Wrestling Through Adversity with Dr. Christine Silverstein and Valeria T. Koopman

About Wrestling Through Adversity with Dr. Christine Silverstein and Valeria T. Koopman

“Wrestling Through Adversity” is a podcast for parents, coaches, teachers, and caring adults who know today’s kids are grappling with far more than wins and losses on the field. Inspired by Dr. Christine Silverstein’s book, Wrestling Through Adversity: Empowering Children, Teens, & Young Adults to Win in Life, this show explores how young people can build real resilience, develop Mindful Toughness ®, and learn to win from within, in a world of school shootings, social media pressure, pandemics, and performance anxiety. Hosted by peak performance coach, behavioral health RN, hypnotherapist, and historian, Dr. Christine Silverstein, in each episode, takes you inside true stories from her decades of work with children, teens, college athletes, and families—along with powerful lessons from the history of psychiatry, youth sports, and mind–body medicine. You’ll hear how wrestlers, elite competitors, and everyday kids used self-hypnosis, guided imagery, breathing, positive self-talk, and mental rehearsal to come back from injury, fear, ADHD challenges, academic stress, and devastating life events—and how you can teach those same skills at home, in the classroom, or in the locker room. Across the season, you’ll learn: · What “Mindful Toughness” really is—and how to help kids develop it from early childhood through young adulthood. · Why our current mental health system is failing so many young people, and what history can teach us about more humane, whole-person approaches. · How sports can be an elixir or a toxin for kids’ mental health, and what distinguishes empowering coaching from destructive, “toxic culture” programs. · Practical, step‑by‑step ways to introduce self-hypnosis, breathing practices, and mental rehearsal to anxious, distracted, or high‑performing kids. · How music, imagery, and goal setting support healing, motivation, and confidence in and out of competition. Through “Pictures at an Exhibition” narrative openings, Dr. Silverstein guides you on a “walking tour” of real clinical and personal memoirs—from youth sports fields and operating rooms to psychiatric hospitals and Olympic arenas—revealing how adversity, when met with the right tools and support, can become the training ground for character, courage, and connection. You’ll also hear specialized episodes on ADHD as “high energy to be harnessed,” empowering Gen Z in life transitions, creating a meaningful Plan B (and C and D) when life detours, and becoming “Keepers of the Trees”: adults who help young people grow strong roots in the face of storms. If you’re looking for more than clichés about “mental toughness,” and you want science‑informed, story‑rich, deeply compassionate tools to help kids wrestle through adversity and truly win in life, this podcast is your ringside seat.

Publisher

Christine Silverstein

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Mar 2026

Latest episode

3 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Mar 2026

   How to Foster Resilience in Kids Before Trouble Strikes

   Host Valeria T. Koopman interviews Dr. Christine Silverstein on practical strategies to build independence and emotional resilience in children before challenges arise.

2. 

   3 Mar 2026

   The Youth Mental Health Crisis: Historical Insights That Bring Hope

   Host Valeria T. Koopman interviews Dr. Christine Silverstein about historical insights into the youth mental health crisis, offering hope and practical strategies for building resilience.

3. 

   3 Mar 2026

   Breaking the Mind-Body Split: Holistic Approaches for Parenting and Mental Health

   Host Valeria T. Koopman interviews Dr. Christine Silverstein about holistic parenting and mental health, revealing practical strategies for building resilience and understanding the mind-body connection.

4. 

   3 Mar 2026

   Redefining Success in Youth Sports: Developing Confident Kids with Mindful Toughness ®

   Valeria T. Koopman interviews Dr. Christine Silverstein about developing confident kids through mindful toughness in youth sports, offering practical strategies for resilience and a healthy perspective on winning and losing.

5. 

   3 Mar 2026

   Winning Starts in the Mind: Train Your Teen for Success in Sports, School, and Life

   Valeria T. Koopman interviews Dr. Christine Silverstein about training teens for success through resilience, mind power, and mental toughness in sports, school, and life.

6. 

   3 Mar 2026

   Healing Trauma Early: How Childhood Experiences Shape Success in Life and Sports

   Host Valeria T. Koopman interviews Dr. Christine Silverstein about how childhood trauma impacts success and resilience, offering strategies for healing and building a healthier future.

7. 

