The Sport Fuels Life Podcast

Mental performance coach Kris Goodman (Tampa Bay Rays) shares the simple tools that help athletes build confidence, resilience, and perform under pressure. Learn how self-talk, breathing, neutral thinking, and the "Resilient C's" framework can transform your mindset on and off the field. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you stay focused, overcome setbacks, and perform at your best.

Is confidence something you're born with—or something you build?

In this episode of the Sport Fuels Life Podcast, nationally recognized sport and performance psychologist Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explains why confidence isn't a personality trait—it's a habit that can be developed. Drawing from decades of experience working with Olympians, professional athletes, coaches, business leaders, and championship teams, she shares practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt, responding to mistakes, managing pressure, and performing at your best when it matters most.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Kamphoff introduces simple but powerful tools—including Learn. Burn. Return. and POP the Pressure—while explaining why confidence grows through action, preparation, and the people who believe in us. Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or leader, you'll walk away with practical ideas you can begin applying immediately to build confidence and perform with greater consistency.

Practical Lessons from Former Arizona Diamondbacks Head of Mental Performance Zach Brandon on Confidence, Focus, and Resilience

In this episode of the Sport Fuels Life Mental Performance Series, we sit down with former Arizona Diamondbacks Head of Mental Performance Zach Brandon to explore the mental skills that help athletes perform at their best when the pressure is highest.

Throughout the conversation, Zach shares practical strategies for building lasting confidence, overcoming overthinking, staying present, and responding to adversity. Rather than chasing perfect thoughts or emotions, he explains why great performers focus on what they can control—their attention, actions, and response to each moment.

From learning how to recover quickly after mistakes to using visualization more effectively and finding a clear target during competition, Zach provides actionable insights that athletes and coaches can begin applying immediately.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or parent, this conversation offers valuable reminders that mental performance is not about eliminating fear or doubt—it's about learning to perform alongside them and focusing on the next thing.

Lessons From Elizabeth Zanolli on Injury, Rehabilitation, and Athlete Well-Being as the subtitle/opening line in the description.

In this episode of the Sport Fuels Life Podcast, we sit down with Elizabeth Zanolli, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at Stony Brook University, to discuss an important topic that every athlete, coach, and parent will encounter at some point: injury.

While most conversations around injury focus on the physical side of recovery, Elizabeth shares why the mental and emotional aspects are just as important. From confidence and motivation to identity and connection with teammates, injuries can impact athletes in ways that often go unseen.

Throughout the conversation, we explore how athletes can navigate setbacks, stay engaged during rehabilitation, set meaningful goals, and develop the mindset needed to move forward. We also discuss the evolving role of mental health in sports medicine and why supporting the whole athlete has become an essential part of the recovery process.

Whether you're an athlete working through an injury, a coach supporting an injured player, or a parent helping a child navigate challenges, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways for the journey back to competition.

Topics include:
• The mental and emotional impact of injury
• Goal setting during rehabilitation
• Staying connected to your team
• Communication between athletes and coaches
• Building resilience through setbacks
• The growing connection between sports medicine and mental health

Dr. Larry Lauer, Director of Mental Performance for the USTA, joins Sport Fuels Life to discuss one of the most important areas of athlete development: the mental side of performance.

In this conversation, Larry shares insights on resilience, emotional control, self-awareness, confidence, and competing under pressure. He explains why mental toughness is not about eliminating emotions, but learning how to respond effectively when challenges, mistakes, frustration, and adversity arise.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or leader, this episode offers practical strategies for developing mental skills, building stronger environments, and helping athletes perform at their best both on and off the field.

Topics include mental performance, resilience, emotional control, confidence, athlete development, coaching, and performing under pressure.

Michael Urban, Director of Mental Performance for the Los Angeles Clippers, joins the Sport Fuels Life Mental Performance Series to discuss leadership, communication, emotional consistency, and creating environments where athletes can grow and perform at their best.

Throughout the conversation, Urban shares lessons from his journey through collegiate and professional sports, including stops at IMG Academy, University of California, Berkeley, and Clemson University.

