Learn 2 Listen

On this episode of Learn 2 Listen, we are joined by Alex Oleson, a fellow Orr Fellow, friend, father, and podcaster. Alex speaks to how he shifted what he sees as successful as he approaches fatherhood. We talk a lot about having some areas of our identity that lend themselves to privilege and some areas of our identity that don’t lend themselves to privilege. Hearing Alex walk through growing up as an adopted child and when he started seeing and understanding how he developed and fit into society in many different ways is bound to leave a lasting impact. There are many awesome insights shared in this episode as to what identity seeking is like and how it can be complicated through different lenses. Growing up is weird and hard at points, we strive to blend in while also differentiate ourselves from others and discover our passions. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to launch a podcast, Alex and Mariah do just that.

Today we are joined by Sarah Kolczak, current Orr Fellow and Co-Founder of Soul & Flow, a wellness experience and community to connect deeper to our higher selves through mind, body, soul, & flow. We chat about Sarah’s experience growing up as a performer. We also talk about Sarah’s background as a ballerina and the sometimes toxic culture that surrounds the world of dance. Have you ever had your thoughts consumed while you were working out on what you and your body looks like? Well, so have we, and we dive into it. If you've never chatted with someone who has completed her yoga certification and created her own business around it, this episode is definitely for you. Please be sure to subscribe to our podcast to stay up to date and leave a review! Check out Soul & Flow here: https://www.soulandflowwellness.com/

On this episode of Learn 2 Listen, we are joined by Priscilla Wiggins, a current Masters student earning her degree in Counseling Psychology at Temple University. She and Mariah talk all about her journey playing soccer while simultaneously exploring the process of loss and identity after the passing of her father when she was 21. We kick off the conversation around the transition out of sport (and what we miss and don’t miss) with the changes in life. Then we talk about the relationship athletes have with their bodies once they stop sport. Mariah talks about needing to reframe the way she looks at working out and not basing it off of guilt but rather for fun. They relate over needing to catch ourselves when we are working out and start to get frustrated when outcomes are not seen or we’re not able to do the same things we used to be able to do. Priscilla talks about the phenomena of countertransference and explains the delicate relationship between a counselor and patient and not only focusing on struggles during therapy sessions. Priscilla also talks about how she was aware of therapy from a young age as her family wanted to be open with each other. One thing that hits home is having to walk through validating each of our emotions and being able to hold opposing feelings at once.

Danielle Berman, Founder and CEO of TackleWhatsNext, the premier community and support team for athletes transitions from sport to well, what’s next. In this episode, we fangirl over the power of telling stories and sharing experiences, especially around career transition. We chat about the worries that come with change or choosing where to go after sport when sport has been your ‘job’ for the better part of your adult life. Danielle brings up the great point that there is no blueprint as to how to do that. TackleWhat’sNext is a great resource to help athletes make this transition and connect them with the right people. We also talk about how we really only see the good part of going to college or even social media as a whole and how no one tells or shows you the bad side. People don’t post or showcase when they’re upset and hurting and that’s why it’s so important to have both sides of the story or even know that there are two sides. Have you ever thought about the difference or distinction between balance and prioritization? Because I never really had and wow- it was such a great point of reflection for me to really think about. Sometimes your priorities fluctuate depending on the day and events that come up and learning how to prioritize and tell other people you’re doing that is difficult yet rewarding. With that, I hope you take away as much as I did from Danielle and I’s conversation.

Leeann Passaro is Chief Operating Officer at The Hidden Opponent, an advocacy group that raises awareness for Student-Athlete Mental Health to address the stigma in sports. Not only is Leeann passionate about her non-profit work but she is also a high school English teacher and soccer and lacrosse coach. Leeann vulnerably shares her story about her relationship with soccer, her coach and team, and her history of concussions. We bond and elaborate about the guild and uncertainty that surrounds injury in sport. We give our two cents about the fear and manifestation of symptoms that surround injury and why it creates a web of pressure and confusion. Leeann discusses her reframing of a very difficult situation where she wasn’t asked to return to soccer her senior year where she was forced to transition out of sport a year earlier than she thought she would.

