Скачать или смотреть Ep. 4 - Mental Training, Recovery Mindsets & Grit: A Candid Q&A with Editor Kyle

Are you training your mind as hard as you train your body? In this special Q&A edition of Forged Youth | Legacy Within, host Mariel Anderson sits down with producer Kyle Donen to swap questions and stories about the evolution of mental health and performance training in sports. Together they explore what’s changed over the past 20 years, why most parents and coaches still don’t fully understand mental training, and how the skills learned on the court translate to life off it.

Mariel and Kyle reflect on their own volleyball careers and share hard‑won lessons, from handling injuries and switching into a recovery mindset to the power of visualization and never giving up in the heat of competition. They discuss the cost and accessibility of mental performance programs, the importance of coaches and parents embracing emotional support, and why teaching mental skills early can prevent burnout and build antifragile athletes. If you’ve ever wondered what’s hiding beneath the surface of sports training or how to help your athlete thrive mentally as well as physically, this conversation is for you. At the end, they invite you to send your own questions for future Q&A episodes.

What you’ll learn in this episode

How mental health awareness and mental performance training have evolved in the last two decades and why acceptance matters.

Why switching from “athlete” to “recovering athlete” mindset is crucial after injuries and how to make that shift.

The hidden costs and accessibility issues around mental training programs—and how free resources like podcasts can bridge the gap.

Visualization and other mental techniques that Mariel and Kyle use to prepare for high‑pressure moments.

Lessons from volleyball that translate to grit, work ethic and success in life.

Why mental skills aren’t just for sports: they build resilience, focus and confidence in every area of life.

Support the show & connect

If this episode resonated with you, please consider supporting the show
so we can continue offering free, accessible mental training resources. Got a question for Mariel and Kyle? Email us at [email protected]
or leave a comment below—we may answer it in a future Q&A!

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About Forged Youth | Legacy Within

Forged Youth | Legacy Within helps youth athletes develop the mental tools they need to thrive on and off the field. Each episode features raw conversations about mindset, resilience and personal growth with athletes, coaches and thought leaders. Subscribe, like and comment to support the mission—and share this episode with someone who wants to strengthen their mental game today.

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