Power Forward Mindset

Jackie Reyneke

Power Forward Mindset with Jackie Reyneke brings short, actionable conversations for student-athletes, parents, and coaches. Learn practical tools to build confidence, manage pressure, grow resilience, and develop the mindset skills that help student-athletes thrive in sports and life.

Episodes

  1. Cara Stawicki | Walk-On to World Champion | Episode 11

    May 28

    Cara Stawicki | Walk-On to World Champion | Episode 11

    Cara Stawicki is a World Champion rower, High-Performance and Leadership Coach, and visionary dedicated to helping unlock the freedom to dream big and perform.She started later than most as a Lehigh University walk-on and battled self-doubt, injuries, and disappointments. Some might have given up, but Cara made a plan that led her to the podium. She now coaches that mentality through her practice Be Brave High Performance. Her calm, thoughtful approach helps athletes and leaders break through mental barriers and build resilience and confidence.Key Topics: Cara's journey from college walk-on to world championThe importance of team and mental resilienceOvercoming injuries and setbacks in sportsTransition from athlete to coach and mentorChapters00:00 Introduction to Cara Stawicki and her journey 01:05 Cara's decision to try rowing and her early experiences 01:31 The appeal of team sports and her love for rowing 05:59 College experience and walking on at Lehigh 07:57 Applying to college and choosing Lehigh 09:32 Freshman year at Lehigh and team dynamics 10:55 Recruiting process for Princeton and college transition 12:17 Challenges of transitioning to college athletics 13:57 Dreams of the Olympics and post-collegiate rowing 14:51 Injuries and setbacks in her rowing career 16:43 Reflections on her long athletic career and evolving values 26:52 Transition to coaching and her focus on mental performance 30:45 Advice to her younger self and closing thoughtsFollow Cara:Website Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call

    29 min
  2. Olivia Papakyrikos | Chronic Injury to Clinical Care | Episode 10

    May 12

    Olivia Papakyrikos | Chronic Injury to Clinical Care | Episode 10

    Olivia Papakyrikos is a licensed therapist and sport psychology consultant based in Boston. Through her practice Papakyrikos Therapy and Performance, Olivia works with competitive athletes, college students, and high-performing individuals navigating pressure, expectations, and the mental load that comes with showing up at a high level every single day. She has collaborated with athletic teams and departments at schools like Northeastern, UMass Amherst, Tufts, Middlebury, and Harvard, providing integrated psychotherapy and performance psychology services to student-athletes.  Olivia believes performance and mental health are not competing priorities; they're deeply connected.Olivia shares her journey through sports, mental health, and coaching, highlighting the importance of mental skills, managing pressure, and redefining achievement.Chapters00:00 The Pressure to Perform05:00 Navigating Competition and Comparison09:38 Mental Skills and Performance Anxiety17:24 The Journey Through Injury and Recovery20:55 Coaching Dynamics and Mental Health28:52 The Role of Parents in Sports32:01 Seeking Support and ResourcesFollow Olivia:IG:   / oliviapapakyrikos  This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, grief, mental health, and suicide, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it. Immediate mental health support is available 24/7, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988) and SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP).

    31 min
  3. Jess Deutsch | Navigating Grief and Vulnerability | Episode 09

    Apr 28

    Jess Deutsch | Navigating Grief and Vulnerability | Episode 09

    Jess Deutsch is a Licensed Social Worker who advises and mentors high school and college students, athletes, and young professionals. She also consults with nonprofits in higher education, social impact, high performance athletics and well-being. She's passionate about helping others attain big goals with health and perspective—and has done so both at her alma mater, Princeton University, and in private practice. With elite athletes, pre-med students, or high achievers in general, she helps young people discover their own motivations and define success on their own terms. Jess recently lost her father, two years after losing her younger brother, and rather than shy away from these huge losses, she wanted to show up and talk about them. We'll also talk about the grief that often goes unspoken—a career-ending injury, stepping away from a sport, or closing a chapter you didn't choose to close.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Grief and Loss02:10 Personal Stories of Grief05:23 The Impact of Loss on Identity07:57 Navigating Grief and Vulnerability12:08 Understanding Grief in Sports17:00 The Unspoken Grief of Athletes20:40 Finding Support and Connection23:11 Looking Forward and Moving On Follow Jess IG LinkedIn Substack References: All There Is with Anderson Cooper The Daily Buddhist This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, grief, mental health, and suicide, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it. Immediate mental health support is available 24/7, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988) and SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP).

    26 min
  4. Tara Madigan | Building Champions On and Off the Field | Episode 06

    Mar 17

    Tara Madigan | Building Champions On and Off the Field | Episode 06

    Tara Madigan recently retired as the Northern Highlands Regional High School girls soccer coach with a record of 384-55-12, including three straight undefeated seasons. She grew up in North Jersey setting records at her high school, then played Division I soccer at Monmouth University and the University of Delaware. She earned her Master of Education and spent her career as a Health and Physical Education teacher while always coaching and inspiring others to be their best versions of themselves. She recently launched MADE (Madigan Athletic Development and Education) to continue developing the next generation of leaders — on and off the field. In this conversation, Tara opens up about her competitive upbringing, the philosophy behind her record-breaking coaching career, and why building a lasting culture matters more than winning. We talk about what it really means to develop athletes — not just their skills, but their ability to think, lead, and respond when things get hard. If you're a coach, athlete, or anyone who believes sports are about more than the scoreboard, this one's for you. Follow Tara & MADE: @madetobechampionsmadetobechampions.com This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

    36 min

About

Power Forward Mindset with Jackie Reyneke brings short, actionable conversations for student-athletes, parents, and coaches. Learn practical tools to build confidence, manage pressure, grow resilience, and develop the mindset skills that help student-athletes thrive in sports and life.