The Mentally Fit Athlete

Sport Psychology Q&A: Process, Mindfulness, and the Growth Mindset

In this solo episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, I (Dr. Jason von Stietz) answer questions from high school sport psychology students. Key Discussion Points * A Day in the Life of a Psychologist: I discuss the variety in my career, which includes treating clinical issues like OCD and the "yips," using improv comedy to help teams communicate under pressure, and writing about leadership lessons from Star Trek. * Prioritizing Process Over Outcome: Sport psychology legend Dr. Ken Ravizza, taught the importance of keeping the process greater than the outcome. Being "in the moment" not only improves athletic performance but also makes social interactions more meaningful and everyday tasks, like homework or taxes, less stressful. * Mindfulness as a Performance Tool: Mindfulness is defined as paying attention to the present moment in a nonjudgmental way. By practicing daily meditation, athletes can train themselves to notice self-doubt without "beating themselves up," allowing them to refocus more quickly on the task at hand. * The Power of a Growth Mindset: Adopting a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset encourages athletes to seek new strategies and focus on learning rather than simply trying to "confirm" their talent. * Navigating Slumps through Value-Driven Behavior: When faced with setbacks like injuries or limited playing time, athletes are encouraged to use value-driven behavior. This involves acting on core principles—such as being a good teammate or prioritizing long-term health—rather than making decisions based on temporary feelings of frustration. * Dr. Jason von Stietz: DrJasonvonStietz.com [https://www.drjasonvonstietz.com/] | Instagram: @CBTSportsPsych * Lidia Garcia, MSW: LidiaGarcia.net [https://lidiagarcia.net/] * Recommended Listening: Check out my other podcast, Movie House Sports Psychology [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/movie-house-sport-psychology/id1624786722], which explores mental health through the lens of popular TV and film

Training with a Busy Life: Finding Your Why

In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, we explore how finding your “why” can make or break your consistency in sport and fitness. From busy adult athletes balancing work, school, and family to runners training for their next race, they discuss how clarifying your values, setting meaningful goals, and building community can help you stay motivated over the long term. They also break down common pitfalls—like relying on willpower alone, ignoring recovery, or chasing the wrong goals—and highlight the importance of enjoyment, proper fueling, and realistic expectations. If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent or felt stuck in a love–hate relationship with training, this episode will help you reconnect with your purpose and build a routine that actually lasts. Dr. Jason von Stietz * Website: ⁠drjasonvonstietz.com⁠ [www.drjasonvonstietz.com] * Instagram: ⁠@CBTSportsPsych⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/cbtsportpsych/] Lydia Garcia * Website: ⁠LydiaGarcia.net [https://lidiagarcia.net/] Like, subscribe, and share with a teammate or friend who needs help finding their “why.”

State of the Podcast 2026: Finding Our “Why” and What’s Next

In this behind-the-scenes episode, we reconnect after a break to reflect on why we started The Mentally Fit Athlete and where the podcast is headed next. What begins as a casual conversation turns into a thoughtful exploration of purpose, creativity, and how mental performance principles—like knowing your “why”—apply not just to athletes, but to their own work as podcast hosts. We discuss the balance between structure and spontaneity, the role of curiosity in learning, and how the podcast can evolve to better serve athletes, performers, and anyone striving to be mentally fit in everyday life. 1. The Importance of “Why” * Just like athletes need a clear “why” to stay motivated, creators benefit from reconnecting with their purpose. * For both of us, the podcast is driven by creativity, connection, and a desire to make helpful information accessible. 2. Making Mental Skills Accessible * The show aims to provide practical, evidence-informed insights for people who may not otherwise have access to sport psychology resources. * Mental performance skills aren’t just for elite athletes—they apply to students, performers, and everyday challenges. 3. Expanding the Definition of “Athlete” * The conversation highlights how mental performance applies across domains: * Traditional sports * Performing arts (dance, theater) * Academic and competitive settings (debate, testing) * The “mentally fit athlete” includes anyone striving to perform under pressure. 4. Future Format Ideas We explore potential structures for upcoming episodes, including: * Educational segments: Breaking down the science (e.g., anxiety, routines, performance mindset) * Listener Q&A: Addressing real-world questions from athletes * Current events in sport: Reflecting on trends and their psychological impact 5. Balancing Structure and Authenticity * A more structured format can help listeners know what to expect. * At the same time, the podcast will continue to embrace a conversational, improvisational style rooted in curiosity and authenticity. 6. Learning in Public * The podcast is not just about teaching—it’s also a space for ongoing learning. * Researching topics, responding to questions, and exploring new ideas helps both hosts grow alongside their audience. 7. Barriers to Creating (and How to Move Through Them) * The realities of content creation come up, including: * Time constraints * Perfectionism and “cringe factor” * Social media fatigue * A key mindset shift: focus on creating valuable content first, rather than chasing trends or metrics. 8. Consistency Over Perfection * Progress comes from showing up consistently, even when the audience is small. * Early content doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to exist. We share several ideas for the future of the podcast: * More consistent episode releases * Short-form content (e.g., Q&A clips, YouTube Shorts) * Potential guest interviews with coaches, athletes, and professionals * Written content (e.g., articles or newsletters) connected to podcast topics * The possibility of workshops, talks, or even a future book * NIL deals and their impact on athlete experience * Lifelong athletic identity and participation * Women in sport and performance across the lifespan * The mental side of competing at any age * How culture and society shape performance opportunities This episode serves as a reset and a recommitment—to the process, to the audience, and to the idea that being “mentally fit” is an ongoing practice. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, performer, or simply someone navigating challenges, the goal remains the same: show up, stay curious, and keep building skills that help you perform and live well. Dr. Jason von Stietz * Website: drjasonvonstietz.com [www.drjasonvonstietz.com] * Instagram: @CBTSportsPsych [https://www.instagram.com/cbtsportpsych/] Lydia Garcia * Website: LydiaGarcia.net [https://lidiagarcia.net/] 🎧 If you’ve been following the podcast, thanks for sticking with us—and if you’re new, this is a great place to start. More episodes coming soon.

