Mental Fitness Stories with Jon Steele

Jon Steele
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  • Mental Health
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Welcome to "Mental Fitness Stories with Jon Steele," your weekly guide to conquering overwhelming anxiety and achieving peak mental performance in the world of sports and high-performance professions. Hosted by former collegiate athlete, LMFT, and mental fitness advocate Jon Steele, this podcast is your go-to source for transformative stories, expert insights, and practical tips to navigate the challenges of anxiety on and off the field. Join Jon Steele and a lineup of exceptional guests, including athletes, coaches, and mental health professionals, as they share their personal journeys of triumph over anxiety. From the locker room to the boardroom, our guests open up about the strategies that have helped them build resilience, maintain focus, and thrive in high-pressure environments. Each episode provides you with actionable takeaways, mindfulness techniques, and evidence-based practices to enhance your mental fitness. Whether you're a professional athlete striving for excellence or a high-performing executive looking to optimize your mindset, Jon Steele's conversations offer valuable perspectives and tools to overcome anxiety and unlock your true potential.

  1. Mental Fitness Through Faith, Practice, and Story with Chris Schultz

    08/22/2025

    Mental Fitness Through Faith, Practice, and Story with Chris Schultz

    Former high school and collegiate basketball coach turned pastor, Chris Schultz, joins Mental Fitness Stories to unpack the power of renewing your mind through storytelling, spiritual rhythm, and daily practice. From false narratives to family struggles, Coach Schultz shares how he's helped athletes and communities walk through grief, parenting, and purpose—with honest insight, grounded wisdom, and practical tools. You’ll Learn: Why mental fitness = the stories we tell ourselvesHow to renew your mind through daily journaling & groundingWhy community beats isolation in personal growthThe power of marriage rhythms (6000+ hours!)Why faith = risk and why it’s worth itTry This: 🧠 Daily journaling: gratitude, lament, request 🌿 Grounding practice (barefoot + breath) ⏰ 7-day rhythm challenge for mental clarity 🔔 Subscribe for more mental fitness tools & inspiring guests 📲 Connect on IG @mentalfitnessstories Watch, reflect, and remember: Be Curious. Stay Curious. Without Judgment.

    51 min
  2. How Hobbies Can Boost Your Mental Health as a Teen: Mental Fitness Stories w/ Landon

    07/11/2025

    How Hobbies Can Boost Your Mental Health as a Teen: Mental Fitness Stories w/ Landon

    In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, host Jon Steele sits down with Landon—a passionate teenage hobbyist—to explore how hobbies support mental health, reduce stress, and build confidence. From painting Warhammer mini-figures to doing Judo, Landon shares how trying new things, making mistakes, and enjoying the process can help teens manage school stress, anxiety, and even depression. This is a must-watch for teens looking to build mental fitness through curiosity, creativity, and community. 👉 Be curious. Stay curious. Without judgment. 🔔 Subscribe for more stories that build your mental fitness 💬 Key Quotes: “To have a hobby is to enjoy it no matter what. You don’t have to be perfect.” – Landon“I paint my minifigures, step back, and say: here's what I can improve later.”“Hobbies help no matter what—whether you're stressed or feeling low.”“The hobby gives back. It takes away pressure and gives you joy, community, and confidence.”“Start small. Ask friends what they enjoy. Learn, explore, and grow from there.”So my advice, just go with the flow. Find what you enjoy. And eventually, when you enjoy a hobby enough, it'll give back to you.- Landon 🛠️ Practical Tools for Teens: 1. 🎨 Use Hobbies to Recharge Whether it’s art, sports, games, or something niche, hobbies give your mind a break and help reset after stressful school days. 2. 📉 Embrace the Learning Curve You won’t be great at something right away—and that’s the point. Mental fitness grows when you’re patient with yourself. 3. 👥 Find Your People Join a club or group with similar interests. Shared hobbies help you feel seen, supported, and connected. 4. 📚 Let Hobbies Support School Life Taking short creative breaks between assignments can actually improve focus and reduce overwhelm. 5. 💬 Be Curious, Not Judgy (Even With Yourself) Don’t compare your hobbies or skills to others. Just follow what interests you and enjoy the process. 🎯 For Parents, Coaches, and Educators: This episode highlights how hobbies can be powerful tools for emotional regulation, identity-building, and stress relief—especially during the teen years. Encourage young people to explore their interests freely.

