Episode 85 of The Mental Game features Dr. Jordan “Dr. J” Collins, a former college track star who turned his own life-changing experience with therapy into a career helping athletes thrive.

Now an athletics mental health counselor at Loyola University Chicago, Dr. J works with student-athletes across every sport, blending tools like mindfulness, CBT and sport psychology to sharpen performance and strengthen well-being. He’s passionate about guiding athletes through transitions, building life skills and embracing the mental side of competition.

Dr. J’s journey has included stops at USC, the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets. He now manages his own consulting practice, JC Sports Consulting. His story is all about resilience, growth, and unlocking potential — on and off the field.

On this episode of The Mental Game, Dr. J…

• Explains how his rocky transition out of life as an NCAA student-athlete shaped his subsequent career
• Dives into the number-one issue facing college athletes today 
• Discusses the recent death (at 106) and legacy of Loyola’s legendary Sister Jean
• Explains his groundbreaking research on athlete values
• And much, much more…

The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TuneIn⁠⁠.