Forged Youth | Legacy Within
Forged Youth: Legacy Within What if the conversations you needed most as a teen athlete were finally being had, openly, honestly, and with purpose? Forged Youth: Legacy Within is the podcast that equips youth athletes (ages 12–24), their parents, and coaches with the mental tools, emotional resilience, and life insight to rise above the noise and grow into strong, intentional human beings. Each episode features real, raw conversations with professional athletes, CEOs, and cultural leaders sharing what they wish they knew when they were younger. We unpack topics like mental grit, overcoming adversity, identity beyond sport, and building a life of purpose, even when things fall apart. Hosted by former elite athlete and mental health advocate Mariel Nichole Anderson, this podcast is your companion through the messy middle of chasing big dreams, and becoming someone even bigger in the process. Because you weren’t born to just survive sport. You were made to be forged by it.
Episodes
What does it take to perform under pressure and actually thrive there? Serbian professional boxer Jelena Janicijevic discovered the power of visualization, mindfulness, and mental training tools that helped her push through fear, overcome setbacks, and achieve history as the first Serbian woman to medal at the European Boxing Championship. Now, as a mentor to young athletes, Jelena reflects on the value of internal mo...
Behind Canadian National Team cyclist Tyler Rorke’s rise is a foundation built by his parents, not just in early rides to practice, but in the way they navigated disappointment, pressure, and big decisions alongside him. When Tyler was cut from Junior Worlds, their steady support helped him process the setback, find his own motivation, and grow stronger for the long game. In this episode, Tyler's parents reflect ...
How do you support your young athlete’s mental toughness without hovering? In this Q&A episode, Mariel and Kyle dig into questions from parents about building resilience, avoiding burnout, and balancing mental and physical training. From stepping back to let kids take ownership, to knowing when to step in and support, they share personal stories, practical tools, and honest insights. You’ll also hear a powerful an...
When a setback shut the door on Tyler Rorke’s biggest dream as a youth cyclist, he chose not to walk away, he doubled down. In this episode, Canadian National Team sprinter Tyler joins Mariel to talk about the path that didn’t go as planned, and how rejection from Junior Worlds became the catalyst that launched his elite career. He shares what it really looks like to train full-time while staying grounded, how he mana...
In this episode, Mariel sits down with Jon Giesbrecht: Director of Mental Performance for the Vancouver Bandits and self-proclaimed "Basketball Whisperer." Together, they unpack the real meaning of mental training in sport, why breath awareness is foundational, and how athletes can move from panic to performance through grounded routines and emotional regulation. Jon shares practical tools athletes can use o...
In this special Q&A episode of Forged: Youth Legacy Within, Mariel invites editor Kyle Donen out from behind the mic and into the conversation. Both former competitive volleyball players, they reflect on how the landscape of mental health and performance training in sport has evolved over the past two decades, and what’s still missing.
Through candid questions and stories from their playing and coaching days, Marie...
What if fear rather than skill is the biggest thing holding your athlete back? In this powerful episode, legendary Canadian basketball coach and mental toughness trainer Shawnee Harlee joins Mariel to dismantle the culture of fear-based performance in youth sports. From “playing not to lose” to the paralyzing weight of FOPO (Fear of People’s Opinions), Shawnee breaks down how athletes, parents, and coaches unknowingly...
What if your biggest moment on the world’s stage was undone by a single thought? In this powerful conversation, tennis pro turned performance coach Jeff Salzenstein sits down with Mariel to unpack the mindset traps that sabotage success, even at the top. From playing Michael Chang in front of 24,000 fans to battling a 15-year-old slump and rewriting his own mental narrative, Jeff shares the turning points that reshape...
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 tr...
This is the last episode under our old brand of 'Probably Important Podcast'. We believe this was the perfect transition between a podcast that was geared soley towards the general umbrella of 'mental health' to the new focus of elite athletes ages 12-24, their parents and coaches; with the mission of making mental training techniques accessible to all! Seth is the perfect example of the power beh...
This is the second last episode of 'Probably Important Podcast', before we turn the page to our new chapter of 'Forged Youth | Legacy Within'.
In this powerful episode, Mariel sits down with Bob Conlin, ontological coach, father, and founder of transformative men's retreats. Bob shares his raw journey through addiction recovery, the life-altering challenges of becoming a father during a high-ri...
Hello all of you incredible humans who are proactive about gaining resources and tools!
We wanted to give you a quick update. For those of you who are here for the first time and expecting it to be a podcast geared towards elite youth athletes, their parents, & coaches; you are in the right place!
The first 46 episodes of this podcast were recorded over the last year and a half when it was 'The Probably Importa...
This isn’t just another podcast episode. It’s an unmasking.
Formerly known as Probably Important, we’re now Forged Youth: Legacy Within—a space where transformation isn’t just talked about, it’s lived. In this episode, Mariel sits down with coach, retreat leader, and modern alchemist Alex Terranova to explore the raw terrain of what it means to be a man in emotional evolution.
Alex talks candidly about the grief of infe...
In this powerful episode, Mariel sits down with Thomas Scaria—coach, author, marathoner, and advocate for living authentically—to explore what it truly means to rise through adversity. From the shock of personal loss and career upheaval to finding strength in long-distance running, Thomas shares the transformative journey that led him to develop his unique framework: "Resilience Plus Rise."
Listeners will hea...
In this episode, Josh and Mariel take a deep dive into the essentials of mental health and effective communication within relationships. They start by unpacking the often-overlooked skill of active listening and the role empathy plays in truly hearing one another. By sharing personal experiences and practical examples, they highlight the importance of being able to recognize and respond to each other’s emotional needs...
In this episode of the "Probably Important Podcast," Sorin shares his personal journey toward authenticity and the transformative power of staying true to oneself. He reflects on the impact of social media, how simplifying complex concepts can make a difference, and the importance of emotional regulation in both personal and professional life. Sorin opens up about overcoming depression, burnout from people-p...
In this episode of the "Probably Important Podcast," Mariel and Josh navigate through technical difficulties to dive deep into important topics surrounding mental health, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. They explore the concept of coaching, including ICF coaching, and how vulnerability and openness on platforms like podcasts can inspire others.
Mariel opens up about her passion for mental health and yo...
This week, we're revisiting a powerful and deeply personal episode where Mariel and Josh explore the complex nature of grief. In this conversation, Mariel shares her experience of grief as a companion to life's major transitions, while Josh offers a perspective that connects grief more closely to death, revealing the universal thread in this human experience.
Mariel opens up about the unexpected los...
In this episode, Josh and Mariel reflect on their personal journeys with mental health, self-care, and the ongoing challenge of balancing their professional and personal lives. They share stories from their recent experiences, including organizing IGNITE2024 - a mental health gala, emphasizing the importance of having a support system.
Mariel opens up about the emotional toll of her event planning, likening it to a pos...
This week's podcast episode is a special repost of our conversation with Jenine Lehfeldt in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month. In this powerful episode, Jenine shares her deeply personal journey of self-discovery, authenticity, and recovery. As someone who has faced significant challenges, including an electrocution injury that ended her film industry career, along with battles with alcoholism and depressio...
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