In this episode, I reconnect with an old friend and two-time Olympian, Mirela "Mimi" Rahneva. 

Known for her fearless approach to skeleton racing—hurling headfirst down ice tracks at 130 km/h—Mirela built an incredible career, earning three Crystal Globes, 15 World Cup medals, and a historic bronze at the IBSF World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland. 

She also competed at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she finished 5th.

But beyond the medals and records, we dive into her personal story: the mental demands of high-performance sport, the sacrifices behind the success, and the tough transition into life after competition. Mimi shares the identity struggles of retirement, the financial barriers in elite athletics, and the mindset shifts that carried her through it all.

We also explore:

✅ How she discovered skeleton racing after a career in national-level rugby
✅ The power of visualization and mental performance in elite sport
✅ Her work with Fast and Female, Classroom Champions, and KidSport Calgary
✅ What it really takes to sustain a long career in high-performance sport
✅ Navigating the fear and uncertainty of starting over

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or anyone facing big life transitions, Mirela’s journey is packed with insights on resilience, reinvention, and embracing the unknown.

🔊 Listen now!

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Website: https://parastoobadie.com/podcast/
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To connect with Marsha, learn more about her coaching, and to find details of her podcast: 

https://www.instagram.com/marshavanw/

https://www.marshavanw.com/

To learn more about the Alliance program for women in business: 

https://meghan-weir.com/alliance/

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Website: https://parastoobadie.com/podcast/
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Instagram: @asliceofhumblepiewithp2

This episode dives into Alex Sakalauskas' journey from bodybuilding to running to muay thai, discovering performance nutrition and the importance of mental health in dietary choices. Through candid conversations, Alex shares experiences with disordered eating and the evolution toward sustainable habits in nutrition.

• Exploring the early passion for fitness and nutrition
• The shift from a gym-focused mindset to performance nutrition
• Impact of dieting extremes and recognition of disordered eating
• Importance of sustainability and balance in nutrition
• Insights into creating a nutrition guide for fighters
• Emphasizing personal growth through food choices and mental well-being
• Highlighting the significance of patience in achieving long-term goals

To connect with Alex, follow him on Instagram, and stay tuned for his upcoming guide!

Join #LevelUP - Mindset & Nutrition support for athletes. Learn more about Nutrition Fundamentals in the #Human1Athlete2 portal

Mental health resources:
Disordered eating & dieting
https://www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org/learn-more/more-resources/
CAMH resources

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Website: https://parastoobadie.com/podcast/
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Instagram: @asliceofhumblepiewithp2

Exploring the intersection of chronic disease and weight class sports, this episode delves deep into the nutritional strategies athletes can adopt to maintain performance while managing health conditions.

Our guest, Choong Kwan, Clinical Sports Nutritionist, shares valuable insights on the importance of individualized nutrition, communication with coaches, and fostering resilience amidst challenges.

• Understanding the complexities of weight class sports
• The impact of weigh-in times on athlete strategy
• Managing chronic conditions like diabetes, IBS, and PCOS
• The emotional challenges of chronic illness in competition
• Success stories and cautionary tales from the field
• The necessity of personalized nutrition and training plans
• Encouragement to break free from negative labels and embrace individuality

To connect with Choong, check out the links below:
Instagram
Podcast - Time to Grow Up Dad
Nutrition Coaching for Parents 

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Welcome back to a Slice of Humble Pie with P2. Today's guest is Etienne Asselin, Fitness Educator and Founder of The Exercise Mechanic. This episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing sport-specific needs and the mechanics that underpin them, encouraging introspection and the acceptance of varied training methods. Injury prevention is linked to understanding how specific movements challenge the body, highlighting the need for individualized approaches in training. Both physical and psychological considerations play critical roles in ensuring athletes can perform without falling into burnout.

This episodes covers:
• Recognition that not all athletes need to master the same movements
• Importance of sport-specific skills over generic training principles
• Need for adequate joint function and mobility across various sports
• Insights on the connection between exercise mechanics and injury prevention
• Acknowledgment of the psychological factors influencing athletic performance
• The importance of periodization in combat sports and burnout prevention
• Emphasis on a holistic approach to athlete well-being and performance

To connect with Etienne:
https://www.instagram.com/easselin_official/

The Exercise Mechanic:
https://www.theexercisemechanic.com/

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Website: https://parastoobadie.com/podcast/
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In this energizing episode of A Slice of Humble Pie, we're kicking off your New Year with purpose and clarity.

Mindset plays a pivotal role in shaping our outcomes in life. This episode emphasizes the importance of cultivating a growth mindset, enhancing focus and clarity, building self-belief, and fostering resilience to navigate challenges effectively.

