Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).In this episode of the Peak Sports Psychiatry Podcast, Dr. Mark Allen and Dr. Tommy Horn sit down with Dr. Alex Auerbach, performance psychologist (NBA, NFL) and founder of Momentum Labs.

Alex shares his journey from leaving a dream role with the Toronto Raptors to building a platform that makes mental skills training accessible to youth athletes everywhere. The conversation dives into:

• 🧠 How AI can support, not replace, human connection in sports psychology

• ⚡ The role of high agency in athlete performance

• 🏀 Cultural differences between the NBA and NFL on mental health

• 🌱 What the ideal youth sports experience looks like

• 🚀 The future of performance psychology and athlete wellness

Sound bites from Alex:
👉 “I think a lot of growth is nonlinear.”
👉 “These athletes are humans first.”
👉 “Being present is a powerful mental skill.”

Listen in for a fascinating conversation on where sports, psychology, and technology intersect.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).

In this episode, Dr. Mark Allen and Dr. Tommy Horn sit down with Dr. Sue Schimmel and Maureen Breeze, authors of Playing the Long Game, to explore the critical intersection of mental health and sports performance. Together, they unpack the dynamics between athletes, parents, and coaches—highlighting the importance of resilience, communication, and psychological safety in youth sports.

From technology’s impact on problem-solving to the role of listening over lecturing, this conversation offers practical insights for parents and coaches supporting athletes on and off the field. The discussion also spotlights the Coach-Athlete-Parent Project, an initiative designed to strengthen relationships and foster healthier team cultures.

Key themes:

• How parental support can both empower and hinder athlete independence

• Why resilience and setbacks are essential for long-term growth

• Generational differences in parenting athletes today

• The impact of technology on youth development

• Building trust and boundaries between coaches and parents

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode will leave you with strategies to “play the long game” in supporting athletic and personal development.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).

In this episode of the Peak Sports Psychiatry Podcast, Dr. Mark Allen and Dr. Tommy Horn sit down with Adam Boardman, a former All-American cross-country runner turned therapist, to explore the intersection of sport, identity, and mental health.

Adam shares how running shaped his sense of self, why athletes need therapists who truly understand their experiences, and how creativity (including a brief stint in stand-up comedy) influences his therapeutic approach. The conversation highlights the groundbreaking Marathon Medical Psych Program, which brings mental health support directly to endurance events, and emphasizes the power of cultural competence, sports metaphors, and humor in therapy.

Whether you’re an athlete, clinician, or fan of sports culture, this episode offers fresh insight into rethinking mental health in athletics—not just to prevent illness, but to help people thrive.

🎧 Tune in and subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of sport and psychiatry.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).

In this episode of the Peak Sports Psychiatry Podcast, Dr. Mark Allen and Dr. Tommy Horn sit down with Kevin Morley, Head Athletic Trainer for the Nashville Predators, to explore the evolving world of athletic training and the growing emphasis on mental health in sports medicine.

Kevin shares his journey from collegiate to professional sports, offering rare insights into the vital role athletic trainers play in supporting both the physical and mental well-being of elite athletes. From creating safe spaces for personal conversations to collaborating with clinical psychologists and navigating the demands of an NHL travel schedule, Kevin highlights why a holistic approach to athlete care is essential.

🎙️ Topics Covered:🏒 Mental health’s role in athletic training🧠 How athletic trainers support overall athlete wellness🤝 Integrating psychological care within pro sports teams✈️ Travel challenges in professional hockey and their health impact🩺 Collaboration among sports medicine professionals💬 Kevin’s philosophy: “If you listen long enough, patients will tell you what’s wrong.”

Whether you’re an athlete, clinician, or sports enthusiast, this episode sheds light on the teamwork and mindset needed to keep athletes performing at their best—on and off the ice.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).

What does it mean to “find your wolf”? In this inspiring episode, Dr. Heather Larkin—author of The All-In Mindset and founder of a nonprofit serving underserved youth—joins the Peak Sports Psychiatry Podcast to explore the intersection of mental health and sports performance.

Dr. Larkin dives into the challenges young athletes face as they transition to higher levels of play, the pressures of perfectionism, and how parents and coaches can help athletes build mental resilience and joy through sport. From practical tools for thought control to strategies for fostering open communication, this episode is packed with valuable insights for athletes, families, and support staff alike.

Whether you're a parent on the sidelines, a coach in the trenches, or an athlete trying to tap into your best self—this conversation is for you.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.) or visit ⁠hilinskishope.org/resources⁠ for support options.

In this powerful first episode, Dr. Mark Allen and Dr. Tommy Horn speak with Kym and Mark Hilinski, co-founders of Hilinski’s Hope—a nonprofit dedicated to raising mental health awareness in college athletics.The Hilinskis share the story of their son Tyler’s suicide in 2018 and how they transformed their grief into a mission to support student-athletes. This conversation explores the stigma around mental health in sports, the power of connection, the impact of Tyler Talks, and the importance of education, advocacy, and athlete-informed psychiatric care.

Follow Hilinski’s Hope: @HilinskisHope
Follow us: @PeakSportsPsychiatry