Mindset Stories

Mindset Stories

Mindset Stories exists to explore the real human side of performance. Through honest conversations and personal stories, we show how a robust mindset is built through experience, rather than clichés, theory, or quick fixes. Our mission is to help athletes, coaches, parents, leaders, and anyone interested in growth and personal insight deepen their understanding of themselves and others through story and connection, empowering them to cultivate inner harmony by integrating self-compassion and acceptance into their own stories.

Episodes

  1. 2h ago

    Marcus Harper II: Bet on Yourself and Celebrate the Wins

    In this episode of Mindset Stories, the hosts welcome one of their own clients: Marcus Harper II (known on the field as "Big Mark"). Marcus is a former Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman who achieved a legendary collegiate milestone at Oregon State: never allowing a single sack in over three consecutive years of college football. But behind this jaw-dropping statistic lies a profound story about the extreme psychological cost of greatness. Marcus pulls back the curtain on the intense pressure, the dangerous trap of "potential," and the moment he realized he had sacrificed his own humanity to become bulletproof on the field. Marcus takes the hosts through the rapid, whirlwind trajectory of his football career and the mental challenges that came with it: The Late Bloomer: Growing up in the South Suburbs of Chicago, Marcus was an active kid who did everything except football. From soccer and swimming to chess and a brief stint as a middle school basketball team manager. It wasn't until his freshman year of high school that his dad finally let him don a helmet and pads. The "Spider-Man" Moment: After a coach threatened to demote him to the "B-Team" freshman squad, a switch flipped. During a rainy game, Marcus levelled an opposing defensive end so hard the player's helmet flew off. From that single moment, the "Hulk" was born, paving the way for a dominant high school career. The Two-Year Whirlwind: In a staggering two-year window from the time he seriously committed to the sport, Marcus went from a raw sophomore to receiving phone calls from powerhouse college programs, eventually committing to Oregon State. The Dark Side of the Grind: While his freshman year brought immediate success (breaking into the starting rotation and winning a Pac-12 Championship), his sophomore year brought a steep, confidence-crushing demotion. The setback sparked an obsessive, two-year binge for answers. Sacrificing the Human for the Athlete: Marcus opens up about the extreme coping mechanisms he developed during his junior year, sitting in the dark alone after games and refusing to eat. In a ruthless quest to unlock his potential, he consciously chose to sacrifice relationships, family time, and his own personal life to devote every waking hour to the gridiron. Marcus’s journey highlights a critical crossroads that almost every elite performer eventually faces: the separation of the human from the athlete. While his obsessive focus earned him historical success on the field and an undeniable streak of zero sacks allowed, it also robbed him of connection and joy. This episode is a powerful exploration of what happens when your identity becomes entirely consumed by your performance, and what it truly takes to face the "thought loops" when the lights go down.

    Marcus Harper II: Bet on Yourself and Celebrate the Wins

  2. Jul 28

    Ben Barr: I Always Feel Like I'm A Failure

    In this episode of Mindset Stories, the hosts sit down with Ben Barr, the head coach of the University of Maine Black Bears men’s ice hockey team. Under his guidance, the Black Bears have undergone a massive cultural and competitive revival, transforming from a struggling program into back-to-back NCAA tournament contenders. But Ben’s journey to becoming one of college hockey’s most supportive and successful coaches wasn't built on a straight line of easy victories. Instead, it was forged through the fires of early athletic adversity, high-pressure environments, and the deep resilience required to start over when life pulls the rug out from under you. Inside the episode, Ben, Sara, and Luc take a deep dive into the moments that shaped Ben's coaching philosophy and mental framework: The Weight of the High-Expectations Trap The Devastating Reality Check Wiping the Slate Clean at Shattuck St. Mary’s History Repeating Itself The Business of Hockey vs. Elite Academics This conversation tackles the modern epidemic of the "victim mindset" head-on. Ben and the hosts discuss the critical role that adversity plays in human development. In a society that constantly tries to shield young people from failure, Ben argues that experiencing tough, unfair moments is like building a psychological immune system. Whether you are a player trying to handle a coach's tough decision, a parent navigating youth sports culture, or a leader trying to build a winning environment from the ground up, Ben’s story proves that your past setbacks don't define you, they prepare you.

