COGNELITE

Jess Hanson, CMPC
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Welcome to the Cognelite Podcast, your go-to resource for mastering the mental side of sports. Hosted by Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, this podcast is designed for coaches, athletes, and parents who want to build confidence, resilience, and a winning mindset. Whether you're a coach shaping the next generation of athletes, an athlete striving for peak performance, or a parent looking for ways to support your child’s mindset, this podcast gives you the mental tools to succeed. 🎧 New episodes drop regularly - subscribe now and gain the mental edge!

  1. Jul 28

    Concussions Beyond the Basics: The Hidden Role of Vision, Balance & Mental Health in Recovery

    When most people think about concussion recovery, they think about headaches and rest. But what if some of the biggest factors in recovery are the ones that often go unnoticed? In this episode, Cognelite's Kiley Smith is joined by primary care sports medicine physician Dr. Danny Mistry and occupational therapist Mandie Schake to explore the critical role that vision, balance (the vestibular system), and mental health play after a concussion. Together, they discuss: Why vision and balance problems are commonly overlooked after a concussionHow vestibular and ocular dysfunction can affect athletic performance, school, and everyday lifeCommon symptoms athletes, parents, and coaches should watch forThe connection between concussion recovery and anxiety, confidence, identity, and mental healthWhy early, active, interdisciplinary rehabilitation leads to better outcomesHow healthcare providers determine when an athlete is truly ready to return to playWhether you're an athlete, parent, coach, or healthcare provider, this conversation offers practical insights into why concussion recovery is about much more than simply waiting for symptoms to disappear—and why addressing the whole person leads to the best recovery. If you or someone you know is recovering from a concussion, this is an episode you won't want to miss. cognelite.net | info@cognelite.net | @cognelite

  2. Jun 30

    Beyond the X's and O's: A Division 1 Coach's Take on Confidence, Pressure, & The Whole Athlete

    In this episode, we sit down with University of Northern Colorado Head Men's Basketball Coach Steve Smiley for a wide-ranging conversation on the mental side of high performance. Coach Smiley shares lessons from more than two decades in collegiate coaching, discussing confidence, pressure, leadership, athlete identity, and what it takes to thrive at the Division I level. Drawing from his experiences as a coach, former athlete, and parent of recruitable athletes, Coach Smiley offers valuable insight for athletes, parents, and coaches looking to support both performance and wellbeing. From staying present under pressure to navigating the recruiting process, this episode highlights why developing the whole athlete matters. cognelite.net | info@cognelite.net | @cognelite

  3. May 26

    Inside a College Coaches Mind Throughout Recruiting with Jacksonville Men's Lacrosse Coach Colin Munro

    In this episode, we sit down with Jacksonville University Men’s Lacrosse Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator Colin Munro to talk about the mental side of the college recruiting process. We dive into what college coaches are actually looking for during recruiting summer, how athletes can handle pressure and nerves, why confidence matters so much, and how to respond to mistakes in front of coaches. Colin also shares insight from both his experience as a Division 1 athlete and now as a college coach evaluating players throughout the recruiting process. This episode is packed with practical advice for athletes and parents heading into recruiting summer, especially for 2028 athletes preparing for the Sept 1 recruiting window. 🛜 cognelite.net 📧 info@cognelite.net 📲 @cognelite

  4. Apr 28

    The Inner Voice of an Athlete - Self Talk | With Kiley Smith

    In this solo episode, Kiley Smith breaks down one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, mental performance skills: self-talk. From the thoughts that run through your head before a game to the way you respond after mistakes, your inner voice has a direct impact on confidence, focus, and performance. Kiley goes beyond the typical “just be positive” advice and dives into what self-talk actually looks like for athletes. She explains the different types of self-talk, how to recognize whether it’s helping or hurting your performance, and gives practical, actionable steps to start improving it immediately. Whether you’re an athlete looking to perform with more confidence, or a parent or coach wanting to better support the athletes in your life, this episode gives you tools you can start using right away. Because at the end of the day, the one voice you hear the most is your own. 🛜 cognelite.net 📧 info@cognelite.net 📲 @cognelite

