Episodes
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Today's guest is Olympic gold medalist Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski. After years of competing in World Cup events and making the national team, Kasia qualified to be in the womenâs 8 event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. With just over a month until the Olympics, Kasia had a horrific bike crash where she broke her collarbone and had to get several stitches. With everything considered, she still competed in the Olympics and earned the gold medal no less.
Specific topics include;
How she was able to recover so quicklyWhat to do when doubtful thoughts creep inHow to mentally prepare for big competitionsGuest Links
Kasia's Instagram: @kasiagdub
AG Sports Agent: agsportsinc.com/team/kasia
Let's Connect!Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Please reach out if you want to be featured on the podcast + any questions you have: [email protected] OR dm me through the Instagram page above!
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
Today's episode is with marathon runner and OCD and mental health advocate Cali Werner! Cali is a former D1 track athlete out of Rice University where she received a National Honorable Mention in track! Cali now has a masterâs degree in social work from Baylor University specializing in OCD, sheâs an author of a Childrenâs book called Anxious Annie (which we get into in the episode) AND to add more to her amazing life resume, she competed in the Olympic trails in 2020 in the marathon!
Cali opens up about her life and athletic experiences with OCD and how those OCD behaviors really affected her performance! She also gives a great description of what OCD truly is, the different subtypes and common misconceptions. Get ready to learn and understand what it's like to have OCD!
Recognizing certain OCD behaviors especially in competitions Some advice she would give her younger selfWhat it was like to write a book about her experiences
Other topics include:Links
iocdf.orgpeaceofmind.com
Follow Cali on Instagram: @caliroperwerner
Check out her Book - Anxious Annie here!
Learn About OCD:Let's Connect!
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Please reach out if you want to be featured on the podcast + any questions you have: [email protected] OR dm me through the Instagram page above!
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
Missing episodes?
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Today's episode is with professional hockey player Reagan Rust! She is a former D1 hockey player who played for RIT and then Boston University where she was inducted into the Beanpot Hall of Fame and was actually the first womenâs D1 hockey player to come from Mississippi! Reagan is also a mental health advocate, podcast host of the Unpaved Path Podcast, and founder of the Female Athlete Society.
This episode is filled with amazing stories that are both heartwarming and shocking! She talks about her childhood hockey trips where she would have to drive MANY hours just to get to the one hockey rink in the state! She goes into detail about her mental health struggles especially in the darkest moments of her life, and then she brings that all together to talk about what sheâs up to now and how sheâs advocating for people who deal with their mental health battles every day.
Advice on going to therapy Getting out of your comfort zoneShifting your beliefs on mental health
Other topics include:Trigger Warning! Topics of suicide and suicidal thoughts are talked about in this episode so if that is triggering for you, please do not listen to this episode.
Links:
Reagan's Instagram: @rea.rust
Listen to her podcast: The Unpaved Path Podcast
The Female Athlete Society: @femaleathletesociety
Let's Connect!Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Please reach out if you want to be featured on the podcast + any questions you have: [email protected] OR dm me through the Instagram page above!
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
Today's is with Miranda Bacon, former D1 Swimmer from the University of New Hampshire where she was a 9-Time All-America East recipient, a 2-Time inductee into the National College Athlete Honors Society, and she supported her team to 3 America East Championships out of her 4 years!
Miranda talks about her mental health journey from noticing her mood shift in high school, being sexually assaulted during her spring break freshman year as well as being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Miranda gives us a glimpse into her mind and everything she has learned along the way with taking care of her mental health!
Her panic attack experiencesHow she felt about her diagnosisAdvice about going to therapy + getting the help you need
Other topics include;Trigger Warning: Topics of sexual assault and trauma are talked about in this episode so if that is triggering for you, please do not listen to this episode!
Links
Connect with Miranda on Instagram: @mirbacon
Let's Connect!Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Please reach out if you want to be featured on the podcast + any questions you have: [email protected] OR dm me through the Instagram page above!
