https://getsuccessfaster.com/

On this episode of The Mental Game Academy Podcast, we welcome Matt Young, founder of FSQ Sport and a global leader in Long Term Athlete Development. With over 20 years of experience transforming sport systems, Matt shares how to move from theory to action—helping organizations, coaches, and athletes build sustainable, people-centered programs. He dives into why outcome-obsessed cultures fail, how to “give sport back to the kids,” and what true leadership in sport really looks like from the top down.

📱Connect with Matt: matt@fsqsport.com | LinkedIn | fsqsport.com

Warren Nye has become a MGA Certified Cognitive Performance Coach. 

He has played, he as coached he has been an advisor and agent, now teaming up with MGA to make more impact. 

We discuss what is happening to development in Canada and what is happening under that helmet. Behaviour has changed in the passed 20 years but hockey is still the same game.

The Mental Game Academy Podcast – Featuring Ryan Quinn
Hosted by Larissa Mills

In this episode, Larissa Mills welcomes Ryan Quinn, an accomplished soccer coach and mental performance specialist, to discuss his impressive coaching journey and his approach to developing athletes on and off the field. With three youth state titles under his belt—U14 Girls PC Royals, OSA U16 Girls PWSI Courage, and U14 Girls VA Valor VYSA—Ryan brings a wealth of experience in leading teams to success.

Ryan shares how he integrates his USSF B License training with mental performance strategies to help athletes unlock their full potential. From individual and small-group training sessions to fostering resilience and focus, Ryan’s holistic approach equips athletes with the tools they need to excel both mentally and physically.

Tune in to hear Ryan’s perspectives on building team cohesion, enhancing mental toughness, and the critical role of mindset in achieving success at any level of competition. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for athletes, coaches, and anyone passionate about performance and growth.

The Mental Game Academy Podcast – Featuring Bob Humphreys
Hosted by Larissa Mills

In this episode, Larissa Mills sits down with Bob Humphreys, a Mindset Consultant and Body Language Instructor with a remarkable journey spanning finance, sports coaching, and performance consulting. Bob shares his insights on fostering mental resilience, improving communication through body language, and supporting athletes and coaches in achieving their goals.

We examine the Prevalent FEAR OF FAILURE in athletes today?

With a passion for inclusivity and accessibility in sports, Bob discusses the importance of mental well-being for young athletes and his mission to positively impact the sports and coaching industry. Tune in to hear about his innovative approaches to leadership, his commitment to helping others thrive, and how he integrates lessons from diverse fields to empower individuals both on and off the field.

This is an inspiring conversation for anyone passionate about personal growth, sports, and mental performance!

Teg Talks powered by The Mental Game Academy with hosts Teg Cosgriff and Larissa Mills features Amani Kimball-McKavish, a midfielder for the Ohio State Univerisity Women’s Lacrosse team. In this episode, Amani shares her journey growing up playing multiple sports and the moment she fell in love with lacrosse. She dives into her decision to attend Ohio State, highlighting the benefits of being at a larger school, including the resources and opportunities available.

Amani also discusses her experience with the "Sharpen Your Pro Athlete" course by the Mental Game Academy and emphasizes the importance of being comfortable seeking help. She explores the power of team goals over individual ambitions, strategies for managing negative self-talk, and the balance she maintains between her athletic and academic commitments.

Tune in to hear Amani's insights on building a successful academic and athletic career while navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with being a student-athlete.

In this episode of The Mental Game Academy Podcast, hosted by Larissa Mills, we welcome Rob Taylor, founder of Titan Performance, to explore the mental skills that enhance athlete performance. Rob discusses cognitive abilities, leadership in sports, and the importance of fostering a "fountain vs. drain" mindset. He also shares insights on building confidence in athletes and offers advice for parents on raising resilient, confident kids. Together, Larissa and Rob tackle the impact of phone usage on focus and performance, offering practical strategies for athletes, coaches, and parents alike. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on mental toughness and athlete development.

Guest: Rob Taylor, Titan Performance
Contact: titanpcoaching@gmail.com
Website: titanperformance.com

The Mental Game Academy Podcast with Host Larissa Mills
Featuring Guest Brian Snow

In this episode of The Mental Game Academy Podcast, host Larissa Mills is joined by Brian Snow, a passionate play-by-play broadcaster and founder of Snow Man Multi-Media. They discuss Brian's journey, from his work with coaches and young athletes to his perspectives on phone habits, kids growing up, and his personal battle with cancer. Brian also shares insights from his YouTube audio diary, Diary of a Mad Snowman.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about life, sports, and overcoming challenges, both on and off the field.

For more information about Brian Snow, visit snowmanmultimediasports.com or contact him at snowmanmultimedia@gmail.com.

