Former high school and collegiate basketball coach turned pastor, Chris Schultz, joins Mental Fitness Stories to unpack the power of renewing your mind through storytelling, spiritual rhythm, and daily practice.

From false narratives to family struggles, Coach Schultz shares how he's helped athletes and communities walk through grief, parenting, and purpose—with honest insight, grounded wisdom, and practical tools.

You’ll Learn:

• Why mental fitness = the stories we tell ourselves
• How to renew your mind through daily journaling & grounding
• Why community beats isolation in personal growth
• The power of marriage rhythms (6000+ hours!)
• Why faith = risk and why it’s worth it

Try This: 🧠 Daily journaling: gratitude, lament, request 🌿 Grounding practice (barefoot + breath) ⏰ 7-day rhythm challenge for mental clarity

🔔 Subscribe for more mental fitness tools & inspiring guests 📲 Connect on IG @mentalfitnessstories

Watch, reflect, and remember: Be Curious. Stay Curious. Without Judgment.

In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, host Jon Steele sits down with Landon—a passionate teenage hobbyist—to explore how hobbies support mental health, reduce stress, and build confidence. From painting Warhammer mini-figures to doing Judo, Landon shares how trying new things, making mistakes, and enjoying the process can help teens manage school stress, anxiety, and even depression. This is a must-watch for teens looking to build mental fitness through curiosity, creativity, and community.

👉 Be curious. Stay curious. Without judgment.

🔔 Subscribe for more stories that build your mental fitness

💬 Key Quotes:

• “To have a hobby is to enjoy it no matter what. You don’t have to be perfect.” – Landon
• “I paint my minifigures, step back, and say: here's what I can improve later.”
• “Hobbies help no matter what—whether you're stressed or feeling low.”
• “The hobby gives back. It takes away pressure and gives you joy, community, and confidence.”
• “Start small. Ask friends what they enjoy. Learn, explore, and grow from there.”

• So my advice, just go with the flow. Find what you enjoy. And eventually, when you enjoy a hobby enough, it'll give back to you.- Landon

🛠️ Practical Tools for Teens:

1. 🎨 Use Hobbies to Recharge

Whether it’s art, sports, games, or something niche, hobbies give your mind a break and help reset after stressful school days.

2. 📉 Embrace the Learning Curve

You won’t be great at something right away—and that’s the point. Mental fitness grows when you’re patient with yourself.

3. 👥 Find Your People

Join a club or group with similar interests. Shared hobbies help you feel seen, supported, and connected.

4. 📚 Let Hobbies Support School Life

Taking short creative breaks between assignments can actually improve focus and reduce overwhelm.

5. 💬 Be Curious, Not Judgy (Even With Yourself)

Don’t compare your hobbies or skills to others. Just follow what interests you and enjoy the process.

🎯 For Parents, Coaches, and Educators:

This episode highlights how hobbies can be powerful tools for emotional regulation, identity-building, and stress relief—especially during the teen years. Encourage young people to explore their interests freely.

In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, we sit down with Nikki Taylor, former professional volleyball player, to explore the real meaning of mental fitness beyond the court. Nikki opens up about her journey through injury, recovery, and the often overlooked process of grieving the loss of an athletic identity after transitioning out of professional sports.

We discuss the power of inner dialogue, the mental toll of physical setbacks, and how redefining strength and self-worth played a key role in her healing. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or navigating a major life transition, Nikki's story offers honest insight and hope for anyone learning to rebuild from the inside out.

Nikki Taylor Resources:

Mind Gym: An Athletes Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack

The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients by Irvin D. Yalom

#MentalFitness #HolisticHealth #HighPerformance #AthleteMindset #PeakPerformance #SportsPsychology #FunInFitness #WellnessJourney #MindBodySpirit #HolisticAthlete #MentalResilience #PositiveMindset #SportsWellness #BalancedLife

jonsteeletherapy.com

https://www.facebook.com/mentalfitnessstories

https://www.facebook.com/jonsteelelmftsports/

Instagram: @mentalfitnessstories