The Athletic School Podcast

Do you ever feel like your mind gives up before your body does? In this episode, we break down exactly how to build mental toughness —the same way elite athletes and Navy SEALs train their minds to stay strong under pressure. You’ll learn: What mental toughness really means and why it matters in sports and life. Daily habits that train your brain to stay focused, disciplined, and resilient. How su...

Do you want to be a wealthy athlete and make your money work for you? In this episode, Conner Smith from Locker Room Finance shares exactly what athletes need to do to build lasting wealth, avoid mistakes, and secure their financial future . We cover: 💰 How to develop a money mindset that turns income into wealth 📈 Long-term habits for saving, investing, and building security ⚡ Avoiding hype, b...

What makes the difference between a good athlete and a great one? It’s not just talent, training, or genetics—it’s mindset. In this episode, we dive into sports psychology and mental performance strategies that will help you unlock your full potential: Embrace Discomfort: Learn how Stoic philosophy can build mental toughness and prepare you for high-pressure moments. Identity Beyond Sport: Why ath...

Cincinnati soccer legends Omar Cummings and Corben Bone join The Athletic School Podcast to share powerful insights on mindset, sports, and athletics that go far beyond the field. In this episode, we dive into: ⚽ Falling in love with soccer and building a professional athletic career 💪 Overcoming adversity and challenges in sports and life 📈 Developing a winning mindset through consistency and...

Most of us are stressed more than we realize—but what if noticing it could change everything? In this episode, we dive into the power of self-awareness and how understanding your body and mind is the first step toward a calmer life. I share practical tools for managing stress , from simple breathing and movement techniques to mindset shifts that help you stay present and focused. We also explore h...

Are you really asking the right questions about your future? In this episode, author and motivational speaker Kenny Glenn shares powerful lessons from his book Question Everything —lessons that every athlete, student, and young professional needs to hear. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: 🔑 Why questioning everything is the key to growth and success 💪 How to overcome rejection and turn it...

Only 0.005% of the world has ever completed a Half Ironman—and I’m one of them. In this episode, I share the hardest challenge of my life and the powerful mental lessons I learned along the way. From pushing through pain to keeping promises to myself, this race taught me more about discipline, resilience, and mindset than anything else I’ve done before. Whether you’re an athlete or just facing tou...

How do top athletes handle pressure, overcome challenges, and stay locked in when everything is on the line? In this episode, FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha opens up about his journey from European football to Major League Soccer, and the powerful lessons he’s learned along the way. We dive deep into: ⚽ How Pavel adapted to MLS after playing at the highest level in Europe 🧠 The mindset he...

Seven years. Seven lessons. From struggling for playing time, to facing COVID, to graduating and starting a new life in Cincinnati—this episode breaks down the biggest lessons I learned as an international student and athlete in America. If you’re chasing your dream, this will save you years of mistakes. 💡 And this episode is powered by CaliforniaAvocadosDirect.com — the freshest avocados, shippe...

The world of sports is changing fast — and if you’re not adapting, you’re falling behind. In this powerful episode Igor Acorinte sits down with elite voices in the game — Bernardo Silva, Cesar Benatti, and Thales Peterson — to reveal the truth most athletes aren’t talking about. You’ll discover: How social media is silently shaping your performance (and what to do about it) Why comparison is killi...

Between work, bills, and life chaos, training for an Ironman might sound impossible—but that’s exactly what I’m doing. In this episode, I share the raw mental battles I face every day: the fight to show up when I’m exhausted, the routine that keeps me going, and the truth about what it really takes to stay consistent. I’ll break down 6 powerful lessons that go way beyond fitness—lessons about disc...

What does it take to lead in today’s game — and how do you help players grow beyond the sport? In this episode, I sit down with Tauan Salgado , former college soccer player, recruiter, and co-founder of Lakeland United FC . We dive deep into: What success in coaching really looks like How to lead by example and coach with honesty The philosophy behind founding a club and building culture What athl...

