Unit3d
254 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 52 ratingsHilinski’s Hope brings you Unit3d - a podcast where sport psychologists and mental health professionals team up to hold conversations for student athletes on mental health. Many of us share common concerns, these discussions are a reminder that we are not alone, but unit3d in this world together. Welcome to the Hilinski’s hope, mind, spirit, and performance playbook. If you have any questions or topics you would like for us to discuss, please email us at [email protected]. Unit3d is hosted by Dr. Josie Nicholson, licensed psychologist and sport psychologist for the Ole Miss Rebels.
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Episodes
Em-Powerment: Emily Esposito
August 09, 2022 05:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBEmily Esposito always dreamed of playing basketball in college. She worked and sacrificed and didn’t notice losing herself in the process. Emily struggled with identity, depression, and had to make difficult decisions in order to find herself and her voice. Now Emily is sharing her story and encouraging other collegiate athletes to do the same. As she says, “You can’t tell your story before it happens, but that doesn’t mean you can’t write it as you go and make it what you want.” She fou...
Curiouser and Curiouser...
August 02, 2022 05:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBAre you feeling anxious about starting a new semester? Do you often feel tense before starting a new season? Most people do, but the mindset we choose when approaching the beginning of things can help us feel excited and ready. It has been said that curiosity is the cure for anxiety. Dr. Tom Golightly joins Unit3d again to talk about how going in to new territory open to possibilities rather than heavy with expectations can position you for success.
ReUnit3d:Checking In with Morgan Weaver
July 26, 2022 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. Checking In with Morgan Weaver is Kym Hilinski's pick. Morgan Weaver is a professional soccer player for the NWSL team the Portland Thorns. She was an athlete at Washington State University at the time of Tyler Hilinski’s death. In this episode of Unit3d she discusses the importance of truly checking in...
ReUnit3d:What Do You Think of Me Now?
July 19, 2022 05:00 - 45 minutes - 30.9 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. What Do You Think of Me Now? is Mark Hilinski's pick. We all care what others think of us, that is a normal part of life as a social creature. However, caring what other’s think is different than having fear around what others think and that distinction is important. When we fear judgment from others we...
ReUnit3d:So F'ing Perfect
July 12, 2022 05:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. So F'ing Perfect is Dr. Marie Worsham's pick. Athletes are driven to succeed and wanting to improve and be the best we can be is admirable. However, there are times when the mindset of being the best can be unhealthy, particularly when that mindset is one of perfectionism. Although we all know “nobody i...
ReUnit3d:Overall #1:Spencer Torkelson
July 05, 2022 05:00 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. Overall #1:Spencer Torkelson is Christine Lombardi's pick. Spencer Torkelson grew up with a great deal of hype surrounding his baseball career. He was always known as a baseball player and was drafted as the number one pick in the 2020 draft, going to the Detroit Tigers. In this episode of Unit3d, Spenc...
ReUnit3d:If I Knew Then...Tina Cvetkovic
June 28, 2022 05:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. If I Knew Then...Tina Cvetkovic is Terka's Janatova's pick. Whenever we look back on the past we can see things from a different perspective and with knowledge of how things turn out. Often when we examine the past with the information we have in the present, we would have done things differently. But b...
ReUnited:Drew Robinson:My Story of Surviving
June 21, 2022 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. Drew Robinson:My Story of Surviving is Chelsi Battle's pick. Every time someone shares their authentic story of mental health struggle, the stigma is reduced. This is particularly the case when athletes use their platform to share the importance of tending to mental health. This is the commitment that Dre...
ReUnited:Drew Robinson:My Story of Surviving
June 21, 2022 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. Drew Robinson:My Story of Surviving is Chelsi Battle's pick. Every time someone shares their authentic story of mental health struggle, the stigma is reduced. This is particularly the case when athletes use their platform to share the importance of tending to mental health. This is the commitment that Dre...
ReUnit3d:Bored in the House:Tempted to Use
June 14, 2022 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. Bored in the House:Tempted to Use is Brian Simmons pick. Boredom, stress, anxiety and not having a time line for our next end goal can all be reasons that can lead to temptations to turn to drugs and and alcohol. But is it worth the cost? Dr. LaTisha Bader, Chief Clinical Officer for Women's Recovery, w...