Meet Brandon Wong, Owner of Brandon Wong Hockey.

At age 5, Brandon’s passion for hockey was ignited as he enjoyed skating and playing road hockey with his family. His enthusiasm only intensified over time, eventually leading him to an impressive career that included Juniors, College NCAA competition and 9 years of professional play in the NHL Training Camps , AHL ECHL AND KHL/VHL leagues

Here is why Brandon wants younger kids to focus on their mental game and that means being on phones less to perform. https://bwhockey.com/about/

As we discuss the challenges of coaching elite athletes today she shares her tricks of the trade. 

Janet Dickey is entering her 35th season as Head Coach of the Westbrook (CT) High School Field Hockey team. She was inducted into the Connecticut Field Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame in September 2023.

While she still has a passion for coaching, she has also pursued another career and became a Certified Mindset Coach. With this certification, she opened her own business-Victory Mindsets! She is excited for the potential to share mindset techniques and training with you and your team. These simple but efficient tools have helped Westbrook, one of the smallest teams in Connecticut, to be known as a perennial contender!

Feel free to contact Coach Dickey at victorymindsets@gmail.com

Kim Brady loves soccer she has played and she has coached at high levels. She is s Business coach and wears many hats. 

We discuss how the soccer model for development should change and how we can make it better. There are many broken pieces but it takes leadership and values to do what is right by these athletes. 

Have a listen to Kim's stories and how we can all make soccer better globally.https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimbrady/

As we discuss the role or parents with Mental Performance Consultant, Rob Pallante we learn parents have the most important role of a ll.

https://www.mindsetbodybank.comNo only in life but in sports do parents guide, shape and teach our children how to behave, how to be coached, how to be resilient, how to set phone habits, how to be driven. 

One third of an athletes skills is physical, the other 1/3 consists with mental skills, communication leadership, while the last 1/3 is their habits, routines and discipline. 

Parents who have this knowledge have to pass it down to their children to help them develop in to productive adults and athletes.

On this episode of The Mental Game Academy Podcast, we welcome Linda Massie, founder of Mental Strides and high-performance hockey coach. Linda dives into the growing challenges athletes face with phones, focus, and pressure, especially in women’s sports. From helping athletes set healthy tech habits to empowering young women to play with confidence and composure, she shares powerful strategies to protect mental energy and unlock peak performance. If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation sheds light on the real needs behind the jersey.

Connect with Linda: Instagram @mental_strides
or email lmassiempc@gmail.com. 

Javelin is the founder of WP3 Sports, which empowers athletes to live in Greatness on and off the field, through holistic character, confidence and leadership development.  He serves teens, parents and schools through coaching and programs designed to enable them to reach their highest potential in sports and life.

His passion for faith, family, coaching, and athletics are showcased in his Amazon #1 best-selling book Warrior Parent Playbook, various motivational speaking engagements, and through his five years serving as team Chaplain for the LA Avengers professional arena football team.

https://javelin-guidry.mykajabi.com/high-school_crafting-arrowsOver the course of his twenty-year career in the Information Technology industry, he has won numerous sales achievement awards and held many leadership roles.  In addition, Javelin, a former UCLA Football standout has been coaching Varsity Football at Vista Murrieta High School since 2018. Javelin is married to his college sweetheart Kaishauna Guidry, MD  of twenty-six years and has three adult children(Javelin K, Elisha, and Kailah), two of which play football at SJSU and NY Jets.

We have a new season for 2024. Teg Talk , joins the Mental Game Sports Podcast.

There is so much to change in sports and we need all of us to do it.

Do a deep dive and learn about how phones are derailing our student-athletes habits, dropping their self esteem and their performance.  Education is collapsing and phones are one of the main reasons cycling the addiction from home to school. Kids aren't learning and aren't developing as they did 25 years ago.

Simply by banning phones in schools and setting phone routines we are hearing schools with the refreshing sound of laughter and talking once again. Academics are soaring again with curious learners engaged. All the sports and clubs have eager participants and the phone zombies have been eliminated. 
https://thementalgameacademy.ca/

What is happening to our kids, they are obsessed with social media and can't get off it? They come home, eat and start scrolling, they don't even talk to their parents, siblings or pet their dogs... Even our pets are happy to see us and people are too addicted  with their head in their own phones as parents to notice.

Kate Duffy is the founder of Don't Press Send. By the way,

You school can have her in to do presentations and workshops. 

