Power Forward Mindset

Tom George is a two-time Olympic medalist and the Great Britain record holder for the fastest-ever two kilometer erg time of 5:39. He won bronze at Tokyo and silver at Paris in the men's pair alongside Ollie Wynne-Griffith, studied politics at Princeton, completed a master's at Cambridge, and is now navigating life after elite sport.Tom shares insights on mindset, teamwork, and resilience from his athletic career, offering valuable lessons for personal growth and high performance.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tom George and His Journey02:25 Childhood Sports Experience in Great Britain05:05 Transitioning to Rowing and Specialization Decisions07:37 The Pressure of Specialization in Youth Sports10:10 Parental Influence and Support in Sports12:59 Building Trust with a Rowing Partner16:01 Mental Strategies and Sports Psychology18:24 Reflections on the Paris Race and Moving Forward21:28 Dealing with Hard Days in Training23:46 Life After Elite Sports and Future Plans

Cara Stawicki is a World Champion rower, High-Performance and Leadership Coach, and visionary dedicated to helping unlock the freedom to dream big and perform.She started later than most as a Lehigh University walk-on and battled self-doubt, injuries, and disappointments. Some might have given up, but Cara made a plan that led her to the podium. She now coaches that mentality through her practice Be Brave High Performance. Her calm, thoughtful approach helps athletes and leaders break through mental barriers and build resilience and confidence.Key Topics:Cara's journey from college walk-on to world championThe importance of team and mental resilienceOvercoming injuries and setbacks in sportsTransition from athlete to coach and mentorChapters00:00 Introduction to Cara Stawicki and her journey01:05 Cara's decision to try rowing and her early experiences01:31 The appeal of team sports and her love for rowing05:59 College experience and walking on at Lehigh07:57 Applying to college and choosing Lehigh09:32 Freshman year at Lehigh and team dynamics10:55 Recruiting process for Princeton and college transition12:17 Challenges of transitioning to college athletics13:57 Dreams of the Olympics and post-collegiate rowing14:51 Injuries and setbacks in her rowing career16:43 Reflections on her long athletic career and evolving values26:52 Transition to coaching and her focus on mental performance30:45 Advice to her younger self and closing thoughtsFollow Cara:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInBook a Discovery Call

Olivia Papakyrikos is a licensed therapist and sport psychology consultant based in Boston. Through her practice Papakyrikos Therapy and Performance, Olivia works with competitive athletes, college students, and high-performing individuals navigating pressure, expectations, and the mental load that comes with showing up at a high level every single day. She has collaborated with athletic teams and departments at schools like Northeastern, UMass Amherst, Tufts, Middlebury, and Harvard, providing integrated psychotherapy and performance psychology services to student-athletes.  Olivia believes performance and mental health are not competing priorities; they're deeply connected.Olivia shares her journey through sports, mental health, and coaching, highlighting the importance of mental skills, managing pressure, and redefining achievement.Chapters00:00 The Pressure to Perform05:00 Navigating Competition and Comparison09:38 Mental Skills and Performance Anxiety17:24 The Journey Through Injury and Recovery20:55 Coaching Dynamics and Mental Health28:52 The Role of Parents in Sports32:01 Seeking Support and ResourcesFollow Olivia:IG:   / oliviapapakyrikos  This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, grief, mental health, and suicide, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it. Immediate mental health support is available 24/7, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988) and SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP).

Jess Deutsch is a Licensed Social Worker who advises and mentors high school and college students, athletes, and young professionals. She also consults with nonprofits in higher education, social impact, high performance athletics and well-being. She's passionate about helping others attain big goals with health and perspective—and has done so both at her alma mater, Princeton University, and in private practice. With elite athletes, pre-med students, or high achievers in general, she helps young people discover their own motivations and define success on their own terms. Jess recently lost her father, two years after losing her younger brother, and rather than shy away from these huge losses, she wanted to show up and talk about them. We'll also talk about the grief that often goes unspoken—a career-ending injury, stepping away from a sport, or closing a chapter you didn't choose to close.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Grief and Loss02:10 Personal Stories of Grief05:23 The Impact of Loss on Identity07:57 Navigating Grief and Vulnerability12:08 Understanding Grief in Sports17:00 The Unspoken Grief of Athletes20:40 Finding Support and Connection23:11 Looking Forward and Moving OnFollow JessIGLinkedInSubstackReferences:All There Is with Anderson CooperThe Daily BuddhistThis podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, grief, mental health, and suicide, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it. Immediate mental health support is available 24/7, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988) and SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP).

