Forged Youth | Legacy Within

Producer: Mariel Nichole

Forged Youth: Legacy Within What if the conversations you needed most as a teen athlete were finally being had, openly, honestly, and with purpose? Forged Youth: Legacy Within is the podcast that equips youth athletes (ages 12–24), their parents, and coaches with the mental tools, emotional resilience, and life insight to rise above the noise and grow into strong, intentional human beings. Each episode features real, raw conversations with professional athletes, CEOs, and cultural leaders sharing what they wish they knew when they were younger. We unpack topics like mental grit, overcoming adversity, identity beyond sport, and building a life of purpose, even when things fall apart. Hosted by former elite athlete and mental health advocate Mariel Nichole Anderson, this podcast is your companion through the messy middle of chasing big dreams, and becoming someone even bigger in the process. Because you weren’t born to just survive sport. You were made to be forged by it.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep. 55 - The Triple-A Technique for Calm, Clarity, and Resilience with Spencer Delisle

    Send us Fan Mail Most athletes spend hours perfecting their physical skills, but what if the real game-changer is learning how to master your inner world? Spencer Delisle, a visionary in emotional regulation and mental resilience, joins Mariel Anderson to reveal the art of self-awareness, breathwork, and intuition as keys to unlocking peak performance.  In this episode, you'll discover how awareness and acceptance can help you manage stress, dial down anger, and stay present under pressure. Spencer shares stories of how a calm mind fuels confidence, how breath connects body and mind, and why developing intuition is a game-winning skill at every level. Whether you’re a young athlete battling doubt, a parent wanting to support without adding pressure, or a coach striving to build resilient humans, this conversation rewires the way you understand your mental game. This is your invitation to see sport as a training ground for life. It is a space to forge character, grit, and legacy through mastery of the inner game. Perfect for athletes, parents, and coaches committed to elevating their mental resilience and embracing their potential. About Spencer Spencer Delisle is a global meditation teacher, executive coach, and the President of the Art of Living Foundation Canada — one of the world’s largest volunteer-run organizations dedicated to mental health, leadership, and human values. For over two decades, Spencer has helped thousands of people — from executives and first responders to elite athletes — access peak performance and inner peace through the science of breath and meditation. Drawing on his background in both neuroscience and high-performance training, Spencer has coached amateur and professional athletes, including ITF Tour juniors, NCAA Division I, and professional tennis players, integrating cutting-edge mental conditioning, breathwork, and recovery strategies to unlock flow states and sustainable excellence. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community! Keep up with Spencer on:  Linkedin Instagram Facebook Support the show

    Ep. 55 - The Triple-A Technique for Calm, Clarity, and Resilience with Spencer Delisle
  2. Jul 7

    Ep. 53 - Effortless Effort: Why Less Power But Smarter Moves Win with World-Class Wrestler, Jasmit Singh Phulka

    Send us Fan Mail Confidence is built through your mindset, your habits, and the stories you tell yourself every day. Jasmit Singh Phulka, a world-class wrestler and a man who’s defied every expectation, drops the truth about how mental toughness, patience, and self-awareness shape performance, even when the odds are stacked against you.  If you’re tired of feeling pressure, overthinking your next move, or watching your confidence slip away when it matters most, this episode is your guide to reclaiming your confidence. Jasmit shares how his journey from a reluctant, scrappy kid to a seasoned international athlete taught him that sports reveal what needs strengthening, mentally and emotionally. You’ll discover how the art of effortless effort, mastering the pause, and controlling what you can actually impact are the fundamentals of creating resilience that lasts a lifetime. With real stories of pushing through injury, aging, and adversity, he proves that resilience is not just about physical grit, it’s a mindset you can train daily. We break down: How to see setbacks as opportunities for growth, not failuresWhy mental rehearsal and visualization are game-changers in high-pressure moments The importance of surrounding yourself with coaches and mentors who build your confidence as a person, not just an athletePractical ways to strengthen your self-talk and manage anxiety before big performancesWhy longevity is an art and staying at the top requires constant mental renewal and adaptabilityJasmeet’s insights remind us that sport is a training ground for life and that who you become in the process matters far more than medals or trophies. If you want to forge a legacy that lasts, start by mastering your mind. Because true confidence is created, not found. Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community! About Jasmit Jasmit Singh Phulka is a community leader, wrestler, and city council candidate based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Known for his discipline, resilience, and commitment to service, he has built a strong reputation through both athletics and community involvement. Jasmit brings the perseverance, focus, and work ethic developed through sport into his leadership. As a husband and father, he is passionate about supporting local families, businesses, and community growth. His approach is grounded in listening to residents, finding practical solutions, and creating meaningful connections. Whether competing in wrestling or serving his community, Jasmit is driven by a commitment to making a positive impact and helping build a stronger future for the community. Check Out Jasmit's Campaign Keep up with Jasmit on: Facebook Linkedin Instagram Support the show