    Ben Barr: I Always Feel Like I'm A Failure

  3. Jul 20

    Finley Skiff: Even If It Helps One Person, It's Worth It

    In this special, altered-format episode of Mindset Stories, hosts Sara and Luc take a powerful look at resilience through the eyes of a child. Debriefing a pre-recorded interview in real time, the hosts unpack the extraordinary mindset of Finley Skiff, a 10-year-old cancer survivor who has recently entered remission after a grueling battle with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Blending profound emotional maturity with pure childhood innocence, Finley uses brilliant, imaginative metaphors to describe what it takes to survive life's darkest storms. Inside the Episode: Finley’s Mental Playbook Together, the hosts listen to and unpack clips from their conversation with Finley, highlighting key themes that anyone facing adversity can use to guide themselves forward: The "Baguette Metaphor" & Realistic Optimism: Finley describes life as a baguette loaf. While you are bound to hit some "burnt bites" (like diagnoses and relapses), you can't throw away the whole loaf over one bad experience. He reflects on the human urge to just "swallow the baguette whole" to avoid the painful ups and downs—acknowledging that you can't skip the process or numb the hard stuff without a cost. Externalizing the Enemy: To take control of a scary situation, Finley explains his cancer as "bad aliens" invading his planet-like body. His solution? "Just nuke them, and keep going." The Purple Blob and Cognitive Diffusion: Through a hospital card game called Organ Attack, Finley shares how drawing cancer as a silly "purple blob" stripped it of its power to invoke fear. The hosts note how this mirrors Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) by diffusing a massive threat into something manageable and distant. The Lego Build Foundation: Finley visualizes a strong mindset like a Lego structure. If you put a piece in the wrong spot, it collapses. Building a resilient mind means taking it "one brick at a time," ensuring each piece is happy, sturdy, and well-fitted. Radical Presence over the Victim Mindset: Despite being physically depleted—describing a time he felt like a "dried-up kiwi"—Finley radiates immense gratitude for simply being alive and present. Finley's Trick to Keep Parents from Falling Apart: Showing emotional intelligence far beyond his years, Finley reveals his strategy for calming the adults in the hospital room: asking them what they want to do today and encouraging them to be a little more active, giving the worried caregivers something concrete in the present moment. Key Mindset Takeaways: "A good attitude is always the best thing." – Finley Skiff This episode serves as a beautiful masterclass in coping planning, emotional regulation, and deep acceptance. Finley reminds us that anchoring yourself in faith and a purpose bigger than the moment is the ultimate key to resilience. Instead of playing the victim or absorbing the darkness of his situation, Finley actively chooses to return the kindness shown to him by his medical team and loved ones by bringing joy to everyone he meets. Whether you are fighting a personal battle or just trying to navigate a bad day, Finley’s parting advice is simple: Follow your dreams, stay present, and when things get tough, try to be like a seahorse—carefree. If you were moved by Finley's story, please subscribe to Mindset Stories, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that everything is going to be okay.

    Finley Skiff: Even If It Helps One Person, It's Worth It

  4. Jul 20

    CJ Jackson: Who Am I When No One Is Watching

    Professional hockey goaltender CJ Jackson has built a career defined by resilience, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to showing up—regardless of the circumstances. In this episode of Mindset Stories, CJ shares her incredible journey from growing up in rural Nova Scotia and competing in male-dominated sports, to becoming a record-setting NCAA goaltender, an Isobel Cup Champion, and a professional in the PWHL. But this conversation goes far beyond hockey. CJ opens up about what it's like to spend years waiting for opportunities, embracing difficult roles, handling disappointment, overcoming fear, and staying connected to who you are when the world only sees your results. She shares the mindset that has allowed her to continue thriving through setbacks, criticism, uncertainty, and the pressure of elite sport. Together, we dive into topics including:• Controlling the controllables• Why your character matters more than external validation• The difference between chasing success and attracting it• Finding purpose when you're not getting playing time• Building self-awareness and investing in yourself• Dealing with fear, pressure, and self-doubt• The power of community, authenticity, and staying true to your values• Why joy and competitiveness can, and should, coexist This is an episode for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone navigating adversity while pursuing something meaningful. Whether you're fighting for your opportunity or learning how to trust the process, CJ's story is a powerful reminder that success isn't just about where you end up, it's about who you become along the way. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Mindset Stories, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use this message.

