Closer Mentality - podcast cover

Closer Mentality

Julia Mellettsoundcloud.com
Closer Mentality is a peak performance-focused, documentary podcast. Each episode tells the stories of elite athletes, coaches, and sport psychologists and their relationships with the mental side of the game.
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Episodes

Ep. 33: The Student-Athlete Sphere and Visualization Scripts with Dr. Mike Clark

Episode 33 welcomed Dr. Mike Clark, currently a sport psychologist at the University of Arizona. As a crucial component of the student-athlete "sphere of influence", Dr. Clark worked me through his normal session structure, non-verbal cues to look for when working with a client, and how to create a visualization script. Clark Performance Consulting: https://www.clarkperformanceconsulting.com/services Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA

Sep 16, 202130 min

Ep. 32: Doubt as Motivation and Sport-Specific Triggers with Sam Cary

Sam Cary, a defender for the University of Iowa's Women's Soccer team, came on Episode 32 of Closer Mentality. She talked about what drew her to Iowa City, how to redefine "mental toughness", cultivating tenacity, sport-specific triggers for performance anxiety, and the importance of seeking help. Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA

Sep 09, 202134 min

Ep. 31: The Cape Cod League and Misplaced Performance Anxiety with Spencer Horwitz

Episode 31 welcomed Toronto Blue Jays minor leaguer Spencer Horwitz. We talked about external validation, panic attacks, the Cape Cod League, playing at Radford University, baseball as a trigger, and staying where your feet are. Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA Donate to Save the Turtles: https://saveturtles.org/donate-save-sea-turtles-conservation-protect-endagered-species-charity-guide-save-marine-life-protect-sea-turtles/

Sep 02, 202126 min

Ep. 30 | Part 2: Cue Words and Visualization with Mac Marcoux and Tristan Rodgers

In Episode 30, Marcoux and Rodgers discussed how their relationship has grown over the past two years, cue terminology during runs, how to visualize the courses, off-season workouts, and preparing for the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA "Blind Faith": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuEfpIcNDFA

Aug 26, 202138 min

Ep. 29 | Part 1: The Paralympic Games and Skiing with a Guide with Mac Marcoux and Tristan Rodgers

In Episode 29, two-time Paralympian Mac Marcoux and his current guide, Tristan Rodgers, joined me to talk about the Winter Paralympic Games, Para-Alpine skiing with Team Canada, and what it means to be diagnosed with Stargardt Disease. This is Part 1 of a two-part series with Mac and Tristan! Listen in next week to hear them work through a pre-race morning and all the offseason work required to spend your life professionally skiing. Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/U...

Aug 19, 202137 min

Ep. 28: Executing Your Role and Teaching vs. Coaching with Andy Harris

In Episode 28, Andy Harris joined me to talk about teaching mental skills to youth athletes, the lasting impact of Simone Biles' exit from the Tokyo Olympics, what it takes to coach the physical vs. teach the mental, and a few tips for youth athletes trying to focus their mental reps. Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA

Aug 12, 202120 min

Ep. 27: Chasing Snow and X Games Gold Medals with Steve Fisher

In Episode 27, we welcomed Steve Fisher to the podcast. Fisher, a two-time X Games gold medalist, worked through his experience with US Ski and Snowboard, getting to the X Games, the years of dedication it took to win gold medals, the inequities of snowboarding media coverage, and life post-extreme sport. Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA

Aug 05, 202132 min

Ep. 26: Post-Concussion Syndrome and Playing Two DI Sports with Q Williams

Episode 26 welcomed Q Williams. We talked about his time at Northwestern, the stresses of playing two sports at a Division 1 university, Post-Concussion Syndrome, and the work he now does with former athletes. Life After Athlete Archetype Quiz: https://www.q-williams.com/quiz Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA

Jul 28, 202128 min

Ep. 25: Ultra-marathons and Becoming a Published Author with Dr. Joan Steidinger

Episode 25 welcomed Dr. Joan Steidinger. A pioneer in the sport psychology landscape, Dr. Steidinger and I talked about her distance running experience, intrinsic motivation, ultra-marathons, becoming an AASP Fellow, and advocacy for female sports in the decades following Title IX. "Sisterhood in Sports: How Female Athletes Collaborate and Compete.": https://www.amazon.com/Sisterhood-Sports-Athletes-Collaborate-Compete/dp/1442230339/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sisterhood+in+sports&qid=1...