    Ep. 53 - Effortless Effort: Why Less Power But Smarter Moves Win with World-Class Wrestler, Jasmit Singh Phulka
  3. Jun 30

    Ep. 52 - The Proper Running Form That Prevents Injury Fuels Performance with Chris Ryan

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Chris Ryan breaks down how movement, efficiency, and mindset shape performance far beyond the finish line. Whether you're a young athlete, parent, or coach, you'll discover why understanding the power of form, emotional resilience, and efficiency can actually make you faster, stronger, and less injury-prone. Chris shares vivid stories, from the importance of mastering the power step to the brilliance of hill sprints, showing how a small shift in your approach can unlock extraordinary results. You’ll learn how to train smarter, move more efficiently, and develop mental toughness that prepares you for obstacles inside and outside of sport. This isn’t just about becoming a better athlete, it's about forging resilience, confidence, and leadership that will serve for a lifetime.With insights rooted in biomechanics, high-performance training, and raw human grit, Chris emphasizes the greatness already inside you. Whether you're coaching a young kid or trying to refine your own movement, this episode will inspire you to look beyond the scoreboard and start building character, grit, and legacy... one powerful step at a time.  Perfect for youth athletes eager to optimize performance, parents seeking to support without pressure, and coaches dedicated to developing resilient leaders. Remember: sport is a training ground for life and your journey is the destination. Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy. About Chris Chris Ryan is a renowned fitness expert and founder of the Chris Ryan Fitness App, known for energetic, encouraging coaching. A former Division I track & field athlete at the University of Florida, he’s been named one of America’s Top 10 Trainers, appeared on NBC’s STRONG, and served as a founding trainer for MIRROR/lululemon Studio. Chris has written for Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Men’s Fitness, and Shape, and consulted for brands like Nike, lululemon, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Raised in Michigan, he lives in Bronxville, NY with his wife Denise and their three children — Achilles, Athena, and Aristotle — for whom he happily makes protein-packed chocolate pancakes on weekend mornings. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community! Check out Chris Ryan Fitness Follow Chris on: Instagram Linkedin Facebook Support the show

    Ep. 52 - The Proper Running Form That Prevents Injury Fuels Performance with Chris Ryan
  4. Jun 23

    Ep. 51 - How Athletes Are Sabotaging Their Own Potential: Q&A with Mariel and Jordan on Accountability

    Send us Fan Mail Is your greatest challenge in sport actually the story you’re telling yourself? There are so many athletes and teams that fall into the trap of pointing fingers and losing sight of responsibility. Jordan and Mariel unpack how avoiding accountability limits your growth and how shifting your mindset to one of ownership can unlock resilience, leadership, and ultimately, the legacy you’re capable of forging. In this conversation, we break down why taking responsibility is power. You’ll discover how responsible athletes elevate their teams, build trust, and turn setbacks into setups for greatness. We dive into practical ways to cultivate a growth mindset, turn criticism into fuel, and lead from the front, on and off the field.  Whether you're an athlete feeling stuck, a parent wanting to nurture resilience, or a coach shaping future leaders, this episode gets real about the mindset shifts that make champions in sport and life.  Choose accountability, and you flip the script to one of growth, loyalty, and high performance. If you’re committed to showing up as who you want to become, and leading your team with integrity and strength, this episode is for you. Jordan Owens is a seasoned hockey player and leadership coach, known for turning team chaos into cohesive unity through simple, powerful shifts in mindset. Remember: Sport reveals what needs to be strengthened. Are you ready to shape a legacy grounded in responsibility? Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy. Support the show

    Ep. 51 -  How Athletes Are Sabotaging Their Own Potential: Q&A with Mariel and Jordan on Accountability
  5. Jun 16

    Ep 50. - Earn Your Opportunity w/ Former FIFA World Cup Captain & Competitor, Jay DeMerit

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to go from a small-town kid with big dreams to competing on soccer's biggest stages? In this episode, former professional soccer player and World Cup veteran Jay DeMerit shares the remarkable journey that took him from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to the English football pyramid, the Premier League, international competition, and beyond. But this conversation isn't really about soccer. It's about embracing discomfort, trusting the process, and having the courage to bet on yourself when nobody else sees the vision. Jay opens up about turning down a full scholarship, moving overseas with no guarantees, navigating setbacks and rejection, developing confidence through preparation, and why some of the greatest opportunities in life come disguised as failures. We also dive into leadership, communication, identity beyond sport, the importance of community, and why today's athletes need to stop chasing outcomes and start focusing on growth. Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and powerful perspective on what it means to build a life—and a career—one courageous step at a time.  In this episode, we explore: • Why development shouldn't be rushed • The power of embracing discomfort and uncertainty • Confidence, preparation, and performing under pressure • Leadership and becoming the most relatable person in the room • Why failure is often redirection, not rejection • How support systems shape long-term success • The mindset that helped Jay compete at the highest level Train your mind. Build your grit. Forge your legacy. Check out Jay on Social Media at: https://www.instagram.com/d6merit/ Support the show

