Forged Youth | Legacy Within

Producer: Mariel Nichole
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. Ep. 47 - Neurodivergent Athletes & Why the Youth Sports System Is Broken with Dan Mickle

    1D AGO

    Ep. 47 - Neurodivergent Athletes & Why the Youth Sports System Is Broken with Dan Mickle

    Send us Fan Mail What does it actually take to perform at your best without burning out, breaking down, or trying to squeeze yourself into a system that was never built for you? In this episode, Mariel sits down with Dan Mickle, Mental Performance Coach, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at York College of Pennsylvania, founder of Soul Performance Academy, and host of The MentalCast podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from breathwork and journaling to neurodivergent athletes, hustle culture, and why "mental toughness" might be the wrong goal entirely. Dan brings 30+ years of coaching experience and a deeply personal perspective on what it means to truly know your athletes. As a father of three neurodivergent children, a doctoral student researching coaching considerations for neurodivergent populations, and a former coach who once made his team do burpees during a timeout (his words), Dan keeps it refreshingly real throughout this whole conversation. In this episode, you'll learn: The three mental skills Dan carried from being a player into 34 years of coaching and why breathwork is the foundation of all of themWhy journaling doesn't have to be a page a day (and what a quick prompt in the parking lot can do for your growth)How to build intention into every practice and what deliberate practice really means Why neurodivergent athletes are just coping and what coaches can do differentlyThe difference between emotional control and emotional suppression, and why fighting your nerves wastes energy you needDan's take on why "mental toughness" misses the mark and what "mental flexibility" gets rightWhy the youth sports system is broken, who's responsible, and what it would actually take to fix itIf you're a coach, a parent, an athlete, or anyone trying to perform with more clarity and less chaos, this one's for you. Connect with Dan Mickle: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn About Dan Mickle: Dan Mickle is a Mental Performance Coach, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at York College of Pennsylvania, educator, and founder of Soul Performance Academy. With over a decade of experience working with athletes, teams, coaches, and organizations, Dan specializes in helping performers build focus, confidence, emotional control, and sustainable high performance — especially for neurodivergent athletes and those who think and learn differently. In addition to coaching at the collegiate level, Dan is an adjunct professor in sport behavior and psychology and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) with a research focus on coaching considerations for neurodivergent populations. His work blends science, real-world coaching experience, and practical tools athletes can use immediately. Dan is also the host of The MentalCast podcast, where he explores mindset, performance, leadership, and growth through conversations with coaches, athletes, and experts across disciplines. He has authored multiple books and created digital programs designed to make mental training simple, effective, and accessible. Whether on the court, in the classroom, or behind the mic, Dan's mission is to help people perform at their best without burning out, breaking down, or trying to fit into systems that were never built for them. Support the show

    1h 24m
  2. Ep. 46 - Breathe, Visualize, Compete: An Olympian's Playbook for Young Athletes

    MAY 19

    Ep. 46 - Breathe, Visualize, Compete: An Olympian's Playbook for Young Athletes

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a Swiss national champion swimmer finally gets access to the mental tools that could have changed? That's exactly the question David Karasek sits with, and it's the reason he now dedicates his life to giving young athletes what he didn't have. David is a former competitive swimmer, Swiss national record holder, and Olympian who spent the final four years of his career swimming for the University of Virginia where he worked with the same sports psychologist who coached Michael Phelps. The mental tools he discovered there didn't just improve his performance; they rewired how he thought about competition, failure, and what it means to be a real athlete. In this conversation, David and Mariel unpack the mental performance toolkit that transformed his career and how you can start using it right now, whether you're 14 or 40. They cover conscious breathing techniques (including the exact method David used in competition, standing poolside next to Phelps), the right way to visualize before a race, why your brain is not a truth-seeker, and the real reason so many talented young swimmers crack under pressure. David also gets candid about what it felt like to be a late developer and why that actually became his greatest mental advantage. Plus, Mariel shares her own visualization framework built around skills, senses, and struggle, and both coaches get real about the phone addiction crisis that's quietly sabotaging the next generation of athletes. About David Karasek David Karasek is a former Olympic swimmer and Swiss national record holder. At 38, he brings nearly three decades of elite competitive experience to his work as a performance coach and mentor. David is the founder of swimpros.com, where he runs performance camps for competitive swimmers and an online mentoring program on Skool. Most of the mental tools he teaches were learned directly from the sports psychologist of Michael Phelps during his time swimming for the University of Virginia. David is married with one child (and a second on the way), and is based in Zurich, Switzerland. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community! Keep up with David on:  Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Support the show

