Skull Sessions Podcast: The Art and Science of Kickin' A$s Between the Ears

Ep 8: Stephen Drum: Life on the X. A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Performing Under Pressure

In this episode of Skull Sessions, Andy Riise and Nate Last sit down with retired Navy SEAL Master Chief and co-creator of the U.S. Navy’s Warrior Toughness Program [https://youtu.be/zoRbOC8T-s4?si=zUDTQ-euQwyt5vVK], Stephen Drum, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-drum-643695135/] for a raw conversation about mental toughness, leadership, emotional regulation, resilience, and performing under pressure. Stephen shares lessons from 27 years in the Navy SEAL Teams, including BUD/S training, combat leadership, and helping develop the Navy’s Warrior Toughness program. He opens up about self-doubt, anger, stress, identity, and how mental skills like visualization, mindfulness, detachment, and preparation helped him navigate life both on and off the battlefield. The conversation dives into: * The reality of SEAL training and elite performance * Why commitment matters more than confidence * Emotional regulation and managing stress * Mental rehearsal and visualization under pressure * The concept of “Life on the X” * Leadership, preparation, and performance psychology * The importance of recovery, self-awareness, and self-forgiveness * Stephen’s work with the Mental app and practical mental fitness tools for men Stephen also discusses his new book, Life on the X [https://www.amazon.com/Life-Meeting-Challenge-Confidence-Readiness-ebook/dp/B0BL3ZV1LV], and how the lessons learned in high-stakes military environments apply directly to business, leadership, parenting, relationships, and everyday life. Find more about Stephen and his company here. [https://linktr.ee/stephendrum] If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it with a friend, teammate, or family member, and check out Skull Sessions Podcast For more episodes, resources, and tools to help you kick ass between the ears.

Ep 7: Nate Last: From Performance Anxiety to Mental Grit

In this episode of Skull Sessions Podcast, Andy Riise sits down with co-host and mental performance coach Nate Last for a raw and honest conversation about failure, pressure, identity, resilience, and the mental battles that high performers often fight in silence. Nate shares his journey from walking off a golf course during a state tournament at 15 years old to discovering sport psychology in college and spending nearly a decade struggling to build a career in mental performance coaching. Together, Andy and Nate unpack the realities of performance anxiety, perfectionism, self-talk, entrepreneurship, and what it really means to “kick ass between the ears.” This episode goes beyond sports. It’s about learning how to fight through adversity, believe in yourself when nobody else does, and build the mental grit needed to perform under pressure in life, business, school, relationships, and competition. Topics include: * Performance Anxiety * Mental Toughness vs Toxic Positivity * Identity and Self-Worth * Failure and Resilience * Sport Psychology and Mental Performance * Entrepreneurship and Betting on Yourself * Confidence Under Pressure * Ironman Training and Deliberate Discomfort * Leadership, Growth, and the Mental Game of Life If this episode helped you think differently, share it with a friend, teammate, coach, athlete, parent, or family member who could benefit from the conversation. Follow Nate through www.mentalgritconsulting.com [www.mentalgritconsulting.com] and on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mentalgrit?igsh=OXdmZGRkMHJ2dGps] Please leave a review to help us grow the show and continue bringing these conversations to more people. For more episodes, resources, and learning tools, visit www.skullsessionspodcast.com [www.skullsessionspodcast.com]

Ep. 6: Valerie Alston on Mental Performance, Resilience, and Coaching What Actually Works

In this episode of the Skull Sessions Podcast, Andy Riise and Nate Last sit down with Valerie Alston, a mental performance expert who has spent over 16 years helping soldiers, athletes, and leaders build resilience, mental toughness, and high-performance habits. Valerie shares her journey from college athlete to working with the U.S. Army, where she applies sport psychology principles in high-stakes environments. She breaks down the real process behind mental performance—moving beyond theory to practical tools that actually help people perform under pressure. The conversation dives into the gap between knowledge and application, why most mental skills training fails, and how coaches, parents, and leaders can create environments that support both performance and well-being. Valerie also opens up about building her own business, the challenges of working with youth athletes, and the critical role parents and coaches play in shaping mindset and development. Key takeaways: * The simple framework to assess, build, and apply mental skills * Why “control what you can control” is more than a cliché * How to translate complex psychology into practical tools * The biggest mistakes parents and coaches make with young athletes * Why mental toughness requires both challenge and support * Lessons from working with military leaders in high-pressure environments * The reality of building a business in performance psychology If you’re a coach, parent, athlete, or leader looking to improve performance and build stronger mental habits, this episode delivers practical, real-world insight you can apply immediately. Listen now and learn how to kick ass between the ears.

Ep. 5: From Judgment to Joy | Patty de Vries on Mastering Your Mindset & Living Authentically

In this powerful episode of Skull Sessions, Andy Riise and Nate Last sit down with Patty de Vries (“Oma”), founder of Living Well USA, to explore what it really means to master your mindset and create a life aligned with who you truly are. Patty shares her deeply personal journey—from high-level athletics at Stanford to transformational breakthroughs in mindfulness, neuroplasticity, and self-awareness. Together, they unpack one of the biggest barriers to performance and fulfillment: judgment—of ourselves and others. This conversation goes beyond theory. You’ll learn practical tools to move from being “below the line” (stuck in fear, frustration, and negativity) to “above the line” (calm, creative, and aligned). Key Takeaways: * Why judgment is the hidden performance killer in life and sport * How your brain creates “doom loops” vs. positive momentum (the flywheel) * The difference between accepting emotions vs. getting stuck in them * A simple framework to clarify what you truly want: Want / Don’t Want / Nice-to-Have * How gratitude and awareness can instantly reset your state * Why authenticity—not external success—drives fulfillment and performance * The role of mindfulness and neuroplasticity in becoming your best self Patty also shares powerful stories from her athletic career, her work with organizations like Stanford Medicine, and the philosophy behind Living Well USA—a growing movement focused on helping people reconnect with themselves and live with intention. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from who you really are, this episode gives you a roadmap to get out of your own way and start living fully aligned. Listen now and learn the art and science of kickin' ass between the ears. Follow us on social: https://linktr.ee/skullsessionspodcast [https://linktr.ee/skullsessionspodcast]

Ep. 4: Dr. Theresa Larson on Resilience, Leadership, and Mental Health for High Performers

In this episode, host Andy Riise sits down with Theresa Larson, a Marine Corps officer turned physical therapist, entrepreneur, and leadership wellness expert. Dr. Larson shares her powerful story of overcoming trauma, battling an eating disorder during deployment, and learning how true resilience comes from self-leadership, vulnerability, and choosing your hard. The conversation explores mental toughness, leadership under pressure, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the connection between physical and mental health. You’ll learn practical strategies for building resilience, leading with empathy, slowing down to gain clarity, and creating sustainable high performance in work and life. Follow Skull Sessions for conversations with experts, high performers, and everyday heroes training their minds to lead, grow, and win from within. Follow us on social: https://linktr.ee/skullsessionspodcast [https://linktr.ee/skullsessionspodcast]