The Mario Soto Sports Psychology Podcast

James Brett Wilks is an English film producer, vegan activist, and former professional mixed martial artist. A professional from 2003 until 2012, he competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, and was the winner of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom. After winning his title and several UFC fights, it was during a sparring session towards the end of fight camp where he was dealt a major setback injuring both knees. Having limited mobility, it was during his rehabilitation he searched for a way to be productive, so he immersed himself in the science of
recovery and proper diet for athletes. In doing so, he came across research, science and scientist that forever changed how he looked at food. This interview is so much about adaptation, debunking limiting beliefs, and seeing how you can reinvent yourself through food.

Jeannie Bartholomew is a professional canopy pilot who (along with her husband, Curt Bartholomew) has put everything she has into the sport of skydiving. She is a member of Team Alter Ego Fastrax, travels the globe to teach canopy piloting skills and compete in events, and holds multiple records: National women’s records: longest distance (127.25 m), fastest speed (2.386 seconds in 2017), fastest speed (2.411 seconds in 2016). North American women’s records: fastest speed, longest distance. State women’s records: Tennessee longest distance and fastest speed, Florida fastest speed, North Carolina fastest speed

With over 9,000 jumps to her credit her goal is to become the world’s best in her sport but first she claims she needs to beat her husband, who is currently ranked #1 in the world.

In this interview that Jeannie was kind enough to allow a few of my student to sit in on, we discuss the importance of routines, visualization, physical endurance, preparation and the attention to detail for maintaining success and safety in this high risk sport. Jeannie’s passion for life and sport can be summed up in this statement: “Your character is defined by how you treat someone who can do nothing for you.”

Bonus Content - Check this out!

https://vimeo.com/426426360?fbclid=IwAR3eoIpRnBGf4-_NUKbSK9KNRTCTDSCBHhFX7Wm3Luh-LLutknYK0dfQq-E

Ladies and Gentlemen, This might just be the most important interview that I’ve ever had.  When I finally got to watching the Netflix documentary “Losers", it ripped my heart open because of the raw honesty of Michael Bentt.  Michael’s emotional courage shows in how he reveals his roller coaster journey from being in a household where fatherly love was conditional to his winning, the high of becoming Heavyweight Champion of the world to the deep abyss of losing the title going through extreme depression, a loss of identity and contemplation of taking his life.  

Choosing the right food source to support what both the mind and the body need for the elite athlete and everyday human being. Leslie is as good as they get when it comes to understanding how food can impact one’s performance. Her resume is a who’s who of professional teams is always in demand for her expertise. I am so glad to hear her to speak on the subject of fad diets (Keto, Paleo, etc.), supplements, hydration and factors critical to keeping ourselves healthy, productive and effective.

More about Leslie

Leslie J. Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN, is the owner of ActiveEatingAdvice.com- Be fit, fed and Fearless? – A nutrition consulting company. Her clients include: The National Dairy Council, California Dried Plum Board, The National Peanut Board, Potatoes, USA, Gatorade, Ready Nutrition, General Mills and Douglas Labs. She is the nutrition consultant for the Kansas City Chiefs, Carnegie Mellon University athletics and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She was the sports dietitian for the Super Bowl Champ Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Blue Jays, world champion Washington Nationals and teams within the WNBA.

Show Notes

Referenced: 1938 Fueling Young Athletes by Heather Mangieri

(https://www.amazon.com/Fueling-Young-Athletes-Heather-Mangieri/dp/1492522090)

I am so excited to share this interview with Rolando Garza, pitching coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays.  In this session, he shares his journey from awkward teenage kid to getting drafted out of high school by the Sox organization, his playing experiences as a pro, his eventual transition into coaching and the people who were his greatest influence along the way. This podcast provides great insight and advice for anyone (player or coach) wanting to perform at the highest levels.

You’d never know it but this 1st round draft pick gets nervous and has had to deal with his fair share of adversity. Disappointment came in many packages for Ethan from having to say no to the college of his choice to being a walk on at Miss State without any guarantee; dealing with Tommy John surgery and all the challenges that accompany a major injury and rehabilitation to then reinventing how he was viewed in the eyes of a new coaching staff. Ethan’s story is a must read for those searching answers on why perspective matters, how to gather power from our darkest moments, and the importance of creating a will to win.

In this episode, we have the honor of being invited into the home of Elite Show Jumper Mandy Porter, arguably one of the nicest yet fiercest competitors in the sport. As a professional she’s appeared in multiple Nations Cup teams for the United States, competed in the prestigious FEI World Cup Jumping Finals several times, and been a winner of the $1MM HITS grand prix on the West Coast.

Her personality, openness and humility are an amazing contrast to the high achieving performer that she becomes when she enters the show ring. We discuss her early influences that she credits to this day as being part of the foundation for her process and success. In addition, Mandy talks about mistakes, putting failure into proper perspective, knowing what your job is and finding a balance. I know you’ll love this conversation and like Mandy even more than you did.

In this episode, we visit the world class RVCA Headquarters and with its own state of the art combat training facilities to sit down with professional MMA trainer Jason Parillo whose students include BJ Penn, Cris Cyborg, Rafael Dos Anjos, Tito Ortiz, and a list of others elite fighters.

We discuss a common friend and his former mentor/coach Jesse Reid and what influence he had in Jason’s own coaching style. Also, what it takes to train championship athletes and what it takes to bounce back from failure.

As a heads up, there are a couple of choice adult words (BEWARE) in this episode which is very much a part of the fight world. If you, as a listener or parent have reservations hearing “salty” language then please refrain from hearing this episode.