ReUnit3d:Grind to a Fault
June 07, 2022 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBDuring the months of June and July, the Unit3d team is taking a break. We have asked people close to the podcast to choose their favorite episode to air as a "ReUnit3d" during this time. Grind to a Fault is Dr. Tom Golightly's pick. We are all familiar with the “grind,” and working hard is an exalted characteristic. We live in a culture of “grind it out” where everything around us tells us that hard work is the ultimate path to success. However, this work harder culture does not give us...
A Little R&R
May 31, 2022 05:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBWe call summer a “break” but do we really know how to rest? Relaxing can be challenging for those who are typically very productive; its difficult to view rest times as productive. On this episode of Unit3d, Dr. Lee Dorpfeld of the University of South Florida shares great insight and tips for relaxing and recovering during times of break so we can recharge for the coming semester.
Changing the Narrative:Lindsey Kilpatrick
May 24, 2022 05:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBTaking the first step to contact a mental health professional when things aren't going well can be very difficult but it can start you down a new path toward hope and healing. University of Massachusetts field hockey player Lindsay Kilpatrick courageously took that step and changed the narrative of her story in a powerful way. At one time fearful because of the stigma that surrounds mental illness, she is now a mental health advocate and ambassador for Morgan's Message, changing the conver...
Closing A Chapter
May 17, 2022 05:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBThroughout our life we all experience a number of transitions. Closing the chapter of playing collegiate sports can bring up identity struggles for many, as well as a feeling of being lost or unsure as to what’s next. In this episode of Unit3d, Dr. Bassey Akpan discusses the transition for athletes from collegiate sports into the next chapter and how being an athlete has offered preparation one may not realize.
Running Out Loud:Rachael Steil
May 10, 2022 05:00 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MBAthletes are driven to succeed in their sport. This drive is often revered by many as an enviable trait; however, this drive can lead some to adopt a “whatever it takes” mentality. Disordered eating or eating disorders can be an outcome of this desire to do everything within one’s control to succeed. Rachael Steil has fought the battle to recover from an eating disorder and shares her powerful story in the book Running In Silence (2ndedition, 2020). She is currently working on a second b...
Sweep Stigma! Mackenzie Fitzpatrick
May 03, 2022 05:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBBeing a student athlete is hard enough, but doing it all with a chronic illness? That’s what Mackenzie Fitzpatrick, a softball player for the University of Connecticut, struggled with as she battled to keep up a positive appearance despite suffering from depression. Having recognized how stigma kept her from getting all of the support she needed early in her struggle, she has become a mental health advocate fighting to end the stigma that surrounds mental illness, especially for student-a...
What Do You Think of Me Now?
April 26, 2022 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBWe all care what others think of us, that is a normal part of life as a social creature. However, caring what other’s think is different than having fear around what others think and that distinction is important. When we fear judgment from others we can change our behavior to be less true to ourselves, censoring our true thoughts and actions. We also are vulnerable to internalizing what we believe other’s think of us, which can negatively impact our mental health. Dr. Brad Foltz discuss...
Help! Gosh, that was Hard
April 19, 2022 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBThere has been a great push to encourage others to ask for help when help is needed. It sounds simple, but simple is not always easy. Asking for help is often something that people, especially athletes and men, have a great deal of difficulty doing as it requires vulnerability. Dr. Jamey Houle talks about the difficulties in asking for help, why it is so important for us to do, and ways to break through the reluctance on this episode of Unit3d.
'20 & '21: What Just Happened?
April 12, 2022 05:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBGetting through the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic and all that happened has been tough, but here we are in 2022! Things are getting back to some semblance of normalcy, but so many things are not the same. It’s important to pause and acknowledge these changes, as they have strongly impacted the student-athlete experience. Dr. Carolyn Davis, who works with athletes at the historically Black university, Tennessee State University, discusses many of the things we have lost during th...
If I Knew Then...Tina Cvetkovic
April 05, 2022 05:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBWhenever we look back on the past we can see things from a different perspective and with knowledge of how things turn out. Often when we examine the past with the information we have in the present, we would have done things differently. But back then, we didn’t have all the information so we must know we did the best we could and have compassion for the way we handled the challenges of our lives. We cannot change the past, but we can encourage others to learn from our experiences and th...