   3 Mar 2026

   The Power of Self-Hypnosis: Heal Trauma, Overcome Fear, and Unlock Peak Performance

   Host Valeria T. Koopman interviews Dr. Christine Silverstein, bestselling author and peak performance coach, exploring how self-hypnosis heals trauma, overcomes fear, and unlocks peak performance.

8. 

   3 Mar 2026

   ADHD to Peak Performance: Turn High Energy into Success in Sports and Life

   Dr. Christine Silverstein and Valeria T. Koopman discuss transforming ADHD energy into peak performance in sports and life, offering practical strategies for success and empowerment.

9. 

   3 Mar 2026

   Music and the Mind: How Neuroscience Proves Music Heals Trauma and Unlocks Peak Performance

   Valeria T. Koopman interviews Dr. Christine Silverstein about how neuroscience reveals music's power to heal trauma and unlock peak performance.

10. 

    3 Mar 2026

    Empowering College Athletes to Overcome Adversity and Build Mental Toughness Using Mind Power

    Peak performance coach Dr. Christine Silverstein and host Valeria T. Koopman discuss empowering college athletes with Mind Power techniques to build resilience and overcome adversity.

11. 

    3 Mar 2026

    Mindful Toughness: A New Plan B for Resilience

    Join Valeria T. Koopman and Dr. Christine Silverstein as they dive into the importance of "mindful toughness" and mental health resilience. Discover practical strategies and critical insights into the current state—and future—of mental health and wellness. The real-life case story of "Sarah" and lessons in overcoming trauma and health challenges Why "Plan B" resilience is essential for athletes and anyone facing adversity History and current challenges in psychiatry and the medicalization of mental health Dangers and limitations of psychiatric drugs, especially for young people Simple, actionable alternatives for promoting mental health from childhood onward https://idealperformance.net Buy Wrestling Through Adversity Book here: https://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Through-Adversity-Empowering-Children-ebook/dp/B0CCPMHVLK

12. 

    3 Mar 2026

    Keepers of the Trees: Building Strong Roots, Courage, and Hope in Children

    What it means to be a "keeper of the trees"—a parent, educator, coach, or other caring adult who helps children develop strong roots, courage, and hope. In the concluding episode of the 12-part Wrestling Through Adversity podcast series, Dr. Christine M. Silverstein joins Valeria Koopman to explore the meaning of "Keepers of the Trees," the final chapter of her book, Wrestling Through Adversity: Empowering Children, Teens, & Young Adults to Win in Life. Drawing upon personal experiences, her father's influence, and decades of working with children, teens, and young adults, Dr. Silverstein explores how people develop the inner strength, confidence, and skills to navigate life's challenges. Through stories of adversity, recovery, and personal growth, she explains how her Mindful Toughness® skillset helps individuals draw upon their mental resources, challenge limiting beliefs, and develop greater confidence with Mind Power. Using trees as a metaphor for human relationships, Dr. Silverstein discusses the importance of family, community, and intergenerational support. Just as trees grow within an interconnected forest, children benefit from strong roots, nurturing relationships, and opportunities to develop independence. Five Key Insights from This Episode What it means to be “keepers of the trees” and how caring adults help children grow strong roots, courage, and hope Why working through hard moments, rather than avoiding them, is essential to overcoming adversity and building mental strength How Mindful Toughness® techniques, like Mental Recall, Mental Rehearsal, Positive Self-Talk, Feedback Loop Analysis, and choosing a Personal Power Word, can help people build self-confidence and challenge limiting beliefs How community and family roots support children’s growth and emotional well-being, from early childhood through parenting teenagers The role of self-love, support, and positive belief systems in raising resilient children Watch the Extended Video Edition This audio podcast edition features Dr. Silverstein's complete conversation with Valeria Koopman. An extended video edition is available on Dr. Silverstein's The Young Navigator YouTube channel. In addition to the conversation, it includes: A biographical video exploring the experiences and influences that shaped Dr. Silverstein's life and professional mission. A dramatic reading of her tree poem, The Phantom Limbs. Dr. Silverstein's personal reflections on the poem and its meaning. These additional presentations provide further insight into the themes of courage, hope, personal growth, and human connection explored in Keepers of the Trees. Watch the Extended Video Edition: https://youtu.be/5vQlyUwNXH0 https://idealperformance.net Buy Wrestling Through Adversity Book here: https://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Through-Adversity-Empowering-Children-ebook/dp/B0CCPMHVLK

Reach and audience

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

147 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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