PODCAST · health
Smalls Talk
by Tom Smalley
There’s nothing small-minded about this podcast aside from the name! Join your host Tom Smalley, MS, CMPC, founder of struggleintostrength.com, as we dive deep into the realms of personal growth, mental health, and human performance.From embracing challenges to exploring the nuances of mental resilience, each episode features expert interviews and insights aimed at helping you transform struggle into strength.And we promise – there's no small talk here!
Episodes
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060 - Mental Health and Identity in Athletic Spaces ft. Kelsey O'Connor
Tom is joined by Former Division 1 Softball Player and Motivational Speaker Kelsey O'Connor to discuss the significance of building trust through shared experiences and the impact of athletic injuries on identity. Kelsey shares her journey through injury, isolation, and the emotional challenges…
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059 - Leadership Lessons in Coaching ft. Brittany Rucker
Tom is joined by Senior International Coach Brittany Rucker to discuss the complexities of coach-athlete relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication, setting expectations, and creating a safe environment for feedback. Tom and Coach B discuss how these elements contribute to…
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058 - Life After the Olympics ft. Jourdan Delacruz
Tom is joined by two-time Olympian Jourdan Delacruz to discuss Jourdan's journey into weightlifting, her experiences at the Olympic Training Center, and the emotional challenges faced during the Olympics, particularly the contrasting experiences between Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Jourdan shares...
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057 - Lessons From Player Development ft. Steve Dagostino
Considered one of the best basketball development coaches in the country, Steve Dagostino drops in to talk about his experience working with high level athletes. Dags joins Tom to discuss his journey in building Dags Basketball and Maximize Basketball, the importance of accountability in youth...
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056 - Navigating Meet Day Pressure ft. Brittany Rucker
In this special bonus episode, Tom is joined by Coach Brittany Rucker to explore the mental aspects of meet day, emphasizing the critical role of mindset, self-awareness, and emotional resilience in facing challenges. They discuss strategies for athletes to manage expectations, control self-talk,...
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055 - Quarterly Catch-Up ft. Blake Bender
Tom is joined for a quarterly catch-up chat with dear friend of the show Blake Bender discuss various topics ranging from current events, personal reflections, and Tom's upcoming move to Austin. The conversation also touches on the different type of mental fitness required for ultra running,...
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054 - Principles, Processes, and ACT for Athletes ft. Evan Smith
Tom is joined by therapist and former Division I college athlete Evan Smith to discuss how athletes define success, the principles and the processes to get there, and the cultural shifts he experienced along his own athletic journey. Evan and Tom also discuss the evolving landscape of college...
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053 - Finding Your Competitive Edge ft. Brittany Rucker
Tom is joined by Senior International Olympic Weightlifting Coach Brittany Rucker (also his coach) to discuss the importance of mental fitness, setting realistic goals, and understanding the qualities that make athletes successful. Brittany shares her journey from athlete to coach, discussing the...
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052 - Navigating Chronic Illness ft. Jessica Weiss
Tom is joined by Jessica Weiss as she shares her journey living with endometriosis as a competitive athlete. Tom and Jessica discuss the lack of awareness surrounding the condition, the challenges of diagnosis, and the importance of education and advocacy. Jessica also highlights the significance...
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051 - Movement is Medicine ft. Bekah Oh
Tom is joined by Primal Mobility Coach Bekah Oh as they discuss the importance of mobility training, common misconceptions, and the key principles of Primal Mobility. Bekah and Tom talk about the significance of patience in mobility training, the indicators that suggest a need for mobility work,...
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050 - Gym Ownership, Personal Growth, and Building Trust ft. Brennan Fleming
Tom is joined by Brennan Fleming, the owner of Armory Strength and Conditioning. They discuss Brennan's transition from a collegiate strength coach to a gym owner, the challenges he faces in business, the importance of mentorship, and the nuances of content creation in the fitness industry.…
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049 – Creating Resilient Quarterbacks ft. Kyle Borey
Tom is joined by Quarterback Coach Kyle Borey to discuss his journey in football, from playing at the collegiate level to developing his own business training quarterbacks. Borey shares insights on the transition from high school to college football, the mindset required for quarterbacks, and the...
