The WellSport Podcast

On Episode 52, we had the chance to sit down with Kimberly O'Brien , and it was one of those conversations that reminds you the true impact that this work can have. Kim brings a rare combination of experience as a Harvard women’s hockey national champion, longtime clinician, suicide prevention specialist, and athlete mental-health advocate. We discussed her new book Mentality Wins (with Jonath...

Episode 51 with Dr. Braden Brown, Director of Mental Health at BYU Athletics is officially live. What stood out most wasn’t a flashy mental skill — it was his grounded, experience-driven approach to helping athletes perform without trying to control how they feel. At the core of his work: You don’t need confidence, calm, or certainty to perform well — you need the ability to respond effectively un...

Episode 50 of The WellSport Podcast felt like a full-circle moment. Zach Brandon is a coach, speaker, and thought leader blending principles from psychology, coaching, and high performance to empower elite sport coaches and executives toward personal and professional excellence. Zach is the Owner of MVP Mindset Coaching, and spent 7 seasons as Mental Performance Coach with the Arizona Diamondbacks...

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Simon Thomas , Director of Performance & Operations for the Boston Red Sox . After spending years in elite rugby environments across New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and MLR, Simon stepped into baseball with a completely fresh lens — and that’s what makes his perspective so powerful. We talked about: 🔹 How the Red Sox build aligned systems that put player...

On this week’s WellSport Podcast , we sat down with Bekah Shininger (@bekinreallife) — a marathoner (33 and counting) , creator, and community builder who’s redefined what mental toughness looks like. We talked about everything from: 💭 Why she started running to prove she was “capable of more”💄 Her belief that “you can be pretty and gritty” — authenticity as a form of strength🔥 How stacking the...

Golf coach Mitch Farrer might be one of the best technical minds in the sport — but what stood out most in our conversation wasn’t swing mechanics. It was mindset. We talked about how the best players don’t wait for pressure to find them — they train for it . They build stress into practice, create consequence, and learn how to perform when their heart rate spikes. Mitch put it perfectly: “Simulat...

On Episode 46 we sat down with the Founder of the ⁠Performance Advisory Group⁠ , ⁠Justin Su'a⁠ . Justin has worked with multiple teams in the MLB, NFL, NHL, and the NBA and is someone I've looked up to since the start of my journey in this field. We covered so much ground — from how his mission trip in Nicaragua helped shape his ability to communicate and empathize, to working with the top athlete...

On Episode 46 we sat down with the Founder of the ⁠Performance Advisory Group⁠ , ⁠Justin Su'a⁠ . Justin has worked with multiple teams in the MLB, NFL, NHL, and the NBA and is someone I've looked up to since the start of my journey in this field. We covered so much ground — from how his mission trip in Nicaragua helped shape his ability to communicate and empathize, to working with the top...

On Episode 46 we sat down with the Founder of the Performance Advisory Group , Justin Su'a . Justin has worked with multiple teams in the MLB, NFL, NHL, and the NBA and is someone I've looked up to since the start of my journey in this field. We covered so much ground — from how his mission trip in Nicaragua helped shape his ability to communicate and empathize, to working with the top ath...

On Episode 45 we sit down with Dr. Alex Auerbach , performance psychologist for the Jacksonville Jaguars (and formerly with the Toronto Raptors). One of the biggest takeaways? The role of AI in the future of mental performance . We talk about: How journaling connects to neuroscience—and how using AI tools can surface patterns and insights athletes might miss on their own Why AI will become an esse...

On Episode 44 I sat down with Dr. Logan Hartnell , Director of Student-Athlete Wellness at Clemson University , to talk about: Building a truly integrated mental health + performance model How culture, trust, and connection break down stigma The new pressures college athletes face — NIL, social media, even sports betting — and how to support them Why knowing your “why” matters as much as any physi...