We need to educate kids and parents about how tech is changing behaviour and academic performance. Education is collapsing for many reasons for phones is the most detrimental factor in how are children are learning and developing their psychological processing. Neurodiverse children are at most risk for social media addiction online.https://dontpresssend.com

Support the show

We must equip children with mental skills and good habits to prevent mental health issues and phone addiction. Kids need to Play. https://dontpresssend.com

Soccer athletes cannot make it up the ranks without solid routines, healthy phone habits, routines, discipline, period. Learn how Jenn Ireland is turning female soccer players into top athletes. The trick as you may have guessed is all mental discipline and practice. 
More athletes drop out by 16 now that is diminishing the number of athletes going up to the olympic and professional levels. 

Jenn Ireland is pretty amazing and we are so stoked to have her in the MGA village. 

• USSF C Licensed soccer coach
• Minnesota Aurora FC Mental Skills Coach (USL W League)
• Berkshire Soccer Academy Mental Skills Coordinator
• Northern Arizona University graduate
• Presenting at United Soccer Coaches Convention 2024

Mark Hetherman speaks from his 40 plus years of experience.
Athletes that go the educational route have more advantages.

Learn why Nasha Sports partnered with MGA to equip athletes with their mental game and reduce their phone time to reach their next level, you can't do it on phones.

Find out the why this prep school and NCAA routes provide more realistic opportunities while providing your athlete with an education.
https://www.esgsportsgroup.com

• Former owner Kenesky Goalie School - Coast to Coast Shooting - Two Junior A Hockey Teams - 
• General Manager OJHL Junior Burlington Cougars and Junior Cougars Spring Hockey 
• Type Two Diabetic - Ran two Half Marathons raising over $20,000 for Diabetes

We open the conversation up with VP of Athletics, Education, & Leadership, Teg Cosgriff from Connecticut. We get to the bottom of what Athletic Directors need help with right now.

Learn what the pain points are  for AD's and how we can help you solve most of your behavioural issues with Mental Game Academy's Solutions so Coaches, parents and athletes can thrive.

Learn how Teg's extensive experience is paying off fixing schools and sports organizations with simple solutions for AD's.
Email TEG: mentalgameacademy@gmail.com

Join us and find out how we change the unwanted behaviour today. https://thementalgameacademy.ca/

Pete worked with Manchester City Football Club for thirteen years, during which time he helped put in place a training program that cultivated strong teams as well as strong players. In his role as a coach and the Head of Education and Performance Management, Pete learned how to navigate a high-pressure environment that demanded sustained success. Pete knows how to make the ‘glue’ that helps teams stick and work together and he applies that knowledge now to businesses.

Kids all have potential, but their MentalGame is what helps them become a legend. 

Pete recognized early on that competitive sports had many lessons to teach the business world. The skills cultivated by a football coach over the course of his career can be invaluable to an entrepreneur or a business owner. This includes the ability to recognize the right talent for a given position, the ability to adapt to ever-evolving market conditions and seize new opportunities, as well as the creation of a culture based around strategy – having a plan to win and being able to execute it.

Currently, he is a professional speaker and leadership consultant at First Team Ltd. and a Director at PlayersNet, an organization which aims to help athletes and their families make the right personal and professional decisions, with the advice of a network of highly experienced mentors. Pete’s passion has always been mentorship, and he articulates his philosophy in this way:

Pete and Larissa have teamed up to Mentally prepare athletes at high levels for their life and their sport. It has to be both. Larissa equips them with the foundational mental skills, resilience, healthy phone habits, how to Master a NIL REPUTATION f and learn how to Mitigate Social Media. Once this part of the course is completed Coach Pete takes over and prepares athletes for their development, choices and leadership. It is the best mindset training out there for football players. 

http://www.first-team.net/

Contact Pete.

Dr. Stacy Feiner has joined "The Mental Game Academy" Sports Company. We are more than thrilled and honoured she has joined our space to equip athletes, coaches and executives with mental skills and pathways to have mental health in a balanced Eco-System.

Dr. Stacy Feiner is a high-performance expert and psychologist coaching leaders to solve their toughest challenges and grow without interruption. Having listened to hundreds of elite performers share their deeply private experiences of performance and perseverance, I coach where emotions impact performance and the stakes are high.

Dr. Feiner joined our podcast to share how she works with clients. Athletes can take her Accelerator Program who want to work to find their power to reach their top gear.

Eat this podcast up and sign your athletes and coaches up for her programs......

https://www.stacyfeiner.com

Meeting with Hall of Fame Olympian,  Roy Allan Burch  what he wants all swimmers aiming high to know. Learn from his experience and thousands of hours in training.  Roy shares what he wished was in place for him while he was training for the Olympics and what he had to overcome to finally make the podium.

Find out how we can help swimmers reaching for GOLD or a scholarship  how to get it faster and smarter.. Yes, it means you have to be on land a bit more bit it is worth it. LOL. I know most swimmers don't like land  but this is a different kind of training called, MENTAL PRACTICE. 

