Mindful Sport Performance Podcast

Are you ready to challenge the traditional paradigm of success and greatness? What if hard work and perseverance aren't the only tickets to victory? Buckle up as we embark on an intriguing exploration redefining greatness in sports. We analyze the sports careers of high-profile athletes who, despite their relentless dedication and effort, never reached the pinnacle of success. Alongside, we ponder the elusive elements of luck and opportunity, and their often overlooked role in shaping an athlete's career. Ever wondered how acceptance, bravery, and consistency contribute to an athlete's success? We delve into these aspects of Keith's "ABCs of greatness." From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, we discuss how accepting reality, embracing bravery, and demonstrating consistency can influence an athlete's career trajectory. We then zoom out to address the broader complexities of greatness — integrating the inherent qualities with hard work, wrestling with the fear of acceptance, and nurturing confidence and curiosity about life's possibilities. Finally, we plunge into the philosophical depths of sports, drawing parallels from Buddhist teachings and the wisdom of Pema Chödrön. We ponder upon the power of embracing uncertainty and "muting oneself" to unlock an athlete's full potential. And for our closing act, we shine a spotlight on rowing — a testament to the power of perseverance and a fascinating example of 'rowing for greatness'. So, are you ready to upend your notions of success and bask in the richness of this unconventional perspective on sports greatness? Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast, @mspe_institute, @mindfulsportdoc YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com mspepodcast.buzzsprout.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

Given the recent stories coming out of Northwestern University, Tim, Keith, and Taylor discuss what perpetuates the fear and "power-over" culture within sports teams, possible alternatives, and how to help coaches make the shift toward a "trust culture." Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast, @mspe_institute YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show Support the show

In this episode, our Season 4 finale, professional soccer player Jack Beer joins the conversation. Jack currently plays for NYCFC II in MLS NEXT Pro. He starred at Georgetown University where he won the NCAA Championship in 2019. Inspired by his own experiences with anxiety and depression, Jack serves as a mental health advocate and aims to transform the narratives surrounding mental health and athletics. He is a Whole Being Athlete ambassador for Athletes for Hope where he is featured on panels to discuss the importance of reducing the stigma toward mental health. Jack begins with a Wim Hof breathing practice, and then chats with Keith and Tim about: [10:17] How Jack developed his pre-game routines [12:57] Jack's journey with his mental health and how it led him to becoming an advocate for mental health and an ambassador for Athletes for Hope [25:45] Acceptance of mental health at the MLS level and the opportunities that are still available for further evolution [28:28] The challenges of making a culture of mental health more visible in an environment where it is still largely invisible [41:13] The potentially destructive impact of social media on player mental health *Note: this episode was recorded just prior to the end of NYCFC II's 2022 season. They have just begun their 2023 season at the time of this episode's launch. Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @jbeer10, @mindful_sport_podcast, @mspe_institute YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.athletesforhope.org www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, sport psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Pospos joins the conversation. Sarah completed her psychiatric residency as a Chief Resident at UCLA-Kern. As a sports psychiatrist and former student-athlete, she is devoted to helping aspiring, current, and former athletes with depression, performance and general anxiety, insomnia, and psychiatric challenges associated with injury, concussion, retirement, overtraining, and other issues in her California telepsychiatry practice. Sarah begins the episode with a diaphragmatic breathing practice, then she talks with Keith and Tim about: [9:10] What exactly is sport psychiatry? [14:36] Working through athletes' concerns about medications and their side effects. [21:11] Dealing with the stigma of working with a psychiatrist. [24:30] Situations in which psychiatric interventions are particularly helpful. [28:50] Sarah's journey to mindfulness and how she applies it in her work. [34:55] How Sarah introduces mindfulness practice to her clients. Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast, @mspe_institute, @lifestyletelepsychiatry YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: https://www.lifestyletelepsychiatry.com/ www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, elite golfer and therapist Matt Sughrue joins the conversation. Matt was a successful insurance executive and business owner in the Washington, DC metro area for 25 years. Then, in 2008, at the age of 49, he took a major life detour and trained to become a psychotherapist and performance consultant. Among his varied clientele are amateur and professional golfers - across several pro tours. Matt is also an accomplished golfer himself. He is the 8th ranked senior amateur in the world by The World Amateur Golf Ranking and has played in 33 major national golf championships. In November 2022, Matt represented the USA at the Concession Cup, competing against Europe's finest senior and mid-amateur golfers. Matt, Tim, and Keith