Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).

“It’s scary as hell, but be vulnerable.” – Dr. Tess Palmateer

In this episode of the Peak Sports Psychiatry Podcast, Dr. Mark Allen and Dr. Tommy Horn sit down with Dr. Tess Palmateer, the Mental Health Coordinator for the New York Mets.

Tess shares her journey from being a collegiate volleyball player to pioneering mental health support in both college athletics and professional sports. The conversation covers how universal screening reduces stigma, the pressures of NIL and social media, the pivotal role of athletic trainers, and what it takes to sustain mental health across a grueling 162-game season.

Whether you’re a student-athlete, a clinician, or simply passionate about sports and mental health, Tess’s insights offer practical takeaways for supporting athletes at every level.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).

In this episode of the Peak Sports Psychiatry Podcast, Dr. Mark Allen and Dr. Tommy Horn sit down with Dr. Alex Auerbach, performance psychologist (NBA, NFL) and founder of Momentum Labs.

Alex shares his journey from leaving a dream role with the Toronto Raptors to building a platform that makes mental skills training accessible to youth athletes everywhere. The conversation dives into:

• 🧠 How AI can support, not replace, human connection in sports psychology

• ⚡ The role of high agency in athlete performance

• 🏀 Cultural differences between the NBA and NFL on mental health

• 🌱 What the ideal youth sports experience looks like

• 🚀 The future of performance psychology and athlete wellness

Sound bites from Alex:
👉 “I think a lot of growth is nonlinear.”
👉 “These athletes are humans first.”
👉 “Being present is a powerful mental skill.”

Listen in for a fascinating conversation on where sports, psychology, and technology intersect.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.).

In this episode, Dr. Mark Allen and Dr. Tommy Horn sit down with Dr. Sue Schimmel and Maureen Breeze, authors of Playing the Long Game, to explore the critical intersection of mental health and sports performance. Together, they unpack the dynamics between athletes, parents, and coaches—highlighting the importance of resilience, communication, and psychological safety in youth sports.

From technology’s impact on problem-solving to the role of listening over lecturing, this conversation offers practical insights for parents and coaches supporting athletes on and off the field. The discussion also spotlights the Coach-Athlete-Parent Project, an initiative designed to strengthen relationships and foster healthier team cultures.

Key themes:

• How parental support can both empower and hinder athlete independence

• Why resilience and setbacks are essential for long-term growth

• Generational differences in parenting athletes today

• The impact of technology on youth development

• Building trust and boundaries between coaches and parents

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode will leave you with strategies to “play the long game” in supporting athletic and personal development.