Walking on with Chris Cavalaris

Christopher Cavalaris

Whats up! Life is hard, weird and full of uncertainty…. I know I don’t have the answers to it. I’m going to ask the questions that hopefully bring some clarity.

  1. 06/03/2025

    048 - Dylan Mandell - Overcoming life's toughest challenges

    Dylan Mandell shares his profound journey of faith and resilience through his battle with cancer. He discusses how his diagnosis transformed his perspective on life, leading him to appreciate the small blessings and the importance of faith during dark times. Dylan emphasizes the significance of celebrating small victories, the role of physical challenges in recovery, and the power of optimism in overcoming adversity. His insights serve as a reminder of the strength found in faith and the lessons learned from hardship. In this conversation, Dylan Mandell and Chris Cavalaris explore the profound impact of hardship on personal growth, the importance of facing challenges, and the role of faith in overcoming adversity. They discuss how comfort in modern society can lead to complacency and weakness, emphasizing the need for resilience and strength. Dylan shares his personal journey with cancer, illustrating how he has embraced obstacles and maintained a positive outlook through faith and determination. The conversation culminates in a message of love, faith, and the importance of the journey over the destination.Chapters 00:00 The Transformative Power of Faith 02:55 Navigating Dark Moments and Building Resilience 06:03 Appreciating Life's Simple Blessings 08:53 The Role of Physical Challenges in Recovery 11:56 Celebrating Small Victories 14:54 The Importance of Optimism and Faith 17:52 Lessons from Adversity and Personal Growth 37:43 The Role of Hardship in Personal Growth 40:47 Finding Strength Through Adversity 43:00 The Impact of Comfort on Society 48:31 Facing Life's Challenges Head-On 55:07 Faith and Acceptance in the Face of Death 01:00:20 The Importance of Loving the Process 01:03:33 Spreading Love and Faith to Others

    1hr 10min

  2. 03/02/2025

    047 - Maris Loeffler - How to better understand our emotions

    In this conversation, Maris Leffler, a licensed therapist, shares her journey into trauma therapy, focusing on the innovative technique of brain spotting. She discusses societal misconceptions about trauma, the importance of emotional vulnerability, and how men often struggle with expressing their feelings. Maris emphasizes the significance of recognizing physical symptoms of trauma and knowing when to seek professional help. The discussion also covers how to support loved ones in emotional distress, maximize therapy sessions, and find one's authentic self. Additionally, they explore the impact of technology on mental health, the importance of self-compassion, and the healing power of nature. The conversation concludes with insights on grief, unexpressed love, and the complexity of human experiences. Chapters 00:00 Journey into Trauma Therapy 02:15 Understanding Brain Spotting 05:37 Societal Misconceptions about Trauma 07:44 Men and Emotional Expression 10:24 Recognizing Physical Symptoms of Trauma 12:55 When to Seek Professional Help 14:00 Overcoming the Fear of Discussing Trauma 17:08 Building Trust in Therapy 18:14 Supporting Loved Ones in Emotional Distress 21:04 Maximizing Therapy Sessions 23:10 Finding Your Authentic Self 25:05 The Impact of Technology on Mental Health 30:01 Cultivating Self-Compassion 32:52 Externalizing Emotions: The Power of Journaling 35:00 Modeling Emotional Expression: Permission to Feel 37:59 Repressing Emotions: The Myth of Strength 40:03 Physical Activity: A Path to Emotional Processing 46:01 Nature's Role in Mental Health 47:59 Moving On: Letting Go of the Past 51:10 Building Momentum: Small Victories in Depression 55:06 Self-Compassion: Celebrating Personal Wins 01:00:09 Grief and Unexpressed Love: Healing Through Attachment

    1hr 3min

  3. 20/01/2025

    046 - Will Salvi - How to embrace fear and go for it

    William Salvi discuss the importance of embracing fear as a motivator, building confidence through experience, and the value of authenticity in conversations. They explore the challenges of celebrating success while maintaining ambition, the significance of continuous improvement, and the inspiration behind the CEO Roundtable series. Salvi shares insights from his interviews with CEOs, highlighting their insecurities and the common fears they face. The discussion emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges and the role of personal growth in achieving success. 00:00 - Navigating Conversations and Authenticity 01:26 - Embracing Fear as a Motivator 04:33 - Building Confidence Through Experience 07:32 - The Quest for Authentic Conversations 10:30 - Celebrating Success and Ambition 16:08 - The Impact of Social Media on Content Creation 22:13 - Inspiration Behind the CEO Roundtable 25:24 - The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership 29:11 - Navigating Insecurities and Fears 40:00 - Building Confidence Through Experience 45:08 - Embracing Challenges and Learning from Failure 49:23 - The Value of Community and Support 58:15 - Celebrating Small Wins and Continuous Improvement