Swimming is an individual sport with a team vibe, the vibe is insane and Roy shares how he thinks phones and social media are affecting performance.

Swimmers who take our Mental Skills courses are performing better and they are thriving in the pool and in life.

If you wish Roy to be your Advisor or Mentor just reach out to mentalgameacademy@gmail.com
https://thementalgameacademy.ca/

On this episode of The Mental Game Academy Podcast, we welcome Warren Nye, founder of Mind Over Sport and a seasoned mental performance coach with over 30 years of experience in youth sports, including coaching national championship-winning hockey teams. Warren delves into the critical role of mental fitness in athletic success, emphasizing strategies like visualization, pregame preparation, and overcoming perfectionism. He shares insights on building confidence, managing pressure, and developing a resilient mindset both on and off the field. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, this conversation offers valuable tools to enhance performance and well-being.

Connect with Warren: Instagram @coachnye33
or email coachnye@mindoversport.com
.

Scott Fox is CEO of Champion Play Book. He is a former NCAA Baseball Player who could have gone further if he had access to other resources.  He is on a mission to bring these tools to athletes, parents, coaches, and universities. Universities are struggling to help their athletes, the volumes are too high. We can help prevent Mental Health issues and reduce this volume with our courses and programs like Scott's.

Scott is a coach with, "The Mental Game Academy" and we are lucky to have him. He is equipping athletes with tools and coping skills to reduce their stress and learn how to control their emotions.

Check it out:

  https://thechampionplaybook.com

Certifications:

Emotional Freedom Techniques (“EFT”)

Energy Psychology

Process Healing Method

Youth league coach in baseball, football and soccer for over 30 years.

Graduate of Brown University and captain of the baseball team for two seasons.

Married father of high school and college athletes.

Check out: https://thementalgameacademy.ca/

Taylor Cook has had a strong career as a professional goalie and now she is cooking up a new journey.

Still behind the Mask but n a a different vein of teaching other athletes their mental skills 

Learn how she managed such an incredible career and one thing she has in common with many other successful athletes.... She had a strong, supportive relationship with her mom. Parents are the #1 determining factor in a child's life athlete or not. 

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/397397/taylor-cook

"Olivier Jean-Charles, originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 

• He is  currently the Associate Head Coach at Orangeville Prep in Toronto, SWEET. Canada. 
• HE WANTS TO GIVE  give all players a voice. He is a  big believer in strength  in numbers, because having 10 players on the same page is much more powerful than having 1 or 2 superstars. 
• Oliver is on the path to his dream =, He took the risk of leaving his hometown of Montreal, Quebec to move to Orangeville to chase my dream of coaching in the NBA."
• And we are going to get you there……… 

He is the Coach you want for your kids.... he puts a high priority on teaching mental skills to his athletes and building trust... with them... and then what happens? The team starts winning...... in life and in their sport.

Do you know "How to Spot a Spider?"
Do your kids know how to spot a sneaky spider?

Dr. Amy Saltzman knows... and so should athletes and parents.......

Do your kids know how to spot a coach that is a bully? What about a coach that is a  quiet bully? Find out and learn how to spot them to protect athletes mental health.

Dr. Saltzman M.D. is a former competitive gymnast, physician, mindfulness coach, author, victim/sur-thrivor of decades of covert emotional abuse, and expert on protecting athletes from abuse. She was recently appointed to the US Soccer Federation’s Participant Safety Task Force.
She has a knack for translating difficult topics into simple, clear, actionable language.

Athletes need to learn how to spot both, learn how in our podcast .

Her book is out and read with your kids....
https://spotaspider.com

#podcasts #parenting #sports #athletes #coaches #bullies#bullying

https://stillquietplace.com

https://www.shawneeharle.com

Mental Game Sports Podcast with Olympic Basketball Coach, Shawnee Harle from, "Winning Matters".

Shawnee is going to help us understand more of the psychology in coaching today. We have coaches that want to teach kids but when they become emotionally abusive instead of being constructive to young athletes' needs today, it ultimately makes them want to quit their sport or doubt themselves. 

Thanks so much for being here today Shawnee. It’s great to have you here helping us on our mission to make sports fun for kids. The goal is to make sports better to support our athletes and coaches as they work their way up elite levels and in the process - to prevent mental health issues along the way as best we can. 

Shawnee, Olympic Basketball Coach, in Rio. Found of, Winning Matters. 

