Peak Mental Performance

To discuss this topic, I interviewed Mike Tuchscherer. Mike is an IPF World Champion Powerlifter, experienced Coach, and Owner of Reactive Training Systems (RTS). Mike has been known for years as a large proponent of individualized training, and our conversation covered some great topic and advice for both lifters and coaches. No matter what type of training method you use, there are some good principles that you can apply to your training. … More EP 21: “Auto-Regulation & How Personality Types Influence Training” feat. Mike Tuchscherer

In this Episode I talk to Matt Masifilo; former NFL player, Stanford Grad, and Founder of Kavafied. We talk about Kava and it's anti-anxiety and social benefits, Matt's family background and how Kava has been a part of the Pacific Island culture, and how he introduced the drink to his NFL teammates. Matt also founded a company that works to provide Kava to more people, and helps provide sustainability for farmers in the Pacific Islands. I really enjoyed talking to Matt, and learned a lot! … More EP 20: “Kava: The Stress-Reducing Drink that Made it’s Way to the NFL” feat. Matt Masifilo

In this Episode I interview Dr. Brett Wingeier, CTO and Co-Founder of Halo Neuroscience. Dr. Wingeier is a Neuroscientist and has his PhD in Biomedical Engineering. He developed the world's first implantable brain stimulation device for epilepsy, and since then has created Halo Sport, a neurostimulator for athletic performance (which I will be reviewing in an upcoming EliteFTS article). … More EP 19: “Transcranial Brain Stimulation for Athletic Performance” feat. Dr. Brett Wingeier

In this Episode I interview Dr. Christopher McCurdy; a broadly trained medicinal chemist and pharmacologist who's research focuses on the development of drugs to treat pain and drug abuse. Dr. McCurdy is also the Director of the University of Florida Translational Drug Development Core, and is internationally recognized as the expert when it comes to Kratom. He has done groundbreaking research on the plant, as well as studied the products sold from different suppliers to evaluate spiked alkaloid content. Because of my interest in Kratom and the articles I've written in the past, I was really looking forward to this conversation. Dr. McCurdy is also featured in an upcoming Netflix Documentary on Kratom that will be coming out next year. If you want to know the current science behind Kratom without the media fluff or unsubstantiated claims (positive or negative), this is the Podcast Episode for you. … More EP 18: “The Science of Kratom: Benefits, Risks, and New Research” feat. Dr. Chris McCurdy

In this Episode, Joel and I discuss the impact of stress on the athlete, ways to monitor stress response using Heart Rate Variability (HRV), as well as practical interventions for improving stress response in athletes to improve performance. It's a great discussion and we got into a lot of real-world ways to help athletes maximize their recovery and ability to handle the stress being placed on them in training and in life. Check it out! … More EP 17: “Improving Athlete Stress Response & Using HRV for Better Performance” feat. Joel Jamieson

In this Episode I interview Dr. Dominic D'Agostino, one of the THE top researchers on the Ketogenic Diet, Exogenous Ketones, and use of Ketosis for various Neurological conditions and performance outcomes for special populations (i.e. military divers using re-breathers to sneak up on the enemy). Dr. D'Agostino has done some very good podcast interviews where he dives into the basics of the Ketogenic Diet (his interviews with Tim Ferris & Joe Rogan were both excellent), so rather than go into the basics of what a Ketogenic Diet is again, I decided to dive right into the science of the neurological aspects of Ketosis, and then discuss Exogenous Ketones and performance considerations for athletes. If you aren't familiar at all with what a Ketogenic Diet is, you can see a definition and comparison between types of Ketogenic diets here. This was a great conversation, and Dom and I may do another Episode in the future, so if you have any additional questions for Dom in the future go ahead and leave them in the comments or at PeakMentalPerformance.Org! … More EP 16: “Neurological Effects of the Ketogenic Diet & Performance” feat. Dr. Dominic D’Agostino

Common ways the supplement industry tricks consumers, understanding research-validated dosages, and more! … More EP 15: “Tips for Evaluating Dietary Supplements” feat. Ben Hartman

Vince and I discuss how helping athletes to discover their values and think beyond the moment, makes them better on and off "the field"! … More EP 14: “Helping Athletes Build Their Own Legacy” feat. Vince Luciani

There's more to sleep than just "getting 8 hours" - Researcher Jesse Cook and I discuss how to improve sleep for athletes! … More Episode 13: “Sleep Quality, Wearable Sleep Tracking Tech, and Tips for Athletes” feat. Jesse Cook

Medical Cannabis continues to expand across the country. But is it safe? Effective? And what role can it play in Mental Health Care? … More Episode 12: “Medical Cannabis, Sleep, Pain, & Mental Health” feat. Dr. Jordan Tishler

The effects of Gut Health, Training Programs, Cognitive Therapy, Anabolics, and many other variables, on Mental Health.. … More Episode 11: “The Biopsychosocial Model of Mental Health” feat. Dr. Lonnie Lowery & Kelly Lowery M.Ed

When NOT to Compete, Self Esteem & Social Media, Strategies to Succeed, & Needs of a Military Athlete... … More Episode 10: “Emotional Pitfalls of Prep, & Strategies for Success” feat. Annie “Gunshow” Dohack

So you've been diagnosed with a Mental Illness... How do you process that? … More Mini-Episode: “What To Do When Diagnosed with a Mental Illness”

We talk with Dr. Graef about how to effectively use Visualization to improve performance and ease anxiety. … More Episode 09: “How to use Visualization” feat. Dr. Steve Graef

We talk the Training side of things - 5/3/1, training "too light", and mental mistakes people make at Meets. … More Episode 08: “Building a More Effective Training Program” feat. Chad Aichs (Pt2)

Chad and I talk about the struggles that come with sleep deprivation and mental issues, and how that weaves together with training.. … More Episode 07: “Training Effects on Mental Health & Persevering through Darkness” feat. Chad Aichs

We discuss some of the big life changes and adversity Casey has faced this year, and how those circumstances can make us better as people. … More Episode 06: “Taking Risks & Embracing Adversity” feat. Casey Williams

The problem with motivation, keys to effective programming, and is peaking overrated in powerlifting? … More Episode 05: “Discipline over Motivation” feat. Jim Wendler

How Ben went from struggling on the "big stage" to winning the U.S. Open with $40,000 on the line.. … More Episode 04: “Clutch Factor: Strategies Behind Winning the U.S. Open” feat. Ben Pollack

Effective Programming, Why Vincent started "Operation Be Less Fat", and the Value of Grinding through tough times.. … More Episode 03: “Methods behind an All-Time World Record, to 120lb Weight Loss Journey” feat. Vincent Dizenzo

Lessons from 20 years of competing, Character traits of top Olympia competitiors, and who defines you? … More Episode 02: “Who Defines You?” feat. IFBB Pro Mark Dugdale

..What is Sports Psychology, How to Manage Anxiety Before Big Competition, How to Manage Down Times, and Increase Performance.. … More Episode 01: feat. Dr. Steve Graef

Audio: Introductory Episode of the New Podcast! … More Episode 00: Introduction to Podcast