    CJ Jackson: Who Am I When No One Is Watching

  5. Jul 20

    Eric Tangradi: Don't Get Stuck In The Suck

    Former NHL forward Eric Tangradi has built a career defined by accountability, profound self-reflection, and the grit required to overcome the hidden mental battles of elite sports. In this episode of Mindset Stories, Eric shares his incredible journey from growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia and starting out at a local figure skating rink, to becoming a 42nd overall NHL draft pick, a Calder Cup Champion, and a professional who played 150 NHL games across multiple historic organizations. But this conversation goes far beyond hockey. Eric opens up about the harsh contrast between "Instagram versus reality" in elite athletics, detailing the intense anxiety, mental fog, and isolation that came with early NHL pressure and social media scrutiny. He shares the pivotal moment his wife challenged him to look in the mirror, leading him to reject a victim mindset, partner with a sports psychologist, and completely rewrite his mental playbook to find joy in the game again. Together, we dive into topics including: Why you cannot allow yourself to get "stuck in the suck" The dangerous impact of social media on an athlete's mental health Shifting from a victim mentality to radical self-accountability Replacing results-oriented pressure with process-driven goals The isolation of professional sports and the importance of a true inner circle How to reclaim your authentic identity when you lose your way Navigating career regret and finding deeper purpose through family Quieting the outside noise to focus entirely on controlling the controllables This is an episode for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone navigating adversity while pursuing something meaningful. Whether you're fighting through a period of professional rejection or learning how to measure your worth by your daily process rather than your external results, Eric's story is a powerful reminder that success isn't just about where you end up, it's about who you become along the way. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Mindset Stories, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could use this message.

    Eric Tangradi: Don't Get Stuck In The Suck

  6. Jun 30

    The Voice In Your Head Is Lying

    From the day you’re born to the day you die, the only person inside your head every second is you. So wouldn’t it be better to have that voice be your own personal coach that actually helps, instead of one that tears you down? In this episode of Mindset Stories, Sara and Luc dive deeper into two important themes from their last conversation that consistently show up in their work: self-doubt (feeling inadequate or “not good enough”) and the fear of disappointing others. Rather than just handing you tools, they walk through real stories from their work with clients (shared anonymously, with all identifying details changed). A tool tends to be more useful when you can see how it actually works in practice.  In this conversation: Why self-doubt is so hard to beat, and how to “collect the evidence” the fact check it The baseball player stuck striking out, and the self-talk shift that turned it around “Don’t let your brain talk sh*t to you” - catching and challenging negative thoughts Using mistakes as feedback instead of proof you don't belong The spotlight effect: why everyone’s too busy in their own head to be judging you The athlete who hated their sport but couldn’t quit for fear of disappointing their parents The reframe that changes everything: playing with your coach, not for them Why you’re going to disappoint someone no matter what, and how to give people permission to feel it The one person actually worth being afraid of disappointing: yourself A reminder for parents too: a kid still playing isn’t the same as a kid still loving to play, so check in with them.

    The Voice In Your Head Is Lying

  7. Jun 16

    No One Tells Athletes This

    Why did we start Mindset Stories? In this special pre-launch episode, Sara and Luc sit down for an honest conversation about the purpose behind the podcast and the lessons they've learned through years of working with athletes. Together, they explore the human side of performance, the power of feeling seen and heard, and the common struggles that connect us all: self-doubt, fear of disappointing others, and the desire to simply be understood. Through stories and reflections from their work, they discuss why athletes are humans first, how vulnerability creates connection, and why sometimes the greatest gift we can offer someone isn't advice or solutions, it's our presence and our willingness to listen. This episode is a reminder that behind every performance is a person, and behind every story is an opportunity to connect. In this episode, we discuss: Why Mindset Stories was createdThe human side of sport and performanceFeeling seen, heard, and understoodSelf-doubt and the fear of letting others downThe importance of connection and vulnerabilityWhy listening matters more than fixingHow athletes and clients have shaped us as peopleWhether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or someone navigating life's challenges, this conversation is an invitation to remember that we're often more connected than we are different. Because behind every performance, there's a person, and every person has a story.

