The Mental Fitness Podcast | Building Mental Strength & Resilience

Hosts Dave Barney and Luke Olson sit down with Division I athlete Joshua Aruya for a conversation about the mental side of elite performance. Josh shares how his journey into men’s volleyball began unexpectedly and evolved rapidly, leading him to compete at the highest national and international levels. Josh shares how confidence is built not through external validation, but through preparation, d...

As a new year begins, Dave Barney and Luke Olson look at why most New Year’s resolutions don’t stick. They show that failure is rarely a discipline or willpower issue. Together, they challenge the idea that goal-setting is a character test, reframing it instead as a design problem. Through research and lived experience, they explain how vague goals can undermine even the most motivated people. The...

The Third Pillar of Mental Fitness | Health and Vitality Dave Barney and Luke Olson explore the third and final pillar of mental fitness: health and vitality. Rather than framing physical health as a fitness trend or lifestyle goal, their conversation grounds it in capacity. Dave and Luke explain how sleep, movement, and nutrition form the physical foundation that makes emotional regulation and cl...

In a world more digitally connected than ever, Dave and Luke explore how loneliness is quietly becoming one of the greatest threats to mental health. They unpack the second pillar of mental fitness—connection to others—using neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience. Dave and Luke challenge the idea that connection is simply a personality preference and explain why human beings are biological...

In this episode, Dave and Luke introduce the first pillar of mental fitness: connection to self. Rather than focusing on productivity hacks or motivation tactics, this conversation invites listeners to slow down and look inward. Dave and Luke challenge the idea that most struggles stem from laziness, proposing instead that many challenges are rooted in a lack of awareness.  Throughout their conver...

This week, hosts Luke and Dave are joined by Bill Schuffenhauer, Olympic bobsled silver medalist and three-time Olympian, to explore the lesser-told story behind elite performance: the mental journey that follows the medals, the press, and the applause. Bill shares how his early experiences with homelessness, foster care, and street survival forged a relentless drive, and how the mentorship of tea...

Dave and Luke take a deep dive into the concept of mental fitness—what it is, why it matters, and how to build it. Drawing parallels between physical and mental health, they explain that mental fitness isn’t about being “unwell” or “well” but about strengthening the mind to handle life’s challenges. Through thoughtful conversation and relatable analogies, they introduce the three pillars of mental...

Hosts Luke and Dave are joined in this episode by Todd Olson as they explore the deeper power of gratitude during the Thanksgiving season. Back by popular demand, trauma and nervous system specialist Todd Olson is back. Rather than treating gratitude as a simple holiday platitude, the conversation uncovers how expressing thankfulness can transform the brain and shift our everyday well-being. The e...

Artificial intelligence is changing everything — including how we connect, cope, and care for ourselves. In this episode of The Mental Fitness Podcast, hosts Dave Barney and Luke Olson sit down with Br33 Jon3s, tech anthropologist, AI ethicist, and Chief Experience Officer at ElizaChat, to explore the future of emotional intelligence in a machine-driven world. Together they unpack the rise of AI c...

Nutrition isn’t just about physical health — it’s about how you think, feel, and show up every day. In this episode, hosts Dave and Luke sit down with Dr. David Wiss, founder of Nutrition in Recovery and Wise Mind Nutrition, to explore the powerful connection between food, inflammation, and mental wellness. Dr. Wiss explains how gut health, nutrient balance, and even meal timing influence your moo...

Hosts Dave and Luke sit down with Dr. John Sanders, a family physician pioneering a preventive, human-centered approach to healthcare. Instead of reacting to crises, Dr. Sanders champions a model rooted in deep relationships, trust, and time, arguing that true wellness begins long before symptoms appear. He explains why today’s “sick-care” system struggles to prioritize mental fitness, how direct...

In this episode of The Mental Fitness Podcast, hosts Dave and Luke sit down with psychologist Dr. David Morgan, who brings over two decades of experience in forensic and workplace mental health. Together, they unpack one of today’s most misunderstood topics, burnout, and reveal how it differs from depression, what early warning signs to look for, and why most people wait too long to act. From star...

Former NFL and BYU linebacker Sae Tautu spent years chasing the dream that defined his life, until one injury changed everything. What happens when your identity is built on something that suddenly disappears? In this episode, Sae opens up about the silent struggle many high performers face after stepping away from what they love most. Through stories of grit, grief, and growth, Sae shares how he...

When life moves too fast, our bodies often tell the story before our minds catch up. In this episode, hosts Dave and Luke sit down with trauma and nervous system specialist Todd Olson, who brings more than 35 years of experience helping people heal through evidence-based practices like polyvagal theory, somatic training, and trauma-informed care. Together, they unpack how slowing down, noticing sm...

Dave and Luke sit down with Dr. Jenna McGinnis of the University of Utah to discuss why the teenage years are such a critical window for mental health. Drawing on her work overseeing school-based mental and behavioral health services, Jenna shares insights into adolescent development, the role of neuroplasticity, and why prevention at this stage makes such a lasting difference. The conversation un...

(00:00:00) Code Switching, Identity, and Mental Fitness with Dr. Kimberly Applewhite (00:05:16) Defining the practice, why people do it, and how it impacts mental health. (00:15:23) Identity, Culture, and Belonging (00:43:25) Practical Mental Fitness Tips Guest: Dr. Kimberly Applewhite In this episode of The Mental Fitness Podcast, hosts Dave and Luke sit down with Dr. Kimberly Applewhite, a licen...

Guest: Dr. Jade Wu Hosts Dave and Luke welcome Dr. Jade Wu, an internationally recognized behavioral sleep medicine specialist and author of Hello Sleep. Together, they explore why sleep is a foundation for mood, focus, creativity, and resilience. Dr. Wu explains how our relationship with sleep matters more than chasing perfection, and why treating sleep like an engineering project often backfires...

In the first full episode of The Mental Fitness Podcast, Dave and Luke dive into the concept of “mental fitness” and why it matters now more than ever. They explore the parallels between physical and mental health, highlighting how habits like sleep, nutrition, and exercise impact not just our bodies but also our minds. with a focus on prevention; developing everyday practices that protect against...

In this episode of The Mental Fitness Podcast, co-founders Dave and Luke share their personal and professional journeys that led them to create ElizaChat. With careers rooted in technology, Dave in AI and Luke in strategy, the two reflect on how their expertise collided with deeply personal experiences of loss, family struggles, and the realities of the mental health crisis.  They recount the pivo...

The Opening trailer of The Mental Fitness Podcast, Dave and Luke set the stage for a journey through history, culture, and the ongoing struggle to understand what it really means to be mentally strong.  Dave and Luke ask listeners to step back, question assumptions, and prepare for the deeper conversations ahead. With each episode, the podcast will move beyond awareness to focus on practical strat...