Send us a text

In this episode, Mariel sits down with Andrew Marshall, a Certified Master Coach and 3rd-degree Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, to explore the mindset lessons that turn good athletes into exceptional humans. From his early years in baseball and football to finding his true calling in martial arts and coaching, Andrew shares how pain, injuries, and setbacks shaped his philosophy of growth. Together, they unpack the dangers of perfectionism, the balance between competitiveness and joy, and the importance of belonging over fitting in. Andrew’s story is a roadmap for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to build resilience, develop self-awareness, and create long-term success, both in sport and in life.

"I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, and have spent a number of years living on the Big Island of Hawai’i with my wife and son. Growing up, all I wanted to do was be outside and play sports. Baseball and football were my main focus. After high school, I turned to Jiu Jitsu, boxing, and MMA. Following a series of setbacks and injuries, I committed fully to Jiu Jitsu and began exploring coaching as my professional path. That journey led me deep into healing, mindset, and personal transformation. I immersed myself in meditation, spiritual disciplines, nutrition, physical therapy, functional strength training, and advanced coaching methods. Over time, I built a coaching practice focused on helping others embody their highest potential, not just in their professional performance, but as whole human beings. In my younger years, I struggled with mindset, physical health, and simply knowing how to take care of myself. I’m grateful now to offer others the kind of guidance I once needed, so they can live with strength, clarity, and alignment, and fully step into the truth of who they are." - Andrew

Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support!

Get Andrew's FREE e-book!

Visit Andrew's website

Follow Andrew on:

Facebook

Instagram

Send us a text

In this episode, Mariel and Jordan dive into one of the most debated topics in youth sports: should kids focus on one sport or play multiple? Pulling from real-life coaching and parenting experience, they unpack the balance between commitment and freedom, structure and fun. From learning how to teach accountability to knowing when it’s okay to miss practice, or even walk away from a sport, they explore what it really means to raise athletes who love the game and stay resilient.

They also tackle how to know when to rest vs. push through, how visualization can be a game-changer during recovery, and the “don’t quit on a bad day” rule every athlete (and parent) should live by.

🎙️ Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, this one’s packed with the real conversations that help young athletes grow both in sport and in life.

Join our free 'Forged Youth' Skool group for more parent support!

Send us a text

Before Forged Youth became a movement, it started as survival.

In this raw, unfiltered, and deeply human episode, Mariel Anderson, founder, athlete, and mental resilience coach, shares her origin story for the first time without filters.

Growing up as a top-tier volleyball player, Mariel was introduced early to the power of mental training: visualization, emotional regulation, and focus. But at just 15 years old, everything changed when she was assaulted at a tournament, an event that shattered her world, derailed her athletic dreams, and forced her to rebuild her identity from the inside out.

With striking honesty, Mariel talks about the years that followed: the silence, the shame, the struggle to find support, and how those same mindset tools she learned for sport became the lifelines that helped her survive trauma, navigate chronic pain, and ultimately reclaim her purpose.

Now, as the founder of Forged Youth, she’s turning that pain into power, teaching athletes and parents the skills that saved her: how to train the mind, process emotion, and face adversity with courage.

Joined by co-host Jordan Owens, this conversation goes far beyond sport, it’s about the cost of silence, the importance of safe spaces, and the beauty that can emerge when we stop hiding our story and start using it to help others heal.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and recovery. Please listen with care and reach out for professional or community support if needed.

🎧 This is the story that started it all.

💬 Join the Forged Youth parent community → https://www.skool.com/forged-youth-legacy-within-3069/about?ref=dd034a1ae9fd48a7a54c83838cc4c219