Most athletes train their bodies and leave their minds to chance. In this episode of Forged Youth, mental performance coach and former professional athlete Lindsey Wilson explains how simple, repeatable mindset skills can help athletes handle pressure, recover from mistakes, and build confidence. Mariel talks with Lindsey about her journey from playing Division I basketball at Iowa State and competing professionally to building a career in mental performance coaching. They explore why mental training is often missing from sports, how coaches can make it part of practice, and why these skills can help young athletes well beyond the court or field.In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Four foundational mental performance skills: breathing and regulation, visualization, self-talk, and thought management
• Simple routines for before practice, before a game, during competition, and after the final whistle 
• How a reset ritual can help athletes refocus after a mistake
• How to distinguish facts from the stories we tell ourselves 
• Why belief matters when working toward long-term goals, facing failure, or performing under pressure 
• How mental skills learned through sports can support emotional regulation and resilience in everyday life

Lindsey also shares why a structured system can make mental training easier to put into practice, without overwhelming athletes, coaches, or parents with too much information. This conversation is for youth athletes, sports coaches, and families looking for practical ways to develop mental toughness and support performance.

About Lindsay

Lindsey Wilson is a mindset and mental performance coach best known as The Sports Hypnotist™. With a professional basketball career spanning close to a decade, Lindsey took her knowledge of the mental game to work with collegiate athletes, professional athletes from Olympians and players in the NFL and WNBA all the way to youth athletes. 

She is the founder of Positive Performance™ and The Mindset Coach Academy™ where she helps aspiring mental performance coaches start their dream business and impact lives.  She’s also the author of the upcoming book Think Like an Athlete which teaches the critical and undertrained skill of belief and how to build it to be successful on the playing field and off. 

Lindsey believes in the transformative power of sports and that coaches and athletes need simple, effective mental performance training tools that don’t take a lot of time. Her mission is to teach these tools so that coaches can have a massive impact on athletes performance, enjoyment of competing and life. 

Lindsey has been featured in the Oscar Nominated Documentary The Heart of the Game, NYtimes.com, The Huffington Post, The Seattle Times, and ESPNW. She’s also the host of the weekly podcast The Mindset Coach Academy which currently has over 600 episodes.

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Keep Up with Lindsay on:

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Get Your free Ebook: How to Become a Mental Performance Coach (without your sports psych degree). 

Watch Lindsey’s FREE 25 minute Launch Your Career as a Mental Performance Coach to learn Lindsey's three steps to starting a mental performance coaching business

LEARN about The Mindset Coach Academy

Listen to The Mindset Coach Academy Podcast on apple or spotify. Thank you!

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Ryan Hofer on mental toughness, trust, and building stronger athletes

Mariel Anderson sits down with Ryan Hofer, coach of the TWU volleyball program and a deeply relationship-driven leader, to talk about what really shapes athletes beyond skill. They dig into mental performance, handling hard things, confidence versus courage, and how trust, vulnerability, and identity affect both recruiting and performance. In this episode, Ryan shares:

• How hardship has become one of his biggest teachers as a coach and parent, and why avoiding discomfort limits growth 
• Why “bringing hard things into the light” matters more than pretending thoughts and feelings are not there
• Practical tools for athletes, including pausing, breathing, naming thoughts, journaling, and reframing
• Why identity and self-talk shape performance more than confidence alone
• How he uses trust, integrity, and competency to evaluate mentors, teammates, and recruits
• Why he believes every athlete on a team should have a voice, not just designated captains
• The idea of “performance languages” and how different athletes need different kinds of sideline support
• How families can navigate pressure and cost of sport more wisely

About Ryan

Ryan Hofer has been Trinity Western’s women’s team’s head coach since 2006. Since taking over as head coach, Hofer has guided TWU to seven national medals, including gold in 2015 and 2022, silver in 2016 and 2023 and bronze in 2011, 2013 and 2017. He has also coached the Spartans to six Canada West titles in the last eight seasons, including each of the last four conference crowns. Hofer has also spent many years coaching at the grass roots club level winning five National Club medals with both male and female players

Individually, Hofer was recognized as the Canada West coach of the year in 2010-11 and 2021-2022 and U SPORTS women’s volleyball Coach of the Year in 2010-11. Hofer also has experience coaching internationally, with Team Canada, as he has been the head coach or the assistant coach at a number of major international women’s events.

Hofer was an assistant coach with Canada's senior women's team, helping lead the Canadian entry at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Prior to that, he was also the associate head coach with Canada’s women’s team at the 2015 Summer Universiade in Korea.

In 2012, Hofer coached his Spartans team, who was representing Team Canada, at the U23 Pan American Cup. Before that, Hofer was an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2009 FISU Games in Belgrade, Serbia. In 2005, he was also an assistant coach with Canada’s Junior National Team and, in 2006, was the head coach of Canada’s Youth National Team.

Before being named head coach of the TWU women’s team, Hofer was an assistant coach with the Spartans for five years and, in 2006, helped TWU win a bronze medal at the Canada West Final Four tournament. That year, TWU also made it first appearance at the women’s volleyball national championship. Prior to that, Hofer was the interim head coach for the 2003-04 season, while his wife Carol took maternity leave. While as an assistant coach with the Spartans, Hofer was also heavily involved in coaching club volleyball and, following the 2004 season, he was named Volleyball Canada’s Male Coach of the Year. 

Hofer graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Briercrest Bible College. He is a certified NCCP Level IV (indoor) and Level II (beach) coach.  He is currently completing his Master in Coaching and Leadership at the University of Missouri.

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gospartans.ca

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The biggest performance killer is the worry spiral that steals your focus before the game even starts. Mariel Anderson and Jordan Owens break down why your brain is built to predict danger, how to stop future fear from controlling you and the simple habits that help you walk into competition calm, prepared, and confident. This Q&A episode pulls anonymous questions from a senior boys basketball team chasing a provincial championship, and the answers get real fast. 

• Why worry is a normal human pattern, not a personal weakness
• How to use a quick self-audit to separate controllables from distractions
• The mindset shift that turns obstacles into armor instead of evidence that you can't handle pressure
• How preparation builds confidence in both school and sport
• Why routines, hydration, sleep, and visualization work together to prime your body and mind 

Jordan also shares what game prep looked like in pro hockey, from cooling down after practice to mentally rehearsing every situation he might face as a winger. Mariel connects that to her own volleyball experience and the four phases of performance, showing how athletes can build a personal routine that actually fits their sport, schedule, and personality. If you have ever felt the spike of panic before a test, game, tryout, or big conversation, this episode gives you a practical way to steady yourself and move forward. Perfect for athletes, students, coaches, and anyone who wants to perform better without getting swallowed by anxiety. Mariel Anderson trains athletes in mindset, grit, and performance, working closely with a senior boys basketball team aiming for a provincial title. Jordan Owens is a former professional hockey player who brings lived experience from high-level competition and a practical, no-fluff approach to preparation and mental toughness. Train your mind, build your grit, and forward your legacy.

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The advice you hear about winning is missing the part that actually matters: how to stay relentless without losing your joy. Speed climber Ben Jennings breaks down the mindset, routines, and identity shifts that help him compete at the top level while staying grounded, curious, and human.Ben is currently ranked fifth in the U.S., representing Team USA on the international stage, but this conversation goes far beyond medals and rankings. He opens up about what it really means to race your best friends, why speed climbing has such a rare culture of respect, and how a sport that looks individual is actually built on community, trust, and shared growth. You’ll discover:

• Why Ben says climbing is 95% of what he does, but not 95% of who he is
• The visualization routine he uses every day to mentally rehearse competition and technique 
• How he studies video of every lap to make micro-adjustments without overthinking 
• Why he keeps one earbud in at warmups instead of shutting the world out
• The boundaries he protects around sleep, training, school, and social life
• How he reframes nerves, failure, and self-talk so setbacks become data, not identity

 Mariel also brings the athlete-to-coach perspective, connecting Ben’s approach to performance mindset, emotional regulation, and the power of language like “I am” versus “I feel.” Their conversation digs into the realities of elite sport: loneliness, pressure, discipline, and the invisible choices that shape success long before competition day arrives. If you’ve ever struggled with confidence, comparison, or the pressure to be perfect, Ben’s perspective will help you reset your focus and get back to what actually moves you forward. 

About Ben

Ben Jennings is a professional speed climber for Team USA. Climbing since he was 12 years old, Ben is a 3 time national champion, once on the youth, collegiate, and professional stage. He is also a full time student at the University of Utah, studying psychology and planning to pursue a masters in secondary English education so that he can become a teacher. He has a background in coaching, and has worked with athletes that have become successful in both the youth and professional stages. He loves working with kids not only to develop them as athletes, but more importantly to help make them the best people they can be. 

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How do you support a youth athlete without becoming their coach, manager, problem-solver, and protector all at once?

Former professional hockey coach Alex Stein joins Mariel Anderson for a powerful conversation about sports parenting, youth athlete development, mental performance, resilience, independence, and the parent-athlete relationship.

Drawing from Alex’s 26 years coaching professional hockey across eight countries, they unpack the Triple E Framework: Environment, Enable, Empower — a simple approach parents can use to help young athletes grow both in sport and in life.

They explore how parents can create a safe and supportive home environment, set healthy boundaries around sleep and phones, help athletes navigate difficult conversations with coaches, respond to playing-time frustrations, build personal responsibility, and learn to solve problems without Mom or Dad immediately stepping in.

The conversation also tackles one of the biggest issues in youth sports: parent behaviour at practices and games. Alex and Mariel discuss coaching from the stands, yelling at referees, the car ride home, athlete versus spectator mindset, and why sometimes the best thing a parent can do is simply let their kid play.

Alex even shares a memorable lesson in sports parenting from watching Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones Gretzky quietly support their child at a hockey camp.

If you are raising a competitive or elite youth athlete and wondering how much to help, when to step in, when to step back, and how to protect your relationship with your child along the way, this episode is for you.

Show Notes

In this episode, Mariel and Alex discuss:

• The Triple E Framework: Environment, Enable, Empower
• Why parenting an athlete can feel like a sport of its own
• Creating a psychologically safe home for youth athletes
• Why boundaries can actually help children feel safer
• Sleep, phones, screen time, social media, and young athletes
• Co-creating boundaries instead of simply imposing rules
• Why mistakes are an essential part of athlete development
• How parents can teach athletes to advocate for themselves
• What to do when your child is unhappy with their playing time
• How to prepare an athlete to speak directly with their coach
• Using role play to practise difficult conversations
• When parents should step in and advocate for their child
• Helping athletes pack their own equipment, food, and game-day necessities
• Building independence and personal responsibility through sport
• Why rescuing kids from every mistake can interfere with resilience
• How parent behaviour affects athletes during games
• Why yelling instructions from the stands usually doesn’t help
• The difference between the athlete mindset and spectator mindset
• What parents should — and shouldn’t — do on the car ride home
• A simple post-game question: “What do you need from me?”
• Referee abuse and why youth sports parents need to reconsider their role
• How parent behaviour can affect recruiting opportunities
• Alex’s story about watching Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones Gretzky parent from the sidelines
• Asking your athlete for honest feedback about how you show up at their games
• How supporting independence today can create stronger, more confident adults tomorrow

For parents of youth athletes, coaches, competitive athletes, hockey families, and anyone involved in youth sports development, this conversation offers practical tools for raising resilient, confident, self-reliant athletes without losing the parent-child relationship along the way.

To follow or work with Alex Stein, find him here: 
https://www.carpecoaching.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-stein-coach/

Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy.

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What does it take to become an Olympian and still feel like the same person the next day? Beattie Podulsky opens up about the reality behind Olympic luge - from the heartbreak of a race that went sideways, to the mental reset that got her back on the sled, to the tiny self-talk shifts that keep an athlete calm at 80 mph. Beattie is one half of Canada’s first-ever Olympic women’s doubles luge team, and she’s only been sliding with teammate Kaylee for about a year. That makes their rapid rise, their brutal learning curve, and their chemistry under pressure even more remarkable. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when elite performance meets fear, nerves, and zero margin for error, this conversation goes deep.You'll discover:

• How Beattie and Kaylee built trust fast, from an awkward first coffee to living together and racing as a unit
• Why their Olympic disappointment became a lesson in mindset, not a dead end 
• The exact pre-race ritual they use, including track walks, warmup timing, breathing, and cue words
• How they use visualization and “target mindset” language to stay focused under pressure
• Why second runs can be harder than the first, even when the adrenaline is gone

Beattie's perspective is equal parts honest, hard-earned, and encouraging - especially if you’re chasing something that scares you. This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, parents of young competitors, and anyone who needs a reminder that courage isn’t the absence of fear - it’s doing it scared anyway. If you want a raw look at elite mindset, teamwork, and what it means to keep going when the outcome hurts, press play.

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Pain, grief, identity, motherhood, and leadership all collide in this deeply personal 39th-birthday episode from Mariel. If you have ever wondered how one person can survive chronic illness, rebuild after heartbreak, and still keep growing, this conversation will stay with you. For her 39th birthday, Mariel doesn't bring on a guest or hide behind a lesson, she tells the story herself, tracing the thread through too many versions of her life to count. From the hospital room where ulcerative colitis pushed her to a breaking point, to the promise she made in the shower to stop living in survival mode, this episode is raw, honest, and unexpectedly clarifying. You'll discover how Mariel:

• Reclaimed her life from chronic pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Learned that her values - kindness, integrity, curiosity, respect, and courage - are what stayed constant through every reinvention
• Found her way through elite sport, skateboarding, dangerous environments, youth work, and leadership without abandoning herself
• Turned grief, motherhood, and co-parenting into a masterclass in accountability, listening, and love
• Realized courage comes before confidence

Along the way, she shares the moments that shaped her most: a humiliating hospital night that became a turning point, a friendship with a man at a soup kitchen that reframed what it means to remember someone, and the hard parenting lessons her daughter has been brave enough to teach back to her. She also reflects on the doors that closed, the collaborations that changed her, and the tools from sport that still guide how she lives and works today.T his is a reflection on what it means to stop waiting, trust your own becoming, and build a life from everything you've lived. You are never starting from nothing. You are starting from experience.

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What happens when you finally reach the goal everyone told you was impossible… and find yourself asking, “What’s next?”

NBA and international pro Mitch Creek joins Mariel for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to build a career — and a life — at a high level.

From growing up in a small Australian town and once being scared of the basketball, to earning his opportunity in the NBA and competing around the world, Mitch shares the mindset that has carried him through every stage: stay curious, keep learning, and be willing to get uncomfortable.

But this conversation goes far beyond basketball.

Mitch opens up about pressure, failure, being cut, leadership, relationships, therapy, mental health, identity, and the work he's had to do away from the court to become better on it. He breaks down how he mentally steps outside high-pressure moments, why great leadership is about creating confidence in the people around you, and why sometimes you have to be willing to go backwards before you can move forward.

They dig into what it really means to be a professional — not simply getting paid to play, but becoming so consistent that the gap between your best and your worst gets smaller and smaller.

And perhaps most importantly, they talk about the danger of believing the destination is the point.

Because once you get there… what’s next?

This episode is for athletes, parents, coaches, leaders, and anyone chasing something bigger. It’s about curiosity, consistency, self-awareness, discomfort, growth — and learning to love the process of becoming.

Follow Mitch on IG Here!

SHOW NOTES

00:01 — From small-town kid to international pro
Mitch shares how his upbringing, family, multi-sport childhood, and natural curiosity helped shape the athlete and person he became.

03:12 — Curiosity might be the real advantage
Why you don’t need to be the best when you’re young — but you do need the patience and curiosity to keep learning.

06:09 — Progress is NOT a straight line
Mitch breaks down why development includes plateaus, setbacks, missed goals, mistakes, and sometimes going backwards before moving forward.

10:53 — Break the big goal down
Start with where you are, understand where you want to go, build a plan, and keep repeating the process.

12:47 — Small habits create consistency
Big goals are exciting, but Mitch believes progress is built through simple actions repeated until they become automatic.

14:32 — Everybody wants the outcome. Who wants the work?
The difference between wanting the professional career and being willing to consistently do the training, recovery, mindset work, preparation, and little things required to create it.

20:08 — You don’t deserve the opportunity — you earn the chance at one
Hard work doesn’t guarantee the outcome. The work prepares you so that when your opportunity arrives, you’re ready to perform.

22:01 — How Mitch handles pressure
Mitch explains how he mentally pulls himself outside the moment, gets a bird’s-eye view of the situation, and asks: What does this moment require of me?

26:19 — Helping teammates play free
Why leadership can mean taking pressure off someone else, reinforcing their confidence, and creating enough mental space for them to make the next play.

30:48 — Learning servant leadership
Mitch talks about coach Joey Wright, having the ceiling he placed on himself challenged, and learning that great leadership is about more than being the best player.

34:42 — The work outside basketball
A family separation at 16 eventually led Mitch toward therapy and a deeper understanding of how unresolved experiences, relationships, self-image, and confidence were affecting his life and performance.

38:26 — You can’t keep avoiding the root cause
Mitch speaks openly about his mental-health struggles and why learning to work through what is happening underneath the surface matters — especially when pressure, fatigue, and stress hit.

40:51 — The hidden side of success
More success creates more opportunities — but also more distractions. Mitch talks about trust, relationships, boundaries, asking better questions, and learning who deserves access to your time.

47:31 — What gives you energy?
A practical way of looking at life: notice what fills your cup, notice what drains it, and become more intentional about creating a life that supports you.

53:58 — Learn to enjoy being bad at something
Mitch explains why he actively seeks new skills and experiences — and why being willing to fail gives you somewhere new to grow.

57:46 — What actually makes someone a pro?
It isn’t the paycheck. Mitch defines professionalism as closing the gap between your best performance and your worst until the two become almost unrecognizable.

1:02:21 — He made the NBA… then asked, “What’s next?”
After achieving the goal he had been told was impossible, Mitch found himself sitting alone wondering what came next. The moment changed the way he thought about achievement, progress, and the journey itself.

1:03:20 — The fear of stagnation
Why reaching the destination can never be the end — and why Mitch continues building hobbies, skills, businesses, and identities outside basketball.

1:08:42 — Your skills have to go beyond your sport
Mitch challenges young athletes to recognize that the curiosity, patience, repetition, problem-solving, and discipline they develop in sport can transfer directly into life.

1:12:28 — Everything connects
What you learn on the court can make you better off it — and what you learn away from basketball can make you better when you return.

1:16:22 — Time is a currency
Mitch discusses building skills and opportunities that create more choice — and ultimately more quality time for the people and experiences that matter.

1:18:44 — Start with a spark
You don’t have to risk everything. Give a little time to something that makes you curious, see what happens, and allow that spark to become an ember.

1:20:24 — If it makes you nervous, lean in
Speak up when you’re uncomfortable. Say what you need. Express appreciation. Set boundaries. Mitch explains why strength isn’t pretending everything is fine.

1:22:18 — Try things before deciding they aren’t for you
What works today may not work forever — and what didn’t work before might fit you later. Stay willing to experiment and adjust.

1:24:00 — Your five people matter
The people around you influence how you think, behave, and grow. Mitch and Mariel talk about intentionally finding people who stretch you while still valuing the relationships that matter.

1:28:47 — Rock the boat
Mitch leaves us with a reminder that you don’t have to fit everywhere: rock the boat, swim to shore, set up a tent, and wait for your people to come along.

IN THIS EPISODE

Curiosity • Consistency • Pressure • Mental Performance • Leadership • Confidence • Failure • Mental Health • Self-Awareness • Relationships • Personal Growth • Life After Sport • Habits • Discomfort • Environment • Becoming a Pro

EPISODE 59 TRANSCRIPT — MITCH CREEK

Host: Mariel Anderson
Guest: Mitch Creek

NOTE: This transcript has been reformatted for readability from the original auto-generated transcript. Speaker labels and timestamps have been standardized; the spoken wording has otherwise been left as supplied.

MARIEL ANDERSON — 00:01
Mitch, I have so many questions for you. It's not even funny, but we will keep it into 45 minutes, okay? so my first question is small town basketball player growing up to international basketball star. Holy shit, number one. And number two, like what what got you there? I mean a million things, but like what are the key things that got you there?

MITCH CREEK — 00:07
Perfect, sounds good.

MITCH CREEK — 00:21
Mm.

MITCH CREEK — 00:28
I think my upbringing definitely set a precedence for like who I was going to be as I got older. I remember I went back to my high school, it's called St. Bridget's College in Australia. And the the they spoke to me and I did an assembly speech and we basically came back and said, Hey, like, you know, you could do anything you set your mind to and generic kind of like conversation and I I had my own version and spin on it. But the principal and one of my sport coordinator teachers at the time said to me, he's like, You here's some old school report cards of feedback we gave you. And it was like, you know, doesn't, you know, is amazing in team environments and group activities, is able to take the lead, not afraid to speak his mind, you know, great, great communication skills. But it when it came to like, you know. Ability to execute and listen within a classroom where it was just like a singular task, I struggled with. focus within a class when it's just one-on-one teaching, you know, everyone is learning the same thing from a board or a booklet. I really struggled. So the areas that I actually struggled with as an adult were very much the same as when I was young. And the areas of strength for me as a young man. Was actually very much the same strengths that I have and have built on as I've got older and into a professional career of basketball. Now that

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Most of us underestimate the mental game behind peak performance... until we hear how Olympian speed climber Zach Hammer balances obsession with joy, failure with progress, and precision with purpose.

Zach's journey from a young kid in Austria to a top-ranked Olympian is a story of mastering resilience, reframing setbacks, and cultivating a mindset that refuses to accept limits. Zach shares how he trains his mind just as intensely as his body, from visualization techniques that trick the body into doing more reps to the subtle art of smiling through defeat. Discover how he approaches competition prep, the rituals that keep him centered, and the role of self-talk and outcome-focus that keeps him pushing forward. 

Whether you're an athlete, a high achiever, or simply someone striving to push past personal limits, this episode offers a blueprint for building mental grit, joy, and resilience in every aspect of life. Tune in if you're ready to elevate your mental game and start building the masterpiece that is your potential.

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About Zach

"I am an Olympic speed climber for Team USA. I have been climbing since the age of 3 and am now 100% dedicated to bettering myself and becoming the best version of myself possible, on and off the wall. I set sky high goals that people think are impossible, I love what I do, I enjoy every second of it I try, and I try to be unapologetically me no matter what. I believe that to be the best athlete you can be, you have to work on all aspects of your life, not just sport." - Zach

Keep up with Zach on Instagram

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Master the mental game: How to stay resilient, focused, and positive when life flips upside down. Plus practical tools you can use today. 

In this week's Q&A, Mariel and Jordan answer anonymous questions from real athletes, revealing proven strategies for staying grounded, shifting negative reactions, and turning adversity into your biggest strength. Whether you're facing an injury in sports, a tough breakup, or just feeling overwhelmed by daily stress, this episode shows you how to reclaim control, boost resilience, and fuel your growth step by step.

