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  • More Than a Football Player: Faith and Identity with Leilani Caamal

    More Than a Football Player: Faith and Identity with Leilani Caamal
    2026/11/11

    Leilani Caamal made her professional tackle football debut at 16. Now a linebacker for the Golden State Storm, she sees football as a gift she gets to use, not the whole of who she is.

    Leilani joins Lisa Bonta Sumii to talk about faith and athlete identity, competing against herself instead of others, stepping away from social media when comparison creeps in, and becoming the role model she needed as a young girl. She also shares why she is helping Next Play Bay Area create new opportunities for girls in football.

    Full episode and resources on SportsEpreneur

    Episode Timestamps

    • (00:00) - Supporting Athlete Mindset
    • (01:20) - Meet Leilani Caamal
    • (02:27) - The girl who chose football over cheerleading
    • (04:40) - Family, faith and finding women's pro football
    • (07:09) - Who Leilani is beyond football
    • (10:20) - Competing only against herself
    • (12:39) - Two tips for getting out of the comparison game
    • (16:13) - Next Play Bay Area and a girls' all-star game
    • (22:05) - Becoming the role model she needed
    • (25:13) - Staying true to yourself when trends pull at you
    • (28:57) - Finding core values through faith and journaling
    • (32:24) - Gratitude and why mental health matters

    Connect: Lisa on LinkedIn · Lisa on Instagram · AthMindset · SportsEpreneur on LinkedIn

    Support the show: sportse.io/athlete

    Hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii. Athlete Mindset is part of SportsE Media and produced by KazCM.
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    35 分
  • The Beautiful Game: A Father, a Daughter, a Shared Love of Soccer

    The Beautiful Game: A Father, a Daughter, a Shared Love of Soccer
    2026/11/04

    Originally released on Making Moves, this conversation features California Attorney General Rob Bonta and his daughter Reina Bonta, an award-winning filmmaker and professional footballer who represented the Philippines at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They explore how soccer connects family, culture, identity, and service

    Hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii, Rob’s Ate (big sister) and Reina’s Tita (auntie), this family conversation reflects on their Filipino roots, the Bonta family’s legacy of advocacy and public service, and the values passed down through generations. From Rob’s experience captaining Yale’s soccer team to Reina’s journey representing the Philippines at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and telling stories through film, they share the challenges, sacrifices, and lessons that have shaped their lives.

    “Accepting failure doesn’t mean you’re bad at something; it means you’re growing. Failure is an opportunity to get better and improve.” — Rob Bonta

    Together, Rob and Reina discuss resilience, the mind-body connection in athletic performance, embracing failure as an opportunity for growth, and navigating pressure both on and off the field. Their stories highlight how lessons learned through sport can inspire leadership, strengthen identity, and create meaningful change beyond the pitch.

    A heartfelt conversation about family, Filipino pride, resilience, and the power of the beautiful game to connect generations.

    Episode Highlights

    @ 1:00 – Meet Rob Bonta: His early beginnings and journey through soccer
    @ 4:30 – Meet Reina Bonta: An inside look at mental health as a professional athlete
    @ 7:30 – The mental shift from collegiate to professional soccer
    @ 9:30 – Managing pressure and learning to respond to mistakes
    @ 12:00 – Rob Bonta’s words of wisdom on mistakes, resilience, and growth
    @ 15:00 – Developing a release cue to reset, refocus, and move forward
    @ 16:30 – Reina’s insights on overcoming mistakes with a positive mindset
    @ 21:20 – The power of a smile
    @ 23:45 – Navigating social media scrutiny as an athlete
    @ 27:30 – The Bonta family legacy of advocacy, activism, and public service
    @ 33:00 – The journey of a Filipina footballer: From collegiate soccer to the professional game and the international stage
    @ 38:00 – Food for thought: Lessons for the next generation of athletes
    @ 43:00 – The greatest gifts soccer has to offer
    @ 50:00 – The unwavering power of family support


    Keep Up with the Bonta Family

    Follow the Bonta family and stay connected with their work in public service, advocacy, filmmaking, football, and athlete mental wellness.

