Afleveringen
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Kendall Wesenberg has been a competitor from an early age as she âwanted to win before I knew what it was.â She grew up playing all the typical youth sports and continued with club soccer through college. After seeing bobsled during the 2010 Olympic Games, this California girl moved to Park City, Utah 2 years later after graduation to learn more about the sport. She loved the adrenaline rush that bobsled provided but felt her body type was better suited for skeleton.
In 2014 Kendall earned an invite to US Team Trials where she took 4th then went on to become the first American woman to win the European Cup circuit overall title. The following season she earned a World Cup spot where she has competed for the last 3 seasons, winning a silver medal in the St. Moritz World Cup in 2017 and earning one of two Olympic spots for the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang.
Kendall shares how she trains her mind and body to access the zone and make 100 crucial decisions every minute. Her sport is extremely dangerous and challenging but she approaches it like she approaches life, by focusing on kindness, hard work and having the most fun!
@kendallorraine
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Donnell Whittenburg was born to be a gymnast. He grew up doing back flips, tucks and handstand walks in his backyard. To help him avoid injury, his mother enrolled him into formal gymnastics classes. The ability to learn new and more challenging skills, share experiences with teammates and focus on the process of improving laid a foundation where he has competed on the international level for over 12 years including multiple world championships, Pan American Games. He was an Olympic alternate in 2016 and even has a skill named after him, âThe Whittenburg.â Despite all these accomplishments, his biggest obstacle is not competing at the Olympic Games.
Donnell shares his motivation to keep competing including unfinished business, growing the sport on the menâs side, inspiring others to create opportunities to expand their cultural experiences and investing further in lifelong friendships and bonds. He teaches us that, âit doesnât matter how long it takes; as long as we keep trying, we always have a chance.â
@donnell_whittenburg
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Nikita played soccer for most of her younger years but struggled with severe anxiety and panic attacks leaving her unable to leave her home. âForcedâ to play a sport, she found BMX to fulfill that rule, do it on her own time, and even in the driveway so she didnât have to leave her home. Little did she know that BMX would soon take over every aspect of her life and become the reason she would push through her fears one step at a time.
âFast forward nine year later and Nikita now travels the world as one of the top female BMX riders. With podiums at multiple world cups since 2016, 2nd at the 2022 World Championships, and an Olympic bronze medal at the first ever inclusion of the sport, Nikita is ready to jump back into training for Paris 2024!
Nikita shares how she felt stuck in a room for so long but through her physical and mental training, she gets to experience the feeling of freedom. She chooses to use BMX and her voice to help end the stigma around mental health.
@nikita.ducarroz, @m1ndtricks
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Born into a hockey family, Hayley Scamurra wanted to compete just like her brothers and father who had played in the NHL . While she fell in love with the sport herself, she also felt the need to always be the best and live up to her fatherâs expectations. This pressure began to manifest in severe anxiety for which she sought out therapy. Through this process, she learned to focus on what she could control including being physical, controlling the puck and having fun. She also empowered herself to redefine her relationship with her father, set boundaries and help him treat her like his daughter not just a hockey player.
Hayley has won a championship for the Buffalo Beauts of the NWHL, finally made the team USA roster and ultimately won 2 gold and 2 silver medals in world championships. She is also a 2022 Olympic Silver Medalist. She reminds us that this has been the dream the whole time. As the competition grew more intense, she needed to maintain the mindset to remember how fun it was as a little girl when she skated in her backyard ice rink as fast as she could until she jumped into the snow along the rink!
@hayleyscamurra
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As a high schooler, Catie Langâs identity was embedded in being an athlete to the point that she even loved the ideas of being tough, not quitting and âwalking offâ any pain or suffering. She had no real concept, awareness, or education of mental health despite having severe anxiety herself. Even after experiencing major panic attacks that were terrifying, she brushed them off and told herself that she was just being dramatic.
As a member of an NCAA Division 1 lacrosse team, her program lacked the culture and resources necessary to promote health, wellness and happiness but instead reinforced the antiquated narratives about strength and toughness. This flawed mindset and approach exacerbated her own challenges and resulted in multiple players walking away from the team. This story has made national headlines.
Catie shares her personal story of struggle including near suicide to both spread awareness but also spark action in addressing this epidemic of mental illness and suicide in college athletics.
WARNING: This episode contains emotionally sensitive material including discussion surrounding suicide that may be triggering or disturbing to some listeners. If any of the content in this podcast has brought anything up for you, please reach out or speak to someone you trust.