Jul 22, 202122 min

Ep. 24: The Language of Mental Health and the Toronto Raptors with Dr. Alex Auerbach

Episode 24 welcomed Dr. Alex Auerbach, the Director of Wellness and Development for the Toronto Raptors. We worked through the current sport psychology landscape, the nature of the Raptors' team stance on mental wellness, and how we, as spectators and fans, can all change the way we approach talking candidly about our mental struggles. NBA's Mind Health program: https://mindhealth.nba.com/ Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA

Jul 15, 202128 min

Ep. 23: Professional Snowboarding and NIL Brand Management with Natalie Allport

In Episode 23, Natalie Allport, a former Canadian national team snowboarder and social media marketer, works through her experiences with professional snowboarding, the inherent injury risk, what happens post-sport, becoming a TEDx speaker, and the impact of the NIL legislation on current student-athletes. "Failure: What Not Making the Olympics Taught Me": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8e2z5WP6-0 ALL IN: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-in-with-natalie-allport/id1231899480 Closer Men...

Jul 07, 202135 min

Ep. 22: "Anne O'Neil Basketball" and Becoming a 3D Human

In Episode 22, Anne O'Neil came on to talk about becoming more than an athlete, what it takes to be a 3D human, her journey to the WNBA, translating life lessons learned from sports into business, and what to do once the labels synonymous with sport participation disappear. Closer Mentality: UNCENSORED: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny-WIqpcUaQnWA

Jun 30, 202125 min

Ep. 21: Safe Spaces and the Hall of Fame Behavioral Health Program with Misty Buck

Episode 21 of Closer Mentality welcomed Misty Buck, a mental health coach and contributing writer for the Hall of Fame's Behavioral Health program. We talked about her hope for the program, the reach of its services, and how coaches, teammates, and parents can cultivate safe spaces to talk about mental health struggles. Pro Football Hall of Fame Behavioral Health Program: https://www.hofbh.com/home#CARING Buck's articles: https://www.hofbh.com/blog-2 FREE Athlete Mental Health Playbook: https://...

Jun 23, 202124 min

Ep. 20: Persevering Through Anxiety and Writing Your Name in the Record Books with Jack Beer

Jack Beer, a former forward for Georgetown University's Men's Soccer Team, joined us for Episode 20. We talked through his experience with anxiety, the impact of having a coach who understood and prioritized his players' emotional well-being, and winning a National Championship. Beer's The Hidden Opponent article: https://thehiddenopponent.com/jack-beer-overcoming-anxiety-depression-on-the-road-to-a-national-championship/ Closer Mentality: Unabridged: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuZfwIP9ny...

Jun 16, 202129 min

Ep. 19: Unavoidable Sports Injuries and "Sending It" with Jimmy Krupka

For the 19th episode of Closer Mentality, I sat down with Jimmy Krupka, who currently represents US Ski and Snowboard on the Alpine Ski Team. We talked about the issues with unavoidable sports injuries, his rehabilitation, mid-race thought processes, how to "send it", and what it really takes to train for the Winter Olympics. The link to listen to Arc City: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arc-city/id1541976495

Jun 10, 202131 min

Ep. 18: Playing Overseas and the NIL Debate

On the 18th episode of Closer Mentality, we welcomed Malcolm Lemmons. His story includes professional basketball in Japan, leaving organized sport, student-athlete brand management, and Name-Image-Likeness. Athletes Unheard: https://blog.athletesunheard.com Athletes Unheard Text Line: (202) 918-3450 "Lessons from the Game": https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Game-Malcolm-Lemmons/dp/1544941447 "Impact Beyond The Game": https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Beyond-Game-Athletes-Influence/dp/1544507372/ref=pd_...

Jun 02, 202129 min

Ep. 17: Processing Adversity and Work-Life Balance in Elite Youth Sport

The 17th episode welcomed Mykal Manswell to speak on walking onto a Division 1 football team, watching hard work pay off, strength and conditioning at IMG Academy, sport psychology principles and their implementation outside of sports, and how to deal with adverse situations within the sport realm. Hope you all have had a wonderful Mental Health Awareness Month! If you have an idea for an episode or would like to tell your story, direct message us on Twitter and Instagram @closermental! To learn...

