Counseling and Functional Fitness

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses the importance of choosing virtue over vice, the roles that challenges play improving mental health, unselfish action, improving ourselves and helping others, the excellence of virtue, the role of right effort in therapy, the importance of aim in philosophy, therapy, and fitness, how we can become more courageous, the influence of virtue an...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses lessons learned from doing yard work, the Stoic philosophy found in The Serenity Prayer, how willingly preparing for and facing adversity can strengthen us and lead to progress, reminding ourselves of our strength, the power of how we think, winning the moment you are in, and present moment strength. Adam's website: https://www.adambarf...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses the concept from Stoic philosophy of The Inner Citadel, perseverance, choosing to remain calm in challenging situations, remembering your strength, focusing on what you can control, asking yourself to be strong, how strength is proved through adversity, seeking progress daily, approaching difficulty rather than avoiding it, how fear only wi...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, talks with Aaron Petrie, LPC-MHSP, about helping athletes through therapy. They discuss how athletes can benefit from therapy, barriers to athletes starting therapy, athletes being people first, the concept of strength transfer, the importance of therapists practicing what we preach, congruence and authenticity in therapy, the mental skill of ‘acting...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses how adversity offers us opportunities to learn and to grow, the relationship between courage and fear, the Stoic philosophy in The Serenity Prayer, the relationship between addiction and trauma, the importance of focusing on what we can control, how our thinking affects our emotions, gaining strength from hardship, resilience, post-traumati...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses present moment strength, core principles of Stoic philosophy, viewing challenges as opportunities, the importance of focusing on what we can control, emotional intelligence, right effort, future-oriented thinking, and the power of the present moment. Adam's website: https://www.adambarfoottherapy.com/ Books mentioned in this episode: 12...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses the importance of practice, preparation, and pursuing mastery. He also discusses the concept of right effort, the value of hard work and personal responsibility, using time wisely, viewing obstacles as opportunities, growing from adversity, and the connection between self-confidence and mastery. Adam's website: https://www.adambarfootth...

This episode is an adapted version of a presentation that Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, gave at the 2024 Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on June 15th, 2024. In this episode, Adam discusses the therapeutic skill of encouragement, the Adlerian philosophical concepts of how all actions are purposeful, phenomenology (which means therapists understanding t...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses how people can build strength and courage through therapy, the importance of being aware of and using our strengths, the relationship between fear and courage, the importance of the therapist’s journey of healing and improvement, and the pursuit of excellence in therapy. Books mentioned in this episode include: Resilience by Eric Greitens,...

This episode is an adapted version of a presentation that Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, gave to the student athletes at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee on March 18th, 2024. In this episode, Adam discusses how emotions affect performance, what resilience is and how building resilience can help us in our performance arenas, the relationship between how we think and feel affects how we perform, t...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses lessons he learned from competing at a functional fitness competition in Nashville, Tennessee. Topics discussed include mental composure, the importance of our thoughts, mental fortitude, the helpfulness of mantras and strong reminders, reminding yourself of your inner strength, and learning through difficulty what we cannot learn any other...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, talks with performance psychologist Dr. Nate Zinsser about the concept of the first victory, building and protecting confidence, being curious about imperfections and mistakes, using selective attention, training and strengthening mental filters, managing our mental bank account, the sewer cycle and the success cycle of how our thinking affects our e...

This episode is an adapted version of a presentation by Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, at the 2023 Tennessee Counseling Association conference in Nashville, Tennessee. In this episode, Adam discusses core concepts of Adlerian philosophy, including encouragement, helping clients move from a 'felt minus' to a 'desired plus', and therapeutic insight, as well as the 4 phases of Adleria...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, talks with Underdogs Athletics Head Coach and Co-Owner Justin Cotler about helping people learn and grow from adversity, moving at the speed of trust, self-confidence, identity, and the roles that virtuosity and humility play in maximizing performance. Justin's instagram: @justincotler Adam's Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologyto...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses what mental fitness is, a tool for improving your emotional intelligence, emotional and cognitive work capacity, viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth, the importance, in therapy, of the therapist's journey of growth and healing, and the role that reflection plays in mental health and fitness. Books mentioned in this episode inc...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, talks with Dr. Julie Foucher about the importance of rest and recovery, the shadow sides of strengths, how problematic behaviors can serve protective purposes, how progress is a constant process of refinement, the pursuit of balance, grateful processing, the power of the stories we tell ourselves, and growth through adversity. Dr. Julie Foucher is a...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses how to build self-confidence, how to respond to self-doubt, how to make your future self proud, the importance of thought patterns, and how character precedes achievement. Adam's Psychology Today profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/adam-barfoot-chattanooga-tn/962913 Instagram: @counselingandfunctionalfitness Email: co...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, talks with Dr. Blake Huddleston about purpose, how the past can impact the present, helping athletes restore confidence and mentally recover after injuries, how facing challenges in fitness can help us face challenges in life, self-talk, the role of visualization in goal-setting, relative intensity, making the most of your new normal, finding your ne...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, talks with Dr. Matthew Cowling about motivation, the mental and physical risks of inactivity, the importance of acting while feeling unpleasant emotions, the importance of consistency, small victories, and focusing on what you can do rather than focusing on what you cannot do. Adam's Psychology Today profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/th...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, discusses what it means to have a strong body and a strong mind, what mental toughness is, how to build inner strength, how to respond to your inner critic, the benefits of persistence and self-control, as well as the differences between being proactive and reactive. Books mentioned in this episode: Sport Psychology by Dr. John Perry, Applied Sport P...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, talks with Michael Hayes about viewing yourself as your only competition, creating strength from failure, being open-minded about your identity, the importance of reflection, and making your future self proud. Books mentioned in this episode: Atomic Habits by James Clear, 12 Rules For Life by Jordan Peterson, and Resilience by Eric Greitens Adam'...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, talks with Training Think Tank coach Mike McGoldrick about mental preparation for performance and competition, building confidence, how effort is a choice, and the importance of putting yourself in environments where you can grow.  Adam's Psychology Today profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/adam-barfoot-chattanooga-tn/962913&n...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC, talks about the poem called Invictus by William Ernest Henley. He discusses post-traumatic growth, realizing your strength, how people heal from trauma, the importance of your thoughts, and how to think more positively. Adam's Psychology Today profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/adam-barfoot-chattanooga-tn/962913 Instagram: @counselinga...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC, talks with Training Think Tank Coach Mike McGoldrick about becoming a better coach, the importance of surrounding yourself with great people, creating your own style of helping, taking responsibility for your growth, helping people overcome adversity and difficulty, and the importance of trying often.  Adam's Psychology Today profile: https://www.psy...

In this episode, Adam Barfoot, M.Ed., LPC, discusses how you can better understand your emotions and improve your emotional intelligence, as well as how you can use your emotional intelligence to improve yourself and help others.  Adam's Psychology Today profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/adam-barfoot-chattanooga-tn/962913  Books mentioned in this episode: Emotional I...