@catielang
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At the age of 6, Kim Zmeskal watched her first gymnastics class and was upset that she, âwasnât allowed to play on the playground.â A few years later, training under Bela and Martha Karolyi, Mary Lou Retton came back to their home gym with an Olympic Gold medal showing her early on that any dream was possible. Since then, Kim has become the first American to win the all-around at a World Gymnastics Championships in 1991, 2X Gold medalist in the 1992 World championships, 1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 3X US National Champion, 1991 U.S. Olympic Committeeâs Sportswoman of the Year and the 1991 March of Dimes Athlete of the Year. She is also a 2001 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame inductee.
As an athlete, she worked hard to remove challenges and always strived for perfection. Now as a coach, she is passionate to learn more than she ever thought possible about trust, partnership, and appreciation for her athletes. She leans into the challenges and creates a culture where her athletes dream so big that they can achieve excellence over perfection.
@kimzb
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Matt Choi is a 27-year-old former NCAA D1 football player, content creator, entrepreneur, and fitness enthusiast who decided to take on the Murph challenge every day for 30 days as an outlet to maintain his physical and mental wellbeing during the pandemic. Running a total of 60 miles in 30 days inspired a relationship with running that resulted in 12 marathons in 12 different cities in 12 months. The discipline and consistency required to maintain a high level of fitness for 365 days also provided opportunities to learn more about himself, meet so many different people and curate his experiences allowing him to live his life through his lens.
Whether he is running a 100-mile ultramarathon or running across Korea, Matt lives by the mantra that, âthe only limits we have are the ones we believe inâ and uses gratitude to shift his mindset from complacency to contentment through every challenge, every interaction, and every piece of content. He appreciates the opportunity to show up and get a little better each day as he is consistently working on his speech to the world.
@mattchoi_6
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Dr. Madeline Barlow is a former collegiate swimmer, individual and team record holder, and NCAA qualifier. She is also CEO and Founder of Mind-Wise Mentoring LLC, The Director of Programming and Key Note Speaker for The Hidden Opponent, and a Transition Coach for Athletes Soul.
Self described as âhighly sensitive,â swimming initially provided support, self reflection and muted the intensity of her world creating joyâŠuntil it didnât. While competing in college, Madeline often got stuck between high levels of self awareness and action leading to recurring overwhelming episodes. When her swimming career came to an end, she kept moving forward and didnât allow her self to process the transition out of competitive sports until her body demanded that she stop and acknowledge the loss.
Through her âMind-Wiseâ method and her book, "The Highly Sensitive Athlete: How to Embody the Magic of Your True Self in and Out of Sport," Madeline Barlow validates that we are human and offers actionable tools that give us the choice to challenge ourselves or give ourselves grace.â
@mindwisementor
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Donald Stewart is a former NCAA D1 football player at both Stanford University and Wake Forest University. He is also an HBO actor, published childrenâs book author and mentor to high school athletes.
His dedication to sports was initially fueled by his desire to avoid doing household chores. His success inspired his community to embrace him and his brother who was born with a facial malformation. As such, his confidence grew in knowing his efforts could impact his future but also those he loved by being the star. While he became super confident, he was not super prepared for the transition to Stanford University where he would be surrounded by the brightest and most talented athletes, students, and future leaders.
In his junior year, a significant injury requiring surgery caused him to hit his rock bottom. In trying to figure out how to be happy, he chose to invest in his mind, body and spirit while exploring his passion for music and theatre.
As a mentor for high school athletes, Donald uses his experience to connect and help them figure out passions outside of sport by tapping into what motivates and inspires them within their sport.
@_donaldstewart
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Olivia Karas is a former 6x All-American gymnast from the University of Michigan where she helped the Wolverines win four consecutive Big Ten team titles. She won a share of the Big Ten All Around title in 2019 and finished her career ranked 8th in the country in the all-around.
Early in her gymnastics career, she was inspired by Olympic champion Kerri Strug who stuck her vault on one leg showing the world the mindset to make an imperfect moment perfect. Olivaâs own journey has also included several imperfect moments leading to perfect teaching moments such as her struggle with anxiety or ârushy-itisâ which taught her a process to slow down, utilizing her breath to connect her mind and body or a torn Achilles which reminded her to focus on what she could control while highlighting how much she loved her sport.
Currently, she is an on-camera analyst for Big Ten Network where she combines her athletic and professional experience to tell the stories of other athletes in a way that captures the effort, attitude, and gratitude behind a perfect routine giving them something they will be proud to share with future generations.
