78. Guard your INPUTS ft. Danny Ourian

78. Guard your INPUTS ft. Danny Ourian

Three years ago, Nanik Tagore interviewed Danny Ourian in one of the True to Life Podcast's earliest episodes. Now, on the cusp of graduation, Nanik sits back down with Danny for a long-form, unfiltered conversation about presence, meditation, the attention economy, civic engagement, and a concept Nanik can't stop coming back to: cognitive sovereignty. This is the deepest dive on True to Life podcast so far.Danny Ourian is the founder of Hoops Minded, where he coaches basketball players and other athletes on mental performance, presence, and mindfulness. He was one of the first guests on the True to Life Podcast (one of the original 15–20 episodes) and returns three years later for this long-form conversation.Connect with Danny:Hoops Minded: https://www.hoopsminded.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyhoops/Sports Psych: https://www.dominican.edu/directory-people/dan-ourianSubscribe & ShareSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1EipumeK7OUdMUhtUWfigBApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-to-life-with-nanik-tagore/id1663572737YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@truetolifepodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/truetolifepodcast/

77. Why Student-Athletes Win in the Workforce Ft. Gregory Menvielle

Guest: Gregory Menvielle [https://www.okaya.me/our-team] In this episode, I sit down with Gregory Menvielle to unpack why student-athletes consistently stand out in hiring, leadership, and long-term career growth. Gregory brings a unique perspective from his work at Okaya, where he helps individuals and organizations better understand human behavior, performance, and potential in the workplace. Together, we connect the dots between athletics and the professional world in a way that’s rarely explained clearly. * The transferable skills student-athletes develop without realizing it * Why employers actively seek out former athletes in hiring processes * How discipline, time management, and accountability show up on the job * The difference between “having experience” and being pressure-tested * Why team environments prepare athletes for leadership roles * How athletes can better articulate their value beyond sports * What separates athletes who struggle post-sport from those who thrive Student-athletes aren’t just adaptable. They’re conditioned for performance, feedback, and growth. When framed correctly, their experience is a competitive advantage in any industry. If you’re a current student-athlete, former athlete, or employer trying to identify high-character talent, this conversation will change how you view athletic experience in the professional world. * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorymenvielle [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorymenvielle] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregorymenvielle [https://www.instagram.com/gregorymenvielle] Nanik Tagore True to Life Podcast [https://linktr.ee/Naniktagore48]

76. Maybe it's the PHONES? (Solo Pod)

Nanik Tagore's stake in the ground before graduation. The attention economy, cognitive sovereignty, the cost of performing for screens, and a SAC presidential farewell speech read live. Awareness → Action → Reflection. https://dot.cards/naniktagore [https://dot.cards/naniktagore]

75. You Can Be Elite and Still Struggle Mentally ft. Ivy Watts

In this episode of the True to Life Podcast, I’m joined by Ivy Watts, a former Division II All-American track and field athlete turned mental health speaker, for a grounded conversation on mental health in sport. Ivy shares practical insight from her own experience navigating elite competition while struggling internally, and how she now helps student-athletes build healthier relationships with performance, pressure, and identity. * Why mental health is essential to performance, not separate from it * Common mental health challenges student-athletes face * How to recognize the difference between discipline and burnout * Why asking for help feels difficult in competitive environments * Tools student-athletes can use to check in with themselves during the season * How identity shifts when sport no longer defines you * You don’t need to be at a breaking point to care for your mental health * Your worth extends beyond results and stats Ivy Watts is a former DII All-American and mental health speaker who works with athletes and organizations to reduce stigma and promote well-being. Website: ivywattsspeaks.com [https://www.ivywattsspeaks.com/] Instagram: @ivywattsspeaks [https://www.instagram.com/ivywattsspeaks/?hl=en] X: @IvyWattsSpeaks [https://x.com/IvyWattsSpeaks] Host: Nanik Tagore [https://dot.cards/naniktagore]

74. Life After the Game: My Roadmap for What’s Next

The jersey is off—now what? Most athletes struggle with the 'void' after college sports, but I’m looking at it as a kickoff. In this episode, I break down my immediate next steps, from professional goals to the mindset shifts required to win in the 'real world.' If you’re a former athlete or anyone navigating a massive life transition, this episode is your playbook for the next season. https://dot.cards/naniktagore