    • Rob Bonta – Official California Attorney General profile | Instagram | X
    • Reina Bonta – Official website | Filmmaking and professional football
    • Lisa Bonta Sumii – Official website: AthMindset | LinkedIn — Athlete mental health, education, and mental performance

    Thank you for listening to The Beautiful Game: A Father, a Daughter, a Shared Love of Soccer!

    More from Making Moves

    This conversation originally aired on Making Moves, a podcast from the Center for Sport and Social Justice at California State University East Bay. Hear more conversations about sport, mental health, and social justice.

    Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify


    About Athlete Mindset

    Hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii, Athlete Mindset is part of SportsE Media and produced by KazCM. Explore AthMindset, support the podcast, or browse more Athlete Mindset episodes.
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    56 分
  • Mental Toughness and Emotional Regulation with Jacqueline Kelly

    Mental Toughness and Emotional Regulation with Jacqueline Kelly
    2026/10/09

    Jacqueline Kelly joins Lisa Bonta Sumii to discuss mental toughness, emotional regulation, and the connection between mind, body, and purpose. Kelly is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), strength and conditioning coach, and founder of Kelly Performance & Wellness.

    Drawing on her work with athletes and her book Becoming Unfragile, Kelly explains how self-awareness and preparation help athletes respond to pressure without suppressing their emotions.

    In this episode:
    • What mental toughness looks like beyond pushing through
    • Tracking self-talk to build awareness
    • Finding the right level of energy and tension for performance
    • Focusing on preparation and effort when outcomes are outside your control
    • Using simple habits to reset when performance feels overwhelming

    Explore Athlete Mindset: https://www.athmindset.io/
    Support the podcast: https://sportse.io/athlete
    More episodes: https://sportsepreneur.com/podcast/athmindset/

    Connect with the guest, host, and show:

    • Jacqueline Kelly: LinkedIn
    • Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram
    • SportsEpreneur: X | LinkedIn

    Athlete Mindset is part of SportsE Media. Hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii. Produced by KazCM: https://kazcm.com/
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    33 分
  • The Other 23 Hours: Athlete Identity, Body Confidence, and Building Healthy Sport Environments with Julie Shiller