    1h 20m
  3. Ep. 45 - Learn to Crash: The Coaching Philosophy That Changes Everything with Robert Fegg

    MAY 12

    Ep. 45 - Learn to Crash: The Coaching Philosophy That Changes Everything with Robert Fegg

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to coach athletes hurtling down an icy track at 140+ km/h and build the mental toughness to match? This week, Mariel sits down with Robert Fegg, Head Coach of the Canadian National Luge Team, for a conversation that goes far beyond sliding sports. Robert shares why he believes we're rushing youth athletes toward results at the cost of their long-term development, and what he's learned from decades of coaching across Germany, Canada, Korea, and the United States. From the start of his own luge career to guiding Team Canada at the 2026 Cortina Olympics, Robert brings raw honesty and hard-earned wisdom to every topic. In this episode, you'll hear: Why enjoyment is the #1 predictor of athletic success and why we're undermining itHow trust between coach and athlete has fundamentally shifted with Gen Z, and what coaches need to do differentlyThe pre-performance routine story that changed how Robert coaches every athlete individuallyWhat luge teaches us about learning to crash and why avoiding failure might be the biggest mistake in youth sportThe mindset shift required when transitioning from athlete to coachWhy Robert says it will take 8 years to build the Canadian Luge program into what it needs to be Whether you're a youth athlete, a coach, or a parent navigating the sidelines, this episode is packed with perspective on development, grit, communication, and what it truly means to give sport everything you've got. About Robert: Robert Fegg returned to Canada for his second stint with the Canadian Luge Team in the spring of 2022, this time to take the head coaching reins of the national program and guide the nation's best luge athletes into a new era. The German has lived in the Calgary area with his family since completing his first stretch with the Canadian program from 2003 to 2011. After two seasons as the Junior National Team coach for the United States Luge Association (2018–2020), Robert served as head coach of the American luge program before coming back to Canada, where he guided the team to the Beijing Winter Games. Coaching has been in Robert's blood since he wrapped up an eight-year career sliding on the German National Team in 2002. He cut his teeth in the coaching ranks the following year when he became the Assistant Coach of the Canadian Luge Team. After playing a key support role in developing Canada's luge athletes into medal winners for seven years, Robert took on head coaching responsibilities of the Junior National Team in Canada from 2010–14. Robert was recruited as National Team Coach of the Korea Luge Federation in 2014, where he led many new athletes toward their first Olympic Games at home while also building the team's competitive sleds. Following the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Robert returned to North America for a four-year stint with the Americans. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support and community! Follow Robert Fegg:  Instagram LinkedIn Support the show

    1h 9m
  4. Ep. 44 - Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: The Science of Athletic Plateaus and High-Performance Training with Luke Couture

    MAY 5

    Ep. 44 - Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: The Science of Athletic Plateaus and High-Performance Training with Luke Couture

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to go from a multi-sport kid in New Brunswick to representing Canada on the international badminton stage, and then channeling everything you learned into helping the next generation of athletes perform at their highest level? In this episode, Mariel sits down with strength and conditioning coach and former national badminton athlete Luke Couture to talk about the moments that define an athletic career, the mindset tools that separate good athletes from great ones, and the science behind how to actually build a body that performs when it matters most. Luke shares the story of the one exhibition match that changed the trajectory of his life and what his mental state in that moment taught him about performance under pressure. He unpacks why comfort is the enemy of elite-level growth, how he eventually managed a serious spinal diagnosis through movement, and why the way most youth sports leagues are structured is, in his words, "complete nonsense." You'll also hear Luke break down: • Why 90–95% of athletes plateau and the uncomfortable truth about how to break through • The three biggest life lessons his move 5,000 km from home taught him • What he found in only 3 out of 100 athletes at one of the largest badminton clubs in the U.S. (and why it alarmed him) • The difference between peripheral and neural recovery — and why your "off days" might not be doing what you think • The daily meditation practice he hasn't missed in 3 years, and how it transformed the second half of his workday • Why "more is better" is one of the most dangerous beliefs an athlete can hold • How pre-performance journaling rituals prime the nervous system before competition Whether you're a young athlete figuring out how to train smarter, a parent wondering if your kid is doing too much, or a coach looking for a sharper framework for long-term development, this episode is packed with insight you can apply immediately. About Luke Couture Luke Couture consults with Olympic and international level athletes throughout North America and Europe. As a former national level athlete in Badminton, Luke represented Team Canada in over 30 countries, including winning a Pan Am Championship Gold Medal. Luke's hunger for athletic development and coaching led him to pursue several advanced certifications including the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), an Advanced Coaching Diploma (ACD), and a Graduate Certificate in High Performance Coaching and Technical Leadership (HPC&TL). Luke frequently engages in mentorships and ongoing education with some of the top sport practitioners in the world. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support! 🌐 Work with Luke online Follow Luke on Facebook Follow Luke on Instagram Support the show

