How does stress impact the experience of sport? In this episode of the Mental Training Lab, I sat down with Megan Bartlett, founder of the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, educator, and faculty member of NM Sport, to explore the fascinating intersection of stress science, sport performance, and human development.

Megan’s work brings together neuroscience and coaching practice through what she calls biological respect. It’s the recognition that our stress responses aren’t independent choices, and instead we need to collaborate with our physiology! Together, we talk about how coaches can design environments that support athletes’ nervous systems, build resilience, and foster true psychological safety.

Megan shares practical, science-based strategies that anyone can use to help athletes regulate, recover, and thrive under pressure. Topics include how relationships buffer stress, how humor and structure aid regulation, and why well-being and performance aren’t opposites, rather, they’re inseparable.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help your athletes (or yourself) perform better and feel better, this conversation will change how you think about training, recovery, and what it really means to create high performance environments.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Today's solocast explores the role that negative visualization can play in generating gratitude, wonder, and a connection to the present moment.

I share a vivid story from my early days as a mental performance coach, and outline practices that can support you in appreciating your current capacity in a way that will support your growth and best performance.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

In this episode of the Mental Training Lab, I sit down with Dr. Ryan Hamilton, someone who truly lives the work he teaches. Ryan is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick, a certified mental performance consultant, and the mental performance coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Canadian National Team.

Ryan embodies what it means to truly practice what we preach in the world of high performance. He deep dives on a couple of stories from his time working with elite athletes, and shares what it really looks like to walk the talk when it comes to growth, resilience, and relevance.

Ryan also shares lessons from his own most recent endurance quest: a 24-hour ultra-marathon challenge that pushed him to the limits of both his body and mind. We get into what that experience taught him about self-awareness and why stretching beyond our comfort zones ultimately makes us better coaches, leaders, and humans.

So if you are a coach, consultant, athlete, or anyone who works in a high-performance environment, take a listen. This conversation will challenge you to reflect on your own growth, your blind spots, and your capacity to lead by example.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Today's solocast explores the difference between positivity and optimism, and how positivity can often get in the way of both presence and progress. 

I also cover how to practice The Stockdale Paradox in real time, and the importance of practicing this shift in mindset in order to create lasting change. 

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

In this episode of the Mental Training Lab, I sit down with Jilyne Jarvis, co-founder and executive director of ZGiRLS, a confidence-building program transforming the lives of middle school girls. Jilyne was a professional ski racer who built a nonprofit that tackles one of the most pressing challenges facing young women (and human beings everywhere) today: self-doubt.

We talk about the baby steps and big leaps it takes to bring an idea to life, how to navigate setbacks without losing momentum, and why support systems are essential for personal and organizational growth. Jilyne shares openly about her struggles with self-doubt, how she’s learned to balance big dreams with practical action, and why compassion and patience with yourself are critical in the transformation process.

Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or leader, this conversation is packed with actionable insights about building confidence, embracing change, and creating impact. If you’ve ever wrestled with self-doubt or wondered how to move from vision to reality, Jilyne’s story may just inspire you to take the next step, no matter how small.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

In this episode, I explore a common motivation pattern that presents itself as people walk the path of mastery. I'll outline the negative motivation model, why we get hooked on being driven by fear, and how it holds us back.

Then, I roll out the alternative approach and offer up some practices that will allow you to cultivate more sustainable motivation over time. 

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

What makes an organization truly high-performing? It’s not just the leader at the top, it’s the system, the culture, and the people who are working together toward a shared mission.

In this episode of The Mental Training Lab I sit down with Adam La Reau, co-founder and President of O2X Human Performance. A former Navy SEAL turned organizational builder, Adam has dedicated this phase of his career to helping first responders, tactical athletes, and high level sports teams to unlock their highest potential.

We talk about what separates good teams from great ones, why trust and accountability matter, how resilience is cultivated, and how tools like after-action reviews (AARs) can transform setbacks into growth.

Whether you’re leading in sports, business, or life, this conversation is packed with lessons you can put into practice immediately. You’ll walk away with practical frameworks for building a culture of excellence and supporting your team so they can perform their best when it matters most.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Excellence leaves clues, and sometimes, those clues come from the most unexpected places. Today, we're talking about the wisdom of bass guitar legend Victor Wooten and what his approach to rhythm, groove, and performance can teach us about showing up at our best when it matters most.

We’ll cover the difference between training and trusting mindsets, why so many skills fail to transfer from practice to performance, and how to make your training look, feel, and sound like the real thing. Along the way, we’ll connect the dots between funk music, self-expression, and the psychology of peak performance. What's the goeal? You can bring more groove, vitality, and trust to your own craft.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or anyone performing under pressure, this one’s for you. Grab your metaphorical bass, plug in, and let’s get funky.

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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Ever wondered what elite MMA fighters, elementary school playground dynamics, and high-performing leaders have in common? Turns out, a lot more than you’d think. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. William Massey, a pioneering sports psychology researcher renowned for his immersive approach to research, from literally stepping into the MMA octagon himself to meticulously observing recess interactions to decode performance under pressure.

William shares captivating stories from his groundbreaking research, exploring the powerful ways environment shapes behavior, performance, and leadership. We unpack his unique approach of total immersion, how trust and clarity drive team success, and why emotional awareness is crucial for leaders aiming to thrive under pressure.

If you’re curious about how your environment could be silently shaping your decisions, performance, and emotional states, or if you’re just fascinated by the idea of a researcher bravely taking punches to better understand human behavior, this episode will be a blast. Tune in for actionable insights and practical wisdom you can apply immediately to enhance your own performance and leadership effectiveness.

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Learn more about The Mental Training Lab
Connect with Pete on Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Is it possible to truly rest and reset, even amidst constant stress and high performance demands? In this episode, I sit down with Annie Okerlin, Yoga Nidra and iRest instructor who has spent decades guiding veterans, first responders, athletes, and top performers to profound states of rest and resilience.

I first met Annie back in 2019 when she masterfully guided a room full of veteran detectives through a iRest yoga nidra practice that left a lasting impression on me. Annie’s approach is anchored in her presence, which comes through loud and clear in this conversation; on top of that, she expertly blends traditional yoga practices with scientifically-backed techniques designed specifically for high-stress environments and individuals navigating trauma or intense pressure.

Tune in to find out:

• What exactly is iRest and how is it different from other forms of yoga and meditation?
• How embracing and welcoming discomfort can profoundly enhance performance
• The power of structured relaxation in achieving peak performance, better sleep, and deeper resilience
• Real-life stories of veterans and first responders reclaiming their lives through the simplicity of relaxation and awareness

If you’re looking to reset your nervous system, find more clarity under pressure, or maybe simply find more balance in your life, this conversation provides practical, actionable insights from one of the field’s leading experts. Tune in to find how to rest smarter, perform better, and embrace your full human experience.

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Learn more about The Mental Training Lab
Connect with Pete on Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Subscribe to the podcast on Apple | Spotify

This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.