HTP Podcast

In this inspiring episode, Gira sits down with Allie to explore her tennis journey—from hitting balls with her father in Ohio to playing at the Naval Academy, and eventually transitioning into coaching and mentoring tennis players. Along the way, Allie shares the profound influence of her early coach, Susan Cinciala, and the pivotal role tennis played in shaping her resilience. Today, Allie uses h...

When Fernando left Guatemala for Florida at 13, he faced culture shock, a language barrier, and a brand-new world. Tennis became his safe space, taking him from high school to the professional tour, then to getting a full ride to the University of Southern California. Fernando talks about the importance of personalized coaching, how to avoid overwhelming players, and why the mental side of the gam...

Kyle LaCroix’s story is anything but ordinary. In this episode, he shares how he went from a swimmer to a sought-after tennis mentor. We talk about his years at the Oaks, the launch of SETS, and how he's helping coaches around the world level up their careers with a lifetime of support and business savvy. Kyle doesn’t hold back as we get into the mindset shifts required in today’s evolving tennis...

Dominique (aka Dom) joins the HTP Podcast to share a vulnerable and inspiring journey—from her early days in the Bahamas to tennis academies in the U.S. to becoming a psychotherapist. Dom opens up about choosing tennis over other sports at age 12, what it was like moving alone to the U.S. at 14, and how a sport she once hated became the catalyst for her career in mental health. We dive into the hi...

Tennis isn’t just about the wins and losses—it’s about who you become along the way. In this episode, Gira sits down with Greg to unpack how focusing on the process over results helps athletes thrive, both on and off the court. Greg shares how his father’s love for tennis laid the groundwork for a lifelong journey of growth and teaching players to prioritize mindset and personal growth over trophi...

Leslie Banks started tennis at age 3 and never looked back. Now, as the founder of Serve the Future , she’s using her lifelong love for the game to empower underserved youth through tennis, opening doors many never thought possible. From her early days growing up in a competitive tennis family to coaching at just 15, Leslie shares her journey of grit, resilience, and growth within the tennis world...

Ever wondered what it’s really like chasing the pro tennis dream? In this episode of the HTP Podcast, Gira sits down with Amanda Moore (Fink) , former top 300 player, tennis scholarship to the University of Southern California, and passionate coach, to unpack her journey from age 8 with a racquet in hand to the professional circuit. Amanda shares the raw realities of life on tour —from the indepen...

In this episode, Nicole Fintell shares her journey from a 7-year-old tennis camper to 2x Texas state champion, D1 college athlete, high-performance junior coach, college coach, and USTA Southwest’s junior player development manager. We explore the ups and downs of junior tennis, the challenges of isolation, and why it’s essential to focus on long-term development. Tennis is more than a sport—it’s...

In this episode, Kate Paulus shares her powerful tennis journey—from picking up a racquet in Kansas City to competing at the Division 1 level at TCU. She opens up about the emotional toll of injuries, the mental pressure of elite tennis, and how gratitude and perspective helped her through the toughest moments. Kate also gets candid about hot-button topics like fairness in women's sports and the v...

Can you teach yourself tennis and actually get good? Rogelio proves it’s possible! In this episode, we talk about DIY tennis, engineering mindset, and using tennis as a way to meet people, grow confidence, and build community. He shares how a little competition (with a teacher!) kept him pushing, how he stayed focused with limited support, and how tennis helped him make friends and stay grounded w...

In this inspiring episode, Olivia Kim shares how she went from playing tennis just once a week in 9th grade to earning an academic scholarship to play collegiate tennis at Trinity. After switching schools and homeschooling to pursue the sport full-time, she pushed through self-doubt, gossip, and early setbacks in a competitive tennis community. Olivia opens up about overcoming the pressure, findin...

What happens when tennis opens doors beyond the court? 🎾✨ In this powerful episode of the HTP Podcast , Gira Schofield sits down with Trang , a junior in high school who shares her inspiring journey from Vietnam to the U.S.—and from picking up a racquet to earning a college scholarship. 🇻🇳➡️🇺🇸 Trang opens up about: ✅ How Serve the Future nonprofit changed her life ✅ Learning tennis later than...

