The Mental Game with Sam Brief

Sam Brief
  • 5.0 (24)
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The Mental Game with Sam Brief Podcast

Under our critical microscopes, athletes compete, coaches coach, and we discuss. But what’s happening inside these performers’ minds? Let’s dive in. And as the world recognizes that embracing mental health is necessary, “The Mental Game” serves as a platform for open and honest reflections. On The Mental Game podcast, host Sam Brief breaks down mental health and performance psychology with these athletes, coaches and experts from around the world. Music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe to The Mental Game on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

  1. AUG 28

    Why we should all meditate more, from the first-ever meditation director in college sports, Chad McGehee

    Episode 73 of The Mental Game features the first-ever Director of Meditation Training in major college sports: Chad McGehee of the University of Wisconsin.   Now in his fourth year at UW, McGehee trains student-athletes, coaches and teams on meditation, giving Wisconsin’s teams a mental edge few programs possess. He also collaborates with researchers and scientists on ground-breaking research, which has already produced massively impactful results in the field of meditation. McGehee first joined The Mental Game in January 2021 as he set sail on his new venture. Now a veteran, he’s ready to dive deep on what he’s learned. On the podcast, McGehee… Shows us the mental keys behind Wisconsin’s first-ever NCAA Championship in volleyball. Reveals the eye-popping research findings on student-athlete meditation that shocked even him. Takes us through what a typical session looks like. And much, much more. The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Google Podcasts⁠, ⁠TuneIn⁠ and ⁠Stitcher⁠. The Mental Game is a proud partner of Laaser's Ladybug Society, which is a designated 501c3 organization combatting the stigmas that surround mental health by actively fundraising to support mental health initiatives and innovations in our school system. The mental health challenges faced by our youth are unprecedented and it is time to get off the bench and get in the game as we fight for the mental well-being of the next generation. Learn more and join the fight at LaasersLadybugs.org! The Mental Game is now on Patreon. For just a few bucks per month, you can become a Mental Gamer and unlock access to exclusive bonus episodes, Q&As and more: patreon.com/TheMentalGamePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

    34 min

  2. JUN 17

    Upon completing the world's toughest swims for mental health, Andy Donaldson is just getting started

    Episode 72 of The Mental Game brings on a guest that will blow your mind. Andy Donaldson is among the most impressive open-water swimmers in history. Last year, Donaldson set the Guinness World Record for fastest time completing the Oceans Seven marathon swim challenge, which consists of seven of the most challenging open water channel swims on Earth, including: The Cook Strait between New Zealand’s North and South Islands, 22.5 km (12.1 mi) The Moloka’i Channel in Hawaii, 42 km (23 mi) The English Channel between England and France, 33 km (18 mi) Four more, ranging from Europe to Asia to the U.S. Donaldson is the only swimmer to complete all seven within a single year. And in doing so, he raised tens of thousands of dollars for mental health charities, a cause near and dear to his heart. Donaldson says he’s motivated to impact what he sees as the great challenge of our generation — combatting mental health — because of his grandfather’s long battle with depression and his own mental health struggles. Born in Scotland and now living in Australia, Donaldson retired from swimming in 2016 when his Olympic dreams were washed out and took up a job in accounting. In 2020, he moved to Perth, Western Australia and immersed himself in open-water swimming. He has since set three world records, raised meaningful funds for mental health causes and touched millions of lives. On The Mental Game, Donaldson dives deep on: His daunting journey through the Oceans Seven challenge. How mental fortitude — more than physical strength — pushed him through the challenge. Why he chose to fundraise for mental health. His future goals. And much, much more. The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Google Podcasts⁠, ⁠TuneIn⁠ and ⁠Stitcher⁠. The Mental Game is a proud partner of Laaser's Ladybug Society, which is a designated 501c3 organization combatting the stigmas that surround mental health by actively fundraising to support mental health initiatives and innovations in our school system. The mental health challenges faced by our youth are unprecedented and it is time to get off the bench and get in the game as we fight for the mental well-being of the next generation. Learn more and join the fight at LaasersLadybugs.org! The Mental Game is now on Patreon. For just a few bucks per month, you can become a Mental Gamer and unlock access to exclusive bonus episodes, Q&As and more: patreon.com/TheMentalGamePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

    1h 0m

  3. MAR 27

    Living in an RV, raising kids, playing pickleball: The Mental Game of Pickleball, Episode 2 with Megan Fudge and Ryler DeHeart