You'll learn:

• The power of deliberate practice to manage reactions and build mental toughness 
• How to define success on your own terms, especially in hard times
• Simple yet effective techniques like writing down priorities, breathing exercises, and visualizing yourself as the hero of your story 
• Why neutral mind states are your secret weapon to performance under pressure
• Practical tools to reframe mistakes, lower negative self-talk, and foster a growth mindset

Stay tuned until the end for a quick mental reset technique you can practice today and start transforming your toughest moments into your greatest advantage.

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Richie Sharratt is a former military man who defied incredible odds, and he joined us this week to share how he turned life’s harshest setbacks into powerful tools for growth, inspiring you to do the same.

Mental fitness is a concept rooted in goal-setting, energy management, and humility. Discover how Richie survived near-death experiences, childhood trauma, and life-altering setbacks, ultimately channeling those struggles into a thriving career as a coach and leader. His story proves that regardless of your background or setbacks, you can forge strength from vulnerability and failure.

In this episode, you’ll learn practical tools for mental resilience, including the “Condor Moment”: a powerful technique for pausing amidst chaos and making clear, conscious choices. Ritchie explains how to use this habit to manage pressure, curb negative energy, and build a stronger mindset. He also shares how to break big goals into bite-sized steps, turn setbacks into springboards, and develop the humility and servant leadership that set true winners apart.

From elite sports to the C-suite, Ritchie’s lessons remind us all: your mindset is your greatest asset. Are you ready to rethink failure, embrace nerves as excitement, and take control of your energy? Hit play now.

About Richie: 

Richie Sharratt is an international award-winning founder, COO of Agora Social Club, President of Mentality Matters, and Chairman of Veterans United. After 15 years of global service in the British Army, he now leads initiatives focused on men’s wellness, mental fitness, veteran support, and high-impact leadership. With a background in counselling, coaching, and strategic growth, Richie is passionate about helping men live healthier, more purposeful lives.

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Most athletes spend hours perfecting their physical skills, but what if the real game-changer is learning how to master your inner world? Spencer Delisle, a visionary in emotional regulation and mental resilience, joins Mariel Anderson to reveal the art of self-awareness, breathwork, and intuition as keys to unlocking peak performance. 

In this episode, you'll discover how awareness and acceptance can help you manage stress, dial down anger, and stay present under pressure. Spencer shares stories of how a calm mind fuels confidence, how breath connects body and mind, and why developing intuition is a game-winning skill at every level. Whether you’re a young athlete battling doubt, a parent wanting to support without adding pressure, or a coach striving to build resilient humans, this conversation rewires the way you understand your mental game.

This is your invitation to see sport as a training ground for life. It is a space to forge character, grit, and legacy through mastery of the inner game. Perfect for athletes, parents, and coaches committed to elevating their mental resilience and embracing their potential.

About Spencer

Spencer Delisle is a global meditation teacher, executive coach, and the President of the Art of Living Foundation Canada — one of the world’s largest volunteer-run organizations dedicated to mental health, leadership, and human values. For over two decades, Spencer has helped thousands of people — from executives and first responders to elite athletes — access peak performance and inner peace through the science of breath and meditation.

Drawing on his background in both neuroscience and high-performance training, Spencer has coached amateur and professional athletes, including ITF Tour juniors, NCAA Division I, and professional tennis players, integrating cutting-edge mental conditioning, breathwork, and recovery strategies to unlock flow states and sustainable excellence.

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Sometimes, the biggest breakthrough starts with the tiniest step. In this episode of Forged Youth, Mariel sits down with Jordan to talk about how tiny, deliberate actions can lead to monumental growth in sport, and in life. 

Whether you're a young athlete feeling overwhelmed or a parent trying to support resilience, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom. You’ll discover how incremental improvements, day by day, build confidence, foster resilience, and shape who you are. And they break it down into bite-sized strategies you can start applying today. 

From the importance of pausing before tough decisions to celebrating tiny wins, this episode reminds you that you don’t have to climb Everest overnight. Every small step counts, and it’s those small wins that forge a lasting legacy. Whether you're on the ice, in the gym, or just navigating everyday life, this conversation will remind you: your journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence, progress, and purpose. 

Are you ready to start small, think big, and forge your legacy? This episode is your playbook.

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Confidence is built through your mindset, your habits, and the stories you tell yourself every day. Jasmit Singh Phulka, a world-class wrestler and a man who’s defied every expectation, drops the truth about how mental toughness, patience, and self-awareness shape performance, even when the odds are stacked against you. 

If you’re tired of feeling pressure, overthinking your next move, or watching your confidence slip away when it matters most, this episode is your guide to reclaiming your confidence. Jasmit shares how his journey from a reluctant, scrappy kid to a seasoned international athlete taught him that sports reveal what needs strengthening, mentally and emotionally. You’ll discover how the art of effortless effort, mastering the pause, and controlling what you can actually impact are the fundamentals of creating resilience that lasts a lifetime. With real stories of pushing through injury, aging, and adversity, he proves that resilience is not just about physical grit, it’s a mindset you can train daily. We break down:

• How to see setbacks as opportunities for growth, not failures
• Why mental rehearsal and visualization are game-changers in high-pressure moments 
• The importance of surrounding yourself with coaches and mentors who build your confidence as a person, not just an athlete
• Practical ways to strengthen your self-talk and manage anxiety before big performances
• Why longevity is an art and staying at the top requires constant mental renewal and adaptability

Jasmeet’s insights remind us that sport is a training ground for life and that who you become in the process matters far more than medals or trophies. If you want to forge a legacy that lasts, start by mastering your mind. Because true confidence is created, not found. Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy.

Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community!

About Jasmit

Jasmit Singh Phulka is a community leader, wrestler, and city council candidate based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Known for his discipline, resilience, and commitment to service, he has built a strong reputation through both athletics and community involvement.

Jasmit brings the perseverance, focus, and work ethic developed through sport into his leadership. As a husband and father, he is passionate about supporting local families, businesses, and community growth. His approach is grounded in listening to residents, finding practical solutions, and creating meaningful connections.

Whether competing in wrestling or serving his community, Jasmit is driven by a commitment to making a positive impact and helping build a stronger future for the community.

Check Out Jasmit's Campaign

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In this episode, Chris Ryan breaks down how movement, efficiency, and mindset shape performance far beyond the finish line. Whether you're a young athlete, parent, or coach, you'll discover why understanding the power of form, emotional resilience, and efficiency can actually make you faster, stronger, and less injury-prone. Chris shares vivid stories, from the importance of mastering the power step to the brilliance of hill sprints, showing how a small shift in your approach can unlock extraordinary results. You’ll learn how to train smarter, move more efficiently, and develop mental toughness that prepares you for obstacles inside and outside of sport. This isn’t just about becoming a better athlete, it's about forging resilience, confidence, and leadership that will serve for a lifetime.With insights rooted in biomechanics, high-performance training, and raw human grit, Chris emphasizes the greatness already inside you. Whether you're coaching a young kid or trying to refine your own movement, this episode will inspire you to look beyond the scoreboard and start building character, grit, and legacy... one powerful step at a time. 

Perfect for youth athletes eager to optimize performance, parents seeking to support without pressure, and coaches dedicated to developing resilient leaders. Remember: sport is a training ground for life and your journey is the destination. Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy.

About Chris

Chris Ryan is a renowned fitness expert and founder of the Chris Ryan Fitness App, known for energetic, encouraging coaching. A former Division I track & field athlete at the University of Florida, he’s been named one of America’s Top 10 Trainers, appeared on NBC’s STRONG, and served as a founding trainer for MIRROR/lululemon Studio. Chris has written for Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Men’s Fitness, and Shape, and consulted for brands like Nike, lululemon, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Raised in Michigan, he lives in Bronxville, NY with his wife Denise and their three children — Achilles, Athena, and Aristotle — for whom he happily makes protein-packed chocolate pancakes on weekend mornings.

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Is your greatest challenge in sport actually the story you’re telling yourself?

There are so many athletes and teams that fall into the trap of pointing fingers and losing sight of responsibility. Jordan and Mariel unpack how avoiding accountability limits your growth and how shifting your mindset to one of ownership can unlock resilience, leadership, and ultimately, the legacy you’re capable of forging. In this conversation, we break down why taking responsibility is power. You’ll discover how responsible athletes elevate their teams, build trust, and turn setbacks into setups for greatness. We dive into practical ways to cultivate a growth mindset, turn criticism into fuel, and lead from the front, on and off the field. 

Whether you're an athlete feeling stuck, a parent wanting to nurture resilience, or a coach shaping future leaders, this episode gets real about the mindset shifts that make champions in sport and life. 

Choose accountability, and you flip the script to one of growth, loyalty, and high performance. If you’re committed to showing up as who you want to become, and leading your team with integrity and strength, this episode is for you. Jordan Owens is a seasoned hockey player and leadership coach, known for turning team chaos into cohesive unity through simple, powerful shifts in mindset. Remember: Sport reveals what needs to be strengthened. Are you ready to shape a legacy grounded in responsibility? Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy.

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What does it really take to go from a small-town kid with big dreams to competing on soccer's biggest stages?

In this episode, former professional soccer player and World Cup veteran Jay DeMerit shares the remarkable journey that took him from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to the English football pyramid, the Premier League, international competition, and beyond.

But this conversation isn't really about soccer.

It's about embracing discomfort, trusting the process, and having the courage to bet on yourself when nobody else sees the vision.

Jay opens up about turning down a full scholarship, moving overseas with no guarantees, navigating setbacks and rejection, developing confidence through preparation, and why some of the greatest opportunities in life come disguised as failures.

We also dive into leadership, communication, identity beyond sport, the importance of community, and why today's athletes need to stop chasing outcomes and start focusing on growth.

Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and powerful perspective on what it means to build a life—and a career—one courageous step at a time. 

In this episode, we explore:
• Why development shouldn't be rushed
• The power of embracing discomfort and uncertainty
• Confidence, preparation, and performing under pressure
• Leadership and becoming the most relatable person in the room
• Why failure is often redirection, not rejection
• How support systems shape long-term success
• The mindset that helped Jay compete at the highest level

Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy.

Check out Jay on Social Media at:
https://www.instagram.com/d6merit/

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Athletes will spend hours chasing improvement, overlooking the one thing that  sets the great apart: mindset. Still living his dream as a professional quarterback, Nathan Rourke knows this story firsthand and shares it with us this week on Forged Youth Podcast. 

Nathan opens up about his journey from Canadian high school football to NFL hopes, and then to CFL stardom. He shares how he learned to break down his goals into actionable steps, like acting as the athlete he wanted to become before he was there, and how this mindset built the grit that fuels him today. If you’re ready to elevate your confidence, embrace adversity as an advantage, and see performance as a reflection of your mindset, this episode is your playbook for life.

You’ll discover:

• How to reverse-engineering your goals to build discipline
• Why confidence is a byproduct of action, not a feeling to chase
• How routine and preparation create consistency and trust in your abilities
• The importance of separating your identity from your results
• Practical tools for emotional regulation that shift performance in seconds

Nathan reminds us that sport is a laboratory for leadership, resilience, and character... which a foundation for forging your ultimate legacy.

Perfect for young athletes, parents eager to support without pressure, and coaches shaping future leaders, this episode will leave you inspired to think bigger about your potential and more grounded in the core habits that turn dreams into reality. 

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What if the thing holding your athlete back is what they're eating, how they're sleeping, and who they're spending time with?

In this episode, Mariel sits down with Coach Elliot Allen, sports performance coach, former college football player, and founder of Eight Six Speed & Athletics, for a conversation packed with practical, no-fluff tools for teen athletes and the parents who support them.

Elliot knows what it's like to have natural talent and still come up short. And he's spent years building the system he wishes he'd had at 16: simplified nutrition, smart training, solid recovery habits, and the mindset to stay consistent when it gets hard. In this episode, he breaks all of it down in a way that actually makes sense for families.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why nutrition is the most undervalued piece of the performance puzzle and what "fueling for a purpose, not for pleasure" actually looks like day-to-day
• How to track your food the same way you track your training (and why it's the most boring, most important habit you can build)
• The truth about hydration: why electrolytes alone won't save you, how much water your muscles actually need, and what happens when you overdo it
• Why sleep is when you actually get stronger and the specific habits (phones, TVs, bedtimes) that are wrecking your recovery
• How your environment and your circle shape your results more than almost anything else, and what to do if you're in a small town with no high-achieving athletes nearby
• The self-talk shift that took Elliot from wanting to quit his freshman year to finishing out and coming back stronger
• The "5-minute rule" for processing hard moments without getting stuck in them

This one is as much for parents as it is for athletes. Practical, honest, and full of real talk from someone who learned most of this the hard way.

About Coach Elliot Allen:

Elliot Allen is a sports performance coach and founder of Eight Six Speed & Athletics, where he mentors teen athletes and their parents on speed, strength, nutrition, and mindset so they can set themselves up with the best chance to play at the next level.

A former college football player, Elliot learned the hard way that talent alone isn't enough — and that experience drives how he coaches today. He helps athletes build the structure and discipline he wishes he'd found at a younger age, combining simplified speed work, progressive strength training, and athlete-focused nutrition to produce measurable performance results.

As a father and coach, Elliot leads by example and stays committed to helping young athletes build the habits that separate them from the rest.

Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community!

Check out Eight Six Athletics

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What does it actually take to perform at your best without burning out, breaking down, or trying to squeeze yourself into a system that was never built for you?

In this episode, Mariel sits down with Dan Mickle, Mental Performance Coach, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at York College of Pennsylvania, founder of Soul Performance Academy, and host of The MentalCast podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from breathwork and journaling to neurodivergent athletes, hustle culture, and why "mental toughness" might be the wrong goal entirely.

Dan brings 30+ years of coaching experience and a deeply personal perspective on what it means to truly know your athletes. As a father of three neurodivergent children, a doctoral student researching coaching considerations for neurodivergent populations, and a former coach who once made his team do burpees during a timeout (his words), Dan keeps it refreshingly real throughout this whole conversation.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The three mental skills Dan carried from being a player into 34 years of coaching and why breathwork is the foundation of all of them
• Why journaling doesn't have to be a page a day (and what a quick prompt in the parking lot can do for your growth)
• How to build intention into every practice and what deliberate practice really means 
• Why neurodivergent athletes are just coping and what coaches can do differently
• The difference between emotional control and emotional suppression, and why fighting your nerves wastes energy you need
• Dan's take on why "mental toughness" misses the mark and what "mental flexibility" gets right
• Why the youth sports system is broken, who's responsible, and what it would actually take to fix it

If you're a coach, a parent, an athlete, or anyone trying to perform with more clarity and less chaos, this one's for you.

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About Dan Mickle:

Dan Mickle is a Mental Performance Coach, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at York College of Pennsylvania, educator, and founder of Soul Performance Academy. With over a decade of experience working with athletes, teams, coaches, and organizations, Dan specializes in helping performers build focus, confidence, emotional control, and sustainable high performance — especially for neurodivergent athletes and those who think and learn differently.

In addition to coaching at the collegiate level, Dan is an adjunct professor in sport behavior and psychology and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) with a research focus on coaching considerations for neurodivergent populations. His work blends science, real-world coaching experience, and practical tools athletes can use immediately.

Dan is also the host of The MentalCast podcast, where he explores mindset, performance, leadership, and growth through conversations with coaches, athletes, and experts across disciplines. He has authored multiple books and created digital programs designed to make mental training simple, effective, and accessible.

Whether on the court, in the classroom, or behind the mic, Dan's mission is to help people perform at their best without burning out, breaking down, or trying to fit into systems that were never built for them.

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What happens when a Swiss national champion swimmer finally gets access to the mental tools that could have changed? That's exactly the question David Karasek sits with, and it's the reason he now dedicates his life to giving young athletes what he didn't have.

David is a former competitive swimmer, Swiss national record holder, and Olympian who spent the final four years of his career swimming for the University of Virginia where he worked with the same sports psychologist who coached Michael Phelps. The mental tools he discovered there didn't just improve his performance; they rewired how he thought about competition, failure, and what it means to be a real athlete.

In this conversation, David and Mariel unpack the mental performance toolkit that transformed his career and how you can start using it right now, whether you're 14 or 40. They cover conscious breathing techniques (including the exact method David used in competition, standing poolside next to Phelps), the right way to visualize before a race, why your brain is not a truth-seeker, and the real reason so many talented young swimmers crack under pressure.

David also gets candid about what it felt like to be a late developer and why that actually became his greatest mental advantage. Plus, Mariel shares her own visualization framework built around skills, senses, and struggle, and both coaches get real about the phone addiction crisis that's quietly sabotaging the next generation of athletes.

About David Karasek

David Karasek is a former Olympic swimmer and Swiss national record holder. At 38, he brings nearly three decades of elite competitive experience to his work as a performance coach and mentor. David is the founder of swimpros.com, where he runs performance camps for competitive swimmers and an online mentoring program on Skool. Most of the mental tools he teaches were learned directly from the sports psychologist of Michael Phelps during his time swimming for the University of Virginia. David is married with one child (and a second on the way), and is based in Zurich, Switzerland.

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What does it take to coach athletes hurtling down an icy track at 140+ km/h and build the mental toughness to match? This week, Mariel sits down with Robert Fegg, Head Coach of the Canadian National Luge Team, for a conversation that goes far beyond sliding sports.

Robert shares why he believes we're rushing youth athletes toward results at the cost of their long-term development, and what he's learned from decades of coaching across Germany, Canada, Korea, and the United States. From the start of his own luge career to guiding Team Canada at the 2026 Cortina Olympics, Robert brings raw honesty and hard-earned wisdom to every topic.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why enjoyment is the #1 predictor of athletic success and why we're undermining it
• How trust between coach and athlete has fundamentally shifted with Gen Z, and what coaches need to do differently
• The pre-performance routine story that changed how Robert coaches every athlete individually
• What luge teaches us about learning to crash and why avoiding failure might be the biggest mistake in youth sport
• The mindset shift required when transitioning from athlete to coach
• Why Robert says it will take 8 years to build the Canadian Luge program into what it needs to be 

Whether you're a youth athlete, a coach, or a parent navigating the sidelines, this episode is packed with perspective on development, grit, communication, and what it truly means to give sport everything you've got.

About Robert:

Robert Fegg returned to Canada for his second stint with the Canadian Luge Team in the spring of 2022, this time to take the head coaching reins of the national program and guide the nation's best luge athletes into a new era.

The German has lived in the Calgary area with his family since completing his first stretch with the Canadian program from 2003 to 2011. After two seasons as the Junior National Team coach for the United States Luge Association (2018–2020), Robert served as head coach of the American luge program before coming back to Canada, where he guided the team to the Beijing Winter Games.

Coaching has been in Robert's blood since he wrapped up an eight-year career sliding on the German National Team in 2002. He cut his teeth in the coaching ranks the following year when he became the Assistant Coach of the Canadian Luge Team. After playing a key support role in developing Canada's luge athletes into medal winners for seven years, Robert took on head coaching responsibilities of the Junior National Team in Canada from 2010–14.

Robert was recruited as National Team Coach of the Korea Luge Federation in 2014, where he led many new athletes toward their first Olympic Games at home while also building the team's competitive sleds. Following the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Robert returned to North America for a four-year stint with the Americans.

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What does it take to go from a multi-sport kid in New Brunswick to representing Canada on the international badminton stage, and then channeling everything you learned into helping the next generation of athletes perform at their highest level?

In this episode, Mariel sits down with strength and conditioning coach and former national badminton athlete Luke Couture to talk about the moments that define an athletic career, the mindset tools that separate good athletes from great ones, and the science behind how to actually build a body that performs when it matters most.

Luke shares the story of the one exhibition match that changed the trajectory of his life and what his mental state in that moment taught him about performance under pressure. He unpacks why comfort is the enemy of elite-level growth, how he eventually managed a serious spinal diagnosis through movement, and why the way most youth sports leagues are structured is, in his words, "complete nonsense."

You'll also hear Luke break down:

• Why 90–95% of athletes plateau and the uncomfortable truth about how to break through
• The three biggest life lessons his move 5,000 km from home taught him
• What he found in only 3 out of 100 athletes at one of the largest badminton clubs in the U.S. (and why it alarmed him)
• The difference between peripheral and neural recovery — and why your "off days" might not be doing what you think
• The daily meditation practice he hasn't missed in 3 years, and how it transformed the second half of his workday
• Why "more is better" is one of the most dangerous beliefs an athlete can hold
• How pre-performance journaling rituals prime the nervous system before competition

Whether you're a young athlete figuring out how to train smarter, a parent wondering if your kid is doing too much, or a coach looking for a sharper framework for long-term development, this episode is packed with insight you can apply immediately.


About Luke Couture

Luke Couture consults with Olympic and international level athletes throughout North America and Europe. As a former national level athlete in Badminton, Luke represented Team Canada in over 30 countries, including winning a Pan Am Championship Gold Medal. Luke's hunger for athletic development and coaching led him to pursue several advanced certifications including the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), an Advanced Coaching Diploma (ACD), and a Graduate Certificate in High Performance Coaching and Technical Leadership (HPC&TL). Luke frequently engages in mentorships and ongoing education with some of the top sport practitioners in the world.

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🌐 Work with Luke online

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Jedidiah Collins spent seven seasons in the NFL, but not before being cut 13 times.

In this episode, Jed breaks down what it really takes to stay in the game when everything is telling you you shouldn’t be there. From building a performance identity (“Zilla”) to redefining failure as feedback, this conversation goes far beyond football.

We talk about:

•  Why winning has nothing to do with the scoreboard 
•  How journaling can change your mindset (and your future) 
•  The difference between being talented vs. being valuable 
•  What young athletes need to understand about NIL and money 
•  How to build confidence through self-talk and identity 

This is for athletes, parents, and coaches who want more than performance. It's for the ones who want longevity, growth, and real-life success beyond the game.

About Jedidiah

 Jedidiah Collins spent seven seasons in the NFL as a fullback, but his journey was anything but secure. Cut 13 times before finally earning his place, Jed learned early that talent might get you noticed, but resilience is what keeps you in the game.

At one point ranked the No. 1 fullback in the world, Jed measured success differently: through journaling, reflection, and growth.

After football, he became a Certified Financial Planner® and founded Money Vehicle, helping athletes and students learn to Speak Money & Act Wealthy. He is also the author of Your Money Vehicle and the upcoming book Fourth and Goal.

Today, Jed travels the country teaching his “Rookie to Veteran” framework to what he calls Business Athletes, those who understand performance extends far beyond the field.

He proudly calls himself a “Great Failure,” redefining failure as First Attempt In Learning.

Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support!

