What does it really mean to train your mind like an athlete?

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, sports psychologist Maggie Goodman breaks down the mental tools that fuel performance from everyday runners to competitive athletes. We dive into self talk, imagery, body image, stress recovery, and how to build a process focused mindset that holds up through setbacks, injury, and race day pressure.

If you’ve ever struggled with comparison, burnout, or pushing too hard too fast this one’s for you.

🎧 Topics we cover:
• The power of self-talk (and how to reframe it)
• Imagery for confidence, clarity, and race prep
• Why runners struggle with overtraining and burnout
• Body image and identity beyond the sport
• How to celebrate small wins that fuel motivation
• The role of routine and recovery in high performance
• Mental skills that make you resilient long-term

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sports Psychology in Running
03:23 Maggie's Journey into Sports Psychology
05:39 The Importance of Mindset in Fitness Goals
07:17 Transforming Weight Loss Goals into Meaningful Objectives
09:38 Common Trends Among Runners Training for Chicago Marathon
12:23 Self-Talk Strategies for Runners
15:06 Preparing for Race Day Challenges
19:47 Mental Strategies for Endurance Running
25:32 The Role of Self-Talk and Cognitive Distortions
31:33 Body Image and Self-Acceptance in Athletes
36:36 The Impact of Social Media on Athletic Identity
40:36 The Importance of Expertise in Sports Psychology
41:02 Structuring Your Day for Success
42:56 The Role of Stress Recovery in Performance
47:34 Mental Skills for Runners
51:27 The Power of Imagery in Sports Psychology
56:07 Resources for Aspiring Athletes
58:24 Maggie's Journey and Future Plans
01:01:47 Closing

Follow:
IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast
Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Maggie:
IG: instagram.com/mag.goodman/
https://www.mgoodmanperformance.com/