    The Other 23 Hours: Athlete Identity, Body Confidence, and Building Healthy Sport Environments with Julie Shiller
    2025/12/26
    Julie Shiller, MS, CSCS, CMPC Candidate, who is also pursuing her clinical licensure. She is an AthMindset® Mental Performance Practitioner and sport and performance therapist with Align Bay Area Sport Psychology. A former youth athlete who left sport without the body-confidence and mental-health support she needed, Julie now channels that lived experience into helping athletes and coaches thrive as whole people.With more than 15 years in coaching and human performance—including extensive work as a strength and conditioning coach—Julie guides growth across the physical, mental, and emotional domains. She is also a trainer for Positive Coaching Alliance and the founder of The Other 23 Hours Coaching, where she supports athletes in the transformational moments that happen outside of practice and competition.Whether she’s working with youth competitors, collegiate teams, or coaches seeking to build healthy, high-performing environments, Julie brings empathy, evidence-based practice, and a holistic perspective to her work.Chapters0:00 — Athlete Mindset & SportsEpreneur0:17 — Cold open + energy check1:09 — Welcome & introduction to Julie Shiller2:00 — Julie’s background: coaching, performance, and lived experience4:10 — Leaving sport without support & why it matters6:45 — Athlete identity and body confidence9:30 — Eating disorder awareness in athletics12:10 — Why the “other 23 hours” matter most15:05 — Coaches as culture-setters18:40 — Starting with the coach before the athlete22:15 — Building team-wide support systems26:30 — Youth and collegiate athlete considerations30:05 — Integrating physical, mental, and emotional performance34:10 — What healthy sport environments actually look like38:20 — Advice for coaches and practitioners41:31 — Closing reflections & appreciationInformation and short-form content on athletes and eating disordersGo here for resources and educationA note on body confidence: The sense of comfort, acceptance, and positive attitude a person has toward their own body. It’s not just about appearance—it’s about how you feel in your own skin, respecting and appreciating your body’s abilities, and being less influenced by societal pressures or unrealistic ideals.For athletes, body confidence is particularly important because it affects performance, recovery, and mental health. Athletes with strong body confidence are more likely to trust their bodies, maintain healthy habits, and enjoy their sport without being hindered by anxiety or shame about their appearance.More content by SportsEpreneur on athlete mental health:Why players are taking control of their health | The pressure placed on college athletes | Teaching resilience in youth sportsConnect with Julie Shiller:LinkedIn | InstagramThe Other 23 Hours CoachingConnect with the host & podcast production team:Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | InstagramSportsEpreneur: LinkedIn | XCredits: Athlete Mindset is part of SportsEpreneurProduced by KazCM and also featured on the QuietLoud Studios podcast network.Beat Provided By https://freebeats.io | Produced By White HotIf you or someone you know is strugglingIf you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, please reach out for support:988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741International resources: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlinesYou’re not alone, and support is available.
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    38 分
  • Suicide Prevention, NIL Pressures, and the Future of Athlete Mental Health | Dr. Kweku Amoasi, PsyD, CMPC

    Suicide Prevention, NIL Pressures, and the Future of Athlete Mental Health | Dr. Kweku Amoasi, PsyD, CMPC
    2025/11/24
    In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, sits down again with Dr. Kweku Amoasi, PsyD, CMPC — licensed psychologist, Certified Mental Performance Consultant®, USOPC psychological services provider, and Chief Wellness Officer for Blaquesmith Consulting.This conversation explores the rising mental health challenges athletes face: suicide prevention, stigma, high-pressure environments, financial realities tied to NIL, and what it actually takes to support athletes across college and pro sports. Dr. Amoasi also reflects on his keynote at the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports Annual Conference and the powerful role social workers play across the sport ecosystem.Lisa brings her dual lens as a clinical social worker and Certified Mental Performance Consultant® — as well as her identity as a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the author of The AthMindset® Workbook: Training Your Mind for Optimal Mental Health in Sport and in Life. Dr. Amoasi brings the energy and brotherhood of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.Both Lisa and Dr. Amoasi are proud members of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Their ongoing dialogue centers on serving the whole athlete — and supporting the caregivers who support them.Episode Chapters0:00 — SportsEpreneur & Athlete Mindset1:22 — Welcome + why this part two matters1:33 — Dr. Amoasi’s background & roles2:35 — Fraternity pride + community as healthy grounding3:18 — Athletes as “superhuman” & stigma of vulnerability4:50 — Why athletes choose silence6:52 — Medication vs self-medication in sport8:22 — “Mental spotters” + invisible weight9:24 — What parents and coaches can do early10:14 — Mental Health First Aid in athletic settings11:40 — Early intervention & normalizing tough conversations12:33 — The evolution of sport psychology (NBA, NCAA, USOPC)14:55 — Embedded counseling vs traditional campus services16:30 — Psychology becoming as normal as the training room17:49 — NIL pressures: identity, development, time, money18:54 — The “three things” rule for college athletes20:03 — NIL reshaping college sports entirely22:04 — Brain development + responsibility overload23:06 — Stress → risk behaviors24:17 — Reflections on the Alliance for Social Workers in Sport keynote26:26 — Why social workers are essential in sport29:28 — Multidisciplinary care in the athlete ecosystem31:04 — Loving the whole athlete33:02 — Advice to emerging sport psych + social work professionals35:47 — Ethics, boundaries, & trusted circles37:39 — Parallel process for clinicians supporting high-visibility athletes38:51 — Why every layer of the system needs support39:56 — Closing appreciation + reflectionsEpisode TopicsSuicide prevention and athlete vulnerabilityStigma, “superhuman” identity, and why athletes don’t speak upMental Health First Aid in sportsEvolution of sport psychology in NBA, NFL, NCAA, and USOPC spacesNIL pressures: performance, academics, money, identitySocial workers’ critical role in sportBalancing ethics, visibility, and careBuilding a trusted professional circleSupporting the whole athlete — and the whole ecosystemFeatured LinksAlliance of Social Workers in Sportshttps://www.aswis.org/AASP – Association for Applied Sport Psychologyhttps://appliedsportpsych.org/The AthMindset® Workbook: Training Your Mind for Optimal Mental Health in Sport and in Lifehttps://athmindset.com/workbookOmega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.https://oppf.org/Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.https://www.deltasigmatheta.org/Connect with Dr. Kweku AmoasiLicensed PsychologistCertified Mental Performance Consultant®Psychological Service Provider — U.S. Olympic & Paralympic CommitteeChief Wellness Officer — Blaquesmith Consulting | https://blaquesmith.com/Author, keynote speaker, mental health advocateProud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaquesmith/Connect with the host & podcast production team:Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | InstagramSportsEpreneur: LinkedIn | XCredits: Athlete Mindset is part of the SportsE Media platform.Produced by KazCM and featured on the QuietLoud Studios podcast network.Beat Provided By https://freebeats.io | Produced By White HotIf you or someone you know is strugglingIf you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, please reach out for support:988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741International resources: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlinesYou’re not alone, and support is available.
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    40 分
  • The Pressure Placed on Kids in Youth Sports