    Episode 71 of The Mental Game features the second episode of our series highlighting the Mental Game of Pickleball. Pickleball is a sensation. It’s America’s fastest-growing sport, and it’s gone international. 48.3 million U.S. adults have played it in the last year, and organizations like the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) have heightened the sport to the professional level. In pickleball episode 2, Megan Fudge and Ryler DeHeart join the podcast. Why Fudge and DeHeart on The Mental Game? This husband-wife duo has an incredible story. They met as fellow tennis stars at the University of Illinois and have since quit their day jobs, committed to pickleball as a profession and have each starred the APP Tour. Then, a year ago, they made a drastic decision. Fudge and DeHeart sold their house, bought an RV, and committed to the simple life, driving with their kids, Lily, 9, and JR, 7, around America while on tour. Lily and JR are enrolled in virtual school while their parents crush it on the pickleball court. The drastic lifestyle shift has revolutionized their lives, their pickleball performance and, of course, their outlook. On The Mental Game, Fudge and DeHeart take you behind the scenes. (For even more, here’s Fudge’s Instagram) Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself. The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Google Podcasts⁠, ⁠TuneIn⁠ and ⁠Stitcher⁠. The Mental Game is a proud partner of Laaser's Ladybug Society, which is a designated 501c3 organization combatting the stigmas that surround mental health by actively fundraising to support mental health initiatives and innovations in our school system. The mental health challenges faced by our youth are unprecedented and it is time to get off the bench and get in the game as we fight for the mental well-being of the next generation. Learn more and join the fight at LaasersLadybugs.org! The Mental Game is now on Patreon. For just a few bucks per month, you can become a Mental Gamer and unlock access to exclusive bonus episodes, Q&As and more: patreon.com/TheMentalGamePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

    30 min

  4. MAR 9

    What might the next century of sports mental health care look like? Walt Norley dives deep

    Episode 70 of The Mental Game features Walt Norley, the founder, chairman and CEO of OnBalance. Why Norley on The Mental Game? Norley is a former NCAA Division I quarterback — who was initially recruited to Ohio State by then-assistant coach Nick Saban. His football career was riddled by injury, and he’s since immersed himself in an uber-successful business career. Norley, like millions, has managed bipolar disorder. With that and his passion for sports in mind, he founded OnBalance, a software platform partners with collegiate athletic departments and pro sports teams to manage mental health and well-being of athletes. The drive behind the platform is two-fold: to help save as many lives as possible and to de-stigmatize mental health for those suffering in silence. Saban’s Alabama football program was among the first NCAA programs to join, and OnBalance is pushing mental health care to the next generation. On The Mental Game, Norley dives deep on his story and that of OnBalance. Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself. The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Google Podcasts⁠, ⁠TuneIn⁠ and ⁠Stitcher⁠. The Mental Game is a proud partner of Laaser's Ladybug Society, which is a designated 501c3 organization combatting the stigmas that surround mental health by actively fundraising to support mental health initiatives and innovations in our school system. The mental health challenges faced by our youth are unprecedented and it is time to get off the bench and get in the game as we fight for the mental well-being of the next generation. Learn more and join the fight at LaasersLadybugs.org! The Mental Game is now on Patreon. For just a few bucks per month, you can become a Mental Gamer and unlock access to exclusive bonus episodes, Q&As and more: patreon.com/TheMentalGamePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

    35 min

  5. FEB 14

    Post-playing days, becoming a mental skills coach and more with Ryan Lidge

    Episode 69 of The Mental Game brings aboard Ryan Lidge, seven-year professional baseball catcher and now a mental performance coach with ZoneCoach. Why Lidge on The Mental Game? In a way, Lidge is a lifelong mental performance coach. During his time playing at Notre Dame, in the New York Yankees organization and with the Chicago Dogs, Lidge was constantly a leader, locking himself and his teammates in on the mental game. He retired after the 2023 baseball season and has officially joined ZoneCoach as a mental performance coach. Now dealing with life after baseball, Lidge is channeling his energy to helping others tune their mental games. As a player, Lidge’s story inspires: He was cut from the Yankees after the 2019 season and decided to give up. But a last-second change-of-heart turned his career — and his life — around. We dive into it all in this episode. Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself. The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Google Podcasts⁠, ⁠TuneIn⁠ and ⁠Stitcher⁠. The Mental Game is a proud partner of Laaser's Ladybug Society, which is a designated 501c3 organization combatting the stigmas that surround mental health by actively fundraising to support mental health initiatives and innovations in our school system. The mental health challenges faced by our youth are unprecedented and it is time to get off the bench and get in the game as we fight for the mental wellbeing of the next generation. Learn more and join the fight at LaasersLadybugs.org! The Mental Game is now on Patreon. For just a few bucks per month, you can become a Mental Gamer and unlock access to exclusive bonus episodes, Q&As and more: patreon.com/TheMentalGamePod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

    48 min

  6. JAN 2

    Mental Game of Pickleball, Episode 1: 18-year old phenom Alix Truong on going pro in a sport she just learned

