Cara Stawicki | Walk-On to World Champion | Episode 11

Cara Stawicki | Walk-On to World Champion | Episode 11

Cara Stawicki is a World Champion rower, High-Performance and Leadership Coach, and visionary dedicated to helping unlock the freedom to dream big and perform.She started later than most as a Lehigh University walk-on and battled self-doubt, injuries, and disappointments. Some might have given up, but Cara made a plan that led her to the podium. She now coaches that mentality through her practice Be Brave High Performance. Her calm, thoughtful approach helps athletes and leaders break through mental barriers and build resilience and confidence.Key Topics: * Cara's journey from college walk-on to world champion * The importance of team and mental resilience * Overcoming injuries and setbacks in sports * Transition from athlete to coach and mentor Chapters00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wQq6HI3Ahk] Introduction to Cara Stawicki and her journey 01:05 Cara's decision to try rowing and her early experiences 01:31 The appeal of team sports and her love for rowing 05:59 College experience and walking on at Lehigh 07:57 Applying to college and choosing Lehigh 09:32 Freshman year at Lehigh and team dynamics 10:55 Recruiting process for Princeton and college transition 12:17 Challenges of transitioning to college athletics 13:57 Dreams of the Olympics and post-collegiate rowing 14:51 Injuries and setbacks in her rowing career 16:43 Reflections on her long athletic career and evolving values 26:52 Transition to coaching and her focus on mental performance 30:45 Advice to her younger self and closing thoughtsFollow Cara:Website [https://carastawicki.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carastawicki/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-stawicki-6059196/] Book a Discovery Call [https://calendly.com/carastawicki/discovery?month=2026-04]

Olivia Papakyrikos | Chronic Injury to Clinical Care | Episode 10

Olivia Papakyrikos is a licensed therapist and sport psychology consultant based in Boston. Through her practice Papakyrikos Therapy and Performance, Olivia works with competitive athletes, college students, and high-performing individuals navigating pressure, expectations, and the mental load that comes with showing up at a high level every single day. She has collaborated with athletic teams and departments at schools like Northeastern, UMass Amherst, Tufts, Middlebury, and Harvard, providing integrated psychotherapy and performance psychology services to student-athletes.  Olivia believes performance and mental health are not competing priorities; they're deeply connected.Olivia shares her journey through sports, mental health, and coaching, highlighting the importance of mental skills, managing pressure, and redefining achievement.Chapters00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJVYGLtNxQ8] The Pressure to Perform05:00 Navigating Competition and Comparison09:38 Mental Skills and Performance Anxiety17:24 The Journey Through Injury and Recovery20:55 Coaching Dynamics and Mental Health28:52 The Role of Parents in Sports32:01 Seeking Support and ResourcesFollow Olivia:IG:   / oliviapapakyrikos   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2xrYnJVajVZeVpzOFZ1Y0RBNzM2RGZZVnhZUXxBQ3Jtc0trcjNLeE1vZmFBNjI5STdramxFaXpHaHNLRTJBeE1pVEZWNU5lMVZXaVpkWUhtamp0cDlQUmJacU83dU8zWkFvcXlSa3VoVnA1eFZ5MVd3VG93NGp4Wll0TWhWOG4xYlZ1WnI5YUxnZ0FzMldJTWhKaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Foliviapapakyrikos%2F&v=TJVYGLtNxQ8]This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, grief, mental health, and suicide, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it. Immediate mental health support is available 24/7, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988) and SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP).

Jess Deutsch | Navigating Grief and Vulnerability | Episode 09

Jess Deutsch is a Licensed Social Worker who advises and mentors high school and college students, athletes, and young professionals. She also consults with nonprofits in higher education, social impact, high performance athletics and well-being. She's passionate about helping others attain big goals with health and perspective—and has done so both at her alma mater, Princeton University, and in private practice. With elite athletes, pre-med students, or high achievers in general, she helps young people discover their own motivations and define success on their own terms. Jess recently lost her father, two years after losing her younger brother, and rather than shy away from these huge losses, she wanted to show up and talk about them. We'll also talk about the grief that often goes unspoken—a career-ending injury, stepping away from a sport, or closing a chapter you didn't choose to close.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Grief and Loss02:10 Personal Stories of Grief05:23 The Impact of Loss on Identity07:57 Navigating Grief and Vulnerability12:08 Understanding Grief in Sports17:00 The Unspoken Grief of Athletes20:40 Finding Support and Connection23:11 Looking Forward and Moving On Follow Jess IG [https://www.instagram.com/jess.deutsch/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessdeutsch/] Substack [https://jessdeutschwriting.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search] References: All There Is with Anderson Cooper [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6XRrncXkMaULVlEOUeCtU4M5_rQGblye] The Daily Buddhist [https://www.instagram.com/daily.buddhist/] This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, grief, mental health, and suicide, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it. Immediate mental health support is available 24/7, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988) and SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP).

Bella Alarie | Standing Tall | Episode 08

Bella Alarie is the 2017 Ivy League Rookie of the Year, a three-time Player of the Year, an All-American, and the fifth overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. Bella competed at the highest levels of the game - at Princeton, with the Dallas Wings in the WNBA, in the EuroLeague, and for Team USA. After her playing career, she coached at Georgetown while earning a master's degree in sports industry management. Now she's using her experience to help build The IX Sports, a women's sports media platform. Follow Bella! @bella_alarie [https://www.instagram.com/bella_alarie/] Follow The IX Sports: @theixsports [https://www.instagram.com/theixsports/] This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

Cat Caro George | Finding Purpose After Injury | Episode 07

Cat Caro George grew up in New Jersey excelling in the classroom while starring on the USA Field Hockey Junior National Team. She went on to play (and win a lot) at Princeton University where she studied Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Cat is no stranger to adversity as she suffered multiple knee injuries while playing for Team USA after graduation. Her passion for understanding nutrition's role in recovery (and her husband) led her to London to pursue a Masters of Science in Nutrition and PhD in preconception health and lifestyle behaviors. Discover practical insights on resilience, mental health, and reaching your highest potential. Follow Cat! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catcaroLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinevcaro/ This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.