    The Pressure Placed on Kids in Youth Sports
    2025/07/31

    In this episode of Athlete Mindset, we feature an appearance Lisa made on The Sports Backdrop podcast to discuss the mental health dynamics of youth sports, focusing on the pressures young athletes face. The Q&A style discussion includes how coaches can manage different levels of emotions among their players and the critical role of parental behavior in youth sports. This episode, "The Pressure Placed on Kids in Youth Sports," also touches on the growing trend of specialization in youth sports and the importance of teaching athletes to control the controllable.

    "The Pressure Placed on Kids in Youth Sports" Topics:

    1. Pressure on kids in youth sports
    2. Coaches managing different levels of emotions with athletes
    3. Resilience
    4. Parental behavior and parental self-awareness in youth sports
    5. Specialization in youth sports
    6. Control the controllable

    Click here to Contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community

    By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!

    Connect with the host & podcast production team:

    Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram

    SportsEpreneur: LinkedIn | X

    Related content:

    Youth Sports Mental Health | Parents, Coaches, and Resilience

    Mental Health in Youth Sports

    Mississippi State University + Dr. James Barnes | Education, Youth Sports, and Marketing Insight

    Music credit: Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot
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    28 分
  • Beyond the Game: Mental Health in Elite Hoops

    Beyond the Game: Mental Health in Elite Hoops
    2025/06/11

    In this special panel episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, is joined by four standout basketball players—Lucas Williamson, Maya Chandler, Aher Uguak, and Anaya Peoples—for a raw and thoughtful conversation in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Together, they explore the emotional weight of elite competition, personal setbacks, and the human side of sport. From dealing with pressure and injuries to navigating identity, criticism, and support systems, each athlete opens up about what mental wellness really looks like at the college and professional levels—on and off the court.

