HTP Podcast

Gira Schofield
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🎙️ Welcome to the HTP Podcast, Holistic Tennis Performance — where we go beyond just strokes and strategy. 1) New Series: BreakPoint Battle, train your mind-body performance under pressure 2) Tennis Tales, conversational-style storytelling 3) Guided meditations, improve mental and emotional performance Disclosure: The following episodes are for educational purposes and aren't a replacement for professional care. If you’re experiencing mental or physical health issues, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.

  1. Why Do You Change Under Pressure (PNS vs SNS)

    4D AGO

    Why Do You Change Under Pressure (PNS vs SNS)

    In this episode of BreakPoint Battle, Gira Schofield breaks down one of the biggest missing links in tennis performance: the nervous system.  Have you ever walked off the court after a match wondering:  “How did I just lose like that?”  You know deep down that’s not how you normally play. Your strokes were there in practice. Your confidence was there before the match. But then the pressure kicked in—and suddenly your body felt completely different.  This episode explores: Why your game changes under pressureThe difference between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systemsHow “fight or flight” impacts your breathing, timing, confidence, and movementWhy practice doesn’t always transfer into matchesA simple awareness tool players can use during competition Gira also shares personal experiences from her own tennis career and explains why feeling nervous before matches does not mean something is wrong with you.  Instead of fighting your body during pressure moments, this episode teaches players how to begin working with their nervous system. Key Topics: Parasympathetic vs. sympathetic nervous systemImpact of pressure on performancePractical nervous system regulation techniques Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Why Do We Lose Composure in Matches? 00:27 The Fight or Flight Response in Tennis 01:19 Understanding the Nervous System: Rest vs. Fight 02:07 The Role of the Nervous System in Performance 03:04 Signs of Parasympathetic Activation: Calm and Confidence 03:30 How Pressure Activates the Sympathetic Nervous System 04:00 Physical and Mental Changes Under Pressure 04:23 Why Practice Doesn't Always Transfer to Match Situations 04:52 Managing Nerves: Personal Experience and Insights 05:11 Practical Tips to Recognize Nervous System Activation 05:54 The Power of Awareness and Regulation 06:20 Join the Community: Improve Under Pressure 🎾 Follow the HTP Podcast to train your mind and body for competition. New Episode Every Friday! 🎙️Full episode streaming on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. ~The New Era of Tennis Performance~

    7 min
  2. Becoming Elite In Tennis

    MAY 8

    Becoming Elite In Tennis

    In this episode of Tennis Tales Unfiltered, Gira sits down with Jon Goldfarb to explore the deeper side of tennis development and performance. Jon shares stories from growing up competing against top professionals like Vince Spadea, working with players such as Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and how those experiences shaped his understanding of success in tennis. Together, they discuss what truly separates elite players—from technical and physical skills to emotional regulation, spirituality, communication, accountability, and team dynamics. The conversation dives into the importance of holistic habits, player development, mental toughness, support systems, and why tennis requires more than just talent. Jon also explains his consulting work through TennisConsulting.net, his philosophy around building stronger player-parent-coach relationships, and the role technology and video analysis now play in modern tennis development. This episode is a powerful conversation for players, parents, and coaches looking to understand the deeper layers of tennis performance and personal growth. 🎧Tennis Tales Unfiltered: Ep. 42, Becoming Elite in Tennis with Jon Goldfarb 🎙️Full episode streaming on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube  New Episode Every Friday! Takeaways: Holistic approach to tennis developmentMental toughness and emotional resilienceRole of spirituality and values in sportsInnovative coaching tools and technologyPlayer support systems and accountability Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Tennis Journey 02:28 Early Experiences and Competitions 04:55 The Role of Spirituality in Tennis 07:44 Coaching Insights and Mentorship 10:22 The Importance of Emotional and Mental Health 12:58 Consulting Services in Tennis 15:45 Accountability and Preparation for Players 18:28 Communication in Coaching and Parental Support 20:56 Final Thoughts on Balance and Peace in Tennis ~Join the conversation that’s reshaping the game of tennis.~ #podcast #tennis #tennisplayer #elite #pro

    30 min
  3. Have you ever dealt with an injury that just keeps coming back?

    MAY 1

    Have you ever dealt with an injury that just keeps coming back?

    Have you ever dealt with an injury that just keeps coming back? Back pain, tennis elbow, shoulder issues, ankle sprains… you rest, rehab, and do everything “right”—but nothing seems to fully fix it. What if I told you… It's not just physical? In this episode of the Holistic Tennis Performance Podcast, I share my personal story of battling chronic back pain for nearly 10 years—and the moment everything changed when I couldn’t even get out of bed. That experience led me to discover something most tennis players are never taught: 👉 The connection between your mind, your body, and your performance In this episode, you’ll learn: Why recurring injuries happen in tennisHow stress, pressure, and emotions affect your bodyWhy your performance changes in matches vs practiceThe missing link between physical training and mental performanceHow to start understanding your body on a deeper level This is more than just an injury story—this is the foundation of a new way to train and perform in tennis. Key Topics Covered: Recurring injuries in tennis (back, shoulder, elbow, ankle)Why traditional approaches don’t always solve the problemThe culture of “pushing through pain” in tennisGira’s 10-year journey with chronic back painThe breaking point that changed everythingIntroduction to the mind-body connectionHow thoughts, emotions, and stress impact physical healthThe role of breathing, pressure, and the nervous systemIdentity struggles athletes face during injuryThe deeper purpose behind the HTP Podcast Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Healing and Injury: From Pain to Understanding 06:44 Mind-Body Connection in Tennis Performance

