical role in brain function, influencing focus, decision-making, stress management, and motivation. For athletes and high-performing individuals, these cognitive skills are essential for success. In this episode of Becoming My Stron...

Text me your thoughts! Parenting an athlete is tough. We want to cheer them on, see them succeed, and maybe even help them achieve things we dreamed about when we were their age. But here’s the thing: our good intentions can sometimes be misinterpreted by our kids, especially when it comes to sports. In this episode, we explore how parents can strike that balance between being a source of unwaveri...

Text me your thoughts! Many athletes use the off-season to rest and physically recharge, which is essential. But just as critical—and often overlooked—is using this time to build mental resilience, focus, and confidence. By dedicating time to mental performance training in the off-season, athletes can return to their sport with a stronger mindset, ready to tackle new challenges and reach their ful...

Text me your thoughts! The way a coach communicates with their athletes can have a powerful impact on performance, motivation, and team dynamics. In this episode, we explore different coaching communication styles that bring out the best in athletes, how athletes can adapt to various coaching styles, and even the effects of tone, volume, timing, and the use of curse words in coaching communication...

Text me your thoughts! Craig A. Gajewski is a devoted father, seasoned Commercial Lender, and dedicated community volunteer. Craig shares stories from his 20-year career in banking, where he’s led successful teams and now pioneers an online lending platform to support small businesses in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Craig opens up about his deep commitment to the community, talking about his volunt...

Text me your thoughts! Whether you’re an athlete looking to make a stronger impact or a coach aiming to cultivate leadership among your players, developing leadership skills can significantly increase both individual and team performance. We discuss why athlete leadership matters, what the research says, and practical strategies to help athletes lead confidently and effectively, with examples to m...

Text me your thoughts! Whether you're an athlete getting ready for a big competition or a coach preparing your team, visualization is a powerful training tool to boost confidence, reduce anxiety, and mentally prepare for peak performance. In this episode, we discuss how to be intentional about visualization, making it a structured and effective part of your mental training. Support the show W...

Text me your thoughts! Originally from developmental psychology, the Goodness-of-Fit Model refers to how well an individual’s environment matches or fits their unique characteristics and needs. When applied to coaching, it means that the way we coach, train, and support athletes should align with their individual needs, strengths, and challenges. It’s not about treating all athletes the same but r...

Text me your thoughts! Why are habits so crucial? And more importantly, how do we create ones that actually stick?  In this episode, we’ll talk about the science behind habits, explore examples of how habits drive mental performance, and share strategies you can start using today to form habits that help you reach your goals.  Support the show Website: https://www.becomingmystrongerme.com/ IG: @st...

Text me your thoughts! Donovan Pines’ journey from DC United to college soccer to Major League Soccer has been nothing short of impressive, earning his place as a key player for D.C. United and gaining valuable international experience during his recent stint with Barnsley FC in the English Championship. In this episode, we’ll dive into Donovan’s career, exploring the mental toughness required to...

Text me your thoughts! We hear the phrase “lock in” a lot in sports, but what does it mean? And how can teams achieve it? In this episode, we’ll break down the mental, emotional, and strategic components of locking in, backed by research and insights from successful professional teams across a variety of sports. Contact me if you'd like me to help you or your team: nassim@becomingmystrongerme...

Text me your thoughts! When you think of elite athletes, humility might not be the first thing that comes to mind. We often associate top performers with confidence, strength, and maybe even a bit of swagger. While confidence is important, this episode focuses on why staying humble is not just a virtue, but a key to long-term success for any elite athlete. Support the show Website: https://www.bec...

Text me your thoughts! In today’s episode, we’ll explore how you can reflect on your player standards, maintain those standards under pressure, and strategies to help you stay consistent, no matter the challenges you face. We’ll also look at the types of pressures that can throw you off track and share some research-backed techniques to help you stay focused and resilient. Support the show Website...

Text me your thoughts! It's easy to fall into the mindset that more minutes on the court or field equals better performance. Players often think, “If I’m playing more, I must be improving.” Parents, too, may measure their child’s development or future opportunities by how much time they’re getting during games. But here’s the question: Is playtime really the best indicator of success? Could i...

Text me your thoughts! In this episode, we’re joined by Cathy Skinner, an executive healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience in building businesses and launching innovative products and services that manage healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. Cathy is passionate about growing healthcare organizations from ideation to commercialization, empowering patients to thrive along the w...

Text me your thoughts! Otan Arrey, born and raised in Cameroon, shares his passion for futbol (soccer) and his incredible journey playing overseas during COVID, and valuable insights and reflections that keep him motivated and inspiring as a semi-pro athlete and coach. Connect with Coach Rey: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elevatesoccerpro Support the show Website: https://www.becomingmystrongerm...

Text me your thoughts! After reaching a goal or an important milestone, you might find yourself wondering, “What now? What’s next?” In this episode, we’ll explore the emotions you might experience after reaching a goal, the potential pitfalls, and most importantly, actionable strategies to maintain your momentum and continue pushing forward. Support the show Website: https://www.becomingmystronger...

Text me your thoughts! Join me as Patrick Ocheni reflects on his journey to becoming a seasoned Body Transformation Strategist and Personal Trainer with a career that spans over two decades. He's not only a college graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering but also an accomplished author of the book 'How to Get a F...

Text me your thoughts! Join me as Alyn Sankar reflects on her basketball journey and what it takes to persevere while maintaining her character and integrity. She began her basketball career at Chesapeake College in Maryland where they won 2 regional championships. She then went on and played for Baltimore City Community College, where she played a crucial role on the women's basketball team,...

Text me your thoughts! Chris Neal reflects on his experience as an elite athlete, his soccer journey, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Chris is a dedicated athlete and aspiring coach currently enrolled at King University, where he plays Division II soccer. With a passion for transforming athletes' lives, Chris aims to make a full-time career out of coaching, bringing his exper...

Text me your thoughts! In this episode, Cara Lewis, a standout volleyball player from Virginia Tech and former Maryland Terrapin, shares insights into her journey to pro. She offers a deep dive into her experiences, reflections, and lessons learned.  Connect with Cara and follow her journey: IG @_cxrx_ TikTok @xbabygiraffe Support the show Website: https://www.becomingmystrongerme.com/ IG: @strong...

Text me your thoughts! In sports, the pressure to meet others' expectations can be intense. Athletes may feel the need to perform well to earn the approval of their coaches or to avoid disappointing their parents. This can lead to anxiety, stress, and even burnout. When an athlete’s self-worth is tied to others' opinions, every mistake or setback can feel like a personal failure. This no...

Text me your thoughts! In the last episode, I shared information about the Stronger in Mind 30-day challenge that begins at the beginning of next month. I shared that whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting out, this challenge will equip you with the tools you need to excel both on and off the field. Since the release of that episode, I’ve gotten quite a few questions from my listeners...