    1h 42m
  5. Ep. 43 - The Mindset That Built an NFL Career with Jedidiah Collins

    APR 28

    Ep. 43 - The Mindset That Built an NFL Career with Jedidiah Collins

    Send us Fan Mail Jedidiah Collins spent seven seasons in the NFL, but not before being cut 13 times. In this episode, Jed breaks down what it really takes to stay in the game when everything is telling you you shouldn’t be there. From building a performance identity (“Zilla”) to redefining failure as feedback, this conversation goes far beyond football. We talk about:  Why winning has nothing to do with the scoreboard  How journaling can change your mindset (and your future)  The difference between being talented vs. being valuable  What young athletes need to understand about NIL and money  How to build confidence through self-talk and identity This is for athletes, parents, and coaches who want more than performance. It's for the ones who want longevity, growth, and real-life success beyond the game. About Jedidiah  Jedidiah Collins spent seven seasons in the NFL as a fullback, but his journey was anything but secure. Cut 13 times before finally earning his place, Jed learned early that talent might get you noticed, but resilience is what keeps you in the game. At one point ranked the No. 1 fullback in the world, Jed measured success differently: through journaling, reflection, and growth. After football, he became a Certified Financial Planner® and founded Money Vehicle, helping athletes and students learn to Speak Money & Act Wealthy. He is also the author of Your Money Vehicle and the upcoming book Fourth and Goal. Today, Jed travels the country teaching his “Rookie to Veteran” framework to what he calls Business Athletes, those who understand performance extends far beyond the field. He proudly calls himself a “Great Failure,” redefining failure as First Attempt In Learning. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support! Check out Money Vehicle Follow Rae on:  Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Support the show

    1h 4m
  6. Ep. 42 - Why Athletes Have the Advantage: Turning Athletic Skill Into Opportunity with Rae Irelan

    APR 21

    Ep. 42 - Why Athletes Have the Advantage: Turning Athletic Skill Into Opportunity with Rae Irelan

    Send us Fan Mail What if the skills that make you great in your sport are the exact same ones that unlock success in life and business? In this episode, we sit down with Rae Irelan, transformational business strategist, speaker, and former professional dancer, to explore how discipline, identity, and creative thinking translate far beyond performance environments. Rae shares how spending the first two decades of her life in dance shaped the way she approaches growth, pressure, and execution today. From relentless training and high expectations to stepping into the entrepreneurial world, she breaks down the transferable skills athletes often overlook and how to actually use them. We dive into:  How performance environments (like sport and dance) build discipline, resilience, and adaptability Why so many athletes struggle with identity when they step away—and how to navigate it  The shift from external validation to internal alignment How to think like a creator, not just a performer  Leveraging your unique story to build authority and impact The role of AI and modern tools in expanding opportunities for athletes beyond sport This episode is a powerful reminder that your your sport may just the beginning. The real advantage comes from how you apply what it taught you. About Rae Irelan Rae Irelan is a transformational business strategist, speaker, and #1 international best-selling author. She is the co-founder of Evolved Podcasting and has been featured in Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine. Rae helps visionary entrepreneurs amplify their authority, expand their impact, and unlock new revenue streams by blending creative leadership with smart AI-driven strategies. Her foundation was built in the dance studio, where she spent the first two decades of her life as a professional dancer developing the discipline, mindset, and performance skills that now fuel her work today. Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support! Check out Evolved Podcasting  Follow Rae on:  Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Support the show