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
Today's episode is all about slowing down. As an athlete, we are told to always push through and keep working until we win but is that really benefitting us? Throughout my career, especially at my lowest points, I felt like I just needed to work harder, and then it would finally click but it didn't.
What I used to believe about being a successful athleteWhy slowing down is so important to do especially when stressedTips on how to slow down and figure out what's making you anxious
When we are told to slow down by coaches or even our parents, that's the last thing we want to do! After feeling defeated day after day, I finally stopped and realized that I needed to go back to basics, and look at the stress and pressure I was putting on myself. Looking back, I can see why I wasn't performing at my best.
Points I'll dig into in this episode are;
Links
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Contact me to be featured on the podcast + any questions you have: [email protected] OR dm me through the Instagram page above!
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
Today's episode features former track and field athlete Amanda Whitham! This high jumper and hurdler competed for Bryant University where she's a Top-10 Bryant record holder in pentathlon + 60m hurdles! Amanda also served as co-president for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and was a Senior Service Commencement honoree!
Amanda had so much momentum going into her junior year until it ended abruptly after a serious ankle injury. With the universal adjustment to COVID in Spring 2020, Amanda faced the absence of her season & her confidence. Facing chronic self-doubt + anxiety, her final 2 years at Bryant were filled with major self-discovery above all.
Themes throughout this episode will be around motives, why itâs important to know your WHY of competing, identifying who you are as a person outside of sports and why exploring your identity in different facets of life makes sports more fun!Topics include;
Her daily struggle with self-image & worthiness during injury recovery Mantras & strategies to break through the trap of âself-limiting beliefsâ Ways to push past âimposter syndromeâ & make an impact in your community Advice on where to start with finding your identity, from small steps to big leapsLinks
For girl boss vibes: playlist link here!For self-discovery: The 4 Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz For deep sleep: playlist link here!
Connect with Amanda
Instagram- @amandawhittt
LinkedIn- Amanda C. Whitham
TikTok- @mindfulmandi
Amandaâs EssentialsFollow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
My mental health has not been great these past few months. Feeling stressed about all the things I want to achieve, and feeling guilty when I want to rest (which makes me more stressed)!
Negative beliefs from being an athlete that show up in lifeNoticing what triggers meWhat I've learned about myself in 2021
This was an episode that I've been wanting to do and at the same time, I've been talking myself out of doing it. I want to be open and honest about what I'm going through and how I'm feeling like my guests have each week.
I hope you'll feel heard during this episode and know that I understand how you feel!
Specific talking points include;Links
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts & Now on Spotify!
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
Today's episode features Sofia Borea, a former D1 soccer player who played for the University of New Hampshire! During her time at UNH, she played in every single game, and achieved the America East All-Rookie Team honor in her freshman year!
In this episode, we talk about many important topics athletes face during their careers and especially when they retire from their sport. Sofia first talks about her time at UNH where she struggled with her anxiety, body image, and perfectionist tendencies that affected how she felt about herself. She then goes into how the covid pandemic affected her career and mental health where she went through depression after losing her sport.
Sofia shares some amazing advice from what she wanted to hear as an athlete to ways you can show yourself more self-love on and off the field!
Specific Topics Include:
Receiving comments about her body and how that made her feelCraving external validation from people during and after sportsLosing motivation to workout as a retired-athleteCreating a fitness account inspired by those difficult times
Links
Follow Sofia on Instagram: @sofiaborea + @sofboreafitness
To all my former athletes out there... follow @sofboreafitness to get inspired to workout again! I love how real and honest she is about how she's feeling and lets you know that you're not alone if you're not motivated! Go check it out here!Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
Today's episode features Canadian skeleton athlete Grace Dafoe! Grace is a part of the Canadian National team where she has competed in several North American cups and international competitions where she has several podium finishes! Grace also hopes to live out her Olympic dream one day so she is working hard to make that happen!