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048 - From Wishes to Goals: The Power of Action ft. Abbie Cooper
Abbie Cooper drops by the studio to discuss her weightlifting journey and the importance of self-belief and a strong coach-athlete relationship. Tom and Abbie also talk about the importance of communication and accountability in coaching and the importance of keeping a journal to track progress…
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047 - Mentorship: A Two-Way Street ft. Greg Fahey
Tom is joined in the studio by longtime friend and mentor Greg Fahey (Associate Head Coach of Hampton Men's Basketball) to discuss the evolving landscape of college coaching, the impact of NIL on player transfers, and the importance of building relationships and engaging students to foster a…
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046 - Daily Habits & Self-Worth ft. Adam Badger
In this episode, Tom sits down with Fitness and Nutrition Coach Adam Badger to delve into his entrepreneurial journey. Adam opens up about the hurdles he faced while starting his coaching business and how a supportive partner helped him overcome them. Tom and Adam discuss the importance of…
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045 - Under Recruited to NBA G-League ft. Don Carey
Tom is joined by good friend and athlete Don Carey to discuss his experiences as a college athlete and his transition to professional basketball. He reflects on his time at different colleges, the challenges of being patient and watching other players, and the importance of contributing to a...
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044 – Failing Forward ft. Michael Thomas
Tom is joined by longtime friend and Forever Forward Podcast Host Michael Thomas to discuss his path to finding purpose through the creation of his YouTube channel. They talk about the importance of being authentic and vulnerable, especially for men, and how it can lead to personal growth. They...
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043 - Creating Genuine Connections ft. Andrew Holmes
Tom is joined by fitness coach Andrew Holmes to discuss his recent ascent into the online coaching space and how he has leveraged his knowledge and authenticity to create genuine connections and sustainable results with clients. Tom and Andrew also discuss moving past imposter syndrome, and how...
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042 - Learning From Adversity ft. Evangelos Regas
Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Temple Football Alum Evangelos Regas joins Tom to discuss their experiences in college strength and conditioning, the challenges of coaching, and the impact of athletics on personal and professional development. They also explore the changing...
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041 - Building a Community in Sport ft. Sara Soto and James McDermott
Tom is joined by New York Weightlifting WSO President James McDermott and USAW At Large Director Sara Soto to discuss building community in sport, the importance of a supportive training environment, and the keys to finding a great coach. 10:50 - Building a Club Community: Ownership and Support...
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040 – Coaching, Skill, and Accountability ft. Blake Bender
Blake and Tom discuss Blake's recent trip to Australia, and his top 3 highlights from his journey to the land down under. The conversation then shifts to sports, with a focus on Australian rules football and rugby. They discuss the athleticism and physicality of these sports and compare them to...
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039 - Encouraging Vulnerability ft. Nicole Gaudenzi
Tom is joined by Nicole Gaudenzi, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Leadership at Seton Hall University, to discuss how she cultivated and implemented an environment of encouraging student athletes to be open about their mental health during her tenure at Wagner...
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038 - Embracing the Underdog ft. Jordan King
Tom is joined by 2024 Atlantic 10 Conference POY Jordan King to discuss his basketball journey, from starting as a walk-on at Siena College to becoming the A10 co-player of the year at Richmond. Tom and Jordan talk about the importance of hard work, perseverance, and betting on oneself. Jordan...
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037 - Leading with Empathy ft. Ardran Carr, M.Ed., LLPC
Tom is joined by University of Michigan Athletic Counselor Ardran Carr, M.Ed., LLPC to discuss the need for preventive care in student athlete mental health. Ardran discusses his journey from former student athlete to being a licensed professional in the field of psychology. Tom and Ardran also...
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036 - Authentic Self-Development ft. Farshad Sarrafi
Tom is joined by Farshad Sarrafi, co-founder and owner of Beyond Built Training to discuss the importance of understanding people, and the similarities between coaching and owning businesses. They touch on the challenges of working with athletes and the need for context in training. Also…
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035 – Building Successful Habits ft. Siana Sylvester
After a month hiatus, Smalls' Talk is back and Tom is joined by Mental Performance Coach Siana Sylvester to discuss the keys to building successful habits! Siana and Tom also discuss the growth that comes from suffering and leaning into uncertainty. 03:49 - Working with Coaches 07:42 - Working…
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034 – Accepting Constructive Criticism ft. The Huerter Sisters
Tom is joined by two of his favorite athletes, Meghan (UAlbany) and Jillian Huerter (Rutgers) to discuss their experiences playing at the collegiate level. The group discusses the challenges of being apart but still supporting each other, adjusting to the speed and physicality of college...
