In episode 30 of Coaching The Athletic Mind, host Megan Weaver participates in Podcastathon, a global initiative where podcasters raise awareness for charities, by featuring Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit focused on normalizing mental health conversations among athletes. Megan interviews Kat, Morgan’s Message co-founder and former Duke lacrosse teammate of Morgan Rogers, who heartbreakingly died by suicide, leading to the charity’s creation in July 2020. Kat explains the organization’s peer-to-peer ambassador program, resources supported by a medical advisory council, and its podcast arm, The Mental Matchup, which shares vulnerable stories to provide hope and insight. They discuss how injury can affect identity and mental health, challenges in recognizing warning signs, the role of coaches in modeling emotions and fostering supportive team environments, and the importance of genuinely checking in on others. Megan shares where to find Morgan’s Message online and encourages listeners to reflect on supporting teammates and players.

#Morgan's Message

#Mental Health

#Podcastathon2026

#Coachingtheathleticmind

Episode 29 continues a discussion on imposter syndrome and focuses on how social media can harm confidence through “compare and despair,” especially when algorithms serve highlight reels of top performers. The conversation emphasizes being intentional about who you follow, choosing content that genuinely motivates you, and setting boundaries like a daily timer to prevent endless scrolling. It also reframes success: you don’t have to be the best—being “good enough,” building strong connections, and creating meaningful experiences can reduce imposter feelings. The episode highlights that trying to be your best all the time is exhausting, and doing “B- work” can keep you moving forward instead of stuck in perfectionism. The host previews an upcoming podcastathon episode supporting Morgan’s Message and shares contact info for team mental performance support.

#Coaches

#Coaching Athletes

#Mental Performance

In episode 28 of Coaching The Athletic Mind, host Megan Weaver discusses imposter syndrome—feeling like a fraud despite evidence of success—and how it affects athletes and professionals. She notes that even elite performers, like an Olympic pitcher at UCLA, experience it, and explains how one mistake can trigger thoughts like “I don’t belong here.” Megan and guest Breana Field connect imposter syndrome to performance-based work, including anxiety about charging for work and fear of not meeting expectations, sometimes leading to sleepless nights. They emphasize that people often set unrealistic standards for themselves despite being chosen by coaches or clients, and that negative, protective “primitive brain” thinking can intensify at night. Coping strategies shared include holding onto past positive feedback, documenting praise to revisit when doubt spikes, and building processes that reduce anxiety—such as adding preparation time and setting low expectations at the start of a project. Megan encourages listeners to identify personal routines that reduce imposter feelings before games.

In episode 27 of Coaching The Athletic Mind Podcast, host Megan Weaver shares insights on overcoming mental barriers to enhance athletic performance. She emphasizes the impact of self-critical thoughts and emotional resilience, drawing from her experiences coaching Division 1 athletes. Weaver outlines practical strategies for athletes to separate their self-worth from their athletic performance and develop positive self-talk. She also highlights the importance of resilience in dealing with failures and setbacks, encouraging athletes to build self-belief to achieve their goals.

In episode 26 of the 'Coaching The Athletic Mind Podcast', host Megan Weaver guides listeners into 2026 with a focus on building resilience in athletes. She discusses her new tools and increased interest in presentations on mental performance. Megan emphasizes resilience as the key trait for athletes, explaining its significance using Roger Federer's career and his attitude towards perfectionism. She shares three strategies for enhancing mental resilience. Megan also offers insights into the benefits of mental performance coaching and encourages listeners to embrace challenges with a resilient mindset.

In episode 25 of the Coaching the Athletic Mind Podcast, host Megan Weaver celebrates a year of producing the podcast, expressing pride in her consistency and determination. She reflects on overcoming her inner critic and emphasizes the importance of life coaching in achieving her goals. Megan recaps various episodes from the past year, covering topics like handling coach criticism, building mental resilience, and developing self-confidence in athletes. She stresses the value of self-love, trusting oneself, and betting on oneself for athletic success. She encourages listeners to shift their self-talk from negative to neutral or positive and highlights the importance of believing in one's capabilities to handle challenges and failures in sports. Megan concludes by inviting listeners to reach out for a free consultation to improve their athletic mindset.

In episode 24 of the Coaching The Athletic Mind Podcast, host Megan Weaver continues her conversation with Modified West Genesee Girls soccer team coach, Kelly Slate. The episode highlights the critical role of coaches as safety nets for middle school girls, explaining the distinction between performance-based confidence and deep-rooted self-confidence. Kelly shares her observations on the evolving pressures on young athletes due to social media and parental expectations. She emphasizes the importance of building mental resilience and character over focusing solely on winning. The discussion also touches on training routines for young athletes before tryouts and managing the pressures of comparison. Megan and Kelly conclude by reflecting on the rewarding aspects of coaching and supporting young athletes.

In episode 23 of the 'Coaching The Athletic Mind Podcast,' host Megan Weaver interviews Kelly Slate, a seasoned soccer coach for Camillus Middle School. Kelly discusses her extensive background in soccer from childhood through college despite multiple ACL injuries. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of coaching seventh and eighth graders, emphasizing the importance of fostering self-confidence, positive reinforcement, and mental resilience among young athletes. She shares insights on managing players of varying skill levels, encouraging perseverance, and creating a supportive team environment where every player feels valued. Megan and Kelly also explore techniques for helping players recover from mistakes and maintain focus. The episode aims to inspire both coaches and players to embrace failures as opportunities for growth and to enjoy the journey of sports beyond just winning games.