Check out Money Vehicle

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What if the skills that make you great in your sport are the exact same ones that unlock success in life and business?

In this episode, we sit down with Rae Irelan, transformational business strategist, speaker, and former professional dancer, to explore how discipline, identity, and creative thinking translate far beyond performance environments.

Rae shares how spending the first two decades of her life in dance shaped the way she approaches growth, pressure, and execution today. From relentless training and high expectations to stepping into the entrepreneurial world, she breaks down the transferable skills athletes often overlook and how to actually use them.

We dive into:

•  How performance environments (like sport and dance) build discipline, resilience, and adaptability
•  Why so many athletes struggle with identity when they step away—and how to navigate it 
•  The shift from external validation to internal alignment
•  How to think like a creator, not just a performer 
•  Leveraging your unique story to build authority and impact
•  The role of AI and modern tools in expanding opportunities for athletes beyond sport 

This episode is a powerful reminder that your your sport may just the beginning. The real advantage comes from how you apply what it taught you.

About Rae Irelan

Rae Irelan is a transformational business strategist, speaker, and #1 international best-selling author. She is the co-founder of Evolved Podcasting and has been featured in Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine. Rae helps visionary entrepreneurs amplify their authority, expand their impact, and unlock new revenue streams by blending creative leadership with smart AI-driven strategies.

Her foundation was built in the dance studio, where she spent the first two decades of her life as a professional dancer developing the discipline, mindset, and performance skills that now fuel her work today.

Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support!

Check out Evolved Podcasting 

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What does it take to stop trying to fit in and start standing out? In this powerful episode, we sit down with two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world champion shot-putter, author, and speaker Greg Stewart for a conversation that goes far beyond sport.

Born without his left arm below the elbow and standing 7'2", Greg spent much of his life trying to shrink himself so others would feel comfortable. He chased belonging through basketball courts and volleyball floors, racking up accolades along the way, yet something was always missing. It wasn't until he stopped listening to external voices and started doing the inner work that everything changed.

In this episode, Greg opens up about growing up feeling different, the moment he realized his athletic success meant nothing without self-love, and how transitioning to shot put became the catalyst for finally taking charge of his own life. He also shares why he believes vulnerability is the answer to most of the questions we're afraid to ask, and what it really means to trust yourself.

We dive deep into:

• Why fitting in was actually pulling Greg further from fulfillment
• How sport teaches us to fail and why that's a gift
• The difference between self-love and ego
• How to have the hard, uncomfortable conversations that change everything
• Teaching youth to tune into their bodies instead of the noise in their heads

Whether you're a young athlete navigating identity and belonging, a parent watching your kid go through it, or someone who has spent years trying to fit into a box that was never meant for you, this episode will meet you right where you are.

About Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world champion shot-putter, author, entrepreneur, and one of the most powerful voices in Canada on vulnerability, resilience, and human performance. Standing 7'2" and born without his left arm below the elbow, Greg's life has never been about fitting in, it's been about standing out. Yet his path wasn't defined by medals or records at first. Growing up in small-town British Columbia, Greg grappled with identity, belonging, and the complicated emotions that come with looking "different." He spent years trying to shrink himself to make others comfortable, until he learned that the stories he was hiding were the very ones that could set him free.

Greg went on to play university basketball, become a national champion, and eventually transition into shot put, where he discovered not just his sport, but his voice. In 2021, he won gold for Canada at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. In 2024, he defended his title in Paris. And in 2025, he cemented his place in history with a world championship in New Delhi.

Today, he is the founder of Mindfulete, a speaking and coaching platform built on what he calls Mindful Vulnerability: the idea that true strength isn't about perfection but about owning your story, facing discomfort head-on, and choosing growth over protection. Greg's talks for corporations, schools, and communities explore the three principles at the heart of his life and work: Trust, Ownership, and Integrity (what he calls Life's Golden Standards).

Greg is also the author of Stand Out, a children's book written in verse that traces his journey of growing up different and discovering confidence, courage, and community. He's currently writing the follow-up book, focused on teaching kids how to build habits rooted in those same golden standards.

Visit Greg's Website

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What happens when everything you’ve built your identity around suddenly gets taken away?

In this episode, we sit down with Dallas Soonias, a former Team Canada volleyball player turned filmmaker, to unpack the reality of chasing elite performance, breaking down physically and mentally, and rebuilding from the ground up.

Dallas shares how a career-altering injury forced him to confront more than just rehab and pushed him to face the parts of himself he had been avoiding for years. What started as a pursuit to “get back on the court” turned into a deeper journey through mindset, identity, and resilience.

We dive into:

•  The difference between being competitive vs. being consumed by it
•  How injury became the catalyst for growth, self-awareness, and better performance
•  Why being at 70% physically made him a better teammate and player
•  The mental skills that separate athletes in high-pressure moments
•  How to stay calm, focused, and effective when everything is on the line 
•  What it really means to add value to a team even when you’re not playing 
•  And how the lessons from sport translate directly into leadership, creativity, and life after sport

This episode is a powerful reminder that sometimes your biggest setback becomes the exact thing that elevates you if you’re willing to face it.

About Dallas 

Dallas is a multi-talented actor who also writes, directs, and produces his own projects. His first short film, Frank Gets the Job Done, was commissioned by ImagineNATIVE Film Festival and TELUS Storyhive. He followed that by writing, directing, and starring in The Saint and the Bear.

In 2024, Dallas directed the western short One Click and the TV series Renegade Fever. With strong ties to the sporting world, he is also proud to be the first male Indigenous athlete to represent Canada in volleyball.

During the 2024 Summer Olympics, Dallas produced and hosted a segment for CBC Olympics, directed the Olympic opening, and worked as an analyst for CBC Sports covering volleyball.

Dallas is Nehiyaw/Anishinaabe, registered with The Chippewas of Nawash, with close ties to his father’s band, Red Pheasant. He grew up off-reserve in Red Deer, Alberta.

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This week on Forged Youth's Q&A episode, Mariel and Jordan are responding to a real post from a hockey parent, and it opens up one of the most common conversations happening in youth sport right now: should my kid be playing on more than one team?

The short answer? It's complicated. And at 11 years old? Probably not.

In this episode, we dig into what's really driving the push for more ice time, more teams, and more commitment at younger and younger ages, and what kids actually need to develop into great athletes and even better humans.

Here's what we get into:
→ The real cost of a 3-hour round-trip commute for an 11-year-old
→ Why unstructured play is one of the most underrated development tools
→ Deliberate practice: how to grow when you're the best player in the room
→ Teaching leadership early and why it matters more than goals
→ Following your kid's lead vs. knowing when to say no as a parent
→ What recruiters and coaches are actually looking for beyond skill

Real talk, just two people who've lived it from the ice to the coaching floor.

Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy.

Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support!

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What if one of the best environments for developing resilient athletes… had no structured practices, no yelling coaches, and no guaranteed success?

In this episode, we sit down with Hippie Mike to explore what decades in skateboarding culture can teach us about athlete development, mindset, and long-term growth.

Having taught thousands of athletes and helped shape some of today’s top pros, Mike shares why skateboarding creates a unique environment where failure isn’t feared but expected.

And more importantly… embraced.

We dive into:

 • Why falling is one of the most important skills young athletes can learn
 • How unstructured environments build creativity, resilience, and confidence
 • The role of mentorship vs. traditional coaching
 • Why too much structure can actually limit development
 • How athletes build self-belief by figuring things out on their own

The best athletes are the ones who learned how to adapt, persist, and grow through failure.

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode will shift how you think about development, confidence, and what it really takes to improve.

👤 About Hippie Mike

Hippie Mike has been immersed in the world of skateboarding since 1986 and has spent decades developing and mentoring athletes at all levels. Over the years, he has coached and influenced thousands of skateboarders, including several who have gone on to become top professionals in the sport.

He is the owner of multiple small businesses, including HMI Skate Park in Hope, BC, where he continues to mentor and support the next generation of athletes in a positive, community-driven environment.

Hippie Mike has also played a significant role in growing the skateboarding community through event leadership, having organized and run more than 350 skateboard events over the past 20 years. Among these is the long-running Hippie Mike’s Tour de Surrey, a decade-long series that became a staple in the local skateboarding scene.

Through his work, he has remained committed to creating opportunities for young athletes to develop not only their skills, but also confidence, resilience, and a lifelong passion for the sport.

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What actually builds confidence in athletes?

In this powerful conversation, Mariel sits down with  Shawnee Harle, Olympian, sport psychology expert, and one of Canada’s most respected voices in athlete development, to unpack the truth about confidence, identity, and the pressures young athletes face today.

From Olympic teams to youth sport, Shawnee has spent decades helping athletes perform at their best while staying grounded in who they are beyond the scoreboard. In this episode, she shares practical insights on how athletes can build real confidence, how parents and coaches can support development without adding pressure, and why the most important lessons in sport often happen far away from the podium.

Inside this episode, we explore:

🏆 Why confidence isn’t something you “have” — it’s something you build
🧠 The difference between performance identity and personal identity
🔥 How athletes can respond to failure, pressure, and setbacks
👨‍👩‍👧 What parents and coaches can do to create healthier sport environments
🎯 Why long-term development matters more than early success

This episode is a must-listen for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to understand the mental side of sport, develop resilient competitors, and build confidence that lasts far beyond the game.

Because sport isn’t just about winning, it’s about who you become along the way.

https://www.shawneeharle.com/

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How do you motivate your child to give their best in sport… without making them lose their love for it? That’s the question Mariel and Jordan tackle in this Q&A episode.

A parent of a swimmer asked how to motivate their child to swim as fast as they can while still enjoying the sport. It’s a challenge that nearly every sports parent eventually faces. Because at some point, the excitement fades. Early morning practices become harder, friends start doing other things, and the grind of competition and expectations starts to weigh on young athletes.

In this conversation, we unpack the deeper truth about motivation and why trying to “force” it usually backfires, exploring how athletes build sustainable drive through identity, discipline, and reconnecting with their personal “why.”

We also discuss the hidden factors that cause many young athletes to lose their spark, including burnout, pressure, and the mental barriers that coaches often don’t have the time or training to address.

Tune in for practical strategies parents can use to support their athlete’s mindset without creating unnecessary pressure or expectations. Because the goal is to raise resilient humans who know how to handle adversity, take ownership, and continue growing long after sport ends.

Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy.

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What if the path to your dream isn’t straight? What if it zigzags through setbacks, detours, risks, and reinvention?

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Boudreau, a former professional hockey player and coach, to unpack what it really means to chase a dream for nearly two decades.

Born into a hockey family, Ben grew up around the rink. But his journey wasn’t a typical “blue-chip prospect” story. He went undrafted. He stepped away from hockey. He pursued television and film. He worked at CBC. He waited tables.

And then, on a free agent tryout he almost didn’t attend... his life changed.

What followed was 900+ professional games across North America and Europe, championship wins, head coaching roles, life-changing risks, fatherhood, and a relentless commitment to the dream of one day lifting the Stanley Cup.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why there is no straight path to success
• The courage it takes to bet on yourself
• How support systems fuel risk-taking
• The difference between motivation and inspiration
• Why character beats talent every time
• What separates average players from great ones
• How work ethic is developed — not inherited
• Why giving back builds real leadership
• Balancing fatherhood with ambition
• How to handle self-doubt when the future feels uncertain

Ben shares openly about getting cut, getting back up, doubling down during uncertainty, buying a house during a pandemic without knowing if hockey would return and winning a championship because he refused to quit.

Because in the end, success isn’t about the straight path, it’s about staying on the train long enough to see where it goes.

👤 About Ben Boudreau

"I was born into a hockey family. My father Bruce, a former NHL player then currently playing in Germany, was where I was born. It wasn't until I was 5 years old that I grew up in Niagara through my mother and father's divorce. I had a very normal childhood in the city of St. Catharines where I went on to pursue my education through Television and Film. Upon graduating and working at CBC downtown Toronto, my life took a big turn after signing a free agent professional hockey contract, which led to the last 18 years chasing my dream of trying to lift the Stanley Cup one day.

Through the last 18 years I have amassed over 900 professional games of being on the ice or behind the bench. I won a championship in 2021 with the Fort Wayne Komets. I have two boys, 4 and 8, that were both born in Indiana and now currently living in Niagara, pursuing my dream of one day trying to lift the Stanley Cup." 

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What does it take to build a career and a life that lasts?

Longevity. Identity. Resilience.

In this special episode promoting the Building Resilience On & Off the Field event on March 5th, we sit down with CFL legend Sean Millington to talk about what sustains performance and what sustains a person.

Known as “The Diesel,” Sean built a 13-year professional career through power, consistency, and grit. But behind the accolades was something deeper: a mindset built for endurance.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The difference between short-term success and long-term impact
• Why identity cannot be tied solely to sport
• How adversity shapes character
• The responsibility athletes carry beyond the scoreboard
• What it means to build something that lasts
• How young athletes can prepare for life beyond the game

Sean shares openly about growth, maturity, and perspective and why the scoreboard can’t define who you are.

On March 5th, Sean will bring this message live to the stage at:

Building Resilience On & Off the Field
📍 Chilliwack Cultural Centre
🎟 Free event (tickets required)

An evening designed to equip youth athletes, parents, and coaches with the mindset and tools to thrive long after the final whistle.

Reserve your free tickets here!

About Sean Millington

Sean Millington is a former Canadian Football League running back and one of the most respected Canadian players in CFL history. Best known for his dominant years with the BC Lions, Sean played 13 seasons in the CFL and earned a reputation for power, consistency, and grit, earning the nickname “The Diesel.”

A two-time Grey Cup champion, Sean was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian twice and remains one of the top Canadian rushers the league has ever seen. Beyond his on-field success, Sean has been inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame and the Simon Fraser University Hall of Fame, recognizing both his athletic excellence and long-term impact on the game.

Since retiring from football, Sean has continued to build his legacy as a broadcaster, actor, and mentor, using his voice to share lessons on identity, resilience, and life beyond sport. His story speaks to the importance of longevity, character, and building something that lasts far beyond the scoreboard.

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What does it take to last 13 years in professional football?

Consistency. Preparation. Leadership.

In this special episode promoting the Building Resilience On & Off the Field event on March 5th, we sit down with former CFL veteran Angus Reid to talk about what truly builds lasting success.

Angus spent 13 seasons anchoring the offensive line for the BC Lions - one of the most demanding and least glamorous positions in sport. No headlines. No spotlight. Just daily accountability and relentless preparation.

In this conversation, we unpack:

• Why durability is a mindset before it’s physical
• The power of showing up consistently, even when no one notices
• What leadership actually looks like inside a locker room
• Why preparation builds confidence
• The long-term impact great coaches have on young athletes
• How doing the unseen work shapes who you become

Angus shares lessons learned in the trenches about discipline, identity, and the responsibility athletes carry to leave environments better than they found them.

On March 5th, Angus will be sharing this message live at:

Building Resilience On & Off the Field
📍 Chilliwack Cultural Centre
🎟 Free event (tickets required)

An evening designed to equip youth athletes, parents, and coaches with tools for resilience, confidence, and long-term growth.

Reserve your free tickets here!

About Angus Reid

Angus Reid is a former Canadian Football League offensive lineman and long-time centre for the BC Lions, where he built a 13-year professional career defined by leadership, durability, and consistency.

A two-time Grey Cup champion, Angus was a multiple-time CFL All-Star and served as a team captain, anchoring the offensive line and setting the standard for professionalism both on and off the field. Known for his work ethic and resilience, he became a trusted leader in one of the most demanding positions in football.

Following his playing career, Angus transitioned into leadership development as a speaker, author, and mentor. He is the author of Thank You, Coach, a reflection on the mentors who shape athletes and leaders, and continues to inspire individuals and teams through lessons on preparation, accountability, and legacy.

Angus’s journey highlights the power of showing up, doing the unseen work, and leading in a way that leaves others better.

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What separates talented athletes from consistent performers? Psychological skill.

In this episode of the Forged Youth Podcast, we sit down with performance psychologist Chris Bodman, founder of LMNTARY Performance, to unpack what it truly means to develop the athlete’s mind.

Even the most physically capable athletes fail when they lack the mental tools to handle pressure, identity, emotion, and expectation.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why mental skills are they’re foundational
• How athletes tie identity to outcomes (and why that’s dangerous)
• The psychological cost of neglecting mental preparation
• The difference between sustainable motivation and fragile confidence
• How to build emotional regulation under pressure
• Why self-awareness is the starting point for growth
• How parents and coaches can normalize the internal work required for performance

Because if we train the body without training the mind, we leave potential untapped.

👤 About Chris

Chris Bodman is a Performance Psychologist and founder of LMNTARY Performance, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals cultivate the athlete's mind — whether they compete in sport, business, or life.

With a background working alongside elite athletes across multiple sports, Chris' work focuses on the intersection of performance psychology, behavioural science, and practical application — translating complex research into tools that work in the real world.

Chris's approach is rooted in evidence but delivered with clarity. He believes the best insights aren't academic theories locked in journals, but practical frameworks that athletes can implement immediately. His philosophy: mental skills aren't "soft skills" — they're the foundation of sustainable high performance.

Prior to founding LMNTARY Performance, Chris worked in elite sport environments where he witnessed both the transformative power of psychological preparation and the devastating cost of neglecting it. He saw talented athletes derailed not by lack of ability, but by inability to manage the mental demands of competition. He watched young performers tie their entire identity to results, leaving them vulnerable when outcomes didn't align with effort.

These experiences shaped his mission: to democratise performance psychology and make it accessible beyond elite sport.

Through LMNTARY Performance, Chris delivers the Limitless Programme — a 16-week cohort-based experience that helps individuals develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, sustainable motivation, and goal-directed behaviour. The programme combines psychology-backed frameworks with daily practice, helping participants build mental skills the same way they'd build physical ones: through consistent, deliberate training.

Chris's work has supported company founders, competitive athletes, entrepreneurs, and individuals navigating career transitions. What unites them is a commitment to growth and willingness to do the internal work that external success requires.

Today, through LMNTARY Performance, Chris is committed to equipping the next generation with the psychological tools they need not just to perform, but to thrive.

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What if youth sports weren’t just about wins and losses, but about building resilient, confident young people?

In this special episode, Mariel sits down with Bill Loewen of the Chilliwack Giants to talk about why March 5th is about far more than football.

The Chilliwack Giants have been developing youth athletes in the Fraser Valley for over 25 years, offering spring flag football for ages 5 and up, fall tackle programs, and a pathway that transitions athletes into high school programs. But for Bill, coaching is about much more than the game.

Bill shares openly about his own journey from being a talented but “lazy” high school player whose career was cut short by injury, to learning that talent only takes you so far. Work ethic, mindset, resilience, and controllables (effort, attitude, self-talk, preparation, focus) are what truly shape long-term success.

That’s exactly why the “Building Resilience On & Off the Field” event was created.

🗓 March 5th
📍 Chilliwack Cultural Centre
🎟 Free event (tickets required)

This powerful evening will feature:

• Short, impactful talks
• Fireside-style discussion
• Live Q&A with youth athletes
• A free copy of Angus Reid’s book Teenager: A Story About Finding Your Way for every attending athlete

Whether your athlete plays football, hockey, baseball, volleyball, or any other sport, the lessons are transferable.

If you’re in Chilliwack or the Fraser Valley, this is a night worth showing up for.

Reserve your free tickets here!

About Bill

Bill Loewen is passionate about football, mentorship, and building strong community connections. For the past three years, he’s dedicated countless hours to coaching both flag and tackle football with the Chilliwack Giants, where he now proudly serves as Second Vice President. Bill believes that sports are about more than just winning—they’re about teaching resilience, teamwork, and confidence that carry young athletes through every part of life. 

Off the field, Bill works as a Project Manager, balancing his professional life with his favorite role: husband and dad. Together with his wife, Ashley, they are raising three incredibly active kids—Ella, a softball superstar, and two football-loving boys, Colby (11) and Josh (8), who share his passion for the game. Whether he’s drawing up plays or cheering from the sidelines, Bill’s greatest joy comes from watching kids grow—not just as athletes, but as people. 

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“Being hard on yourself” is worn like a badge of honour in youth sports, but what if it’s actually hurting performance?

In this episode, Mariel Anderson and Jordan Owens unpack a powerful and often misunderstood topic for sports parents... especially hockey parents:

The difference between healthy self-reflection… and destructive self-talk.

Inspired by a conversation around Olympic coach Shawnee Harle’s “unpopular opinion,” they explore why many parents and coaches mistakenly praise athletes for being overly hard on themselves  and how that can spiral into what they call the Doom Loop.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between constructive self-evaluation and confidence-killing self-criticism
• What the “Doom Loop” is and how it impacts the body physiologically
• Why negative self-talk tightens muscles, speeds up the heart, and destroys clear decision-making
• How to help young athletes call a timeout on spiraling thoughts
• The powerful 5-step Neutralizer technique to reset the nervous system mid-game
• How deliberate breathing (and a simple tongue placement trick) restores control
• Why nervous and excited feel the same in the body and how to reframe it
• How parents can validate emotions without reinforcing mental spirals

If your athlete:
 ✔️ Gets stuck in their head
 ✔️ Beats themselves up after mistakes
 ✔️ Struggles with nerves before games
 ✔️ Loses joy because of pressure

This episode gives you practical tools you can teach immediately even before tonight’s tryout.

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What if the most important part of practice isn’t the drill…
 but the first 10 minutes?

In this episode, Mariel sits down with Rett Larson, an elite international strength and conditioning coach and the creator of the No Zombies training philosophy.

Together, they challenge one of the most unquestioned traditions in youth and high-performance sport: the way athletes warm up.

Rett shares why traditional warm-ups often create boredom, disengagement, and burnout, and how replacing mindless repetition with creativity, competition, and problem-solving can dramatically improve both performance and joy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why traditional warm-ups are a missed opportunity for athlete development
• How warm-ups can build speed, coordination, adaptability, and resilience
• Why fun and high performance are not opposites, they work together
• How exposing athletes to failure on purpose builds confidence and bounce-back ability
• The difference between necessary repetition and mindless repetition
• How gamification and unpredictability increase effort and buy-in
• Why practices that look “messy” often produce better long-term athletes
• How parents and coaches can protect an athlete’s love for the game

This episode is a must-listen for:
 ✔️ Coaches who want better energy, effort, and engagement
 ✔️ Parents concerned about burnout and loss of joy
 ✔️ Athletes who feel bored, over-coached, or mentally drained by training

Warm-ups aren’t just preparation for practice. They’re preparation for how athletes think, move, compete, and respond to adversity.

