Unit3d w/ B1G Team at Indiana University

In this episode of the Unit3d Podcast, Counseling & Sport Psychology Ph.D. student Mehvish Safdar chats with her sister, Dr. Komal Safdar—an elite athlete and physician. They discuss a range of topics, including collegiate athletics, pickleball, and Komal’s pioneered medical specialization of sports nephrology, as it relates to athlete mental health and performance. She shares her story and insights on injury, transition, America’s fastest growing sport and its international impact, as well as her evolving expertise and passion for athletes’ kidney health and chronic disease. Alongside learning Komal’s story, some of Mehvish and Komal’s overlapping sister story is unveiled. Aside from getting to know Komal on a professional and personal level through deep questions and reflective answers, you’ll get to enjoy getting to know her through some fun rapid-fire questions and answers to close as well! This episode uniquely highlights the importance and intersection of the medical and mental health fields in athlete care.

In this episode of the Unit3d Podcast, PhD candidate Miata Walker sits down with professional cheerleader Jalen Jones to discuss his journey through elite cheerleading. He shares how he got his start in the sport and his path to competing on some of the biggest stages, including Team USA and the University of West Georgia. The conversation explores the highs and lows of his career, including the challenges of injuries and the mental resilience required to return to competition. Jalen also discusses his transition into the new Pro Cheer League with the Atlanta Air and what the league could mean for the future of cheerleading. The episode closes with reflections on balancing professional competition, coaching, and full-time work, along with advice for athletes striving to reach the highest levels of their sport.

In this episode of the Unit3d Podcast, PhD students Hallie Enderle and Jessica Wolf sit down with fellow Minnesotan, Olympian, and current LOVB Houston athlete Jordan Thompson as she explores the pressures and responsibilities that come with competing at the highest levels of sport while using her platform for advocacy. Jordan shares reflections on her journey from Minnesota to the Olympic stage, navigating life in elite athletics and speaking out on issues that matter deeply to her, including the ICE occupation in Minnesota. This conversation explores the intersection of elite sport and advocacy, diving into what it means to use your voice, how athletes navigate life and emotions at the highest level of competition, and how identity, and the courage to stay true to yourself, continues to evolve over time.

In this episode of the Unit3d podcast, 1st Year PhD student RJ Russell sits down with former high school track teammate and current Mental Performance Expert for the Army Keith Miller. They discuss their journey from small-town roots to leading teams to state championships, emphasizing the role of sacrifice and discipline in achieving greatness. The conversation highlights the importance of intentional culture and self-awareness in building unbreakable team bonds. They share personal stories of overcoming cultural challenges and the influence of a visionary coach, offering insights into the mindset needed to silence outside noise and stay true to one's purpose. The episode also explores practical strategies for cultivating a supportive environment, balancing competitiveness with camaraderie, and mastering mental toughness. Keith underscores the significance of values-driven leadership and the relentless pursuit of excellence, making this episode a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone striving for success.

In this episode of the Unit3d Podcast, PhD student Madeline Koch sits down with professional volleyball athlete Brooke Mosher for a conversation that traces their paths from hometown athletes to Big Ten competitors—and now to Brooke’s continued career with the Omaha Supernovas. Together, they dive into questions that many people often wonder: Follow along as Madeline and Brooke explore challenges of major transitions, the significance of support, the value of having a well-rounded life, and realities of both the Transfer Portal and the draft process.

n this episode of the United with BigTeam at Indiana University podcast, host Eli Friedman, a 5th Year PhD Candidate, engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Troy Moles, Director of Counseling and Sports Psychology at Indiana University Athletics. They explore Dr. Moles' journey to becoming a sports psychologist, and the role of cognitive behavioral therapy in facilitating change and the power of humility as a clinician. The discussion also touches on the cultural shifts within Indiana athletics, the significance of assessment in sports psychology, and the myths surrounding the field. Dr. Moles emphasizes the importance of focusing on what is best for the student athlete, highlighting the need for humility and hard work in the profession.

In this episode of the Unit3d podcast, Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt sits down with Rae Ann Inge to get an in-depth and behind-the-scenes perspective from a Coach’s Wife in the hectic world of NCAA Division 1 Power 4 college football. William Inge is currently an assistant football coach at University of Tennessee, and Rae Ann shares a range of logistic, emotional, and psychological impacts that are associated with supporting her family, her husband, and his players across their moves to ten different teams/cities/coaching jobs. We touch on the impact that these multiple (and often unpredictable) moves have on her, on her family's well-being, and on coach mental health, in addition to sharing the creative and compromising strategies they have had to adopt to make it all work. All coaches with families will learn something from this episode, and fans will emerge with more empathy for everything that coaches’ families go through in this process. Additionally, as Rae Ann discusses her role as a Sport Mom, she shares some heart-warming and hilarious youth sport stories that illustrate the relationship-building and memory-generating dynamics that sport can optimally provide. Athletes, coaches, and parents will be able to connect to the stories she tells--without a ‘you had to be there feel’--due to her engaging story-telling style, the transcendent nature of youth sport, and the commonalities that sport parents face as they work to support their children's athletic development. Finally, we talk about how these roles collide, as her children evolve from youth athletes into Division 1 college athletes, in addition to touching on her extensive above-and-beyond efforts to support her dozens and dozens of college linebacker children that Coach Inge coaches and who Rae Ann adopts in her special calling as a “Players-Coach’s Wife”.

