What's the Mood? with The Illinois Human Performance Project

 In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Pazik, sports psychologist, mental performance coach, and longtime friend of The Illinois Human Performance Project. Together, we dive into key mental performance strategies, explore common barriers that hold us back, and discuss what it truly takes to perform at our best. Tune in to the conversation! 

On this episode of What’s the Mood, we’re joined by Ethan Karolczak. With more than 20 years of experience in education, as a teacher, coach, and now in his fourth year as Athletic Director at Round Lake High School, Ethan brings powerful insight into student leadership and building a positive, healthy school culture.His experience both on and off the field helped shape a meaningful conversation about empowering students, modeling leadership, and creating environments where young people can thrive.

In this episode, of What's The Mood we sit down with Zach and Pat from Me2We, an organization dedicated to personal growth and collective empowerment. Through their mission of nurturing the spirit, mind, and body, they focus on building healthier and more connected communities. We talk about their approach, the impact of their work, and why investing in personal growth is essential for long-term community well-being.Tune in for an inspiring conversation on growth and connection!

This week on What's the Mood we have on Jim Love, he is the founder of Authentically You. He is a motivational speaker who inspires students for the next level of leadership through personal stories and high energy. He aims to help students be motivated to be authentic and confident leaders.

This week, we’re talking with Alyssa, the Coalition Director from the Boone County Drug Prevention Coalition! She shares how she started her career, what led her to her current role, and the amazing work her coalition is doing to support student leaders through the PALS program. Alyssa also talks about how they’re helping the community and what she hopes to see in the future. We hope you enjoy this episode! 

On this episode of What’s the Mood, we’re joined by Johan Speaks, a professional speaker who shares how his upbringing and environment inspired his journey into motivational speaking. Johan discusses the power of adult impactors to instill hope in youth and reminds us of the importance of believing in ourselves.

On this episode of What’s the Mood, we’re thrilled to welcome Gilda Ross, founder and driving force behind the GPS Parent Series. She shares the inspiring origin story of GPS, how she built it from the ground up, and reflects on the powerful influences in her life, including her daughter and mother.GPS is the nation’s premier parenting education and family support network, bringing world-class speakers and valuable insights to communities each week. We’re proud to partner with GPS to continue supporting families everywhere.Learn more here: https://ilhpp.org/events/gps-speaker-series-partnership

 This week on the What's the Mood podcast, we're joined by Chrissy Stragisher for an honest conversation about embracing freedom over fear, preparation over perfection, and understanding the "truth meter." As a strength and conditioning coach with over a decade of experience working with the San Antonio franchise of the WNBA, Chrissy's passion for empowering others shines through. She's dedicated her life to helping people unlock their transformative potential both on and off the court. Don't miss this inspiring episode! 

We had the pleasure of speaking with PhD(c) Melissa Lodge, an expert in interdisciplinary health sciences, an elite runner, and a passionate researcher in female athlete psychology. Her work focuses on the critical issues of low energy availability and relative energy deficiency in sports. In addition to her research, PhD(c) Lodge runs an educational platform called Fed Collaborative, where she translates scientific research on female athlete psychology and addresses important topics such as disordered eating. Our conversation delved into human performance and how her practices and insights are shaping the future of female athlete health and well-being.

In this episode of WTM, we're thrilled to sit down with John Underwood, the founder of the Human Performance Project. John shares his invaluable insights on the project and delves into the critical role sleep plays in both our physical health and overall performance.

In this episode of WTM, we're thrilled to sit down with John Underwood, the founder of the Human Performance Project. John shares his invaluable insights on the project and delves into the critical role sleep plays in both our physical health and overall performance.

In this episode of WTM, host and Prevention Specialist Leah sits down with Megan Hanley from the Tazewell County Health Department for a powerful conversation on epidemiology, community health, and the ripple effect one person can have. Tune in to discover how small actions can lead to big change!

