# 146 - Optimizing Performance with Professor Kevin Marks

Jul 2, 2020

Join Professor Kevin Marks, a seasoned educator and sports psychology consultant from Solano College, as he delves into optimizing performance through mental strategies. He discusses the transformative power of mindfulness, breath work, and goal-setting. With fascinating insights from his experiences in both sports coaching and teaching in a prison, Kevin emphasizes the importance of resilience, social learning, and mental focus. Listeners will discover practical tools to enhance personal and professional success, as well as the quest for authenticity in challenging times.

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Intro

00:00 • 5min

Connecting Through Psychology

04:35 • 9min

Mindfulness and Mental Transitions in Education

13:18 • 7min

Navigating Growth Through Play and Goals

20:37 • 35min

Mastering Focus: The Path to Flow in Sports and Education

55:37 • 31min

Finding Inspiration Through Connection in Challenging Times

01:26:12 • 2min

Closing Reflections on Authentic Success

01:28:09 • 2min

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In this episode, Professor Kevin Marks from Solano College in California joins me to discuss the work he does around optimizing performance through mental and physical systems. Kevin's extensive knowledge and deep experience in the field comes alive in this episode through the rich discussion that we have around mindset training, mindfulness, the power of goal-setting and breath work. Kevin and I are connected through an online learning community that we belong to called the Finding Mastery Tribe that is led by Dr. Michael Gervais, the sports psychologist for the NFL team Seattle Seahawks.

Kevin gives specific insight into strategies and approaches that anyone can apply to help plant the seeds for success in their personal and professional life. It was a pleasure to have him on the show and I want to thank him for his time.

About Kevin:
Kevin Marks has been teaching for 18 years at the college level and has been at Solano College since the fall of 2007. Marks is a full time Tenured Professor in: Psychology & Health Science. He holds two master’s degrees. One master’s of science degree in sport/exercise science (biomechanics & exercise physiology), and a second master’s of science degree in Psychology; is a former college football coach (associate head coach) of back to back conference championship teams and 3rd best team in school history at SCC in 2010). As a professor, Marks teaches courses in: general/clinical psychology, sport psychology, and exercise science and works in the California State prison on level 3- psychological-education.

In addition to his teaching duties, Marks is a sport psychology consultant for Solano College athletics working with teams and individual athletes. Prior to joining Solano College, Marks taught and coached football at Modesto Jr. College. Marks has also coached football and taught at Laney College in Oakland, California. Finally, as an endurance athlete, he complete his first full Ironman triathlon in 14 hours 47 minutes in 2019

Connect With Kevin:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinMarksOptimalPerformance
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachmarksscc

Special thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.
https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/