In this episode of the Unit3d podcast, Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt sits down with Rae Ann Inge to get an in-depth and behind-the-scenes perspective from a Coach’s Wife in the hectic world of NCAA Division 1 Power 4 college football. William Inge is currently an assistant football coach at University of Tennessee, and Rae Ann shares a range of logistic, emotional, and psychological impacts that are associated with supporting her family, her husband, and his players across their moves to ten different teams/cities/coaching jobs. We touch on the impact that these multiple (and often unpredictable) moves have on her, on her family's well-being, and on coach mental health, in addition to sharing the creative and compromising strategies they have had to adopt to make it all work. All coaches with families will learn something from this episode, and fans will emerge with more empathy for everything that coaches’ families go through in this process. Additionally, as Rae Ann discusses her role as a Sport Mom, she shares some heart-warming and hilarious youth sport stories that illustrate the relationship-building and memory-generating dynamics that sport can optimally provide. Athletes, coaches, and parents will be able to connect to the stories she tells--without a ‘you had to be there feel’--due to her engaging story-telling style, the transcendent nature of youth sport, and the commonalities that sport parents face as they work to support their children's athletic development. Finally, we talk about how these roles collide, as her children evolve from youth athletes into Division 1 college athletes, in addition to touching on her extensive above-and-beyond efforts to support her dozens and dozens of college linebacker children that Coach Inge coaches and who Rae Ann adopts in her special calling as a “Players-Coach’s Wife”.

In this episode of the Unit3d podcast, doctoral student and BigTeam member, Katy Johnson, is joined by Dr. Jesse Michel, a renowned expert in sport and performance psychology. Katy and Jesse delve into the complex topic of the yips, exploring their own experiences with it, its impact on athletes, the stigma surrounding it, and strategies for overcoming it. Jesse shares his personal experiences and insights from working with elite athletes, offering valuable advice for athletes, coaches, parents, and teammates on how to support those affected by the yips across all sports. Dr. Jesse Michel is a Sport and Performance Psychology professional within the Deloitte Performance Psychology program. Over the last 20 years, he has had the privilege of providing mental training services to MLB and NBA MVPs, CEOs, World Series champions, US Soldiers, Olympians, and NCAA champions. Jesse is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant via the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

In this episode of the United with Big Team at Indiana University podcast, host Josh Jackson sits down with NFL linebacker Divine Deablo to discuss his journey from college football to the professional league. Deablo shares insights about his early days at Virginia Tech, the challenges he faced during his transition to the NFL, and the importance of work ethic and trust in building a successful career. He reflects on the injuries he has endured, the mental resilience required to overcome them, and how he has learned to focus on his personal growth and the support of his teammates. The conversation also touches on the significance of maintaining a positive mindset and the impact of social media on mental health for athletes.

Summary In this episode, host Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt sits down with Clinical Sport Psychologist Dr. Jacob Cooper to explore a range of topics, including the importance of cultivating mental wellness in athletics, the unique challenges faced by male athletes, and the innovative mental health and mental performance protocols implemented within a university football team and beyond. Dr. Cooper shares insights from his extensive background in sport psychology, emphasizing the need for emotional intelligence and the integration of mental skills training into athletic performance. The discussion also touches on the impact of community and leadership in times of crisis. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Health in Sports 04:26 Dr. Cooper's Journey in Sports Psychology 06:43 The Injury Clinic: A New Approach 09:55 Building Trust with Coaches and Athletes 12:34 The Importance of Visibility and Credibility 16:36 Cultural Humility in Sports Psychology 21:18 Breaking Down Barriers to Help-Seeking 24:46 Modeling Emotional Intelligence in Athletics 25:47 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence in Sports 26:31 Working with High-Performance Teams 28:00 Integrating Physiological Metrics in Training 30:36 The Role of Visualization in High-Stress Situations 33:21 Community Resilience During Crisis 37:00 Leadership and Its Impact on Team Dynamics 42:30 Reflections on Loss and Community Strength Guest Bio Dr. Jacob Cooper is the Associate Athletic Director of Sport Psychology and Mental Wellness at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. He has worked with athletes at the Olympic, Professional, and Division-1 levels over the course of his career. Dr. Cooper has worked with athletes and staff throughout the NFL, NASCAR, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and PGA. With a unique background and training in the areas of occupational and industrial psychology, culture building, leadership training, and military psychology, he has provided performance optimization for military personnel prior to their deployments as well as counseling for veterans transitioning back to civilian life throughout Western North Carolina, Indiana, and Boston.