Thank you and God Bless

- Mario

For more information about how I work with athletes and coaches, visit my website www.mariosoto.com and follow @mariosportsdoc on all major Social Media channels. 

"Talent isn't enough". These are the words from Andy Rojo, Regional Director of USA Baseball and founder of Rising Prospects Talent Showcase and College Exposure Camps. Andy has been involved in baseball for over 35 years having played for some of the best coaches in the sport, later joining the coaching world at Riverside Community College and Long Beach State.

In this Episode, Andy reveals what college coaches and scouts are looking for from potential players, and some of the mistakes that families make, specialization vs being an athlete, navigating programs and schools - crucial listening for both players and parents.  In addition, we talk about the challenges that coaches of every level need to be ready or prepare themselves for if they choose to be successful in this journey.  He shares his 4 absolutes that every young coach should hear and so much more in this valuable discussion. 

Outliers in the world of performance come in many shapes, sizes, and all corners of the universe. We tend to hear about them in the world of sport and business but exceptional and uncommon performers exist all around us. Having a trained eye for elite standouts, it didn’t take long for me to see these qualities in Chef Craig Strong.

Menu selections like Oxtail Risotto, Short Rib Cigars, House made Ravioli and Lobster or even a gourmet burger that really tastes like a gourmet burger are some of the features he offers at his Laguna Beach restaurant called Ocean at Main. He cultivated his art form from having worked around the world, bringing those experiences to complement his passion for life, creating an experience for both diners and his staff. There is a genuine energy about Chef Craig that becomes contagious which comes from his philosophy to wanting to change the model for how restaurants and specifically the kitchens are run so that the failure rate decreases. Simply stated, Craig Strong is different and his work shows it and we are the beneficiaries of his artistry.

About Chef Craig Strong

Chef Craig Strong, whose 25-year career in luxury hotels and resorts earned him a Michelin star from his time at The Langham Huntington Hotel &  Spa in Pasadena, has come full circle to his native Southern California roots with the recent opening his own restaurant - Ocean at Main. In its first year, the critically acclaimed restaurant was honored as a Best New Restaurant by Orange Coast Magazine, one of Modern Luxury's 10 Most Exciting New Restaurants, and was named among OC Register critic, Brad Johnson's 75 Best Places to Eat. Chef Strong previously held the title of Executive Chef at the prestigious Studio at Montage in Laguna Beach for nine years.

From the coasts of California to Washington, DC, and Barcelona to Hong Kong, Chef Strong has cooked all over the world; his dishes draw inspiration from the culture and cuisine that make these places unique. From growing up in San Diego and cooking with produce from the family garden, Chef Strong is now sharing his Coastal California cuisine at Ocean at Main with the community he has embraced for the past decade.

www.oceanatmain.com

Head Coach Ralph Grajeda knows what it’s like to be part of a championship program. He also knows about the difficulty of taking over a program long steeped in tradition from a legend in the sport. Having won as a player, assistant coach, and now head coach, Ralph Grajeda shares what helped shape his coaching philosophy, the pressure of being the head baseball coach at Yucaipa High school, and the impact of mentorship, and a few of the standards learned from past coaches which he uses today.

Everything we watch on film or tv has some sort of action sequence and few people know about the world of the stunt performer.  

Julie Michaels and Peewee Piemonte are arguably one if not the most successful husband and wife team in the business of stunt coordinating, breaking barriers, advocating for stunt performers, while striving to practice a life of balance, positivity, and faith.  This husband and wife team extraordinaire started in the entertainment business as actors and successfully transitioned their drive and purpose into the stunt world and along the way winning Emmy’s, raising a lovely family, and mentoring others.  

They graciously agreed to share their experiences with me in this episode to educate those wanting to step into their world and to help share their message of faith for all.

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For more information about how I work with performers, visit my website www.mariosoto.com and send me a message. 

In this episode, I have the honor of speaking with Michelle Morris, 3x NCEA champion at the University of Georgia and now an elite equestrian trainer in the Southern California area. She opens up about the competitive experience as an amateur, high level collegiate athlete and how the skills she learned early on by great teachers and mentors helped shape who she is today.
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For more information about how I work with athletes, visit my website www.mariosoto.com and follow @mariosportsdoc

Lindsay Davis is a former team USA figure skater who has had the rare history of competing as both an individual and pairs performer.

From an early age, Linsday found a passion for her craft and in this 30 minute conversation she shares her journey, the challenges parents and skaters experience, the disappointments in her career and how she plans to apply her master’s degree education as a Sport Psychology Consultant to help young skaters.

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For more information about how I work with athletes, visit my website www.mariosoto.com and follow me @mariosportsdoc on most social media platforms. 

Grady Birk is a 19 year old Jr. Hockey player currently with the Manitoba Dauphin Kings. We discuss what it’s like to be working towards his dream of becoming a collegiate and eventual NHL player, the highs and lows, and how sport psychology has helped slow the game down and provided him with tools to get out of his own way.

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For more information about how I work with Athletes, visit my website www.mariosoto.com

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a firefighter?

In this episode, I have the honor of sharing what it’s like being a Firefighter in a modern world with two Southern Californian Fire (Joe and Derek).  We talk about the highs and lows, why society has forced the Fire Services to evolve, the hidden struggles that are now part of today’s dialogue, and how mental resiliency has become part of the academy curriculum and on-going training so that our firefighters and first responders can have a better on the job performance as well as quality of life after fire. 

Thank you Joe and Derek for your service!

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For more information about how I work with First Responders, visit my website www.mariosoto.com

Mario sits down with La Sierra University's Head Baseball Coach Gabe Gamboa and a few of his players to discuss how they've implemented various sports psychology priciples in their team's season.