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From Volleyball Courts to Life’s Crossroads | Mariel’s Story of Grit and Survival

What if the mental skills you learn in sports could actually save your life? For mental performance coach Mariel Anderson, they did.

In this powerful episode, Mariel takes us deep into her journey, from being a homeschooled kid who barely knew how to play sports, to discovering her love for volleyball, rising as a national athlete, and training under a visionary coach who taught her the secrets of mental toughness. But her story doesn’t end with medals and victories.

A single night at nationals changed everything when Mariel experienced a traumatic assault that derailed her athletic dreams and left her fighting for her identity, her future, and her mental health.

Hear how the mental tools she learned on the volleyball court became her lifeline through trauma, how she rebuilt her life from zero more than once, and why she’s dedicated her career to helping young athletes develop the grit and resilience to navigate both sport and life’s toughest moments.

This is not just a story about sports, it’s a raw, honest look at the power of mindset, healing, and forging strength from unimaginable pain.

Tune in and discover why Forged Youth | Legacy Within exists , and how the same mental skills that make champions on the court can save lives off it.