As an athlete or analyst, what is she most proud of? The ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
@livkarass
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Kate Parker is a mother, wife, former NCAA D1 athlete, Ironman, TEDx speaker, professional photographer and New York Times bestselling author whose first book âStrong is the New Prettyâ garnered support from the Spice Girls, David Beckham, Drew Barrymore, Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman and Emma Watson. Her work has been featured in several major magazines and her clients include REI, Verizon, Athleta and American Express.
Growing up, she was known for being loud, driven and perfectionistic which might be associated with âbeing strongâ but typically not âpretty.â Like many female athletes, as she became more competitive in her sport, she started emphasizing being skinnier. However, a coach helped her reframe her body image and in turn her internal view of strength and beauty.
As a mother and photographer, she uses her critical eye to point out perception vs reality while capturing powerful emotions to help us realize that exuberance needs no apology. In her newest book, âForce of Natureâ she shows us why âtoo muchâ is actually the right amount.
@katetparker, katetparker.com
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Olivia Bray is a current member of the University of Texas Womenâs Swim Team and majoring in Business Management. She is a 17-time All-American, two-time National team runner-up, 18-time Big 12 champion, four-time member of the Big 12 commissionerâs honor roll, and two-time CSCAA scholar All-American.
She is passionate about mental health. In 2020, she put her life on hold and entered an eating disorder treatment center to battle something that was controlling her. By prioritizing herself and investing in the process, she was able to redefine her relationship with food and return to her sport with a different mindset. This 3x campus captain for The Hidden Opponent continues to advocate for mental health and eating disorders by being authentic and appreciating the grind.
@oliviaabray
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Alan Stein Jr. is a performance coach, speaker and author who has spent 15+ years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet, including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant. He now transfers his unique expertise to maximize both individual and organizational performance.
In an early 4 am session in 2007, Alan questioned Kobe about focusing on basic drills, and Kobe's response left a lasting impact: âWhy do you think I am the best player in the world? Because I never get bored with the basics.â
Alan discusses the mindset required to embrace the basics, what sets elite performers apart, how to define and develop a winnerâs mindset, and failure as a prerequisite for success.
He also lives what he teaches by asking himself, â Are the habits you have today on par with the dreams you have for tomorrow?â
@alansteinjr
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As the son of a lacrosse legend, Tom Schreiber was given a stick âimmediatelyâ and taught the value of hard work, sacrifice and âpractice after practice.â His foundation put him ahead of his peers physically, so he chose to invest in his development mentally as his main competition was, âme vs. me.â
This process allowed him to win almost every award possible including 2 gold medals for team USA, a PLL championship, 3X MVP, 4X pro lacrosse Midfielder of the Year Award, 9X professional all-star, a two-time Tewaaraton Finalist, a three-time 1st Team All-American, and a two-time Donald MacLaughlin Award winner as the nation's top midfielder. In 2023, fresh off a record-breaking season, he found himself in an emotional slump requiring him to analyze what gives him true meaning and motivates him to keep growing. The answers to these questions translate directly to his personal life off the field.
As the spouse of an elite athlete and father of two young children, Tom prioritizes the concepts of sacrifice, teamwork, self-accountability, establishing high standards to leave a legacy so his kids will thank him one day just like he did with his own father.
@tom_schreiber26, @pll,
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Shannon Will, owner of Will Power PT is among the best sports physical therapists in the area and recipient of Baltimoreâs Best Physical Therapy in 2022. Dr. Will has extensive experience in treating professional athletes (NFL, CFL, NBA , PLL, MLS, MLB, MMA) and Division I collegiate athletes in sports including lacrosse, football, soccer, basketball, track & field, gymnastics, field hockey and boxing.
In addition to physical therapy, Dr. Will is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified USA Olympic Weightlifting Coach (USAW) and Sports Performance Specialist (XPS).
She considered herself an average athlete at many sports but found her passion in athletic training as a college student. She focused on learning and the more she knew, the more she realized what she didnât know. By focusing on her personal growth through gaining knowledge, she laid a foundation that would set her apart from others as a professional. As a PT, her practice model is based on availability, communication, and relationships. By choosing a mindset that prioritizes her own mental and physical wellbeing, she can offer personal experiences and guidance that helps each athlete reach their full potential well beyond their initial injury.
@will_power_pt
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Miki Barber is an American sprinter who competes in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash. She is an Olympian, World Champion and 5x World Championship team member. As an NCAA athlete, she was a 20x All-American, 5x NCAA Champion, 2x Scholar Athlete of the year and made the Olympics as a sophomore. In 2015, she was selected to the University of South Carolina Hall of Fame.
