Upper Mentality

There's big news about Season 2 of #MentalDive. Coming September 15th, 2021 I will be releasing Mental Dive Season 2: Psychology of Coaching! It will be a deep dive with 5 weekly episodes featuring industry leading experts who will provide you with practical tools to help improve on your coaching habits and tendencies, allowing you to develop better athletes and teams.

Join my mailing list to receive updates on the upcoming season: https://mailchi.mp/7ac56abb92a8/mental-dive-season-2-psychology-of-coaching

As for the interview today, I decided to release a bonus episode ahead of the long awaited second season. I had the pleasure of being joined by Kingston Frontenacs General Manager and Goalie Coach Kory Cooper (2:44). Kory shares his story throughout playing professional hockey, leading up to his current positions with Kingston. We also discuss how competitive consistency helped Chris Driedger become the goalie he is today, how being calm is contagious for Carey Price, how important he sees the mental game being for goalies, and so much more!

Check out KC Goaltending: https://www.kcgoaltending.com/

Hey everyone! I would really appreciate it if you could take 2 minutes to check out this form I created: https://forms.gle/Ni7AUyxgjNuvf9Mz5

This will help me learn more about how I can take Mental Dive to the next level, through giving me insight into what you all would like to hear more of! The podcast will be shifting into a seasonal approach, so stay tuned for more details to follow!

On episode 54 of the Mental Dive Podcast, I am excited to be joined by Sven Baertschi (9:46). Sven is a professional hockey player within the Vancouver Canucks organization, presently playing for the Utica Comets. Since being drafted 13th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames, he has spent the past 8 seasons between the NHL and AHL. Over this span, he has accumulated 291 NHL games with 66 goals and 138 points.

Throughout the interview, Sven shares some fascinating insights into why he believes mental toughness is huge, the impact that a trade can have on your mindset and performance, how he has leveraged mindfulness to be at his best, and so much more!

If you are interested in learning more about how I could become your personal mental performance coach, please send me the word "Mindset" to one of my:

Instagram: @taylorstaden

Twitter: @taylostaden

Email: taylorstaden1@gmail.com

Thumbnail Creds: Dan Toulgoet/Vancouver Courier

On episode 52 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am excited to be joined by Akira Schmid (2:15). Akira is a New Jersey Devils prospect, being selected 136th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, the Swiss goaltender has went on to become a dominant force in the USHL, recently being honoured as the USHL Goaltender of the Week.

During the episode, me and Akira get into a vast range of topics. Namely, how he manages the pressures of the goaltending position, what it was like transitioning to North America to pursue junior hockey, representing Switzerland in the World Junior U20 Championships, and much more!

Are you interested in learning more about how I could help you improve on your performance, well-being and/or consistency through personalized mental performance coaching? Message me the word "Mindset" to one of the following platforms:

Instagram: @taylorstaden

Twitter: @taylorstaden

Email: taylorstaden1@gmail.com

Thumbnail photo creds: @schmidakira/Twitter

On episode 51 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am excited to be joined by Raheel Manji (1:16). Raheel is the Founder and CEO of mission Elite Performance, a tennis organization based out of Pickering, Canada where they train professional, collegiate and junior tennis players. Prior to founding Mission Elite Performance, Raheel was an NCAA Division I tennis player at Indiana University Bloomington, where he was a nationally ranked singles- and doubles-player. Also during his time at Indiana, he represented Canada at the World University Games, reached the finals of the ITA Summer Championships, was an All-Big 10 Sportsmanship Honoree and so much more.

During the podcast, myself and Raheel dive deep into fostering a culture of toughness, the importance of a team environment in an individual sport like Tennis, how he fosters deliberate practice, and a ton more!

