Mental Training Room
Mental Training Room is a podcast hosted by former Division I athletes, Haley Herdman and Naomi Yim. Haley is a current Mental Health Therapist who works with athletes on their mental game and Naomi is a real estate investor with a passion for spreading awareness around mental health in sports. Designed as a community and safe space for athletes, our goal is to foster honest conversations about the mental health challenges that athletes face within their sport while also advocating for more mental skills coaching imbedded into overall training programs, in hopes to close the gap from mental unprepared to MENTALLY ELITE!
Through insightful discussions with a diverse range of guests—including mental health professionals, current and former athletes, coaches, and much more—we aim to provide comfort, relatability, and practical takeaways for our listeners. In our episodes, we talk mindset, performance pressure, recovery, identity, and other authentic stories. While this podcast is not a substitute for professional help, we hope each episode reminds you that you’re not alone in this journey.
If you are in crisis, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
Mental Training Room
Gymnast Katie McNamara on Twisties, Mental Blocks, and Overcoming Perfectionism
In this episode of Mental Training Room, former gymnast Katie McNamara opens up about her experience with the twisties—a terrifying mental block that causes gymnasts to lose awareness mid-air. Katie shares what it was like to face mental blocks throughout her career, how perfectionism shaped her identity as an athlete, and the mental toll of chasing flawless performance. We explore the connection between gymnastics and athlete mental health, the stigma around struggling with focus and confidence, and practical ways athletes can begin to overcome fear and perfectionism in their sport.
Whether you’re a gymnast, coach, or athlete dealing with performance anxiety, this conversation sheds light on the mental side of gymnastics and reminds us that every athlete battles more than what we see on the competition floor.
Follow us on Instagram @mtr.pod
For Mental Performance Coaching visit haleyherdman.com