About Rett: 

Rett Larson is in his 5th year as the strength coach for the German Women’s Volleyball Team. Before his time in Germany, he spent seven years in China, first as Project Manager for EXOS-China, working with several Chinese Olympic teams in their preparation for the 2012 London Games, and later with the Chinese National Women’s Volleyball Team, which won both the 2015 World Cup and Gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Following the Olympic gold medal, Rett worked for two years as the strength coach for the Netherlands Women’s Volleyball Team before joining Team Germany. Prior to his international work, Rett spent 10 years with Velocity Sports Performance, where he became the Director of Coaching at their headquarters in California.

Rett is the creator of the No Zombies training philosophy, which strives to make training more stimulating, engaging, and developmentally beneficial for athletes.

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What if the biggest thing holding young athletes back isn’t effort, talent, or motivation, but where their attention lives?

In this episode, Mariel sits down with Nathan Last, founder of Mental Grit, to unpack the mental skills that create better athletes and stronger humans.

Nate shares how discovering sports psychology completely changed the trajectory of his life, and why presence is the foundation of mental toughness.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why most goal-setting creates stress, anxiety, and burnout in youth athletes
• How being stuck in the future or the past pulls athletes out of performance
• Why the body can’t tell the difference between imagination and reality, and how this backfires when athletes only dream instead of execute
• The difference between what athletes need to focus on vs. what spectators and coaches focus on
• How coaches can measure values and behaviours, not just stats and outcomes
• How parents unintentionally steal confidence by “protecting” their kids
• Why struggle, failure, and hard conversations are essential for building self-belief

Mental toughness isn’t something you achieve one day, it’s something you practice in the moment, every day.

Nate is the CEO of a premier mental performance training firm, dedicated to helping individuals, teams, and organizations unlock their highest potential. With over a decade of experience in performance psychology, leadership development, and organizational transformation, he now specializes in creating customized strategies that drive measurable results for teen athletes and their families. As a contributing author of the Amazon Best Seller, Deliberate Discomfort, and a former Chief Engagement Officer at Mission 6 Zero, I’ve seen firsthand how a focus on mindset, culture, and people operations can revolutionize outcomes whether on the athletic field, battlefield, school house or in the boardroom.

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Visualization is one of the most misunderstood and underused tools in youth sports.

In this episode, Jordan Owens and Mariel Anderson break down what visualization actually is, why vision boards are just the starting point, and how elite athletes use mental reps to build confidence, consistency, and game-day readiness.

You’ll learn:

• Why your brain can’t tell the difference between imagination and reality
• The 3 S’s of Visualization: Skills, Senses, and Struggles
• How detailed visualization builds muscle memory and performance, even when you’re not physically training
• How to prepare for pressure, mistakes, and adversity before they happen
• Simple tools athletes can use to calm nerves, channel excitement, and focus (including the “psychological sigh”)
• How parents and coaches can model calm, confident energy during tryouts and competition

Whether you’re a youth athlete looking to perform with confidence, or a parent or coach wanting to support mental development the right way, this episode gives you practical, repeatable tools you can start using today.

Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy.

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In this episode, we sit down with former professional tennis player James McGee for a conversation about life inside elite sport and what comes after it.

James shares his journey from growing up in Dublin as Ireland’s top junior player, to competing for over a decade on the ATP Tour and appearing in 14 Grand Slam events. Beyond the milestones, he speaks honestly about the less visible realities of professional tennis: long stretches away from home, financial pressure, injury, and the psychological weight of chasing a dream in a sport where success is narrowly defined.

The conversation explores how injury forced James to confront identity beyond performance, how studying psychology shaped his understanding of himself and others, and what it means to transition out of professional sport when competition has been central to your sense of self for most of your life.

We also discuss James’s current work mentoring underserved youth through the Inspiring Children Foundation, and how the lessons learned through elite sport now inform his approach to leadership, mental health, and long-term development.

This episode is a thoughtful look at ambition, resilience, and what it means to build a meaningful life beyond results.

James McGee is a former professional tennis player from Castleknock, Dublin 15, Ireland. He began playing tennis at the age of seven at Castleknock Lawn Tennis Club, where he developed a lifelong passion for the sport and spent his formative years training daily.
As a junior, McGee rose to become the No. 1 ranked player in Ireland and captured the national Under-16 title at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club. While attending Belvedere College, he won the school championships multiple years in a row, before relocating to Barcelona to pursue his professional tennis career.

An early injury setback sidelined him for nearly two years. He later moved to the United States to compete at the collegiate level, playing two seasons for North Carolina State University while majoring in psychology, leading the team to its first-ever NCAA Elite Eight appearance. McGee spent over a decade competing on the ITF, ATP Challenger, and ATP World Tour circuits, reaching a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 146 in 2015 and serving as Ireland’s top-ranked player for six years.

He represented Ireland 15 times in Davis Cup competition and competed in 14 Grand Slam events, qualifying for the main draw of the 2014 US Open. His tour-level wins include victories over Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, and Denis Shapovalov. Following injuries that ultimately led to his retirement, James transitioned into youth mentorship and now serves as Director of the TEAM BRYAN program and the NO QUIT Tennis Academy at the Inspiring Children Foundation in Las Vegas, supporting underserved youth through a holistic approach to development.

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What does it really mean to support athletes as whole humans?

In this episode, we’re joined by Will Lee, Registered Clinical Counsellor and Mental Performance Consultant, for a deep and grounded conversation about mental health, identity, culture, and performance. Together, we explore what often goes unseen in sport: the emotional load athletes carry, the pressure to perform, and the long-term impact of how mental health is addressed (or ignored).

Will brings a rare blend of clinical experience and performance work, drawing from his decade of work in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, his role in high-performance sport environments, and his lived experience as a first-generation Taiwanese-Canadian. We talk about the difference between mental toughness and emotional suppression, why identity and culture matter in performance spaces, and how parents, coaches, and organizations can create environments that are both high-performing and human. This episode is a powerful reminder that sustainable performance doesn’t come from pushing harder, it comes from understanding deeper.

About Will: "I am Registered Clinical Counsellor, Mental Performance Consultant and founder of Strive Counselling. At Strive, I serve as clinical supervisor and director to a wonderful intimate team of registered counsellors, where we help diverse clients address an equally diverse range of challenges - relationships, identity, mental health, trauma, addiction, to name a few. My clinical roots began over the span of a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where I learned to foster my sense of empathy and compassion for marginalized groups and humanity. As a proud first generation Taiwanese-Canadian, I am also passionate about fostering cultural humility in my practice, and to learn about the story of your culture and its connections with identity and wellness.

Currently, I am a member of the Mental Health Network under the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport; a nationally-led organization comprised of highly-skilled mental health professionals from across Canada. My current notable organizations that I am privileged to be a part of in my role as a mental performance consultant includes The Richmond Olympic Oval (High Performance Program) and FightStory; a non-profit organization advocating for combat sport athletes' mental health and wellness.

When I’m not seeing clients, I enjoy an active lifestyle predominantly occupied by practicing martial arts, including Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I also enjoy creative expression through playing the violin with my music group, and I seek tranquility in tending to my freshwater aquariums. I am a proud father of 3 enthusiastic girls, and husband to an unconditionally supportive wife."

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What do you do when your athlete feels set up to fail?

In this episode, Jordan and Mariel unpack a real post from a hockey mom whose 9-year-old son is stuck on a struggling team and use it as a powerful entry point into one of the most important mindset tools in sport: controllables.

Together, they break down the five controllables every athlete (and parent) can focus on when outcomes, coaches, team dynamics, or politics feel out of reach: effort, attitude, self-talk, preparation, and focus.

This conversation is equal parts honest, practical, and reassuring with real stories from youth sports, elite athletics, and parenting. If you’ve ever felt frustrated watching your child struggle in a situation they can’t control, this episode will help you shift from helplessness to empowerment, and from pressure to perspective.

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What happens when the thing you’ve built your identity around suddenly feels uncertain or is taken away altogether?

In this episode, Olympian Andrea Wieland joins the conversation to speak honestly about the psychological side of competitive sport that athletes rarely get prepared for: getting cut, feeling overlooked, questioning your worth, and learning how to keep going when confidence takes a hit. Andrea shares her lived experience navigating high-pressure environments, setbacks, and moments where external validation disappeared, forcing her to confront who she was beyond performance.

Together, the conversation explores how athletes can rebuild self-trust after disappointment, why resilience isn’t about toughness but adaptability, and how reframing setbacks can become a turning point rather than a breaking point. This episode is a reminder that sport doesn’t just test physical ability, it tests identity, mindset, and emotional regulation.

Whether you’re an athlete facing rejection, a parent supporting a child through tough moments, or a coach trying to guide someone through uncertainty, this episode offers grounded insight into how growth actually happens when things don’t go according to plan.

Dr. Andrea Wieland is an Olympian, performance psychologist, Founder of Winning Systems Psychology, PC, and former DI national and league championship coach who has guided thousands, from elite athletes to business leaders, toward lasting confidence and transformational performance. Having held leadership roles at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, IMG Academy, Sensei-Porcupine Creek, and the United States Air Force Academy, she fuses deep systems thinking with powerful self-mastery strategies. Andrea challenges performers to own their identities, redefine success beyond results, and become forces for good in every arena they enter. Her work invites us all to lead with purpose, play with heart, and contribute with courage on the field, in the family, and across humanity.

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From the outside, Adrien Plavsic had everything young athletes dream of: a long NHL career, Olympic success, and years competing at the highest levels of professional hockey. But internally, his experience was very different. In this episode, Adrien opens up about what it was really like to live in constant survival mode while performing at an elite level.

He shares how fear quietly drove his training, games, and even recovery, keeping his nervous system stuck on high alert. Despite appearing confident and composed, Adrien describes feeling trapped in his own head, disconnected from the moments he had worked his entire life to reach. Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and an inability to truly relax turned the dream into something that felt more like a nightmare.

Together, this conversation explores the difference between performing from fear versus performing from presence, why so many driven athletes miss their peak experiences, and how over-control can actually block learning, growth, and freedom. Adrien reflects on his journey of rewiring his mind and nervous system, redefining his relationship with pressure, mistakes, self-awareness and why learning how to be, not just do, is essential for sustainable excellence.

This episode is a powerful listen for athletes, parents, and coaches who want more than just results who want performance that feels grounded, free, and fully alive.

Adrien Plavsic is a former NHL player who spent eight seasons with the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Anaheim Mighty Ducks. A second-round draft pick in 1988, he won an Olympic silver medal with Team Canada in 1992 and later played many years in Switzerland’s top professional league. Today, he works as a Certified Mental Performance Coach, helping athletes regulate their nervous systems, reconnect with presence, and build lives rooted in freedom, excellence, and meaning.

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Getting cut is one of the rawest, most emotional moments in youth sports and for many families, tryout season feels more like heartbreak season. In this Q&A episode, Mariel and Jordan break down what really happens to an athlete’s confidence, identity, and motivation when they don’t make the team, and why a parent’s reaction in the first 10 minutes can shape everything that comes next.

They share their own stories of being cut, the shame, the tears, and the turning points, while unpacking how to help young athletes process disappointment without spiraling into victim mentality. Instead of blaming coaches or shielding kids from discomfort, the episode digs into how to validate the pain and redirect it into growth, emotional regulation, and a clearer understanding of what being an athlete truly requires.

This episode reframes being cut as an essential part of the athlete journey: a moment that can ignite self-awareness, leadership, accountability, and resilience when handled with the right mindset at home. Whether your child is devastated, angry, embarrassed, or ready to quit altogether, this conversation gives you the tools to anchor them, support them, and help them find their next step with confidence.

If your athlete was recently cut or if tryouts are looming, this is the episode you’ll want to hear together.

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Dr. Claire joins the podcast for a powerful conversation that every parent, coach, and athlete needs to hear. With a background in neuroscience, physiology, and youth mental health, she breaks down what’s actually happening inside the bodies and brains of young athletes and why so many are struggling with burnout, fatigue, chronic stress, and emotional overwhelm.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Claire explains how sleep, screen exposure, stress hormones, and daily nervous system health play a larger role in performance than most people realize. She shares why kids today are showing up more dysregulated, more exhausted, and more anxious than previous generations and how that directly impacts their ability to focus, recover, perform, and adapt to sport.

This conversation goes well beyond “mental toughness.” Dr. Claire offers a clear, compassionate look at how modern stress loads are shaping athlete development, why traditional coaching methods often fall short, and what adults need to understand about the brain-body connection if we want kids to succeed long-term.

If you’ve ever wondered why your athlete can’t sleep, can’t calm down, can’t recover, or can’t seem to feel confident consistently, this episode gives you the science and the solutions in a way that finally makes it all make sense.

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In this conversation, Daria Albers opens a window into what true high-level performance really requires. A world-class mental performance coach and former professional fighter, Daria works globally with UFC athletes, Special Operations Forces, and top-tier performers across sport and business. Her approach blends psychology, mindfulness, nervous system training, and embodied awareness into a style of coaching that is as grounded as it is transformative.

Drawing from backgrounds in physical therapy, psychology, MBSR, MBCT, and systemic theory, Daria has built a powerful mental training system that helps people stay calm under pressure, sharpen their focus, and untangle the patterns that hold them back. Her work is rooted in values, responsibility, and presence, offering athletes a way to come back to themselves instead of constantly chasing outcomes or relying on forced “mental toughness.”

Throughout the episode, Daria reflects on her own evolution from fighter to coach, a journey marked by discipline, humility, and a deep commitment to understanding the mind. She talks about the emotional and spiritual layers of performance, the importance of inner alignment, and why real confidence comes from awareness rather than suppression. Her perspective challenges the traditional model of pushing harder and instead invites athletes to train with clarity, curiosity, and heart.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt stuck, burnt out, overtrained, or disconnected from the passion that once fueled them. Daria’s insights offer a new way forward that integrates science with humanity and teaches athletes to perform from a place of internal strength, not external pressure.

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In this week's Q&A, Mariel and Jordan dig into one of the most confusing issues facing youth sports today: the blurry line between a firm, well-intentioned coach… and one who crosses into harmful territory.

Throughout the episode, they dive into the pressures today’s coaches face, the rise of “old school” intensity, and the ways young athletes (especially girls) respond differently to certain coaching styles. Mariel reflects on growing up under a brutally demanding coach and how those high-pressure environments both shaped her resilience and revealed where the line gets crossed. Together, they talk through when discomfort becomes growth, when it becomes damage, and how parents can support their athletes without becoming over-involved.

This episode is full of hard truths and practical guidance for anyone trying to navigate the realities of modern sport. Whether you’re a parent who’s unsure how to interpret a coach’s intensity, an athlete learning to advocate for yourself, or a coach striving to get it right, this conversation offers the perspective and nuance that’s been missing from the sidelines

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In this episode, Dr. Joel Kerr breaks down what young athletes actually need to thrive and the answers may surprise you. He calls on parents to step into the role of “recovery coach”: creating a safe emotional environment, supporting real nutrition, and protecting sleep, rather than critiquing performance or chasing stats. He explains how the student athlete exists in a triangle alongside the coach and the parent, where all three need aligned goals and values to support healthy development 

Dr. Joel Kerr or as his athletes affectionally call him, "Dr. J" is an accomplished performance manual therapist, educator, and the visionary founder of BASE – Building an Athletic Structure for Exercise – a comprehensive clinical framework and educational system built to bridge the gap between manual medicine and performance care. With over 17 years of experience working with professional athletes, particularly within basketball, Dr. J has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking leader committed to redefining how clinicians and coaches assess, treat, and train the human body. Holding a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and over 5,000 hours of postgraduate training in Sport Neurofunctional Acupuncture, Dr. J brings a deep understanding of integrated systems, movement science, and evidence-informed care. His ability to seamlessly blend manual therapy, exercise prescription, and neurofunctional techniques has made him a trusted provider among pro athletes seeking longevity, recovery, and performance optimization. Beyond the treatment table, Dr. J is a passionate educator. He has served as a clinical instructor and mentor to hundreds of aspiring clinicians through continuing education programs, college courses, and private mentorship. In 2022, he co-developed the BASE curriculum alongside his wife, Dr. Claire Bacareza, with the mission to equip a new generation of manual medicine clinicians with the tools to observe movement, apply clinical reasoning, and intervene with purpose. BASE emphasizes passive and dynamic interventions, functional anatomy, movement literacy, and performance rehabilitation. BASE is not just a course—it’s a community. At its core, it supports the development of what Dr. J calls the “BASE Eye”: the cultivated skill of observing movement quality before intervention. This concept is central to the BASE system, which prioritizes effectiveness in real-world conditions, blending clinical experience, anatomical understanding, and human connection. The result is a powerful and flexible framework that enhances patient outcomes and builds clinician confidence. Dr. J's work has recently extended into international sport, where he is currently involved in building partnerships with Olympic organizations, athletic federations, and emerging sport performance hubs.Driven by purpose and guided by values of resilience, observation, and collaboration, Dr. J is on a mission to elevate the standard of care in performance and rehabilitation. He continues to build a "homeBASE" of clinicians, coaches, and movement professionals who are committed to learning the language of the body—and helping others return to, or remain in, motion.

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In this episode, Mariel sits down with Brett Devloo, a blind skateboarder, sponsored athlete, and living example of what grit really looks like. Brett lost his vision at 16. But instead of giving up the thing he loved most, he got back on his board and refused to stop skating.

He shares how he learned to trust his body without his sight, why losing his vision actually removed his fear, and how having the right coach and community changed the course of his life. Brett opens up about breaking his femur in a major skate accident, the brutal recovery process, and what it took mentally to get back on the board again.

This is an episode about resilience, creativity, showing up on the days that feel impossible, and finding your way forward when the usual path doesn’t exist. If you need a reminder that you are capable of more than you think, this is it.

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In this Q&A, Mariel and Jordan break down one of the most common moments in youth sport: when an athlete feels like they’re “too good” for the level they’re training at or feels stuck in an environment that doesn’t match their goals. They share why there’s no such thing as wasted practice time, and how the mindset an athlete brings to each session matters more than the environment itself.

From using lower-level reps intentionally, to the power of deliberate practice, to turning the car ride home into a supportive conversation instead of performance pressure, this episode gives athletes and parents real, practical ways to grow confidence and skill, no matter the situation.

They also touch on visualization, how to keep sport fun, and why curiosity beats coaching when you’re a parent supporting your athlete.

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In this episode, Mariel sits down with Andrew Marshall, a Certified Master Coach and 3rd-degree Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, to explore the mindset lessons that turn good athletes into exceptional humans. From his early years in baseball and football to finding his true calling in martial arts and coaching, Andrew shares how pain, injuries, and setbacks shaped his philosophy of growth. Together, they unpack the dangers of perfectionism, the balance between competitiveness and joy, and the importance of belonging over fitting in. Andrew’s story is a roadmap for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to build resilience, develop self-awareness, and create long-term success, both in sport and in life.

"I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, and have spent a number of years living on the Big Island of Hawai’i with my wife and son. Growing up, all I wanted to do was be outside and play sports. Baseball and football were my main focus. After high school, I turned to Jiu Jitsu, boxing, and MMA. Following a series of setbacks and injuries, I committed fully to Jiu Jitsu and began exploring coaching as my professional path. That journey led me deep into healing, mindset, and personal transformation. I immersed myself in meditation, spiritual disciplines, nutrition, physical therapy, functional strength training, and advanced coaching methods. Over time, I built a coaching practice focused on helping others embody their highest potential, not just in their professional performance, but as whole human beings. In my younger years, I struggled with mindset, physical health, and simply knowing how to take care of myself. I’m grateful now to offer others the kind of guidance I once needed, so they can live with strength, clarity, and alignment, and fully step into the truth of who they are." - Andrew

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Professional horse trainer and coach Jim Greendyk joins Mariel this week to explore the mindset behind mastery in sport, work, and life. Jim draws from his experience in the world of high-level horsemanship to show how self-awareness, emotional control, and presence are the real foundations of great performance. Together, they unpack what it means to stay calm under pressure, why toughness without connection fails, and how athletes (and parents) can use mindfulness to build confidence that lasts. 

An Open Rider at the age of 20, Jim’s unparalleled talent, tenacity, and adaptability in the show pen has been proven time and time again, often beating competitors with many more years of experience. There is no doubt that Jim is a trainer who can really “get a horse shown."

On the international stage, Jim can now say that many of those who were his idols are now his rivals. Always ready to learn from others, Jim has and continues to ride with some of the best trainers in the industry in order to further his knowledge year by year. This drive for success and knowledge is a large part of what brought him and his family to the Scottsdale area.

Jim expects a very high standard of performance from himself and his horses and has timing and balance that many will never achieve. This uncanny ability has allowed him to rise quickly and consistently over the years to become one of the top Reining trainers in Western Canada. He didn’t end up at this level of excellence by accident. Since his start in the Porcupine Hills of Southern Alberta, he has taken everything taught to him and elevated it to the next level to move himself and his horses up through the industry quickly. Often, Jim can tease out a level of ability from a horse that others are not able to find.

Jim has grown a huge international following by consistently sharing quality content on social media and he's developed a stellar online training program for those who can't make it to the barn. In this way he strives to reach more people with the best knowledge available.

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Want to learn Reining but struggling to find a way to do it? Don't have a local trainer close enough to teach you? LOOK NO FURTHER  Jim's Reining Masterclass will take you from Sideline to Headline!

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In this episode, Mariel and Jordan dive into one of the most debated topics in youth sports: should kids focus on one sport or play multiple? Pulling from real-life coaching and parenting experience, they unpack the balance between commitment and freedom, structure and fun. From learning how to teach accountability to knowing when it’s okay to miss practice, or even walk away from a sport, they explore what it really means to raise athletes who love the game and stay resilient.

They also tackle how to know when to rest vs. push through, how visualization can be a game-changer during recovery, and the “don’t quit on a bad day” rule every athlete (and parent) should live by.

🎙️ Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, this one’s packed with the real conversations that help young athletes grow both in sport and in life.

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Before Forged Youth became a movement, it started as survival.

In this raw, unfiltered, and deeply human episode, Mariel Anderson, founder, athlete, and mental resilience coach, shares her origin story for the first time without filters.

Growing up as a top-tier volleyball player, Mariel was introduced early to the power of mental training: visualization, emotional regulation, and focus. But at just 15 years old, everything changed when she was assaulted at a tournament, an event that shattered her world, derailed her athletic dreams, and forced her to rebuild her identity from the inside out.

With striking honesty, Mariel talks about the years that followed: the silence, the shame, the struggle to find support, and how those same mindset tools she learned for sport became the lifelines that helped her survive trauma, navigate chronic pain, and ultimately reclaim her purpose.

Now, as the founder of Forged Youth, she’s turning that pain into power, teaching athletes and parents the skills that saved her: how to train the mind, process emotion, and face adversity with courage.

Joined by co-host Jordan Owens, this conversation goes far beyond sport, it’s about the cost of silence, the importance of safe spaces, and the beauty that can emerge when we stop hiding our story and start using it to help others heal.