Learn more about what Raheel's got going on by checking him out below:

Instagram: @missioneliteperformance

Facebook: Mission Elite Performance

Email: missioneliteperformance@gmail.com

Interested in hiring me for mental performance consulting? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/h3p1RaGWr3wHYWAM7

Cover photo creds: Indiana University Bloomington

On episode 50 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am excited to be joined by Claire Buchanan (2:27). Claire is the Assistant Captain of the Women's National Para Ice Hockey Team, winning silver at the 2014 IPC Sledge Hockey Women's International Cup. While today she can be found patrolling the blueline, she also used to compete for #TeamCanada in Wheelchair Basketball.

Myself and Claire get into a wide range of topics including how she stays mentally fresh, what it means to her to represent Team Canada, how we can recruit the next wave of Para Ice Hockey athletes, and so much more!

Cover photo creds: Tanja Hutahajan

On episode 49 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I have the pleasure of being joined by Tim Bernhardt (4:05). Tim is a NHL alumnus who played 12 years of professional hockey as a goaltender, with NHL stops in Calgary and Toronto totaling 67 NHL games. After the conclusion of his professional playing career, he went on to NHL scouting for 25 years with both the Dallas Stars and Arizona (formerly Phoenix) Coyotes. For 17 of these seasons, he served as the organization's Director of Amateur Scouting.

Throughout the podcast we discuss a wealth of topics covering both his professional playing and scouting career. Some of the topics include how he believes Wayne Gretzky's game would translate into today's NHL, the story of drafting Jamie Benn with the Dallas Stars, the importance of a player's mindset and attitude when selecting them in the NHL Draft, the psychological aspects of scouting and so much more!

Find me on Instagram & Twitter: @taylorstaden

Cover photo creds: DL/Pinterest

On episode 48 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am pumped to be joined by Greg Camarillo (5:12). Greg is an NFL alumnus who played from 2006-12 with the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins, totalling 80 games, 146 receptions and 1730 yards. The wide-receiver can now be found on NBC San Diego as an analyst.

During the podcast, Greg and myself dove into his thoughts and perspectives on why many athletes struggle with career transition. As well, we also discuss how he has tried to find excitement post NFL career, why he thinks the cultural "fight through it" mentality in the NFL doesn't apply to real life, how he helps athletes develop more well-rounded identities, and so much more!

Check Greg out on Twitter: @catchcamarillo

Thumbnail photo creds: Miami Herald File

On episode 46 of the #MentalDivePodcast I am pumped to be joined by Jamieson Rees (4:21). Jamieson is one of the top prospects in the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) system, being drafted 44th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, Jamieson has been amongst the most productive players in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and was awarded for his progression through signing a professional deal with the Hurricanes this past January. The Hamilton, Ontario native is now set to compete in the American Hockey League (AHL), as he awaits for the OHL to potentially resume this season. 

During the interview, myself and Jamieson discuss how he's grown through the adversity of being injured in his draft year, why he believes mental toughness is important, and so much more!

Thumbnail creds: Jamieson Rees/Twitter

On episode 45 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I had the pleasure of being joined by Tommy Vlahos and Alex Cimino (3:51). Both currently studying Sports Administration at Laurentian University, they helped spark a great conversation around the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. We discuss topics such as the veteran presence and leadership that Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds and Zach Bogosian bring to the Maple Leafs lineup, how Jimmy Vesey is maximizing his opportunity to prove himself, and so much more!

Check them out on Instagram: @btbpodcast__

On episode 44 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am pleased to be joined by Dr. Linda Sterling (5:05). Dr. Sterling, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, is a full time mental performance coach and owner of Sterling Sport Mindset. After being a professor for 12 years and developing a master's program at Northwest Missouri State University, she decided to switch to consulting full-time and help athletes improve on their mental skills, performance and well-being.

During the interview, myself and Dr. Sterling discuss topics such as the importance of curiosity, tips for college athletes to navigate the loss of their season, how she helps athletes build their confidence, and so much more.

To learn more about Sterling Sport Mindset check out:

Website: www.drlindastering.com

Instagram: @sterlingsportmindset

Twitter: @sterlingmindset

On episode 43 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am pumped to be joined by Gilbert Brulé (3:11). Gilbert was drafted 6th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and has since went on to play a 15-year professional career across world-class leagues like the NHL, AHL, and KHL. On top of this, Gilbert represented Team Canada in ice hockey at the 2018 Olympic Games.

