Mental Playbook

We all know the iconic duo A Great Big World, made up of Chad King and Ian Axel. Today, I sat down with singer, songwriter, and one half of the Grammy Award-winning duo, Chad King, to discuss his journey navigating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) while continuing to pursue his passion for music. Chad opens up about the life-changing symptoms he has experienced, including challenges with walking and change...

In this episode of the Mental Playbook, I sit down with Reshma Kearney , Trauma-Informed yoga teacher and Mindful Healing Guide, for an open and honest conversation about grief, loss, and healing. We unpack the common misconception of the “5 stages of grief” and why the grieving process is far more complex and non-linear than we’ve been taught. Reshma shares insight into the unique pain of losing...

This episode is all about what really changes when you step into a new environment. Ashley Thurk, USC Women’s Soccer Defender and Maya McDermott, USC Women’s Soccer Forward join host, Maliya Patel to discuss all about the student-athlete journey from playing at a young age to performing at the collegiate level. They even got the opportunity to play against the pros: Angel City FC and San Diego Wav...

In this episode, we dive into how gratitude and perspective can transform the way we handle pressure and nerves with Olivia Papakyrikos, Licensed Therapist (MA & CT),  Mental Performance Coach for Athletes & High-Achievers, and Performance Consultant & Speaker. We talk about practical ways to build gratitude practices, how to stay grounded while still chasing big goals, and why nerves...

Maria Jose Rodriguez’s journey is about more than sports, it’s about identity, belonging, and building community across cultures. Born and raised in Honduras, Maria shares what it was like leaving home and finding a new sense of belonging through sports. From working in Formula 1 to her time at TCU, she eventually found her way to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where she started as an intern and spent e...

In this episode of the Mental Playbook , Emily Huston, former volleyball player and founder of HomeTeam, joins the show to talk about life after sport. Emily shares her athletic journey, why she retired, and the mental health challenges injured and retired athletes often face, such as isolation. She introduces the “cliff effect,” where athletes spend their lives building toward their sport, only t...

In this special collaboration episode,  The Anxious Athlete  and  The Mental Playbook  come together for a deep conversation about building an identity that isn’t dependent on performance. So many athletes grow up tying their self worth to the end result, playing time, stats, and external validation from coaches and parents. But what happens when performance declines, you get injured, or the sport...

In this episode of the Mental Playbook , we sit down with Karse Klijian, Founder and CEO of Klijian Sports Management, to break down the realities of athlete representation. Karse shares why athlete branding, NIL, and athlete likeness are essential for long term success on and off the field. We dive into how he’s built trusting relationships with clients, the mindset required to start and grow a b...

In this episode, I’m talking to Cooper Keane, an opposite hitter for USC (Trojans) Men’s Volleyball and a member of the USAV U19 National Team. We dive into his mental preparation on and off the court, the importance of adaptability and visualization in the quick changing game of volleyball, and how he balances life as both a student and an athlete. Cooper also opens up about: - Leadership in a te...

In this episode of The Mental Playbook , we sit down with Tyson Ford, former Notre Dame defensive lineman, now suiting up for Cal Berkeley as he shares his powerful journey through football and life. Tyson talks about the decision to transfer, balancing academics with athletics, and what being part of a team has taught him about positivity, resilience, and support. Whether you’re an athlete, stude...

In Part 2 of our in-person episode with Sammie Reggev and Evan Sliter, we’re going even deeper. This half of the convo brings: 🧠 Honest takes on mental health, expectations, and pressure 🏃 Reflections on what high school sports taught them 🤳 A deeper look at screen time, comparison, and finding peace offline 🧭 Big-picture goals, mental playbook, and their definition of success It’s vulnerable,...

We’re kicking off our first-ever in-person filmed episode of The Mental Playbook with none other than Sammie Reggev and Evan Sliter, recent high school graduates with a passion for being out in the wilderness. And trust me, this one’s a must-listen. Expect laughter, honesty, and some hot takes as we dive into: 🎒 Their coolest (and wildest) backpacking stories 🏐 The lessons they’ve learned from h...

