The Mentally Fit Athlete
by Lidia Garcia, MSW and Jason von Stietz, PhD
The Mentally Fit Athlete is hosted by Lidia Garcia, MSW and Dr. Jason von Stietz. We discuss the mental side of sport and performance. Each episode is an informal open conversation filled with practical takeaways useful for coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in performance and wellbeing.
Episodes
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Playable, Not Perfect: Confidence and Mental Performance in Sports with Brianna Antillon
What does it actually mean for an athlete to be confident? In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, I talk with mental performance coach Brianna “Coach Bri” Antillon about confidence, pressure, comparison, and the way athletes can sometimes tie too much of their identity to how they're...
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High School Boys, Sport, and Emotional Regulation: Why “Locked In” Isn’t Enough with Dez Nunez, LPC
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, I sit down with my good friend Dez Nunez, LPC, a licensed professional counselor and high school basketball coach based in Colorado. With my co-host Lidia Garcia away this week, Dez and I have an open conversation about something we don't talk about...
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Sport Psychology Q&A: Social Media Stress, SMART Goals, and Brain-Training Games
In this solo episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, I (Dr. Jason von Stietz) return to answer a new batch of questions from high school sport psychology students. The conversation explores the modern stressors facing young athletes—from social media pressure to outcome-obsession—and provides...
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Sport Psychology Q&A: Sport Performance Psychology for High Pressure
In this solo episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, I (Dr. Jason Von Stietz) answer a series of questions from high school students taking a sports psychology class. I share practical techniques for handling high-pressure moments, the importance of pre-game routines, and the role of therapy in an...
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Sport Psychology Q&A: Overcoming OCD and Anxiety, Improving Sleep, and the Power of Enjoyment
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, I (Dr. Jason von Stietz) go solo to answer a fresh round of questions from high school student-athletes. I talk about psychological aspects of performance, offering practical tools for managing insomnia, distinguishing OCD from healthy routines, and...
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Sport Psychology Q&A: Process, Mindfulness, and the Growth Mindset
In this solo episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, I (Dr. Jason von Stietz) answer questions from high school sport psychology students. Key Discussion Points A Day in the Life of a Psychologist: I discuss the variety in my career, which includes treating clinical issues like OCD and the "yips,"...
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Training with a Busy Life: Finding Your Why
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, we explore how finding your “why” can make or break your consistency in sport and fitness. From busy adult athletes balancing work, school, and family to runners training for their next race, they discuss how clarifying your values, setting meaningful...
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State of the Podcast 2026: Finding Our “Why” and What’s Next
In this behind-the-scenes episode, we reconnect after a break to reflect on why we started The Mentally Fit Athlete and where the podcast is headed next. What begins as a casual conversation turns into a thoughtful exploration of purpose, creativity, and how mental performance principles—like...
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Life After the Final Whistle: Navigating the Transition Out of Sport
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, we explore one of the most overlooked phases of the athletic journey—transitioning out of sport. Whether an athlete is graduating, retiring, changing levels of competition, or sidelined by injury, the end of a season or career can bring unexpected...
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Mental Reps Matter: How Visualization Keeps You Game-Ready
In this episode, we answer a great question from a high school sport psychology class: “What role does visualization play in improving athletic performance, and how can athletes use it effectively?” We break down how mental imagery—also known as visualization or mental rehearsal—can help athletes...
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How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Opponents and Improve Performance
What happens when an opponent becomes bigger than the game? In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, we field a question from a high-school sports psychology class: how do admiration or animosity toward an opponent affect performance? Jason explains the value of focusing on controllables—your...
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Coping with Pre-Workout Anxiety: Mental Strategies for Endurance Athletes
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, a Los Angeles running coach asks: “How can athletes manage pre-workout anxiety?” Dr. Jason von Stietz and Lidia Garcia, MSW share simple, science-backed mental tools to help runners and endurance athletes cultivate confidence, focus, and a...
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Overcoming Race: Day Hurdles: Medical Psychology at the LA Marathon
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, listeners get an in-depth look at the mental and physical challenges of the Los Angeles Marathon. Dr. Jason von Stietz shares his firsthand experience being a part of the very first medical psychology team integrated into the LA Marathon’s medical…
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Bouncing Back: How Athletes Overcome Setbacks and Refocus Under Pressure
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, we dive into how athletes can bounce back from setbacks using proven psychological strategies and mental skills. Discover expert insights into refocusing under pressure, stopping negative spirals, and building resilience in sports. What You’ll Learn:...
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Clinical sport psychology insights: Team vs. individual sports
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, we dive into a question from a high school sport psychology class: How do mentalities differ between individual and team sports? We break down the unique psychological challenges and benefits of each athletic environment. We talk about: Team vs....
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Recovering from the Southern California wildfires: Mental health, training, and community support
In this episode of The Mentally Fit Athlete, hosts we dive into the complex interplay between athletic performance and mental health following natural disasters such as the recent Southern California wildfires. We explore how athletes, coaches, and communities can adapt, heal, and thrive when…
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Coaching with care: Recognizing and supporting athlete mental health
We explore the world of athlete mental health- on and off the field. We discuss the pressures athletes face and the essential support structures for long-term well-being. We talk about: Athlete mental health beyond sport Enjoyment versus performance pressure in sport Helping young athletes to…
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Debunking sport psychology myths: Will therapy make you lose your competitive edge
Is sport 80% mental? Is sport psychology for the mentally weak? Will therapy make you lose your competitive edge? Will sport psychology make me a champion? Isn't sport psychology just common sense? Isn't talent something you're either born with or without? In our first episode, we dispel myths…
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About this show
The Mentally Fit Athlete is hosted by Lidia Garcia, MSW and Dr. Jason von Stietz. We discuss the mental side of sport and performance. Each episode is an informal open conversation filled with practical takeaways useful for coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in performance and wellbeing.
Hosted by
Lidia Garcia, MSW and Jason von Stietz, PhD