“I thought mental training was about winning games.
 I didn’t realize it would be what saved my life.” – Mariel

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and recovery. Please listen with care and reach out for professional or community support if needed.

🎧 This is the story that started it all.

💬 Join the Forged Youth parent community → https://www.skool.com/forged-youth-legacy-within-3069/about?ref=dd034a1ae9fd48a7a54c83838cc4c219

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What does it take to bounce back when life (and sport) knocks you down? In this episode, David 'Jacko' joins Mariel to share powerful lessons on resilience, mindset, and confidence. From his own journey through challenges to coaching young athletes, Jacko breaks down what separates those who plateau from those who rise.

We dive into why confidence built only on “winning” won’t last, how to reframe setbacks into growth, and the habits athletes (and their parents) need to support true mental strength. Whether you’re an athlete chasing big goals, or a parent learning how to support your child’s journey, this conversation is packed with insights you can use right away.

David Jackson aka ‘Jacko’ is a Master Instructor with the Oxygen Advantage. A former professional rugby player, accredited UKSCA Strength & Conditioning coach, NASM performance enhancement & corrective exercise specialist on a mission to make breathwork a normal part of our everyday lives.

"In 2013 a traumatic brain injury and a seizure on the rugby pitch forced me to retire from professional rugby and also impacted my breathing patterns negatively for years. It can be simple day-to-day stress or poor habits that have built up over a long time that have changed your breathing patterns but what I know is that if I can change mine after my head injury you can improve yours too.

During my professional rugby career, I wish we knew then what we know now about how breathing can massively impact and improve our performance. Now as a Master Instructor with the Oxygen Advantage, I work with clients ranging from fitness and sports enthusiasts looking to improve their sporting performance, to GP doctor referrals with clients needing to address stress and anxiety issues through breathing, and everything in between.

My passion for sports and sharing what I wish I knew back when I played, has led me to work with professional athletes and teams in a variety of sports like rugby union, football, triathlon, mountain biking, swimming, athletics at national and international levels."  

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In this episode, Mariel sits down with Jordan Owens to explore the lessons sport teaches far beyond the rink. From resilience and mental toughness to leadership and building strong relationships, Jordan shares how his hockey journey shaped his perspective on life after sport.

He reflects on overcoming adversity, the importance of adaptability, and how athletes can redefine success for themselves once their competitive careers end. Packed with insights for athletes, parents, and coaches, this conversation is about more than sport... it’s about growth, identity, and leading with purpose.

Jordan Owens is a former professional hockey player turned creative strategist, coach, and storyteller. After a 12-year pro career that took him across North America and Europe — including signing with the New York Rangers and playing in top leagues in Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the UK — Jordan now helps others develop the mindset, clarity, and discipline needed to pursue their potential, both on and off the ice.

Through his company, Origin Creative, he works with entrepreneurs and organizations to bring ideas to life through strategy, storytelling, and digital tools. But at his core, Jordan is a communicator and mentor. Whether it’s through coaching, keynote speaking, or his YouTube channel A Tribe Called Owens — where he captures honest, human conversations — his goal is to help people better understand themselves, trust their voice, and take meaningful action.

Jordan knows firsthand the challenges young athletes face — from pressure and self-doubt to the transition out of sport. His approach blends experience, empathy, and real-world tools to help the next generation navigate the journey with confidence and purpose.

Check out Jordan's website! 

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In this episode, Mariel introduces a new member of the Forged Youth team: former professional hockey player, Jordan Owens. After a 12-year pro career that took him across North America and Europe (including signing with the New York Rangers and playing in top leagues in Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the UK), Jordan now helps others develop the mindset, clarity, and discipline needed to pursue their potential, both on and off the ice. Together, Mariel and Jordan tackle real questions from parents about how to support their athletes without piling on extra pressure. From helping kids find their voice with coaches, to handling performance anxiety, to creating a healthy balance between sport and everyday life, this conversation gives parents practical tools to foster resilience, confidence, and joy in their athletes.

Whether your child is chasing high-level goals or simply learning to love the game, this episode is filled with insights that help you step back, cheer loud, and raise strong, independent athletes.

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In this powerful and personal episode, Mariel is joined by longtime friend and 5th-degree black belt Mike Blom, a dedicated martial artist and national-level competitor, who’s getting ready to represent Canada at the ITF World Championships in Croatia.

From ninja turtles and Power Rangers to the intense, disciplined world of Taekwondo, Mike shares the deeply human side of martial arts. He opens up about what it really means to step into the ring, not just to fight, but to face yourself. Together, Mike and Mariel explore the mental fortitude required to keep showing up when you’re bruised, doubted, or afraid.

🔍 In this episode, we dive into:

• 🥋 Mike’s origin story in martial arts, and how he went from an uncoordinated kid to a 4-time Team Canada athlete
• 🤯 What martial arts teaches about mental strength, humility, and getting back up after a loss
• 💬 His go-to fight mantra: “No one can beat me”—and what that really means (hint: it’s not about winning)
• 👊 How he handles pressure, chaotic opponents, and the unknown
• 🧠 Why routines, self-talk, and learning to lose well are essential to success—not just in sport, but in life
• 💡 Advice for young athletes and parents navigating fear, overwhelm, and competition burnout

You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll leave this episode with a deeper appreciation for the mindset behind mastery.

🎯 Whether you're a coach, a parent, a competitor, or someone fighting battles of your own, this conversation is packed with perspective-shifting insights on resilience, emotional regulation, and the kind of quiet confidence that can only be forged through adversity.

📣 Mike is funding his own trip to Worlds!!!  (Which is something many people don’t realize about amateur elite athletes. If you’re moved by this episode and want to support a true warrior on his journey, click HERE to go to the GoFundMe and help get him to Croatia.

This is about more than medals. It’s about heart, legacy, and the courage to keep coming back, no matter the outcome.

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🎙️ Inside Volleyball Tryouts: Playing Time, Fair Play & Earning Your Spot

In this special episode, Mariel sits down in person with editor and longtime volleyball coach Kyle to dig deep into the real conversations happening around youth volleyball. From the evolution of "Fair Play" rules to the pressure of earning playing time, this candid discussion unpacks the growing tension between development and competition.

Whether you're a parent wondering why your kid isn’t starting, or an athlete trying to figure out how to stand out at tryouts—this episode has insights for you.

🔥 Topics include:

• Why “Fair Play” isn’t always fair
• How private coaching is reshaping the game
• The life lessons kids should be learning from sport
• What parents might be missing about the value of playing

If you’re navigating the youth sports world, this one is a must-listen.

Does your athlete have the skill, but still find themselves stuck on the bench?

 Parents tell us the hardest part isn’t the losses, it’s watching their child’s confidence and passion fade when they don’t get fair opportunities.

 At Forged Youth, we don’t just train skills, we build resilience, confidence, and clarity so athletes know how to thrive, even when the game doesn’t go their way.

 If you want your athlete to protect their confidence no matter how much court time they get, start with our free tools! Click the link below for mental toughness boosters. 

https://stan.store/Forged-Youth

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What does it really take to develop an elite athlete and how can parents best support their child’s journey?

In this episode, former professional ice hockey coach Alex Stein shares his insights on the fundamentals of high performance. From building confidence through intentional practice to developing resilience through adversity, Alex highlights the habits and mindset that separate good athletes from great ones.

Alex and Mariel also dive into the challenges of parenting high-achieving youth, introducing Alex’s “3 E’s”: creating the right environment, enabling kids to face challenges, and ultimately empowering them to define and pursue their own vision of success. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for growth both in sports and in life.

After more than two decades of successful elite-level professional sports coaching across eight countries, Alex seamlessly transitioned from the locker room to the boardroom. As the founder of Carpe Coaching, Alex is dedicated to developing business teams and their leaders, drawing on his international coaching triple accreditation and extensive background in coaching elite athletes. Specializing in executive team coaching and leadership development, he applies his expertise through a systemic lens to foster value-adding, positive, inclusive, and supportive cultures within organizations worldwide.

Check out the Carpe Coaching website

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What does it take to perform under pressure and actually thrive there? Serbian professional boxer Jelena Janicijevic discovered the power of visualization, mindfulness, and mental training tools that helped her push through fear, overcome setbacks, and achieve history as the first Serbian woman to medal at the European Boxing Championship. Now, as a mentor to young athletes, Jelena reflects on the value of internal motivation, focusing on daily processes, and staying true to yourself in a world that often prioritizes quick wins. Her story is a reminder that sport is more than medals, it’s a lifelong teacher of resilience, discipline, and character.

Jelena Janicijevic, a former kickboxer turned professional boxer, has built a remarkable career through determination and skill. She transitioned to boxing in 2015, facing early challenges including a loss in her professional debut in France. Undeterred, she earned multiple victories and, in 2022, captured the European female lightweight title after a hard-fought rematch against Oleksandra Sidorenko. That same year, Jelena made history by winning Serbia’s first-ever senior medal at an International Boxing Association event, taking bronze at the European Amateur Boxing Championships. She has also competed at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, demonstrating her resilience against some of the world’s top fighters. Known for her grit, discipline, and relentless pursuit of growth, Jelena now inspires others by sharing her journey and helping athletes discover their own strength and potential.

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Behind Canadian National Team cyclist Tyler Rorke’s rise is a foundation built by his parents, not just in early rides to practice, but in the way they navigated disappointment, pressure, and big decisions alongside him. When Tyler was cut from Junior Worlds, their steady support helped him process the setback, find his own motivation, and grow stronger for the long game. In this episode, Tyler's parents reflect on how they balanced guidance with independence, created a safe space for open conversations, and fostered both his love for the sport and his life outside of it. For parents of young athletes, this is a masterclass in showing up without overshadowing.

James and Chantal Rorke are the proud parents of a 22-year-old track cyclist who represented Team Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With years of experience supporting their son’s journey from local races to the world stage, they share candid insights into the dedication, sacrifices, and family teamwork behind raising a youth elite athlete. In this episode, they open up about the Olympic experience, the lessons learned along the way, and the joys and challenges of guiding a young athlete to achieve their dreams.

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How do you support your young athlete’s mental toughness without hovering? In this Q&A episode, Mariel and Kyle dig into questions from parents about building resilience, avoiding burnout, and balancing mental and physical training. From stepping back to let kids take ownership, to knowing when to step in and support, they share personal stories, practical tools, and honest insights. You’ll also hear a powerful anxiety-calming technique from a Serbian boxing champion that athletes can use in any pressure moment. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this one’s packed with gold.

Kyle brings a rare blend of athletic experience, media expertise, and deep empathy to the Forged Youth | Legacy Within team. A former collegiate volleyball player turned media arts graduate, he has built a career at the intersection of storytelling and service. 

With a background in TV, radio, and podcast production, Kyle is the creative force behind the scenes, shaping the sound, tone, and impact of each episode. Beyond the tech, he’s driven by a passion for mental health advocacy and youth empowerment. 

Kyle’s presence is steady, thoughtful, and essential to the mission of helping young athletes forge lives of resilience, integrity, and purpose. 

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When a setback shut the door on Tyler Rorke’s biggest dream as a youth cyclist, he chose not to walk away, he doubled down. In this episode, Canadian National Team sprinter Tyler joins Mariel to talk about the path that didn’t go as planned, and how rejection from Junior Worlds became the catalyst that launched his elite career. He shares what it really looks like to train full-time while staying grounded, how he manages pressure before big races, and why recovery is just as important as time on the bike. This is a must-listen for any athlete learning to ride out the lows and stay focused on the long game.

Tyler Rorke is a Canadian Olympic cyclist known not just for his explosive speed and stamina, but for his unshakable mental game and relentless pursuit of growth — on and off the track. Representing Canada on the world stage, Tyler has become a symbol of grit, discipline, and what it means to bet on yourself when the odds are steep.

From his early days riding with his local club team, KW Cycling Academy, to standing on the start line at the Olympic Games, Tyler’s journey has been anything but easy. Burnout and mental fatigue has tried to derail him — but each setback became fuel. His career is built on intentionality, resilience, and a deep commitment to turning pain into purpose.

Tyler now shares his story with athletes, and families — demystifying the path to elite performance and advocating for a new kind of strength: one that’s rooted in mindset, vulnerability, and self-trust.

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In this episode, Mariel sits down with Jon Giesbrecht: Director of Mental Performance for the Vancouver Bandits and self-proclaimed "Basketball Whisperer." Together, they unpack the real meaning of mental training in sport, why breath awareness is foundational, and how athletes can move from panic to performance through grounded routines and emotional regulation. Jon shares practical tools athletes can use on the court and in life, like how to find your centre, shift from reactivity to readiness, and anchor confidence in the present moment. If you've ever frozen in competition or wondered how to build true mental resilience, this episode is your playbook.

About Jon: Jon Giesbrecht is a trusted mental performance coach and player development leader who helps high-performance basketball athletes unlock their full potential by mastering their mindset. With over a decade of experience coaching at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels, Jon specializes in helping serious athletes overcome overthinking, inconsistency, and self-doubt—so they can play free under pressure and lead with confidence.

Currently serving as the Director of Mental Performance and a player development coach for the Vancouver Bandits (Canadian Elite Basketball League), Jon has worked with athletes across the NBA, NCAA, U SPORTS, and international circuits. He has also supported Team Canada, presented at international coaching clinics, and helped over 50 players reach the college level.

But Jon’s work goes beyond performance. Drawing from his own experience with anxiety, panic attacks, and burnout as a young athlete and coach, Jon brings a level of compassion and clarity few can match. He knows what it feels like to chase greatness while feeling stuck or mentally fragile—and he’s built a proven system to help athletes break through.

His signature program, Play Free, combines mindfulness, identity training, emotional regulation tools, and elite accountability to create lasting transformation—on and off the court. Whether you’re a high school athlete looking to earn a scholarship or a pro trying to find your rhythm again, Jon helps you build confidence that doesn’t waver, no matter what’s happening around you.

Jon has coached over 5,000 athletes, worked with families around the world, and built a growing movement of players who are learning to compete with clarity, joy, and purpose. He’s also the author of the Free Your Mind Journal, a practical tool for athletes to track their growth and reset their focus daily.

From private mentorships and live workshops to community coaching and digital training, Jon’s mission is simple: to help athletes win more and stress less by creating a mental game they can trust.

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...and get his book Free Your Mind Journal on Amazon

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In this special Q&A episode of Forged: Youth Legacy Within, Mariel invites editor Kyle Donen out from behind the mic and into the conversation. Both former competitive volleyball players, they reflect on how the landscape of mental health and performance training in sport has evolved over the past two decades, and what’s still missing.

Through candid questions and stories from their playing and coaching days, Mariel and Kyle explore the emotional weight of injury, the tools they wish they’d had as young athletes, and the power of preparation through visualization. They speak honestly about what it means to show up for athletes not just as competitors, but as people, and how great coaching can shape the rest of a person’s life.

This episode is filled with warmth, insight, laughter, and a powerful reminder that while you can’t change the past, you can still use your experience to build something better for the next generation.

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What if fear rather than skill is the biggest thing holding your athlete back? In this powerful episode, legendary Canadian basketball coach and mental toughness trainer Shawnee Harlee joins Mariel to dismantle the culture of fear-based performance in youth sports. From “playing not to lose” to the paralyzing weight of FOPO (Fear of People’s Opinions), Shawnee breaks down how athletes, parents, and coaches unknowingly sabotage potential. Together, they explore the antidotes: emotional intelligence, courageous self-awareness, and the radically underused skill of self-forgiveness.

You’ll learn why confidence isn’t reliable, how to shift from outcome to process, and the two words every athlete needs after a mistake: “That’s okay.” Whether you're a parent in the stands, a coach on the bench, or an athlete in the game—this episode gives you the tools to change the story.

Want to work with Shawnee?!
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Shawnee Harle is a powerhouse in the world of coaching and mental performance, with over 27 years of elite experience that spans courts, classrooms, and boardrooms. As a two-time Olympian and former Assistant Coach for Team Canada Women’s Basketball, Shawnee has stood on some of the sport’s biggest stages; bringing grit, heart, and wisdom to every team she touches.

Her coaching résumé isn’t just about wins and titles, it’s about transformation. Shawnee holds a Master’s Degree in Coaching Studies and is a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), a designation of excellence from the Coaching Association of Canada. She is also a Master Coach Developer and Master Learning Facilitator for Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program, where she helps shape the next generation of coaches to lead with clarity, courage, and connection.

What makes Shawnee truly stand out is her commitment to mental and emotional performance. She doesn’t just build athletes, she builds resilient, antifragile humans. With a fierce passion for helping individuals find their inner fire, Shawnee helps youth athletes, parents, and coaches alike understand that true greatness comes from mastering the space between the ears. She teaches how to turn fear into fuel, pressure into poise, and setbacks into comebacks.

A straight-shooter with a sharp mind and an even bigger heart, Shawnee Harle equips people not just to compete; but to lead, to rise, and to thrive under pressure. Whether on the court or in life, she believes everyone deserves the tools to win from within.

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What if your biggest moment on the world’s stage was undone by a single thought? In this powerful conversation, tennis pro turned performance coach Jeff Salzenstein sits down with Mariel to unpack the mindset traps that sabotage success, even at the top. From playing Michael Chang in front of 24,000 fans to battling a 15-year-old slump and rewriting his own mental narrative, Jeff shares the turning points that reshaped his career—and life. You’ll hear about the “Champion’s Poem” that kept him grounded, the surprising advice he gives to athletes about failure, and the emotional story of his brother’s transformation and tragic loss. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, this episode is packed with tools to reframe limiting beliefs, lean into growth, and lead with heart.

Jeff's bio and information:

Jeff Salzenstein isn’t just another high-performance coach—he’s lived it.

A former top-100 world-ranked tennis player, two-time Stanford All-American, national champion, and team captain, Jeff spent decades performing under pressure on some of the world’s biggest stages, including the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open.

Today, as an executive performance coach, leadership speaker, and seasoned entrepreneur, Jeff helps high-achieving leaders and teams Own Their Zone™—so they can unlock excellence, thrive under pressure, and build resilience without sacrificing their well-being.

The problem isn’t a lack of talent or ambition. It’s the nonstop pressure to perform at peak levels—day after day, quarter after quarter. Over 55% of leaders report elevated stress that erodes communication, culture, focus, innovation, productivity, and long-term energy.

Most stress management strategies only add more complexity and confusion. But elite performers don’t just grind harder—they train differently. They master the longevity game by expanding their capacity mentally, physically, and emotionally to handle pressure with precision.

Through his transformational Own Your Zone™ framework, Jeff equips leaders to:

Expand mental, emotional, and physical capacity to handle high-stakes pressure

Apply the same fundamentals elite athletes and performers use to stay at the top

Navigate adversity, conflict, and failure with confidence and composure

Balance ambition with strategic recovery and long-term sustainability

Build resilience, sharpen focus, and sustain energy through uncertainty

Jeff’s journey—from elite athlete to executive coach and entrepreneur—has been shaped by reinvention, adversity, and a relentless commitment to growth. He’s battled career-threatening injuries, high expectations, and personal setbacks—not just to survive, but to evolve.

With over 25 years of research and real-world experience in high-stakes performance, Jeff helps leaders model what elite performers do to stay grounded, focused, and at their best—even under relentless pressure.

As the world accelerates and demands intensify, Jeff offers more than inspiration—he delivers a proven path to help leaders perform at their peak, prevent burnout, and create high-performance cultures built to last.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jeffsalzenstein/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsalzenstein/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/jeffsalzenstein
www.jeffsalzenstein.com

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From Volleyball Courts to Life’s Crossroads  | Mariel’s Story of Grit and Survival

What if the mental skills you learn in sports could actually save your life? For mental performance coach Mariel Anderson, they did.

In this powerful episode, Mariel takes us deep into her journey, from being a homeschooled kid who barely knew how to play sports, to discovering her love for volleyball, rising as a national athlete, and training under a visionary coach who taught her the secrets of mental toughness. But her story doesn’t end with medals and victories.

A single night at nationals changed everything when Mariel experienced a traumatic assault that derailed her athletic dreams and left her fighting for her identity, her future, and her mental health.

Hear how the mental tools she learned on the volleyball court became her lifeline through trauma, how she rebuilt her life from zero more than once, and why she’s dedicated her career to helping young athletes develop the grit and resilience to navigate both sport and life’s toughest moments.

This is not just a story about sports, it’s a raw, honest look at the power of mindset, healing, and forging strength from unimaginable pain.

Tune in and discover why Forged Youth | Legacy Within exists , and how the same mental skills that make champions on the court can save lives off it.

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This is the last episode under our old brand of 'Probably Important Podcast'. We believe this was the perfect transition between a podcast that was geared soley towards the general umbrella of 'mental health' to the new focus of elite athletes ages 12-24, their parents and coaches; with the mission of making mental training techniques accessible to all!  Seth is the perfect example of the power behind mental training! July 1st Forged Youth Ep1 drops! 

Seth Pepper's journey is one of radical transformation, driven by vision, discipline, and a relentless curiosity about human potential. Raised in a non-athletic household steeped in the arts; his mother a writer, his father a classical guitar maker. Seth didn’t begin his athletic career until the age of 14. Inspired by the Olympics and fueled by an unshakable desire to compete at the highest level, he embarked on a path most would deem impossible.

Without experience or accolades, Seth approached the YMCA swim coach in his small town and declared his intention to go to the Olympics, despite not yet knowing how to swim. What could have been a moment of ridicule instead became the first spark in a life-changing journey. Training alongside children less than half his age, Seth endured early humiliation and countless failures, but through his mindset of studying failure, not fearing it, he developed rapidly.

A turning point came when his father introduced him to a study on visualization in sports. The study demonstrated that athletes who trained mentally performed nearly as well as those who trained physically. Seth was captivated. He realized that if he could train both body and mind, he could accelerate his progress. This insight birthed a love affair with mental training; visualization, subconscious programming, breath control, and the science of peak performance.

He would later describe this training as second nature, like riding a bike. You start consciously, but over time it becomes automatic. He plastered his walls with Olympic imagery and imagined himself achieving greatness. Within just four years, Seth went from not knowing how to swim to becoming a state champion.

His self-driven efforts didn’t stop there. Refusing to wait for recruitment, he sent personalized packets to top college swim programs. His determination landed him a spot at the University of Arizona, where he trained under a future Olympic coach and competed against the best in the world. Seth’s focus on learning over results allowed him to use every loss as valuable data. That mindset helped him become a national champion, nearly break the American record, and ultimately be recognized as one of the fastest swimmers ever.

One of his most remarkable contributions came through mentoring his younger brother. Applying the same mindset and visualization practices, Seth helped him become a national champion too, making them the first brothers in history to win the same title in the same event.

But Seth’s story doesn’t end with medals. After retiring from competitive swimming, he suffered debilitating panic attacks. Stripped of his athletic identity, he had to relearn who he was outside the pool. This breakdown became a breakthrough: the realization that humans are beings, not doings. Failure became a teacher. Identity became flexible. And self-worth was no longer tied to outcomes.

