New Episode on Winning the Journey Within Podcast!

Sitting down with @awak.kuier to dive into the mental game talk. From overcoming adversity to building unshakable confidence on the court - Awak shares the mindset that has helped her separate herself very early in her career.     Drafted 2nd overall by the Dallas Wings while also taking the European basketball stage by storm, AwakAwak’s dunk in the WNBA.

Drafted 2nd overall by the Dallas Wings while also taking the European basketball stage by storm, Awak’s athletic journey from Finland to professional basketball showcases her tenacity and natural talent on the court.

This week, I'm joined by Veljko Perović, a coach who discovered his true calling early and made the bold decision to leave his playing career behind and pursue coaching excellence.

From that moment on, Veljko committed himself fully to the craft – and it shows. His passion, work ethic, and unwavering dedication make him an asset to every team he's part of.

In our conversation, he shared what that dedication really means to him – and I can honestly say, I've never heard anyone describe it quite like he does. My respect for coaches, especially assistant coaches, reached a whole new level after this one.

Veljko opens up about:
His roots, his family and his professional playing career 
The bold decision to transition from player to coaching
His current role as assistant coach with Venezia Reyer men's basketball
What true dedication to the coaching craft looks like
The often unseen work of assistant coaches

From the bright lights of Women’s EuroLeague courts, while representing her nation with pride, Stella Kaltsidou lived the dream every basketball player chases. But her greatest triumph? Starting over.

Trading her jersey for a clipboard, Stella began again at the bottom of the coaching ladder. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary - a EuroCup championship and a testament to the power of reinvention. And she’s still at her beginnings…

These accolades are just glimpses of a journey that proves excellence isn't just about reaching the top, it's about having the courage to climb again.

In this episode, one of the Greece’s greatest, opens up about the inner work that transformed her from player to leader. 

She shares the wisdom earned through transition, and why the real championship happens in your mind long before it's reflected on any scoreboard.

Ready to discover what it truly means to win from within? 

📢 Guest: Stella Kaltsidou
🎧 Host: Milica Jovanović

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes where we explore the minds of top performers and the strategies that drive success in sports. 


***This video is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The content shared in this video is based on general information and personal experience, and should not be considered a substitute for professional sports psychology guidance or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified sports psychologist or mental health professional for personalized advice and support.***


#WinningTheJourneyWithin #SportsPsychology #MentalGame #AthleteMindset #HealingJourney #BasketballLife #StellaKaltsidou

🚨 The mental health conversation sports has been avoiding. 🚨

I, The Athlete. 

Every athlete will face transition. Every athlete will question their identity. Every athlete deserves support that goes beyond performance. 

Every athlete has a unique story that lifts us up from our seats, yet behind the scenes, it often brings them down to their knees.

Featuring insights from FIBA leadership and former professional players who've walked this path, this panel brings together the voices sports needs to hear - from policy makers to former players - discussing:
• How to find yourself beyond your sport 
• Why seeking help is strength, not weakness
• Building support systems for the long game 
• Breaking the cycle of suffering in silence

The statistics are staggering. The stories are heartbreaking. But the solutions are here.
This isn't just another sports talk - this is about the human behind the athlete. If you've ever struggled with identity, felt pressure to dim your true self, or wondered what comes next after your playing days, or after any kind of transition while still playing - this conversation is for you.

Special thanks to our panelists for their vulnerability and wisdom in addressing these crucial topics.

Breaking patterns and finding purpose beyond the game. 🙏🏀

In episode #9 of Winning the Journey Within Podcast I sit down with fellow Montenegrin basketball player Nemanja Radovic for one of our most profound conversations yet.

We dove deep into the challenge of changing ingrained patterns - especially coming from the Balkans with our specific mentality and adapting to life in Spain and similar countries. But this conversation went far beyond basketball.

Nemanja and I explored:

• How our Balkan mindset can both help and hinder us abroad.
  
  
• The spiritual search that often comes with being far from home.
  
  
• Learning to break patterns that no longer serve us.
  
  
• Finding deeper meaning and purpose beyond sport.
  
  
• The inner work that comes with true growth.
  
  

Most of the time the most important journey isn't the one on the court - it's the one within ourselves. When we're willing to question our patterns and search for something greater, that's where real transformation begins.
This episode isn't just for athletes - it's for anyone ready to examine their patterns and embark on their own spiritual journey.

New episode on Winning the Journey Within podcast features incredibly gifted Kayla Alexander - from breaking records at Syracuse, contributing in the WNBA, excelling internationally, and winning MVPs overseas, to writing a children’s book and so much more -she reflects on her journey and describes the moment that changed everything for her - the  shift of her identity from athlete to child of God.

Episode #7 of Winning the Journey Within podcast features Juan Fernández, a true floor general with impressive career that led him from Argentina to Italy, where he spent most of his professional years. 

Along the way, Juan faced internal battles - and admits he stepped away from the game for two seasons due to mental health challenges. He opens up about how sports psychology helped him rebuild confidence and reclaim his passion for basketball.

Tune in to discover what it truly means to Win the Journey Within.

This week on Episode 6 of Winning the Journey Within, I’m honored to share an inspiring conversation with world-class athlete Yvonne Turner - a WNBA guard, overseas star, and one of the rare competitors who leads with both unshakable toughness and genuine kindness.

We met for the very first time off the court to film this episode — and, without planning it, we showed up wearing clothes that carried nearly the same message. In that moment, we both knew exactly where this conversation was headed… and yet, what unfolded still surprised me.

Yvonne opens up with honesty, grace, and nothing held back — sharing her journey from going undrafted, to grinding overseas, to making it to the WNBA at 29. Her story is one of relentless work, unwavering dedication, and a deep faith that carried her every step of the way.

Episode 5 of ‘Winning the Journey Within’ introduces an Underdog that rose to the top - The Certified Champion - Kendrick Perry. 

A standout point guard whose path from undrafted rookie to European basketball star is a masterclass in mental resilience.

Kendrick’s journey spans multiple countries, elite European leagues, and international competition with the Montenegrin national team.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or student of the mental side of sport, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from someone who’s not just survived the grind - but mastered it.

Episode 4 of Winning the Journey Within Podcast features Giorgia Sottana - an Italian champion both on and off the court. 

I was genuinely moved by the raw and insightful conversation we shared, diving deep into her career, her life, and the wisdom she’s gathered over the years.

Distinguished for her instinctive playmaking in basketball, Giorgia opens up about the meaningful moves she’s making in her personal life - balancing roles as a wife, mother, author, humanitarian, and so much more.