are all members of the Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Sport and Performance Psychology. Matt begins the episode with a mindful awareness practice. Then he, Keith, and Tim discuss: [8:34] Meditation in Matt's competition experiences and the importance of "in-between" time [14:12] The impact of personal disclosure in Matt's work with sports clients [17:43] Matt's competition debrief process structure and function [20:58] The importance of language in the process of improvement and how it can shift perspective [23:15] Matt's personal experience with the yips [37:29] The nuances of "caring" about your sport and the implications it has for personal identity [48:33] Matt's approach to working with athletes who are experiencing the yips Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast, @mspe_institute YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mattsughrue.com www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, professional rugby player Marcel Brache joins the conversation. Marcel was born in the United States and moved to South Africa at age 4. It was there that he discovered and fell in love with the game of rugby, and he became a professional rugby player at the age of 23. Marcel played rugby in South Africa for 3 years before moving to Australia, and playing there for 8 seasons. He has since moved back to the United States, and last year signed with and played for the Major League Rugby team, Austin Gilgronis. Keith begins the episode with an energizing breathing practice, and then he, Tim, and Marcel discuss: [9:45] Mindfulness and non-judgment as a path to presence and authenticity [14:20] Marcel's journey to rugby, self-inquiry, and ultimately, acceptance [24:29] The importance of language in conversations not only about mental health, but also performance [29:08] The growing acceptance of mental health as pivotal aspect of performance in rugby Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc, @brache87 Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast, @mspe_institute YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, Drs. Adam Wright and Nick Holton join the conversation. Dr. Adam Wright is a peak performance coach who supports a broad range of performers including elite athletes, Fortune 400 corporate leaders, professionals in military and law enforcement, and creatives from the entertainment world. Adam's work is dedicated to exploring how individuals in teams can leverage and build the cognitive skills, emotional intelligence, and physical capacities to flourish professionally and personally. He is the founder of Arete Fitness and Performance Training Inc. and co-founder of the Antifragile Academy LLC and Elevate Performance Group LLC. He currently serves as Director of Mental Skills Training for the Washington Nationals and Senior Mental Skills Consultant at Performance Optimal Health, Physical Therapy, and Rehabilitation clinics. Dr. Nick Holton is an international consultant, coach, speaker, and author who has worked with professional and collegiate athletes, Fortune 500 business leaders, as well as educators and thought leaders from around the world. His work focuses on human flourishing and his current roles and projects include consulting and co-directing the human flourishing efforts at the Shipley School, co-hosting FlourishFM, and running the Antifragile Athlete startup. Tim begins with a brief settling practice. Then he, Keith, Adam and Nick discuss: [9:12] Conceptualizing human flourishing [12:55] The complementary relationships between mindfulness and flourishing [17:00] Distress tolerance and non-judgment [22:29] Growing issues with the mindfulness "brand" as the concept has become more mainstream [26:09] The effort to connect concepts to client's experiences and the power of autonomy in this pursuit [35:23] Taking an "ecosystemic" approach to delivering mental performance interventions in organizations Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.nickholton.com www.dradamwright.com www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Podcasts Mentioned FlourishFM Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

Welcome to A Mindful Take! This is a sub-series of the Mindful Sport Performance Podcast, hosted by Dr. Keith Kaufman, Dr. Tim Pineau, and our producer and colleague Taylor Brown. Tired of the endless stream of sports "experts" screaming at each other? Us too! We're offering a fresh perspective on current sports news rooted in mindfulness. This may be different than anything you've experienced previously, and that's exactly our hope. In this episode we prep for Super Bowl LVII, focusing on the phenomenon of prop bets and differences among openness, optimism, and positive thinking when things go wrong (a la the San Francisco 49ers' QB situation in the NFC Championship). Enjoy! If you're interested in learning more about the Mindful Sport Performance Podcast, check out the other episodes in our stream. You can also visit our website at: www.MindfulSportPerformance.org. Registration is now open for our March 2023 MSPE Instructor Training: https://mspeinstitute.ticketspice.com/mindful-sport-performance-enhancement-mspe-instructor-training-march-2023 Support the show

