https://www.nelliganbooks.com/https://www.nelliganbooks.comThe Mental Game Academy Podcast: Featuring Jeff Nelligan

Hosted by Larissa Mills, this episode welcomes Jeff Nelligan, author of Four Lessons from My Three Sons – How You Can Raise Resilient Kids. A well-known voice in American parenting, Jeff shares his no-nonsense approach to building resilience, confidence, and character in young athletes.

With a background in public affairs, military service, and raising three sons who attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Williams College, and West Point, Jeff brings a unique perspective on mental toughness, discipline, and overcoming challenges. Tune in for insightful strategies on developing grit in today's athletes and how modern distractions, like phone use, impact performance and resilience.

In this episode of TEG Talks, hosts Teg Cosgriff and Larissa Mills dive into the controversial topic of team taunting—where’s the line between competitive spirit and unsportsmanlike behaviour? They break down the psychological impact of taunting on athletes, how it affects team dynamics, and why coaches and parents play a crucial role in shaping a respectful sports culture. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on fostering mental toughness without crossing the line.

In this episode of, "The Mental Game Academy" Podcast, host Larissa Mills sits down with Matt Dumouchelle, author of The Hockey Factories series on TheCoachesSite.com. Matt has spent years researching the world’s top hockey development programs, uncovering the tools and strategies that any youth organization can use to create a better experience for their players and families.

Now, in his fifth year as Assistant General Manager of the Leamington Flyers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge on player development, team culture, and what it takes to build a winning program. Tune in as he shares his insights on the mental side of the game and how young athletes can reach their full potential.

If you listen to the end, we discuss what will happen with open borders and how your hockey associations can prepare. But one thing is for sure, it will need to change in coaching education, parent support, and athlete development to succeed in this model.

The Mental Game Academy Podcast: Featuring Mike McGinnis

Hosted by Larissa Mills, this episode welcomes Mike McGinnis, Hockey Alberta’s Manager of Player Development, a Hockey Canada Certified Skill Coach, and the founder of Norcan Hockey. With over a decade of experience developing players and training coaches, Mike shares his insights on skill development, the mental side of the game, and how phone use is impacting young athletes ability to scan.

Scanning is hockey skill and it can be developed in practice. The younger the athlete the weaker this ability for many reasons, too much scrolling, too much sitting around and less multi-sport training.

From mindset training to the evolving challenges in hockey, this episode dives into the tools and strategies needed to help players reach their full potential. Tune in for expert advice and actionable takeaways!

For more tools and drills to improve this skill check out, Norcan Hockey,

Thanks Mike!

The Mental Game Academy Podcast – Featuring Coach Rory and Stephane Vlachos
Hosted by Larissa Mills

In this episode of The Mental Game Academy Podcast, Larissa Mills is joined by two experts dedicated to shaping the next generation of athletes: Coach Rory, owner of RPG Training Systems with over 20 years of coaching experience, and Stephane Vlachos, a Cognitive Performance Coach for MGA and Women’s Volleyball Coach at UWO. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge in mental performance, athletic development, and the challenges facing young athletes today.

The discussion dives into pressing issues, including:

• The impact of social media on disconnection and attention spans.
• How phones are affecting athletic performance both on and off the field.
• Concerns about resiliency, emotional processing, and parenting styles that unintentionally block growth.
• The rise of athletic burnout and underdevelopment in today’s youth.
• Why underqualified physical education teachers and "junk food" information harm athletic progress.

Rory and Stephane also preview the upcoming RPG x MGA events designed to support coaches, parents, and athletes. Coaches can attend the January 9th session at 7 PM, while parents and athletes are invited on January 16th.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode offers invaluable insights into how we can address these challenges and empower the next generation to thrive both mentally and physically.

Connect with the guests:

• Rory: admin@rpgtrainingsystems.com | Instagram: @rpgtrainingsystems
• Stephane: stephane@thementalgameacademy.ca | Instagram: @mentalcoachsteph

The Mental Game Academy Podcast – Featuring Ryan Quinn
Hosted by Larissa Mills

In this episode, Larissa Mills welcomes Ryan Quinn, an accomplished soccer coach and mental performance specialist, to discuss his impressive coaching journey and his approach to developing athletes on and off the field. With three youth state titles under his belt—U14 Girls PC Royals, OSA U16 Girls PWSI Courage, and U14 Girls VA Valor VYSA—Ryan brings a wealth of experience in leading teams to success.

Ryan shares how he integrates his USSF B License training with mental performance strategies to help athletes unlock their full potential. From individual and small-group training sessions to fostering resilience and focus, Ryan’s holistic approach equips athletes with the tools they need to excel both mentally and physically.

Tune in to hear Ryan’s perspectives on building team cohesion, enhancing mental toughness, and the critical role of mindset in achieving success at any level of competition. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for athletes, coaches, and anyone passionate about performance and growth.

The Mental Game Academy Podcast – Featuring Bob Humphreys
Hosted by Larissa Mills

In this episode, Larissa Mills sits down with Bob Humphreys, a Mindset Consultant and Body Language Instructor with a remarkable journey spanning finance, sports coaching, and performance consulting. Bob shares his insights on fostering mental resilience, improving communication through body language, and supporting athletes and coaches in achieving their goals.

We examine the Prevalent FEAR OF FAILURE in athletes today?

With a passion for inclusivity and accessibility in sports, Bob discusses the importance of mental well-being for young athletes and his mission to positively impact the sports and coaching industry. Tune in to hear about his innovative approaches to leadership, his commitment to helping others thrive, and how he integrates lessons from diverse fields to empower individuals both on and off the field.

This is an inspiring conversation for anyone passionate about personal growth, sports, and mental performance!

Teg Talks powered by The Mental Game Academy with hosts Teg Cosgriff and Larissa Mills features Amani Kimball-McKavish, a midfielder for the Ohio State Univerisity Women’s Lacrosse team. In this episode, Amani shares her journey growing up playing multiple sports and the moment she fell in love with lacrosse. She dives into her decision to attend Ohio State, highlighting the benefits of being at a larger school, including the resources and opportunities available.

Amani also discusses her experience with the "Sharpen Your Pro Athlete" course by the Mental Game Academy and emphasizes the importance of being comfortable seeking help. She explores the power of team goals over individual ambitions, strategies for managing negative self-talk, and the balance she maintains between her athletic and academic commitments.

Tune in to hear Amani's insights on building a successful academic and athletic career while navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with being a student-athlete.