199 - Dr. Jarrod Spencer - Mental Health, Performance, and the Mind of the Athlete

In Episode 199 of Simple Science, I sit down with sports psychologist, author, and speaker Dr. Jarrod Spencer to discuss mental health, performance, and what it takes to thrive both in sport and in life. Dr. Spencer's path began as a college football player dealing with concussions and eventually led him into health psychology, where he now works with athletes, teams, and organizations to improve emotional health and performance. His message is simple: a clearer mind leads to better performance. We discuss the evolution of mental health in sports, why athletes are becoming more comfortable seeking support, and how understanding the science behind stress, emotions, and recovery can improve performance. We also explore parenting in youth sports, athlete identity, and why emotional health should be treated like any other performance skill. Topics include: • Mental health and athletic performance • The evolving conversation around athlete well-being • The science behind emotions and performance • Concussions and the mind-body connection • Parenting and youth sports • Athlete identity and self-worth • Rest, recovery, and emotional health • The future of sports psychology Connect with Dr. Spencer: https://mindoftheathlete.com/ __________________________________________________________________________ 🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Mike Axler, Exercise Science Professor & Coach To apply for private coaching visit: https://www.axlerconcierge.com/ 🏃‍♂️ Subscribe for weekly videos on: Endurance training | Metabolism | Exercise science | Fat loss | Longevity 📲 Follow on Instagram:   / mikeeaxler.phd   🎙 Listen on Spotify: Simple Science with Dr. Mike Axler 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/4aYeDUb... 📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://substack.com/@mikeaxlerphd?ut... 📚 Check out my books on fitness, nutrition, and performance: 👉 Slow and Steady Doesn't Win Too Many Races https://a.co/d/bAYZhh4 👉 Six-Pack Secrets: From the College Dorm Room https://a.co/d/cR3TlXA