    Episode 68 of The Mental Game marks the beginning of our series highlighting the Mental Game of Pickleball. Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport.  48.3 million U.S. adults have played it in the last year, and organizations like the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) have heightened the sport to the professional level. In our first pickleball-focused episode, one of the sport’s young stars joins The Mental Game. Just 18 years old, Alix Truong has already skyrocketed through the ranks to become one of the elite women’s pros on the APP Tour. After starring for her high school tennis team in Virginia, Truong and her family first dabbled in pickleball during the Covid pandemic. Truong instantly fell in love with the sport, turned into a force on the court and went professional shortly after. She has since won 19 medals on tour, including eight golds. This summer, Truong was drafted by the California BLQK Bears of Major League Pickleball. Why Truong on The Mental Game? Her story begs a few questions: What’s it like to be the youngest person in your field? How does it feel to go pro in a sport you just discovered? Truong answers these burning questions and more in this engaging, insightful episode. Listening to her speak, you’ll find yourself amazed by her mental resilience and fascinated by her story. Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself. The Mental Game is now on Patreon. For just a few bucks per month, you can become a Mental Gamer and unlock access to exclusive bonus episodes, Q&As and more: patreon.com/TheMentalGamePod The Mental Game is a proud partner of Laaser's Ladybug Society, which is a designated 501c3 organization combatting the stigmas that surround mental health by actively fundraising to support mental health initiatives and innovations in our school system. The mental health challenges faced by our youth are unprecedented and it is time to get off the bench and get in the game as we fight for the mental wellbeing of the next generation. Learn more and join the fight at LaasersLadybugs.org! The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and Stitcher. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

    36 min

  7. 12/18/2023

    World Series champion Josh Reddick dives into the mental game of conquering rejection on the way to stardom

    Episode 67 of The Mental Game brings on Josh Reddick, a 13-year MLB veteran, World Series champion and Gold Glover winner. Reddick played from 2009-2021 for the Red Sox, A’s, Dodgers, Astros and Diamondbacks, winning the 2017 World Series with Houston. Why Reddick on The Mental Game? Reddick’s mental game journey is marked by resilience and a sharp edge. He was cut from his middle school baseball team and embraced a “renegade” mentality, one that lifted him to the sport’s pinnacle. And once he reached MLB, he had to accomplish something even more difficult: staying in MLB. Reddick did so with flying colors, becoming a star in the process. He retired earlier this year after playing his final season of baseball in Australia with the Perth Heat. His appearance on The Mental Game will prime you to rise and conquer, no matter what the outside noise dictates. Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself. The Mental Game is now on Patreon. For just a few bucks per month, you can become a Mental Gamer and unlock access to exclusive bonus episodes, Q&As and more: patreon.com/TheMentalGamePod The Mental Game is a proud partner of Laaser's Ladybug Society, which is a designated 501c3 organization combatting the stigmas that surround mental health by actively fundraising to support mental health initiatives and innovations in our school system. The mental health challenges faced by our youth are unprecedented and it is time to get off the bench and get in the game as we fight for the mental wellbeing of the next generation. Learn more and join the fight at LaasersLadybugs.org! The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and Stitcher. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

    42 min

  8. 11/20/2023

    My Playbook: Tiffany Sardin

    The Mental Game is now on Patreon. For just a few bucks per month, you can become a Mental Gamer and unlock access to exclusive bonus episodes, Q&As and more: ⁠patreon.com/TheMentalGamePod⁠ We’ve arrived at the second episode of My Playbook, an all-new Mental Game Podcast series. In case you missed the first “My Playbook” with Reggie Hearn, click HERE. To catch you up: On My Playbook, the world’s top athletes, coaches, psychologists and more will peel back the curtain on their personal playbooks for dealing with the ups and downs of life, mental health and their careers. The second guest on My Playbook is Division I college basketball coach and former player Tiffany Sardin. Sardin is fresh off a stint at Saint Louis University, where she was a key member of a staff that guided the Billikens to an Atlantic 10 championship. Previously, Sardin was the head women’s basketball coach at Chicago State University after assistant stints at Clemson, UIC and Longwood, among others. As a player, Sardin served as a three-year captain at the University of Virginia. She then played professionally in Portugal before coaching. I worked closely with Sardin at Chicago State, when I was a broadcaster and sports information director for her teams. I witnessed firsthand her unique mental game-focused coaching style, unafraid to talk mental health and to impact cerebral wisdom on her players. When the Cougars were struggling, Sardin almost always attributed the strife to something mental — and it was no different when they won. Sardin has also battled immense personal setbacks, including the tragic losses of her brother and father in quick succession. Coping with those losses forms the backbone of Sardin’s appearance on My Playbook, in which she gives you her formula for battling loss, recovering and moving on. Enjoy and remember to be kind to yourself. The Mental Game is a proud partner of Laaser's Ladybug Society, which is a designated 501c3 organization combatting the stigmas that surround mental health by actively fundraising to support mental health initiatives and innovations in our school system. The mental health challenges faced by our youth are unprecedented and it is time to get off the bench and get in the game as we fight for the mental wellbeing of the next generation. Learn more and join the fight at LaasersLadybugs.org! The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and Stitcher. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

    17 min
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5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Under our critical microscopes, athletes compete, coaches coach, and we discuss. But what’s happening inside these performers’ minds? Let’s dive in. And as the world recognizes that embracing mental health is necessary, “The Mental Game” serves as a platform for open and honest reflections. On The Mental Game podcast, host Sam Brief breaks down mental health and performance psychology with these athletes, coaches and experts from around the world. Music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe to The Mental Game on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sam-brief/support

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