In this episode, Rachael Adams, Olympian and mentor, joins the conversation. Rachael is a 2016 Olympic Medalist and 2014 World Champion in volleyball. She joined the U.S. Women's National Team after graduating from The University of Texas at Austin and was a member of that team for 10 years. She has played professionally in Poland, Italy, Turkey, Brazil, and recently moved to Japan. Rachael is additionally a mindset and confidence mentor for female athletes. She is the founder of JourneyStrength, where it is believed that a well-equipped mindset and a strong sense of self are among the most important attributes athletes can have to navigate their daily challenges. Rachael begins the episode with a brief four, five, six breathing practice. Then, Keith, Tim, and Rachael discuss: [4:32] Rachael's reflections on when she has used the breathing technique she introduced in competition [7:51] Resistance to certain mental performance practices and how to overcome them [17:35] Rachael's path to creating JourneyStrength and the pivotal interaction that challenged her to change her mindset [22:53] Stepping away from fear-based approaches to personal motivation and shifting your own story [32:27] Rachael's choice to focus on female athletes [34:15] JourneyStrength's Confident and Capable Program Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @journeystrength, @rachaeladams, @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast, Rachael Adams' Channel Websites Mentioned: www.journeystrength.com www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Breathing for Warriors Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, Loudoun United FC Head Coach Ryan Martin joins the conversation. Ryan Martin joined Loudoun United FC in June 2019 as the second head coach in the club's history after becoming the director of DC United's academy program in 2017. Prior to overseeing all youth development at DC United, the Columbus, Ohio native coached and was the recruiting coordinator at Wake Forest University and, in 2016, helped build FC Cincinnati's roster from scratch. Tim begins with a mindfulness of sound meditation, and then he, Keith, and Ryan have a conversation about: [10:36] Ryan's experience with of mental training over his career in coaching and what elements he likes to focus on most [17:35] Fear of change among coaches and the impact this has on implementing more mental training practices [21:31] The crucial role of compassion in coaching [26:37] The many roles a coach plays in the life of a professional athlete [33:29] The importance of self-care for coaches [38:02] Ryan's post-match routines [39:46] An important and honest conversation about suicide, mental health, and supporting those around you Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @rpmartin10, @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: Ryan's Feature on Mental Health www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn rejoins the conversation. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn is internationally known for his work as a scientist, writer, and meditation teacher engaged in bringing mindfulness into the mainstream of medicine and society. He's a Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where he founded it's world-renowned mindfulness-based stress reduction clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare, and Society. He is the author of numerous books and other publications including two best-sellers, Full Catastrophe Living and Wherever You Go, There You Are. His books and guided meditation programs describe meditation practice in such commonsense, relevant, and compelling terms that mindfulness meditation practice has become a way of life for hundreds of thousands of people. His work has contributed to a growing movement of mindfulness into mainstream institutions in our society such as medicine, education, business, the judicial system, and sports. Jon begins with a grounded awareness practice. Then, Tim, Jon, and Keith have a deeply personal conversation about: [11:50] Tim's reflections on the evolution of his grief over the past 10 months [25:00] Normalizing grief through sharing unfiltered experiences [27:40] The struggle of approaching grief with authenticity [30:03] Bridging grief and gratitude [33:09] The effects of changing one's relationship with anxiety [37:58] Differing reactions to grief and the potential impact on the bereaved [43:24] The importance of candid conversations in the process of healing [44:05] Overcoming emotional overwhelm through the lens of mindfulness [53:09] Finding experiences of common humanity and interconnectedness in grief Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @jonkabatzinn, @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Jon at Wisdom2.0 with Anderson Cooper, Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: Anderson Cooper's Podcast with Steven Colbert Jon Kabat-Zinn's Website www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Full Catastrophe Living Wherever You Go, There You Are Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor Support the show

In this episode, Dr. Amanda Wilding joins the conversation. Amanda qualified as a sport and exercise scientist in 2005 and became an HCPC registered sport and exercise psychologist in 2012. During her career, she has worked with a range of athletes from world champions to grassroots in sports such as football (soccer), track and field, hockey, fencing, and powerlifting. She has worked as a performance psychologist at Southampton Football Club since 2012 and recently has worked with the women's first team in their bid to become national league champions and gain promotion to the Barclay Women's Championship. Amanda is also a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University. Amanda begins the episode with a brief relaxation practice. She then talks with Keith and Tim about: [16:20] Her experience working with the Southampton Women's first team, and how support has changed since her early experiences in the club [19:20] Differences in men's and women's football (soccer) concerning receptivity to sport psychology practices [26:20] Equity, and inequity, in support between men's and women's football in the UK [29:15] Increasing the visibility of women's football in the UK [32:05] Mental training at the grassroots level [35:32] Tending to the humanity of elite athletes [40:05] Finding the fun and enjoyment in the seriousness of elite sport and the influence of that effort on social cohesion [46:26] One of the quirky activities Amanda has come to be known for Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @wildpinck @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this Thanksgiving episode, Keith, Tim, and Taylor reflect on their experiences of gratitude. Tim begins with an authentic gratitude practice, and then we discuss: 7:45 - The misconception that gratitude can only exist in the presence of "relentless" positivity, and how authentic gratitude is not mutually exclusive with more painful emotions. 