    21 min
  3. Redefining Strength: Nikki Taylor on Mental Fitness, Injury, and Life After Sport

    06/02/2025

    Redefining Strength: Nikki Taylor on Mental Fitness, Injury, and Life After Sport

    In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, we sit down with Nikki Taylor, former professional volleyball player, to explore the real meaning of mental fitness beyond the court. Nikki opens up about her journey through injury, recovery, and the often overlooked process of grieving the loss of an athletic identity after transitioning out of professional sports. We discuss the power of inner dialogue, the mental toll of physical setbacks, and how redefining strength and self-worth played a key role in her healing. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or navigating a major life transition, Nikki's story offers honest insight and hope for anyone learning to rebuild from the inside out. Nikki Taylor Resources: Mind Gym: An Athletes Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients by Irvin D. Yalom #MentalFitness #HolisticHealth #HighPerformance #AthleteMindset #PeakPerformance #SportsPsychology #FunInFitness #WellnessJourney #MindBodySpirit #HolisticAthlete #MentalResilience #PositiveMindset #SportsWellness #BalancedLife jonsteeletherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/mentalfitnessstories https://www.facebook.com/jonsteelelmftsports/ Instagram: @mentalfitnessstories

    37 min
  4. Rewriting Your Inner Story with Dr. Graham Taylor, Part 2

    05/07/2025

    Rewriting Your Inner Story with Dr. Graham Taylor, Part 2

    What if the most important conversation you have is the one you have with yourself? In this powerful episode, Dr. Graham Taylor — licensed psychologist and trauma specialist — joins us to explore the connection between mental fitness and our inner dialogue. He breaks down how our thoughts can either hold us back or propel us forward, especially in the face of adversity. Dr. Taylor shares inspiring insights on how to embrace mental toughness and resilience, find hope in small movements, overcome “stuckness”, and the importance of good community and support . If you’re ready to rewrite your inner story, tap into resilience, and lead with curiosity instead of criticism, this episode is for you. Check out the Behavioral Health Today podcast with some incredible episodes and podcasts including one where Dr. Taylor and I on focus “Curiosity without Judgment” in the therapy room, how it all happens! Episode Specific link: https://www.triadhq.com/podcast-archive/clinicians-series-practicing-curiosity-without-judgment---the-gentle-power-behind-growth-with-jon-steele-lmft---episode-369 YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/-MFP2ZZWQ7o https://www.triadhq.com/behavioral-health-today #MentalFitness #HolisticHealth #HighPerformance #AthleteMindset #PeakPerformance #SportsPsychology #FunInFitness #WellnessJourney #MindBodySpirit #HolisticAthlete #MentalResilience #PositiveMindset #SportsWellness #BalancedLife jonsteeletherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/mentalfitnessstories https://www.facebook.com/jonsteelelmftsports/ Instagram: @mentalfitnessstories

    23 min
  5. Rewriting Your Inner Story with Dr. Graham Taylor, Part 1

    04/25/2025

    Rewriting Your Inner Story with Dr. Graham Taylor, Part 1

    What if the most important conversation you have is the one you have with yourself? In this powerful episode, Dr. Graham Taylor — licensed psychologist and trauma specialist — joins us to explore the connection between mental fitness and our inner dialogue. He breaks down how our thoughts can either hold us back or propel us forward, especially in the face of adversity. Dr. Taylor shares inspiring insights on how to embrace mental toughness and resilience, find hope in small movements, overcome “stuckness”, and the importance of good community and support . If you’re ready to rewrite your inner story, tap into resilience, and lead with curiosity instead of criticism, this episode is for you. #MentalFitness #HolisticHealth #HighPerformance #AthleteMindset #PeakPerformance #SportsPsychology #FunInFitness #WellnessJourney #MindBodySpirit #HolisticAthlete #MentalResilience #PositiveMindset #SportsWellness #BalancedLife jonsteeletherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/mentalfitnessstories https://www.facebook.com/jonsteelelmftsports/ Instagram: @mentalfitnessstories