Miki knew early on that she wanted to be a professional athlete. Along with her twin sister to compete alongside her, support her and ensure they were having fun, âThe Barber Twinsâ both won numerous world titles and participated in numerous ad campaigns including BMW, Nike, Adidas, and ESPN Magazine.
Through faith, persistence, and desire to challenge incorrect assumptions, she has competed at the highest level for the past 20 years. Despite having two foot surgeries that paused her career, she chose a never give up mindset that enabled her to rehab herself back on top where everyone could notice her big hair, glossed lips and ink gloves. Her philosophy has always been, âwhen you look good, you feel good.â
@mikimango
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In his 14th year as the head lacrosse coach at Penn State University, Jeff Tambroni has coached 44 All-Americans, 8 USILA Scholar All-Americans, and 47 all-conference award winners. Prior to PSU, his resume also includes Cornell, Loyola and Hobart. He is a 2X Big 10 Coach of year, 2X CAA Coach of the year, 2009 D1 Coach of the year, and member of Hobart HOF class 2018.
As a player, he was fortunate to have coaches who instilled a âhard loveâ mentality which created a level of success that he wanted to emulate. As a coach, he focuses on transformational relationships developed through connection, trust, vulnerability and mutually beneficially partnerships with his athletes.
Much of his perspective and approach is shaped by a single tragic moment in March 2004 when one of his players (and a team leader), George Boiardi, died after ball struck his chest in a college lacrosse game. This experience changed the trajectory of his life as a coach, father, and spouse. He is inspired to live each day like George by subscribing to the motto, âWell Done is Better than Well Said.â
@pennstatemlax
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Akeem Shannonâs story demonstrates how a fear of failure means a fear of trying and less effort means missed opportunities. Despite earning a full tuition scholarship to Howard University to earn a chemical engineering degree, his mindset of fear caused him to lose his scholarship, drop out and go into a really dark place. Bathing in his failure, he faced his high achieving parents and was surprised to learn their disappointment was not in his setback but rather in his inability to ask for help.
This ârock bottomâ experience motivated Akeem to redefine his relationship with failure, improve his overall awareness, shift his creative energy, embrace his sense of self and go all in holding nothing back. Instead of living a life full of regrets, he is living a dream that includes connecting with world famous rappers Sean âP Diddyâ Combs, Snoop Dogg, and landing a deal on Shark Tank.
As CEO of Flipstik (now sold in over 3000 retailers including Target, Best Buy, AT&T, T-Mobile, and QVC), Akeem's story is currently featured at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural Historyâs âCellphone: Unseen Connectionsâ exhibition in Washington D.C. and he is featured in INC Magazines top 50 fasting growing consumer product companies in 2023.
@getflipstik, @akeemshannon
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Initially exposed to the goalie position because her sister thought it would be funny, Kait Devir found enjoyment in the game to stop balls from going into the net. As her lacrosse experience grew, so did her mindset to excel, leading her to invest in her effort by always doing 1% more, reaffirming her preparation for big moments, and taking initiative to vocalize her needs. Her focus on the details to succeed as a player have translated over to her attention to detail as a sports photographer. Her approach to progress over perfection as an athlete have also enabled her to focus on growth in her visual art. She is known for her ability to capture unique and special moments of celebration and gratitude.
Kait believes that âSometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.â She has personally lived this mantra by leaving one of the top womenâs lacrosse programs in Boston College to attend University of Southern California allowing her to pursue her creative passion as a student athlete studying cinema
@kaitdevir
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Despite her smaller stature as a younger child, Alycea Adams was dominant in confidence through effort, speaking up and maximizing first impressions. As she entered the sport of cheerleading, her ability to bring together her physical work ethic, desire to improve, willingness to learn and skill set of connecting with others enabled her to achieve success in her sport earning her a spot on the UNC-Chapel Hill Cheerleading Program. As a social media influencer, she applies her personal experiences and knowledge gained to her passion for breaking societal barriers for women of color in technology & sports to be a role model for young black women to bring confidence into any space they occupy!
Within the past 9 months, her channels on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have grown to nearly 600K! She has had several brand deals with Pantene, YSL Beauty, and Mielle Organics as a natural hair influencer.
At Carolina, she is pursuing a B.S. in Information Science and a double minor in Entrepreneurship/Urban Studies & City Planning. In addition to being a UNC Cheerleader, she is also a Carolina Covenant Scholar and an ambassador for the Shuford Entrepreneurship Program.
@alycearae
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