Advice + exercises in regards to self-discoveryCommitting to a new sport at an older ageBeing a part of sport-focused organizations
In this interview, we first talk about her skeleton journey, and how she discovered a sport of skeleton! Then we get into her self-discovery moment in her career where she had to decide if she wanted to continue with the sport when she was at the lowest point in her career! Grace goes into detail about what she did to get out of the slump to find her love for the sport again and also what she encourages athletes to ask themselves and their team when they feel that way in their own careers!
Other topics include:
Fast and FemaleClassroom ChampionsKids Sport CanadaCAN Fund
Links
Follow Grace on Instagram: @gracedafoe
Grace's Podcast: Face First Podcast
Organizations Mentioned:Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Rate + Review on Apple Podcasts
If you are loving the podcast, please consider leaving a review! It helps the show to support other athletes << just like you >> to feel less alone with what they're going through! Click here or scroll down, tap to rate 5 stars, and select "Write a Review"! Be sure to let me know what you love most about the episode! -
Today's episode is back with Erika Ward! Former D1 Volleyball player for Bryant University where she became the Division 1 career digs record holder, helped her team to win the NorthEast Conference Tournament, and earned a second-team All-NorthEast award in 2018!
This episode is split up into 2 parts because there were just so many important nuggets to talk about!
In the previous episode (Ep. 030), she talked all about her body image issues throughout college, comparing herself to her teammates in the weight room as well as being able to feel good about her body now and the practices she put in place to get there!
Dealing with anxiety in her everyday life, especially in volleyballAdapting to the college schedule (which she didnât expect to be affected by)Adjustments to team culture and vibing with her teammates
Now for part 2, we dig into more of her anxiety struggles, the adjustments she felt going into college as well as some tools and advice that helped her deal with both of these things.
Certain topics include:
Mind Gym by Gary Mack Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly(Devotional) Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Links
Follow Erika on Instagram: @erikamward
Erika's Book Recommendations:Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
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Today's episode is with Former D1 Volleyball player Erika Ward. She's a recent graduate from Bryant University where she became the Division 1 career digs record holder, helped her team to win the NorthEast Conference Tournament and earned a second-team All-NorthEast award in 2018!
This episode is going to be split up into 2 parts because there were just so many important nuggets to talk about! In the first episode, Erika talks about her volleyball career, experiencing body image issues before and during her time in university, comparing herself to her teammates and looking back on what she has learned about herself and body since then.
Receiving compliments about her body (that weren't really compliments)Struggling with expectations of self, team, and food intakeHow she's able to feel happy about herself in her body
Specific topics include:
Links
Follow Erika on Instagram: @erikamward
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast -
Today's episode is with Maddy Price, Olympic, World Championship, and former collegiate track and field athlete who has competed for Canada at multiple Junior World and World Championship events, competed collegiately for Duke University earning multiple indoor and outdoor All-American titles as well as most recently earning 4th place with team Canada at the Tokyo Olympics in the 4x400 m relay!
In this episode, we talk about SO many important tips and tricks of what's made her a successful athlete as well as learning about her journey throughout her career so far! We talk about her childhood of growing up with the Olympic dream, her time at Duke University, getting surgery a year out from the Olympics, and of course her time at the Olympics!
Finding support in others when her father passedReframing negative self-talkPrimal vs technical cues for focus (in her experience)Letting go of your emotionsWhat she didnât expect when becoming an OlympianCreating a simple plan for success
More topics in this episode include;
Links
Follow Maddy on Instagram: @maddypriceless
Check out her website: maddyprice.net
Sign up for mentoring sessions with Maddy with Voice of Sport here!
Contact Maddy's Agent- Georgia Simmerling of AG Sports Inc: agsportsinc.com
Book Instant Coaching with Maddy here!Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Be sure to leave a review and rate the podcast over on Apple Podcasts :) -
Today's episode is with Sarah Golemme, Div 2 soccer player at Concordia University, Saint Paul in Minnesota! In this conversation, we talk about her journey through her soccer career, her mental health journey with depression and also continuing a legacy for one of her good friends.
