In this episode of the Get Mental podcast, host Dave Matthews speaks with Dr. Ford Dyke, a human performance optimization expert. They discuss Dr. Dyke's journey from a beach kid in Florida to a professor and coach for Team USA. The conversation explores the impact of the pandemic on personal growth, the importance of creating boundaries in high-performance environments, and the balance between striving for success and maintaining mental health. Dr. Dyke shares his experiences coaching Paralympic athletes and building a new team from scratch, emphasizing the role of mindfulness in performance and coaching. In this conversation, Ford Dyke discusses the integration of mindfulness in coaching, particularly within adaptive sports. He emphasizes the importance of silence and reflection for athletes, the unique resilience found in adapted athletes, and the effective coaching practices that foster an empowering environment. The dialogue also touches on the mental skills crucial for success in sports, the significance of understanding one's audience, and personal insights into routines and preferences.

In this episode of the Get Mental podcast, Dave Matthews and Trevor Connor discuss the increasing pressures and anxieties faced by athletes today. They explore the impact of societal expectations, the role of parents, and the importance of mental fitness in sports. Trevor shares insights on coaching strategies for managing stress, the significance of belief systems, and the need for experiential learning to build resilience. The conversation culminates in the introduction of the Stress Initiative, a new program designed to help athletes navigate stress through practical, hands-on experiences. In this conversation, Trevor Conner and Dave Matthews delve into the Stress Initiative, an innovative program designed to help athletes develop mental skills and resilience under pressure. They discuss the experiential learning aspect of the initiative, emphasizing the importance of practicing mental skills in high-stress situations. The conversation highlights how the initiative serves as a gateway to deeper mental training and the necessity of managing stress in today's world.

In this episode of the Get Mental podcast, we talk with Dr. Brendan Hanley, a performance psychologist with a rich background in sports and military training. They explore the critical mental skills necessary for high-pressure environments, emphasizing the importance of self-identity, motivation, and resilience. Dr. Hanley shares transformative experiences from his work with military personnel, highlighting the significance of authenticity and care in leadership. The conversation delves into the balance between praise and criticism in coaching, the impact of shame and guilt, and the journey of personal development. As they wrap up, they discuss future directions in performance psychology and the importance of intentional recovery practices.