Is positive self-talk enough? In this episode, part 3 of positive self-talk, I get real about the limits of positive self-talk in tennis—and why it won’t work in certain pressured situations unless you actually believe it. I’ll break down the truth about mental toughness, subconscious patterns, and why meditation and journaling are the real training grounds for your mind. 🎾🧠 You’ll hear: Why “ju...

Ever feel like your biggest opponent is you ? In this episode, we’re taking you through a calming, powerful guided meditation to help you rewire your self-talk, shake off self-doubt, and step into your power — point by point, breath by breath. Through deep breathing, full-body relaxation, and powerful visualization, you'll learn to: ✨ Quiet the mental noise during matches ✨ Reframe negative thou...

We all do it—even the pros . In Part 2 of our self-talk series, we’re diving into why negative self-talk creeps in (hello, pressure!) and how to flip it into something powerful and productive. Learn how to catch your mental patterns, reframe them, and coach yourself mid-match like a pro. 🎧 Tune in and train your brain, or remain the same.

Ever feel like your own brain is your toughest opponent? 😅 In this episode of the HTP Podcast , we’re diving into the science of self-talk — how the words you say to yourself can either build your game or break it down. 💬 Learn why your brain believes everything you tell it, how to rewire your mindset for performance, and why players like Djokovic and Coco Gauff are talking to themselves—for goo...

Take a break from the grind and join me for a calming guided meditation designed just for tennis players. This episode walks you through deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and tennis-focused visualizations (think smooth forehands, powerful serves, and that sweet feeling of flow). 💭 What’s inside: A relaxing body scan from toes to head Breathing tricks to calm your nerves Visualization...

In this episode, Gira gets real about a skill most players totally overlook: how to breathe when you're playing tennis. Sounds basic, but it’s a total game changer. ✨ You’ll learn: Why holding your breath kills your flow (and your stamina) How to sync your breath with your shot and footwork The between-point reset routine every player needs Whether you’re new to the game or just never learned how...

Episode 6 is a guided meditation; you’ll learn how to unlock instant confidence by quieting your mind and reconnecting with your body. Through breathwork, full-body relaxation, and powerful visualization, you’ll release self-doubt and feeling like "you're not good enough." Let go of outcome-based thinking and return to a grounded, fearless version of yourself—one that plays with joy, presence, and...

Episode 5 is a guided meditation to help you overcome performance anxiety and step onto the court with confidence. Through deep breathing, progressive relaxation, and powerful visualizations, you’ll learn to quiet your mind, focus on one point at a time, and trust your game. Tune in now to prepare your body and mind for positive peak performance! Train your mind, like you train your strokes. It is...

In this episode, we dive deep into how to handle pressure before and during a match —one of the biggest challenges tennis players face at all levels. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a competitive junior, pressure doesn’t have to be your enemy. It can be your greatest teacher. Let's explore: ✅ Pre-Match Preparation: Simulating pressure scenarios, using visualization techniques, and developing...

In Episode 3 , we tackle a challenge every tennis player faces at some point— performance anxiety before a match . Whether you're stepping onto the court for a tournament or a friendly game, those pre-match nerves can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you can train your mind and body to manage those emotions and thrive under pressure. We will cover: ✅ Understanding Performance Anxiety:...

In Episode 4 , we’re breaking down a powerful concept that can transform your game— instant confidence . Most players believe confidence takes months (or even years) to build through results, repetition, and mental conditioning. But what if you could tap into confidence instantly, right before stepping onto the court? We’ll explore: ✅ Where Confidence DOESN’T Come From: Why affirmations, match re...

🎾 We’re diving into one of the most crucial aspects of the game: developing mental toughness. Whether you're: ✅ A player striving to reach your personal best, ✅ A coach guiding your athletes, or ✅ A parent supporting your junior player, mental toughness is the glue that holds everything together in high-pressure moments. In this episode, we’ll break down the key pillars of mental toughness, in...

Welcome to The Podcast: Holistic Tennis Performance! This is your space to build mental toughness, elevate your game, and thrive as a whole person—not just a tennis player.