🔥 New Episode with J Jaggers 🔥 On Episode 43 we sit down with J Jaggers. From 4x State Champ to 2x NCAA Champion to Associate Head Coach of The Ohio State Wrestling team — J’s journey is built on loyalty, blue-collar values, and a relentless competitive spirit. In this conversation, we dive into: 💥 What separates elite athletes on the mental side💥 Balancing “work hard” with “work smart”💥 Buil...

On Episode 42 of The WellSport Podcast we sit down with Ryan Hawk — host of the top-ranked podcast The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk and best-selling author of Welcome to Management, The Pursuit of Excellence, & The Score that Matters Most. We dive into: ✅ What separates elite performers from the rest ✅ How curiosity fuels growth & resilience ✅ Building habits that last under pres...

On Episode 41 we sit down with the Head Wrestling Coach of the Missouri Tigers: Brian Smith.

On episode 40 we sit down with Director of Performance Psychology & Team Behavioral Health Clinician for the Green Bay Packers: Dr. Chris Carr2d

On Episode 39 we sit down with Buffalo Bills Sport Psychologist: Dr. Desaree Festa. We dive into her story into becoming one of seven full-time sport psychologists in the NFL, the critical incident that led to her and her team winning an ESPY, common mental tools used in the NFL, the future of sport psych and so much more. Be sure to visit her website @ drdez.co

On Episode 38 we sit down with 2x All-American Wrestler from The Ohio State University, Dylan D'Emilio. On this episode we discuss: 🌰 His experience at the national tournament 🌰 Overcoming adversity through his injury 🌰 What separated him with his mental game 🌰 Specific mental tools for peak performance

On this episode of the WellSport Podcast, I sit down with Luis Jeronimo , Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Columbus Crew. From getting rejected for five straight years… to getting dropped to his knees holding the MLS Cup 🏆 — Luis’s story is one of grit, passion, and purpose. We dive deep into: 🔹 Building trust with athletes 🔹 What makes a great coach 🔹 Full-circle moments that will hi...

🎙️ Episode 36 with Dr. Molly McQueary drops Monday morning. This is a special one for me as Molly has been an incredible mentor and friend throughout the CMPC certification process! Molly is a Sport Psychologist and founder of Dr. Molly McQ, LLC. Before starting her own business, she was the Director of Student-Athlete Health & Wellness at Michigan State University. We dive into: 🟢 The import...

🎙 Episode 35 is live! This week on the Wellport Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Tess Palmateer , Mental Health Coordinator for the New York Mets ⚾️ From being her own toughest critic as a college athlete to supporting elite performers on the biggest stage, Tess shares a powerful journey through the lens of sport psychology. We covered: ✅ Building trust in high-performance environments ✅ Integratin...

On this episode we discuss the intense tryout process, the power of reframing stress as excitement, practicing pressure during training and more!

We are sitting down with Co-Founder of the Old School Gym, Partner in Max Effort Muscle supplement brand, Former Ohio State Wrestling Strength & Conditioning Coach, Former RTC Strength and Conditioning Coach which supports olympic hopefuls, Dustin Myers. Be sure to follow @CoachMyers_Gutcheck to learn more about his story and purpose. www.maxeffortmuscle.com

Kylene Bogden is a Men’s Health Dietitian, NBA Nutritionist, and the Cleveland Cavaliers Team Dietitian. Free Strategy Call  with a dietitian on the FWDfuel Nutrition TeamWebsite:  fwdfuel.com Instagram: @fwdfuel Insider Pro Tips: 1. Always start your day with protein and eat at regular intervals during the day 2. Pair probiotics with prebiotics for the most benefit 3. Be sure to balance smoothies...

Alex Cooper is a Striking Coach at Strongstyle MMA who was the Striking Coach for the most decorated UFC Heavyweight fighter of all time, Stipe Miocic.

Bobby played linebacker for the Buckeyes (and was a part of their National Championship team in 2002), was drafted 18th overall to the Dallas Cowboys, spent 7 years in the NFL, is current host of The Fan’s Morning Juice, and frequently appears on The Pat McAfee show & ESPN’s Get Up.