In this special panel episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, is joined by four standout basketball players—Lucas Williamson, Maya Chandler, Aher Uguak, and Anaya Peoples—for a raw and thoughtful conversation in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Together, they explore the emotional weight of elite competition, personal setbacks, and the human side of sport. From dealing with pressure and injuries to navigating identity, criticism, and support systems, each athlete op...
Jun 11, 2025•44 min•Ep. 105
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, sits down with professional boxer Chris Billam-Smith. Known as "The Gentleman," Chris shares the mindset that’s guided his rise from late-blooming amateur to world champion. He opens up about the power of consistency, the role of family in grounding his identity, and how he mentally prepares for the demands of the ring. Chris also discusses the importance of breathwork, emotional regulation, and the inner shift that happens w...
Jun 02, 2025•31 min•Ep. 104
In this episode of the Athlete Mindset podcast, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC sits down with Lucas Williamson, a professional basketball player in the NBA G League. Lucas shares his challenging journey through two season-ending injuries, discussing the mental and emotional toll they’ve taken and how he’s worked to find joy amidst adversity. From journaling and therapy to leaning on his faith and community, Lucas offers valuable insights into maintaining mental health and resilience. His stor...
May 09, 2025•46 min•Ep. 102
In this episode of the Athlete Mindset podcast, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC welcomes Mariah Mazon, a professional softball player and aspiring sports psychology professional. Mariah shares her journey from a youth softball player in Tulare, California, to a standout two-way star at Oregon State, and now a pro with Athletes Unlimited. She opens up about navigating major adversities, including the COVID-19 season disruption and a hamstring injury during her senior year, and how she leaned on...
May 01, 2025•32 min•Ep. 103
Welcome to the Athlete Mindset podcast, hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC. In this raw and heartfelt episode, Lisa sits down with Marcus Smith II, a former NFL first-round draft pick turned mental health advocate, life coach, and Global Ambassador for All Points North (APN). Marcus shares his journey from anxiety attacks at age eight to a near-fatal moment during his NFL career, revealing how therapy and APN transformed his life. Together, they explore the stigma black men face in addressin...
Apr 22, 2025•49 min•Ep. 101
Welcome to the Athlete Mindset podcast, hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC. In this episode, Lisa sits down with Courtney Messina, MA, LPC-S, LCDC, a former Ole Miss soccer athlete, and Senior Director for Outpatient Clinical Operations at All Points North (APN). Courtney shares insights from her work with elite athletes, including her role at APN’s Elite Athletes Program and as a visiting therapist at TCU. They explore why athletes seek therapy—sports injuries, identity struggles, mental pe...
Apr 15, 2025•54 min•Ep. 100
Welcome to the Athlete Mindset podcast, hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC. This is the third installment of our three-part series with The True Athlete Project. Lisa is joined by Reem Abdalazem, a two-time Olympian in artistic swimming for Egypt (2008 Beijing and 2012 London). Reem is a World Aquatics-certified expert coach and a former collegiate All-American at Lindenwood University, where she captained the team to its first national championship. With over a decade of coaching experience...
Mar 25, 2025•49 min•Ep. 99
Welcome the Athlete Mindset podcast, hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC. This is part two of our three-part series with The True Athlete Project. Lisa chats with Sam Parfitt, the CEO and founder of The True Athlete Project. Sam is a former NCAA Division I tennis player, a coach, and a mindfulness teacher. He holds a Master’s in Science in Sport Policy, Management, and International Development from the University of Edinburgh In this episode, Sam shares his story of loving tennis as a kid, o...
Mar 12, 2025•25 min•Ep. 98
In this episode of the Athlete Mindset Podcast, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, speaks with Oz Marginean, former NCAA D1 athlete, professional basketball player, and Head of Community at The True Athlete Project. They discuss the complexities of athlete identity, transitioning out of sport, and the power of mindfulness, playful movement, and creativity in athletic development. As part of the True Athlete Project Series, Oz shares her journey of overcoming performance anxiety, finding purpose ...
Feb 26, 2025•31 min•Ep. 97
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, sits down with Brady Howe, an applied performance coach, Certified Athletic Trainer, and Director of Sport Medicine at Grand Canyon University. Brady brings a wealth of knowledge from over a decade in the NBA, including his role as Vice President of Health and Performance for the Phoenix Suns. They dive into his unique approach to athlete care, the integration of mental performance, and the evolving importance of mental healt...
