Athlete Mindset QuietLoud Studios

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, Lisa Bonta Sumii speaks with Myra Sack, an All-American scholar athlete and founder of E-Motion, a nonprofit supporting grieving individuals. Myra shares her journey through grief after losing her daughter, Havi, and discusses the importance of community, rituals, and emotional literacy. Learn how Myra's experiences as an athlete influence her work and how E-Motion makes a difference for those dealing with loss. Discover the collaborations with Women in Soccer and Common Goal to promote emotional literacy in sports.
Myra Sack runs E-Motion, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals through grief. She has led sports-based youth development nonprofits for over a decade and is a dedicated writer, coach, and activist. Myra lives in Boston with her family, honoring the memory of her daughter, Havi, through her impactful work.
Click here to Contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community
By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!
 
Connect with host, guest, and podcast production team:
Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram
Myra Sack: about | LinkedIn | E-Motion | Today article
SportsE Media: LinkedIn | X
Related content:
Touching Loved Ones Through Content Creation | Frank Van Buren
Kelsey O’Connor Turns Medically Retiring Into Motivational Speaking
Audible Style | The Moment Matters: Embracing the Now in Sports
Music credit: Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

In this third episode of our three-part series, Lisa Bonta Sumii talks with Dan Ourian, CMPC, a certified mental performance consultant and assistant director of the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program at Dominican University of California. They discuss integrating mental performance coaching into athletic coaching, the significance of mindfulness practices, and the importance of practical placements for students training to become mental performance consultants.
Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants | Dan Ourian, CMPC Highlights:
Importance of mental performance in athletic coaching.Tips for youth coaches on improving mental fitness.Benefits of mindfulness practices for coaches.Role of practical placements in training mental performance consultants.Memorable Quote: "Recognize that you are a performer in your own right, and your coaching is highly impactful on your athlete's experience."
This 3-part podcast series is titled: Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants
Dominican's Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (ASPP) department trains students to be ethical, professional, and culturally competent practitioners who work with performers in a variety of domains. Our program is committed to supporting both the professional and personal growth of students to become practitioners and leaders of Sport and Performance Psychology who integrate the art and science of mental skills training.
About Dan Ourian, CMPC: Dan Ourian is a certified mental performance consultant and the Assistant Director of the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program at Dominican University of California. With a background in coaching basketball, Dan integrates mental performance principles into athletic coaching, helping develop well-rounded athletes and future mental performance consultants.
Click here to Contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community
By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!
 
Connect with host, guest, and podcast production team:
Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram | websiteDan Ourian, CMPC | LinkedIn | Dominican University of CaliforniaSportsE Media: LinkedIn | XRelated episodes to "Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants | Dan Ourian, CMPC":
Part 1 of the series: Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants | Kai Laird, MA, CMPC, LPCPart 2 of the series: Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants | Dr. Alison Pope-Rhodius, CMPCAudible Style | The Moment Matters: Embracing the Now in SportsMusic credit:
Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

In this episode of the Athlete Mindset, Lisa Bonta Sumii is a guest on the Female Footballers Podcast, where she discusses the profound impacts of mental health in sports. She shares insights on the pressures athletes face, the importance of recognizing mental health struggles, and how they intersect with performance on the field.
Female Footballers Podcast Featuring Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW Highlights:
Exploring the critical role mental health plays in sports and athlete performance.Discussion on the unique challenges faced by youth and collegiate athletes.Strategies for coaches and athletes to address mental health proactively.Emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and how to foster it.Memorable Quote: "Every human has mental health, just like we have physical health. We live on a continuum of how healthy we are and how healthy we feel day-to-day, week to week, month to month."
Female Footballers podcast: Hosted by a dynamic duo focused on mental health in sports, the Female Footballers Podcast creates a vital community for student-athletes. The show features diverse voices from the sports world, offering relatable insights and fostering a supportive space for mental health discussions.
Click here to Contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community
By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!
 
Connect with host, guest, and podcast production team:
Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | InstagramFemale Footballers podcast: website | Apple PodcastsSportsE Media: LinkedIn | XRelated content:
How NBC Sports’ Premier League Streaming Fuels Soccer in the U.S.TLH Reckoning – Women’s Soccer Franchise | Ashlee Fontes-ComberUS World Cup Series | Soccer: The World’s Most Popular SportMusic credit:
Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

In this episode of the Athlete Mindset, Lisa Bonta Sumii appears as a guest on the Mental Health Training Room Podcast hosted by Haley Herdman and Naomi Yim, former Division I basketball players. Lisa discusses the intersection of mental health and athletic performance, emphasizing mental wellness's role in achieving peak athletic results.
Mental Health Training Room Podcast Featuring Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW Highlights:
The founding of AthMindset and its mission to support athletes through mental health struggles.The differences and synergies between mental health clinicians and mental performance consultants.Practical tips on how athletes can manage performance anxiety and set effective mental health goals.The importance of tailored mental health support that acknowledges the unique pressures faced by athletes.Memorable Quote:"Every human being has mental health, just like we have physical health. We live on a continuum of how healthy we are and how healthy we feel from day to day, week to week, month to month."
Mental Health Training Room podcast:
Mental Health Training Room is a podcast hosted by Haley Herdman and Naomi Yim, former Division I basketball players. This podcast aims to create a community and safe space for all student-athletes. We want our listeners to find comfort and relatability in their mental health struggles through the conversations that will be held with the variety of guests featured. These people include but are not limited to mental health professionals, current/former athletes, coaches, and academic advisors. While our podcast does not serve as professional help, we hope you can all learn something from each episode and be reminded that you are not alone in this journey. If you are in crisis, please reach out to the suicide hotline at 988.
Click here to Contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community
By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!
 