From calling USC Women’s Volleyball matches to writing NHL columns and covering pro teams like the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks, Kasey Kazliner is crafting a broadcasting journey defined by passion and persistence. In this episode, Kasey dives into how he found his voice in the booth, the lessons he’s learned from mentors about storytelling, and why working long days in sports media feels like fun w...

The transition from high school to college can feel overwhelming, and not just for students and student-athletes but parents too since no one gives you a college manual. In this honest conversation, life coach and former assistant principal Suzanne Hanna breaks down what to expect before and during college AND how to handle it: ​Making friends while managing homesickness ​Staying motivated in clas...

In this powerful episode, Zach Gale, special education teacher and founder of Me2We, opens up about his high school experience navigating anxiety both on the baseball field and beyond.  We explore what it really means to live out the Me2We pillars: being uncommon , serving others , and shining your light . Zach shares how vulnerability became his strength, leading him to create We Talk , a men's g...

What happens when the game ends? In this episode, former D2 basketball player Samantha Whiteman shares how she went from athlete to entrepreneur, founding Arena Transfer , a company that helps retired athletes rediscover purpose through business, brand-building, and faith. Samantha breaks down her “ Five Fs ” framework: Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness, and Fun and reveals how athletes can use the...

🤸 From gymnast to mental coach, Rebecca Smith, founder of  Complete Performance Coaching, knows what it’s like to chase perfection, until it starts chasing you. In this episode, she opens up about: • Being a “recovering perfectionist” • Why mental blocks happen and how to move through them • What performance anxiety looks like • How young athletes can speak up in toxic environments • Why safe spa...

Why train NFL stars when you can shape the future? In this episode, Coach G, founder of G-FIT Performance and G-FIT Mental Performance shares why she chose to dedicate her training to youth athletes. In this episode, Coach G opens up about: ​ Why she chose youth over pro athletes ​ How injuries shaped her approach to performance ​ The myth that “more is better” in training ​ Teaching athletes how...

From Olympic athletes to elite teams, Marc Sagal, founder of the Winning Mind , helps high performers go from good to great.  In this episode, we dive into:• Using personality tests and trust for team dynamics • The science of separating emotion from behavior • The role of AI in mental performance • Why purpose and theory matter more than hype Discover what it really takes to perform under pressur...

From athlete to coach to licensed mental health counselor, 🧠 Cindi Miller has seen every side of the game and knows that true strength goes way beyond physical performance. In this empowering conversation, Cindi opens up about: • Battling perfectionism and disordered eating as an athlete • Understanding that health is more than just your physical body • Coping with injuries and finding purpose th...

From The Devil Wears Prada to Dinner for Schmucks , actress, author, and mental health advocate, St e phanie Szostak seemed to have it all figured out, but behind the scenes, she was battling imposter syndrome and self-doubt. In this honest conversation, Stephanie opens up about: ​ Feeling like an outsider after moving from France ​ Building self-confidence in Hollywood ​ Facing rejection and find...

In this episode of The Mental Playbook , we sit down with Jamie Vance Jr. (AKA Greedy Vance Jr.), cornerback, FSU alum, and newly signed NFL Las Vegas Raiders player, to talk about what it really means to keep the faith when the odds are stacked against you. Jamie opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of going undrafted, how his faith became his foundation through the toughest times, and why...

In this episode of The Mental Playbook Podcast , USC high jumper Elias Gerald opens up about the mental side of competing in one of track and field’s most high-pressure events, the high jump. From the intense buildup to each jump to the challenge of bouncing back after a miss, Elias shares how he’s developed mental fortitude throughout his journey. He also highlights the powerful role of having fa...

In this episode of The Mental Playbook Podcast , we chat with Lana Kerr, CEO and founder of Lumisque Skincare. Lana shares the science behind carboxytherapy and why education is key to understanding how innovative products like CO2Lift and CO2LiftV support skin health and confidence at any age. Our conversation dives into the power of inner confidence and how caring for yourself can elevate your a...

What happens when a college basketball player, high school coach, teacher, and neuroscientist becomes a sports psychiatrist? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Peter Kass to explore the emotional and psychological journey of student-athletes, from high school to college, and how pressure, identity, and performance anxiety impact their mental health. Dr. Kass offers powerful insights on burnout,...