On this episode of What's the Mood, host Julie sits down with Lindsay Sweet, a passionate advocate for health education who has dedicated much of her career to promoting public well-being. Lindsay’s journey began at the CDC, where she focused on tobacco control, and she has since worked with health programs at the American Academy of Pediatrics. Today, she leads the Community Anti-Drug Coalition, impacting multiple communities across the state.

On this episode of WTM, we welcome Dylan Edwards, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Elite Fitness Trainer, and what we at HPP affectionately refer to as "the Breathing Guy." Dylan shares how his personal fitness journey has shaped his career and discusses the importance of breathwork. We also provide details about our upcoming Student Leadership Workshop.

On this episode of WTM, we are joined by Audrey Grunst, CEO and Athlete Mental Health Performance Therapist. She shares thought provoking ideas and evidence for ways the mental wellness conversation can be elevated among student leaders in school environments. Enjoy this engaging content full conversation. 

IL HPP’s Sarah Grunden talks with Benedictine University’s Joshua Williams about how to build relationships on campus, where to find academic and emotional support when you need it, and tips and tricks to a smooth transition into college life. This episode is for emerging adults and their support systems alike!

On this episode of WTM, we are joined by Joe Bush, a long time educator at Elk Grove High School. Joe is the catalytic leader of the class; Leadership Through Service (LTS). He shares the power of developing leaders through finding intentional ways to serve your local community. A very inspiring conversation! 

Join wellness coach, High School girls cross country coach, digital wellness specialist, and overall good energy human conversation with Annmarie. Her goal is to leave people in a better place than where I found them. On this episode we focus on the need for digital wellness and approaches to today's young adult society.

On this episode of What’s The Mood, we chat with Anthony from Applied Performance Sciences (APS). APS is dedicated to expanding the capacity for performance in human beings at the individual and organizational levels.Founded by US Navy SEALs and developed in conjunction with Olympic and professional sport coaches, APS delivers content and training that are applicable to any environment in which peak performance is desired.Our conversation focuses on a practical strategy to help strengthen resilience among youth and a benefit to partnering with an organization like APS and HPP. Enjoy!

In today's episode, we have a collaboration with Dhruv and Agastya from Stevenson High School's Catalyst prevention club. Join us as we talk about substances, their effect on the human body, and also the mission of Catalyst as a whole. Hope you enjoy it!

Mary Voight, Program Lead in Community Based Services with OMNI’s Counseling team joins us on What's the Mood to discuss the importance of validating students experiences and knowing the importance between when to listen and when to give advice. 

Our conversation with Tyler, a sports psychologist, picks up from a Performance Clinic we hosted where we talked about the most important thing an adult can do to influence positive behavior change in adolescents and the nitty gritty of powerful communication. 

Our conversation with Nate is full of the good stuff; vulnerability, nutrition, advocacy, and mental health. Worth your time. 

IL HPP joins Dennis Mellen, a positive leadership trainer and consultant. Dennis shares his personal story of how Full Throttle came to be and shares his unique style of leadership centered around positivity, strong connection and commitment, and how to  improving overall performance.

Matt and Phil from M & P Presentations stop by on the pod to share their belief in the power of self confidence, their take on the role of advocacy in self-confidence, and how positive change is possible for anyone!

Bailey is back with a little update on Stronger Scars and shares her excitement about joining us for our 2023 Summer Conference. We talk about being your own advocate and what we'd say to our younger selves if we had the chance. 

Frederica Malone, MAAT, ATR-BC, LCPC is the Director of Clinical Operations at NAMI Chicago, NAMI Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for their community, and shares hope, connection and expertise with people on their mental health journey. Frederica shares her experiences and perspective as well as the importance of the prevention work that IL HPP is doing while advocating for change in present day systems that need change. 

On this episode of What's the Mood? we sit down with Cali Werner, an LCSW, Ph.D. Student, and 2020 U.S. Olympic Trial Marathon runner. Her work focuses on OCD and perfectionism in athletes and evidence based practices to help individuals uncover their full potential. Cali has a warmth and intentionality in her posture, enjoy this conversation. 

