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Mindful Sport Performance Podcast
Drs. Keith Kaufman and Tim Pineau (along with Dr. Carol Glass) developed the Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) mental training program and founded the MSPE Institute, which provides training and consultation to promote greater success, satisfaction, and well-being in sport and other realms of performance (e.g., performing arts, business). In this podcast, Keith and Tim discuss various topics related to mental training, mindfulness, peak performance, and optimal experience for a wide range of performers -- from recreational to elite, kids to adults. They offer practical tips and exercises from their own work, and interview other top-level experts to highlight effective approaches to performance enhancement. The Mindful Sport Performance Podcast will give listeners a full catalogue of fresh ideas on how to thrive in competitive environments and embrace a more mindful way of being. Get in touch with Keith and Tim at MSPEPodcast@gmail.com
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Episodes
107 episodes
Ep. 105: Can I "Not Care" About Winning a Gold Medal?
In this episode, Keith and Tim discuss the expansive coverage of Alysa Liu's recent gold medal figure skating win in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. She seems to have found and embraced a mentality that is very much aligned with mindfulness, but...
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Ep. 104: Reapproaching Tryouts and Recruiting
In this episode, Keith and Tim discuss what can be the very difficult processes of student-athlete tryouts and recruiting. They explore from a mindfulness-based perspective how athletes can thrive under these pressure-filled conditions, and wha...
Ep. 103: Politics and Sports - What can Mindfulness Teach us?
In this episode, Keith and Tim wade (gently) into the fray of political tensions, and the roles that sports and athletes can sometimes find themselves in. How can mindfulness help in these very complicated situations where there are often no "r...
Ep. 102: What Does it Mean to "Go Through the Motions?"
In this episode, Keith and Tim discuss what it means to show up and do your best (as a performer and/or a meditator), even when you "don't feel like it." Social Media Mentioned:Instagram:
Ep. 101: The "Why" of Mindful Performance
In this episode, Keith and Tim brainstorm on an exciting (and hopefully groundbreaking) insight that had just come up in their MSPE Institute meeting about the "why" of mindfulness as applied to sport performance. Social Media Me...
Ep. 100: Training Your Brain to Beat Chronic Pain with Dr. Carly Hunt
In this episode, Keith and Tim welcome their colleague, sport and health psychologist Dr. Carly Hunt, to discuss her exciting new book and the fascinating topic of training the brain to manage both acute and chronic physical pain. <...
Ep. 99: Bringing Acceptance to Betrayal in Sport
In this episode, Keith and Tim discuss how we can respond to feelings of betrayal in sport - whether related to injury, relationships, losing, or something else - with mindful acceptance. Spoiler alert: it's not easy, but it can be don...
Ep. 98: Relating to Mistakes Differently
In this episode, Keith and Tim discuss how we can relate to mistakes differently. When revisiting what happened - everywhere from in our minds to through sports analytics or film sessions - how the approach we take can influence whether we lear...
Ep. 97: Psychologically Safe Cultures in Sport
In this episode, Keith and Tim discuss psychological safety in sports environments - exactly what is it and why is it so important? And, what role can mindfulness play in helping players, coaches, and administrators to establish psychological s...
Ep. 96: Does Amateurism in Sport Still Exist?
In this episode, Keith and Tim discuss the shifting landscape across levels of sport (from youth through professional) due to rampant monetization. How can we explain what is happening, what are the impacts on athletes' mental health and develo...
Ep. 95: Revisiting Grief and Loss
In this episode, Tim provides a candid update on his grief process and where he finds himself this year at a significant anniversary. His courage and authenticity is on full display, and the resonance is clear whether you are a parent, an athle...
Ep. 94: The Agony and Ecstasy of Sports Rivalries
In this episode, we talk social polarization through the lens of sport rivalries. Is it true that "to hate like this is to be happy forever" or is there advantage in loving even our fiercest competitors? Weigh in on the discussion! ...
Ep. 93: The Value of Practice with Chad McGehee
In this episode, we are re-joined by Chad McGehee, Director of Meditation Training within University of Wisconsin - Madison Athletics. We discuss the value of actually doing mindfulness practice - for athletes, coaches, and mindfulness...
Ep. 92: Building an Elite Culture with Coach Steve Coleman
In this episode, we are joined by Tampa Bay Rowdies Interim Head Coach Steve Coleman to discuss his unique integration of storytelling in building elite soccer/football cultures - first in New Zealand and now in the United States. <...
Ep. 91: MSPE in Real Time
In this episode, we have a candid, impromptu discussion about Tim's recent work with a college rowing team, and the unique experience of crafting a MSPE sport (rowing) meditation with them. Social Media Mentioned:Insta...
Ep. 90: MSPE in International Ballet with Annkathrin Bahr
In this episode, we're joined by Annkathrin Bahr, a clinical and sport psychologist from Munich, Germany. Annkathrin has adapted Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) for the young international ballet dancers she works with at the Heinz...
Ep. 89: Dealing with Uncertainty
In this episode, Keith and Tim discuss the inevitability of uncertainty in life - and how we can relate to it healthily (or less healthily) whether within our families, our cultures, or an athletic competition. Social Media Menti...
Ep. 88: Revisiting Grief and Loss
In this episode, we revisit the topic of grief and loss with Tim to mark the third anniversary of his daughter's passing. In particular, we focus in on the complexity of emotional reactions and the nonlinear evolution of experiences - whether o...
Ep. 87: Is Bare Awareness Actually Possible?
In this episode, Keith and Tim chat about bare awareness. What is it, and is it even possible to achieve or sustain? We dive into everything from the philosophy to the practical applications within sports. Please weigh in on the discussion!&nbs...
Ep. 86: Mindfulness and Sport in Türkiye with Dr. Emre Ozan Tingaz
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Emre Ozan Tingaz from Gazi University in Türkiye. Ozan is doing incredible work in sport psychology - and applications of mindfulness and MSPE, in particular. He talks about the state of the field in Türkiye, how...
Ep. 85: Intersections of Mindfulness Science and Spirituality with Dr. Michael Gerson
In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Michael Gerson - professor, consultant, and mindfulness expert. Michael has worked in numerous elite, high-performance settings including academia, U.S. Special Operations, and Major League Baseball. He lend...
Ep. 84: Journey into Early Career Sport Psychology with Dr. Tommy Minkler
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Tommy Minkler back to the podcast. Tommy is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport Leadership and Management at Miami University. He also works in private practice as a provisionally licensed p...
Ep. 83: A Decade of Mindful Program Building with Kate Athing
In this episode, we welcome back our first-ever guest from way back in Season 1, Marymount University Women's Lacrosse Head Coach, Kate Athing. Kate and our very own Tim Pineau have worked together for a decade now on building and implementing ...
Ep. 82: The Art of Failing Better with Dr. Ashley Kuchar
In this episode, Dr. Ashley Kuchar, mental performance coach and founder of Fail Better Training, returns to the podcast to discuss her latest RESET (Resilience and Enhancement in Sport, Exercise, & Traini...
Ep. 81: Bringing EEG into MSPE with Jackson Whitlow
In this episode, we welcome California State University - Chico graduate student Jackson Whitlow to discuss his new groundbreaking research incorporating EEG (brain activity recording) technology into Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE...