Mental

Don’t Skip the Struggle — It’s Building Your Wings

🦋 What if the very thing you're trying to avoid is the thing you need the most?
In this episode of Mental, we venture into nature to explore one of the most misunderstood skills we all need: adversity. Through the eyes of 9-year-old Mateo on a warm spring day in Gilbert, Arizona, we discover a powerful life lesson—courtesy of a butterfly cocoon, a pair of gentle hands, and a moment that changes everything.
If you've ever asked, "Why is this so hard?" or "When will this get easier?"—this episode is for you. Sometimes, the struggle is the strength.
📍 Because without resistance, there’s no rise. And without adversity, your wings may never form.

The Underrated Skill / Handling Success

Many people know the importance of being able to deal with setbacks and building resilience. But what about when you get a taste of success? Do you know how to keep the drive? How to maintain that level when you're there?
🏆 Did you know that nearly 80% of young adults who reach early success struggle to maintain it—not because of skill, but because of comfort?The real challenge isn’t just getting to the top. It’s staying there without letting it define you—or derail you.
In this episode, we sit down with Liya Brooks, goalkeeper for the University of North Carolina and the Jamaican National Team, to talk about what happens after success. From winning national championships to earning her first international caps, Liya opens up about staying grounded, owning her mistakes, and finding hunger even in the highs.
She shares practical, real-life techniques for how to handle pressure, block out noise, and embrace feedback. Whether you're a young athlete, performer, or just someone chasing your next goal—this conversation will help you develop the mental tools to stay driven, stay patient, and stay growing.

The Soundtrack That Reconnected Us

🎷 Did you know people who play or listen to music regularly are 50% more likely to report stronger emotional bonds with those they care about?Because sometimes, music isn’t just what brings us together—it’s what keeps us together.
In this soulful episode, we meet Big Al, a 24-year-old jazz musician from Memphis who grew up distant from his dad—a quiet Army vet turned city garbage man. They never bonded over sports or long talks… but they always had jazz.
As Al’s love for music deepens, so does his understanding of the man who raised him. What starts as silent porch hangs and shared records turns into something bigger: healing, respect, and an unspoken love carried by rhythm and memory.
This story is a reminder that sometimes the deepest relationships don’t need big moments—they just need consistency, presence, and a little bit of soul.

Grief, Addiction & the Fight to Feel Again

Did you know that roughly 50% of people will experience the sudden death of someone close to them in their lifetime? The impact of that kind of loss is real—and for many young adults, it hits during a season when life is already heavy.
In this emotional and powerful episode of Mental, we meet Emily, a standout athlete at the University of Maryland whose world is turned upside down after the tragic death of her younger brother and best friend, Jake.
What started as a single pill to quiet the pain slowly spiraled into a dependence that cost her the one thing she thought she’d always have—lacrosse.
This story isn’t about perfection. It’s about pain, recovery, and the unexpected strength that comes from asking for help. Because healing doesn’t start when things feel easy—it starts when we stop pretending we’re okay and start reaching for what we need.
📍 This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt lost after loss.

When Self-Doubt Becomes Your Toughest Opponen

💥 Did you know that over 70% of young adults admit self-doubt keeps them from going after what they want—even when they're fully capable?
In this episode, meet Kara—a 21-year-old junior gymnast at the University of New Mexico. After walking on as a freshman, she earned a scholarship by year two, dominating floor and uneven bars. But when her coach asked her to compete on the balance beam, everything changed.
Her skills were there. But her self-talk? Brutal. Every practice became a battle—not with the beam, but with the doubt in her own mind. Until a random chat at a summer farmers market led her to Jenn, a sports psychologist who helped Kara understand the one thing that flipped her season: asking for help isn’t a weakness—it’s the start of real strength.
📍 If self-doubt has ever held you back from becoming who you’re meant to be, Kara’s story is proof—you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck.

Why Most Athletes Never Get Recruited (And How to Fix It)

📍 Did you know that less than 2% of high school athletes receive any kind of athletic scholarship?
Miguel was a standout junior in Kearney, Nebraska—a basketball phenom and a long jump star. Locally, everyone knew his name. But college coaches? Not yet. He had the skills, the work ethic, and the dream of playing D1. What he didn’t have? A roadmap to get there.
📍 Where are you feeling lost? Because no matter what your goal is, talent isn’t enough. You need a plan, the right guidance, and the courage to take that first step.
🎧 If this episode hits home, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your future isn’t built on luck—it’s built on action.

Want to Win? Stop Doing This Immediately!

When you blame, you give away your power—the power to change, improve, and take control of your own success.
Stan, a 23-year-old golfer at the University of Arizona, had all the talent to go pro. But every time something went wrong, he had an excuse. Bad round? The greens were awful. Missed putt? Caddy’s fault. Bad grade? The professor didn’t like him.
Then, one morning, he came across a podcast that shook him—as long as he blamed others, he was giving them control over his life.
That moment changed everything.
Instead of making excuses, he started looking for solutions. He asked better questions, took responsibility, and finally started improving. And when the PGA Tour came calling, it wasn’t luck. It was because he earned it.
📍 You can blame or you can improve—but not both. The second you take ownership, your life shifts.
So here’s your challenge: Where in your life do you need to stop pointing fingers and start taking control?
🎧 If this episode hits home, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Mental skills aren’t just for athletes—they’re for life.

Figuring Out Your Future—Without a Roadmap

📍 Did you know that less than 3% of foster youth earn a college degree? Not because they aren’t capable, but because navigating life without a stable foundation makes planning for the future feel impossible.
Joey is 16, living in rural Georgia with his third foster family. He’s spent years learning new rules, new routines, and constantly wondering: How long before this ends too?
Now, as a high school junior, his biggest challenge isn’t just surviving—it’s figuring out what comes next. College? Trade school? A job? Stay with his foster family? Move back with his biological mom?
📍 No roadmap. No certainty. Just questions.
Some days, the weight of it all makes shutting down feel easier. But doing nothing is still a choice.
So instead, Joey takes one step. A conversation. An application. A decision to move forward, even when the path isn’t clear.
And that’s the takeaway—uncertainty doesn’t disappear, but action makes it easier. You don’t need all the answers. You just need the courage to take the next step.
📍 So what’s yours?
🎧 If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it. Mental skills aren’t just for athletes—they’re for life. Be the difference.

Why Perfection Will Keep You Stuck—And What to Do Instead

🚨 Did you know that perfectionists are 51% more likely to experience anxiety and depression? 🚨
It’s not just about high standards—it’s about never feeling good enough. And for Asher, a 20-year-old diver at the University of Oregon, that feeling ruled his life.
On the outside? He was elite. Top scores. Near-perfect GPA. The guy who always had it together.On the inside? Every mistake ate him alive. Every flaw, a failure.
Then, one random conversation changed everything.
💡 What if you stopped chasing perfection and started measuring progress instead?
🎧 This episode is for anyone who feels like they’re never enough. Let’s shift that mindset—because progress beats perfection every time.

1 in 3 Young Women Experience This. Mia Was One of Them

🚨 Did you know that nearly 1 in 3 young women will experience intimate partner violence before they’re even 25? 🚨
Mia was 19, trapped in a toxic relationship with nowhere to go. She thought she had no options—until one night changed everything. After discovering she was pregnant, she made the hardest and bravest decision of her life: to leave.
No plan, no support, just the realization that staying wasn’t just hurting her anymore—it was shaping the future of her child. This is her story of survival, courage, and choosing a future that no one thought she deserved.
🎧 If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation, you are not alone. This episode is a must-listen.