Today, Seth is a renowned mindset coach helping elite performers, including professional athletes, tap into their subconscious and unlock flow states. He teaches practical tools to return to the body, regulate the nervous system, and let go of ego and external validation. Whether through faith, science, or pure grit, Seth helps others reach levels they never thought possible, reminding them, always, that the real superpower is trusting the process, the moment, and themselves.

www.sethpepper.com

@sethpepper on IG, Facebook

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This is the second last episode of 'Probably Important Podcast', before we turn the page to our new chapter of 'Forged Youth | Legacy Within'.

In this powerful episode, Mariel sits down with Bob Conlin, ontological coach, father, and founder of transformative men's retreats. Bob shares his raw journey through addiction recovery, the life-altering challenges of becoming a father during a high-risk pregnancy, and the courage it took to redefine masculinity through vulnerability and personal growth. Together, they explore the philosophy of ontological coaching, the importance of identity over occupation, and how curiosity and courage fuel meaningful change. You’ll laugh, reflect, and maybe even cringe as Bob recounts being pranked with Aztec death whistles at a retreat; proving that growth doesn’t have to come without a sense of humor.

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Hello all of you incredible humans who are proactive about gaining resources and tools!

We wanted to give you a quick update. For those of you who are here for the first time and expecting it to be a podcast geared towards elite youth athletes, their parents, & coaches; you are in the right place!

The first 46 episodes of this podcast were recorded over the last year and a half when it was 'The Probably Important Podcast' and was geared towards mental health and wellness in general. If you are interested, there is SO MUCH VALUE in these episodes to binge while you wait for us to begin releasing the 'Forged Youth | Legacy Within' episodes. 

We are deep in recording mode for 'Forged Youth | Legacy Within'. So far our roster holds; Olympians (their parents and coaches!), World record holders, pro athletes, retired pro athletes, covers of National Geographic, CEO's, entertainers.. this list goes on!

If you give us a follow, you will be notified when the first episode drops, you won't want to miss it!

Enjoy binging the archives and getting to know your host, Mariel Nichole, in the meantime!

Want to join other like minded individuals who are working to build up their own mental toughness and gain tools to pass onto the athletes in their lives?

Join our Facebook group! Click Here

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This isn’t just another podcast episode. It’s an unmasking.

Formerly known as Probably Important, we’re now Forged Youth: Legacy Within—a space where transformation isn’t just talked about, it’s lived. In this episode, Mariel sits down with coach, retreat leader, and modern alchemist Alex Terranova to explore the raw terrain of what it means to be a man in emotional evolution.

Alex talks candidly about the grief of infertility, the unexpected healing found in men’s retreats, and what happens when we stop avoiding pain and finally sit in the fire. It’s a conversation that swirls with authenticity, courage, and the kind of wisdom that doesn’t come from textbooks—but from living through the things that almost broke you.

🔹 What made a retreat of 14 men burst into collective tears
 🔹 The untold cost of toxic stoicism in men’s lives
 🔹 How infertility cracked open something deeper
 🔹 Reframing anger and sadness as signals—not weaknesses
 🔹 Why being “too much” is actually the beginning of healing

Whether you’re someone who’s carried the weight of silence, or someone who loves someone who has—this episode is your invitation to feel, to see, to heal.

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In this powerful episode, Mariel sits down with Thomas Scaria—coach, author, marathoner, and advocate for living authentically—to explore what it truly means to rise through adversity. From the shock of personal loss and career upheaval to finding strength in long-distance running, Thomas shares the transformative journey that led him to develop his unique framework: "Resilience Plus Rise."

Listeners will hear Thomas's raw story of navigating grief and unexpected challenges, and how he used discipline, gratitude, and mental fortitude to not just survive—but rise. With insights drawn from his coaching practice and his new book, Thomas emphasizes the power of commitment over fleeting motivation, and the daily practices that build a life of purpose and integrity.

This episode is a deep dive into the human spirit’s capacity to endure, evolve, and inspire. Whether you're a youth athlete, a parent, or a coach, you'll walk away with tools and a renewed perspective on resilience, identity, and the courage to show up fully in your own life.

Want to have Thomas as a guide as you learn to own your resilience and rise?

Book Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.ca/resilience-Rise-Transformative-Milestones-Marathon/dp/1038323797/ref=asc_df_1038323797?mcid=bf3f505423d5313ab1c6173269fa10b4&tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=706745562862&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2330770619899401159&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001483&hvtargid=pla-2420501369023&psc=1&gad_source=1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasscaria/

• resiliencerisemindset.com/ (Personal)
• thomasscaria.com (Company)

Email

thomas.scaria97@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3HUzegoJPO1JXWQVCtHCY7?si=p34Hhyb_SXGLcCRUZ0Q8cg

https://youtube.com/@coachthomasscaria?si=DSxtrYizDPqMpB1z

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In this episode, Josh and Mariel take a deep dive into the essentials of mental health and effective communication within relationships. They start by unpacking the often-overlooked skill of active listening and the role empathy plays in truly hearing one another. By sharing personal experiences and practical examples, they highlight the importance of being able to recognize and respond to each other’s emotional needs, especially during times of struggle.

The conversation also touches on how vulnerability can strengthen bonds—an especially important concept for those who may find it difficult to express emotions openly. Mariel shares a strategy she uses with her partner, asking him to wear different “hats” for different conversations, which helps both of them get on the same page emotionally. Josh brings insights from his counseling background, explaining how learning to listen deeply has shaped his own interactions and how essential it is to be comfortable in silence or discomfort rather than jumping to fix the problem.

Through engaging anecdotes and practical tips, Mariel and Josh highlight the power of holding space for each other's struggles and growth—an invaluable approach that encourages healthy communication, mutual support, and genuine connection. This episode is an invitation to step into authentic relationships, where the goal isn’t to fix one another but to foster understanding and respect. Tune in to learn more about building resilience, practicing empathy, and nurturing your mental well-being through deeper, more meaningful connections.

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In this episode of the "Probably Important Podcast," Sorin shares his personal journey toward authenticity and the transformative power of staying true to oneself. He reflects on the impact of social media, how simplifying complex concepts can make a difference, and the importance of emotional regulation in both personal and professional life. Sorin opens up about overcoming depression, burnout from people-pleasing, and the path that led him from a life of struggle to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Together, Mariel, Josh, and Sorin explore topics like self-love, discipline, and the crucial role of neurotransmitters in mental well-being. Sorin also discusses the significance of building strong foundations in mental health and why small, consistent improvements are the key to long-term success. This insightful conversation touches on the value of self-awareness, empathy, and surrounding yourself with purpose-driven people.

Tune in to hear powerful strategies for balancing authenticity, personal growth, and emotional regulation in this thought-provoking episode.

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In this episode of the "Probably Important Podcast," Mariel and Josh navigate through technical difficulties to dive deep into important topics surrounding mental health, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. They explore the concept of coaching, including ICF coaching, and how vulnerability and openness on platforms like podcasts can inspire others.

Mariel opens up about her passion for mental health and youth well-being, discussing her drive to create impactful large-scale projects that benefit her community. She reflects on the challenge of balancing her entrepreneurial ambitions with the need for self-care, recounting her struggles with burnout and a recent 4-day migraine that highlighted the importance of rest.

The conversation also touches on the role of societal expectations in shaping their decisions, especially when it comes to self-care, and the influence of childhood beliefs on their current perspectives. Through candid reflections, Mariel and Josh emphasize the importance of self-awareness and taking care of mental health, encouraging listeners to approach their goals and personal well-being with intention and balance.

Tune in to hear more about their journeys, the lessons they've learned, and how you can apply these insights to your own life.

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This week, we're revisiting a powerful and deeply personal episode where Mariel and Josh explore the complex nature of grief. In this conversation, Mariel shares her experience of grief as a companion to life's major transitions, while Josh offers a perspective that connects grief more closely to death, revealing the universal thread in this human experience.

Mariel opens up about the unexpected loss of her close friend Doug and the initial lack of support she felt, sparking a heartfelt discussion on the cultural taboos surrounding sadness and emotional expression. The episode dives into how different cultures view grief—some embracing it as a natural part of life, while others, like Western cultures, often rush through or avoid the process altogether.

The conversation delves into the non-linear journey of grief, with Mariel’s metaphor of emotions having "visiting hours" reminding us that grief is ever-evolving, moving through stages like sadness, anger, and acceptance. With the right support, we can find ways to live with loss while still allowing space for the natural ebbs and flows of grief.

Join us as we revisit this touching episode, offering valuable insights into how we can support ourselves and others through grief’s challenges.

For support in your grief, reach out to Cat Anderson, an End of Life Doula and Grief Educator, at [reachtrauma.com](https://www.reachtrauma.com/).

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In this episode, Josh and Mariel reflect on their personal journeys with mental health, self-care, and the ongoing challenge of balancing their professional and personal lives. They share stories from their recent experiences, including organizing IGNITE2024 - a mental health gala, emphasizing the importance of having a support system.

Mariel opens up about the emotional toll of her event planning, likening it to a postpartum experience, while Josh draws parallels to the aftermath of long-running projects. Together, they discuss the power of vulnerability, leaning on others for support, and managing overwhelming situations, particularly in the context of mental health advocacy.

They also explore the complexities of self-harm and the need for control during difficult times, underscoring the value of community, preparation, and self-care. The episode concludes with reflections on the success of their recent show and a heartfelt call to action, encouraging listeners to share their stories, seek help when needed, and cultivate strong relationships for mental well-being.

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This week's podcast episode is a special repost of our conversation with Jenine Lehfeldt in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month. In this powerful episode, Jenine shares her deeply personal journey of self-discovery, authenticity, and recovery. As someone who has faced significant challenges, including an electrocution injury that ended her film industry career, along with battles with alcoholism and depression, Jenine’s story is one of resilience and hope.

Throughout the episode, we discuss the difficult realities of mental health, including Jenine's experiences with depresson, and the importance of seeking help. We explore the role of shadow work in healing and the transformative power of vulnerability and self-responsibility. Jenine also touches on the benefits of integrating different parts of oneself through tools like Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.

This episode serves as a reminder that healing is possible, and that reaching out for support can make all the difference. For more on Jenine’s journey and her work in yoga and wellness, visit sweetserenityyoga.com.

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In this episode, Mariel, Josh, and special guest Catherine dive into a rich conversation about mental health, cancer survivorship, and the power of self-care and mindfulness. Catherine opens up about her personal journey of overcoming a cancer diagnosis, divorce, and mental health struggles, sharing how these challenges led her to discover a deeper purpose and drive for helping others.

The trio explores the importance of letting go of attachment to one’s story and negative influences, highlighting how this can hinder personal growth. They discuss the value of retreats in coaching and therapy, as well as the transformative potential of group-based therapy and support systems. Catherine reflects on her passion for self-reflection and personal transformation, and the steps she took to rebuild her life with a focus on authenticity and positive influences.

The conversation touches on practical tools for navigating stress and trauma, with Catherine sharing insights on the significance of setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, and living in alignment with one’s true self. The team also delves into how individuals can break long-established patterns through self-reflection, effort, and the support of a community.

This episode is filled with powerful insights on resilience, healing, and the importance of prioritizing self-care while navigating life's challenges. Whether you're seeking inspiration on personal growth or tips on handling mental health, this conversation provides a deep, honest look at the tools and perspectives that can lead to lasting transformation.

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In this episode, Mariel, Josh, and guest Abby Hildebrand dive deep into the transformative power of breathwork and its role in managing emotions, healing past wounds, and fostering personal growth. Abby, a breathwork facilitator and registered therapist, shares her journey from HR to holistic healing, revealing how breathwork helped her navigate the trauma of her daughter’s birth and how it became a cornerstone of her self-care practice.

Together, they explore the science behind breathwork, breaking down its connection to the autonomic nervous system and explaining how it can be used to regulate stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. The group discusses practical tools for rebuilding trust with your body, balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, and the importance of finding breathwork techniques that align with your unique needs.

Abby opens up about her struggles with anxiety, chronic stress, and learning to let go of past grievances, offering listeners practical advice on how to embrace the process of healing through breath. They also talk about the power of community and the importance of creating a support system, emphasizing how crucial it is to have safe spaces to express emotions and receive support.

Listeners will learn about the significance of setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and taking time to pause and reflect, all while being compassionate with themselves along the way. Whether you're new to breathwork or familiar with its benefits, this episode provides valuable insights on how to use the breath as a tool for healing, personal growth, and emotional balance.

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In this insightful episode, Kyra, Mariel, and Josh dive deep into the significance of building and nurturing a supportive community. Kyra shares her personal journey as a mother and founder of the Traveling Dairy, a unique community where women from 30 countries connect authentically and share their stories. The team explores the complexities of online communities, discussing both the empowering and challenging aspects of social media as a tool for connection.

Kyra introduces the Bonfire Diary, a personal journal designed for self-expression and witnessing the stories of others. She emphasizes the importance of finding stillness and practicing self-care to manage life’s demands. Mariel and Josh contribute their perspectives on vulnerability, authenticity, and the need for safe spaces in both online and offline relationships.

Tune in to hear about the transformative power of storytelling, the delicate balance between public sharing and private reflection, and the importance of mental health in maintaining a thriving community. Don't miss Kyra's tips on staying grounded and prioritizing what truly matters in a fast-paced, connected world.

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In this episode, Josh and Mariel tackle the topic of perfectionism and its profound impact on our personal and professional lives. They dive into the societal pressures, especially those placed on women, to maintain an impeccable appearance and a perfect home, discussing how these unrealistic standards can affect self-worth and mental health. Drawing on personal experiences and insights from thought leaders like Brené Brown, they explore the importance of challenging these expectations and embracing authenticity.

Mariel and Josh share their own struggles with perfectionism, discussing how the pursuit of perfection often leads to missed opportunities, internal dissatisfaction, and a lack of effort when perfection feels unattainable. They emphasize the need to focus on personal growth, set reasonable goals, and learn from setbacks as part of their development journey.

The conversation also highlights the importance of creating a safety network of trusted individuals who can provide support and guidance. Josh and Mariel discuss strategies for building this network, the value of authenticity over external validation, and the importance of self-acceptance and personal alignment. Whether dealing with chronic pain, societal expectations, or personal growth challenges, they offer practical advice on navigating life's complexities with resilience and grace.

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on self-worth, overcoming perfectionism, and the importance of belonging, with insights that will resonate with anyone striving for personal growth and mental well-being.

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In this episode, Mariel and Josh welcome global fitness expert Eric Levine, who shares his incredible journey through the fitness and yoga industry. Eric discusses the importance of aligning business practices with a noble goal and ensuring team cohesion around that purpose. He also shares captivating stories from his early days at Club Med to his ventures in building yoga centres across the globe.

The conversation dives into the significance of a balanced lifestyle, touching on the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual health. Eric's passion for yoga and meditation, which began at the age of 13, shines through as he discusses the challenges and successes of promoting yoga worldwide. He also emphasizes the power of mentorship, sharing stories of how one person's belief in another can lead to remarkable transformations.

Join us as we explore the lessons Eric has learned from his mentors, the importance of staying true to one's values, and the impact of a supportive community in achieving both personal and professional success. This episode is packed with insights on living a purposeful and balanced life, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in fitness, yoga, and holistic well-being.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring story of Brett, a visually impaired entrepreneur, philanthropist, skateboarder, and musician. Brett shares his journey of losing his vision at the age of 16 due to Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and how he found joy, fulfillment, and purpose in the face of adversity.

Join us as Brett recounts his experiences of overcoming challenges in a small hometown where he faced skepticism and struggled with acceptance. He discusses the transformative power of technology in his life, the passion he found in skateboarding, and his plans to launch a clothing line that embodies his playful and expressive spirit.

Throughout the conversation, Brett emphasizes the importance of self-expression, community, and resilience in navigating life's obstacles. He reflects on the significance of sharing personal stories to create connections and inspire others, even in the digital age.

This episode also features thoughtful insights from Josh and Mariel, who engage in a lively discussion about mental health, the role of counseling, and the beauty of finding hope in life's challenges. Tune in to hear Brett's story of growth, positivity, and the power of embracing one's journey.

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In this episode, Mariel, Josh, and Molly dive into their personal journeys toward mental and physical well-being, focusing on self-acceptance, therapy, and learning from past mistakes. They explore the complexities and rewards of multi-generational living, the impact of addiction on personal relationships, and the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in building meaningful connections.

Molly opens up about her experiences with substance abuse, moving back in with her parents, and the positive impact of family support on her mental health. The discussion touches on cultural norms surrounding multi-generational living, with Mariel and Josh weighing in on the importance of these arrangements in fostering close-knit communities.

Mariel shares her enjoyment of cold water plunges and regular river visits for mental and physical well-being. The group also discusses their plans for upcoming boat trips, sharing light-hearted stories about their dogs, which adds a personal touch to the conversation.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Molly and Josh discuss their journeys to self-acceptance and therapy. Molly reflects on her struggles with substance abuse and the significance of therapy in her path to self-awareness. Josh shares his own experiences with shame and the importance of learning from mistakes and taking responsibility for personal growth.

The group highlights the benefits of journaling as a strategy for managing negative thoughts and enhancing mental health. Molly and Mariel share their personal experiences with journaling, emphasizing its effectiveness when practiced in the morning before daily distractions. They also discuss the role of routine and a healthy sleep schedule in maintaining mental well-being.

Molly shares her efforts to help family members struggling with alcohol addiction and the impact of past events on her relationships. The group appreciates her vulnerability and the positive influence of her self-care practices, including attending Alcoholics Anonymous, therapy, fitness activities, and the support of her puppy.

Join Mariel, Josh, and Molly for an insightful and heartfelt conversation about mental health, addiction, personal growth, and the power of vulnerability and authenticity in building connections.

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In this episode, Mariel and Josh welcome Coco, a passionate advocate for men's mental health, business decolonization, and personal growth. The conversation begins with a light-hearted discussion about Coco's clowning experiences and the healing power of play. As the discussion deepens, Coco shares her journey of rediscovering play as a form of healing and the challenges she faces due to Autism-related sensitivities.

The team dives into the concept of decolonization in business, exploring how oppressive systems like patriarchy, white supremacy, and industrialism impact decision-making. Coco introduces her new workshop aimed at helping business owners scale while confronting and releasing internalized colonization, which often results in burnout and loneliness. She emphasizes the importance of making decisions based on one's truth rather than external pressures.

Coco, Josh, and Mariel discuss the authenticity required in non-profit work and the potential outcomes of a decolonized approach to business and finance. Coco highlights the need for individuals, especially people of color and women, to shift their relationship with money to one that is more empowering and mutually beneficial. She stresses the importance of creating a capacity to hold wealth and reducing unnecessary expenses.

The conversation also touches on the significance of certification in the coaching industry, the role of therapy and coaching in personal journeys, and the potential impact of decolonization on the bottom line. Coco shares inspiring examples of how decolonization can lead to increased productivity and decision-making by allowing for periods of rest and bursts of activity.

Coco expresses her desire to lead with courage, empathy, and integrity, criticizing traditional notions of leadership based on fear, power, and dominance. She emphasizes the importance of people skills and the need to connect with others authentically. The discussion highlights the evolution of leadership culture and the importance of empowering people to achieve different and more desirable results.

Mariel, Josh, and Coco explore the role of vulnerability, authenticity, and community in personal and professional growth. Coco shares her experiences with emotional abuse and how it led her to prioritize her well-being and pursue her passions. She underscores the importance of showing up as one's authentic self, shedding layers of oppression and self-doubt, and building a supportive community.

Coco's passion for electronic dance music and her presence on various social media platforms are also discussed. She invites listeners to follow her personal and creative journey, emphasizing self-acceptance, curiosity, and continuous learning. Mariel and Josh praise Coco for her self-awareness and her ability to engage, monetize, and support others through her expression.

Join Mariel, Josh, and Coco for a thought-provoking discussion on decolonization in business, personal growth, and leadership, and discover the importance of vulnerability, authenticity, and community in achieving fulfillment.

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In this episode, Mariel and Josh welcome Zan Gallant, a coach specializing in men's mental health and recovery, to discuss the profound transformation and challenges of addiction recovery. Zan shares his personal experiences with running as a tool for mental and physical well-being, emphasizing the discipline, focus, and connection with nature it provides. The conversation explores the significance of self-awareness, personal responsibility, and authenticity in the recovery journey.

Zan opens up about his struggle with substance abuse, highlighting the disconnection he felt while under the influence and the emergence of his true self after he stopped using. The group delves into the journey of self-discovery and identity change that occurs in recovery, discussing the discomfort and extreme challenges one faces during personal transformation. They emphasize that embracing these challenges offers growth and fulfillment, and that individuals must navigate hardships with determination and resilience.

Mariel and Zan discuss the concept of being 'anti-fragile'—growing stronger through life's struggles—and the importance of resilience and personal accountability. They stress the power of choice in shaping one's life and the significance of shifting focus from external circumstances to what individuals can control. Zan shares his own experiences, highlighting the value of mentors and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous in navigating recovery.

The episode also touches on the transformative effects of working through structured recovery programs, such as the 12 steps in AA, and the importance of self-awareness and faith in a higher power. Zan discusses his transition from a party lifestyle to one focused on recovery, the impact on his social relationships, and the importance of building a life that one doesn't want to escape from.

Zan and Josh emphasize the individuality of each person's recovery journey, the role of coaches or counselors in guiding individuals, and the prevalence of addiction in society. The conversation highlights the need for non-judgmental spaces for individuals to share their struggles, the transformative power of building relationships, and fostering deep conversations among men. The group agrees on the need for open dialogue to improve mental health and well-being and discusses the universality of human change and the potential for anyone to overcome challenges such as addiction.

Join Mariel, Josh, and Zan Gallant as they explore the profound journey of addiction recovery, the importance of self-awareness, and the transformative power of resilience and personal responsibility.

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Join Mariel, Josh, and their guest Shirley A. Tease in an inspiring episode that dives deep into the realms of personal and professional growth, authenticity, and emotional expression. Shirley, a single mother, business consultant, and burlesque performer, shares her remarkable journey of balancing work, family, and self-discovery. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health, being true to oneself, and the transformative power of creativity.

The conversation kicks off with Shirley discussing the challenges she faces in her busy life and the impact of burlesque that have helped her embrace her authentic self, leading to a profound change in how she approaches life and work. The group explores the metaphorical "outfits" we wear in life and the significance of feeling safe in our own skin, drawing parallels to the art of burlesque.

Shirley opens up about her therapeutic journey, overcoming struggles through self-discovery, and the importance of finding the right guide or facilitator. She reflects on her intentional path forward, moving from a place of survival to thriving with confidence and unapologetic self-expression. Mariel and Josh resonate with her story, underscoring the shared nature of life's hardships and the collective evolution they drive.

