Sport and Exercise Psychology Book Club and Podcast

David Smith
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BOOKS

Hosted by sport and exercise psychology professionals, we are your sport and exercise psychology book club. Every episode we will select, read, discuss, and rate books that are relevant to mental performance coaching and applied sport psychology. Our book shelf is full of autobiographies, technical books, research books, and easy reads, all of which are ready to crack open and discuss. Our podcast is perfect if you're... 📚 Looking for new book recommendations. 📚 Seeking more insight into a specific book you've already read. 📚 Interested in reading a book but not sure if it's worth it.

Episodes

  1. 07/14/2025

    Episode 6 - "The Last Season: A Team in Search for its Soul" by Phil Jackson.

    In this episode, Dr. Pete Olusoga, host of the podcast "Eighty Percent Mental" joins host Davd Smith to discuss the book, "The Last Season: A Team in Search for its Soul" by Phil Jackson. Here's our top three takeaways... 🏀 Emotional Intelligence in Coaching: Phil Jackson demonstrated exceptional emotional intelligence by understanding and managing the complex personalities of star players like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, adapting his approach throughout the season and treating players as human beings with individual needs. 🏀 Team Dynamics and Ego Management: The book reveals the challenges of managing high-profile athletes with strong egos, showing how Jackson had to use various strategies (including mind games and involving veteran players) to motivate and align Kobe and Shaq towards team goals. 🏀 Talent vs. Team Unity: Despite winning three previous championships, the Lakers' success was more about individual talent than true team cohesion. The ongoing personal conflicts between Shaq and Kobe ultimately contributed to the breakdown of the team's performance and the end of their championship dynasty. Get in touch with Dr. Pete Olusoga Twitter: @Pete_Olusoga / @EPMPodcast TikTok: @dr_pete_olusoga Instagram: @dr_pete_oluosga / @eightypercentmental Get in touch with David Smith Website: ⁠⁠https://www.stonewallperformance.com ⁠⁠ LinkedIn: @bttrflyr ⁠⁠ Instagram: @stonewallperformance⁠ / @FitwithPRIDE YouTube: @stonewallperformance

    43 min

  2. 06/30/2025

    Episode 5 - "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" by Dr. John Ratey

    In this episode, Danielle Beardsley joins host Davd Smith to discuss "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain". Dr. John Ratey. Here's our top three takeaways... Exercise is a powerful tool for brain health, acting as "miracle grow" for the brain by increasing BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which enhances neuroplasticity and supports mental performance across various populations. Physical activity is a critical intervention for mental health, helping to manage conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and addiction by regulating brain chemistry and providing a natural, effective form of treatment. Exercise doesn't have to be intense or traditional - any movement matters. The key is finding enjoyable, sustainable ways to be active, whether it's walking, playing games, or integrating movement into daily tasks, which can significantly improve cognitive function and overall well-being. Get in touch with Danielle Beardsley Website: https://www.creativegrowthcenter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-beardsley-lcpc-cadc-atr-cmpc-4b863743/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerforcreativegrowthGet in touch with David Smith Website: ⁠⁠https://www.stonewallperformance.com⁠⁠LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bttrflyr⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonewallperformance⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stonewallperformance

    46 min

  3. 06/16/2025

    Episode 4 - "Mindset" by Dr. Carol Dweck

    In this episode, Heather Cribbin joins host Davd Smith to discuss "Mindset" by Dr. Carol Dweck. Here's our top three takeaways... Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: The book explores two different approaches to learning and challenges. A growth mindset focuses on continuous learning, effort, and personal development, while a fixed mindset is rooted in fear of failure and proving oneself.Process Over Outcome: The discussion emphasizes the importance of valuing the process of learning and improvement, rather than solely focusing on end results or comparing oneself to others. This approach helps build resilience, confidence, and a more positive approach to challenges.Mindset is Adaptable: The book suggests that people can have different mindsets in various areas of life, and with awareness and effort, one can shift from a fixed to a growth mindset. This approach promotes optimism, risk-taking, and personal growth across different domains of life.Get in touch with Heather Cribbin Email: heather@heathercribbincoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cribbin/Get in touch with David Smith Website: ⁠⁠https://www.stonewallperformance.com⁠⁠LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bttrflyr⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonewallperformance⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stonewallperformance

    42 min

  4. 05/26/2025

    Episode 3 - "How We Learn to Move" by Rob Gray, PhD

    In this episode, Henrik Herrebrøden joins host Davd Smith to discuss "How We Learn to Move" by Rob Gray, PhD. Here's our top three takeaways... Context Matters: Here we emphasized the importance of practicing skills in realistic, varied contexts rather than isolated, repetitive environments. Athletes learn best when training simulates real-world conditions and challenges. Athlete-Centered Approach: Coaches should guide athletes to discover solutions themselves. Setting up constraints and environments that allow athletes to explore and learn, rather than dictating every move. This approach promotes creativity, autonomy, and deeper understanding. Embrace Variability and Errors: Learning occurs through making mistakes and practicing skills with variation. Instead of seeking perfect technique or identical repetitions, athletes should practice with slight differences that help them adapt and develop more flexible, robust skills. Get in touch with Henrik Herrebrøden Website: ⁠⁠https://www.henrikh.no/LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrik-herrebr%C3%B8den-003861119/ Get in touch with David Smith Website: ⁠⁠https://www.stonewallperformance.com⁠⁠ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/bttrflyr⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stonewallperformance ⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stonewallperformance⁠