    Ep 50. - Earn Your Opportunity w/ Former FIFA World Cup Captain & Competitor, Jay DeMerit
  6. Jun 9

    Ep. 49 - Rewriting the Rules of Masculinity and Leadership with CFL All-Star Nathan Rourke

    Send us Fan Mail Athletes will spend hours chasing improvement, overlooking the one thing that  sets the great apart: mindset. Still living his dream as a professional quarterback, Nathan Rourke knows this story firsthand and shares it with us this week on Forged Youth Podcast.  Nathan opens up about his journey from Canadian high school football to NFL hopes, and then to CFL stardom. He shares how he learned to break down his goals into actionable steps, like acting as the athlete he wanted to become before he was there, and how this mindset built the grit that fuels him today. If you’re ready to elevate your confidence, embrace adversity as an advantage, and see performance as a reflection of your mindset, this episode is your playbook for life. You’ll discover: How to reverse-engineering your goals to build disciplineWhy confidence is a byproduct of action, not a feeling to chaseHow routine and preparation create consistency and trust in your abilitiesThe importance of separating your identity from your resultsPractical tools for emotional regulation that shift performance in secondsNathan reminds us that sport is a laboratory for leadership, resilience, and character... which a foundation for forging your ultimate legacy. Perfect for young athletes, parents eager to support without pressure, and coaches shaping future leaders, this episode will leave you inspired to think bigger about your potential and more grounded in the core habits that turn dreams into reality.  Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community! Follow Nathan on:  Instagram Linkedin Support the show

    Ep. 49 - Rewriting the Rules of Masculinity and Leadership with CFL All-Star Nathan Rourke
  7. Jun 2

    Ep. 48 - What Teen Athletes Need to Know About Nutrition & Mindset with Coach Elliot Allen

    Send us Fan Mail What if the thing holding your athlete back is what they're eating, how they're sleeping, and who they're spending time with? In this episode, Mariel sits down with Coach Elliot Allen, sports performance coach, former college football player, and founder of Eight Six Speed & Athletics, for a conversation packed with practical, no-fluff tools for teen athletes and the parents who support them. Elliot knows what it's like to have natural talent and still come up short. And he's spent years building the system he wishes he'd had at 16: simplified nutrition, smart training, solid recovery habits, and the mindset to stay consistent when it gets hard. In this episode, he breaks all of it down in a way that actually makes sense for families. In this episode, you'll learn: Why nutrition is the most undervalued piece of the performance puzzle and what "fueling for a purpose, not for pleasure" actually looks like day-to-dayHow to track your food the same way you track your training (and why it's the most boring, most important habit you can build)The truth about hydration: why electrolytes alone won't save you, how much water your muscles actually need, and what happens when you overdo itWhy sleep is when you actually get stronger and the specific habits (phones, TVs, bedtimes) that are wrecking your recoveryHow your environment and your circle shape your results more than almost anything else, and what to do if you're in a small town with no high-achieving athletes nearbyThe self-talk shift that took Elliot from wanting to quit his freshman year to finishing out and coming back strongerThe "5-minute rule" for processing hard moments without getting stuck in themThis one is as much for parents as it is for athletes. Practical, honest, and full of real talk from someone who learned most of this the hard way. About Coach Elliot Allen: Elliot Allen is a sports performance coach and founder of Eight Six Speed & Athletics, where he mentors teen athletes and their parents on speed, strength, nutrition, and mindset so they can set themselves up with the best chance to play at the next level. A former college football player, Elliot learned the hard way that talent alone isn't enough — and that experience drives how he coaches today. He helps athletes build the structure and discipline he wishes he'd found at a younger age, combining simplified speed work, progressive strength training, and athlete-focused nutrition to produce measurable performance results. As a father and coach, Elliot leads by example and stays committed to helping young athletes build the habits that separate them from the rest. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community! Check out Eight Six Athletics Keep up with Coach Elliot Allen on: Facebook Instagram Linkedin   Support the show

    Ep. 48 - What Teen Athletes Need to Know About Nutrition & Mindset with Coach Elliot Allen

About

Forged Youth: Legacy Within What if the conversations you needed most as a teen athlete were finally being had, openly, honestly, and with purpose? Forged Youth: Legacy Within is the podcast that equips youth athletes (ages 12–24), their parents, and coaches with the mental tools, emotional resilience, and life insight to rise above the noise and grow into strong, intentional human beings. Each episode features real, raw conversations with professional athletes, CEOs, and cultural leaders sharing what they wish they knew when they were younger. We unpack topics like mental grit, overcoming adversity, identity beyond sport, and building a life of purpose, even when things fall apart. Hosted by former elite athlete and mental health advocate Mariel Nichole Anderson, this podcast is your companion through the messy middle of chasing big dreams, and becoming someone even bigger in the process. Because you weren’t born to just survive sport. You were made to be forged by it.