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.
Episodes
45 episodes
PAIGE BUECKERS.
In this episode, Haley and Naomi discuss the insights gained from a mental performance coaching session with Paige Bueckers, focusing on the importance of perspective, emotional intelligence, and the role of mental training in athletic suc...
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36:38
Athlete Body Image Struggles: Our Mental Take on Food, Movement, and Self-Acceptance
In this week’s episode, we introduce our very first Mental Take—a segment where we break down the mental side of sport, life, and everything in between. We kick things off by reflecting on why we created this segment: to give athletes an...
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33:43
Post-College Grief: Why We Miss the College Years and How to Move Forward
In this heartfelt episode, Haley and Naomi open up about the deep sense of loss and nostalgia they feel when reflecting on her college experience. The hosts share how the transition from the structured, social world of college int...
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25:36
Building Media Confidence: How Athletes Can Master Storytelling and Presence in the Media with Katy Temple
In this episode of The Mental Training Room, Haley sits down with media coach and former sports broadcaster Katy Temple to talk about how athletes can build confidence, composure, and authenticity in front of the camera. Katy sh...
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35:06
How Locker Room Talk Shapes Team Culture: Energy, Awareness, and Leadership in Sports
In this episode of The Mental Training Room, we dive into one of the most overlooked parts of team culture — locker room talk. The words and energy athletes bring into that space set the tone for how a team connects, competes, and supp...
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29:59
Breaking Barriers in Women’s Football: Nana Olavuo's Journey of Resilience and Mental Health
In this episode of "The Mental Training Room," we dive into the inspiring journey of Nana, a trailblazing linebacker in the Women's National Football Conference. From her early days playing football in Finland to overcoming significant injuries...
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54:05
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 ...
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48:05
Psychology of Taekwondo: Mental Training and Motivation in Poomsae with Hailey Ra
In this episode of Mental Training Room, we sit down with Hailey Ra, a dedicated Taekwondo athlete, to explore the sport psychology behind Poomsae (forms). Hailey opens up about the unique mental challenges of competin...
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29:26
Mind-Body Connection in Sports: Dr. Kim Hollingdale, LA Sparks Sport Psychologist, on Building Mental and Physical Balance for Peak Performance
In this episode of Mental Training Room, we sit down with Dr. Kim Hollingdale, sport psychologist for the WNBA’s LA Sparks, to explore the powerful link between the mind and body in athletic performance. Dr. Hollingdale shares why deve...
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48:25
NBA Coach Mike Hopkins: Mastering the Mental Game and Lessons from Kobe Bryant
In this episode, NBA Coach Mike Hopkins dives deep into the mental side of elite basketball and what it takes to succeed at the highest level—while staying healthy and balanced. He shares his philosophy on strengthening your mental game, buildi...
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48:23
"Breathe Thru Chaos": JD DuBois on Trauma, Mental Toughness, and Thriving Under Pressure
In this powerful episode of Mental Training Room, we sit down with JD DuBois — former collegiate basketball player, current NBA coach, and sport psychology professional — for a raw and insightful conversation about how trauma shapes at...
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59:07
From Overseas Hoops to The Villa: Love Island's Chris Seeley on Mental Health, Pressure, & Finding Identity in Sports
In this episode of Mental Training Room, we sit down with professional basketball player Chris Seeley for a raw and powerful conversation about the realities athletes face behind the scenes. From the rollercoaster of the recruiting pro...
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50:25
The Mental Battle of a D1 Walk-On: Haley’s College Athlete Story
In this powerful episode, Haley shares her unfiltered experience as a Division 1 (D1) walk-on athlete and the mental health challenges that came with it. Without a scholarship, she constantly felt the pressure to prove herself, pushing...
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48:59
Advice for First-Year College Athletes: Mindset, Balance, and Performance
In this episode of Mental Training Room, we’re talking directly to the first-year college athletes who are stepping into their very first summer of collegiate athletics. Whether you're feeling excited, overwhelmed, or unsure of ...
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36:46
Mastering Work Ethic & Consistency: Mindset Lessons with Coach Kelly Dormandy
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Coach Kelly Dormandy, renowned mental performance coach and former collegiate athlete, to unpack the game-changing impact of work ethic, consistency, and mindset on athletic success. Coac...
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44:26
How the NCAA Supports Holistic Student-Athlete Development | Lisa Auld on Mental Health & Growth
In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Auld, a leader in student-athlete development, to explore what holistic development truly means in the world of college athletics. We unpack how universities—and the NCAA—are evolving beyon...
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41:15
Inside the Mind of a Pro: Jhasmin Player on Kim Mulkey, Career Transitions & Advice for Young Athletes
In this episode of Mental Training Room, we sit down with Coach Jhasmin Player, former Baylor basketball star and current college coach, to unpack the powerful lessons she learned from legendary coach Kim Mulkey. Coach Player opens up ...
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43:19
How to Set SMART Goals That Stick | Dr. Kasey Philyaw on Motivation & Mental Performance
In this episode, we sit down with sport psychology expert Dr. Kasey Philyaw to break down the power of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Whether you're an athlete striving for that next level, a co...
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33:58
From Basketball to Softball: Morgan DeBord on Leadership, Confidence & Team Culture
In this episode, we’re joined by professional softball player Morgan DeBoard, who shares her unique journey as a multi-sport athlete and her experience playing one unforgettable season of college basketball alongside Haley. We dive deep into th...
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44:05
How to Train Game-Time Emotions | Jenny Smith, LMFT on Mental Skills for Athletes
In this episode, we sit down with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jenny Smith to explore the powerful framework of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and how its core skills can help athletes regulate emotions during high-pressure game m...
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40:47
Sidelined by Injury: Jalyn Mosley on Mental Resilience, Recovery & Staying Game Ready
In this Spring Session, we sit down with Jalyn Mosley—former University of Iowa soccer player and host of The Jist Podcast—to talk about one of the hardest realities in sport: injury. Jalyn shares her personal journey through the physical and e...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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46:01
Finding Peace in the Pursuit of Perfection with Sae La Chin
In this powerful episode, we sit down with former Rockette and Broadway dancer Sae La Chin to dive deep into the mental health challenges behind the spotlight. Sae La shares her inspiring story of growing up as an athlete with immigrant pare...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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53:30
Mindful Moments with Tal Sahar
In this episode, Haley Herdman is joined by Tal Sahar to discuss Tal's mindfulness journey and how it played a pivotal role in navigating the pressures of her Division I basketball career and her professional athletic journey. Tal shares valuab...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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56:57
Navigating Quarter-Life Crises & ADHD Diagnosis | Real Talk with Haley Herdman & Naomi Yim
We're back and kicking off Spring Sessions of Mental Training Room by sharing some of our life updates with you all! In today's session you'll learn about our full-time jobs, how we are trying to navigate adulthood, and what we are doing to ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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31:55
Mental Health Awareness and Team Culture with LMU WBB Head Coach, Aarika Hughes
Haley sits down with her former head coach from LMU, Aarika Hughes, to chat about the pressures student-athletes face, how coaches' awareness on mental health are changing, and some of Coach A's personal self-care techniques.
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31:39