The I Am Mentally Tough Podcast was created to help athletes reach PEAK PERFORMANCE. The show discusses what most coaches are not talking about, and that is the MENTAL side of the game. Join one of the nation’s top Mental Performance Coaches for basketball players and keynote speaker, Gladine Frasso and her Co-host Professional Skills and Development Coach, David Anderson as they dive into the mental barriers (such as lack of confidence, pressure, fears, lack of focus, habits) that basketball players face on and off the court, and strategies/techniques they can use to build their mental toughn
034 - Building A Legacy: Coach J's Journey with Next Level Warriors
In this inspiring episode of I Am Mentally Tough, host Gladine Frasso sits down with Coach J, founder of the Next Level Warriors AAU basketball program, to explore what it really takes to build a youth sports program that goes beyond the game.
Coach J shares her personal journey from growing up in a small town in Pittsburgh to launching and sustaining a successful basketball organization that emphasizes not just athletic performance, but holistic development. From foundational skill-building to handling criticism and creating strong relationships with families, Coach J offers powerful insight into what it means to lead with purpose and resilience.
Listeners will walk away with practical wisdom on how to lead young athletes with intention, develop a winning mindset, and build a legacy rooted in service and strength.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
What it takes mentally and emotionally to start and grow an AAU basketball program.
The importance of foundational skills in sports and life.
How to build trust and strong relationships with parents and players.
How to turn losses into lessons and stay motivated through adversity.
Ways to manage external criticism and stay aligned with your purpose.
The value of offering holistic support to athletes—including nutrition, public speaking, and personal development.
Top Takeaways:
Foundational skills are the building blocks for long-term success—on and off the court.
Relationships with parents and players are essential to sustaining a youth program.
Getting your “butt kicked” can be a valuable learning moment.
Leaders must tune out external noise and stay committed to their mission.
Holistic development (beyond athletics) helps young athletes thrive in all areas of life.
Coach J’s story proves that great coaching changes lives. Her blend of tough love, practical support, and long-term vision offers a roadmap for anyone committed to developing young people.
🎧 Tune in now to hear Coach J’s remarkable story and learn how to lead young athletes with grit, grace, and purpose.
Visit Coach Gladine’s Website HERE. (https://www.iammentallytough.com/)
Follow Gladine on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iammentallytough/), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/iammentallytough) and Twitter. (http://www.x.com/darealgladine)
Want Gadline to work with your athlete or team? Click HERE. (https://www.iammentallytough.com/book-online)
Want to bring Gladine in as a Keynote Speaker for your event? Click HERE. (https://www.iammentallytough.com/keynote)
13 Jul 2025
033 - Mindfulness for Peak Performance: How Presence Enhances Athletic Success
In this powerful episode of I Am Mentally Tough, host and Mental Toughness Coach Gladine Frasso is joined by licensed professional counselor Antonio Bolden to explore the transformative role of mindfulness in athletic performance and personal development.
Together, they break down what mindfulness really means, how it differs from meditation, and why it’s essential for athletes to practice awareness without judgment—especially in high-pressure situations. Antonio shares practical tools and mindset shifts that help athletes let go of mistakes, stay present, and protect their mental well-being by detaching identity from performance.
This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone who wants to unlock peak performance through emotional awareness, self-regulation, and purpose-driven action.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
What mindfulness is (and how it differs from meditation)
How mindfulness improves emotional regulation and focus
The importance of acceptance in moving on from mistakes
Why detaching your identity from your performance matters
How to use mindfulness to enter a flow state
Techniques for managing external pressure and distractions
How values play a role in staying mentally grounded
Top Takeaways:
Mindfulness is about being present without judgment.
Awareness improves emotional control and mental clarity.
Acceptance helps athletes move forward instead of fixating on past mistakes.
Detaching identity from performance protects long-term mental health.
Mindfulness is a way of living; meditation is one tool to get there.
Breath control is a simple, powerful way to regulate emotions in the moment.
Mindfulness can counteract distractions from outside expectations and pressure.
Identifying personal values helps athletes stay anchored and perform with purpose.
🎧 Listen now to learn how mindfulness can help athletes train the mind like they train the body—intentionally, consistently, and with purpose.
Visit Coach Gladine’s Website HERE. (https://www.iammentallytough.com/)
Follow Gladine on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iammentallytough/), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/iammentallytough) and Twitter. (http://www.x.com/darealgladine)
Want Gadline to work with your athlete or team? Click HERE. (https://www.iammentallytough.com/book-online)
Want to bring Gladine in as a Keynote Speaker for your event? Click HERE. (https://www.iammentallytough.com/keynote)
Follow Antonio Bolden on Facebook (https://facebook.com/boldentherapyandwellness) (http://www.x.com/darealgladine)
Visit Antonio Bolden's Website Here (https://www.boldentherapyandwellness.com/)
Antonio Bolden's Email: antonio@boldentherapyandwellness.com
7 Jun 2025
032 - Building Commitment and Mental Toughness in AAU Basketball
Coaches Gladine Frasso and David Anderson examine the current state of AAU basketball, highlighting the importance of commitment, consistency, and purposeful training for young athletes to achieve long-term success in this episode.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
4.7 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
17
Social presence
94
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
Contact I Am Mentally Tough Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of I Am Mentally Tough Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