Everything changes when your mindset does. In this episode of The Mindset Lab , entrepreneur and mentor Wayne Mullins reveals the critical mindset shift every athlete and high performer must make to grow—mentally, spiritually, and professionally. We explore: How to break free from routines that keep you stuck Why internal work is the key to long-term success The difference between excuses and reas...

What do you do when the game ends, the structure disappears, and you don’t feel like yourself anymore? In this solo episode, I open up about why I decided to sign up for an Ironman — not for a medal, not for motivation, but because I needed something that scared me. Something that forced me to grow. Something that helped me rebuild my identity after college soccer. If you're an athlete struggling...

We're surrounded by distractions designed to hijack our attention and keep us chasing the next hit. In this clip, I break down how cheap dopamine impacts your focus, how to become more self-aware, and simple ways to build real mental discipline through mindfulness. 🎧 This is just a part of the full episode — if you're serious about training your mind like you train your body, go check out...

In this episode, I sit down with Bernardo Silva — head coach of Cal Poly Women’s Soccer — to talk about what it really means to lead, coach, and grow in today’s sports world. Originally from Portugal, Coach Silva shares his journey from playing college soccer at UC Santa Barbara to coaching at some of the top college programs in the country. But this conversation goes deeper than stats or strategy...

In this powerful episode, Angela R. Lewis—former pro athlete, coach, and business leader—shares what it truly means to lead yourself first. We talk about how to stay true to your values, build resilience through hard times, and let go of old identities to create space for growth. Angela also opens up about leaving everything behind to start over in Colombia—and the lessons that came with it. This...

Most people think they need to move, switch careers, or start over to find success. But in this short solo episode, I share a story called Acres of Diamonds — a powerful reminder that what you’re looking for might already be around you. If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or tempted to chase what others have, this 8-minute mindset shift is for you. 🎯 We talk growth mindset, self-awareness, and ho...

In this episode of The Athletic School, we sit down with Gabriel Uemura to talk about the mindset it takes to succeed both in sports and in life. From his journey of overcoming challenges in a new country to learning the value of mentorship, agency, and self-awareness, Gabriel shares powerful lessons on why mindset matters more than talent. We explore how athletes can navigate the college soccer p...

In this episode, I sit down with Fabiana Silva — physiotherapist, professor, and vice-president of the Fascia Research Society — to break down everything athletes need to know about fascia. We talk about what fascia actually is, why it matters for athletic performance, and how simple habits can improve or harm your body’s natural movement. Fabiana shares tips on what to do, what to avoid, and how...

What if the coach recruiting you cared about more than just your stats? In this episode, I sit down with Coach Cesar Benatti, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Florida SouthWestern, to talk about what really matters during the recruiting process. From mindset to character, leadership, and building real relationships with athletes — Coach Benatti shares powerful insight into what he looks for and ho...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Merle Liivand — international swimmer, entrepreneur, and ocean advocate. In this episode, Merle shares her journey from Estonia to the U.S. as a student-athlete, how she broke world records swimming with a monofin, and how she uses her platform to raise awareness about plastic pollution and marine conservation. We also explore how she launched her eco-consc...

In this episode, I sit down with Ole Hill, a success hypnotist helping business owners, athletes, and entrepreneurs unlock the full power of their subconscious mind. We talked about how mindset shapes success, Ole’s personal journey from low confidence to becoming a leader in his field, and how hypnosis can create real, lasting change. If you want to learn more about how to build confidence, overc...

In this episode, former college basketball player Malik Thurman joins the show to talk about his journey from the court at Lourdes University to working in digital marketing with FC Cincinnati. Him and Igor reflect on their shared time at Lourdes, but the conversation goes far beyond college memories. They share honest thoughts about the mindset needed to move beyond sports, how to grow through li...

What happens when the sport you love no longer defines you? In this episode, we dive deep into Self-Determination Theory, Flow State, Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning , and The Courage to Be Disliked to uncover how athletes can find purpose beyond competition.