The Mindset Experience®

At age of 6, while all her peers huddled around the ball, Civana Kuhlmann was already setting herself apart as she had learned about proper spacing. Her ability to view the soccer field like a problem to solve cultivated a "no quit" mindset that helped her become relentless, aggressive and determined. The same belief system that helped her excel also ended up hurting her emotionally and physically. As an athlete, Civana has represented the United States in multiple World Cup Qualifiers, a U17 FIFA World Cup, won 2 National Championships and played in 3 Final Fours as a member of the Stanford University women's soccer team, and was drafted to the Washington Spirit in January 2023. As a human being, she has endured seven surgeries for four major injuries since August 2019 including 2 torn ACL's, 2 hip surgeries, and a fractured femur. She has also lost a close friend and teammate to suicide. Through her experiences, she continues to ponder everything that got her to this point, and most definitely uses everything she has learned so far while still searching for lots. @civanakuhlmann

Ryan Deakin's first impressions of wrestling were spot on: it was tough, it looked different, and he could directly affect the outcome. His work ethic set a foundation for success where he won the state title as a 10th grader in high school. The next year, he lost his state semi-final match in overtime to someone he had previously beaten. Instead of challenging his identity, he appreciated the major loss that enabled him to see that he was much more than just a wrestler who had unconditional support and love from his family. Free of pressure, he won another state title as a senior. What followed was a historic career where he became an NCAA D1 National Champion, 4X NCAA D1 All-American, 3X Big Ten Champion, 2X Northwestern male Athlete of the year, and 2020 and 2022 Hodge Trophy Finalist awarded to the best collegiate wrestler in the Nation. He has also experienced success at the international level where he won US Open National Freestyle Title in 2017 and 2019 and won a silver medal for Team USA in the Junior World Championships. Ryan shares the mindset that allowed him to accomplish success on the mat, in the classroom as a 5X Academic All-American and Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient but most impressively as a 5X team captain at Northwestern University. He works hard, he leads by example, and he never questions the tough things because he believes no matter the outcome, "you will never regret the sprints." @ryandeakin, @iron.summit

Sammy Schultz grew up playing multiple sports including soccer swimming, horseback riding, and shooting rifles. By the time she was a senior in high school, she realized she possessed the skill set required for 4 of 5 events in the Olympic Pentathlon. She decided to give fencing a shot and really enjoyed that as well! Joining the army gave her the support to train, created opportunities to grow, provided leadership experience but also challenged her to give up control and trust in her process. Her experiences taught her how to balance rhythm and aggression in her sport and in life. Not only is she a 2021 Tokyo Olympian, but she is a seven-time US National champion, Pan American Games Silver and Gold medalist, and multiple world and national team member in the sport of pentathlon. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer, Pilates and yoga instructor, strength and conditioning coach and running coach. Sammy frequently speaks to people of all ages in community at schools, sporting events and has worked with fellow Soldiers in the US Army to share her journey, overcoming obstacles, perseverance, and the importance of taking care of your mental and physical health. @samanthaausa

Stephen Johnston, MD, MBA, is a father, radiologist, non-profit founder, and Ironman athlete. When he found out his nine-year-old son, Luke, was going blind as a result of a rare disease, he founded A Race Against Blindness to fund sight-saving research for his son and thousands of others like him. Though Stephen is relatively new to the nonprofit world, he's a man on a mission to raise $1 Million for a clinical trial and taking on challenges like Ironman to raise money and be an example for his son. To prepare himself mentally, he is using his knowledge from personal setbacks to look at himself, identify the role he plays, take ownership over what he can control to be the best he can be. Emotionally, he is deliberately taking on difficult and painful obstacles to process hard moments, learn how to experience and explain what he is going through, how he will handle it and what he will learn from it. By showing up every day, experiencing micro failures and progressing through different levels he is working to be an example for his son. Ironically, his son's approach and perspective to his own illness is inspiring Dr. Johnston to be a better father, athlete and overall human being. @dad.vs.blindness, www.araceagainstblindness.org

Pro soccer player Jordan Listro shares her journey from playing soccer since age 5, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and continuous improvement in sports. She discusses adapting to the competitive nature of the sport, seeking feedback for growth, and staying focused on personal development despite setbacks. Listro aims to make an impact in the USL Super League and compete for Team Canada while promoting women's professional soccer in her home country.