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033 – Mental Health in the Big Leagues ft. Ex MLB Player Chad Pinder
Host Tom Smalley is joined by Ex-MLB Player Chad Pinder to discuss his journey with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) while he navigated his career as an MLB Player. Tom and Chad discuss living with OCD, the challenges it presents, and the importance of staying with the maintenance of…
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032 – Developing a Healthier Student Athlete ft. John Armistead
Host Tom Smalley is joined by John Armistead, former dual sport collegiate athlete turned Co-Founder of the Athletes Together app. John discusses the development of the Athletes Together app, an all-in-one mental health app for student athletes. John also shares his personal journey of starting…
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031 – The Competition Mindset ft. Team USA Weightlifter Brandon Victorian
Host Tom Smalley is joined by Team USA Olympic Weightlifter Brandon Victorian fresh off of the Pan-American games. Tom and Brandon discuss what it has been like competing against the best, and how his mindset has evolved as the competition has become more elite. Brandon also talks about...
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030 – Normalizing Mental Performance Training ft. Danielle Lynch, MS, CMPC
Tom is joined by Certified Mental Performance Consultant and Owner of Infinity Mental Performance Danielle Lynch to discuss her path into specializing in mental performance as well as becoming a business owner. Danielle explains how being a former collegiate athlete has helped her connect with…
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029 – Overcoming OCD as an Olympian ft. Pro Boxer Ginny Fuchs
Host Tom Smalley is joined by former Team USA Olympian turned Professional Boxer Virginia "Ginny" Fuchs to discuss her journey overcoming Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder on her way to competing for Team USA in the Olympics. Also discussed is how Ginny fell into the sport boxing, and what kept her...
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028 – Tom's 26 Lessons in 26 Years ft. Sean Smalley
Host Tom Smalley is joined by his older, better looking brother for a special birthday episode where Tom presents 26 lessons he has learned in 26 years! The two brothers then address the state of Boston sports, and how they would fix the direction of the patriots franchise.
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027 – Gratitude in the Process ft. Team USA Weightlifter Brian Reisenauer
Host Tom Smalley is joined by Team USA Olympic Weightlifter and Clinical Psychologist Brian Reisenauer, Psy.D to discuss how he balances his work in the mental health profession and competing at the highest level as an Olympic Weightlifter. Brian talks about the things he has become more grateful...
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026 – Defining Toughness ft. Greg Everett (Catalyst Athletics)
Tom is joined by world renowned international weightlifting coach Greg Everett of Catalyst Athletics to discuss how he began his successful coaching career, the anxiety he experiences as a coach, and his new book Tough. Also discussed is the three characteristics Greg has seen in his most...
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025 – A New Era of Athlete Wellness ft. Lumin Sports
Tom is joined by Lumin Sports executives Ben Gazzola and Blake Bender to discuss the athlete management software that is changing the way athlete wellness data is visualized and interpreted. Ben and Blake give a rundown on how Lumin became what it is today, and how the software is assisting…
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024 – What Makes the Good Athletes Great ft. Thomas Huerter Jr.
Tom is joined by his former college roommate and close friend Thomas Huerter Jr. to discuss his playing career, from winning the NY AA state championship with his brother Kevin all the way to playing for 3 different collegiate head coaches. Smalls and Tom discuss the lessons he provides to the...
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023 – The 4 Pillars of Health and Wellness ft. Author Kyle Gonzalez
Tom is joined by Performance Coach and Author Kyle Gonzalez to discuss his newly released book "The Vitality System". Kyle and Tom dive into the 4 pillars of health and wellness, along with how to apply them in everyday life. Kyle also talks about how his career led him to write a book that can…
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022 – Navigating PTSD as an Elite Athlete ft. Suzy Sanchez
Tom is joined by olympic weightlifter and national coach Suzy Sanchez to discuss her career as an elite level weightlifter for USAW while navigating a diagnosis of PTSD and MDD. Tom and Suzy chat about the important qualities to look for in coaches, and how she turned her struggle into strength…
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021 – Leading By Example ft. 2023 SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year Hannah Barber
After 3 week hiatus, Tom is back and joined by University of Alabama Point Guard Hannah Barber to talk about how she overcame adversity throughout her 5 year collegiate career. Hannah talks about how she reframed her mindset after experiencing life's challenges, and the ways she was able to lead…
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020 – Athlete Centered Coaching ft. Mental Performance Coach Taylor Cook
Tom is joined by former professional hockey player turned mental performance coach Taylor Cook to discuss how to implement an athlete centered coaching model. Also discussed is how to provide useful feedback as a coach, and why mental performance is just as valuable as the physical aspect. About...