Life After the Final Whistle: Navigating the Transition Out of Sport

In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, we explore one of the most overlooked phases of the athletic journey—transitioning out of sport. Whether an athlete is graduating, retiring, changing levels of competition, or sidelined by injury, the end of a season or career can bring unexpected emotional, psychological, and social challenges. Jason and Lidia discuss: * Why ending a long athletic chapter can feel like grief * How identity loss, frustration, and uncertainty can show up—sometimes unexpectedly * Real stories of athletes blindsided by the emotional weight of transition * How sudden injuries can create grief, anger, and a sense of “what could have been” * Why missed competitions and derailed goals can hit harder than expected * The social and psychological consequences of time away from teammates * Why having an athletic identity isn’t the problem * When identity becomes too tied to performance * How diversifying identity helps athletes heal, grow, and take healthy time off Jason and Lidia outline strategies including: * Building multiple sources of identity and meaning * Expanding social networks beyond the team * Maintaining perspective on long-term health over short-term competition * Recognizing and leveraging the transferable skills developed through sport—leadership, resilience, communication, discipline, and more * Exploring recreation leagues, new sports, hybrid competitions, and personal fitness challenges * How athletes can carry their competitive spirit into work, relationships, and life goals Whether you're a high school senior, a college athlete, a parent, or a coach supporting athletes through major transitions, this episode provides insight, validation, and practical tools for navigating one of the most complex moments in the athletic lifespan. Find Lidia: LidiaGarcia.net [https://lidiagarcia.net/] | @liddie.g [https://www.instagram.com/liddie.g/] Find Jason: DrJasonvonStietz.com [https://www.drjasonvonstietz.com/] | @CBTSportsPsych on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cbtsportpsych/] and Blue Sky [https://bsky.app/profile/cbtsportpsych.bsky.social] 🔹 The Emotional Impact of Transition🔹 Injuries and Abrupt Endings🔹 Athletic Identity: Helpful or Harmful?🔹 Protecting Mental Health During Transitions🔹 Staying Active and Competitive—Just Differently

Mental Reps Matter: How Visualization Keeps You Game-Ready

In this episode, we answer a great question from a high school sport psychology class: “What role does visualization play in improving athletic performance, and how can athletes use it effectively?” We break down how mental imagery—also known as visualization or mental rehearsal—can help athletes reduce anxiety, boost confidence, and fine-tune their skills even when they’re not physically training. Lydia introduces the PETTLEP model (Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion, Perspective) to help athletes make their visualizations more vivid and effective. Jason discusses how visualization strengthens neural pathways related to performance, helps athletes prepare for unpredictable situations, and supports recovery from injury or limited practice time. We also touch on the difference between positive visualization and magical thinking, emphasizing how imagery complements physical training rather than replacing it. Whether you’re a student-athlete, coach, or mental performance enthusiast, this episode provides a practical framework for using visualization to train your brain for game day. Key Topics: * What visualization (mental rehearsal) really is * The PETTLEP model for effective imagery * How visualization impacts confidence and motor learning * Using imagery to prepare for unpredictable competition conditions * The neuroscience behind why visualization works * Applying mental rehearsal to academics and everyday performance Find Us: * Dr. Jason von Stietz: drjasonvonstietz.com | @cbtsportspsych * Lidia Garcia: lidiagarcia.net [https://lydiagarcia.net] | @liddie.g 🎙️ Subscribe to The Mentally Fit Athlete on your favorite podcast platform for more conversations on the intersection of mental health and peak performance.