Mental Playbook

In this powerful episode, Zach Gale, special education teacher and founder of Me2We, opens up about his high school experience navigating anxiety both on the baseball field and beyond. 

We explore what it really means to live out the Me2We pillars: being uncommon, serving others, and shining your light.

Zach shares how vulnerability became his strength, leading him to create We Talk, a men's group from a range of ages 16–30 that offers a brave space to be real, honest, and heard. Tune in for inspiring quotes and strategies for finding purpose through personal growth.

His message? Your story, no matter how unique, can be someone else’s survival guide.

This conversation is a reminder that sharing your pain doesn’t make you weak. It helps to shine your light :)

Instagram: @me2we_smb

Website: me2-we.org

NBC Chicago Article

What happens when the game ends?

In this episode, former D2 basketball player Samantha Whiteman shares how she went from athlete to entrepreneur, founding Arena Transfer, a company that helps retired athletes rediscover purpose through business, brand-building, and faith.

Samantha breaks down her “Five Fs” framework: Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness, and Fun and reveals how athletes can use the same discipline and drive they had in sports to thrive after the last shot.

We talk about why sales is a great first step, the power of trial and error, and how to confidently transfer your skills from the court to your career.

Instagram: @sammiwhiteman @thearenatransfer @enhanced_wealth

🤸 From gymnast to mental coach, Rebecca Smith, founder of  Complete Performance Coaching, knows what it’s like to chase perfection, until it starts chasing you.

In this episode, she opens up about:

• Being a “recovering perfectionist”

• Why mental blocks happen and how to move through them

• What performance anxiety looks like

• How young athletes can speak up in toxic environments

• Why safe spaces & strong listening matter more than ever

For any athlete who's felt stuck, scared, or silenced, this episode is for you.

Instagram: @complete_performance 

Website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Perform Happy Podcast: Spotify

Why train NFL stars when you can shape the future? In this episode, Coach G, founder of G-FIT Performance and G-FIT Mental Performance shares why she chose to dedicate her training to youth athletes.

In this episode, Coach G opens up about:

• ​ Why she chose youth over pro athletes
• ​ How injuries shaped her approach to performance
• ​ The myth that “more is better” in training
• ​ Teaching athletes how to receive feedback
• ​ G-FIT Performance + Mental Performance
• ​ How sleep, nutrition, and body language reveal more about health

Whether you’re a young athlete, coach, or parent, this episode is for you.

Instagram: @gfitperformancetraining Website: https://www.gfitperformancetraining.com/

From Olympic athletes to elite teams, Marc Sagal, founder of the Winning Mind, helps high performers go from good to great. 

In this episode, we dive into:• Using personality tests and trust for team dynamics

• The science of separating emotion from behavior

• The role of AI in mental performance

• Why purpose and theory matter more than hype

Discover what it really takes to perform under pressure and build a winning mind.

https://www.thewinningmind.com

From athlete to coach to licensed mental health counselor, 🧠 Cindi Miller has seen every side of the game and knows that true strength goes way beyond physical performance.

In this empowering conversation, Cindi opens up about:

• Battling perfectionism and disordered eating as an athlete

• Understanding that health is more than just your physical body

• Coping with injuries and finding purpose through the challenges

• Navigating the pressure of social media and comparison

• Building a healthier relationship with food and feedback

🎧 Listen to this episode if you want to learn how to shift your mindset, release what you can’t control, and show up for yourself in every part of life especially the present :)

💬 Because being an athlete is hard but being a human is harder.

Instagram: @sportsfoodandmentalhealth

From The Devil Wears Prada to Dinner for Schmucks, actress, author, and mental health advocate, Stephanie Szostak seemed to have it all figured out, but behind the scenes, she was battling imposter syndrome and self-doubt.

In this honest conversation, Stephanie opens up about:

• ​ Feeling like an outsider after moving from France
• ​ Building self-confidence in Hollywood
• ​ Facing rejection and finding her voice
• ​ Creating the Self!sh app and workbook to support mental fitness

📲 Download the Self!sh app: [LINK]

📕 Buy the Self!sh Workbook: [AMAZON LINK]

Instagram: @stephshortstak

🎧 Listen now to learn how to build your own self-discovery playbook and stay present in an age of digital comparison.

In this episode of The Mental Playbook, we sit down with Jamie Vance Jr. (AKA Greedy Vance Jr.), cornerback, FSU alum, and newly signed NFL Las Vegas Raiders player, to talk about what it really means to keep the faith when the odds are stacked against you. Jamie opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of going undrafted, how his faith became his foundation through the toughest times, and why hope and hard work were non-negotiables on his path to the league. Now with an NFL opportunity in his hands, he shares what it means to play with a chip on his shoulder and a purpose in his heart.

In this episode of The Mental Playbook Podcast, USC high jumper Elias Gerald opens up about the mental side of competing in one of track and field’s most high-pressure events, the high jump. From the intense buildup to each jump to the challenge of bouncing back after a miss, Elias shares how he’s developed mental fortitude throughout his journey. He also highlights the powerful role of having fans in the stands and the unwavering support of friends and family. With stories from his early athletic days to his current goals as a junior at USC and aspiring sports broadcaster, this episode is filled with insight, inspiration, and true heart. Tune in for a raw and real look into the mind of a D1 student athlete.

Insta: @eliasdgerald

In this episode of The Mental Playbook Podcast, we chat with Lana Kerr, CEO and founder of Lumisque Skincare. Lana shares the science behind carboxytherapy and why education is key to understanding how innovative products like CO2Lift and CO2LiftV support skin health and confidence at any age. Our conversation dives into the power of inner confidence and how caring for yourself can elevate your ability to uplift others. Tune in to learn how beauty, wellness, and self-care intersect in meaningful ways.

Learn more: https://shorturl.at/dCqBi

Instagram: @co2lift @thelanakerr