Delving into more personal territory, Shirley recounts her experience with self-imposed isolation during recovery from emotional abuse. She highlights the necessity of prioritizing her own needs and the guilt she initially felt. Through this journey, she has learned to embrace her growth and authenticity, no longer apologizing for being herself. This message of self-acceptance and truth is a recurring theme throughout the episode.

Exploring the balance between emotional expression and authenticity, Shirley describes her journey from suppressing to fully expressing her emotions, finding a comfortable middle ground. She stresses the importance of guiding children to find their own truth and path, sharing how her pursuit of burlesque has been a form of self-expression and personal transformation.

Throughout the episode, Shirley emphasizes the integral role of creativity in her life, debunking her previous belief that she lacked creative talent. Her engagement with burlesque, writing, and art has become a therapeutic outlet, helping her navigate challenging moments. Mariel and Josh agree, highlighting the unique nature of creativity and expression for each individual.

The conversation touches on maintaining emotional balance and teaching children to embrace all emotions. Shirley shares her experiences with asserting personal boundaries and managing guilt when prioritizing her own needs. She advocates for the recognition that one's needs are as important as others', while still considering the importance of meeting others' needs.

In a powerful closing discussion, Shirley encourages a collaborative and inclusive mindset, using the metaphor of shared light to illustrate the beauty of multiple perspectives. She talks about finding her purpose through burlesque, using her platform to create space for others to express themselves and share their stories. Mariel and Josh admire her resilience and storytelling, culminating in an anticipation for an upcoming event that aims to showcase talents and give back to the community.

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In this powerful episode, Mariel and Josh are joined by Celestine Aleck, a renowned author and storyteller, to explore her incredible personal and professional journey. Celestine, who has authored eight books, shares how a chance encounter with Holly Bright at a book launch led to their collaboration on a contemporary dance project that brings her stories to life.

Celestine delves into the challenges she faced while setting up the dance project, "Sun and Moon," amidst juggling two jobs and full-time schooling. Despite facing verbal and mental abuse at her job, she persevered with the support of Holly and secured the necessary grants for her project. The joy and happiness of the dancers reignited her passion for teaching and inspired her dream of working behind the desk.

The trio explores the significance of cultural practices in healing, with Celestine sharing her family's traditional medicine practices. They acknowledge the impact of residential schools on First Nations people and discuss the role of storytelling in preserving cultural heritage. Celestine offers insights into her culture's healing rituals, such as crying and bathing, and the broader process of healing through self-discovery and alignment with one's true worth.

Celestine shares a haunting vision shown to her by her grandfather, Ronald Alec, depicting the pain her family would suffer if she committed suicide. This profound experience shaped her life and storytelling journey, which began at the age of four. Mariel and Josh express their admiration for the wisdom and care demonstrated by Ronald Alec and recognize the significant influence this vision had on Celestine.

Throughout the episode, Celestine emphasizes the importance of self-love, seeking help, and practicing forgiveness as continuous processes. The discussion highlights the need for individualized self-care strategies and the potential negative impact of misaligned values on one's authentic self. Celestine's journey of overcoming depression and suicidal ideation serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

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In this episode, Mariel and Josh are joined by Michael Ravenwood, the visionary founder of Skyfire Arts, an innovative organization that merges art and science to promote ecological awareness and renewable energy. The episode opens with Mariel introducing Michael and diving into his fascinating work, including his captivating performances where he becomes electrified by a Tesla coil, throwing 10-foot bolts of lightning, all while conveying critical messages about climate change and mental health.

Michael passionately discusses how storytelling can create and transform reality, explaining the distinction between physical or objective reality and creative or subjective reality. He emphasizes that the stories we tell ourselves and the values we uphold shape our world, urging listeners to be mindful of the dominant narratives, especially those around economic growth and industrialism, and their environmental impacts.

The conversation shifts to the importance of curiosity in personal and societal growth. Mariel shares her background of growing up in a conservative household where curiosity was often discouraged, while Michael highlights the role of curiosity in understanding oneself and navigating professional environments. They discuss the neurological underpinnings of curiosity and its profound impact on emotional well-being.

Michael opens up about his childhood emotional and mental struggles, detailing how adaptive mechanisms like emotional detachment and marijuana use helped him cope. He recounts a transformative backpacking trip that marked a turning point in his life, leading to a deeper understanding of holistic mental health practices such as meditation, visualization, and exercise. Michael shares a profound experience on a bus ride to school that instilled a sense of oneness with the universe and redefined his concept of "God."

Further, Michael elaborates on how his college education, particularly courses in environmental science, ethics, and physics, reshaped his worldview. He underscores the interconnectedness of all things and criticizes the superficial proclamations of unity that lack actionable follow-through. This educational journey feuled his mission through Skyfire Arts to foster universal compassion and love.

Michael stresses the power of the mind in creating desired effects without external aids, advocating for the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza and the concept of ikigai—finding one's reason for being—as keys to mental health and well-being. He also shares his approach to monetizing art and encourages listeners to identify and pursue their passions.

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In this episode, Mariel and Josh dive into the multifaceted journey of parenting, exploring the challenges and transformations that come with the role. They emphasize the critical importance of allowing children to face challenges and hardships to develop resilience and anti-fragility. By sharing personal experiences and insights, they highlight how overprotection can hinder a child's ability to navigate the world, stressing that some adversity is necessary for growth.

The discussion also touches on the impact of emotional disregulation, particularly in individuals who have faced grief at a young age. Mariel and Josh explore the balance parents must strike between caring for their children and granting them autonomy, especially during adolescence. They delve into the significance of understanding and adapting to children’s developmental stages to foster healthy, connected relationships.

A major theme in the conversation is the necessity for parents to maintain their own identities and interests outside of their parenting roles. Mariel shares her experiences balancing work with the Mental Health Foundation and being a mother, discussing the value of being fully present with her child while pursuing her career. Josh and Mariel agree on the importance of demonstrating to children that they are not the sole focus of a parent's life, which in turn helps children develop independence.

The pair also discuss the importance of allowing children to take risks and learn through experiences, referencing the book "The Anxious Generation," which explores the shift from play-based to screen-based childhood and its impact on mental health. They debate the need for children to engage in unsupervised play to develop social and emotional skills, while balancing the potential dangers of the modern digital world.

Mariel and Josh emphasize the significance of learning through trial and error in parenting. They encourage parents to seek support from other parents and professionals, highlighting the value of community and shared experiences. They also introduce a future initiative to create a video reel of parents sharing their struggles and learnings anonymously, fostering a supportive and understanding community.

Join Mariel and Josh as they navigate the complexities of parenting in a rapidly changing world, offering valuable insights, personal anecdotes, and practical advice for fostering resilience, maintaining balance, and promoting healthy emotional development in children.

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In this episode, Mariel, Josh, and Alex delve into the crucial topic of men's mental health, emphasizing the importance of emotional expression and management. They discuss the unique challenges men face in accessing and articulating their emotions, as well as the difficulties women encounter in supporting their male partners' emotional well-being. The trio explores the necessity of open communication and emotional understanding within relationships, highlighting the significance of creating safe spaces for vulnerable discussions.

Alex, a passionate advocate for men's mental health, shares his personal journey towards emotional well-being and the transformative impact of embracing a wider range of emotions. He recounts how societal expectations initially led him to suppress his feelings, but through practices such as private emotional release and mindful vulnerability, he found greater joy and a stronger sense of self. Alex introduces his retreat program, "The Alchemy of Men," which aims to help men connect with their emotions and build a supportive community.

The conversation covers practical strategies for managing emotions healthily and constructively. Alex talks about the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions when feeling angry and the benefits of expressing anger in controlled ways. Josh emphasizes the power of accurately labeling sensations to cope with cravings and addictions, sharing insights from therapy and the book "It's Not Always Depression."

Mariel steers the discussion towards the challenges women face in supporting their male partners, particularly in creating safe spaces for emotional vulnerability. Alex and Josh underscore the importance of both partners doing their own emotional work and practicing empathy, even when emotions are uncomfortable. They discuss how cultural awareness plays a role in this dynamic and the necessity of continuous effort and learning in relationships.

Alex shares a poignant account of his and his wife's emotional journey following a miscarriage, emphasizing the importance of processing grief and its impact on their relationship. He also highlights the challenges men face in being vulnerable within their peer groups and the need for safe, accepting communities.

Tune in to hear more about Alex's transformative retreat program, "The Alchemy of Men," and join Mariel, Josh, and Alex in exploring the path towards better mental health for men through meaningful conversations, emotional expression, and community support.

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In this episode, Mariel welcomes guest speaker Serra Moanie, a talented burlesque performer, who opens up about her transformative journey into the world of burlesque and drag. Sarah shares how she discovered these art forms as powerful tools for self-care and healing after enduring a difficult relationship. She details how performing has not only aided her physical and mental recovery but also empowered her to reclaim her confidence and sense of self. Sarah's story includes her successful performances in Victoria and Vancouver, and her involvement in the upcoming IGNITE show to support at-risk youth in Nanaimo, showcasing how her passion has evolved into a force for positive change.

Joining the conversation, Serra brings her unique perspective, recounting her own experiences of leaving challenging situations to pursue a better and more fulfilling life. Serra emphasizes the importance of self-realization, course correction, and the creation of a holistic community. She discusses the crucial role of identifying one's needs and triggers, and how nourishing oneself through creative processes and supportive relationships can lead to profound personal growth. Serra's journey highlights the necessity of setting boundaries and seeking environments that respect and uphold one's sense of safety and dignity.

The discussion delves into the broader themes of curiosity, self-reflection, and the building of strong, intentional relationships. Serra introduces the concept of the imaginal awakening process, a metaphor for human transformation inspired by the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. This process, she explains, involves struggle but also provides opportunities for self-protection and evolution through the formation of nurturing communities.

Mariel and Serra explore the evolution of Serra's interest in burlesque, from her early experiences in Vancouver to her rediscovery of the art form later in life. Serra speaks passionately about the welcoming and diverse community she found, particularly in Victoria's strong BIPOC burlesque scene. She emphasizes the ceremonial aspects of her performances, which serve as transformative and transactional experiences that foster deep connections between performers and audiences.

Serra also shares her personal experiences with trauma and her journey towards healing, which includes reconnecting with her ancestral lines and founding a supportive community. She stresses the importance of creating safe spaces for individuals facing similar struggles, highlighting the role of community, love, and connection in achieving a fulfilling life. Josh expands on this idea, discussing the significance of ceremonies in addressing human needs for connection, intentionality, awe, and significance, often overlooked in contemporary Western culture.

The episode also covers practical mental health strategies. Serra discusses using sensory grounding techniques to manage dissociative episodes and help her children focus on the present moment. Mariel and Josh emphasize the importance of these techniques for joint regulation and their potential benefits for children and adults alike.

Throughout the conversation, Mariel, Josh, and Serra underscore the importance of introspection, setting boundaries, and creating intentional communities for personal growth and well-being. They encourage listeners to take responsibility for their own well-being, strive for deeper connections, and share their own tips and tools for mental health. Mariel concludes by reflecting on the idea that individuals often become what they need, a concept that resonates deeply with Serra's experiences and insights.

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In this episode, Mariel and Josh dive into the powerful impact of physical actions on mental health and overall well-being. They discuss how maintaining a tidy space, engaging in self-care rituals, and adopting a confident posture can significantly improve one's mood and reduce anxiety. Highlighting the importance of nutritious food, healthy sleep habits, and proper hydration, they propose a 30-day trial aimed at enhancing mental health through mindful rituals, intentional outfit selection, daily exercise, and a focus on hydration and nutrition.

Mariel and Josh share personal anecdotes, including Mariel's experience at the East Side Culture Crawl and her strategies for managing anxiety through physical presence and posture. They also explore how fashion and tidiness can elevate mood, with tips on using these as forms of self-care. Additionally, they emphasize the value of paying attention to the body's signals and making small behavioural adjustments to boost overall well-being.

Listeners are encouraged to participate in the 30-day trial and share their own tips and tools for mental health. Mariel and Josh stress the importance of seeking help when needed and leveraging mutual support to utilize each other's strengths. Tune in for practical advice and inspiring stories on how physical actions can positively transform your mental health.

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The Art of Connection in a Digital Age

In this episode of "Probably Important Podcast," Josh and Mariel dive into the value and impact of Zoom in their lives, especially its role in maintaining and building relationships during a time of reduced physical connection. Mariel shares her gratitude for Zoom, recounting how it allowed her to stay connected even when she was under the weather. Together, they reflect on the concept of friendship, categorizing relationships into different levels, and emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, loyalty, and shared values.

Josh introduces the idea of a tiered system for relationships, explaining how it can streamline the process of navigating new acquaintances. Mariel elaborates on the distinctions between acquaintances, casual friends, and the inner circle, noting that her inner circle holds her accountable and demonstrates loyalty and integrity, regardless of the time apart. They discuss how these relationships evolve through different life stages, with loyalty and shared values being key components.

Mariel emphasizes the importance of not oversharing with those who may not have the capacity to hold space for vulnerability, referencing Renee Brown's work on the topic. Josh adds that understanding the stages of relationships helps manage expectations and interactions. They also introduce the unique concept of 3-minute, 3-hour, and 3-day friends, highlighting the value each type brings to one's life.

Further into the conversation, Josh and Mariel explore the importance of shared values and the role they play in both friendships and romantic relationships. They stress the need for open communication and the capacity for personal evolution within relationships. Mariel shares a personal experience where she had to distance herself from a friend due to lifestyle choices, underscoring the need for supporting each other from a distance when necessary.

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the intentionality of choosing who we surround ourselves with. Mariel talks about reaching out to new influences and building a supportive network, while Josh highlights how a good friend can positively impact our success and values. They invite listeners to share their perspectives on the qualities of good friendships and their experiences with different types of relationships. The hosts also encourage feedback and communication through email, social media, and their new community group, aiming to foster a supportive and connected community.

Tune in to this insightful episode to explore the nuances of relationships, the importance of intentionality, and how to build meaningful connections in a digital world.

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Welcome to 'Probably Important Podcast,' where Mariel and Josh delve into the intriguing concept of "blind spots" and explore how they impact our personal growth, relationships, and career development. In this episode, along with a guest appearance from Editor Kyle, they discuss the dangers of blind spots and how acknowledging them can lead to positive transformation. The conversation is packed with insights on self-awareness, the value of humility, and the importance of trusted relationships in helping us navigate unseen obstacles.

Mariel, Josh, and Kyle open up about their personal experiences with blind spots and how they've worked through them. They share stories that range from therapy sessions to driving analogies, illustrating how blind spots can shape our decisions and interactions with others. Josh emphasizes the critical role of self-acknowledgment and therapy in revealing hidden aspects of ourselves, while Mariel shares her journey toward recognizing and addressing her tendency to carry others' burdens.

Throughout the episode, they discuss the significance of having a support network of trustworthy individuals who can provide honest feedback and help us detect potential issues before they become major problems. They also examine the challenges of relying solely on friends, considering the benefits of professional counseling or therapy to maintain objectivity.

The conversation takes a personal turn as Mariel and Kyle reflect on their shared past in volleyball, which brought them back together. They discuss how memory plays a role in their lives, with Kyle's detailed recollection of past events serving as both a strength and a burden. This leads to a broader discussion on the role of memories in relationships and how time impacts closeness with others.

To round off the episode, the P.I. Crew propose an actionable item to help listeners manage their own blind spots: creating T-shirts with the phrase "what you resist persists" to remind us all of the importance of self-awareness and acceptance. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation and get ready to explore the fascinating world of blind spots with us.

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Welcome to the 'Probably Important Podcast,' where we dive into the topics that are often avoided but truly matter. In this episode, Mariel, Josh, and Reverend Stephen Garrett engage in a deeply meaningful conversation about death, grief, and loss. Reverend Garrett shares his personal experiences, shedding light on why open discussions about death are crucial for our personal and societal well-being. He talks about the impact of losing loved ones, recounts his sister Jody's passing, and introduces us to the Professional End of Life Doula Program he created.

As we explore the spiritual and emotional sides of death, Reverend Garrett offers insightful ideas on how to reframe death as an inspirational teacher, encouraging us to embrace our spiritual nature while acknowledging the shadow sides of life. The conversation goes deeper into the cultural factors that influence our beliefs, including societal issues like economic instability and climate change, and how these can be tied to a lack of spiritual awareness.

Mariel, Josh, and the Reverend also discuss the importance of preparing communities for grief, emphasizing the need for community support and various expressions of grief. The episode touches on the challenges arising from an aging population and a shortage of resources, with Reverend Garrett suggesting that grief rituals or gatherings can help address unexpressed grief. We learn about Reverend Garrett's compassionate approach to supporting those in pain, his belief in the power of acceptance and understanding, and how these values shape his work.

This episode provides a comprehensive view of death and grief, blending personal stories with practical advice and deep spiritual insights. Tune in to gain a new perspective on these essential topics and join the ongoing conversation aimed at helping us all navigate life's most challenging moments with compassion and courage.

Rev. Stephen Garrett Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stephen.garrett.140

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Mariel and Josh discussed the impact of sunlight on their mindsets, the importance of mindset, and the concept of a growth mindset. They also explored the significance of self-compassion, the evolution of personal identity, and the impact of past trauma and neglect on their present behaviors. Lastly, they discussed reframing their self-narratives, recognizing and accepting patterns in life, and the challenges of public speaking. The conversation highlighted the importance of changing negative self-talk, rewriting narratives, and using positive self-talk to improve mindset and performance.

Mariel and Josh had an engaging conversation about the impact of sunlight on their mindsets, with Josh sharing his observations about how the change of season affects his inner dialogue. Mariel agreed, sharing her own experiences and how the lack of sunshine can lead to a heavier self-talk and even depression. They ended the discussion with Josh expressing his appreciation for the idea that mindset, including a growth mindset, is an ingredient that contributes to people's experiences.

Josh and Mariel discussed the importance of mindset and how it can be manipulated for a more positive outlook. Mariel shared her admiration for Marisa Peers, who teaches courses on changing one's narrative and thought patterns. 

Josh shared his struggle with maintaining a growth mindset while launching and managing his business. He discussed how he had fallen into a negative mindset and how a conversation with a child about a lost race car race inspired him to change his perspective. Mariel then shared a similar experience with her own child and how changing the narrative from "I can't do it" to "I'm learning" can empower and help take control of the situation. The importance of the growth mindset was emphasized throughout the conversation.

Mariel and Josh discussed the importance of self-compassion in personal growth and its potential to extend to others. Josh highlighted the challenge of offering compassion to oneself, particularly in areas of personal shortcomings. Mariel emphasized the need to reframe negative self-talk, using the example of improving relationships. Both agreed on the importance of acknowledging and accepting the difficulties of relationship building, and emphasized the need for commitment and communication to succeed in relationships.

Josh and Mariel discussed the concept of personal identity and its evolution over time. Josh shared his perspective on the importance of self-awareness and the brain's tendency to make statements and then work to fulfill them. Mariel agreed, noting that people often hold onto parts of their identity as if they are immutable, while Josh suggested that self-discovery can occur through investing in oneself. They both agreed that personal identity is not static and that individuals can and do change over time.

Josh and Mariel discussed the importance of reframing their self-narratives. Josh suggested that by telling themselves different, potentially untrue, stories about themselves, they could open up to a different future. Mariel agreed, acknowledging that this could be uncomfortable and awkward at first, but emphasized that with repetition, it becomes more natural. They also touched upon the concept of 'overnight success', with Mariel pointing out that what appears as an overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work. Josh concluded by highlighting that everyone is already repeating stories, whether they are self-condemning or not, and that this repetition shapes their reality.

Links:

Marisa Peer  https://rtt.com/whatisrtt/

marisapeer.com 

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Denise, from the 'I Am Here' program, introduced her program's focus on promoting workplace wellbeing and creating a culture of trust and support. She emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues in the workplace and offering resources and education through their 'Tribe Members' course. The discussion also highlighted the significance of recognizing when someone is struggling, checking in on colleagues, and empowering people to take advantage of available resources. Additionally, the conversation touched upon the importance of managing expectations, teaching key skills, integrating learning into corporate culture, and creating a supportive environment that prioritizes employee wellbeing.

Denise and Josh discussed the importance of recognizing and acknowledging that it's okay not to feel okay. Denise emphasized the need for teaching people to identify their emotions and feel comfortable expressing them. They also discussed the potential for miscommunication in using the term "okay" and how it can differ from person to person based on their circumstances. Mariel raised the question of being able to recognize when someone else is not okay. Denise highlighted the importance of self-checks and being conscious of one's own well-being as a prerequisite to helping others.

Denise emphasized on the need to empower people to take advantage of available resources before they become overwhelmed, using the example of a friend who was hosting his brother-in-law's family after a flood. Josh highlighted the common reluctance among individuals to ask for help, which Denise attributed to societal norms. They concurred on the role of a support system in providing guidance and directing people to available resources.

Denise shared a case study involving a construction firm where a significant suicide prevention initiative was implemented. The initiative, which included providing employees with tools and resources to discuss their mental wellbeing, resulted in a significant decrease in suicide rates among the employees. The conversation then shifted to the importance of mental health awareness and the need for men to be given the tools to help themselves and others. Josh added his thoughts on the cultural shift towards men being more open about their mental health. Denise concluded the discussion by highlighting the need for helpers, including first responders, to also receive support due to the traumatic situations they encounter.

Josh and Denise discussed the importance of integrating learning into the corporate culture in manageable, bite-sized pieces. Denise introduced the concept of Pulse Learning, an organization that specializes in breaking down large ideas into more digestible parts. They discussed the significance of showing employees that their wellbeing is a priority, with Denise highlighting the six pillars of health and wellbeing. The conversation also touched upon the value of creating a supportive environment where employees feel cared for, and how this can lead to engagement and better outcomes. Mariel and Josh discussed the potential for using visual indicators to identify those in need of support, such as those in recovery.

https://iamheretribe.com/

https://www.pulselearning.com/

https://www.instagram.com/iamheretribe/

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Mariel and Josh discussed the importance of trust in relationships, emphasizing the need for clear communication and self-reflection. They identified feelings of insecurity as a cause of mistrust and suggested the need for understanding personal needs and feelings to maintain healthy relationships. They also discussed the impact of personal experiences and memories on relationships, different approaches to conflict, and the importance of healthy communication.

Mariel and Josh discussed the impact of personal experiences and memories on relationships. They identified different approaches to conflict, such as avoidance, aggression, and collaboration. They also emphasized the importance of open communication and the inability to protect and connect simultaneously. 

Josh introduced the concept of Nonviolent Communication, a model that aims to facilitate healthier communication by helping individuals express their needs and feelings without causing conflict. Mariel shared her personal experiences in setting up safe spaces for discussions and emphasized the importance of practicing communication skills.