During the podcast, myself and Gilbert discuss topics like his transition into pro hockey, what it meant to him to compete for Team Canada in the 2018 Olympics, lessons learned from working with a sport psychologist and so much more!

Find me on Instagram & Twitter: @taylorstaden

Thumbnail Creds: Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty

On episode 42 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I start out by giving some advice to hockey players who find themselves playing in fear. After, I am pumped to be joined by Ryan Spooner (6:07). Ryan is a professional hockey player who has played over 500 professional games, including 325 NHL games, accumulating 48 goals and 167 points over 7 different NHL seasons. Currently he is playing in the KHL with Minsk Dynamo, leading his team with 23 points in 20 games.

Throughout the course of the interview, myself and Ryan get into a ton of topics including his perspectives on youth hockey development, his reaction to getting traded at the NHL trade deadline, why he thinks that the mental side of hockey is huge, and so much more.

Check out my Movember page: https://movember.com/m/14058216?mc=1

Twitter & Instagram: @taylorstaden

Thumbnail Creds: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

On episode 41 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am pumped to be joined by Mike Zigomanis (2:04). Mike is a former professional hockey player who played a total of 197 NHL games between the Carolina Hurricanes, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played 601 professional regular season games in both the AHL and SEL. The 2009 Stanley Cup Champion can now be found behind the bench helping coach the University of Toronto’s men’s ice hockey team, and behind the mic on Sportsnet590.

Throughout the course of the podcast me and Mike discuss some topics such as winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the importance of staying mentally fresh to begin a season, building through adversity, and what it’s like bouncing between the NHL and AHL.

Thumbnail Creds: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

On episode 40 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am pumped to be joined by a good friend of mine in Austin Simpson (1:10). Austin is a 22-year old natural national bodybuilder, who is currently 5 weeks out of the Ben Welders Natural Championships. Throughout the course of the podcast, myself and Austin discuss a range of topics like how he stays motivated during setbacks, tips for accountability and building healthy habits, the importance of falling in love with the process and so much more!

Check out my Movember page: https://movember.com/m/14058216?mc=1

Check out his (@austinsimpsonn) supplement brand on Instagram: @immortal_labs_official

On episode 39 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am happy to be joined by Lindsey Hamilton (6:05). Lindsey is the assistant head of mental conditioning at IMG Academy, which involves her overseeing and managing, leading, developing and facilitate a team of mental conditioning coaches for over 1,100 student-athletes across 8 different sports. On top of this, Lindsey also works with professional athletes, business professionals and campers on mental skill development. Lindsey is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), graduating from the University of Utah's M.S. in Sport Psychology after completing both the applied and thesis-route, contributing to making her a well-rounded professional.

Throughout the course of the podcast, myself and Lindsey get into a variety of topics including her story, developing a culture around mental conditioning, the importance of understanding the demands and situations of the athletes and their sport, as well as a ton more!

Thumbnail Creds: IMG Academy

On episode 38 of the #MentalDivePodcast, I am pleased to be joined by Justin Shafer (0:50). Justin is a professional baseball pitcher who has spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds and, most recently, with the Miami Marlins. Throughout the course of the podcast, Justin discusses his experiences playing in the MLB during the covid-19 pandemic, his struggles with panic attacks, and a ton more!

On this episode. of the #MentalDivePodcast, I have the pleasure of being joined by Matt O'Connor (1:05). After competing with Boston University's men's ice hockey team, he signed a professional NHL deal with the Ottawa Senators. After completing this deal, he went on to start their home-opener in the 2015-16 season. Since then, he has competed professionally in the AHL and ECHL, as well as most recently in Denmark in their top-tiered pro league, the Metal Ligaen.

Throughout the course of the episode, myself and Matt discuss various topics including him carving his own professional path in hockey, the importance of self-awareness in goaltending, and a ton more!

Thumbnail Creds: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images