Conditioned to Win

We are brainwashed. Society rewards the best students, musicians and athletes, so  kids need to work hard, be tough, and achieve. Hurry, don't miss anything, try harder, go faster, do better!  We want winners!
It's too much... It causes children all kinds of pain, injury and fear.  Kids are suffering. It's time we look closer and examine ourselves, because we are stressing kids' minds and bodies. 

And GUESS WHAT! There 's another way. It's called Neuroperformance Training and Yuka Sugiura is the genie in the bottle in gymnastics. Today she is teaching us Brain Mapping for Gymnasts. Yuka describes eye movements and small exercises to release tension and guarding, and like magic, gymnasts tumble straighter, jump higher, and become more flexible. The brain's map of the body becomes clearer and sharper and suddenly gymnasts perform better! Neuroperformance Training is an approach to injury prevention, rehab and performance that activates the brain and nervous system to change the body. Listen and follow because this is a healthier, smarter path with your kids to feel better and achieve their goals.

This is Part 1 of a 2-part show. 
Check out Yuka's instagram @levelupneuro and website https://levelupneuro.io/
She's got the tricks!

Thank you for being here. 

Find us on Instagram: @conditioned_to_win_podcast
Follow the host, Lisa Mitzel on Instagram: @lisa.mentalperformance          Follow our sponsor: @zentigermind 

Our Home webpage is  LisaMitzel.com/conditioned-to-win-podcast
Find our show on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music

This is your journey to guide yourself toward transformation and to promote mental health for every child ~ I’m Sending you good vibes, deep breaths, and peace. 

Today’s show is entitled Fully Awake NCAA Gymnastics. I’m flying solo and digging into the systems, struggles, and young women’s experiences in NCAA Gymnastics. This is largely a story and contemplation as I zoom in on the culture of the University of Utah gymnastics team, Kara Eaker’s horrible experience on the team, and the new Utah State resolution that condemns abusive coaching.

Hold on and jump in - if you want to understand what's happening in college gymnastics and college sports, the mental and emotional side is not simple, it's complex.  The rate of suicide for U.S. college athletes has doubled in the last 20 years. It's up to 15% and that is scary and deeply concerning.
*Note - there are sensitive issues about abuse and sudden end of life.

I'm so proud of Kara Eaker and Kim Tessen for speaking up about the abuse they experienced at Utah and fighting to help other athletes who've been abused. There are so many emotions on all sides of this issue and I  have a heart for every single college gymnast. At Conditioned to Win, we want healing for each gymnast and coach at Utah and for all the people who've been affected.

Coaches and parents, look for advice at the end of the show - ensure your gymnast or daughter's mental health and wellness as she ventures into tough training, competition and looks to college sports. No one should ever make you or your daughter feel scared or anxious. Your athlete's thoughts, feelings, and voice matter.

Websites and organizations on safety:
https://endabusivecoaching.org/
https://spotaspider.com/
Utah State Legislature, Joint Resolution to condemn abusive coaching
   CLICK HERE
Sponsor Zen Tiger Mind
Contact Host Lisa Mitzel - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram: @conditioned_to_win_podcast
Follow the host, Lisa Mitzel on Instagram: @lisa.mentalperformance          Follow our sponsor: @zentigermind 

Our Home webpage is  LisaMitzel.com/conditioned-to-win-podcast
Find our show on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music

This is your journey to guide yourself toward transformation and to promote mental health for every child ~ I’m Sending you good vibes, deep breaths, and peace. 

Lisa Terry is the Owner, CEO and Head Coach at East Bay Gymnastics in Concord, CA.
In Part 2, we discuss a difficult situation with an abusive coach that was at their gym in 2023.  Though he started out friendly, he took a turn and created confusion, anxiety, and fear in the gymnasts...and everyone. Listen to how Lisa Terry admits her mistakes and takes responsibility, especially taking the time and energy away from gymnastics in order to help her gymnasts process their pain and heal together.

Host Lisa Mitzel also reflects on her "why" for doing this podcast. She opens up about a wake-up call last year and unfolds her thoughts about the Utah Gymnastics investigation,  her experiences in being verbally and emotionally abused as a gymnast, and her time coaching at Stanford University. She reveals that she caused emotional pain in some gymnasts that she coached at Stanford, and talks with one of her former Stanford gymnasts to help her heal from the pain.

This podcast is for all of us to rethink high performance and young athletes, to advocate for them and to integrate mental health and wellness in gymnastics and all sports.

Dr. Amy Saltzman and the Spot a Spider safety education program can be found here: https://spotaspider.com/
The Conditioned to Win podcast is sponsored by Zen Tiger Mind - mental training and mental health programs, equipment and products - check us out!
To see the home for Conditioned to Win podcast - click HERE.

Find us on Instagram: @conditioned_to_win_podcast
Follow the host, Lisa Mitzel on Instagram: @lisa.mentalperformance          Follow our sponsor: @zentigermind 

Our Home webpage is  LisaMitzel.com/conditioned-to-win-podcast
Find our show on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music

This is your journey to guide yourself toward transformation and to promote mental health for every child ~ I’m Sending you good vibes, deep breaths, and peace. 

Lisa Terry is the Owner, CEO and Head Coach at East Bay Gymnastics in Concord, CA. She is my friend and a beautiful advocate for her gymnasts as humans, first!
We discuss the incredible responsibilities of coaches and club owners, noticing the signs of kids struggling, asking poignant questions, listening with patience and supporting what the child needs. As Lisa says, "If my job was just coaching gymnastics, it would be easy." Learn the nuances of how to support and guide young gymnasts as they struggle.

This podcast is for all of us to rethink high performance and young athletes, to advocate for them and to integrate mental health and wellness in gymnastics and all sports. We are increasing our awareness of how to help kids when they’re struggling inside. The key is to learn the signs of hurting, and to live with a higher intention of seeing the gymnasts as humans first.

This is Part 1 of a 2-part episode. Also the first half is the interview with Lisa Terry, and the second half is a thoughtful monologue by Lisa Mitzel with helpful perspectives and advice. 

Around minutes 14-16 minutes, we touch on gymnasts’ mental health issues that may be sensitive to some listeners. 

Thank you for being here.

Find us on Instagram: @conditioned_to_win_podcast
Follow the host, Lisa Mitzel on Instagram: @lisa.mentalperformance          Follow our sponsor: @zentigermind 

Our Home webpage is  LisaMitzel.com/conditioned-to-win-podcast
Find our show on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music

This is your journey to guide yourself toward transformation and to promote mental health for every child ~ I’m Sending you good vibes, deep breaths, and peace.