Before we start the episode, I do want to preface that we talk about suicide in parts of our conversation so if that is triggering for you, please skip this episode this week!
Things that go unsaid about depressionHow she copes with her mental healthBeing ok if the popular coping tools donât work for herCo-founding a foundation in honor of her teammate Jordyn ClarkA message for people who are dealing with depression right now
Other topics include;Disclaimer- Topics of suicide and suicidal thoughts are talked about in this episode so if that is triggering for you, please do not listen to this episode!
Links
Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahkg_
Support the Jordyn Clark Foundation: jordynclark.org
If you want to learn more about depression or need to seek help for yourself or others, check out these links:
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - camh.ca
Anxiety & Depression Association of America - adaa.org
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast -
Today's guests are Lia Barskey and Alexa Rivera from the Beyond the Blocks podcast! These two former NCAA swimmers randomly found each other and realized they shared similar experiences in college. In creating the podcast, their mission is to create a community for retired swimmers to navigate athletic retirement and to advocate for mental health in swimming.
Transitioning into collegeWhat helps them cope with their depressionHow the concept of the Beyond the Blocks podcast came to lifeWhat they wish they knew heading into retirement
In this episode, we will talk about their experiences of competing in college, dealing with depression, and finding their identity after retirement.
Other topics include;
Links
Follow Beyond the Blocks on Instagram: @beyondtheblocks
Join the Beyond the Blocks Facebook Community here!
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Want to improve your mindset to finally start achieving your goals? Let's work together! Book a Free 15 min Strategy Call with Emma here! -
Today's guest is Canadian softball player Larissa Franklin! This outfielder has competed with the Canadian national team at multiple international events throughout her career such as the Pan American Games, winning gold in 2015 and silver in 2019, the Womenâs Softball World Championships, winning bronze in 2016 and 2018, and most recently winning bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics!
Lessons learned in the NCAAFinding wins at every practice and every dayFavourite moments from the OlympicsTips on figuring out who you are
In this episode, Larissa talks about her journey up until the Olympics, her mental health struggles, dealing with negative thoughts and motivations, how to be more authentically you in your life, and "Discovering What's in Your Back Pocket".
Other topics include;
Links
Follow Larissa on Instagram: @larissafranklin26
Learn more about her motivational speaking: larissafranklin.com/speaking
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Want to improve your mindset to finally start achieving your goals? Let's work together! Book a Free 15 min Strategy Call with Emma here! -
Today's guest is Olympic and multi Pan-American Games medalist Haley Daniels who is coming off a whirlwind of a year of competing in her first Olympic games and it was the first games ever to feature women's canoe events! Haley has been an advocate for gender equality in her sport and was one of the many women athletes who lobbied for the right for their events to be in the Olympics. Haley talks about the work going on behind the scenes whether that be for gender equality, coming up with the money to fund her sport every year, and of course, all the work that comes with being a high-level athlete.
Other topics include;
The turning point in her careerPreparing for the OlympicsComing up with fundraising ideasAdvice for other athletes trying to raise moneyLife lessons learned from her sport
LINKS
Follow Haley on Instagram: @haleydanski
Support the podcast by writing a review on Apple Podcasts here!
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Want to improve your mindset to finally start achieving your goals? Let's work together! Book a Free 15 min Strategy Call with Emma here! -
Todayâs guest is Emily Dolloff-Holt, former Division 1 swimmer from the University of New Hampshire. During her time at UNH, she earned multiple medals at America East Championships and helped the team to 3 All-America East Championship titles! Emily comes on the podcast to share her mental health story and her experiences with anxiety and depression through her younger years and into college. Emily talks openly about the tough moments in her life where she really struggled and how she was able to get through them.
Stigmas heard around mental health growing upThe importance of putting your mental health firstHow she's able to talk openly about her story3 things Emily does every day to cope with her mental healthWhat she wishes people knew about anxiety and depressionThe advice she would give to someone struggling right now
Other topics include;Disclaimer- Suicidal thoughts and self-harm are talked about in this episode so if that is triggering for you, this will not be the episode for you!
