COGNELITE

In this episode, we sit down with University of Northern Colorado Head Men's Basketball Coach Steve Smiley for a wide-ranging conversation on the mental side of high performance. Coach Smiley shares lessons from more than two decades in collegiate coaching, discussing confidence, pressure, leadership, athlete identity, and what it takes to thrive at the Division I level. Drawing from his exper...

In this episode, we sit down with Jacksonville University Men’s Lacrosse Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator Colin Munro to talk about the mental side of the college recruiting process. We dive into what college coaches are actually looking for during recruiting summer, how athletes can handle pressure and nerves, why confidence matters so much, and how to respond to mistakes in front of coa...

In this solo episode, Kiley Smith breaks down one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, mental performance skills: self-talk. From the thoughts that run through your head before a game to the way you respond after mistakes, your inner voice has a direct impact on confidence, focus, and performance. Kiley goes beyond the typical “just be positive” advice and dives into what self-talk actually...

Visualization is one of the most talked-about mental skills in sports, but most athletes aren’t actually taught how to use it. In this episode, Jess breaks down what visualization really is, why it works (including how it activates the same neural pathways as physical movement), and how it can improve confidence, focus, reaction time, and emotional control. More importantly, she walks through exac...

What actually happens in mental performance work? In this episode, Jess Hanson and Kylie Smith take you  inside  the process, from how sessions are structured, action plans, how sessions evolve over time, and how we actually make an impact in athletes with 1:1 work. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete curious about mental performance training, this conversation breaks down what to expec...

Fear of failure shows up in more athletes than you think, and it doesn’t always look like “I’m scared.” Sometimes it looks like holding back, playing tight, low motivation, emotional blow-ups after mistakes, or constant comparison to teammates. In this episode, Kiley (Cognelite Consultant) interviews Jess (Cognelite Founder + CMPC) on what fear of failure really is, why it’s often the  root  of co...

What does  intentional  practice actually look like and how do you make sure you’re getting better instead of just getting reps? In this episode, COGNELITE mental performance consultant  Kiley Smith  sits down with  John Ritzen , Head Women’s Golf Coach at  Chardon State College  and author of  The Golf Workbook: A Practice Plan to Improve Your Game , to break down the difference between  “hit and...

In this episode, Jess sits down with Super Bowl 50 champion and former Denver Broncos safety  David Bruton , now a physical therapist and owner of Between the Lines PT, to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of elite performance, injury, and transition out of sport. David shares openly about his journey from Notre Dame to the NFL, becoming a young father, getting cut, dealing with con...

Concussions aren’t just “bumps on the head.” They’re brain injuries that ripple into focus, confidence, decision-making, and emotions, which are all things athletes rely on to perform. In this episode of the  Cognelite Podcast , Mental Performance Consultant  Kiley Smith  sits down with  Dr. Danny Mistry to unpack what happens in the brain during a concussion and how recovery is strongest when med...

In sports, it’s easy for athletes to get caught in the past or lost in what’s coming next. But their best performance happens when they’re fully  present . Staying present isn’t just about focus; it’s about learning how to tune into the moment, let go of distractions, and trust their training. And one of the most effective ways to build that skill is through mindfulness. In this episode of the  Pa...

When it comes to sports, goals often get the spotlight. But behind every goal is something deeper that drives how athletes show up every day: their values. Values shape effort, decision-making, relationships, and even how athletes respond to tough emotions or pressure. In this episode of the  Parent Power Huddle , Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant and founder of Cognelite, sits...

In this Cognelite Power Huddle, we sit down with  Jordyn Shapiro , founder and CEO of  Just Start LA , to explore how executive functioning coaching can unlock peak performance for  student-athletes —both in the classroom and in competition. Jordyn and her team specialize in working with athletes who are juggling rigorous training schedules, travel, academics, and social life. She shares actionabl...

The recruiting process can be one of the most defining times in an athlete’s career—and one of the most mentally demanding. From high-stakes showcases to the pressure of being seen, athletes need more than skills and strategy. They need mindset support. In this episode of the Cognelite Coach Power Huddle, Jess Hansen, Certified Mental Performance Consultant and founder of Cognelite, shares what sh...

The recruiting process is one of the most exciting—and overwhelming—seasons of an athlete’s journey. From June 15th and September 1st calls to jam-packed schedules of tournaments, clinics, and showcases, the stakes can feel sky-high. But while the opportunities are thrilling, the pressure, burnout, comparison, and emotional rollercoaster are very real for athletes—and their families. In this episo...

Pressure is a normal—and important—part of competitive sports. But for young athletes, learning how to navigate high-stakes moments can be overwhelming without the right support. In this episode of the Cognelite Parent Power Huddle , Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant and founder of Cognelite, shares how parents can help athletes embrace pressure as a privilege rather than fear i...

Pressure can bring out the best—or the worst—in athletes. While some thrive under the spotlight, others freeze, fight, or fade when the stakes are high. In this episode of the Cognelite Coaches Power Huddle , Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, unpacks how coaches can help athletes embrace pressure as a privilege and perform with confidence when it matters most. We’ll dive into:...

Handling Emotions On and Off the Field: A Coach’s Playbook Emotions can be an athlete’s greatest strength—or their biggest challenge. The highs of victory, the lows of defeat, and everything in between can impact performance and well-being. In this episode, Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, breaks down how coaches can help their athletes develop emotional resilience to stay com...

Handling Emotions On and Off the Field: A Parent’s Playbook Emotions can be an athlete’s greatest strength—or their biggest challenge. The highs of victory, the lows of defeat, and everything in between can impact performance and well-being. In this episode, Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, breaks down how parents can help their athletes develop emotional resilience to stay co...

Perfectionism is one of the biggest mental roadblocks for high-achieving athletes, and as a coach, you play a key role in helping them navigate it. In this episode, Jess Hansen, Certified Mental Performance Consultant and founder of Cognelite , dives into how perfectionism impacts performance, confidence, and overall athlete well-being—and, most importantly, what you can do about it. We’ll cover:...

Perfectionism is one of the biggest mental roadblocks athletes face, and it can quickly turn their passion into pressure. In this episode, Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant , dives into the perfection trap—why so many athletes struggle with it, how it impacts confidence and performance, and what parents can do to help. We’ll explore: ✅ The difference between perfectionism and s...

Confidence is one of the most talked-about traits in sports, but what does it really mean? In this episode of the Parents Power Huddle , we break down the psychology of athlete confidence , how it’s developed (or shaken), and what you can do as a parent to help your athlete build lasting self-belief. Join Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant , as she dives into: ✔️ The true meaning...

Confidence is one of the most talked-about traits in sports, but what does it really mean? In this episode of the Coaches Power Huddle , we break down the psychology of athlete confidence , how it’s built (or broken), and what you can do as a coach to foster it in your players. Join Jess Hanson , Certified Mental Performance Consultant, as she dives into: ✔️ The true definition of confidence (hint...