Madeline Barlow, Ph.D., is an Athlete Mental Performance Coach currently working at Drexel University to help athletes become mind-wise and transition away from sport post-graduation. Madeline is also the founder of the MindWiseMentor, the creator of the Mind-Wise Method, and the author of the book The Highly Sensitive Athlete. She earned her degree at the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where she was a varsity swimmer of four years. Join us today as Madeline tells the Learn2Listeners community what it means to be mind-wise. She shares some of her favorite practices everyone can integrate into their daily schedule. We take a deep dive into the take-a-ways Madeline experienced from her fourteen-year swimming career, mainly navigating one’s body image while constantly competing in a bathing suit. Thank you so much to Madeline for taking the time to teach us all how to be more mind-wise and sharing her story on Learn 2 Listen.

Doctor Nancy Michael is currently a Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Neuroscience and Behavior Major at the University of Notre Dame. She has dedicated her professional life to the scientific community, having studied pharmacogenetics, molecular biology, and neuropsychology, all while publishing multiple research papers. Join us as we discuss human tendencies and connections surrounding life transitions and the COVID-19 pandemic from a neurological point of view. We begin by discussing the transition from collegiate life into post-graduation life, which many students struggle through, and what advice Dr. Michael provides her students with. Then, we dive into the pandemic and its neurological impacts on students and communities. If you’re curious how we try to reestablish socialization as an everyday necessity and how we must unlearn the anxiety and guilt that accompanied the pandemic, listen now!

Thank you to Doctor Nancy Michael for her insight, time, and continuous dedication to education. Don't forget to share your thoughts on the @learn.2.listen Instagram and subscribe to our podcast!

Monica Mesecar is currently a Notre Dame senior in the class of 2021 from Indiana who will graduate with her bachelor's in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in compassionate care in medicine. She lives in Ryan Hall, where she serves as a senior fellow. While at Notre Dame, Monica has been on the yearbook committee, served on the neuroscience senior leadership committee, and as the social media liaison. She is also a founder and member of ND's Access-able club, designed to educate, advocate, and build a community for students with disabilities. Monica is dedicated to the healthcare field and projects working in research before attending medical school. Join us as Monica discusses what drew her to neuroscience, the pressures of collegiate life, the intricacies of the COVID-19 pandemic as a student, and her experience as a student with disabilities. Monica shares and educates us all about her story with grace, honesty, and maturity at unmatched levels.

Thank you to Monica for taking the time to be vulnerable with the Learn 2 Listen community and share her story. Don't forget to share your thoughts on the @learn2listen_ Instagram and subscribe to our podcast!

Brianna Leverenz is a former swimmer for The University of Tennessee Knoxville where she graduated with a degree in kinesiology in 2019. While at school, Brianna was extremely involved in sports philanthropy where she spent 3 months in the Philippines teaching children how to swim. Brianna and Mariah met through their mutual interest in sports philanthropy as Brianna continues to serve and inspire those around her. She now works for Stanford as a clinical researcher to fulfill her amazing and demanding work. schedule. Join us as we chat about Brianna's journey during her four years as a student, athlete, and leader. She bravely and honestly shares her vulnerabilities and advice with us as well as some female empowerment!

Thank you Brianna for inspiring us all with her dedication to serving others. Don't forget to share your thoughts on the @learn2listen_ Instagram and subscribe to our podcast!

Katherine McManus graduated from Notre Dame in 2016. She was a member of the women's lacrosse team from 2012-2016. After graduating, she spent a year interning for Student Welfare and Development (ND Athletics), got her MA in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver, and a MA in Clinical Psychology from American University. Her research focuses on body image, eating, and exercise behaviors in athletic samples and childhood obesity community intervention and prevention strategies. Katherine believes in applied research that inspires action and change within systems and individuals. When working with clients, Katherine aims to help them feel and be their best in all areas of life. She believes in strengthening skills one already has, teaching new skills, and working within a clients’ lifestyle and needs. Join us as we chat about Katherine's personal and professional journey and how she focuses on positivity through adversity.

Thank you Katherine for opening up to the Learn 2 Listen community and sharing her vulnerabilities and strengths. Don't forget to share your thoughts on the @learn2listen_ Instagram and subscribe to our podcast!