Bella Alarie is the 2017 Ivy League Rookie of the Year, a three-time Player of the Year, an All-American, and the fifth overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. Bella competed at the highest levels of the game - at Princeton, with the Dallas Wings in the WNBA, in the EuroLeague, and for Team USA. After her playing career, she coached at Georgetown while earning a master's degree in sports industry management. Now she's using her experience to help build The IX Sports, a women's sports media platform. Follow Bella! @bella_alarieFollow The IX Sports: @theixsportsThis podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

Cat Caro George grew up in New Jersey excelling in the classroom while starring on the USA Field Hockey Junior National Team. She went on to play (and win a lot) at Princeton University where she studied Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Cat is no stranger to adversity as she suffered multiple knee injuries while playing for Team USA after graduation. Her passion for understanding nutrition's role in recovery (and her husband) led her to London to pursue a Masters of Science in Nutrition and PhD in preconception health and lifestyle behaviors. Discover practical insights on resilience, mental health, and reaching your highest potential.Follow Cat! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catcaroLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinevcaro/This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

Tara Madigan recently retired as the Northern Highlands Regional High School girls soccer coach with a record of 384-55-12, including three straight undefeated seasons. She grew up in North Jersey setting records at her high school, then played Division I soccer at Monmouth University and the University of Delaware. She earned her Master of Education and spent her career as a Health and Physical Education teacher while always coaching and inspiring others to be their best versions of themselves. She recently launched MADE (Madigan Athletic Development and Education) to continue developing the next generation of leaders — on and off the field.In this conversation, Tara opens up about her competitive upbringing, the philosophy behind her record-breaking coaching career, and why building a lasting culture matters more than winning. We talk about what it really means to develop athletes — not just their skills, but their ability to think, lead, and respond when things get hard.If you're a coach, athlete, or anyone who believes sports are about more than the scoreboard, this one's for you.Follow Tara & MADE: @madetobechampionsmadetobechampions.comThis podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

Kelly Holtz, a registered dietitian with a focus in sports nutrition and women's health, shares insights on fueling for optimal athletic performance, recognizing signs of under-fueling, and breaking food rules to support health and performance. Kelly shares practical tips for athletes, parents, and coaches to enhance nutrition strategies and promote a healthy relationship with food.Follow Kelly: @kellynutritioncoThis podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

Leslie Robinson, a former D1 and professional basketball player, shares her upbringing in a sports-oriented family, her journey at Princeton University, and her transitions into the professional basketball and corporate worlds. Leslie shares valuable insights on teamwork, the importance of self-assurance, as well as advice for aspiring athletes and their parents.Follow Leslie: @les_ismore45This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

Kellie Cope joins us in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day! Kellie is the founder of Her First Athletics and Her Huddle and a female athlete health and nutrition educator. We discuss challenges female athletes face regarding body image, nutrition, and mental health. Kellie shares her personal journey with eating disorders and the importance of fostering a supportive environment for young athletes. We emphasize the need for education, awareness, and open communication among coaches, parents, and athletes to promote healthier relationships with food and body image.Follow Her First Athletics: @herfirstathleticsThis podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

Damon McLean, a former track and field athlete and current tech professional, shares his journey from rural Jamaica to Princeton University and beyond. We discuss the importance of education, mentorship, and the pressures faced by young athletes. Damon shares insights on managing performance pressure, the significance of identity beyond sports, and the need for fun in athletic pursuits. He also highlights the role of mental tools and self-awareness in achieving success, as well as his current endeavors in creating supportive spaces for people to connect. You can follow Damon at: @damonamclean @joinsoulsessions@adakathleticThis podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.

In our first episode of the Power Forward Mindset podcast, we welcome Blake Dietrick Seifert, a former professional basketball player and current MBA student. Blake shares her journey from a competitive upbringing in Wellesley, Massachusetts, to her record-breaking career at Princeton University and her experiences in the WNBA and 3X3 basketball. We dive into the importance of mindset, the role of parents and coaches, and the challenges of transitioning from athletics to other life pursuits. Blake shares valuable insights on building confidence, the significance of teamwork, and the lessons learned throughout her athletic career.This podcast is designed to support growth, build confidence, and spark honest conversations, but it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. We discuss topics like pressure, performance, and mental health, which may feel personal or sensitive at times. Please take what resonates, move at your own pace, and seek support from a qualified professional or someone you trust if you need it.