CLSI’s Beyond The Game Podcast

Copious Life
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Beyond The Game is hosted by Phillip Reynolds, LCSW and powered by Copious Life Sports Initiative (CLSI). CLSI exists to close the resilience gap in sports by integrating mental wellness into athlete development and performance culture.

  1. 3d ago

    Navigating Pressure, Identity, and Resilience with Rising Star Nyla Curry

    “The main pressure is just making sure I’m happy.” Nyla Curry is already receiving the kind of attention most young basketball players dream about. A Class of 2029 guard/forward competing with The Potomac School and Fairfax Stars EYBL, Nyla has earned 15+ Division I offers while still navigating school, family, expectations, recruiting, and the pressure that comes with being a highly visible young athlete. On this episode of Beyond the Game, host Philip Reynolds sits down with Nyla for an honest conversation about what life actually feels like behind the offers. Nyla talks about the pressure she puts on herself, how she responds when her performance doesn't match her expectations, and why one bad game can't become part of her identity. She shares how she uses film and self-talk to move forward, what she needs from coaches, and how her parents help keep her grounded as the attention around her continues to grow. She also has an important message for sports parents: after a tough game, sometimes your athlete doesn't need immediate coaching or criticism. They need room to breathe. This conversation is a reminder that even when everything looks successful from the outside, young athletes are still developing on the inside. Offers, rankings, recognition, and opportunity don't eliminate pressure. That's why the people and systems surrounding athletes matter.

  2. Jul 30

    Courts, Crisis & Comebacks with Joel Barkers

    "Something good came out of it in the end." Former D1 and pro basketball player Joel Barkers looked strongest on the outside while carrying the heaviest pressure on the inside — this is the story of how he came through it. On this episode of Beyond the Game, host Philip Reynolds speaks with Joel Barkers, founder of You Reach I Teach Basketball Academy and former Division I and professional player. Joel shares his journey through competitive basketball, playing overseas, and the mental health struggles he faced after his playing career ended. The conversation explores the resilience gap for athletes, the importance of identity beyond sports, and how Joel turned a low point into a mission to mentor young players through discipline, character, and community. Along the way, there are practical insights for coaches, parents, and athletes on supporting mental wellness and development.

  3. Jul 3

    Raising Resilient Adults, Not Just Athletes with Jonathan Carone

    In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Philip Reynolds talks with Jonathan Carone, creator of Healthy Sports Parent, about shifting how parents view youth sports. They argue that our goal isn’t to produce elite athletes but to raise resilient adults — letting kids fail, learn, and grow so sports become training for life rather than a measure of identity. Jonathan and Philip cover practical advice for parents and coaches: prioritize relationship over results, treat the scoreboard as data not identity, communicate clearly with coaches, rotate kids through positions to aid development, and remind children that parental love and pride are unconditional. They also discuss modern pressures like rankings, social media, and NIL, and why creating a healthy environment matters to keep kids in sport and thriving long-term.

  4. Jun 19

    The Trap with Taking Shortcuts with Toshay Harvey

    In this episode of Beyond The Game, host Phillip Reynolds sits down with former Division I basketball player Toshay Harvey for a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, and the responsibility of giving back. Growing up in the projects and navigating the challenges that came with it, Toshay shares his journey to Division I basketball while carrying personal hardships, loss, and setbacks that few people around him fully understood. He reflects on the lessons learned through adversity, the mental and emotional challenges athletes often face in silence, and how those experiences ultimately shaped his purpose beyond the game. Toshay offers candid advice for young athletes and their families on navigating today’s sports landscape, from choosing the right college program and evaluating coaching culture to avoiding the traps of chasing rankings, constant transfers, and shortcuts to success. He emphasizes the importance of academics, character development, and building an identity that extends beyond athletics. The conversation also highlights Toshay’s work through Longway Academy, where he is helping develop the next generation of athletes through discipline, accountability, emotional intelligence, and mentorship. Together, they discuss breaking the stigma around mental health, the importance of asking for help, and why preparing athletes for life after sports may be the most important coaching responsibility of all. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, coach, or mentor, this episode is a reminder that success is about far more than what happens on the court—it’s about who you become along the way.