What's Wrong With Being Confident? Sam Cary
March 29, 2022 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.8 MBConfidence is a key pillar to good performance, however, we tend to give less thought to the role confidence plays in our mental health. Junior women’s soccer player for the University of Iowa, Sam Cary, understands the connection and has experienced the mental health challenges that come with trying to mute the inner voice that owns her abilities and strengths. She has a passion for mental health and eradicating the stigma that surrounds mental illness and is working on her campus to put t...
The Lowline of Gold: Steve Mesler
March 22, 2022 05:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBWhen we work in pursuit of a singular goal it can be easy to believe that if we achieve that one thing, everything after will be perfect. Steve Mesler, Olympic Gold medalist for USA bobsledding, worked toward the gold-medal goal for 10 years and achieved his dream. He found that winning feeling didn’t last. Steve talks about the mindset that helped him achieve so much and what he learned from the victory. He also highlights his new foundation, Classroom Champions, which pairs athlete-men...
Grind to a Fault
March 15, 2022 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBWe are all familiar with the “grind,” and working hard is an exalted characteristic. We live in a culture of “grind it out” where everything around us tells us that hard work is the ultimate path to success. However, this work harder culture does not give us much room for feeling good about taking time for ourselves to rest, recover, and recharge. Dr. Sonali Wason talks on Unit3d about the drawbacks of a work harder mindset and ways to rethink seeing rest as a key part of being productive.
Finding Home
March 08, 2022 08:00 - 40 minutes - 27.8 MBAthletes often have their identity wrapped up in who they are as a performer and see themselves as no more than what they do. Athletics Counselor at Ole Miss, Brian Simmons, LCSW can relate to this as he was an active duty Marine for 20 years before feeling “homeless” upon discharge. In this episode of Unit3d, Brian talks about how he felt waking up one day having had his identity stripped from him, how he found himself and a home, and how he now uses this to relate to and help support stu...
Mental Health Full Circle: Gabe Marks
March 01, 2022 06:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBWe all have a unique journey. Many times in life we find our passion through our experiences and adversity can help us carve out a path forward. Gabe Marks is one that found direction when he found himself experiencing anxiety, disappointment, and identity issues when his football career came to an end. The loss of his friend, Tyler Hilinski as well as other mental health struggles while playing football inspired Gabe to pursue a profession in mental health, helping others going through t...
Overall #1:Spencer Torkelson
February 22, 2022 06:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBSpencer Torkelson grew up with a great deal of hype surrounding his baseball career. He was always known as a baseball player and was drafted as the number one pick in the 2020 draft, going to the Detroit Tigers. In this episode of Unit3d, Spencer talks about the bizarre end to his college career, how he developed his identity away from baseball, how he handles failure and pressure and how important it is to be yourself rather than try to live up to who people want you to be. He also addr...
Right, Wrong and Reality
February 15, 2022 06:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBWe feel most comfortable when we can put things in to black-and-white categories. The reality is that most of life (and all of growth) happens “in the grey”; in those situations and ideas that don’t fit cleanly into a box. The more we can entertain two thoughts or feelings at once, the more freedom we have to be curious, explore, and learn in those times. Dr. Chris Bader, of University of Arkansas, discusses these areas of grey in this week’s episode of Unit3d.
Write Your Story
February 08, 2022 06:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBWe all have a story, and that story continues to unfold. There are times when we can rewrite our story by looking back with a healthier perspective and we all can take charge of writing how story going forward. Narrative therapy is so useful in recognizing how our environments have shaped our identity and empower us to shape who we want to become. Brittany Collins, LPC-S, PhD Candidate utilizes narrative therapy in her work with athletes but also in shaping her own journey and joins us on...
Thrive or Bust: Ryan Leaf
February 01, 2022 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBMany are familiar with former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf and his story of achieving the dream of being a first round draft pick only to fall hard and become touted as the “biggest bust in NFL history” by some. Ryan Leaf shared insight into his journey as well as a powerful and unique perspective on working to come back to yourself after falling in to dark places.
Got Goals?
January 25, 2022 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBIt is very common to begin the year or the new semester with “resolutions”, but we often fail to keep them. In this first episode of the new year, Ed Darrah of Temple Athletics gives us a unique structure to setting goals and helpful tips to help us stay on track to achieving what we want.