• She is one of the most highly certified coaches in Canada. 
• She has 27 years of elite coaching and leadership experience including the Olympic Games, World Championships, FIBA Americas, and World University Games.
• Shawnee is a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) with the Coaching Association of Canada, and she holds a Master’s Degree in Coaching Studies. In addition, she is a Master Coach
• Developer and Master Learning Facilitator for the National Coaching Certification Program, where she trains and mentors both advanced and novice coachesfrom all sports.
• Since winning matters not only in sport but also in life, Shawnee works with leaders, managers, teachers, employees, students, and young adults to help them ignite the leader within. Her 1:1
• Leadership Coaching is changing lives and equipping people with a toolkit.

Shea is a 2-Time MLB All-Star for the Boston Red Sox & Toronto Blue Jays, has an Emmy® award-
winning story, & owned a zoo.

While growing up in Southern California, Shea sat in the back of Mr. Murphy’s 5th-grade class vigorously raising his hand in excitement to share his two childhood dreams. 1) Play Major League Baseball 2) Owna zoo. After the class laughed at him, he made a pact with himself to prove everyone wrong.
https://www.mlbmindset.com/all-star-life
While living out his first childhood dream of playing Major League Baseball, Shea becomes a2-Time MLB All-Star and makes 10’s of millions of dollars. After experiencing numerous highlights throughout Shea’s career, [First Red Sox player to hit a game-winning home run off the Yankee’s all-time greatest closer, Mariano Rivera. Hitting 3 home runs in consecutive innings in one game for the=AZ DBacks, played first base in Randy Johnson’s perfect game against the Braves in Atlanta & played
third base for two no-hitters while playing for the Boston Red Sox] and he is in the prime of his MLB career he abruptly makes the biggest decision of his life. He vanishes from the MLB and leaves $50mm . What happened?

Now, Shea shares his inspiring Emmy® Award-Winning story across the globe as a keynote speaker
inspiring & challenging people to REWRITE their stories.
As well, Shea owns a cutting-edge global elite performance company where he helps world-class
athletes and leaders unlock elite performance by mastering the inner game so they can win in all areas of
their lives. Ultimately giving TRUE meaning to their success. Teaching the MLB Mindset.

More and more athletes are bullying each other, they are cyberbullying on a team app, making their teammates lives miserable. 

We have learned that children are experiencing more abusive coaching. today. In fact,  1-5 kids have stated they were abused through yelling, humiliatory, punitive methods or being sworn at and through threatening statements. This number jumps when you survey retired athletes.  

stats:
https://globalnews.ca/news/5250320/canadian-athletes-psychological-abuse-signs/

Jennifer is an award-winning educator and best-selling author.

She was pulled into a crisis at a school where teachers were bullying students.

Her new book "The Bullied Brain", https://www.bulliedbrain.com/ looks at the science of what all forms of bullying and abuse does to brains.

She learned brain scans show that bullying and abuse do visible damage to the brain.

Even more important, she discovered that our brains are adept at repair and restoration

I had the pleasure of being on 4D Athletes Podcast with Hosts, Jason Holzer and Jim Huber. 

https://4dathletes.com

If we educate parents and coaches we can make sports better for athletes.... it can happen in many ways....... 

MENTAL GAME ACADEMY is partnering with 4D Athletes.... we are so excited to work with you to help coaches and athletes. 

What are players missing today? What patterns of behaviour are we seeing in athletes in the digital age?

Jason Bukala has been around hockey for a long time. He is seeing changes in behaviour in athletes and their attitudes. With this level of play they are lacking mental skills and obviously resilience but phones are not helping the athletes with their focus either. 

Mike Stubbs does such a great job on they podcast and adding such great value.... to where hockey organizations are going and what they really need. 

Good timing right?

President of Whitecaps, Abbi Lezizidis on London sitting down for a our Mental Game Podcast with Host, Mike Stubbs.

We discuss the new soccer model and how it is developing more kids at a younger age and then around 12-13 is where they are making competitive teams. As we can see, Canadian Women's Team is going gold.

Abbi shares is thoughts on parent education to support coaches and their athletes and why it is more important than ever to be worthy Role Models. 

If you want raw, honest dialogue well, we have it on this episode.

Thanks Abbi and Mike I totally liked our Magic Wand answers.

In this episode of The Mental Game Academy Podcast, we chat with Satoshi Takano from ReactForge about what athletes truly need to stay ahead—sharper decision-making, faster reactions, and a mindset built for pressure. We dive into the cognitive skills that separate good players from great ones and how mental performance training is changing the game.

Athletes need to recognize patterns faster, react faster and phones aren't helping their cognitive processing. Hockey IQ can go up but only if athletes work on it. 

We are excited to announce a partnership between REACT FORGE and MGA. 

Thank you Benny and Satoshi for this honour. We are to up their mental game.https://reactforge.com

Mike Stubbs and I had the pleasure of chatting with Bob and learning how the OHL is rich in tradition but has growing in its programs development for the athletes.