    25 min
  6. Beating Podcast Burnout: How Curiosity & Self-Kindness Fuel Recovery

    02/22/2025

    Beating Podcast Burnout: How Curiosity & Self-Kindness Fuel Recovery

    Episode Summary: Burnout is real—even for podcasters. In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, we dive into the hidden challenges of podcast burnout and why so many high-performing professionals, including athletes, struggle with it. Whether it's the pressure to constantly create, the fear of losing momentum, or the exhaustion of juggling content with everything else, burnout can hit hard. But what if curiosity and self-kindness could be the antidotes? We explore how shifting from judgment to curiosity helps you regain motivation, reframe setbacks, and rediscover your "why." Plus, we share practical strategies for balancing high achievement with self-compassion—so you can recover faster, keep creating, and actually enjoy the process. If you've ever felt drained by the demands of content creation or performance, this episode is for you. Tune in and learn how to stay engaged, energized, and inspired on your journey. #MentalFitness #HolisticHealth #HighPerformance #AthleteMindset #PeakPerformance #SportsPsychology #FunInFitness #WellnessJourney #MindBodySpirit #HolisticAthlete #MentalResilience #PositiveMindset #SportsWellness #BalancedLife jonsteeletherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/mentalfitnessstories https://www.facebook.com/jonsteelelmftsports/ Instagram @mentalfitnessstories Audio Chapters: 0:00 Understanding Burnout in Creative Pursuits 1:56 Ways to Burnout When Creating a Podcast 6:33 Energy Output>Energy Input= Burnout 10:13 Importance of Energy Balance and Self Kindness 12:43 Outro- Follow and Watch Out of Polls!

    13 min
  7. Holistic Approach to Mental Fitness and Coaching Athletes, Part 1

    08/21/2024

    Holistic Approach to Mental Fitness and Coaching Athletes, Part 1

    In this episode of Mental Fitness Stories, we sit down with two seasoned track and field coaches, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young and Shawn Young, who share their unique approaches to holistic mental fitness. Join us as we delve into how they incorporate spirituality into their coaching, making running not just a sport but a joyful experience. We also explore the profound ways they support their athletes through the tough times, including coping with grief and loss. Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or someone interested in mental well-being, this conversation offers valuable insights into balancing the mind, body, and spirit on and off the track. #MentalFitness #HolisticHealth #HighPerformance #AthleteMindset #PeakPerformance #SportsPsychology #FunInFitness #WellnessJourney #MindBodySpirit #HolisticAthlete #MentalResilience #PositiveMindset #SportsWellness #BalancedLife jonsteeletherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/mentalfitnessstories https://www.facebook.com/jonsteelelmftsports/ Instagram @mentalfitnessstories Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young and Shawn Young Contact Information: www.dorinagilmore.com Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DorinaLazoGilmore/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorinagilmore Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dorinagilmore/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DorinaGilmore Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Books: https://dorinagilmore.com/books/Walk Run Soar- https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Run-Soar-52-Week-Devotional/dp/0764236059/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=walk+run+soar&qid=1598020392&sr=8-2&linkCode=sl1&tag=dorina0f-20&linkId=4a12969a0e5ba5f86247946c079b2e05&language=en_US

    19 min
  8. Changing Your Brain with Mental Fitness: Shoulds vs Coulds

    07/19/2024

    Changing Your Brain with Mental Fitness: Shoulds vs Coulds

    Welcome to another episode of Mental Fitness Stories, where we delve into the powerful concepts of mental fitness and neuroplasticity, changing your brain. Whether you're looking to boost your mental fitness, understand the science behind neuroplasticity, or simply find inspiration for personal growth, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in to Mental Fitness Stories and embark on a journey to unlock the true potential of your mind! #MentalFitness #Neuroplasticity #BrainChange #InnerDialogue #Mindfulness #BrainHealth #CognitiveGrowth #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #PositiveMindset #MentalWellbeing #BrainPower #SelfTalk #MindsetShift #MentalResilience Brain Resources: https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/your-brain-when-youre-anxious Links: jonsteeletherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/mentalfitnessstorieswithJonSteele/

    6 min
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About

Welcome to "Mental Fitness Stories with Jon Steele," your weekly guide to conquering overwhelming anxiety and achieving peak mental performance in the world of sports and high-performance professions. Hosted by former collegiate athlete, LMFT, and mental fitness advocate Jon Steele, this podcast is your go-to source for transformative stories, expert insights, and practical tips to navigate the challenges of anxiety on and off the field. Join Jon Steele and a lineup of exceptional guests, including athletes, coaches, and mental health professionals, as they share their personal journeys of triumph over anxiety. From the locker room to the boardroom, our guests open up about the strategies that have helped them build resilience, maintain focus, and thrive in high-pressure environments. Each episode provides you with actionable takeaways, mindfulness techniques, and evidence-based practices to enhance your mental fitness. Whether you're a professional athlete striving for excellence or a high-performing executive looking to optimize your mindset, Jon Steele's conversations offer valuable perspectives and tools to overcome anxiety and unlock your true potential.

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