Mental Fitness Stories with Jon Steele

Former high school and collegiate basketball coach turned pastor, Chris Schultz , joins Mental Fitness Stories to unpack the power of renewing your mind through storytelling, spiritual rhythm, and daily practice . From false narratives to family struggles, Coach Schultz shares how he's helped athletes and communities walk through grief, parenting, and purpose —with honest insight, grounded wisdom,...

In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories , host Jon Steele sits down with Landon—a passionate teenage hobbyist—to explore how hobbies support mental health, reduce stress, and build confidence. From painting Warhammer mini-figures to doing Judo, Landon shares how trying new things, making mistakes, and enjoying the process can help teens manage school stress, anxiety, and even depression. This is...

In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories , we sit down with Nikki Taylor, former professional volleyball player, to explore the real meaning of mental fitness beyond the court. Nikki opens up about her journey through injury, recovery, and the often overlooked process of grieving the loss of an athletic identity after transitioning out of professional sports. We discuss the power of inner dialogu...

What if the most important conversation you have is the one you have with yourself? In this powerful episode, Dr. Graham Taylor — licensed psychologist and trauma specialist — joins us to explore the connection between mental fitness and our inner dialogue. He breaks down how our thoughts can either hold us back or propel us forward, especially in the face of adversity. Dr. Taylor shares inspiring...

What if the most important conversation you have is the one you have with yourself? In this powerful episode, Dr. Graham Taylor — licensed psychologist and trauma specialist — joins us to explore the connection between mental fitness and our inner dialogue. He breaks down how our thoughts can either hold us back or propel us forward, especially in the face of adversity. Dr. Taylor shares inspiring...

Episode Summary: Burnout is real—even for podcasters. In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories , we dive into the hidden challenges of podcast burnout and why so many high-performing professionals, including athletes, struggle with it. Whether it's the pressure to constantly create, the fear of losing momentum, or the exhaustion of juggling content with everything else, burnout can hit hard. But...

In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, we sit down with two seasoned track and field coaches, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young and Shawn Young, who share their unique approaches to holistic mental fitness. Join us as we delve into how they incorporate spirituality into their coaching, making running not just a sport but a joyful experience. We also explore the profound ways they support their athlete...

Welcome to another episode of Mental Fitness Stories, where we delve into the powerful concepts of mental fitness and neuroplasticity, changing your brain. Whether you're looking to boost your mental fitness, understand the science behind neuroplasticity, or simply find inspiration for personal growth, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in to Mental Fitness Stories and embark on a journ...

Today, we're exploring the necessary differences between mental fitness and mental health. We'll focus on the power of intention over reaction and how we can use our Ideal Morning to increase our Mental Fitness. #MentalFitness #Intention #MorningRoutine #MindfulMorning #MentalWellness #IntentionalLiving #HealthyHabits #MorningMotivation #SelfImprovement #PersonalGrowth #StartYourDayRight #MindfulL...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Mental Fitness Fridays! In this episode, we're diving into three transformative concepts that can significantly enhance your mental fitness: being curious without judgment, experiencing peak emotion, and achieving peak cognition. #mentalfitness #CuriosityWithoutJudgment #PeakEmotion #PeakCognition #mindfulness #mentalwellness #personalgrowth #emotionalint...

Today, we're exploring the necessary differences between mental fitness and mental health. We'll focus on the power of enhancement over maintenance and how we can use our inner dialogue to reshape our neural networks. Plus, we'll discuss the importance of reinforcing these changes through consistent self-care practices, such as Intentional Journaling. #mentalfitness #PersonalGrowth #GrowthMindset...

Today, we're exploring the nuanced differences between mental fitness and mental health. We'll focus on the power of intention over reaction and how we can use our inner dialogue to reshape our neural networks. Plus, we'll discuss the importance of reinforcing these changes through consistent self-care practices. Tips: 2 to 1 Breathing- https://yogainternational.com/article/view/soothe-your-nervou...

