Smalls Talk

After a month hiatus, Smalls' Talk is back and Tom is joined by Mental Performance Coach Siana Sylvester to discuss the keys to building successful habits! Siana and Tom also discuss the growth that comes from suffering and leaning into uncertainty. 03:49 - Working with Coaches 07:42 - Working with Parents 09:58 - Educating Coaches and Parents 15:25 - Time Management and Prioritization 33:18 -...

Tom is joined by two of his favorite athletes, Meghan (UAlbany) and Jillian Huerter (Rutgers) to discuss their experiences playing at the collegiate level. The group discusses the challenges of being apart but still supporting each other, adjusting to the speed and physicality of college basketball, and the importance of taking constructive criticism. They also talk about the influence of their br...

Host Tom Smalley is joined by Ex-MLB Player Chad Pinder to discuss his journey with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) while he navigated his career as an MLB Player. Tom and Chad discuss living with OCD, the challenges it presents, and the importance of staying with the maintenance of treatment. They also explore the impact of OCD on parenting and relationships, as well as Chad's decision to...

Host Tom Smalley is joined by John Armistead, former dual sport collegiate athlete turned Co-Founder of the Athletes Together app. John discusses the development of the Athletes Together app, an all-in-one mental health app for student athletes. John also shares his personal journey of starting the app with a co-founder and the process of transitioning from playing lacrosse to football at USC. The...

Host Tom Smalley is joined by Team USA Olympic Weightlifter Brandon Victorian fresh off of the Pan-American games. Tom and Brandon discuss what it has been like competing against the best, and how his mindset has evolved as the competition has become more elite. Brandon also talks about pre-competition anxiety, and how he likes to get the crowd engaged during weightlifting meets. About Brandon: In...

Tom is joined by Certified Mental Performance Consultant and Owner of Infinity Mental Performance Danielle Lynch to discuss her path into specializing in mental performance as well as becoming a business owner. Danielle explains how being a former collegiate athlete has helped her connect with the athletes she works with. Also discussed is the advice she would give to parents of athletes and how t...

Host Tom Smalley is joined by former Team USA Olympian turned Professional Boxer Virginia "Ginny" Fuchs to discuss her journey overcoming Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder on her way to competing for Team USA in the Olympics. Also discussed is how Ginny fell into the sport boxing, and what kept her motivated while in treatment. About Virginia "Ginny" Fuchs: Ginny Fuchs is an Americ...

Host Tom Smalley is joined by his older, better looking brother for a special birthday episode where Tom presents 26 lessons he has learned in 26 years! The two brothers then address the state of Boston sports, and how they would fix the direction of the patriots franchise.

Host Tom Smalley is joined by Team USA Olympic Weightlifter and Clinical Psychologist Brian Reisenauer, Psy. D to discuss how he balances his work in the mental health profession and competing at the highest level as an Olympic Weightlifter. Brian talks about the things he has become more grateful for throughout his life, and how he carries that gratitude into training and competition.

Tom is joined by world renowned international weightlifting coach Greg Everett of Catalyst Athletics to discuss how he began his successful coaching career, the anxiety he experiences as a coach, and his new book Tough . Also discussed is the three characteristics Greg has seen in his most successful and elite athletes, as well as what it has been like coaching the team with his wife Aimee. About...

Tom is joined by Lumin Sports executives Ben Gazzola and Blake Bender to discuss the athlete management software that is changing the way athlete wellness data is visualized and interpreted. Ben and Blake give a rundown on how Lumin became what it is today, and how the software is assisting coaches in making sure athletes are more taken care of than ever before. Also discussed is the way Lumin bri...

Tom is joined by his former college roommate and close friend Thomas Huerter Jr. to discuss his playing career, from winning the NY AA state championship with his brother Kevin all the way to playing for 3 different collegiate head coaches. Smalls and Tom discuss the lessons he provides to the athletes he coaches in AAU basketball, and what it was like growing up in a basketball family. Tom provid...

Tom is joined by Performance Coach and Author Kyle Gonzalez to discuss his newly released book " The Vitality System ". Kyle and Tom dive into the 4 pillars of health and wellness, along with how to apply them in everyday life. Kyle also talks about how his career led him to write a book that can be applicable to anybody regardless of their background. About Kyle: Kyle Gonzalez is an int...

