Episode 29 of The Mental Game brings on Dr. Wendy Borlabi, Chicago Bulls Director of Performance and Mental Health.

In addition to her role with the Bulls, Borlabi also manages a private practice, Borlabi Consulting and consults the NBA.

In her past, Dr. B served as a psychologist for the United States Olympic Committee and as an Athletic Consultant at James Madison University.

Borlabi also founded Wisdom Knot, a non-profit that, in her words, “works to increase self-exploration in inner city youth by engaging them in interactive initiatives to extend their relationship with the game beyond competition.”

On the podcast, Borlabi shares:

Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 28 of The Mental Game features 9th year professional baseball outfielder Brennan Metzger. Now in his debut season with the Chicago Dogs, Metzger was a San Francisco Giants draft choice in 2012.

In 2013, Metzger, who suffers from Crohn's disease, was hospitalized for over a month, undergoing a major surgery that removed his large intestine. He also entered into four emergency surgeries that gravely threatened his life. At age 23, Metzger nearly died in the hospital. He lost 80 pounds.

Metzger maintains that, while his body was rendered non-functional, his reliance on staying mentally attuned through focus, staying present and positive saved him. He still carries those skills with him today as he continues his pro baseball career.

On the podcast, Metzger delves into:

Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 27 of The Mental Game features Megan Skaggs, a six-time All-American gymnast at the University of Florida.

Before stepping foot on Florida’s campus, Skaggs had already earned two medals for U.S. Gymnastics. Now an accomplished collegiate gymnast entering her fifth year, Skaggs is locked in on her mental game and shares her recipe for overcoming the myriad obstacles of an elite gymnast.

On the podcast, Skaggs dives into:

Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 26 of The Mental Game brings aboard Jonathan Jones, a student-athlete development consultant, TedX speaker, podcast host and former student-athlete.

Jones played basketball at Richland College and the University of Texas at Tyler, a tenure he says was rife with costly mistakes. Now, he advises current student-athletes on their development, focusing deeply on mental health.

Jones recently launched “Podcasting for Players,” a platform to help student-athletes develop their own podcasts, starting at West Virginia University.

On the podcast, Jones delves into:

Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself.

For more on Jonathan Jones, visit jonathanjonesspeaks.com.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 25 of The Mental Game features Dr. Veronica Ivy, world-champion cyclist, professor of philosophy and activist for human rights.

In 2018, Ivy became the first transgender world champion in track cycling, then won another title the next year. Her athletic feats, however, have spawned vitriol from critics who claim that, as a transgender woman, she has no right to compete in women’s sports. Numerous death threats have been issued against Ivy.

Ivy isn’t just a champion athlete, but she’s a world-leading expert on athletes’ rights, advising nearly every level of athletic organization, including the International Olympic Committee.

On the podcast, Ivy dives into:

Warning: This episode contains explicit language (but with good reason).

Enjoy and be well.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 24 of The Mental Game features Xavier Fulton, former NFL, CFL and University of Illinois football player.

After starring at Illinois, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Fulton in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Fulton’s subsequent NFL career was marred, however, by injuries and cuts, before he settled in the Canadian Football League, winning the 2013 Grey Cup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Fulton has since opened up about the anxiety and depression he dealt with as a pro football player and is now a proud mental health advocate and father to two in Chicago.

On the podcast, Fulton delves into:

Enjoy and be well.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 23 of The Mental Game features writer endurance sports writer, coach and athlete Matt Fitzgerald. 

A runner since the age of 11, Fitzgerald has channeled his love of endurance into writing. The New Hampshire native has authored nearly 30 books, many focusing on the mental side of endurance sports, including “The Comeback Quotient and “How Bad Do You Want It?” which this podcast’s host has read. 

On the podcast, Fitzgerald breaks down: 

Enjoy and be well.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 22 of The Mental Game Podcast features 13-year MLB veteran and certified mental skills coach Bob Tewksbury. 

After pitching for six big league teams and winning 110 games, Tewksbury earned a master's in psychology and enlisted as a mental skills coach with the Boston Red Sox, where he won three World Series rings. He then moved to the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs before crafting his own practice, which you can find at BobTewksbury.com. 

A titan in the industry, Tewksbury authored Ninety Percent Mental, which (producer’s note) is an absolute must for any sports psych nerd. 

On the podcast, Tewksbury reminisces on his career through a mental game lens, while offering insight into how mental coaching has transformed sports as we know them. Enjoy and be well.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 21 of The Mental Game Podcast features world-renowned BASE Jumper, skydiver, author and CEO Matt Gerdes. 

Gerdes is one of the world’s top BASE jumpers, completing 1,200 jumps and skydives to date. He authored The Great Book of BASE and also co-founded Squirrel Wingsuits. 

On the podcast, Gerdes brings us inside the mind of a BASE jumper. As one of the world’s most dangerous sports, BASE jumpers must be incredibly risk-averse. In spite of the treacherous risks, Gerdes describes why it’s well worth it, thanks to the eurphoric and peaceful feelings he experiences mid-jump. Enjoy and be well.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Episode 20 of The Mental Game Podcast features Kansas City Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. 

Goldberg serves as pregame and postgame show host for the Royals on FOX Sports Kansas City while also hosting the “Rounding the Bases” podcast. In addition, Goldberg is a renowned public speaker, tailoring his message to the value of people. As he says, “it’s always about people.” 

Goldberg also authored Small Ball Big Results, which focuses on the little things that add up to wins in baseball, business and life. 

On the podcast, Goldberg delves into the value of relationships and how those relationships have been turned upside down by COVID. He also shares stories of his tenure with the Royals and breaks down the perfect hot dog. Enjoy and be well.

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, TuneIn and Stitcher.