Dec 16, 2024•34 min•Ep. 96
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, sits down with NFL veteran Dominique Easley. They discuss his journey from growing up in the projects of New York to becoming a first-round NFL draft pick, a Super Bowl champion, and eventually creating The Easley Foundation to support student-athletes in underserved and vulnerable populations. Dominique opens up about battling injuries, navigating opioid use, shifting his identity beyond football, and finding purpose in help...
Dec 06, 2024•52 min•Ep. 95
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, sits down with Dr. Kweku Akyireefi Amoasi, Chief Wellness Officer for Blaquesmith Psychological Consultation and psychological services provider for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Dr. Amoasi shares his professional journey from working in correctional facilities to becoming a sports psychologist for the Milwaukee Bucks and Team USA at the Olympics. They discuss the intersection of mental health and perfor...
Oct 17, 2024•45 min•Ep. 94
In this episode of Athlete Mindset , host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, welcomes Dr. Kensa Gunter, a licensed psychologist, certified mental performance consultant, and Director of NBA and WNBA Mind Health. Dr. Gunter opens up about her journey in sports psychology, the evolution of mental health in professional sports, and her mission to promote well-being for athletes, teams, and coaches. Together, they explore the power of resilience, leadership, and culture change in sports psychology, and d...
Oct 10, 2024•56 min•Ep. 93
In this powerful episode of Athlete Mindset, "Who You Are, Not What You Do," host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, welcomes Kelsey O'Connor, a motivational speaker, former D1 student-athlete, and recent North Carolina State University social work graduate. Kelsey shares her inspiring journey of resilience and self-discovery following a career-ending head injury. Her story of overcoming adversity and redefining her identity resonated with millions when her commencement speech went viral , amassing o...
Sep 20, 2024•32 min•Ep. 92
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, shares space with Angela Lee Pucci, a retired professional MMA fighter, six-time MMA world champion, and founder of Fight Story. Angela opens up about her journey from the world of combat sports to becoming a mental health advocate. She shares her personal experiences with suicide, including her own attempt in 2017 and the loss of her sister, Victoria, by suicide in 2022. The conversation explores the pressures of professiona...
Sep 06, 2024•34 min•Ep. 91
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, shares space with Grace Ahrens, the executive director of Women in Soccer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting women and underrepresented individuals in soccer. Grace shares her multicultural background, her journey into social work, and how she found her way to Women in Soccer. The conversation explores the importance of mental health in sports and the growing soccer landscape in the United States. This is the A...
Aug 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 90
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, Lisa Bonta Sumii sits down with soccer legend Brandi Chastain to explore her journey from youth soccer to international stardom. Brandi discusses the pivotal moments in her career, including her famous penalty kick in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, overcoming injuries, and the impact of mentorship and leadership. They also discuss the importance of resilience, celebrating successes, and the evolving role of mental health in sports. Brandi shares valuable ins...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 89
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, Lisa Bonta Sumii speaks with Myra Sack, an All-American scholar athlete and founder of E-Motion, a nonprofit supporting grieving individuals. Myra shares her journey through grief after losing her daughter, Havi, and discusses the importance of community, rituals, and emotional literacy. Learn how Myra's experiences as an athlete influence her work and how E-Motion makes a difference for those dealing with loss. Discover the collaborations with Women in Soccer...
May 22, 2024•31 min•Ep. 87
In this third episode of our three-part series, Lisa Bonta Sumii talks with Dan Ourian, CMPC, a certified mental performance consultant and assistant director of the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program at Dominican University of California. They discuss integrating mental performance coaching into athletic coaching, the significance of mindfulness practices, and the importance of practical placements for students training to become mental performance consultants. Developing the Next...
May 17, 2024•24 min•Ep. 86
In this episode of the Athlete Mindset, Lisa Bonta Sumii is a guest on the Female Footballers Podcast, where she discusses the profound impacts of mental health in sports. She shares insights on the pressures athletes face, the importance of recognizing mental health struggles, and how they intersect with performance on the field. Female Footballers Podcast Featuring Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW Highlights: Exploring the critical role mental health plays in sports and athlete performance. Discussion o...
