This episode of Beyond the Stick explores performance psychology and how mindset shapes the way athletes prepare, compete, and respond under pressure. Host Joe Nardella is joined by performance psychology specialist Mark Glicini for a conversation that breaks down the mental side of the game in a practical, athlete-focused way.

They unpack the difference between mental health, mental performance, and mastery, while emphasizing that sport is ultimately a series of problem-solving moments that require clarity, self-awareness, and preparation. Glicini highlights common challenges athletes face—like overwhelm, anger, and fear—and explains how these can either disrupt performance or be used as tools when managed effectively.

The discussion focuses on actionable strategies, including building a “self-scouting report,” improving self-talk, maintaining body language, and learning to respond rather than react in high-pressure moments. Joe adds his own experience competing at a high level, sharing how preparation, perspective, and past adversity shape confidence and in-game decision-making.

They also explore visualization, goal setting, and the importance of aligning actions with values, along with how team dynamics, communication, and leadership impact both performance and wellbeing. The episode closes with a strong emphasis on recovery, mindfulness, and mental training as essential—but often overlooked—parts of long-term development.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding that mental performance isn’t separate from the game—it’s embedded in every moment, and developing it consistently is key to performing at a high level.

This episode of Let’s Talk with USA Lacrosse explores sleep hygiene and its impact on athletic performance, recovery, and overall wellbeing. Host Fran Argentieri is joined by Dr. Emily Clark, senior psychological services provider for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who works in mental performance and behavioral sleep medicine with elite athletes.

The conversation unpacks why sleep is foundational for athletes, influencing reaction time, decision-making, mood, and physical recovery. Dr. Clark also challenges common misconceptions—like treating sleep as a strict performance metric or assuming one bad night will derail performance—emphasizing instead the importance of long-term sleep patterns over isolated nights.

They discuss frequent challenges athletes face, including travel, early training schedules, academic demands, and stress, along with common sleep mistakes such as inconsistent routines and over-fixating on sleep targets. Dr. Clark introduces practical behavioral strategies to support better sleep, including stabilizing routines, managing stress before bed, and understanding individual sleep needs.

Fran also shares her experience competing with the U.S. U20 team in Hong Kong, highlighting how structured sleep routines and team support helped manage a major time zone shift—and how difficult it was to readjust afterward.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding that sleep is less about perfection and more about consistency, awareness, and building habits that support performance over time.

This episode of Beyond the Stick explores nutrition and its direct impact on performance, recovery, and long-term athlete health. Host Abby Bosco is joined by Colleen Carrion, Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Maryland, and Dr. Catherine Logan, orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, for a practical, athlete-focused conversation.

They break down some of the most common nutrition mistakes athletes make—especially around hydration and under-fueling—and why even small gaps can affect energy, recovery, and injury risk. The discussion emphasizes simple, realistic strategies, from building better hydration habits to finding pregame and postgame routines that actually work.

The episode also highlights how nutrition supports injury prevention and recovery, including its role in bone health, muscle repair, and overall tissue function. Logan explains how poor nutrition can increase the risk of overuse injuries, delay healing, and impact mood and performance—especially in youth and developing athletes.

Bosco shares her own experience navigating nutrition on game day, including managing nerves, finding foods that work for her body, and adapting her routine over time. Carrion adds practical, go-to options for busy athletes, including easy meals and recovery snacks that balance carbohydrates, protein, and antioxidants.

Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of how nutrition fuels performance, why consistency matters more than perfection, and actionable strategies to build habits that support both training and recovery.

This episode of Beyond the Stick explores post-game recovery and why what happens after the final whistle is just as important as preparation before competition. Host Kylie Ohlmiller, attacker and member of the 2022 World Championship gold medal team, is joined by Dr. Catherine Logan, orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, to break down how athletes can recover effectively and consistently.

They outline three key pillars of recovery: rehydration and refueling, movement-based recovery, and mental decompression. The conversation emphasizes how recovery should begin immediately after play—especially within the first 30 to 60 minutes—and why simple habits like hydration, proper nutrition, and light movement can significantly impact performance and reduce injury risk.

