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
More Than an Athlete: Redefining Identity and Why It’s Critical for Mental Health & Performance
What happens when your sport becomes your entire identity—and what happens when it’s taken away? In this episode, we break down athlete identity, why over-identifying with sport can increase anxiety, burnout, and emotional distress, and how de-fining identity can actually improve both mental health and performance.
We explore how identity foreclosure shows up in youth, collegiate, and professional athletes, why injuries, transitions, and setbacks can feel so destabilizing, and how developing a more flexible sense of self helps athletes stay grounded, confident, and resilient. You’ll learn practical mindset shifts and mental training strategies to separate who you are from what you do, without losing competitiveness or drive.
Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent, this conversation highlights why redefining identity isn’t about caring less—it’s about creating sustainable performance, healthier relationships with sport, and a stronger sense of self beyond the game.
Key topics include:
– Athlete identity & mental health
– Identity foreclosure in sports
– Performance anxiety & burnout prevention
– Life after sport & injury recovery
– Mental skills for long-term athletic success
Follow us on Instagram @mtr.pod
For Mental Performance Coaching visit haleyherdman.com