Revisit Your Power Animal
January 18, 2022 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBOriginally aired January 2021, this amazing meditation is worth repeating at the beginning of every year. Dean Worsham, LPC a certified Gong Master and Buddhist practitioner. In this powerful guided imagery he draws on Native American roots to connect us with that part of ourselves which wants the best for us, holding our wisdom and our strength. Lose yourself in this meditation so it can lead you to connect with your best self.
Loving Kindness for a New Year
January 11, 2022 07:00 - 11 minutes - 8.13 MBFor the holiday season and semester break we will be airing relaxations, meditations, or guided imagery from various mental health clinicians as a way to say “thank you” and “take care of yourself” from us to you. This week Dr. Jamey Houle offers a loving kindness meditation. Along with gratitude, I can’t think of a better way to begin a new year!
Begin with Thanks
January 04, 2022 06:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBFor the holiday season and semester break we will be airing relaxations, meditations, or guided imagery from various mental health clinicians as a way to say “thank you” and “take care of yourself” from us to you. This week Dr. Lauren Craig helps us start off the new year on the right foot with gratitude!
Closing One Year, Opening Another: Dr. R Kweku Smith and Son
December 28, 2021 06:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBFor the holiday season and semester break we will be airing relaxations, meditations, or guided imagery from various mental health clinicians as a way to say “thank you” and “take care of yourself” from us to you. This week Dr. R. Kweku Smith, with the University of Wisconsin athletics, helps us close out the year with a look back on where we have been. He then offers a time to relax and recharge with self-care, and then a time of looking forward to the new. He is accompanied by his talen...
Holiday Mindful Relaxation:Brian Simmons
December 21, 2021 06:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBFor the holiday season and semester break we will be airing relaxations, meditations, or guided imagery from various mental health clinicians as a way to say “thank you” and “take care of yourself” from us to you. This week Brian Simmons, LCSW with Ole Miss Athletics helps us relax with a mindful meditation for the holidays to help with escaping the hustle and bustle of the season.
Mindful Meditation:Chelsi Battle MA
December 14, 2021 06:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBFor the holiday season and semester break we will be airing relaxations, meditations or guided imagery from various mental health clinicians as a way to say “thank you” and “take care of yourself” from us to you. This week Chelsi Battle, MA, doctoral student at Auburn University and our very own editor starts off the series with a bit about meditation and then a progressive muscle relaxation for a nice way to wind down as the semester ends.
Platinum Beats Gold, Every Time
December 07, 2021 06:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBTreating others well is important, particularly as we work to deepen, strengthen and gain friendships. Dr. LaTisha Bader discusses how to find information about friends and those we meet to treat others the way they want to be treated rather than assuming we know how they want to be treated. When we consider our differences we can then work to find out how to interact with others to connect them in ways that improve those relationships.
The Secret Warrior Speaks Out:Coach P
November 30, 2021 06:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBEvery time someone shares the story of their mental health journey a bit of the stigma around mental illness falls away. Women’s basketball national championship coach and author, now mental health advocate Joanne P McCallie (Coach P) has written a book Secret Warrior about her experience coaching at the top level of the game for many years of her career with bipolar disorder. As Coach P shares her story, she speaks to leadership, vulnerability, timing in sharing her story, and the import...
Relationship Status: It's Complicated
November 23, 2021 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBRelationships are vital to our lives as we all need each other to survive and thrive. These relationships can be tricky as we go through different stages in our lives and as we travel to different places and move through different roles. Cindy Aron, LCSW has done a lot of work researching and presenting on the topic of relationships. There are so many types of relationships that are important to us: relationships with friends, parents, coaches, teammates, love interests, and more. In thi...
Relationship Status: It's Complicated
November 23, 2021 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBRelationships are vital to our lives as we all need each other to survive and thrive. These relationships can be tricky as we go through different stages in our lives and as we travel to different places and move through different roles. Cindy Aron, LCSW has done a lot of work researching and presenting on the topic of relationships. There are so many types of relationships that are important to us: relationships with friends, parents, coaches, teammates, love interests, and more. In thi...