    8 min
  4. You're Not Choking

    APR 24

    You're Not Choking

    What if the biggest reason your game falls apart… has nothing to do with your technique? In this episode of the Holistic Tennis Performance Podcast, we break down the most overlooked skill in tennis—your breathing. While most players are taught to focus on strokes, footwork, and strategy, very few are ever taught how to control their breath—and it could be the hidden edge in your performance. If you’ve ever gone from playing your best tennis to suddenly feeling tight, rushed, and out of control… This episode will help you understand why. When your breathing changes, it triggers a stress response in your body. Your muscles tighten, your thoughts speed up, and your decision-making starts to break down. This is often called “choking”—but really, your nervous system is simply activated and untrained. The good news? This is something you can learn to control. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why breathing is one of the most overlooked skills in tennisHow your breath impacts your nervous system, body, and decision-makingWhat’s really happening when your game suddenly falls apartWhy most players were never taught how to breathe properlyHow breathwork can help you regain control during matchesWhat it means to activate vs. relax your body through breathing We also introduce how this connects to future episodes, where we’ll dive deeper into the science behind the mind-body connection and guide you through specific breathwork techniques you can use on and off the court. This is the beginning of The Hidden Edge (What Most Players Overlook)—where we explore the small habits that have the biggest impact on your performance. ~The New Era of Tennis Performance.~

    3 min
  5. Beat Self-Doubt Before Your Match

    APR 17

    Beat Self-Doubt Before Your Match

    Listen to this week’s episode: Match Ready: Self-Doubt Meditation Train your mind. Activate your body. This meditation guides you through mindfulness and mental preparation techniques to beat self-doubt, reduce anxiety, and improve match performance on the tennis court.  It emphasizes breathing exercises, visualization, and positive self-talk to foster a calm, confident mindset.  Key  Topics: Mindfulness and breathing exercises for self-doubtVisualization techniques to enhance match performanceSelf-talk and mental reframing strategiesHandling pressure and maintaining calm during pressureBuilding trust in your game Chapters: 00:00 Introduction  01:42 Breathing Techniques for Calm 03:16 Managing Doubts  04:53 Visualization Techniques for Match Preparation 06:33 Trusting Your Game and Playing Freely 08:13 Closing Out Your Match Strong 🎧 Follow the HTP Podcast for more tools to train your mind and activate your body for competition. ~The New Era of Tennis Performance~

    18 min
  6. From Setback to Comeback

    APR 10

    From Setback to Comeback

    How He Turned a Career Setback Into a New Path. Success isn’t just about talent—it’s about how you respond when things go wrong. From dealing with a devastating injury to building something new, resilience was everything. The lessons learned on the court didn’t disappear; they evolved and they became the foundation for life after tennis. 🎧Tennis Tales Unfiltered: Hear Jaime’s full story, Ep. 41: From Setbacks to Success only on HTP Podcast 🎙️Full episode streaming on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube  New Episode Every Friday! Takeaways: Injury and Recovery in TennisThe Role of Support Systems in Overcoming ChallengesLessons Learned from Sports and Applying Them to Life Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Tennis Culture and Community 03:05 The Journey from El Salvador to South Carolina 05:52 Navigating College Tennis and Injuries 11:30 Mental Resilience and Support Systems 23:06 Life Lessons from Tennis  ~Join the conversation that’s reshaping the game of tennis.~ #podcast #tennis #tennisplayer #tenniscoach #storytime

    28 min
  7. Why Practice Doesn't Transfer to Matches

    APR 3

    Why Practice Doesn't Transfer to Matches

    In Episode 1 of the BreakPoint Battle series, we break down the real reason your performance changes under pressure. It’s not just your technique or mindset—it’s how your mind-body connection and nervous system respond during competition. When pressure increases, your thoughts shift, your body reacts, and your game feels completely different. That’s why your timing, movement, and confidence can break down—even when your skills haven’t changed. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why practice doesn’t transfer to matchesHow your nervous system affects tennis performanceWhat happens in your body during pressure situationsHow to start training your response under pressure This is the missing link between practice and match performance. 🎾 Follow the HTP Podcast to train your mind and body for competition. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe to support the channel and share with a player who needs this. New Episode Every Friday! 🎙️Full episode streaming on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. ~The New Era of Tennis Performance~ #podcast #tennis #tennisplayer #htppodcast #matches

    8 min
  8. Interview with Yev Supeko

    12/19/2025

    Interview with Yev Supeko

    Yev discusses what it was like starting tennis in Kyrgyzstan and how he started late but still went to a D1 college. Gira and Yev discuss the importance of athletic development, what it's like to transition to SEC competition, and the impact of coaching on personal growth. The conversation points out the value of a supportive sports culture that prioritizes fun and development over pressure and burnout. Takeaways: Team camaraderie in sports can enhance the experience.Starting tennis later can still lead to success at high levels.Athletic development should focus on various skills.Parental pressure often leads to burnout in youth sports.It's important to keep sports fun for children.Transferring schools can lead to unexpected opportunities.Life experiences can shape one's career path in sports.Coaching requires both knowledge and personal experience.Personal growth in sports is a continuous journey. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background in Tennis 07:03 The Importance of Athletic Development 11:14 Transitioning to College Tennis 14:57 Career Path and Coaching Journey ~Join the conversation that’s reshaping the game of tennis.~

    16 min
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About

🎙️ Welcome to the HTP Podcast, Holistic Tennis Performance — where we go beyond just strokes and strategy. 1) New Series: BreakPoint Battle, train your mind-body performance under pressure 2) Tennis Tales, conversational-style storytelling 3) Guided meditations, improve mental and emotional performance Disclosure: The following episodes are for educational purposes and aren't a replacement for professional care. If you’re experiencing mental or physical health issues, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Information

  • Creator
    Gira Schofield
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Gira Schofield
  • Show Website
    HTP Podcast