Description: In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, I dive into resilience and personal growth. Join me as I explore the journey of training for a half marathon, the mantra of "doing the best I can," and the various practices that contribute to mental fitness. From overcoming self-doubt to embracing daily challenges, this story will motivate you to strengthen both your mind and body. Tune in f...

Join us in this empowering episode of Mental Fitness Stories, where we delve into the transformative power of self-kindness in enhancing mental fitness and maximizing performance. Our guest and my good friend, Rachel Moore, LMFT is an expert in psychology and working with singers, artists and creatives to better their performance. Rachel reveals the profound impact of self-kindness on our mindset,...

Join us in this empowering episode of Mental Fitness Stories , where we delve into the transformative power of self-kindness in enhancing mental fitness and maximizing performance. Our guest and my good friend, Rachel Moore, LMFT, is an expert in psychology and working with singers, artists and creatives to better their performance. Rachel reveals the profound impact of self-kindness on our mindse...

Join Jamal Jones, LMFT and DI Football Player, and me in this empowering episode of "Mental Fitness Stories" as we delve into the journey of how Jamal transformed fear and disappointment into opportunity. Facing the intense pressures of collegiate athletics, Jamal navigated the highs and lows of performance and mental health. Discover how he cultivated mental fitness amidst the chaos, utilizing se...

Join Jamal Jones, LMFT and DI Football Player, and me in this empowering episode of "Mental Fitness Stories" as we delve into the journey of how Jamal transformed fear and disappointment into opportunity. Facing the intense pressures of collegiate athletics, Jamal navigated the highs and lows of performance and mental health. Discover how he cultivated mental fitness amidst the chaos, utilizing se...

In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories with Jon Steele, Dr. Carolyn Smyth and I delve into the transformative benefits of embracing a slower pace in life. As the world spins faster, finding moments of stillness becomes crucial for our mental fitness and overall well-being. Drawing inspiration from the philosophy of yin and yang, we explore how balance is achieved through the interplay of activi...

In this captivating episode of Mental Fitness Fridays, we explore the transformative power of a simple yet profound mantra: "I am enough." Anxiety, a prevalent and often overwhelming experience, can be greatly alleviated by cultivating a sense of sufficiency and self-acceptance. Tip: For 1-3 weeks, attach the phrase “I Am Enough” to a habit. For example, every time you brush your teeth, out loud o...

In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, we delve into the transformative benefits of embracing a slower pace in life. As the world spins faster, finding moments of stillness becomes crucial for our mental fitness and overall well-being. Drawing inspiration from the philosophy of yin and yang, we explore how balance is achieved through the interplay of activity and rest.

Part 2 is here! In this dynamic episode, we explore the invaluable skill of pivoting and its profound impact on our personal growth and resilience. I share my story and actionable strategies for cultivating the ability to pivot. Listen for diverse disciplines such as breathwork, acceptance, positive inner dialogue, and positive movement. Join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and empo...

Part 2 is here! There’s more stories and tips on in this episode where we delve into the intricate relationship between mental fitness and the grieving process. Grief is a universal experience, yet its effects on mental well-being vary greatly from person to person. Join us as we explore how cultivating mental fitness can serve as a powerful tool for navigating the turbulent waters of grief. Our g...

In this dynamic episode, we explore the invaluable skill of pivoting and its profound impact on our personal growth and resilience. I share actionable strategies for cultivating the ability to pivot gracefully, drawing from diverse disciplines such as breathwork, acceptance, positive inner dialogue, and positive movement. Join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, uncover...

In this poignant episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between mental fitness and the grieving process. Grief is a universal experience, yet its effects on mental well-being vary greatly from person to person. Join us as we explore how cultivating mental fitness can serve as a powerful tool for navigating the turbulent waters of grief. Our guest speaker, Melissa Lunardini, has 20 years...

Welcome back to "Mental Fitness Fridays," the podcast dedicated to empowering you with the tools and mindset to cultivate resilience and well-being. In this episode, we embark on a transformative journey towards embracing our inner strength through the power of positive inner dialogue and the profound act of accepting our reality. Join us as we explore how the phrase “I’m OK to Accept my Reality”...