Kendall Wesenberg has been a competitor from an early age as she "wanted to win before I knew what it was." She grew up playing all the typical youth sports and continued with club soccer through college. After seeing bobsled during the 2010 Olympic Games, this California girl moved to Park City, Utah 2 years later after graduation to learn more about the sport. She loved the adrenaline rush that bobsled provided but felt her body type was better suited for skeleton. In 2014 Kendall earned an invite to US Team Trials where she took 4th then went on to become the first American woman to win the European Cup circuit overall title. The following season she earned a World Cup spot where she has competed for the last 3 seasons, winning a silver medal in the St. Moritz World Cup in 2017 and earning one of two Olympic spots for the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang. Kendall shares how she trains her mind and body to access the zone and make 100 crucial decisions every minute. Her sport is extremely dangerous and challenging but she approaches it like she approaches life, by focusing on kindness, hard work and having the most fun! @kendallorraine

Donnell Whittenburg was born to be a gymnast. He grew up doing back flips, tucks and handstand walks in his backyard. To help him avoid injury, his mother enrolled him into formal gymnastics classes. The ability to learn new and more challenging skills, share experiences with teammates and focus on the process of improving laid a foundation where he has competed on the international level for over 12 years including multiple world championships, Pan American Games. He was an Olympic alternate in 2016 and even has a skill named after him, "The Whittenburg." Despite all these accomplishments, his biggest obstacle is not competing at the Olympic Games. Donnell shares his motivation to keep competing including unfinished business, growing the sport on the men's side, inspiring others to create opportunities to expand their cultural experiences and investing further in lifelong friendships and bonds. He teaches us that, "it doesn't matter how long it takes; as long as we keep trying, we always have a chance." @donnell_whittenburg

Former soccer player Nikita Ducarroz battled severe anxiety, found solace in BMX, and now thrives as a top female BMX rider. She shares her journey from feeling stuck in a room to experiencing the freedom of riding. The podcast discusses the importance of mental training for athletes, overcoming anxiety through sports, and promoting open dialogue on mental health struggles.

Born into a hockey family, Hayley Scamurra wanted to compete just like her brothers and father who had played in the NHL . While she fell in love with the sport herself, she also felt the need to always be the best and live up to her father's expectations. This pressure began to manifest in severe anxiety for which she sought out therapy. Through this process, she learned to focus on what she could control including being physical, controlling the puck and having fun. She also empowered herself to redefine her relationship with her father, set boundaries and help him treat her like his daughter not just a hockey player. Hayley has won a championship for the Buffalo Beauts of the NWHL, finally made the team USA roster and ultimately won 2 gold and 2 silver medals in world championships. She is also a 2022 Olympic Silver Medalist. She reminds us that this has been the dream the whole time. As the competition grew more intense, she needed to maintain the mindset to remember how fun it was as a little girl when she skated in her backyard ice rink as fast as she could until she jumped into the snow along the rink! @hayleyscamurra

As a high schooler, Catie Lang's identity was embedded in being an athlete to the point that she even loved the ideas of being tough, not quitting and "walking off" any pain or suffering. She had no real concept, awareness, or education of mental health despite having severe anxiety herself. Even after experiencing major panic attacks that were terrifying, she brushed them off and told herself that she was just being dramatic. As a member of an NCAA Division 1 lacrosse team, her program lacked the culture and resources necessary to promote health, wellness and happiness but instead reinforced the antiquated narratives about strength and toughness. This flawed mindset and approach exacerbated her own challenges and resulted in multiple players walking away from the team. This story has made national headlines. Catie shares her personal story of struggle including near suicide to both spread awareness but also spark action in addressing this epidemic of mental illness and suicide in college athletics. WARNING: This episode contains emotionally sensitive material including discussion surrounding suicide that may be triggering or disturbing to some listeners. If any of the content in this podcast has brought anything up for you, please reach out or speak to someone you trust. @catielang