The conversation explores why great coaches ask better questions, why mental performance should be proactive rather than reactive, and how communication, curiosity, and relationships often shape performance more than instruction alone.

Urban also discusses emotional consistency, helping athletes feel heard, and how values can guide decision-making during pressure-filled moments.

This episode offers practical insights for coaches, athletes, parents, and leaders looking to build stronger competitors and healthier team environments.

In this episode, mental game coach Tami Matheny joins Sport Fuels Life to discuss the mental side of performance and what separates athletes when pressure is at its highest.

Drawing from her experiences as a college tennis coach and mental performance coach working across sports, Tami shares practical insights on confidence, communication, focus, resilience, and leadership. The conversation explores how athletes can train their thoughts like they train their bodies, why communication matters so much in coaching, and how small daily habits can shape performance over time.

From helping athletes manage pressure and self-talk to supporting players through confidence struggles and team dynamics, this episode is filled with actionable takeaways for coaches, athletes, and parents alike.

Topics include:

• Confidence and self-talk
• Performing under pressure
• Mental habits and routines
• Communication and leadership
• Coaching the whole athlete
• Building stronger competitors

This episode is part of the new Sport Fuels Life Mental Performance Series featuring world-class coaches, mental performance coordinators, and sport psychology professionals.

Grit Overcomes Circumstances: Paralympian Lindi Marcusen on Resilience, Perspective & Elite Performance

Lindi Marcusen’s story is one of grit, perspective, and the power of refusing to let circumstances define you.

A former gymnast turned Track & Field Paralympian, Lindi shares how a life-altering accident led to an unexpected new path in sport—and how rebuilding physically, mentally, and emotionally shaped the competitor and person she is today.

In this conversation, Lindi talks about adapting under pressure, competing through challenges, trusting the work you put in, and finding strength in gratitude. She also shares powerful insight on resilience, identity, and why movement remains such an important part of her life.

This episode is a reminder that toughness isn’t always loud, and true performance often begins beneath the surface.

Topics include:
• Overcoming adversity and rebuilding after trauma
• The mindset required to compete at an elite level
• Confidence through preparation and consistency
• Gratitude, perspective, and resilience
• Using sport and your voice to create impact

Building Championship Culture — Lessons from Chris Young

Chris Young built his program the right way.

As the former head women's tennis coach at Oklahoma State, he led his team to a National Indoor Championship and a #1 ranking in the country—but what stands out most is how those results were built.

Through culture.
Through accountability.
Through a clear standard of excellence.

In this conversation, Chris shares what it really takes to build a successful program—from the daily habits that shape a team to the environment that allows players to grow and take ownership.

He talks about what coaches emphasize, what they allow, and how consistency over time creates something bigger than wins.

This episode is a great reminder that coaching is about more than performance.

It’s about developing people—and doing things the right way.

Ryan Shazier: From the Steelers to Overcoming Adversity

Ohio State Football • Pittsburgh Steelers • NFL Linebacker • Spinal Cord Injury Survivor • Founder, Ryan Shazier Fund

Ryan Shazier’s story isn’t just about adversity — it’s about how you respond to it.

From Ohio State to the Pittsburgh Steelers to a life-changing spinal cord injury, Ryan has experienced both the highest highs and the toughest moments the game can bring. What stands out most is how he’s chosen to respond — with ownership, perspective, and resilience.

He shares a simple but powerful framework:

E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome)

You can’t control every event — but you always control your response. And that response shapes everything.

This episode goes beyond football. It’s about building competitors who can handle adversity, take ownership, and move forward stronger — on and off the field.

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Key Takeaways

• Your response shapes your outcome
• Lean into adversity — don’t avoid it
• Control what you can, every day
• Limit the baggage you carry
• Fall in love with the process

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Play It Forward

Through the Ryan Shazier Fund, Ryan is helping individuals and families navigate life after spinal cord injuries — providing resources, support, and hope.

Learn more:
www.ryanshazierfund.org
Instagram: @ryanshazierfund | @shazier