The Sport Fuels Life Podcast

sportfuelslife
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Sports
  • Updated Semimonthly

Sport Fuels Life is a new community-minded sports podcast that exists to inspire, motivate and educate our community of over 20,000 coaches and players to make the world a better place through athletics.

  1. Jun 24

    The Mental Side of Injury: Helping Athletes Recover Beyond the Physical

    Lessons From Elizabeth Zanolli on Injury, Rehabilitation, and Athlete Well-Being as the subtitle/opening line in the description. In this episode of the Sport Fuels Life Podcast, we sit down with Elizabeth Zanolli, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at Stony Brook University, to discuss an important topic that every athlete, coach, and parent will encounter at some point: injury. While most conversations around injury focus on the physical side of recovery, Elizabeth shares why the mental and emotional aspects are just as important. From confidence and motivation to identity and connection with teammates, injuries can impact athletes in ways that often go unseen. Throughout the conversation, we explore how athletes can navigate setbacks, stay engaged during rehabilitation, set meaningful goals, and develop the mindset needed to move forward. We also discuss the evolving role of mental health in sports medicine and why supporting the whole athlete has become an essential part of the recovery process. Whether you're an athlete working through an injury, a coach supporting an injured player, or a parent helping a child navigate challenges, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways for the journey back to competition. Topics include: • The mental and emotional impact of injury • Goal setting during rehabilitation • Staying connected to your team • Communication between athletes and coaches • Building resilience through setbacks • The growing connection between sports medicine and mental health

    56 min

  2. Jun 11

    Mental Performance Starts With Awareness | Dr. Larry Lauer

    Dr. Larry Lauer, Director of Mental Performance for the USTA, joins Sport Fuels Life to discuss one of the most important areas of athlete development: the mental side of performance. In this conversation, Larry shares insights on resilience, emotional control, self-awareness, confidence, and competing under pressure. He explains why mental toughness is not about eliminating emotions, but learning how to respond effectively when challenges, mistakes, frustration, and adversity arise. Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or leader, this episode offers practical strategies for developing mental skills, building stronger environments, and helping athletes perform at their best both on and off the field. Topics include mental performance, resilience, emotional control, confidence, athlete development, coaching, and performing under pressure.

    58 min

  3. May 25

    Michael Urban of the Los Angeles Clippers on Mental Performance and Leadership

    Michael Urban, Director of Mental Performance for the Los Angeles Clippers, joins the Sport Fuels Life Mental Performance Series to discuss leadership, communication, emotional consistency, and creating environments where athletes can grow and perform at their best. Throughout the conversation, Urban shares lessons from his journey through collegiate and professional sports, including stops at IMG Academy, University of California, Berkeley, and Clemson University. The conversation explores why great coaches ask better questions, why mental performance should be proactive rather than reactive, and how communication, curiosity, and relationships often shape performance more than instruction alone. Urban also discusses emotional consistency, helping athletes feel heard, and how values can guide decision-making during pressure-filled moments. This episode offers practical insights for coaches, athletes, parents, and leaders looking to build stronger competitors and healthier team environments.

    49 min

  4. May 14

    Tami Matheny: Mental Training for When It Matters Most

    In this episode, mental game coach Tami Matheny joins Sport Fuels Life to discuss the mental side of performance and what separates athletes when pressure is at its highest. Drawing from her experiences as a college tennis coach and mental performance coach working across sports, Tami shares practical insights on confidence, communication, focus, resilience, and leadership. The conversation explores how athletes can train their thoughts like they train their bodies, why communication matters so much in coaching, and how small daily habits can shape performance over time. From helping athletes manage pressure and self-talk to supporting players through confidence struggles and team dynamics, this episode is filled with actionable takeaways for coaches, athletes, and parents alike. Topics include: Confidence and self-talk Performing under pressure Mental habits and routines Communication and leadership Coaching the whole athlete Building stronger competitors This episode is part of the new Sport Fuels Life Mental Performance Series featuring world-class coaches, mental performance coordinators, and sport psychology professionals.