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019 – The Holistic Health and Wellness Model ft. OWN IT System
Tom is joined by OWN IT System Founder Justin Roethlingshoefer and Nick Wooters to discuss how colleges and universities can implement the OWN IT System app for student athletes. Also discussed is how to use data to drive health and human performance, empowering athletes to make decisions for...
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018 – Overcoming Grief and Depression ft. Coach Jeremy Golden
Tom is joined by UM-Duluth Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeremy Golden to discuss the recent article he wrote on anxietyinathletes.org about his lifetime struggles with depression and grief. Jeremy opens up about the loss of his mother, and how he had to address both grief and depression…
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017 – The ALL IN Mentality ft. ALL IN Apparel Company Founders Angela Teeple & Melissa Katz
Tom is joined by two former athletes and coaches (Angela Teeple and Melissa Katz) that have joined together to start the ALL IN Apparel brand to empower athletes to share their own personal mental health journeys and bring the conversation of mental health in athletics to the forefront of…
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016 – Living with Body Dysmorphic Disorder ft. Team Canada Athlete Erin Reim and Chris Trondsen, MS, LMFT
Tom is joined by Canadian Judo national champion Erin Reim and clinician Chris Trondsen to discuss living with Body Dysmoprhic Disorder as an elite athlete on her way to being ranked #7 in the world. The group also discusses the different expectations society has created in regards to body image,...
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015 – Creating an Environment for Every Athlete ft. Anthony Paiva
In episode 015, Tom is joined by Brown University Strength and Conditioning Coach Anthony Paiva to talk about how environment can shape an athlete's experience and attitude. Coach Paiva talks about his decision to open about his sexuality to his athletes and colleagues, and overcoming the anxiety...
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014 – Transforming Athlete Mental Health ft. The Zone Founder/CEO Ivan Tchatchouwo
Tom is joined by Ivan Tchatchouwo (Founder and CEO of The Zone App) to discuss the way his team is addressing student athlete mental health and the preventative care The Zone app is aiming to provide to college campuses everywhere. Ivan also discusses his background in human performance, and...
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013 – More Than Just a Quota – Ft. National Champion Rugby Coach Gianna Solomon
Host Tom Smalley is joined by Professional Rugby player and Collegiate Coach Gianna Solomon to discuss her path to being a strong female leader in sports. Gianna most recently won a national championship as an Assistant Coach with Dartmouth Women's Rugby, and is currently playing professional…
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012 – Morgan's Message ft. Clare Kehoe
PLEASE NOTE: This episode includes mention of suicidality. If you are in a crisis, or you are ever feeling suicidal or unsafe, please go to your local emergency room, or call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing “988” (you can also access online at www.988lifeline.org.) Host Tom...
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011 – A New Perspective on High Performance ft. Dr. Alex Auerbach (Director of Wellness and Development, Toronto Raptors)
Tom is joined by Dr. Alex Auerbach to discuss his high performance model he uses in his work as the Director of Wellness and Development for the NBA's Toronto Raptors. Alex dives into details regarding how to be productive with goal setting, useful mental skills he teaches his clients, and the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
There’s nothing small-minded about this podcast aside from the name! Join your host Tom Smalley, MS, CMPC, founder of struggleintostrength.com, as we dive deep into the realms of personal growth, mental health, and human performance.From embracing challenges to exploring the nuances of mental resilience, each episode features expert interviews and insights aimed at helping you transform struggle into strength.And we promise – there's no small talk here!
HOSTED BY
Tom Smalley
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Smalls Talk have?
Smalls Talk currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Smalls Talk about?
There’s nothing small-minded about this podcast aside from the name! Join your host Tom Smalley, MS, CMPC, founder of struggleintostrength.com, as we dive deep into the realms of personal growth, mental health, and human performance.From embracing challenges to exploring the nuances of mental...
How often does Smalls Talk release new episodes?
Smalls Talk has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Smalls Talk?
You can listen to Smalls Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Smalls Talk?
Smalls Talk is created and hosted by Tom Smalley.
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