    49 min

  5. 05/12/2025

    Episode 2 - "The Rise of Superman" by Steven Kotler

    In this episode, Adina Budriga, Flow & Mindset Coach joins host Davd Smith to discuss "The Rise of Superman" by Steven Kotler. Here's our top three takeaways... Flow as a Tool, Not Just an Outcome: While many see flow as a destination, it serves as a practical tool for skill development, enhancing attention, and working through fears. This perspective makes flow more accessible, applicable, and enjoyable as a process.The Flow Cycle is Essential: The importance of the complete flow cycle (struggle, release, flow, recovery), emphasizes that recovery is often overlooked but critical for sustainable performance and preventing injury.Flow Transcends Domains: Flow principles apply across diverse contexts - from extreme sports to team athletics, religious experiences to everyday challenges. This universality makes flow concepts valuable in various coaching and personal development settings.If you liked our show, remember to Rate and Review us! Help us learn how to improve and grow! Get in touch with Adina Budriga, Flow & Mindset Coach Website: ⁠⁠https://www.withflowinmind.com⁠ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adinabudriga/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/withflowinmind/ Get in touch with David Smith Website: ⁠⁠https://www.stonewallperformance.com⁠⁠ LinkedIn Profile: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/bttrflyr ⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stonewallperformance ⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stonewallperformance⁠

    36 min

  6. 04/28/2025

    Episode 1 - "The Score Takes Care of Itself" by Bill Walsh

    In this episode, Dr. Brian Lomax joins host David Smith to discuss "The Score Takes Care of Itself" by Bill Walsh. Here are the top three takeaways: 1. Focus on the Process, Not the Score Walsh believed that if you build a "Standard of Performance" — detailed, disciplined attention to every small action and behavior — then success (the score) would naturally follow. Winning is the byproduct of doing things the right way, not the immediate goal. 2. Leadership is About Teaching and Setting Standards Great leaders aren't just motivators — they're teachers. Walsh emphasized the importance of clear expectations, constant communication, and the development of a system where everyone knows what "excellence" looks like, down to the smallest detail. 3. Prepare for the Unexpected and Stay Resilient Walsh talks a lot about "contingency planning" — preparing deeply for adversity and uncertainty. True leadership shows in crisis moments, and being mentally and operationally prepared is a huge part of sustaining success under pressure If you liked our show, remember to Rate and Review us! Help us learn how to improve and grow! Get in touch with Dr. Brian Lomax Website: https://performancextra.comLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lomax-7a7335/ Podcast: Tennis IQ Podcast Book: The Mentally Tough Competitor Get in touch with David Smith Website: https://www.stonewallperformance.comLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bttrflyrInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonewallperformance YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stonewallperformance

    40 min

  7. TRAILER

    Sport and Exercise Psychology Book Club and Podcast - Trailer

    Hey everybody and welcome to the Sport and Exercise Psychology Book Club and Podcast. My name is David Smith, I am your host for this show, and I love me some books, especially on topics related to sport and exercise. In my professional practice I work as a mental performance coach, strength & conditioning coach, as well as a teacher and researcher within the fields of sport & exercise science, sport & exercise psychology, and sport & exercise sociology. Even more so, I love to talk about these things, of which I don’t get many chances to do so living in this small town, the podcast format is perfect as I am always seeking opportunities nerd out!   Every episode we will select, read, discuss, and rate books that are relevant to mental performance coaching and applied sport psychology. Our book shelf is full of autobiographies, technical books, research books, and easy reads, all of which are ready to crack open and discuss. Our podcast is perfect if you're...  📚 Looking for new book recommendations.📚 Seeking more insight into a specific bookyou've already read.📚 Interested in reading a book but not sureif it's worth it. I hope you will join me on this fun journey and if you havea book to recommend or want to be involved as a guest, visit www.stonewallperformance.com and send me a message! Have an active, fit, and fabulous day!

    2 min

Trailer

About

Hosted by sport and exercise psychology professionals, we are your sport and exercise psychology book club. Every episode we will select, read, discuss, and rate books that are relevant to mental performance coaching and applied sport psychology. Our book shelf is full of autobiographies, technical books, research books, and easy reads, all of which are ready to crack open and discuss. Our podcast is perfect if you're... 📚 Looking for new book recommendations. 📚 Seeking more insight into a specific book you've already read. 📚 Interested in reading a book but not sure if it's worth it.

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