For those wondering (forgot to clarify in the episode), SAAC = Student Athletic Advisory Committee! :)
If you want to learn more about depression or need to seek help for yourself or others, check out these links:
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - camh.ca
Anxiety & Depression Association of America - adaa.org
Links
Reach out to Emily on Instagram: @emilydolloffholt
Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts here to support the podcast! :) https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/barriers-to-breakthroughs/id1565161091
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
Want to improve your mindset to finally start achieving your goals? Let's work together! Book a Free 15 min Strategy Call with Emma here! -
Today's episode features Canadian alpine ski racer Valerie Grenier! She has been a very successful ski racer already in her young career by earning multiple top 20 finishes in World Cup Giant Slalom events as well as top 5 finishes in speed events! Through all of her success has come great obstacles. After a fall in a training run in 2019, she ended up fracturing her tibia, fibula and ankle, and was on the long road to recovery. But as many strong, driven athletes do, she came back from injury better than ever!
Who inspired her growing upWhat she thinks about when sheâs going down the courseWhat she tells herself when she makes a mistake in order to keep goingHow she mentally got through recoveryGaining back her confidence in her mind + bodySetting goals for the season aheadThings she wish she knew earlier in her career
Topics include;
Links
Follow Valerie on Instagram: @valeriegrenier
Check out her Website: www.valeriegrenier.com
Want to improve your mindset to finally start achieving your goals? Let's work together! Book a Free 15 min Strategy Call with Emma here!
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
If you love this podcast and want to support it, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts here :) https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/barriers-to-breakthroughs/id1565161091 -
Former Olympic and NCAA artistic gymnast Kristina Vaculik comes on the podcast to talk about her journey of making the Canadian Olympic team in 2012 and the obstacles she's had along the way. Throughout her career, she has won multiple medals at the Pan American Games and Pacific Rim Championships as well as achieving great accolades at Stanford University such as being a first team All-American in multiple events and achieving Pac-12 all-academic honorable mentions.
Growing up with an Olympic gold medalist as a coachHow her year break from gymnastics motivated + inspired herHer decision to attend Stanford University and compete in the NCAAHow competing in the NCAA helped her to compete in LondonHer experiences at the Olympic GamesBlocking the external and internal noiseThe biggest lesson she's learned in her career
In 2008, Kristina had her sights set on going to the Olympics and when she learned she didn't qualify, she was heartbroken. After hearing the news, she decided to finally deal with her injuries and had surgery on her elbow which took her away from competition for a year. Taking that break led her to digging deep into why she wanted to succeed as a gymnast and has shared all of her thoughts and experiences in this interview!
Other topics include;
Links
Follow Kristina on Instagram: @kayvac
Want to improve your mindset to finally start achieving your goals? Let's work together! Book a Free 15 min Strategy Call with Emma here!
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
If you love this podcast and want to support it, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts here :) https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/barriers-to-breakthroughs/id1565161091 -
2x Paralympic Ski Racer Erin Latimer, comes on the podcast to reflect on her experiences as a para-athlete and what she's learned along the way. During her professional career, she earned several WC podium finishes and top 10 finishes at the Paralympics in 2014 and 2018. From not even thinking about becoming a high-performance athlete to competing for Canada on the world stage, she's learned to balance her passion for skiing while still being a top competitor. Other topics include;
Growing up with a physical impairmentBlocking out the internal noiseManaging expectationsBeing flexible with your goals and routineMental and physical preparations for the Paralympics Changing the narrative that you create in your mind
Links
Want to improve your mindset to finally start achieving your goals? Let's work together! Book a Free 15 min Strategy Call with Emma here!
Follow the Podcast on Instagram: @barrierstobreakthroughspodcast
If you love this podcast and want to support it, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts here :) https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/barriers-to-breakthroughs/id1565161091 - Show more
