The Behavior of Sport

Performance Insights and Athlete Mental Health with FIFA Agent, Guilherme Von Cüpper

In this episode of The Behavior of Sport podcast, Dr. Naser sits down with Guilherme Von Cüpper, licensed FIFA agent and the Director of Berlin Sports Group. Guilherme shares his extensive experience the within the global football industry. Discover how mental health is transforming from taboo to essential in high-performance sports and learn the importance of holistic athlete care. Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and episode overview 00:05 - Guilherme's background and multifaceted roles in football 00:43 - The importance of holistic athlete development 01:34 - The rise of mental performance in football globally 02:52 - How clubs evaluate psychological resilience in scouting 03:25 - The impact of culture, language, and religion on athlete adaptation 04:22 - The mental health challenges faced by young athletes transitioning to international stage 05:45 - The stigma around discussing mental health in sports 06:17 - Personal stories of mental health struggles among top athletes like Thierry Henry 07:43 - The role of sports psychologists and personalized mental health support 10:02 - The future of athlete-agent relationships focusing on well-being 11:05 - The importance of comprehensive support including family and entourage 12:09 - The significance of words and cultural differences on mental health 13:04 - How tech innovations aid athlete adaptation and performance analysis 14:28 - The increasing importance of mental health evaluation during scouting 15:27 - Leading by example: leadership and team dynamics in sports 16:50 - The influence of cultural and religious backgrounds on athlete integration 17:41 - The role of language learning and technological tools in global sports 19:40 - The role of sports psychologists in addressing trauma and mental health issues 22:37 - Changing perceptions of mental health and performance in sports across generations 23:50 - Differentiating mental health and mental performance for athletes 26:11 - The darker side: mental health struggles like depression and suicidal thoughts among players 27:03 - The importance of safe mental health spaces and the role of sports psychologists 28:38 - The impact of social media and online abuse on young athletes 31:14 - Challenges faced by youth transitioning from local to international stages 33:00 - The importance of surround support: family, agents, and mentors 36:49 - Developing a balanced mindset and intrinsic motivation in young athletes 39:37 - The influence of social media, lifestyle, and generational shifts on athlete mentality 42:14 - Closing remarks: supporting women in football and evolving the sport’s mental health efforts Connect with Guilherme van Cupper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guilherme-von-cüpper-08579b51/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/guilherme-von-cüpper-08579b51/]  Dr. Nasers links: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser [https://linktr.ee/alicianaser]  Sign up for Dr. Naser's monthly newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/ [https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/] Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser [https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser] Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/behavioral-sports-psychology-7147731671646150657/ [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/behavioral-sports-psychology-7147731671646150657/]

Scouting, Talent and the Intangibles in the NHL with Mike Futa

In this episode of Blades & Behavior™️ Dr. Alicia Naser sits down with Mike Futa, former Assistant GM of the LA Kings and and current co-host of Sportsnet The FAN Hockey Show, exploring the nuances of talent evaluation, character, and mental toughness in hockey. They share rich stories from Futa's career, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, courage, and environment in developing elite athletes. ➡️Talent evaluation and the importance of character ➡️The role of environment in shaping behavior and success ➡️Stories of NHL players ➡️The mental toughness and courage required in professional hockey ➡️The evolution of scouting and player development in the NHL ➡️ Winning is about character and environment ➡️ There’s no analytic to measure character ➡️ Scouting for authenticity and courage Chapters 05:09 Trade Deadline Insights and Player Performance 05:55 The Journey of Building a Winning Team 08:47 Character and Talent in Player Evaluation 11:40 Wayne Simmons: A Case Study in Overcoming Adversity 14:47 The Importance of Mental Toughness in Hockey 17:49 The Role of Character in Team Dynamics 20:47 Evolving Perspectives on Player Evaluation 23:25 The Shift from Individualism to Teamwork in Hockey 32:20 The Evolution of Scouting and Player Evaluation 36:52 Character vs. Skill: The Scouting Dilemma 41:47 The Importance of Environment in Player Development 46:44 Defining Winning: Perspectives on Success 51:36 Authenticity and Courage in Sports Dr. Nasers links: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser [https://linktr.ee/alicianaser] Sign up for Dr. Naser's monthly newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/ [https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/] Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser [https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser] Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicianaser/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicianaser/] Disclaimer: Content presented on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. The content contained in this podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical, psychological, or behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare or behavioral professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have. This podcast and all related content produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ are independent of and not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are the intellectual property of Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and are protected under U.S. and international copyright law. Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this material without explicit written consent is strictly prohibited.