His knowledge and history of the OHL is nothing less than encyclopedic. He shares who he thinks is the most respected coach and why which we all agreed were the ones with a good heart for the athletes....  We talked about great battles and different series that had grit.

We talked about so many things.. Bob knows everything. 

Thanks so much Bob for stopping by "The Mental Game Podcast"
https://www.facebook.com/The-Mental-Game-Academy-Co-106746958269067

After talking to long time friend, high school teacher, competitive basketball coach and all around awesome human, Jamie Clark shares his grave concerns about why we need to keep all the sports and activities for students in the digital age. 

Jamie and I agreed, our best memories were the everything else in school not the best Math lesson ever. 
TEENS are having their childhoods cancelled. 
Dances are being cancelled. 
Sports are being cancelled.
Activities are being activities cancelled.
FUN is being cancelled.
Experience is being cancelled. 
LEARNING IS BEING CANCELLED.

How are kids suppose to develop socially, emotionally, physically and academically if they are tide to a laptop learning all day?

Before the Pandemic kids were struggling, now they are hitting rock bottom. We are also losing, coaches, teachers and staff. 

Less kids are signing up for sports, activities, teachers don't want to coach or give up their time for poorly behaved kids or parental interference. 

We need to set higher standards and raise scholarships for Canadian Athletes to keep them in sports longer....... A $2800 scholarship is a discount, not a scholarship. Let's help these kids earn a degree through sports.... What are we valuing here?

We need to pay teachers to coach, allow supply teachers to coach and parents. We need to move Canada forward to compete with other countries.... We are falling behind and leaving sports to the wealthy. 

Changing school culture around sports and activities is what kids need today. Educators know this. 

Mike Stubbs hosted our Mental Game Sports Podcast with Olympic Basketball Coach, Shawnee Harle from, "Winning Matters".

Shawnee is going to help us understand more of the psychology in coaching today. We have coaches that want to teach kids but when they become emotionally abusive instead of being constructive to young athletes' needs today, it ultimately makes them want to quit their sport or doubt themselves. 

Thanks so much for being here today Shawnee. It’s great to have you here helping us on our mission to make sports fun for kids. The goal is to make sports better to support our athletes and coaches as they work their way up elite levels and in the process - to prevent mental health issues along the way as best we can. 

Shawnee, Olympic Basketball Coach, in Rio. Found of, Winning Matters. 

• She is one of the most highly certified coaches in Canada. 
• She has 27 years of elite coaching and leadership experience including the Olympic Games, World Championships, FIBA Americas, and World University Games.
• Shawnee is a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) with the Coaching Association of Canada, and she holds a Master’s Degree in Coaching Studies. In addition, she is a Master Coach
• Developer and Master Learning Facilitator for the National Coaching Certification Program, where she trains and mentors both advanced and novice coachesfrom all sports.
• Since winning matters not only in sport but also in life, Shawnee works with leaders, managers, teachers, employees, students, and young adults to help them ignite the leader within. Her 1:1
• Leadership Coaching is changing lives and equipping people with a toolkit.

https://www.shawneeharle.com

He may be young, but wow, is he impressive. Smart and ahead of the game with mental training.  He is all about the athletes and providing them strategies to perform.

https://uppermentality.ca

MOST ARGUE SPORTS ARE 70-90% MENTAL, SO WHY LEAVE THAT PART OF YOUR GAME UP TO CHANCE?

Taylor has 1:1 Coaching and workshops..... 

Taylor Staden is a Mental Performance Consultant (prov.), CSPA Student Member. He has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sport Psychology (Honours, Cum Laude) from Laurentian University, being awarded the 2020 Wendy Jerome Excellence Award in Sport Psychology. Since then, he has moved on to study a Dual-Masters of Science degree in Sport & Exercise Psychology and Sport Science at the University of Thessaly and Leipzig University. He has been actively providing mental training services to ice hockey players and teams across North America and Europe since 2019, in both private- and group-settings. Past and current clientele include athletes across the NCAA D-1, OHL, USHL, USports, ‘AAA’ hockey & more.

Thanks and see you Tuesday,

--
Taylor Staden, B.A.
Mental Performance Consultant (provisional), CSPA Student Member
Dual-M.Sc. Student, Sport & Exercise Psychology and Sport Science
University of Thessaly and Leipzig University '22
Host: Mental Dive, The Podcast
www.taylorstaden.com

https://www.mindsetbodybank.com
Rob Pallante has played hockey, coached hockey and been hockey.  He grew up playing hockey, played AAA, Junior, NCAA D1, and ECHL. He coaches and is the owner of Mindsetbank. He believes that parents can be their children best supporter or worst enemy and reason for quitting. 