    Key Takeaways from “Beyond the Game: Mental Health in Elite Hoops”

    • Mental health challenges are common—even at the highest levels of basketball
    • Injury, isolation, and performance pressure can weigh heavily on athlete identity
    • Talking openly about mental health in the locker room builds stronger team culture
    • Overseas careers bring both growth and emotional strain from being far from home
    • Female athletes face unique mental and physical challenges that deserve attention
    • Letting go of control and embracing uncertainty is a powerful mental skill
    • Criticism is often just perspective—athletes must choose what they internalize
    • Support systems like therapy, teammates, and mentors are vital to long-term well-being

    Credits: Athlete Mindset is part of the SportsE Media platform.
    Produced by KazCM and featured on the QuietLoud Studios podcast network.

    Support the Athlete Mindset Community: Click Here to contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community.

    By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!

    Connect with the guest, host, and podcast production team:

    • Lucas Williamson: LinkedIn
    • Maya Chandler: LinkedIn
    • Aher Uguak: LinkedIn
    • Anaya Peoples: LinkedIn
    • Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
    • SportsE Media: LinkedIn | X

    Related episodes to “Beyond The Game: Mental Health in Elite Hoops”:

    • Overcoming Adversity: Lucas Williamson’s Journey Through Injury and Faith
    • Hoops and Healing with Bianca McCall, Reach-In Now
    • AthMindset | Coach Chris Meadows Talks Basketball, Development, and Mindset

    Music: Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot
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    44 分
  • Chris Billam-Smith | Consistency, Character, and the Champion’s Mindset

    Chris Billam-Smith | Consistency, Character, and the Champion’s Mindset
    2025/06/02

    In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, sits down with professional boxer Chris Billam-Smith. Known as "The Gentleman," Chris shares the mindset that’s guided his rise from late-blooming amateur to world champion. He opens up about the power of consistency, the role of family in grounding his identity, and how he mentally prepares for the demands of the ring. Chris also discusses the importance of breathwork, emotional regulation, and the inner shift that happens when the gloves go on. Through it all, he reflects on being more than an athlete — striving to grow as a husband, father, and person.


    Key Takeaways from “Chris Billam-Smith | Consistency, Character, and the Champion’s Mindset”

    • Why Chris embraced boxing at 16 after years of team sports
    • The power of personal accountability and control in individual sports
    • His personal mantra: “Consistency Builds Success” — and how it shaped his career
    • The role of family and fatherhood in evolving his mindset and motivation
    • How breathwork and recovery support his physical and mental performance
    • Balancing the “gentleman” persona with the inner competitor in the ring
    • Lessons in humility, identity, and life beyond the sport

    More about Chris Billam-Smith:

    Chris Billam-Smith, also known as ‘The Gentlemen’, made his professional debut in 2017 under the tutelage of Shane McGuigan. Raised on the sunny shores of Bournemouth, the Commonwealth, British, European and former WBO world Cruiserweight Champion stands with a professional record of 20 wins, and 2 losses (13KO’s). Chris got to live out his fairytale story of becoming world champion at the AFCB vitality stadium, home to his beloved cherries in May 2023 fighting in front of all his friends and family. He dedicated his win to his mum who was suffering with Cancer at the time, as well as how wife Mia. Ambassador to the Dorset Children’s Foundation and as a supporter of the Bournemouth foodbank, Chris has just come away with a win on the huge Eubank vs Benn card, fighting at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. He now looks to become 2X world champ.

    Credits: Athlete Mindset is part of the SportsE Media platform.
    Produced by KazCM and featured on the QuietLoud Studios podcast network.

    Support the Athlete Mindset Community: Click Here to contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community.

    By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!

    Connect with the guest, host, and podcast production team:

    • Chris Billam-Smith: LinkedIn | website
    • Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
    • SportsE Media: LinkedIn | X

    Related episodes to “Chris Billam-Smith | Consistency, Character, and the Champion’s Mindset”:

    • From Adversity to Aspiration: Mariah Mazon’s Softball Journey and Mental Game
    • Who You Are, Not What You Do with Kelsey O'Connor
    • The True Athlete Project Series: Building a Compassionate World Through Sport with Sam Parfitt

    Music: Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot
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    31 分