Connect with host, guest, and podcast production team:
Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | InstagramMental Health Training Room Podcast: Buzzsprout | Apple PodcastsSportsE Media: LinkedIn | XRelated episodes:
Normalizing Mental Health in Sports with Lisa Bonta SumiiFrom The Players PodcastRecognizing the Drama in the OrdinaryMusic credit:
Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii is joined by Dr. Alison Pope-Rhodius, a seasoned expert in sport and performance psychology. Dr. Pope-Rhodius, who has spent over three decades in the field, currently leads the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program at Dominican University of California. This episode is part of a three-part series exploring the nuances and depth of sport and performance psychology.
This 3-part podcast series is titled: Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants. About:
Dominican's Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (ASPP) department trains students to be ethical, professional, and culturally competent practitioners who work with performers in a variety of domains. Our program is committed to supporting both the professional and personal growth of students to become practitioners and leaders of Sport and Performance Psychology who integrate the art and science of mental skills training.
“Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants | Dr. Alison Pope-Rhodius” Highlights:
Dr. Pope-Rhodius outlines the differences between sports psychology, which traditionally deals with athletes and coaches, and performance psychology, a broader field encompassing various high-pressure professions, including the military and emergency services.This episode provides insight into how Dominican University’s Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program equips students for success. The program aligns with the CMPC certification, integrating coursework with practical experience.We look at the hands-on training involving direct work with teams and individuals to build essential counseling skills, complementing theoretical knowledge with substantial field experience.Dr. Pope-Rhodius shares the diverse career paths program graduates often pursue, including roles in the military, sports teams, private practices, and beyond, highlighting the program’s strong industry connections and emphasis on comprehensive career preparation.About Dr. Alison Pope-Rhodius:
With over thirty years in the field, Dr. Pope-Rhodius has extensively worked with elite performers and now leads the next generation of psychologists as the director of the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology program at Dominican University of California.Dr. Pope-Rhodius is a certified mental performance consultant who specializes in preparing students not only for successful careers but also for the CMPC certification, ensuring they are fully equipped to meet the needs of performers across various sectors.Visit the Dominican University of California's official page for more details on Dr. Alison Pope-Rhodius's work and the university's programs in sport and performance psychology.Click here to Contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community
By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!
 
Connect with host, guest, and podcast production team:
Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram | websiteDr. Alison Pope-Rhodius, CMPC | LinkedIn | Instagram | Dominican University of CaliforniaSportsE Media: LinkedIn | XRelated episodes to "Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants | Dr. Alison Pope-Rhodius":
Part 1 of the series: Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants | Kai Laird, MA, CMPC, LPCThe Intersection of Sports Psychiatry and Performance with Dr. Wilsa Charles MalveauxThe Alarming Impact of Powerful Psychiatric Drugs on Mental HealthMusic credit:
Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii shares insights with Kai Laird, a distinguished figure in sport and performance psychology, as well as a mental health advocate. With an extensive background that bridges athletic performance and mental well-being, Laird brings knowledge and experience to this enlightening conversation.
This 3-part podcast series is titled: Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants. About:
Dominican's Applied Sport and Performance Psychology (ASPP) department trains students to be ethical, professional, and culturally competent practitioners who work with performers in a variety of domains. Our program is committed to supporting both the professional and personal growth of students to become practitioners and leaders of Sport and Performance Psychology who integrate the art and science of mental skills training.
“Developing the Next Generation of Mental Performance Consultants | Kai Laird” Highlights:
Kai Laird has a background in sport and performance psychology from the Dominican University of California. His work at The Performance Pursuit explores the nuances of mental performance consulting versus traditional mental health clinical work. His dual expertise offers a unique perspective on optimizing athletes' mental health and performance.Laird emphasizes the importance of mental performance consultants establishing a strong referral network, especially for cases requiring more intensive mental health interventions. This approach ensures that athletes receive comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs.For those interested in pursuing a career in mental performance consulting, Laird provides valuable advice on education, certification, and the development of a clear professional path. His insights are based on his own experiences and the evolving needs of the field.Sharing his journey from Trinidad and Tobago to becoming a leader in his field, Laird discusses his motivations for pursuing dual roles in sport psychology and mental health counseling. His passion for supporting individuals in reaching their potential shines through his work and advocacy.Presented and produced as part of the podcast network by SportsE Media, the Athlete Mindset podcast focuses on mental health in sports, offering listeners profound insights into overcoming challenges and achieving mental resilience.
About Kai Laird:
Background: Laird's career is marked by his dedication to helping athletes and high performers achieve their best, both on and off the field. His work spans consulting with diverse clients, from DI colleges to professional athletes, and leading initiatives to improve mental health services.Education and Certifications: Holding an M.A. in Counseling with a specialization in Sport and Health Psychology, and a B.S. in Business Management, Laird is also a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).Current Roles: As the Managing Director at The Performance Pursuit and the Director of Integrative Health at the WISC, Laird continues to make significant contributions to the fields of sport psychology and mental health counseling.For more details on Kai Laird's work and the Dominican University of California's programs in sport and performance psychology, you can visit the Performance Pursuit website​ (The Performance Pursuit)​ and the Dominican University's official page​ (Dominican University of California)​​.
Click here to Contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community
By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!
 
Connect with host, guest, and podcast production team:
Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram | websiteKai Laird: The Performance Pursuit | X | LinkedIn | Dominican University of CaliforniaSportsE Media: L