On today's episode, we're doing a sports psychology roundup with Hearts & Minds' founder and CEO, Trevor Conner!

We explore the importance of mental recalibration during competitions, the role of parents in shaping an athlete's mindset, and the balance between ambition and acceptance. Plus, we're emphasizing the significance of internal pressures, the impact of the environment on performance, and the need for athletes to focus on the process rather than just outcomes. Tap in!

In this episode of the Get Mental podcast, host Dave Matthews interviews Joseph Kennedy, a doctoral candidate in counseling psychology and expert in sports psychology. They discuss the evolving landscape of sports psychology, focusing on the growing acceptance of mental health support among athletes, the integration of mindfulness practices, and the importance of self-awareness in performance. Kennedy shares insights on the ATC model for understanding thoughts and emotions, the significance of consistency in athletic performance, and the concept of 'shrinking the game' to simplify focus and enhance performance.

The conversation emphasizes the need for athletes to balance self-judgment with non-judgmental awareness to improve their mental game and overall performance. In this conversation, Joe Kennedy and Dave Matthews explore the complexities of being a college athlete, focusing on the mental health challenges they face during their transition from high school to college sports.

In this episode of the Get Mental podcast, we're sitting down with Soul Cole, a retired NFL player turned mental performance coach. Together, we dive into Soul's journey from a promising athlete to a dedicated health and wellness coach. We talk about his early passion for sports, the pressures of recruitment, and the challenges he faced in the NFL. Soul opens up about the importance of grit, resilience, and emotional intelligence for athletes, sharing practical strategies for tackling the mental hurdles of sports.

We explore the evolving world of college athletics, the influence of social media, and why self-compassion is a crucial ingredient for personal growth. Soul shares how transformative experiences, like injury, taught him the value of courage and introspection. He also talks about the difficulty of advocating for mental health, particularly in athletic communities, and the power of listening to yourself in times of struggle.

As we chat, Soul outlines his vision for the "Soul Ecosystem," a platform centered on sustainable practices and empowering future generations with mindfulness and gratitude. We wrap up with a lightning round where Soul highlights key mental skills and personal practices that keep him grounded.