Mental Performance and NBA Coaching

In this episode of Blades & Behavior™️, Dr. Naser sits down with Scott Morrison, Assistant Coach for the Utah Jazz, to discuss maintaining peak performance behind the scenes in professional basketball. They explore the often overlooked role of support staff in high-performance environments and the mental and emotional skills required to consistently operate at an elite level. Scott shares insights from his coaching career, including how support staff build mental resilience, regulate emotions under pressure, and develop habits that support high-performing athletes. The conversation highlights psychological flexibility, learning from mistakes without self-criticism, and the balance between confidence and humility in high-performance roles. Dr. Naser and Scott also discuss how routines evolve throughout an NBA season, how professionals adapt mental preparation from training camp to regular season competition, and how emotional awareness helps staff support athletes while maintaining team dynamics. They also reflect on the unseen contributions of support professionals and the rewarding aspects of working within elite sports organizations. This episode provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on the people and processes that support excellence in professional sports. Whether you work with athletes or operate in another high-performance field, the discussion emphasizes resilience, self-trust, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. Key topics include mental health and habits for support staff, strategies for psychological flexibility and learning from mistakes, the role of confidence and humility in high-performance environments, emotional regulation for supporting athletes and managing team dynamics, evolving routines across an NBA season, and the often unseen impact of support staff. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and the importance of support staff in basketball 02:00 Scott Morrison’s background and role with the Utah Jazz 03:50 Daily routines and balancing work with family life 04:55 Mental health and developing good habits 05:45 Psychological flexibility in high-pressure environments 07:00 Learning from mistakes without self-criticism 08:30 Mistakes vs. part of the game in basketball 09:50 Confidence and humility in high performance 11:05 Emotional regulation strategies for staff and athletes 13:00 Building self-trust as a professional 14:00 Self-awareness and trusting your abilities 15:50 Challenges and rewards of the support role 20:00 Evolving mental readiness strategies across NBA seasons 22:00 Training camp vs regular season routines 23:50 Understanding support staff contributions 26:00 Lessons learned and rewarding aspects of the role Dr. Naser’s links: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser [https://linktr.ee/alicianaser] Newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/ [https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/] Disclaimer: Guests appear on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast in their personal capacity and participation does not imply endorsement or affiliation with any team, league, employer, or organization. Content is for informational and discussion purposes only and is not medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals for medical or behavioral health concerns. This podcast is produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are protected under U.S. and international copyright law.

Supporting High Performance, Insights from a NHL Manual Therapist

In this episode of Blades & Behavior™️, Dr. Naser sits down with Mike Maresca, manual therapist for the Carolina Hurricanes, to discuss what it takes to support elite athletes behind the scenes. They explore the often overlooked role of support staff in the NHL and the mental skills required to operate in a high performance environment. Dr. Naser and Mike discuss mental resilience, emotional regulation, confidence, and self trust when working closely with professional athletes throughout a demanding season. They also explore how routines evolve during training camp and the regular season, how support staff navigate mistakes and pressure, and the importance of psychological flexibility in professional sports. Key topics include: • Mental health and habits for support staff working with high performers • Psychological flexibility and handling mistakes as part of the game • Confidence, humility, and self trust in high performance roles • Emotional regulation when supporting athletes and team environments • How routines and mental preparation evolve throughout an NHL season • Behind the scenes responsibilities that often go unnoticed • Lessons learned from six seasons supporting NHL athletes Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and the importance of support staff in hockey 02:00 Mike Maresca’s background and role with the Carolina Hurricanes 03:50 Daily routines and balancing work with family life 04:55 Mental health and habit development 05:45 Psychological flexibility in high pressure environments 07:00 Learning from mistakes without self criticism 08:30 Mistakes vs part of the game in hockey 09:50 Confidence and humility in high performance 11:05 Emotional regulation strategies 13:00 Building self trust and confidence 14:00 Self awareness and trusting your abilities 15:50 Challenges and rewards of professional sports support roles 20:00 Mental readiness across six NHL seasons 22:00 Routine adjustments during training camp vs season 23:50 Misunderstandings about support staff contributions 26:00 Lessons learned and rewarding aspects of the role This episode highlights the behind the scenes work that supports athletic excellence at the highest level. Whether you work in sports or other high performance environments, the conversation emphasizes resilience, emotional intelligence, and self trust. Dr. Naser’s links: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser [https://linktr.ee/alicianaser] Newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/ [https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/] Instagram: https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser [https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser] TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@alicianaser [https://tiktok.com/@alicianaser] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/behavioral-sports-psychology-7147731671646150657/ [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/behavioral-sports-psychology-7147731671646150657/] Disclaimer: Guests appear in a personal capacity and participation does not imply endorsement or affiliation with any team, league, or employer. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and are for informational and discussion purposes only. Content is not intended as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance. Blades & Behavior™️ is produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All content is protected under U.S. and international copyright law.

Mental Performance and Coaching in the AHL with Harry Mahesh

Harry Mahesh, Assistant Coach of the AHL Abbotsford Canucks delves into the role of a coach and the strategies used to manage and support players. It explores the challenges of balancing player urgency with growth, identifying skill deficits versus mental blocks, and adapting coaching to individual player needs. The importance of communication and accountability in coaching is also highlighted. The conversation delves into the mental performance and emotional regulation of coaches, highlighting the importance of managing emotions, balancing work and personal life, and understanding the impact of emotional regulation in high-stakes sports. Takeaways * Player Development * Coaching Strategies Mental Performance * Emotional Regulation Chapters * 00:00 Introduction and Role Description * 07:03 Adapting Coaching to Individual Player Needs * 12:34 Communication and Accountability in Coaching * 28:10 The Mental Performance of a Coach * 40:14 Emotional Regulation in High-Stakes Sports https://linktr.ee/alicianaser [https://linktr.ee/alicianaser]