Send us Fan Mail What does it take to rebuild your life, overcome self-doubt, and develop the mental toughness to keep going when things get difficult? In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, host Jada Rich sits down with John Borden, author of Your Mindset Is Your Reality, to discuss addiction recovery, mental health, confidence, discipline, and the role athletic challenges can play in personal growth. John shares his personal journey through depression, substance-use struggles, and a major turning point that pushed him to take responsibility for the life he wanted. From returning to running after 12 years away to completing ultramarathons and competing in strongman events, he explains how physical challenges helped reshape his confidence and mindset. John also shares practical lessons on building mental toughness, overcoming self-doubt, tracking small wins, and staying focused when a goal feels overwhelming. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: Addiction recovery, depression, and personal accountabilityHow athletic challenges can help rebuild confidenceMental toughness in ultrarunning and strongman competitionBreaking overwhelming goals into manageable stepsWhy small daily wins matter for personal growthHow coaches can motivate people by understanding their individual valuesUsing journaling and to-do lists to recognize progressBreath control, focus, and training your mind under pressureWhy talent alone isn't enough to achieve your potentialJohn's 85-mile ultrarunning victory and his book, Your Mindset Is Your RealityKEY TAKEAWAY “You have to see the ball go in the hoop.” Progress starts with taking action, recognizing your wins, and building evidence that you can do difficult things. You don't have to solve everything at once. Focus on the next step. Whether you're an athlete working to improve your performance, a coach helping others grow, or someone trying to rebuild confidence and move forward, this conversation offers practical lessons about resilience, mindset, and personal growth. 📚 JOHN BORDEN'S BOOK Your Mindset Is Your Reality Find the book through Amazon, Audible, or Apple Books. 💪 GET PSYCHED FITNESS Explore John's fitness and coaching work. 🌐 HOOPS AND HEADSPACE WEBSITE https://hoopsandheadspacep4.wixsite.com/hoops-and-headspace 🔗 FOLLOW HOOPS AND HEADSPACE — ALL PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/hoopsandheadspacepodcast John's discussion of substance use and recovery reflects his personal experience and is not medical advice. Support the show If you’re an athlete dealing with pressure, burnout, or confidence issues—this is for you. Hoops & Headspace is where basketball and mental health collide. We go beyond highlights to talk about what athletes face mentally—on and off the court. This podcast features athlete interviews, mindset and performance content, mental health in sports, and real conversations about identity, confidence, and life beyond the game. Built for athletes who want to think stronger, perform better, and grow beyond the game. 📍 Ripley, Mississippi | 🔔 Subscribe for weekly content Links Official Website hoopsandheadspacep4.wixsite.com/hoops-and-headspace Stay Connected linktr.ee/hoopsandheadspacepodcast
