Mental

Broken? Or Rebuilding? 📈 Setbacks are just the prequel.

Did you know some species of ⭐ starfish can regrow entire arms… and even their whole body? While most living things see loss as the end, the starfish sees it as a new beginning.
In this episode, we dive into what that means for you — especially if you’re rebuilding after a setback. Whether it’s an injury, a breakup, or a dream that slipped through your hands, this story reminds you:
💡 You weren’t designed to stay broken.You were designed to heal. To rebuild. Quietly. Relentlessly.
Just like Ashlyn—a college track star whose season-ending injury ended her old path… and revealed a better one. Now she helps others come back stronger, just like she did.
📍Mental isn’t just motivation—it’s a guide for your bounce back.Because setbacks don’t define you—your rebuild does.
🎧 Tap in. Reflect. Regrow. And remember:You’re not finished. You’re just getting started.

1 in 250. Nate Was the One. 🫀 A wake-up call wrapped in one story.

💔 1 in 250 young athletes has an undetected heart condition that could turn fatal in a split second—even if they look perfectly healthy. This is the story of Nate, a 23-year-old rising star. A kid full of life, energy, and heart—until the day his heart just... stopped.
From Waffle House runs to diving catches, Nate lived loud. But nobody ever taught him to listen—to his body, to the warning signs, to what “toughness” should mean.
🧠 Nearly 50% of mental skills form before 18. Yet we wait until pressure hits to build them. This episode challenges that.
📍 Mental isn’t just about mindset. It’s about survival.Real strength isn’t pushing through. It’s knowing when to pause.
If you’re an athlete, a coach, a parent—or just someone who’s been told to be unbreakable—this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen. Reflect. Share it forward.Because the world needs more people like Nate—alive and thriving.

From Grief to Greatness

🚨 Four seconds. That’s all a long jumper gets to turn months of work into a moment that counts.
This episode dives into the story of Randall, a 21-year-old long jump specialist from the University of Texas whose mindset was built not on medals—but on moments most people never see. 🧠🔥
Raised by a quiet, hardworking dad after losing his mom, Randall learned young:📌 Hard isn’t a reason to stop. It’s a reason to keep going.
💡Nearly 50% of our mental skills are shaped before 18, but it’s never too late to upgrade your mindset.This isn’t just about sports. It’s about showing up, figuring it out, and asking better questions—especially when life doesn’t go to plan.
✨ You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a persistent one.💬 Not “Why me?”—but “How can I?”
🎧 Tap in, rate it, share it. Because this one? It sticks.

From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Mandy’s Story

Did you know that people who practice daily gratitude are up to 25% happier and more resilient when setbacks hit?
Today, we dive into the emotional story of Mandy, a 17-year-old softball player from Little Rock, Arkansas, who lost her dad young, faced injury, rejection, and self-doubt — until she found a weathered gratitude journal that changed her mindset, and her future.This episode is a powerful reminder: gratitude doesn’t erase the hard times, it gives you the strength to grow through them.If you're stuck in the "why me?" moments, maybe it's time to shift your focus to "what now?"

She Wasn’t Stuck—She Was Surrounded

Did you know the average person has over 6,000 thoughts a day—and 80% of them are negative? Now imagine trying to compete with that mindset. That was Riley, a 19-year-old beach volleyball player in Venice Beach, known more for her attitude than her athleticism.
But everything changed the night she stumbled across one 12-second reel. It didn’t go viral—but it hit home. From her self-talk to her body language, things began to shift. She didn’t overhaul her life overnight—she just got open to better inputs: better content, better company, better thoughts. And that made all the difference.

Behind Her Serve Is a Story You’d Never Expect

Did you know the average high school student today reports higher stress levels than adults?Now meet Brianna—a 17-year-old in St. Louis who isn’t just handling school and tennis, but raising her little brother, holding a job, and holding her family together.
This episode of Mental is about grit, grace, and the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up—especially when no one’s clapping. Brianna could’ve quit. She didn’t. Because when something matters enough, we find a way. And when it doesn’t, we find an excuse.
Her story is a reminder that even under pressure, you're more capable than you think. And showing up—consistently, imperfectly, fully—can be your biggest win yet.

He Rowed. He Studied. He Raised a Toddler. At 20.

Did you know nearly 1 in 5 college students today are raising a child while pursuing their degree?
Now imagine doing that while rowing for your college team in freezing Maine mornings and chasing a STEM degree. That’s Levi’s life—and it’s anything but average.
In this emotional and empowering episode of Mental, we meet Levi, a 20-year-old forensic science major at Bates College and a full-time solo dad to his 18-month-old son, Jace. From 4:45 AM alarms to late-night study sessions with a baby monitor in hand, Levi’s story is a living reminder: we're made to do hard things.
Through one pivotal call with his uncle and the unexpected support of his teammates, Levi learns that doing hard things isn't about perfection—it’s about persistence. This story will leave you humbled, hopeful, and maybe even calling someone you love.

The Rejection That Became Her Redirection

Did you know that over 90% of people will have a major career change before the age of 30?
Lilah thought she had it figured out—college dropout turned tech startup star. Until the CEO ghosted... the entire company. One minute she’s pitching big ideas, the next she’s Googling, “What do you do when your life plan quits on you?”
But here’s the plot twist: what felt like a total fail turned out to be the start of something better. In this episode of Mental, we explore what happens when life doesn’t just detour—it takes a hard left. Spoiler alert: sometimes the “wrong turn” takes you exactly where you’re supposed to be.

For Anyone Who’s Sick of Almost Winning

Did you know that the average Olympic athlete trains for 10 years before earning a single medal?In today’s episode of Mental, we meet Erika, a 22-year-old track athlete at the University of Nebraska. She's talented, relentless, and respected—but she's never been the one to cross the line first. For years, she’s been second: in races, in rankings, in recognition. But what if second place was never the loss we thought it was? What if it was preparing her—and maybe you—for something bigger? This is the story of grit, heartbreak, and one final race that redefines what it means to win.
🎧 This one’s for anyone who keeps coming in second and wonders if it’s ever going to be enough.

Transferred, Tested, Transformed: Nico’s Journey Through Change

Did you know nearly 60% of high school athletes say they struggle most with change—not competition?In today’s episode of Mental, we step into the cleats of Nico Williams—a junior shortstop navigating a mid-year move to a new school, new city, and a team that feels anything but welcoming. What his parents called an “opportunity,” Nico experienced as isolation. Until one unexpected teammate, Jordan, changes everything. This episode is a reminder that just because something feels uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s wrong—it just might be your growth zone in disguise. If you've ever felt out of place or unsure in a new environment, Nico’s story will show you what’s possible when you stop resisting change and start trusting the process.
🎧 Because real growth happens when you stay in the game—even when you’re not sure how to play it yet.