May 27, 202139 min

Ep. 16: Leaving a Sport You Still Have Access To and the Mental Six Pack

The 16th episode welcomed Cory Camp! In this episode, we talked about athlete identity surrounding a sport that you still have access to, the mental six pack, visualization, and how to deal with changes in your body's workout capabilities. Your Life Scorecard and Camp's Newsletter: https://www.corycamp.com/offers/wAF8KVGa/checkout

May 19, 202132 min

Ep. 15: Indigenous Distance Running and the Struggles of Reinforced Trauma

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The fifteenth episode welcomed Dillon Shije! In this episode, we talked about the connection between Native American populations and distance running. We also touched on running post-collegiately and how to pivot your life course post-injury. The Native Runner: https://www.thenativerunner.com "Run to the East" by Henry Lu: https:/...

May 13, 202143 min

Ep. 14: Addressing Injury Before It's Too Late and Athlete Center

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The fourteenth episode welcomed Levi MaVorhis! In this episode, we talked about minor league baseball, playing at the Division I level, and the repercussions of letting a sports injury progress unchecked. Athlete Center in the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/athlete-center/id1531102216

May 06, 202131 min

The National Women's Hockey League and Youth Girls in Hockey with Mallory Souliotis

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The thirteenth episode welcomed Mallory Souliotis! In this episode, we talked about the women's professional hockey landscape, media coverage of women's sports, and what it meant for her engineering job to embrace the advancement of her first love. To support Mallory and the Epilepsy Foundation of New England: https://www.bostonpr...

Apr 29, 202133 min

The Intersection of Orthorexia and Elite Performance with Mackenzie St. Onge

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The twelfth episode welcomed Mackenzie St. Onge! In this episode, we talked about the cycle of disordered eating, what student-athletes can watch for if they suspect a teammate is experiencing disordered eating, how therapy addresses orthorexia, The Sideline Perspective, and the role that sports played in perpetuating the cycle fo...

Apr 22, 202131 min

Neutral Thinking and How to Rebrand "Mental Toughness"

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The eleventh episode welcomed Matt Rieger! In this episode, we talked about which aspects of a person's mindset contribute to mental toughness, how to embrace neutral thinking, and what to expect from one-on-one mental performance consulting.

Apr 15, 202120 min

Brawn Modeling and the "Lineman Mentality" with Jon Toth

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The tenth episode welcomed Jon Toth! In this episode, we talked the NFL Draft, becoming a brawn model, financial advising, and free agency.

Apr 08, 202122 min

How to Keep Young Girls in Soccer and the International Coaching Landscape

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The ninth episode welcomed Maria Procopio of Coach Maria Soccer! In this episode, we talked about how to keep young girls interested in sport, preventing early-onset burnout, playing overseas, and how to facilitate a positive coaching atmosphere. To learn more about Coach Maria Soccer: https://coachmariasoccer.com/private-training...

Apr 01, 202127 min

Athlete Mental Health in the Media and How to Approach Storytelling

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The eighth episode welcomed Chris Jackson! In this episode, we talked about how sports media covers athlete mental health and how media outlets can better capitalize on athletes willing to tell their stories.

Mar 25, 202115 min

Division III and Breaking Up With Your Sport

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The seventh episode welcomed Perry Quartuccio! In this episode, we talked about Division III baseball and the process of decreasing ties to athletic identity once your playing days are over. The link to grab a copy of "Reaching Home Plate" is: https://reachinghomeplate.com/rhp-ebook/

Mar 17, 202119 min

Player Development and Minor League Baseball with Ryan Sherriff and Isha Rahman

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The sixth episode welcomed Ryan Sherriff and Isha Rahman! In this episode, we talked about the minor league system and the impact of player development in Major League Baseball.

Mar 11, 202116 min

Minimizing Perfectionism and Performance Anxiety

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The fifth episode welcomed Dr. Eddie O'Connor! In this episode, we talked about how to break the mold of perfectionistic tendencies and decrease performance anxiety. The Psychology of Performance: How to Be Your Best in Life: https://dreddieoconnor.com/resources/psychology-of-performance/ Website: https://dreddieoconnor.com/

Mar 03, 202116 min

Democratic Coaching and How to Build a Positive Team Culture

Closer Mentality is a peak performance documentary podcast aimed at opening the dialogue regarding athletes and the intersection of mental health and peak performance. The fourth episode welcomed JT Heenan! We talked about how to foster a positive coaching culture within a Division II baseball program and the lengths coaches will go to in order to provide the sport experience for their players.

Feb 25, 202115 min
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