Have listen to his 3 strategies to how parents can be their child's landing mat and best supporter, NOT COACH. Parents are the Mental Coaches here. 

Check out his website and his work with athletes. 
https://www.mindsetbodybank.com/about

Jen Libis was this cutie patootie of a spitfire athlete, she was a sweet kid who dug up every ball and had an infectious smile. I kept her on my team because she was athletic and knew she would be a strong addition to the team. Her sense of happiness and self confidence is what we fell in love with.....and what really helps a team. Jen was on one of volleyball team eons ago. EONSSSS.

We lived in the same neighbourhood, I matched up with her older brother in school and she was the baby.  She was always outside running around and playing tag, hide and go seek with our whole neighbourhood. Yes, we had and still have a neighbourhood that plays outside.... I love it.  I had no idea Jen felt different inside and didn't feel like she could be herself then. 

As Jen aged, she knew she liked dressing different and hanging out with girls and liking girls....but never said a word until she felt safe. 

Her awesome moms advice, "You do you Jen, you do you!!" Her mom was always so positive when we were at a track meet or a school game she would cheer us on. I remember losing a race and came second and she told me "Larissa, you get to move on honey, it will be ok, think of the other 30 girls that didn't" "Oh, yes, you are right" I thought.. She patted me maternally and my dad nodded thank you.  I looked up at her and realized I was being selfish and thinking of myself but these other girls didn't make any event.... It was a good talk, I call those GROWING UP MOMENTS!!! IT TAKES A VILLAGE RIGHT? Jen had a village and had confidence to help her through her own marathon of an internal journey.

Jen finally shared her sexuality when she saw a LGBTQ symbol in her friends room. What a weight lifted. Learn about her story that threads through her TRACK, RUGBY, and MARATHON running.... This girl is on fire and identifies as a non=binary woman who likes woman. I applaud her and her family who offered nothing but support and love. LOVE WINS!!!!

Have a listen to this amazing chat and journey of Jen's.

Coaches have a harder time coaching today than any other time history. 
More athletes are less prepared for sports these days and it is becoming un uphill battle for coaches.... More Athletes have  mastered  mental skills and more behavioural issues, a sense of entitlement, less disciplined, less healthy habits, fatigue (from staying up on phones) and over all can't focus in practice as well as 10 years ago. Are the simply just too many distractions today for athletes to reach their optimum performance?

Warren Nye is a Mental Coach, he has years of Hockey Coaching experience and is a manager.
He has more experience than most to observe these changes in athletes physical and mental skills. 
Jens and I are learn more of why kids are behaving this way and Warren shares 3 tips for coaches to establish expectations for a healthy, successful season. 

Larissa and Jens add that "Our expectations for kids has changed, adults are not asking them to be accountable as much as we did in schools before or at home." This is changeable and it needs to start now as we are losing refs and coaches and athletes.... 

Thanks Warren!!!
Check out Warren and Contact him at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrennyegha/?originalSubdomain=ca

Refs, in 2019 left hockey in droves and are not being replaced. Refs of all ages are leaving and in all sports, why? Parents screaming and swearing over their children's house league games, soccer games, baseball etc." Some of the reason is that coaches feel they can scream and swear at refs in front of their players. This is unacceptable role modelling Iin front of kids and what does it accomplish? 

Imagine telling a 16 ref, "Open your F*****g eyes ref", "YOU SUCK" why would they stay. Refs are not entering in reffing schools as much either.

Ref Jason Lesage is advocating for parents to enjoy their children playing and let them develop on their own. He has reffed for over 20 years at various levels. 
Hi s knowledge, his stories, his experiences will help us keep sports going tfor kids as refs are leaving sport because of player, coach and parent behaviour. 

Fin out what Jason has to say so we can all make sports better for kids.... 

Jason helps people move,  so if you need him... www.Jasonsmoving.com

Sami Jo Small is a decorated Olympian, World champion, track athlete and  she is still doing  more. Jens and I were so impressed by this world class athlete who wants to change the name of the game for women in sport.
She talks about her journey from track and field to Olympic Goalie. Her path was unchartered and raw, now she has paved the way for so many young female athletes to come up the ranks.

We chat and joke and talk about parenting a bit, my favourite part, right? Jens is always fascinated by the characters of goalies and we get to that...... more than that.
What is her goal? What can this incredible woman want next for athletes?

Have a listen and BUY HER BOOK!!!!!! READ IT WITH YOUR KIDS.
"The Role I Played: Canada's Greatest Olympic Hockey Team"

https://www.samijosmall.ca

https://www.nelliganbooks.com/https://www.nelliganbooks.comThe Mental Game Academy Podcast: Featuring Jeff Nelligan

Hosted by Larissa Mills, this episode welcomes Jeff Nelligan, author of Four Lessons from My Three Sons – How You Can Raise Resilient Kids. A well-known voice in American parenting, Jeff shares his no-nonsense approach to building resilience, confidence, and character in young athletes.

