Pretty much everyone listens to podcasts (and if you don't, you should). They're convenient, they regularly produce content, and are often so specific that you can find one exactly tailored to your interests. But, it's important to find one that can help you grow as a person as well. To be entertained is one thing, but we want our podcasts to intellectually stimulate us.
As a college athlete, you're always trying to improve both physically and mentally. Podcasts can be a great tool for improving your mental game, and they're easy to listen to while studying, driving, cleaning, cooking, or even working out. Below are two podcasts we think every collegiate athlete should be listening to. These podcasts will help improve the way you think about competition, and enhance your outlook on life.
Related: 5 Must-Read Books on Being a Better Teammate/Athlete
Finding Mastery
Finding Mastery is a podcast hosted by Dr. Michael Gervais, a high-performance psychologist. This podcast explores extremely stressful environments and interviews the people who have navigated their way to the top in each of their respective fields amidst intense competition.
The podcast features guests ranging from collegiate and professional athletes, to Olympic medalists, combat veterans, and Fortune 500 CEOs. This podcast often focuses on sports competition. The biggest takeaway is that listeners are a provided a blueprint on how to process the world around them in a way that leads to success.
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The Huberman Lab Podcast
While Finding Mastery focuses on peoples' stories and how they view the world, Huberman Lab gives an in-depth look on why we do the things we do and how we can change. It is hosted by Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His guest speakers are often fellow scholars in these fields. It can be a bit in-depth at times, touching on topics from a hormonal and neurological dimension, but is very informative on issues like compulsivity, addiction, and motivation.
The podcast would really benefit college athletes because despite giving a complex explanation for the causes behind issues, every episode provides simple solutions to improve life. Doing things as small as getting up before a certain time and getting sunlight, or eating between certain times of day, can make handling stress a whole lot easier, and this podcast gives the science to prove it.
* Originally published on December 6, 2021, by Isaac Haney
