In this episode of the Mental Playbook, Emily Huston, former volleyball player and founder of HomeTeam, joins the show to talk about life after sport. Emily shares her athletic journey, why she retired, and the mental health challenges injured and retired athletes often face, such as isolation.

She introduces the “cliff effect,” where athletes spend their lives building toward their sport, only to lose structure and control once it ends.​ This often leads to unhealthy coping habits like substance abuse or depression. With suicide now the second leading cause of death among athletes, Emily explains why she created HomeTeam: a space for athletes to reconnect, feel supported, and navigate the transition together.

Join HomeTeam: https://www.hometeamgo.com/

In this special collaboration episode, The Anxious Athlete and The Mental Playbook come together for a deep conversation about building an identity that isn’t dependent on performance.

So many athletes grow up tying their self worth to the end result, playing time, stats, and external validation from coaches and parents. But what happens when performance declines, you get injured, or the sport eventually comes to an end?

We dive into why athletes connect their worth to sport in the first place, how early praise and structure shape identity, and what anxiety, burnout, or identity loss can look like during transitions whether it’s the sophomore slump or the big jump to college sports.

If you’ve ever wondered who you are beyond your sport, this conversation is for you.

The Anxious Athlete Podcast

In this episode of the Mental Playbook, we sit down with Karse Klijian, Founder and CEO of Klijian Sports Management, to break down the realities of athlete representation. Karse shares why athlete branding, NIL, and athlete likeness are essential for long term success on and off the field.

We dive into how he’s built trusting relationships with clients, the mindset required to start and grow a business while still in school, and the challenges young entrepreneurs face when competing in an industry dominated by bigger firms. Karse also explains what truly sets Klijian Sports Management apart and why authenticity, education, and adaptability matter.

Whether you’re an athlete trying to go pro, a student with big entrepreneurial goals, or someone interested in the business side of sports, this conversation carries valuable insight into mindset, credibility, and building what the sports industry often ignores.

In this episode of The Mental Playbook, we sit down with Tyson Ford, former Notre Dame defensive lineman, now suiting up for Cal Berkeley as he shares his powerful journey through football and life.

Tyson talks about the decision to transfer, balancing academics with athletics, and what being part of a team has taught him about positivity, resilience, and support.

Whether you’re an athlete, student, or someone chasing your own goals, Tyson’s insight on discipline and growth on and off the field will leave you motivated and ready to tackle your own next step!

Tune in for honest stories, real mindset tips, and the truth about what it means to stay grounded through the game of life.

In Part 2 of our in-person episode with Sammie Reggev and Evan Sliter, we’re going even deeper.

This half of the convo brings:

🧠 Honest takes on mental health, expectations, and pressure

🏃 Reflections on what high school sports taught them

🤳 A deeper look at screen time, comparison, and finding peace offline

🧭 Big-picture goals, mental playbook, and their definition of success

It’s vulnerable, insightful, and still full of laughs.

Ready for the real talk? Part 2 brings it!

🎧 Don’t miss the conclusion of “Off the Grid.”

In this powerful episode, Zach Gale, special education teacher and founder of Me2We, opens up about his high school experience navigating anxiety both on the baseball field and beyond.

We explore what it really means to live out the Me2We pillars: being uncommon, serving others, and shining your light.

Zach shares how vulnerability became his strength, leading him to create We Talk, a men's group from a range of ages 16–30 that offers a brave space to be real, honest, and heard. Tune in for inspiring quotes and strategies for finding purpose through personal growth.

His message? Your story, no matter how unique, can be someone else’s survival guide.

This conversation is a reminder that sharing your pain doesn’t make you weak. It helps to shine your light :)

Instagram: @me2we_smb

Website: me2-we.org

NBC Chicago Article

What happens when the game ends?

In this episode, former D2 basketball player Samantha Whiteman shares how she went from athlete to entrepreneur, founding Arena Transfer, a company that helps retired athletes rediscover purpose through business, brand-building, and faith.

Samantha breaks down her “Five Fs” framework: Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness, and Fun and reveals how athletes can use the same discipline and drive they had in sports to thrive after the last shot.

We talk about why sales is a great first step, the power of trial and error, and how to confidently transfer your skills from the court to your career.

Instagram: @sammiwhiteman @thearenatransfer @enhanced_wealth

🤸 From gymnast to mental coach, Rebecca Smith, founder of Complete Performance Coaching, knows what it’s like to chase perfection, until it starts chasing you.

In this episode, she opens up about:

• Being a “recovering perfectionist”

• Why mental blocks happen and how to move through them

• What performance anxiety looks like

• How young athletes can speak up in toxic environments

• Why safe spaces & strong listening matter more than ever

For any athlete who's felt stuck, scared, or silenced, this episode is for you.

Instagram: @complete_performance

Website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Perform Happy Podcast: Spotify