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.

In this conversation, Dave Matthews interviews David Ford, a Division 1 golfer, about the mental skills necessary for high performance in golf. They discuss the importance of accepting losses, knowing strengths and weaknesses, and having self-belief. Ford shares how he learned to accept losses and move on quickly, and how he developed a strong self-belief in his abilities. He also talks about the role of faith in his golf game and how reading Bible verses helps calm his nerves and give him peace. Ford emphasizes the importance of using his platform to glorify God, regardless of his golf scores. In this conversation, David Ford discusses the importance of desire and simplicity in his golf game. He shares how his desire to win propelled him to success, even when his fundamentals were not perfect. He emphasizes the need to understand one's game and focus on what works well, rather than constantly seeking to make changes. Ford also talks about his pre-tournament routine, which involves keeping things simple and maintaining a positive mindset. He advises athletes going through the recruiting process to take it slow, find a coach they mesh well with, and not get too stressed about where they go to college. He also highlights the role of supportive and hands-off parents in building confidence and self-esteem.

Today we're talking with another member of the Hearts & Minds team: George Rivers! George is a published author, former Division 1 tennis player, and mental coach. Tune in to hear his insights about self-talk and the mental game at large!

Today we're chatting with Mary Grace Rennard, a soon-to-be UNC tennis player with tons of great insight about the mental game. Tune in!

Today Dave is sitting down with Jake Iggy, who is a sports content creator, influencer, and mental fitness advocate.

Dive right in for excerpts about the mental side of sport, self-awareness, and the impacts of social media on young athletes.

Let's get mental!

Listen in on our first-ever Hearts & Minds team podcast, where we discuss the mission, vision, and purpose behind why we do what we do here at Hearts & Minds. Tune in!