    53 min

  5. Apr 29

    Grit Overcomes Circumstances: Paralympian Lindi Marcusen on Resilience, Perspective & Elite Performance

    Grit Overcomes Circumstances: Paralympian Lindi Marcusen on Resilience, Perspective & Elite Performance Lindi Marcusen’s story is one of grit, perspective, and the power of refusing to let circumstances define you. A former gymnast turned Track & Field Paralympian, Lindi shares how a life-altering accident led to an unexpected new path in sport—and how rebuilding physically, mentally, and emotionally shaped the competitor and person she is today. In this conversation, Lindi talks about adapting under pressure, competing through challenges, trusting the work you put in, and finding strength in gratitude. She also shares powerful insight on resilience, identity, and why movement remains such an important part of her life. This episode is a reminder that toughness isn’t always loud, and true performance often begins beneath the surface. Topics include: • Overcoming adversity and rebuilding after trauma • The mindset required to compete at an elite level • Confidence through preparation and consistency • Gratitude, perspective, and resilience • Using sport and your voice to create impact

    26 min

  6. Apr 15

    Building Championship Culture — Lessons from Chris Young

    Building Championship Culture — Lessons from Chris Young Chris Young built his program the right way. As the former head women's tennis coach at Oklahoma State, he led his team to a National Indoor Championship and a #1 ranking in the country—but what stands out most is how those results were built. Through culture. Through accountability. Through a clear standard of excellence. In this conversation, Chris shares what it really takes to build a successful program—from the daily habits that shape a team to the environment that allows players to grow and take ownership. He talks about what coaches emphasize, what they allow, and how consistency over time creates something bigger than wins. This episode is a great reminder that coaching is about more than performance. It’s about developing people—and doing things the right way.

    54 min

  7. Apr 2

    Ryan Shazier: From the Steelers to Overcoming Adversity

    Ryan Shazier: From the Steelers to Overcoming Adversity Ohio State Football • Pittsburgh Steelers • NFL Linebacker • Spinal Cord Injury Survivor • Founder, Ryan Shazier Fund Ryan Shazier’s story isn’t just about adversity — it’s about how you respond to it. From Ohio State to the Pittsburgh Steelers to a life-changing spinal cord injury, Ryan has experienced both the highest highs and the toughest moments the game can bring. What stands out most is how he’s chosen to respond — with ownership, perspective, and resilience. He shares a simple but powerful framework: E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome) You can’t control every event — but you always control your response. And that response shapes everything. This episode goes beyond football. It’s about building competitors who can handle adversity, take ownership, and move forward stronger — on and off the field. Key Takeaways Your response shapes your outcome Lean into adversity — don’t avoid it Control what you can, every day Limit the baggage you carry Fall in love with the process Play It Forward Through the Ryan Shazier Fund, Ryan is helping individuals and families navigate life after spinal cord injuries — providing resources, support, and hope. Learn more: www.ryanshazierfund.org Instagram: @ryanshazierfund | @shazier

    29 min

  8. Mar 18

    Coaching Men vs. Women — What It Teaches Us About Every Athlete

    Tom Rees, Head Men’s & Women’s Tennis Coach at Georgia Gwinnett College and NAIA National Champion, joins us to share what coaching both sides has taught him about communication, culture, and building trust. This conversation goes beyond gender — it’s about understanding the athlete in front of you and adapting how you lead. In this episode, we cover: Why buy-in starts with explaining the why What culture really looks like when the coach isn’t there How positive reinforcement builds confident, high-performing teams Why giving athletes a voice changes ownership and effort How confidence is built through action, not just mindset A practical, real-world look at how great coaches connect — and get the best out of their players. “Culture is what happens when the coach isn’t there.”

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Sport Fuels Life is a new community-minded sports podcast that exists to inspire, motivate and educate our community of over 20,000 coaches and players to make the world a better place through athletics.

Information

  • Creator
    sportfuelslife
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Sport Fuels Life Podcast