    1hr 9min

  4. 19/12/2024

    045 - Dr. Matt Dewar - The journey of Self-discovery

    In this conversation, Dr. Matt Dewar shares his insights on the journey of self-discovery, the importance of self-awareness, and the challenges of managing performance anxiety. He discusses the futility of trying to escape oneself and emphasizes the need for internal exploration to understand self-worth. Through personal anecdotes and professional experiences, he highlights the significance of mindfulness, acceptance of emotions, and the role of questions in fostering self-understanding. The conversation also delves into practical strategies for managing anxiety and transforming negative self-talk into a more positive internal dialogue. In this conversation, Matt discusses the importance of self-awareness and mindfulness in understanding our internal states and emotional needs. He emphasizes that true healing comes from self-approval rather than external validation. Chapters 00:00The Journey Within: Escaping Yourself 08:35Questions for Self-Discovery: Finding Your Path 16:30 Interdisciplinary Approaches: Integrating Mindfulness and Education 22:01 Transforming Self-Talk: The Power of Awareness 32:07 Managing Performance Anxiety: Accepting Feelings 43:14 Integrating Emotions: The Lifelong Journey 48:15 Mindfulness: A Path to Insight 57:37 The Role of Self-Approval in Healing 01:10:55 The Challenge of Emotional Sensitivity in Men 01:24:57 Running as a Metaphor for Transformation

    1hr 29min

  5. 21/11/2024

    044 - Bo Dever - How to face life's toughest challenges

    In this conversation, Bo Dever shares his journey from being a walk-on at Michigan to facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis. He discusses the impact of team culture, the importance of resilience, and the support from family and friends during his treatment. Bo emphasizes the lessons learned from adversity, the significance of mental toughness, and the need for community support. He reflects on how his experiences have shaped his outlook on life and offers advice for those facing their own challenges. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:55 - The Journey of a Walk-On at Michigan 05:25 - Lessons Learned as a Walk-On 10:53 - Coaching Changes and Their Impact 15:43 - Misconceptions About College Athletics 19:12 - Transferable Skills from Sports to Business 21:33 - Facing Adversity: The Cancer Journey 41:54 - Life Lessons from Cancer Treatment

    58 min

  6. 29/08/2024

    043 - Dr. Jordan Goffena - How to control your anxiety better

    Dr. Jordan Goffena, a sports psychologist, discusses the concept of self-regulated learning and its application in sports performance. He explains that self-regulated learning is a holistic mindset that involves metacognitive, motivational, and behavioral approaches to taking ownership of one's own learning. Dr. Goffena breaks down the three phases of self-regulated learning: forethought, performance, and reflection. Chapters00:00Introduction and Background03:16Self-Regulated Learning and its Application in Sports Performance06:37Setting Realistic and Measurable Goals09:34Controlling Controllables: Managing Anxiety in Sports13:38Using Mental Skills to Deal with Mistakes and Failures19:41Overcoming the Fear of Success in Sports33:30Implementing Self-Regulated Learning in Game-Like Scenarios39:39Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing the Moment46:27Seeking Help from a Mental Performance Coach52:07Managing Negative Self-Talk and Redirecting Thoughts57:33The Benefits of Sports Psychology: A Gift to Your Future Self

    1hr 14min

  7. 20/08/2024

    042 - Dr. Tess Palmateer - Mental Tools for Life from a Sports Psychologist

    Dr. Tess Palmateer, a sports psychologist, shares her journey into the field and the importance of mental health in sports. She emphasizes the influence of her father, a former professional hockey player and scout, in sparking her interest in the mental side of sports. Dr. Palmateer discusses the shift in her focus from performance to mental health during her education and how mindfulness can help athletes detach from the quantitative aspect of their self-worth. She also addresses the unique mental stressors faced by college athletes and the stigma surrounding mental health in sports. The conversation explores the use of therapy and sports psychology as tools for optimization rather than just for addressing problems. It also discusses the challenges athletes face in discussing mental health due to fear of being perceived as weak. The impact of social media on mental health is examined, with a focus on the benefits and drawbacks. The importance of values, self-talk, and behavior in navigating depression and finding one's identity is highlighted. 00:00Introduction and Dr. Palmateer's Journey into Sports Psychology 03:57The Importance of the Mental Side of Sports 08:02Detaching Self-Worth from Performance 11:25The Power of Mindfulness in Sports 18:35The Unique Mental Health Challenges of Athletes 22:32Breaking the Stigma: Athletes and Mental Health 28:17Gender Differences in Mental Health Challenges 32:30Using Therapy and Sports Psychology for Optimization in Sports 35:41The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 43:01Living in Line with Personal Values 48:24The Power of Positive Self-Talk and Behavior 56:25Finding Growth and Empathy in Struggles 58:59The Importance of Self-Reflection and Social Support

    1hr 4min

  8. 27/06/2024

    041 - Aveon Smith - The importance of Staying Ready

    My guest today is Aveon, shares his journey from being a third-string quarterback to becoming the starter and leading his team to a MAC championship. He discusses the mindset shift he had to make, from initially not expecting to play to embracing the opportunity when it came. Aveon emphasizes the importance of staying ready so you don't have to get ready and believing in yourself even when others doubt you. He also reflects on the challenges of being a backup and the confidence he gained from facing adversity. Aveon's story highlights the value of perseverance and self-belief in achieving success. The conversation explores the dynamics between athletes and coaches, highlighting the athlete's perspective on coaching and the misconceptions people have about college athletes. The main themes include the athlete-coach relationship, the dedication and hard work required of student-athletes, and the unique experiences of playing in MACtion games. The conversation also touches on the challenges of camp, the intensity of practices, and the memorable moments of playing in night games. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the life of a college athlete and challenges common stereotypes. In this conversation, Aveon Smith and Chris Cavalaris reminisce about their experiences playing football together.

    1hr 7min
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Whats up! Life is hard, weird and full of uncertainty…. I know I don’t have the answers to it. I’m going to ask the questions that hopefully bring some clarity.

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