• Exploring how mindset influences results 
• Understanding the difference between growth and fixed mindset 
• Importance of clarity and focus in goal achievement 
• Building confidence through preparation and experience 
• Balancing resilience with the ability to pivot 
• Emphasizing holistic approaches integrating nutrition and mindset 
• Encouragement to invest in personal growth and development

We discuss innovative self paced program to help you LEVEL UP including the Mindset Variable by Mindlock and Nutrition Fundamentals in the #Human1Athlete2 portal.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LEVEL UP --> https://parastoobadie.com/level-up

Let's embark on this journey to meet yourself where you are and take decisive steps toward your goals.

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In this episode, learn how fueling your body can elevate not just your physical capabilities but also your mental and emotional resilience. We'll unpack why it's essential optimize nutrition to excel in training and improve recovery. Forget restrictive labels, we're focusing on nutrient density and the power of macronutrients and micronutrients to maximize performance.

Join me, your host P2, as we break down the intricacies of energy availability and its pivotal role in keeping fatigue and injuries at bay. You'll learn about the importance of nutrient timing, effective hydration, and the strategic use of ergogenic aids. We dive into the consequences of low energy availability and discuss personalized yet straightforward strategies to enhance athletic performance sustainably. 

Whether you're an elite athlete or just getting started on your fitness journey, this episode offers invaluable insights that could be the game-changer.

To learn more about Nutrition Fundamentals, check out: https://parastoobadie.com/level-up

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Unlocking Peak Performance: Integrating Nutrition and Mindset for Athletes in our latest episode of A Slice of Humble Pie. I’m P2, your host, and I'm beyond excited to reveal Level UP, a program redefining how athletes and high performers approach nutrition and mindset.

Are you sidelining these crucial components or treating them as an afterthought? It's time to bring them to the forefront. With insights from Dylan Nadler, founder of MindLock, discover how champion goal setting and mastering self-talk can transform your mental game, while I guide you through Nutrition Fundamentals to perfect meal planning and eating for performance.

Level Up isn’t just about acquiring knowledge—it's about implementing effective strategies tailored to support you wherever you are on your fitness journey. Through self-paced courses, weekly live calls, and a vibrant community, we're ensuring no athlete gets left behind.

So, if you're ready to elevate your performance and join a community of like-minded individuals, click on this link and get ready to level up!

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Burnout is not just a buzzword; it's a reality that many of us face, often without even realizing it. As a nutrition and fitness professional, I've fought through the highs and lows of this silent adversary. Join me in this episode of A Slice of Humble Pie as I explore burnout, its evolution, and how it sneaks into multiple aspects of our lives. We'll dissect its three ominous types—overload, under-challenged, and neglect—and trace its progression from honeymoon phase to chronic stress. Through personal stories and expert insights, you'll learn to recognize and combat burnout before it hijacks your well-being.

Athletes, in particular, face the unique challenge of balancing their passion for sport with their personal identity. This episode sheds light on the emotional and physical toll that burnout can impose on athletes and offers strategies to prevent the stress bucket from overflowing.

Finally, the episode champions the importance of joy and simplicity in life. Whether it's painting or a leisurely walk, rediscovering what makes you smile and engaging in activities purely for pleasure is essential.





Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279286/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/words-matter/202404/4-types-of-burnout

https://www.calm.com/blog/how-to-recover-from-burnout

https://www.nata.org/nata-now/articles/2016/04/burnout-athletes

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What does it take to transform from a non-athletic kid into a dedicated Muay Thai coach? 

According to Jocelyn Bolduc, it involves a lot of perseverance, passion, and an unexpected turn of events. This episode features Jocelyn's extraordinary journey from being inspired by action movies to stepping into the ring, experiencing both thrilling victories and crushing defeats. His insightful reflections on competitive spirit and an unforeseen concussion that led him to discover his calling in coaching are sure to captivate and inspire our listeners.

Jocelyn's story takes a poignant turn as he discusses his battle with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an autoimmune condition that brings its own set of challenges. He recounts how a trip to Thailand underscored the significance of stress management and rest in alleviating AS symptoms. Jocelyn's initial fear and confusion upon diagnosis, followed by his search for credible, hopeful information, provides a real and relatable perspective. Through candid conversations, we explore the role of fitness, diet, and stress reduction in living with AS, spotlighting inspirational individuals who have not only coped but thrived despite their diagnosis.

A rich trove of practical advice comes in the final segment as we explore the lifestyle changes Jocelyn has made to manage his condition. We delve into the empowering concept that while pain is unavoidable, suffering is optional, highlighting the immense power of mindset. This episode isn't just about overcoming physical pain—it's a celebration of resilience, the human spirit, and the transformative power of coaching and community.

To support Jocelyn's fundraiser, please click here.

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Support the show

Website: https://parastoobadie.com/podcast/
Email: [email protected]
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