#84 Process Over Pressure: A Mental Fitness Playbook for Student Athletes

Every athlete plays two games — the sport on the field, and the mental game happening in their head. In this episode, we sit down with two experts who work with college athletes every day: Carrie Potoff, a licensed clinical social worker at Sasko River Center in Darien, and Rhodie Lorenz, a mental performance coach who works with college and high school athletes. Together, they break down what it really takes to perform well — not just physically, but mentally.What We Cover:Why the mental side of sports is just as trainable as the physical sideHow negative self-talk becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy — and how to interrupt itThe difference between "useful" and "not useful" thoughts (hint: it's not always about positive vs. negative)What "process goals" actually look like in real lifeA simple two-column exercise to help athletes focus on what they can controlHow burnout shows up in college athletes — and how to help them fall back in love with their sportThe "Side Game" tool: a powerful technique for helping athletes rediscover their "why"How team culture and shared vulnerability can elevate individual performanceResources Mentioned:Saugatuck Mind and Sports Lab — Carrie and Rhodie's organization working to shift the culture around outcome fixation in youth and college sportsMike Vrabel's "4 H's": History, Heroes, Heartbreak and Hopehttps://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/47580019Key Quotes:"The mind doesn't believe what is true — it believes what is repeated." — Rhodie Lorenz"You can't perform at your highest level and endure this level of pain if it's not attached to something beyond yourself." — Rhodie LorenzAbout Our Guests:Carrie Potoff, LCSW works out of Sasko River Center in Darien and specializes in working with athletes navigating the emotional and psychological demands of competitive sports.Rhodie Lorenz is a mental performance coach with a background in education and fitness. She works primarily with college-level athletes, helping them build the mental tools they need to thrive under pressure.Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you. Insta:  @collegeisfinepodcastTik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcastEmail: [email protected] is Deadbeats by Rex Banner