    54 min
  7. Ep. 41 - Why Fitting In is Holding You Back with Greg Stewart

    APR 14

    Ep. 41 - Why Fitting In is Holding You Back with Greg Stewart

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to stop trying to fit in and start standing out? In this powerful episode, we sit down with two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world champion shot-putter, author, and speaker Greg Stewart for a conversation that goes far beyond sport. Born without his left arm below the elbow and standing 7'2", Greg spent much of his life trying to shrink himself so others would feel comfortable. He chased belonging through basketball courts and volleyball floors, racking up accolades along the way, yet something was always missing. It wasn't until he stopped listening to external voices and started doing the inner work that everything changed. In this episode, Greg opens up about growing up feeling different, the moment he realized his athletic success meant nothing without self-love, and how transitioning to shot put became the catalyst for finally taking charge of his own life. He also shares why he believes vulnerability is the answer to most of the questions we're afraid to ask, and what it really means to trust yourself. We dive deep into: Why fitting in was actually pulling Greg further from fulfillmentHow sport teaches us to fail and why that's a giftThe difference between self-love and egoHow to have the hard, uncomfortable conversations that change everythingTeaching youth to tune into their bodies instead of the noise in their headsWhether you're a young athlete navigating identity and belonging, a parent watching your kid go through it, or someone who has spent years trying to fit into a box that was never meant for you, this episode will meet you right where you are. About Greg Stewart Greg Stewart is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world champion shot-putter, author, entrepreneur, and one of the most powerful voices in Canada on vulnerability, resilience, and human performance. Standing 7'2" and born without his left arm below the elbow, Greg's life has never been about fitting in, it's been about standing out. Yet his path wasn't defined by medals or records at first. Growing up in small-town British Columbia, Greg grappled with identity, belonging, and the complicated emotions that come with looking "different." He spent years trying to shrink himself to make others comfortable, until he learned that the stories he was hiding were the very ones that could set him free. Greg went on to play university basketball, become a national champion, and eventually transition into shot put, where he discovered not just his sport, but his voice. In 2021, he won gold for Canada at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. In 2024, he defended his title in Paris. And in 2025, he cemented his place in history with a world championship in New Delhi. Today, he is the founder of Mindfulete, a speaking and coaching platform built on what he calls Mindful Vulnerability: the idea that true strength isn't about perfection but about owning your story, facing discomfort head-on, and choosing growth over protection. Greg's talks for corporations, schools, and communities explore the three principles at the heart of his life and work: Trust, Ownership, and Integrity (what he calls Life's Golden Standards). Greg is also the author of Stand Out, a children's book written in verse that traces his journey of growing up different and discovering confidence, courage, and community. He's currently writing the follow-up book, focused on teaching kids how to build habits rooted in those same golden standards. Visit Greg's Website Follow Greg on:  Facebook Support the show

    1h 14m
  8. Ep. 40 - When It All Falls Apart: Rebuilding Identity In and Around Sport

    APR 7

    Ep. 40 - When It All Falls Apart: Rebuilding Identity In and Around Sport

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when everything you’ve built your identity around suddenly gets taken away? In this episode, we sit down with Dallas Soonias, a former Team Canada volleyball player turned filmmaker, to unpack the reality of chasing elite performance, breaking down physically and mentally, and rebuilding from the ground up. Dallas shares how a career-altering injury forced him to confront more than just rehab and pushed him to face the parts of himself he had been avoiding for years. What started as a pursuit to “get back on the court” turned into a deeper journey through mindset, identity, and resilience. We dive into:  The difference between being competitive vs. being consumed by it How injury became the catalyst for growth, self-awareness, and better performance Why being at 70% physically made him a better teammate and player The mental skills that separate athletes in high-pressure moments How to stay calm, focused, and effective when everything is on the line  What it really means to add value to a team even when you’re not playing  And how the lessons from sport translate directly into leadership, creativity, and life after sportThis episode is a powerful reminder that sometimes your biggest setback becomes the exact thing that elevates you if you’re willing to face it. About Dallas  Dallas is a multi-talented actor who also writes, directs, and produces his own projects. His first short film, Frank Gets the Job Done, was commissioned by ImagineNATIVE Film Festival and TELUS Storyhive. He followed that by writing, directing, and starring in The Saint and the Bear. In 2024, Dallas directed the western short One Click and the TV series Renegade Fever. With strong ties to the sporting world, he is also proud to be the first male Indigenous athlete to represent Canada in volleyball. During the 2024 Summer Olympics, Dallas produced and hosted a segment for CBC Olympics, directed the Olympic opening, and worked as an analyst for CBC Sports covering volleyball. Dallas is Nehiyaw/Anishinaabe, registered with The Chippewas of Nawash, with close ties to his father’s band, Red Pheasant. He grew up off-reserve in Red Deer, Alberta. Support the show

    36 min
See All (101)

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Producer: Mariel Nichole
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Forged Youth | Legacy Within
  • Show Website
    Forged Youth | Legacy Within