The episode also addresses real-world challenges, including tournament schedules, travel, and limited resources, offering practical strategies like building a recovery “go bag” and maintaining routines on the road. Logan highlights the differences between youth and elite athletes, stressing the importance of building consistent recovery habits early.

Ohlmiller shares her personal approach to recovery, from structured cool-down routines and strength work to journaling as a tool for mental reset. Together, they challenge common misconceptions—like recovery being passive or only necessary when you feel sore—and reinforce that effective recovery is an active, intentional process.

Listeners will walk away with a clear framework for post-game recovery, actionable strategies they can implement immediately, and a better understanding of how consistent habits support performance, longevity, and overall well-being.

This episode of Beyond the Stick explores menstrual health and energy availability in female athletes, and how both directly impact performance and long-term health. Host Abby Bosco is joined by Dr. Jaci VanHeest, a leading researcher on RED-S and the Female Athlete Triad, and Dr. Alexis Coslik, team physician for the U.S. Women’s National Team, for an in-depth conversation grounded in both research and real-world experience.

They break down the Female Athlete Triad—low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density—and expand on how it connects to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), a broader condition that affects nearly every system in the body. The discussion highlights how inadequate fueling can impair performance, recovery, mood, and decision-making, while also increasing injury risk.

The episode also challenges common misconceptions, including the belief that losing a menstrual cycle is “normal” for athletes, and explains why it’s actually a key warning sign of underlying imbalance. Bosco and her guests discuss how athletes can better understand their cycles, how training and performance may fluctuate, and why maintaining proper energy balance is critical.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of the link between nutrition, menstrual health, and performance, along with practical strategies for fueling, recognizing early warning signs, and creating supportive environments where athletes feel comfortable addressing these often-overlooked topics.

This episode of Beyond the Stick explores mental health in athletes, including the challenges of injuries and recovery. Francesca Argentieri, a member of the 2024 U20 Women’s World Championship team and campus captain for the Hidden Opponent at Northwestern, joins Dr. Chelsey E. Bowman, PhD, sports psychologist at Children’s National Hospital and member of USA Lacrosse’s Health and Safety Committee, for an honest conversation about supporting mental well-being on and off the field.

They discuss the “whole athlete” approach—how mental health is interconnected with physical recovery, how athletes can strengthen their mental well-being like they do their bodies, and the importance of coaches, trainers, and parents emphasizing mental health as a strength. Bowman also highlights checking in on an athlete’s mental recovery alongside their physical recovery and recognizing warning signs in teammates.

Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of mental health in sports, the value of leaning on teammates, and the importance of normalizing open conversations about well-being.

Resources mentioned in the episode:988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – ⁠988lifeline.org

This episode of Beyond the Stick explores injury prevention, with a focus on lower-body injuries, ACL risk, and the habits that keep athletes on the field. Host Kylie Ohlmiller, member of the 2022 World Championship gold medal team, is joined by Dr. Catherine Logan, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, for a conversation that blends medical expertise with lived experience.

They break down the most common injuries in lacrosse—including ACL tears, hamstring strains, and ankle sprains—and why the sport’s explosive, high-speed movements make athletes particularly vulnerable. The discussion dives into key risk factors like poor movement mechanics, including knee valgus, and how small breakdowns in technique can lead to serious injury.

The episode also highlights what actually works in prevention: position-specific strength training, hip and core stability, proper warm-up routines, and the importance of programs like USA Lacrosse’s LaxFit. Logan emphasizes that injury prevention isn’t just about strength, but about movement quality, awareness, and consistent habits.

Ohlmiller also shares her personal journey through ACL injuries, offering insight into recovery, mindset, and the reality that no two return-to-play timelines are the same. Together, they challenge common misconceptions around recovery and reinforce the importance of individualized progress.

Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how injuries happen, what athletes and coaches should be watching for, and practical strategies—from biomechanics to recovery routines—that can reduce risk and support long-term performance.