With a background in public affairs, military service, and raising three sons who attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Williams College, and West Point, Jeff brings a unique perspective on mental toughness, discipline, and overcoming challenges. Tune in for insightful strategies on developing grit in today's athletes and how modern distractions, like phone use, impact performance and resilience.

Stefanie Rock not only serves good food because is she such a delicious person herself. Her cute dimples won't fool you she is a genius with food.
Young athletes are trending towards high sugar foods that are easy to grab and energy drinks. These two trends are starting to cause detrimental affects to your athletes health. Stefanie also explains the history to the Keto diet which was created to help epileptic seizures and kids  should no be on the diet. Their brain needs good high fibre whole foods and ditch the box foods.
What a super chat Jens and I learned more about how are can change sports for kids.

Stefanie Rock, from "Rock Performance" in Chicago. 

• Stefanie is Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Youth Nutrition Specialist, Nationally Board Certified Massage Therapist, and Wellness Educator for the past 19-some years... 
• She focuses on your team and your athlete. ​
• She helps kids crush their athletic goals- regardless if they're playing juniors,  playing for fun, or anywhere in between.
• Stefanie has a much bigger job, she wants to help fuel their body and brain for their work, their recovery, and their growth-not just for The Game, but for today and their future... 
• Sports schedules are crazy, Stefanie understands that tournament, travel and life means you might grab the wrong fuels, but she is here to show us how to fuel them for the “on the go” lifestyle. 
• SHe is right there with you with two teens- one playing AAA hockey and other loving college life. Strict plans don't work for our family- or probably any sports family.
• Her “Rock Performance programs” she created will fit your lifestyle.

TRANSCRIPT:

"On a regular day a child should be consuming 6 grams of sugar a day and they are eating 25-30 grams… of sugar. We are seeing obesity increasing in kids and the participation rates dropping in sports. What can we do?"
FIND OUT what is good for our little athletes to eat. GUESS WHAT? It is nothing from a box.

You can reach Stefanie for your teams at: https://rocketreach.co/stefanie-rock-email_40078445

We loved having Aaron on, The Mental Game for numerous reasons but one because he came recommend for what is philosophy of coaching style is all about. 
Our mentors influence us in ways you can't imagine, they guide athletes and take them to levels they didn't think they would reach. 

Aaron played AHL and attending many NHL camps and his life long kid dream of being  joined "Toronto Maple Leaf" came true as a free agent. His 10 years of professional Hockey gave him the tools he has to be the recommended coach today to work with kids. KIDS LOVE HIM AND PARENTS!!!

Do you now what is magic ingredient is when working with kids?
Have a listen and enjoy how fondly he talks of his mentor and who he looked up to. 

Aaron's BIO:
* Founder of VISION Hockey which offers Spring teams for players from birth years of 2014 to 2006 as well as development skill training sessions for players of all ages and abilities.

* 25 years of Coaching, Teaching, Training and Mentoring youth in hockey

* 10 years Professional Hockey Player (attended 6 NHL Training camps, played AHL & Europe)

And you were the top scorer in the OHL during the 1995-96 season.

* Signed as a Free Agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1996 ... a childhood dream growing up in Toronto! This is the BOMB RIGHT?

* Drafted in the 13th round, 204th overall by the New Market Royals (they became the Sarnia Sting) and won the OHL Scoring Title in 1995-96 season with the Sarnia Sting

Join Vision Hockey in Sarnia: YOU WANT TO BE GREEN?

https://www.pucksupport.com/puck-support-brady-leavold-mental-health-hockeyBrady Leavold is a dad, a hockey player and a recovering meth addict. 

Brady was a tough kid who loved hockey and before he knew it, he was moving up the hockey ladder. 
His life story and journey is like no other human's with a recovery and life that is his own. 
He is an advocate of Mental Health for Hockey that is bringing awareness to the high suicide rates and overdoses in hockey and after they leave the game.

Jens and I discuss a hot topic. Yes, ribbons can help many kids stay in sports but for how long?
When kids are told just show up, you don't have to listen, you don't have to try, you don't have to learn anything, what is this teaching our kids?
What are ribbons really doing for their motivation?
I can remember being conflicted myself by them. So, if I don't try I get one and a trophy but I want to win. So do the kids that want to stay in the sport motivate them?
What about the kids who are intrinsically motivated.?

We discuss where this goes... and when we have guests on we ask them about the ribbons...... you should hear their attempts at diplomatic answers. 

Follow us on Instagram: @thementalgameinsports