Power Forward Mindset

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.