 Josh likened the process to learning a new language, emphasizing the importance of following the 'recipe' of non-violent communication to achieve desired results. They agreed on the need to practice this communication style and suggested starting with lighter topics. They also emphasized the importance of involving their partner in this process and having the conversation when not in a conflict situation.

Josh and Mariel discussed the importance of self-awareness and meeting personal needs. They also explored the concept of conflict, suggesting that it can be perceived as either a danger or an opportunity for growth, depending on one's perspective. Additionally, they touched upon the topic of relationships, suggesting that rushing into intimate relationships without proper knowledge of the other person could lead to potential problems. They proposed the idea of gradually building relationships, starting from friends to close friends, and then to an intimate partner, to possibly avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

Josh and Mariel discussed the importance of understanding a person's character, especially in relationships. They emphasized the need to observe a person's actions and behaviors, not just their words, to assess their integrity. The conversation also touched on the challenges of long-distance relationships, where it's harder to witness a person's daily life and routines. Mariel expressed concern over the fast-paced nature of today's society, which often leads to people rushing into relationships without fully understanding the other person. She suggested that relationships should not be hurried and that it takes time to truly get to know someone.

Mariel and Josh discussed the importance of open communication in relationships, particularly during the early stages when assumptions and idealizations can lead to misunderstandings. They emphasized the need for clarity on expectations and definitions of terms such as monogamy and partner. They also addressed the issue of trust and the potential for insecurities to lead to checking a partner's phone. They suggested that if doubts or suspicions arise, it may be beneficial to seek counseling and ask hard questions to sort out whether the problems are due to one's own assumptions or if they truly belong to the other person.

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Mariel and Josh have a conversation about intuition, with Mariel sharing her personal experiences and potential pitfalls. They discussed the nature of feelings as messages from the soul, body, or energy self, and how ignoring intuition can lead to undesirable outcomes. They also touched upon personal responsibility, emotional intelligence, and maturity, encouraging listeners to share their thoughts and experiences.

Having a conversation about the concept of intuition, they explore Mariel explaining that she has always had a strong sense of intuition, often accompanied by physical sensations . They discussed how ignoring these intuitions can lead to undesirable outcomes. Towards the end, they pondered over the nature of feelings, with Mariel describing them 

Mariel and Josh had a detailed discussion about intuition, its role, and its potential pitfalls. They highlighted the subjectivity and personal nature of intuition, as well as the importance of balancing it with facts and logic. The conversation emphasized the need for compassionate self-understanding and the ability to differentiate between intuition and other factors such as past experiences or cultural views as messages from the soul, body, or energy self. Mariel and Josh discussed a traumatic experience Mariel had when she was six years old.  This experience marked the first time Mariel felt such intense and foreign emotions.

Sharing their personal experiences with intuition, emphasizing how it has affected their lives,  Mariel discussed how her intuition has often led her to feel unsafe and anticipate negative outcomes, while Josh noted the difficulty of distinguishing between hindsight bias and actual intuition. They also touched upon the importance of investigating and understanding these feelings. 

Josh and Mariel discussed the concept of intuition, highlighting its role in connecting individuals to themselves and the world. They stressed the importance of acknowledging and exploring one's intuition, but also cautioned against blindly trusting it, as it can lead to missteps. 

Josh and Mariel discussed the concept of personal responsibility and its connection to emotional intelligence and maturity. They agreed that each person has the ability and responsibility to manage their own emotions and actions, reducing the burden on others. They also touched upon the idea that taking on more responsibility can lead to more freedom, as individuals become more aware of their own behaviors and can choose to make positive changes. The conversation also highlighted the importance of clearing one's mind and heart to better understand and trust intuition.

Josh and Mariel discussed the concept of parts work, a technique from counseling theories that allows for a more analytical understanding of intuition. Josh shared his passion for this approach and its ability to help identify and respond to patterns. He also announced his plans to start a group focused on hearts work experience, which will explore parts work. They emphasized that intuition isn't about blindly following instincts, but rather about investigating and being curious.

Josh and Mariel had a conversation about the importance of intuition and how it can guide individuals in difficult situations. They encouraged listeners to share their thoughts and experiences, emphasizing the power of intuition in helping people make decisions that can save their lives. Josh expressed his support for those who have followed their intuition and took actions based on it. They concluded the discussion by thanking each other and acknowledging the significance of the topic for everyone.

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Join hosts Mariel and Josh in a deep and insightful conversation with Jenine as they explore themes of self-discovery, authenticity, and recovery. Together, they share personal experiences of trying to fit into different social groups and the powerful realization that they could belong anywhere. Jenine emphasizes the importance of doing shadow work to understand oneself better, especially in the fourth decade of life. 

The trio also discusses the benefits of bringing different groups together through shared joy and unity. They touch on the challenges of running a business, the collective trauma experienced globally due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the benefits of using internal family systems as a tool for understanding and managing personal triggers and emotions.

Jenine's story of overcoming serious challenges, including an electrocution injury that permanently affected her ability to work in the film industry and her struggle with alcoholism and depression, highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's own life and seeking help. Through vulnerability and seeking support, Jenine, Mariel, and Josh show that healing and recovery are possible.

For more information on Jenine's work and yoga studio, visit [sweetserenityyoga.com](https://sweetserenityyoga.com/).

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Join Mariel and Josh on the "Probably Important Podcast" for an enlightening conversation with Trish Wilkinson, a teacher and author, as they delve into the complexities of child development, mental health, and the power of empathy and forgiveness.

Trish shares her passion for understanding child development and mental health, highlighting the importance of empathy, forgiveness, and creating a safe environment for children to express themselves truthfully. She emphasizes the need to understand the brain's development and function to help children thrive, discussing strategies she has implemented to support children with attention and auditory processing issues, as well as anxiety.

The conversation expands to explore the nature of learning and the workings of the human brain. Trish explains the process of neural development, highlighting the benefits of learning multiple languages before the age of nine and the potential for neurodivergent children to have heightened creativity and focus. She also shares her work with schools to develop practices that encourage students to find their strengths and become invested in their learning.

Trish and the hosts discuss the benefits of mindfulness and meditation, particularly in schools, emphasizing the importance of preparing the brain for tasks and allowing time for processing. They also explore techniques to enhance empathy and connection among students, highlighting the importance of creating a safe and conducive environment for learning and growth.

Trish shares her teaching experience, including her success in improving students' scores on standardized tests by teaching specific skills for test-taking. She emphasizes the importance of setting up the day for success, incorporating morning exercise into the routine, and rewarding students for applying their skills in daily life.

The conversation concludes with Trish sharing her vision for improving the education system by incorporating brain-friendly practices into classrooms. She proposes a pilot program to implement specific practices in schools, emphasizing the benefits of increased student engagement and a more enjoyable teaching experience.

Tune in to the "Probably Important Podcast" for a thought-provoking discussion on child development, mental health, and the power of empathy in education.

Trish's Website: https://thebrainstages.com/

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Join Mariel and Josh on the "Probably Important Podcast" as they delve into the multifaceted nature of grief. Mariel shares her perspective of grief as a companion to major life transitions, while Josh relates it more closely to death, highlighting the universal nature of this human experience.

In a deeply personal moment, Mariel opens up about losing her close friend Doug unexpectedly and feeling unsupported in her grief initially. This leads to a poignant conversation about cultural taboos surrounding the expression of emotions like sadness or anger.

The discussion expands to explore cultural differences in the perception of grief, with some cultures viewing it as a natural part of life compared to Western cultures that often perceive it as something to be avoided or rushed through. Mariel shares how her mom’s friend found solace in her presence during her grief, highlighting the power of simply being there for someone without words.

Josh emphasizes the importance of accepting difficult emotions in others and being fully present without the need to fix or solve problems. Mariel's metaphor of emotions having "visiting hours" resonates, illustrating that grief is a process that ebbs and flows over time.

The conversation deepens as they discuss the non-linear nature of grief, emphasizing that it moves through stages like sadness, anger, and acceptance in a rotating fashion. With support, individuals can come to accept loss while still experiencing periods of grief. They caution that unresolved grief can manifest in unexpected ways if not addressed.

Tune in to gain insights into grief as a complex and evolving process, and discover ways to support yourself and others through its challenges on the "Probably Important Podcast."

For support in your grief check out Cat Anderson as a End of Life Doula and Grief Educator at https://www.reachtrauma.com/

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Join Mariel and Josh on the "Probably Important Podcast" as they dive into a profound discussion  about the complexities of personal growth and the journey of letting go of old ways while facing new challenges. Mariel opens up about feeling overwhelmed by her own growth, describing moments of reflection while lying in the sun and contemplating the process of continual betterment.

The conversation delves into the idea of saying goodbye to who we've been, as Mariel acknowledges the necessity of grieving the passing of former selves that have served us until now. While change can bring discomfort, Mariel finds solace and purpose in the promise of less suffering for all through her evolving understanding of self-defense.

Mariel reflects on how her approach to fighting has changed. Where she once faced threats physically, she now stands calmly within, regulating her emotions. She acknowledges that while new strategies may be unfamiliar, compassion for her protector's role eases the transition to greater wellness.

The discussion also touches on the idea of confrontation and how Mariel has learned to approach it differently. She shares a moment of calling her mother for guidance and recognizing the importance of confronting old patterns consciously rather than reactively. With tools but not plans, Mariel embraces openness to experience as she steps into challenging herself safely.

Mariel also discusses the stages of learning new skills, detailing her progression from unawareness to mastery. She is currently conscious of her new abilities but acknowledges that their automatic application requires practice and a willingness to embrace the unknown.

Throughout the conversation, Josh and Mariel explore the concept that life without discomfort is ultimately unpleasant. They agree that while discomfort can be challenging, it is essential for growth. Without it, there is a risk of stagnation and harm. They emphasize that struggles can cultivate empathy, resilience, and a sense of reward through overcoming adversity.

Tune in to the "Probably Important Podcast" for a thought-provoking conversation on personal growth, discomfort, and the rewards of embracing change.

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"Probably Important" dives deep into conversations with influential guests, exploring mental health topics that matter. 

In this episode, host Mariel and co-host Josh sit down with Jay DeMerit to discuss his unique experiences in professional soccer and music festivals. Jay shares his insights on building community, the power of shared energy, and the importance of mentorship. He also delves into the keys to developing self-leadership and his innovative Rise and Shine programs for youth. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on holistic development, mental wellness, and the upcoming Rise and Shine app.

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Welcome to Probably Important, where Mariel introduces Jacob Brown and Josh, sharing how she met Jacob through tech support. Jacob offers insights from his personal journey, focusing on community, relationships, and mental well-being.

In this episode, Jacob emphasizes the importance of community, relationships, and prioritizing mental well-being through sobriety, therapy, and healthy choices. He shares his path to sobriety and ongoing self-reflection, highlighting the role of creative outlets in processing emotions.

Jacob discusses creating daily safety through awareness of choices, intentions, and small rituals, such as starting the day with water before using a phone. He also explores the liberation found in releasing past hurts through feeling, expressing, and sharing emotions, as well as through music and artistic pursuits.

The conversation delves into the ongoing journey of personal growth, which Jacob believes requires self-awareness, conscious decision-making, and acceptance of both mistakes and support systems. Jacob concludes by highlighting the importance of appreciating life's small moments of self-care, such as staying hydrated, moving the body, and practicing affirmations, as they cultivate presence, ease, and overall well-being.

Join us as we explore Jacob's inspiring journey and learn from his experiences and insights on community, sobriety, mental well-being, and the power of small daily actions.

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Welcome to the latest episode of P.I., where we dive into the world of neurodivergent affirming therapy with our guest, Sam Jaffe. In this episode, Sam, a speech therapist, introduces us to the key principles and tools of neurodivergent affirming therapy.

Sam starts by explaining fundamental terms such as "autistic people" and the "tools over rules" approach. He emphasizes the importance of honoring neurodivergent experiences and discusses common mental health issues faced by neurodivergent individuals.

Throughout the episode, Sam highlights the significance of understanding each person's unique perspective and tailoring therapy to individual needs and interests. He shares insights on creating safe spaces for self-expression and learning, including the use of cognitive behavioral therapy games to navigate thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Sam also addresses the challenges of navigating social contexts and expectations, offering practical advice on discussing behaviors like spitting and avoiding neurotypical misunderstandings while affirming neurodivergent identities.

Ultimately, Sam encourages empathy and open-minded discussion to build understanding between neurotypes. He reminds us that no one fits an ideal brain standard, and that differences should be respected and celebrated.

Tune in to this enlightening episode of P.I. with Mariel Nichole, Josh T, and Sam Jaffe to learn more about neurodivergent affirming therapy and how it can benefit individuals with diverse neurotypes.

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Welcome to the Probably Important podcast, where Mariel & Josh T. introduce insightful discussions on mental health and wellness. In this episode, Mariel's daughter Hannah joins as a guest to delve into managing anxiety, fostering relationships, and the importance of a growth mindset in mental health.

Hannah discusses her teacher Mr. Whilms, who taught her the concept of a growth mindset, emphasizing the belief that abilities can develop through effort rather than relying solely on talent. She emphasizes the equal significance of mental health and physical health in overall well-being.

The conversation then shifts to the significance of healthy relationships. Hannah values friends who are trustworthy and consistently caring, emphasizing the importance of experiencing challenges and mistakes together as a means of growth.

Hannah shares her experiences with managing social anxiety, particularly in crowded and noisy environments. She highlights the importance of utilizing breathing techniques and knowing when to step back to regulate her emotions. Hannah also emphasizes the importance of understanding and support from teachers and close friends in managing her anxiety.

The episode concludes with Hannah and Mariel expressing gratitude for each other's courage in sharing their experiences, with Hannah expressing her excitement for future conversations that will continue to explore important topics in mental health.

Tune in to the Probably Important podcast for more insightful conversations on mental health and wellness, where we aim to provide a platform for important discussions and promote understanding and support for mental well-being.

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Navigating Therapy: A Guide to Finding the Right Fit and Approach

In this episode, Josh shares valuable insights into the world of therapy, offering practical advice on finding the right therapist and approach to suit individual needs.

Seeking the Right Fit

Josh emphasizes the importance of finding a therapist with whom you feel a strong connection. He suggests scheduling a free 15-20 minute meet and greet call with potential therapists to assess compatibility before committing to sessions. Feeling safe and comfortable with your therapist is crucial for deep and effective healing.

Understanding Therapy Modalities and Styles

Josh discusses the difference between trauma therapy that focuses on treating root causes and trauma-informed care that considers the effects of trauma. He highlights how different therapy modalities address problems based on underlying beliefs about their causes, emphasizing the importance of finding an approach that resonates with your personal beliefs and experiences.

First Therapy Sessions

In the initial sessions, Josh explains how therapists map out challenges, goals, and therapeutic approaches to establish a clear understanding and direction for the therapy process. These sessions lay the groundwork for deeper exploration and healing in subsequent meetings.

Timeframes and Expectations in Therapy

While modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can produce fast results, Josh notes that trauma therapy requires patience. Therapists gradually introduce challenging material at a pace that is personally sustainable for the client, emphasizing the long-term nature of trauma recovery.

Therapy Delivery Methods

Josh evaluates the pros and cons of different therapy delivery methods, such as texting, calling, online, and in-person sessions. He emphasizes that online video therapy retains rich nonverbal data while accommodating barriers faced by other formats, making it a versatile option for many.

Closing Thoughts on the Therapy Journey

In closing, Josh and Mariel discuss the benefits of preventative maintenance sessions to optimize wellness. They highlight the significance of small self-care acts that can compound over time and stress the importance of finding a long-term supportive therapist to facilitate ongoing growth and healing.

Join us as we delve into the world of therapy, offering practical advice and insights to help you navigate your own therapeutic journey.

Do you need support? Josh is a registered therapist! Head to www.steadywellness.ca to connect further with him!

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In this episode of Probably Important,  Josh T. & Mariel Nichole delve into the realm of mental health and wellness, kicking off with an introduction to Mariel's father, Steve, a retired high school teacher. Steve shares his wealth of experience and insights gleaned from his career, focusing on understanding the individual needs of his students.

Steve's teaching philosophy revolves around building strong relationships with each student, enabling him to grasp their unique backgrounds and requirements. This approach has empowered him to support their learning and growth effectively, even in the face of challenges within the classroom.

Delving into the intricacies of mental health and individual needs, Steve highlights how his deepened understanding of psychology has illuminated the diverse experiences and obstacles that each student faces. This realization has led him to advocate for tailored support rather than rigid, one-size-fits-all expectations.

Drawing parallels between his teaching approach and broader leadership principles, Steve underscores the importance of recognizing and accommodating individual mental health needs. He argues that this approach not only benefits educational settings but also extends to businesses and communities, fostering stability and productivity while reducing turnover.

Steve concludes by emphasizing the significance of revisiting one's early experiences with the support of trusted allies. He stresses the impact of early life experiences on one's foundation and future outcomes, advocating for professional assistance when necessary.

Join Josh, Mariel, and Steve in this insightful episode as they explore the intricacies of understanding individual needs, mental health, and the profound impact of supportive environments. It is all 'Probably Important'!

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Join hosts Mariel Nichole & Josh T. as they welcome Caitlin Hyde to a lively and informative discussion about her work supporting neurodivergence. Caitlin brings a unique perspective, drawing from her clinical expertise, spiritual insights, and personal journey.

Through Caitlin's engaging storytelling, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of neurodivergence. She shares her own journey of self-discovery following her ADHD diagnosis at 25, illustrating how this revelation transformed her understanding of herself and her experiences.

Caitlin's insights extend beyond personal experiences. She offers valuable advice on parental support for neurodivergent children, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety and understanding their unique needs. In the workplace, Caitlin advocates for tailored accommodations for neurodivergent employees, highlighting the benefits of a more inclusive environment.

The conversation takes a thought-provoking turn as Caitlin critiques existing systems for their lack of understanding and representation of neurodivergent individuals. She calls for a restructuring that empowers neurodivergent voices and promotes a more compassionate and inclusive society.

Listeners will be inspired by Caitlin's exploration of integrating clinical and spiritual approaches to provide holistic support for neurodivergence. Her hopeful outlook encourages positive change and fosters a deeper understanding of this important topic.

Tune in for an engaging and enlightening conversation that will leave you with a fresh perspective on neurodivergence and ideas for creating a more inclusive society.

IG: @thebusybrainacademy

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Matthew Glade: From Military Rescue to Mental Health Advocacy

In this episode of Probably Important, hosts Mariel and Josh are joined by the remarkable Matthew Glade for a candid conversation about his diverse career journey, from military rescue missions to his influential work in mental health advocacy.

Mariel introduces Matthew, praising his authenticity and influence in the field. Matthew graciously agrees to share his experiences and values with the audience.

Matthew takes us through his remarkable career, which includes over 2000 missions as a military rescue specialist and medic. He candidly discusses the toll of witnessing numerous fatalities, which eventually led to occupational stress injuries and PTSD. These experiences became the catalyst for his passion for mental healthcare reform.

As a proactive advocate for mental health, Matthew spearheaded initiatives to implement self-awareness training, combat stigma, and establish trauma support responses within agencies. His efforts normalized care and significantly improved readiness over his two decades of service.

Throughout his career, Matthew found immense value in connecting authentically with the public and his crew during high-stress rescues. He emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and shared experiences in sustaining him through challenging missions.

Matthew also discusses the power of narrative crafting in processing trauma. By helping others reframe their experiences with a focus on resilience and purpose, he has been instrumental in shifting the culture around mental health within agencies.

In his personal life, Matthew finds solace and balance through his interests in sailing and motorcycling. Engaging in these high-stakes activities allows him to stay grounded and connected during emotional lows resulting from his work experiences.

As the episode concludes, Josh and Mariel express their gratitude to Matthew for his impactful work in improving lives and systems through his advocacy. Matthew remains committed to promoting human well-being through his daily mindful practices and community connections.

Join us on Probably Important for more insightful conversations about mental health, well-being, and the human experience.

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A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing with Shannon Ferguson

In this episode of The Probably Important Podcast, host [insert host name(s)] sits down with the inspiring Shannon Ferguson for an intimate conversation about her personal journey of self-discovery, self-realization, and healing.

Shannon opens up about her struggles with self-consciousness and self-doubt, sharing how these challenges shaped her journey and ultimately led her to profound growth. Through candid storytelling, she recounts how practices like meditation and yoga became pivotal tools in her path to self-empowerment, helping her navigate life's complexities with newfound clarity and purpose.

One of the highlights of the discussion is Shannon's exploration of vulnerability and its transformative power in relationships. She emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help when needed, building supportive networks, and fostering an environment that nurtures personal growth and emotional well-being.

Throughout the episode, Shannon underscores the significance of self-care and self-compassion, highlighting the value of prioritizing one's mental and emotional health. She also shares her insights on breathwork as a powerful tool for emotional management, offering practical tips for integrating this practice into daily life.

Listeners are invited to join Shannon on her journey of self-discovery and healing, as she shares her wisdom and experiences with authenticity and grace. Whether you're seeking inspiration, guidance, or simply a deeper understanding of the human experience, this episode promises to resonate on a profound level.

Tune in to The Probably Important Podcast for more thought-provoking conversations on personal growth, well-being, and the many facets of the human journey.

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Ancient Wisdom in Modern Society

In the debut episode of "Probably Important," hosts Josh T. and Mariel Nichole dive into a captivating discussion with guest Marcus Dupuis. Together, they explore the realms of mental health, wellness, and the human experience through Marcus's unique journey of spiritual exploration.

Marcus takes the listeners on a mesmerizing journey as he shares his experiences studying at Ashrams in India and the profound impact of meditation routines on his life. He emphasizes the crucial role of understanding one's mental landscape in processing and healing from traumatic experiences, shedding light on the intricate connection between the mind and the healing process.

The trio delves into the concept of somatic therapy, unraveling its significance in addressing mental health challenges by incorporating the body's physical sensations into the healing process. They also reflect on the modern tendency to accumulate information without applying it, emphasizing the importance of integrating knowledge into daily life for genuine growth.

A thought-provoking exploration of hylotropic breathing ensues, with the group discussing its limitations and the need for a more holistic approach to wellness. Marcus highlights the relevance of ancient wisdom and techniques in today's fast-paced society, advocating for their adaptation to suit modern lifestyles without losing their essence.

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts and Marcus reach a consensus: ancient practices hold timeless wisdom that can enrich modern lives, but they must be thoughtfully adapted to remain accessible and relevant in today's world. Join them on this enlightening journey as they unravel the mysteries of the human experience and uncover the keys to holistic well-being.

Tune in to "Probably Important" for more insightful discussions on mental health, wellness, and the profound aspects of being human.

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