  5. Jun 5

    Who's Protecting Our Athletes with Shanay Howard

    Former D1 athlete and school counselor Shanay Howard discusses how academics, identity and mental health must be prioritized alongside athletic development. She breaks down the effects of NIL, social media, reclassification and coaching culture, and explains why parents and coaches should protect young athletes’ emotional safety. Key takeaways: build consistent habits early, define success beyond pro dreams, treat visibility as separate from true development, and center academics and well‑being to keep long‑term opportunities open.

  6. May 22

    Athletes Facing Identity Crisis: From Being a Player to Soldier with Aida Bakhos

    In this episode of Beyond The Game, former professional basketball player and U.S. Army veteran Aida Bakhos shares her extraordinary journey from Beirut to the United States in pursuit of basketball, purpose, and personal growth. After competing professionally and representing Lebanon on the international stage, Aida balanced the demanding worlds of elite athletics and eight years of military service in the U.S. Army — all while navigating identity, pressure, leadership, and life beyond the game. Aida opens up about the lack of mentorship she experienced throughout her journey, how discipline and faith became anchors during difficult moments, and why travel and cultural experiences helped shape her perspective on resilience and self-worth. She also reflects on coaching middle school athletes, the responsibility adults have in shaping young people, and why athletes must build an identity beyond sports before the game ends. Together, the conversation explores mental health, transition, leadership, and the importance of preparing athletes for life — not just competition. This episode is for athletes, coaches, veterans, and anyone navigating pressure, purpose, and personal reinvention beyond performance.

  7. May 8

    The Cost of Winning Young with Coach Steve Turner

    Coach Steve Turner joins CLSI's Beyond the Game to discuss the growing mental health challenges facing athletes and the responsibility of coaches, parents, and schools to develop the whole person—not just the player. They cover NIL, transfer portal pressures, family dynamics, and why winning alone can’t replace guidance, balance, and long-term development. Turner emphasizes listening, relationship-building, allowing productive struggle, and seeking professional help when needed, offering a clear call for adults to prioritize care, resilience, and education so athletes thrive on and off the court.   00:00 Introducing Copious Life Sports Initiative 03:07 Coach Turner's accomplishments and philosophy 06:22 Early coaching experiences 12:14 Building lasting mentorship relationships 14:50 Balancing academics and athletics 18:25 Debating high school athlete compensation 21:02 Coaching beyond athletics 25:17 Athlete mental health challenges 27:11 Guiding young athletes' development 32:04 Coaches prioritizing health and stress management 35:37 Creating a safe space for athletes 38:24 Mental health pressure on athletes 41:27 Supporting young athletes' mental health 44:55 The importance of continuous learning 46:58 Advice for supporting student athletes 51:24 Discussing athlete mental health 54:08 Developing athletes beyond sports

  8. Apr 24

    When the Game Ends… Who Are You? with Stanley McClover

    Welcome back to Beyond The Game, where we go past the stats and scores to get real about what happens when the cheering stops. In this episode, Philip Reynolds sits down with former NFL player Stanley McClover for a raw and revealing journey far beyond the football field. From his days growing up in Fort Lauderdale, an unlikely start in the school band, and a rapid rise to the NFL, Stanley McClover opens up about the crushing identity shifts, the reality of injuries, and the decade-long struggle with depression that followed an unexpected end to his sports career. But his story doesn’t stop there—from pouring into his younger brother’s success to finding renewed purpose as a father to a child with autism, Stanley McClover reveals how true strength is built off the field. Today, he’s the founder of the Hype for Life Foundation, a passionate advocate for autism awareness, and an inspiration for athletes redefining themselves beyond the game. If you’re an athlete facing transition, a parent, a coach, or anyone navigating life’s unexpected turns, this is a conversation about resilience, humility, and building a life that matters—on your terms.   00:00 Transitioning from NFL to Fatherhood 05:47 Getting drafted and NFL journey 13:57 Getting advice from Mom 17:08 Football kickoff injury incident 21:37 Realizing the need to take football seriously 30:01 Coping with a major injury 32:46 Stuck in the room overnight 39:06 Life after football transition 46:53 Discussing Importance of Communication 50:03 Honoring unsung father figures 57:54 Sharing personal growth stories 59:02 Recognizing lesser-known NFL players

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5
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3 Ratings

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Beyond The Game is hosted by Phillip Reynolds, LCSW and powered by Copious Life Sports Initiative (CLSI). CLSI exists to close the resilience gap in sports by integrating mental wellness into athlete development and performance culture.

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