Broken to Heal: Maddie Arnold
November 16, 2021 06:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBFrom an early age Maddie had her eyes set on playing field hockey at Temple University. She achieved the goal, but had a tough adjustment to sport in college. After working and grinding for the summer, she came roaring in to her sophomore year and surprised everyone with how ready she was to compete and lead. It wasnt long, though, before an injury knocked her off her path. The mental health impact of her injury came close to being worse than the injury, but she was able to get help. Ad...
Make Growth-Seeking Cool
November 09, 2021 06:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBThe stigma around help seeking is strong, particularly in athletic cultures. The more we can see professional athletes and those we see as strong and as role models share their stories around struggling and seeking help, the more we will be able to see these behaviors as normal and even desirable. Licensed Clinical and Sport Psychologist Dr. Carrie Hastings is the mental health clinician for the LA Rams and has seen the impact of professional athletes sharing their experiences of mental he...
Radical (Acceptance) Dude!
November 02, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBWe all know the feeling of trying to deny what is happening, whether its a situation, having to make a decision, or the presence of a heavy emotion. Typically when we deny that something is there it makes that thing bigger or prolongs the situation. Radical acceptance is about leaning in to what is in front of us rather than fighting what may be unpleasant or uncomfortable. In this acceptance we can find strength and tap into our resilience, allowing what is there to run its course. Thro...
Dreamwork Teamwork: Stu Singer
October 26, 2021 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBWe all have areas in our life in which we want to improve and finding the right person for support can be tricky. Stu Singer owns WellPerformance and helps athletes improve their performance. He has a framework for helping athletes improve their mental game with mindset workouts that build mental skills. On this episode of Unit3d we discuss the differences in a mental performance consultant and a sport psychologist as well as different ways to engage in fitness for the mind.
Social Impact Maven: Veronne Clark
October 19, 2021 05:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBAll of us want to impact the world around us and it can be daunting to figure out how to make a difference. We know from research that being involved in activities that serve others has a number of mental health benefits, among them being: combatting depression, preventing feelings of isolation, increasing confidence, reducing stress, and providing a sense of purpose and meaning. Student athletes are part of organizations that provide opportunities for volunteering and serving others. Man...
The Winding Road to Freedom: Dr. Marie Worsham
October 12, 2021 05:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBWe all grow up with beliefs, values, and identities that we learn from our parents, communities, and environments. As we grow older and gain independence those beliefs, particularly those about who we should be, can be limiting and constraining, holding us back from who we want to be. In this episode of Unit3d, Dr. Marie Worsham talks about her journey of challenging what she thought she knew and taking a big leap of faith in order to gain the freedom to be who she really is.
Gold Medal Resilience: Jordyn Wieber
October 05, 2021 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBResilience is what gets us through tough times, but how do we build it? Arkansas Razorback Gymnastics head coach Jordyn Wieber has won at the highest level of the sport including being the all around world champion and a gold medalist. Her experiences as a gymnast has built resilience that has carried her through difficult times and has helped her create a coaching philosophy of developing the whole athlete. On this episode of Unit3d Jordyn Wieber shares her experiences, coaching philosop...
Great Expectations
September 28, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBWe all want to know what to expect in any given situation. Having expectations can help us feel more secure, believing we know what will happen and how we will handle it. However, going in with expectations can lead to disappointment, confusion, and disillusionment . We can be disheartened by unmet expectations we have, not just of situations, but of others and of ourselves. How do we go in to situations or relationships without these expectations? Sarah Dowd, M.Ed. discusses the drawb...
Developing the Athlete
September 21, 2021 05:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MBThe life of an athlete unfolds over years as one typically begins to play sports at a young age. Along the way we all receive various messages and our views of ourselves and our world are shaped by these messages and our experiences. Recognizing different landmarks during our life journey can help us explain beliefs and behaviors we either want to strengthen or change. Dr. Val Valle has worked with professional, collegiate and now high school athletes and has a perspective on the developm...
The "I" Word
September 14, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MB“You can never control injuries. Accidents happen; that’s just how things go.” - Johnny Gargano Getting injured, unfortunately, is oftentimes part of being an athlete. The impact of an injury on one’s mental health is often overlooked as athletes focus on the physical side of recovery. Taking time to recognize the emotional toll of having an injury can help an athlete navigate through this time and come out the other side stronger, both mentally and physically. Dr. Michelle Garvin talks a...