Hilinski’s Hope brings you Unit3d - a podcast where sport psychologists and mental health professionals team up to hold conversations for student athletes on mental health. Many of us share common concerns, these discussions are a reminder that we are not alone, but unit3d in this world together. Welcome to the Hilinski’s Hope, mind, spirit, and performance playbook. If you have any questions or topics you would like for us to discuss, please email us at info@hilinskishope.org. Unit3d is hosted by Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt, licensed sport psychologist, and his PhD Students at Indiana University.

In this Jay-Z homage titled episode, Unit3d listeners meet Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt and his dynamic crew of 12 elite PhD students from Indiana University—the B1G Team. These Hoosiers are taking over the mic and rebooting Unit3d in 2026 as “Unit3d w/ B1G Team at Indiana University.” The podcast will continue its mission to educate, entertain, and inform, focusing on the mental health and wellbeing of student-athletes while exploring the complexities of their experiences and the role of sports psychology. With a diverse group of hosts bringing unique perspectives and research interests, future episodes will dive deep into topics that matter most to athletes and those who support them. This 258th episode gives listeners an inside look at the new team, a preview of upcoming themes, and a taste of what’s to come in this exciting relaunch. Enjoy the introduction—and get ready for the next era of Unit3d!

On this episode of Unit3d, Ryan sits down with collegiate Running Back, Albert Kunickis III. They talk about their faith, their ACL connection, the adversity they’ve faced throughout their lives, and the power of perspective. Albert entered the world without a right hand or forearm. This “Beast” has an incredible can-do attitude and has never played the victim. His story is inspiring! Take a listen.

Ryan “Hilly” and Northwestern University Running Back, Cam Porter “CPO”, dive deep into self-reflection. Through injury and recovery, the teammates talk about their friendship and their struggles to stay true to their identities outside of sport along with the importance of being your authentic self, on and off the field. They remind us to be the best versions of ourselves, be you; everyone else is taken.

On this episode of Unit3d Ryan talks with University of South Carolina Offensive Lineman, Jakai Moore, about the struggles Jakai has faced during his collegiate career and how he copes with adversity, on and off the field. Jakai sadly lost his wonderful Mom last year, she was such a special person with a heart as big as Jakai! Listen in as these two former teammates share stories and remind us that there isn’t a right or wrong way to cope with hardship and how the support and love from your teammates can make all the difference in overcoming tragedy and navigating difficult times.

Listen in to “Episode 0” as Ryan Hilinski talks about his new role with Unit3d and the path the podcast is taking this fall. Ryan is joined by Mark Hilinski who shares how powerful storytelling has been on their journey with Hilinski’s Hope and how opening up and sharing your struggles can not only save your life but the lives of others too.

Over the past four and a half years, Unit3d has been hosted by Sport Psychologist, Dr. Josie Nicholson. Through 250 plus episodes it's been a place where mental health professionals' team up to hold conversations for student-athletes. These discussions were a reminder that you are never alone, but Unit3d in this world together. The Hilinski's Hope team is very grateful for the love and passion Josie poured into Unit3d; she truly is an amazing person! Together, we decided to take a different approach. Moving forward, student-athlete, H3H cofounder, and Tyler's younger brother, Ryan Hilinski, will host Unit3d. Ryan will bring on other student-athletes to share their stories, their love of sport, as well as their mental health struggles and triumphs. Through these talks we'll discover how we can support each other on our journey. We'll be back with our new format in a few weeks. As always, Forever to 3.

During the months of June and July, the Unit3d podcast will be airing great episodes from the past. Please enjoy your summer, and re-enjoy the episode chosen by Kym Hilinski, Quarterback Conversations featuring Brian Mauer and Ryan Hilinski as the guests. This episode features two amazing men sharing their stories of resilience and love. They both happen to be quarterbacks at SEC schools, but it’s their passion for helping others that bonds them together. Ryan Hilinski and Brian Mauer talk through having overcome dark times and their commitments to reducing the stigma that is a barrier to others seeking help.

During the months of June and July, the Unit3d podcast will be airing great episodes from the past. These episodes have been chosen and are being introduced by students from Indiana University who have participated in a sport psychology class where the Unit3d podcast has been part of a class assignment. Please enjoy your summer, and re-enjoy the episode chosen by Eli Friedman, Positive Vibes. With so much uncertainty and so many obstacles facing us every day, finding a positive approach can be difficult. Using our strengths and focusing on what we can do can help bring balance during difficult times. Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt discusses practical tips for positive psychology to help carry us in to the fall.