Tom is joined by olympic weightlifter and national coach Suzy Sanchez to discuss her career as an elite level weightlifter for USAW while navigating a diagnosis of PTSD and MDD. Tom and Suzy chat about the important qualities to look for in coaches, and how she turned her struggle into strength by becoming an advocate for weightlifters with mental health challenges. Follow Suzy on Instagram: @thes...

After 3 week hiatus, Tom is back and joined by University of Alabama Point Guard Hannah Barber to talk about how she overcame adversity throughout her 5 year collegiate career. Hannah talks about how she reframed her mindset after experiencing life's challenges, and the ways she was able to lead by example on and off the court. About Hannah Barber: Hannah was a 5 year point guard for Universit...

Tom is joined by former professional hockey player turned mental performance coach Taylor Cook to discuss how to implement an athlete centered coaching model. Also discussed is how to provide useful feedback as a coach, and why mental performance is just as valuable as the physical aspect. About Taylor: IG - @taylorbcook_ The Athletic Mind - https://open.spotify.com/show/3mCWuxYHmwi48aXgzo8tSW?si=...

Tom is joined by OWN IT System Founder Justin Roethlingshoefer and Nick Wooters to discuss how colleges and universities can implement the OWN IT System app for student athletes. Also discussed is how to use data to drive health and human performance, empowering athletes to make decisions for themselves, and why the basis of performance is holistic health and wellness. About OWN IT: The  OWN IT Sy...

Tom is joined by UM-Duluth Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeremy Golden to discuss the recent article he wrote on anxietyinathletes.org about his lifetime struggles with depression and grief. Jeremy opens up about the loss of his mother, and how he had to address both grief and depression in his life at the same time. Also discussed is the benefits of therapy, and how Tom and Jeremy plan on...

Tom is joined by two former athletes and coaches (Angela Teeple and Melissa Katz) that have joined together to start the ALL IN Apparel brand to empower athletes to share their own personal mental health journeys and bring the conversation of mental health in athletics to the forefront of people's minds. Angela and Melissa talk about why they chose apparel as the product for their company, and...

Tom is joined by Canadian Judo national champion Erin Reim and clinician Chris Trondsen to discuss living with Body Dysmoprhic Disorder as an elite athlete on her way to being ranked #7 in the world. The group also discusses the different expectations society has created in regards to body image, and the false ways the mental health disorder is portrayed in the media. About Erin: Erin Reim grew up...

In episode 015, Tom is joined by Brown University Strength and Conditioning Coach Anthony Paiva to talk about how environment can shape an athlete's experience and attitude.   Coach Paiva talks about his decision to open about his sexuality to his athletes and colleagues, and overcoming the anxiety that came with the decision.  Tom and Anthony also talk about how to foster an enviro...

Tom is joined by Ivan Tchatchouwo (Founder and CEO of The Zone App) to discuss the way his team is addressing student athlete mental health and the preventative care The Zone app is aiming to provide to college campuses everywhere.  Ivan also discusses his background in human performance, and explains his "why" story detailing his own struggles with mental health as a collegiate athlete. &nbs...

Host Tom Smalley is joined by Professional Rugby player and Collegiate Coach Gianna Solomon to discuss her path to being a strong female leader in sports.  Gianna most recently won a national championship as an Assistant Coach with Dartmouth Women's Rugby, and is currently playing professional rugby in the women's premier league.  Tom and Gianna discuss what needs to change in athletics,...

PLEASE NOTE: This episode includes mention of suicidality.  If you are in a crisis, or you are ever feeling suicidal or unsafe, please go to your local emergency room, or call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing “988” (you can also access online at  www.988lifeline.org .)  Host Tom Smalley is joined by Morgan's Message Co-Founder and Director of Education Cl...

Tom is joined by Dr. Alex Auerbach to discuss his high performance model he uses in his work as the Director of Wellness and Development for the NBA's Toronto Raptors.  Alex dives into details regarding how to be productive with goal setting, useful mental skills he teaches his clients, and the shift he would like to see regarding the way mental health is treated. Dr. Alex's Newsletter: http:...