Lauren Johnson is an athlete-turned mental performance coach and speaker. She helps elite performers develop mental toughness so they can be their best, regardless of their circumstances. Prior to opening her own consulting practice, Lauren served as the Mental Conditioning Coordinator for the New York Yankees. Her practical, straight-forward advice and performance strategies provide real results that help individuals push through the many challenges life throws at us.

In today’s episode, Lauren and Alison have a very real and heartfelt conversation about how our life circumstances shape who we are, and how we can use those instances to grow and learn instead of letting them control us and giving in to the victim mentality. We can take charge of our lives through the decisions we make, regardless of what we have gone through. It may take a while to learn to shift our mindset, but we have the power to do so. Lauren and Alison also discuss the devastating impact that suicide has on those left behind.

Key highlights:

• Accepting reality even when it is very difficult
• Choosing something else instead of tearing yourself down
• Victim mentality vs. fighter mentality
• Lauren’s background and life challenges that led her to where she is
• The devastating impact that suicide has on those left behind.
• How personal tragedies can be used to your advantage. 
• How our definition of success can shift over time
• Vulnerability is power to an extent
• How to improve your life through the decisions you make. 
• Lauren’s experience working with the yankees
•  What it means to be "mentally tough" and adaptable in our thinking.

Connect with Lauren:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenjohnsonn/#experience

Connect with Alison:

Instagram: @alisonanswers | @lagercounseling

Website: LagerCounseling.com

YouTube: Alison Answers

Facebook: Alison Lager Lcsw Casac