17:31 - How mindfulness and acceptance can help us rebuild our relationships with the capabilities and limitations of our bodies. 20:11 - Exploring the various barriers to experiencing gratitude, such as comparison, striving, and attachments. 27:31 - Contextualizing our experiences to find gratitude in the most surprising places (such as when cleaning up cat barf). 41:05 - One thing each of us is grateful for as we are approaching the Thanksgiving holiday. Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode (our 50th!), Keith, Tim, and Taylor answer frequently asked questions about mindfulness and sport performance. Tim begins the episode with a self-compassion mediation, and then we discuss: [8:54] – Keith and Tim reflect on their experience hosting 50 episodes of the Mindful Sport Performance Podcast [14:16] – Kayla Hightower’s question: How does increased mindfulness enhance sport performance and what is its relationship to anxiety? [18:45] – Reflecting on the misunderstandings and the true process of “letting go” [26:00] – FailBetterTraining’s Question: What are some common obstacles that athletes face when learning meditation, mindfulness, visualization, etc? [35:12] – Reflecting on the level of commitment needed to see the tangible impact of mindfulness-based performance enhancement [38:49] – Danny Ourian’s question: Can we be too aware such that this hampers us in performance? [50:45] – Questions from James Schwabach and Tim Herzog: How do you work with clients who are stuck looking at mindfulness as the means to an end? Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com www.failbettertraining.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Full Catastrophe Living Man's Search for Meaning Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, Olympian and rowing coach Bruce Beall joins the conversation. Bruce rowed at the University of Washington, earning three varsity letters. He competed on the U.S. National Team in three World Rowing Championships, two Pan American Games, and the 1984 Olympics. He has coached at the University of Washington, Boston University, Harvard, and Cal Berkeley. Bruce was the Executive Director of the Pocock Rowing Foundation and was a member of the U.S. Rowing High Performance Committee for the four years leading up to the Athens Olympics. He is now the Director of Rowing and the boys' varsity coach at Bainbridge Island Rowing. Bruce is known to the sport psychology world for his early collaboration with Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, applying mindfulness to elite rowing performance. Keith begins the episode with a brief anchoring practice, and then talks with Bruce about: [5:45] Bruce's journey to mindfulness and how he introduced it to the rowing world [11:51] How Bruce incorporates mindfulness into his coaching [14:45] The relationship between breaking neuromuscular habits and attention [24:22] Distinctions in pain versus fatigue and how to manage fatigue [27:56] Introducing mindfulness to your athletes in ways that create buy in [33:03] Getting out of your own way and allowing your potential to shine through Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.bainbridgerowing.org www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, Dr. Ashley Kuchar joins the conversation. Dr. Ashley Kuchar is the founder of Fail Better Training, and is passionate about helping athletes learn to respond to challenging situations in ways that foster resilience rather than relying on self-criticism. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin working alongside Dr. Kristin Neff. While pursuing her doctorate, she received a NCAA research grant which aided in the development of RESET, a program she created as part of her dissertation. Working with over 250 student-athletes, she found that RESET supported adaptive coping, well being, and sport performance. Ashley played basketball at Fort Lewis College and ranks among that school's career leaders in six major categories. At the conclusion of her college career, she was nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year. Ashley begins the episode with a Resilience RESET exercise. Then, Keith, Tim, and Ashley discuss: [7:17] Reflecting on the Resilient RESET exercise [9:15] Comparing mindfulness-based and compassion-based approaches to sport performance enhancement [15:12] Exploring the origins of the very common fear-based motivational style [20:40] The challenge of creating accessibility when teaching concepts like self-compassion to athletes [26:00] Applying the RESET program to coaching [32:53] What the RESET program looks like in practice [38:42] The efficacy and outcomes of the RESET program Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @failbettertraining, @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.failbettertraining.com www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned RESET Workbook RESET ONLINE COURSE! Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, Dr. Zindel Segal joins the conversation. Dr. Segal is a distinguished professor of psychology in mood disorders at the University of Toronto - Scarborough. He has pioneered the use of mindfulness meditation for promoting wellness in the area of mood disorders and been funded continuously through the National Institute of Mental Health and the Canadian Institute of Health Research for the past 15 years. He is the author of over ten books and more than 200 publications, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, The Mindful Way Through Depression, and The Mindful Way Workbook. Dr. Segal continues to advocate for the relevance of mindfulness-based clinical care in psychiatry and mental health. Dr. Segal begins the episode with a breathing space meditation. Then Keith, Tim, and Dr. Segal have a conversation about: [11:25] - The difference between Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [16:21] - Eastern origins of mindfulness and the intentional decision to keep those separate from MBCT [20:55] - The neuroscience of mindfulness and depression [33:00] - Cultivating curiosity and kindness instead of aversion and judgement toward inner experiences [35:34] - The efficacy and delivery of virtual MBCT interventions Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mindfulnoggin.com www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Books Mentioned The Mindful Way Through Depression The Mindful Way Workbook Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this Season 4 premiere episode, two-time Olympic gold medalist, supermom, and aspiring mental health professional Natasha Hastings joins the conversation. Natasha is an Olympic, World, and U.S. National Champion track & field sprinter. She founded the Natasha Hastings Foundation, which empowers young female athletes to gain confidence in their voice in sports and life. Tim begins the episode with a brief centering practice, and then he, Keith, and Natasha discuss: [8:35] - Where Natasha learned her mental skills and some of her personal practices [12:00] - Bringing your authentic, whole self to different experiences and contexts in your life and work [17:27] - The myth of "balance" and how to give yourself grace [19:28] - The purpose of therapy [21:07] - The evolution of Natasha's mindset between 2008 and 2016 [23:25] - Transitioning from an elite athlete to a mental health professional, and the potential hurdles Natasha may have to overcome, or benefit from [33:46] - The genesis of Natasha's passion for mental health [39:42] - Learning from really hard experiences and the tendency to turn away from them [46:15] - The Natasha Hastings Foundation and its important mission Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @nhfcares, @mindful_sport_podcast YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.nhfcares.com www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) Support the show

In this episode, co-host Tim Pineau returns to the pod and Ketih and Tim have a conversation about grief. Tim stepped away from his co-hosting role for our last few episodes to manage a family crisis, which is what Tim and Keith are talking about in our final episode of Season 3. Tim's daughter, Inayaa, died in February 2022 at 4 and a half months old after being diagnosed with a rare heart defect. Tim shares Inaaya's story and what his journey through this grief has been like so far. Many people we work with often ask how something like meditation is really supposed to help them navigate things like trauma or tragedy? Should they feel nothing? Never be stressed? Never fall apart? The intention behind this conversation is to provide a window into this question and share in real time how a mindfulness expert is experiencing grief. Specifically, we emphasize that being mindful is not the same thing as always being "ok," and that our well-being is not synonymous with happiness. After a brief introduction explaining our intention to apply mindful curiosity to this experience of profound grief and loss, this conversation touches on: 3:15 - Inaaya's story 13:00 - What self-care really looks like after a traumatic loss 19:00 - How mindfulness shows up in difficult times even if/when formal practice isn't happening 26:45 - Intentionality and choice when it comes to responding to big emotions 29:00 - The pressure to be "ok" from others, and the radical self-compassion of letting yourself openly, honestly not be ok 34:30 - Finding the "gift" in a tragedy - meta-awareness and the clarification of priorities 41:00 - Recognizing there is no perfect, and accepting that "messiness" is just part of the picture, not a failure 45:30 - Integrating this personal experience into mindfulness-based mental performance consultant self-disclosure and the modeling of mindfulness 52:00 - Acknowledging the difference between well-being and happiness 55:00 - Honoring Inaaya - choose kindness Support the show

In this episode, Maggie Malone joins the conversation. Maggie Malone is a two-time Olympian (Rio and Tokyo), NCAA Champion, and American and collegiate women's record holder in the javelin throw. Keith begins the episode with a brief intention setting practice. Then, he and Maggie discuss: 10:50 - Maggie's evolution in mindset throughout her career. 14:10 - The meditation practices that Maggie uses. 15:40 - Coping with the "Olympic Hangover." 20:00 - The benefits of meditation in being able to strengthen your identity. 23:50 - Understanding the difference between reaction and response. 25:56 - Combating perfectionism. 31:00 - Leaning into Self-Confidence. 35:18 - The surprising things they don't tell you about competing at the Olympics. Social Media Mentioned: Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast, @maggietheaggie YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast Websites Mentioned: www.mindfulsportperformance.org www.enduromind.com Remember to rate our podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Very much appreciated, Keith & Tim Support the show