May 15, 2024•42 min•Ep. 85
In this episode of the Athlete Mindset, Lisa Bonta Sumii appears as a guest on the Mental Health Training Room Podcast hosted by Haley Herdman and Naomi Yim, former Division I basketball players. Lisa discusses the intersection of mental health and athletic performance, emphasizing mental wellness's role in achieving peak athletic results. Mental Health Training Room Podcast Featuring Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW Highlights: The founding of AthMindset and its mission to support athletes through mental...
May 07, 2024•51 min•Ep. 84
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii is joined by Dr. Alison Pope-Rhodius, a seasoned expert in sport and performance psychology. Dr. Pope-Rhodius, who has spent over three decades in the field, currently leads the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program at Dominican University of California. This episode is part of a three-part series exploring the nuances and depth of sport and performance psychology. This 3-part podcast series is titled: Developing the Next Gener...
Apr 16, 2024•28 min•Ep. 83
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii shares insights with Kai Laird, a distinguished figure in sport and performance psychology, as well as a mental health advocate. With an extensive background that bridges athletic performance and mental well-being, Laird brings knowledge and experience to this enlightening conversation. This 3-part podcast series is titled: Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants. About: Dominican's Applied Sport and Performance P...
Apr 12, 2024•21 min•Ep. 82
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii shares space with Doug Middleton, a six-year NFL veteran and mental health advocate. Doug shares his journey through professional football, his transition to becoming a yoga instructor and studio owner of Dream Yoga and Wellness, and his passionate advocacy for mental health through his leadership of the Dream The Impossible Foundation. From discussing the importance of building relationships and enjoying the journey in the NFL to his pas...
Apr 05, 2024•29 min•Ep. 81
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, Lisa shares space with Dr. Brook Choulet, a renowned concierge psychiatrist specializing in sports psychiatry. With a passionate commitment to enhancing the mental health and performance of athletes and high achievers, Dr. Choulet shares her unique approach to psychiatry, her journey into the specialized field of sports psychiatry, and valuable advice for athletes navigating mental health challenges. This is the Athlete Mindset podcast. And it’s all about ment...
Mar 21, 2024•28 min•Ep. 80
An Athlete Mindset special episode featuring Lisa Bonta Summi's thoughts on the importance of therapy. In this episode, Lisa Bonta Sumii discusses the following topics: The importance of seeking out a mental health professional. Therapy does not make you weak, and you don’t have to tell everything to your therapist. You can engage in preventative therapy; you don’t have to wait for something to happen. You can go through a consultation with a therapist to know if it’s a good fit. Friends are not...
Feb 27, 2024•12 min•Ep. 79
An Athlete Mindset podcast episode featuring Ashlee Fontes-Comber, the founder and CEO of TLH Reckoning and the former president of United Soccer Coaches. TLH Reckoning, also known as Tallahassee Reckoning, is a professionally operated women’s soccer franchise breaking geographic and institutional barriers. TLH Reckoning is inspired by the generations of elite talent in Tallahassee, Florida. They are part of the USL W . In this episode, Ashlee Fontes-Comber and Lisa Bonta Sumii discuss the follo...
Feb 21, 2024•45 min•Ep. 78
In this episode, Lisa Bonta Sumii shares space with Dr. Wilsa Charles Malveaux to discuss the role of sports psychiatry in enhancing athletes' mental health and performance. This is the Athlete Mindset podcast. And it’s all about mental health in sports. Presented and produced as part of the podcast network by SportsE Media. Topics discussed in this episode "The Intersection of Sports Psychiatry and Performance with Dr. Wilsa Charles Malveaux" The critical distinction between mental health and m...
Feb 13, 2024•42 min•Ep. 77
In this empowering episode of Athlete Mindset, we're honored to host Danita Johnson, a trailblazer in the world of sports. As the President of Business Operations for D.C. United, Danita brings a wealth of experience, innovation, and leadership to the forefront. We discuss the core themes of consistency, communication, and commitment. And then explore how these principles have shaped her career and success. Danita shares her unique perspective on the process over outcome, the importance of being...
Feb 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 76
Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Athlete Mindset podcast! In today's conversation, we sit down with Vanessa De Jesus, a remarkable collegiate basketball player from Duke University, also known for her significant role in the Philippine National Team. Beyond her prowess on the court, Vanessa discusses her life off the court, where it’s all about family! SUBSCRIBE to Athlete Mindset for $10/month As a subscriber, you will receive exclusive content and consistent updates on athlete menta...
Jan 17, 2024•25 min•Ep. 74