    No One Tells Athletes This

  8. Jun 2

    Billy Larkins: "I Don't Set Goals For Other People Anymore" - The Villain Who Became The Hero

    In this episode of Mindset Stories, we sit down with Billy Larkins, strength and conditioning coach, business owner of 5 gyms across Pennsylvania, father of 5, husband, and the man Sara has openly called both her villain and her hero.Billy takes us through his unconventional path. Quitting accounting after thirty seconds, mentoring under a 40-year-old bodybuilder in Portland, building a small gym in Kenosha that produced NFL stars like Trey Waynes and Melvin Gordon, working with the Chicago Blackhawks and Milwaukee Brewers, moving across the country to Maine to chase a national championship with Sara, then landing with the Pittsburgh Penguins before stepping down to build the life he actually wanted.But the real story is what happened when Billy walked into Sara's coaching office and refused to accept the version of herself she was selling. He shares his side of the years he spent holding up the mirror, why he never quit even when Sara wanted nothing to do with what he was saying, and the philosophy that's guided his entire career: don't quit when it gets hard, do the work that actually matters, and stop confusing being nice with being good.We dig into the lessons that came out of that relationship for both of them, the importance of letting people set their own pace, and Billy's hard truth that "true success doesn't exist" because success is innate to the individual.This one is for the coaches, the parents, the mentors, and anyone who's ever been the hard voice in someone else's life and wondered if it was worth it. And it's for anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of that voice and finally understood why.

    Billy Larkins: "I Don't Set Goals For Other People Anymore" - The Villain Who Became The Hero

  9. May 26

    Sara's Story: Looking In The Mirror Is One Of The Hardest Things I Learned How To Do

    In this pre-launch episode of Mindset Stories, the tables turn, co-host Sara shares her own story.Sara grew up playing hockey with the boys at a time when girls' hockey barely existed, built a career as an NCAA Division I coach for 18 years, and from the outside, things looked good. But for more than three decades, she'd never truly looked at herself honestly.Then a strength coach she calls "the villain of her story" started holding up a mirror, pointing out, again and again, the things she didn't want to see. What followed was a year-long unraveling: denial, then shame, and finally the slow, hard work of self-reflection, ownership, and becoming the person she actually wanted to be.This is an honest conversation about why looking at yourself is so terrifying, how a "villain" can turn out to be a hero, and what it really takes to close the gap between who you are and who you want to be.

    Sara's Story: Looking In The Mirror Is One Of The Hardest Things I Learned How To Do

  10. May 15

    Luc's Story: There Is A Purpose

    At 21, Luc went through a traumatic, life changing experience. What came next shaped the man he is today. This is his story. Welcome to Mindset Stories, The Human Side of Performance. In our first pre-launch episode, we sit down with co-founder Luciano Somerville (Luc) as he shares his story for the first time. Luc grew up in small towns across Vancouver Island chasing the dream of playing professional hockey. He moved through minor hockey, junior, and university hockey at the University of Victoria. But behind the scenes, life was throwing things at him that nobody saw. The politics and broken promises of junior hockey. The seizure that cost him a BCHL opportunity. And eventually, a moment that changed everything and led him to the work he does now as a mental performance coach. In this conversation, Luc opens up about the years he spent isolating, the victim mindset he carried for too long, and the slow path back to himself. He talks about the people who helped him, the things that did not, and how all of it shaped his "why" for showing up for others today. Why we started with our own stories: We did not want to ask guests to be vulnerable on this podcast without being willing to do it ourselves first. These two pre-launch episodes are how we set the stage before Mindset Stories officially launches July 20, 2026. Sara's Story drops May 22nd. Content note: This episode includes discussion of traumatic experiences, mental health struggles, and suicidal ideation. Please listen at your own pace. If you are in crisis or need support, please reach out to a mental health professional, a trusted person in your life, or a crisis support line near you. You are not alone. Subscribe and follow along: YouTube: @MindsetStories-LS Instagram: @podcastmindsetstories TikTok: @mindsetstoriespodcast Website: mindsetstoriespodcast.com

    Luc's Story: There Is A Purpose
  • 10 Episodes

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About

Mindset Stories exists to explore the real human side of performance. Through honest conversations and personal stories, we show how a robust mindset is built through experience, rather than clichés, theory, or quick fixes. Our mission is to help athletes, coaches, parents, leaders, and anyone interested in growth and personal insight deepen their understanding of themselves and others through story and connection, empowering them to cultivate inner harmony by integrating self-compassion and acceptance into their own stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Mindset Stories
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mindset Stories
  • Show Website
    Mindset Stories

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