  5. Mar 24

    How to Use Visualization: Turning Mental Reps into Real Performance

    Visualization is one of the most talked-about mental skills in sports, but most athletes aren’t actually taught how to use it. In this episode, Jess breaks down what visualization really is, why it works (including how it activates the same neural pathways as physical movement), and how it can improve confidence, focus, reaction time, and emotional control. More importantly, she walks through exactly how athletes can apply it in real situations, from learning new skills and remembering plays to building confidence, preparing for pressure, and staying sharp during injury or time off. If you’ve ever been told to “just visualize it” but didn’t know what that actually meant, this episode gives you a clear, step-by-step way to start using it as part of your training. This episode is designed for athletes to apply directly, and for parents and coaches to better understand how to support them in building this skill. Connect with us: cognelite.net | info@cognelite.net | @cognelite

  6. Feb 24

    A Look on the Inside

    What actually happens in mental performance work? In this episode, Jess Hanson and Kylie Smith take you inside the process, from how sessions are structured, action plans, how sessions evolve over time, and how we actually make an impact in athletes with 1:1 work. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete curious about mental performance training, this conversation breaks down what to expect and how we build confidence, resilience, and consistency in sport.

  7. Jan 27

    Fear of Failure: From Threat to Challenge (and How to Stop Holding Back)

    Fear of failure shows up in more athletes than you think, and it doesn’t always look like “I’m scared.” Sometimes it looks like holding back, playing tight, low motivation, emotional blow-ups after mistakes, or constant comparison to teammates. In this episode, Kiley (Cognelite Consultant) interviews Jess (Cognelite Founder + CMPC) on what fear of failure really is, why it’s often the root of confidence and performance issues, and how it quietly impacts effort, joy, and long-term development. You’ll learn practical strategies athletes can use right away, including: Threat vs. challenge: how to reframe big goals so they feel motivating, not paralyzing How to define what “failure” actually means (and reality-check worst-case scenarios) The “what if” game and how to flip it from negative to productive Visualization and chasing goals toward something (instead of running away from fear) Simple in-the-moment tools for resetting after mistakes with self-talk + presence cues Plus, Jess shares how parents and coaches can support athletes without adding pressure—through better conversations, balanced expectations, healthy language, and creating environments where mistakes are part of growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck, scared to mess up, or like you’re “counting yourself out,” this episode is your reset, especially heading into a new season (or a new year) of goals that should be a little scary. Connect with us: cognelite.net @cognelite info@cognelite.net

  8. 12/30/2025

    Deliberate Practice: How to Train With Purpose

    What does intentional practice actually look like and how do you make sure you’re getting better instead of just getting reps? In this episode, COGNELITE mental performance consultant Kiley Smith sits down with John Ritzen, Head Women’s Golf Coach at Chardon State College and author of The Golf Workbook: A Practice Plan to Improve Your Game, to break down the difference between “hit and hope” practice and training with real purpose. You’ll hear practical takeaways for athletes, coaches, and parents, including: Why quality reps beat quantity reps (and how to stay mentally engaged in practice) Block vs. variable practice and how changing targets builds real skill How to create a simple pre-shot routine that locks in focus (even during practice) Why managing expectations is a mental skill How to handle emotions mid-competition (yes, even “scream into a towel”) Coaching + parenting tips: how to support athletes without turning every moment into instruction Whether you’re a golfer or not, this conversation is packed with transferable tools for performing under pressure and building a practice plan that actually translates to competition.

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About

Welcome to the Cognelite Podcast, your go-to resource for mastering the mental side of sports. Hosted by Jess Hanson, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, this podcast is designed for coaches, athletes, and parents who want to build confidence, resilience, and a winning mindset. Whether you're a coach shaping the next generation of athletes, an athlete striving for peak performance, or a parent looking for ways to support your child’s mindset, this podcast gives you the mental tools to succeed. 🎧 New episodes drop regularly - subscribe now and gain the mental edge!

Information

  • Creator
    Jess Hanson, CMPC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jess Hanson, CMPC
  • Show Website
    COGNELITE