Today on Playing it Safe we have Bev Pomering, Executive Director of the Live REAL Foundation. Live REAL Foundation helps provide resources and support for those struggling with mental illness and substance use. 

John is the founder of the Human Performance Project, a nationally recognized program consisting of 30 years of human performance research. He has devoted his life to encouraging healthy choices and positive leadership. In part 2 of our time with John, he shares in detail his latest book coming out soon on mental wellness and the need to elevate this conversation among youth and young adults. Update Description

John is the founder of the Human Performance Project, a nationally recognized program consisting of 30 years of human performance research. He has devoted so much of his life to encouraging healthy choices and positive leadership. In part 1 of our time with John, we check in with how he's been, what's new with the project, where he hopes it will be in the future, and the latest project he's been working on.

Becky, a Social Worker at Wauconda High School and advisor to the Youth Advisory Board and Rebecca, the project coordinator of Choose Your Path Coalition and Director of Prevention at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services share about some of the magic that is in the air in Wauconda, IL. Listen as they each share of where things were and where things are now and why they invest their lives in this work! 

Kris is a co-owner and CEO of Leaders For Life in Champaign, IL; a leadership development program through the vehicle of martial arts. Hear Kris share about essential life skills students need to learn, developing our "why" behind what we're doing, and the importance of learning from experiences. 

On this first segment of Playing it Safe with the RX Playbook, we talk all things "safe use, Safe storage, and safe disposal" with Rick Bielski - business developer for the company responsible for the Deterra drug deactivation system. 

Matt is a leader in stress optimization education for enhanced health and performance. an expert in social and emotional intelligence, and mindfulness work. Enjoy this conversation in self awareness, the power of our breath, and how personal experience shapes our passion in work. 

The Prescription Playbook is an education and awareness campaign designed to help prevent prescription, opioid, and stimulant diversion, misuse and abuse by student athletes. We're joined by Abbie Lee and Courtney Ray as they share their passion and expertise as Prevention Specialists on this project. They bring an important message about why we need to be talking about this topic with our adolescents. A new special segment on What's the Mood? will be launching soon called, "Playing it Safe" with the Prescription Playbook. Stay tuned! 

Bailey was a Division One athlete at Notre Dame, was diagnosed with Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome in both her legs, and found herself on a physical, mental, and emotional journey she did not see coming. Bailey shares with us some of her learnings, how to support others even when you're not at your best, goals for the future, and the power of others sharing the story of their scars to encourage others along the path of life. 

Libertyville High School's Prevention and Wellness Coordinator, Brenda Nelson shares about her first encounter with the Human Performance Project, what she loves most about prevention work, and the power of slowing down! 

Leia shares her unique perspective on adventure, being a Division 1 athlete, her time at IL HPP, and the power of experience. 

Tyler drops insight on greatness, the power in a mental prep morning routine, and some of his physical feat endeavors on the horizon. You wont regret the listen and a special bonus awaits you as you learn about a Misogi and why Tyler is pursuing it!  

CathyAnn shares from her 18 years experience as Varsity head coach of the softball team, being a Chapter Advisor, and from her vantage point; what she thinks holds student leaders back from reaching the fullness of their potential. 

You're in for a treat as you get to hear our very own student leaders talk about IL HPP and their first hand experiences of being a part of a chapter at their schools. 

In this Episode you will hear from Bailey talk about all the essential information in regards to nutrition. 

In this episode, Joe talks about leadership, and how coaches and teachers can get the best out of their students!

In this episode you will hear from Kyle as he talks about his playing career and his current connection to the game. Sign up for our Free Coaches Clinic here  https://ilhpp.org/events/coaches-clinic

Here is a link to Rx Playbooks Website https://ilhpp.org/prescription-playbook

In this episode our host Nick helps listeners get to know creator of Life of an Athlete and Human Performance Project, John Underwood. John talks about what inspired him to dedicate his life to helping people discover and use tools to achieve optimal performance.