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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.
74 Episodes
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Send us a text Dr. Claire joins the podcast for a powerful conversation that every parent, coach, and athlete needs to hear. With a background in neuroscience, physiology, and youth mental health, she breaks down what’s actually happening inside the bodies and brains of young athletes and why so many are struggling with burnout, fatigue, chronic stress, and emotional overwhelm. Throughout the episode, Dr. Claire explains how sleep, screen exposure, stress hormones, and daily nervous system he...
Send us a text In this conversation, Daria Albers opens a window into what true high-level performance really requires. A world-class mental performance coach and former professional fighter, Daria works globally with UFC athletes, Special Operations Forces, and top-tier performers across sport and business. Her approach blends psychology, mindfulness, nervous system training, and embodied awareness into a style of coaching that is as grounded as it is transformative. Drawing from backgrounds...
Send us a text In this week's Q&A, Mariel and Jordan dig into one of the most confusing issues facing youth sports today: the blurry line between a firm, well-intentioned coach… and one who crosses into harmful territory. Throughout the episode, they dive into the pressures today’s coaches face, the rise of “old school” intensity, and the ways young athletes (especially girls) respond differently to certain coaching styles. Mariel reflects on growing up under a brutally demanding coach an...
Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Joel Kerr breaks down what young athletes actually need to thrive and the answers may surprise you. He calls on parents to step into the role of “recovery coach”: creating a safe emotional environment, supporting real nutrition, and protecting sleep, rather than critiquing performance or chasing stats. He explains how the student athlete exists in a triangle alongside the coach and the parent, where all three need aligned goals and values to support healthy...
Send us a text In this episode, Mariel sits down with Brett Devloo, a blind skateboarder, sponsored athlete, and living example of what grit really looks like. Brett lost his vision at 16. But instead of giving up the thing he loved most, he got back on his board and refused to stop skating. He shares how he learned to trust his body without his sight, why losing his vision actually removed his fear, and how having the right coach and community changed the course of his life. Brett opens up a...
Send us a text In this Q&A, Mariel and Jordan break down one of the most common moments in youth sport: when an athlete feels like they’re “too good” for the level they’re training at or feels stuck in an environment that doesn’t match their goals. They share why there’s no such thing as wasted practice time, and how the mindset an athlete brings to each session matters more than the environment itself. From using lower-level reps intentionally, to the power of deliberate practice, to tur...
Send us a text In this episode, Mariel sits down with Andrew Marshall, a Certified Master Coach and 3rd-degree Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, to explore the mindset lessons that turn good athletes into exceptional humans. From his early years in baseball and football to finding his true calling in martial arts and coaching, Andrew shares how pain, injuries, and setbacks shaped his philosophy of growth. Together, they unpack the dangers of perfectionism, the balance between competitiveness and joy, and...
Send us a text Professional horse trainer and coach Jim Greendyk joins Mariel this week to explore the mindset behind mastery in sport, work, and life. Jim draws from his experience in the world of high-level horsemanship to show how self-awareness, emotional control, and presence are the real foundations of great performance. Together, they unpack what it means to stay calm under pressure, why toughness without connection fails, and how athletes (and parents) can use mindfulness to build con...
Send us a text In this episode, Mariel and Jordan dive into one of the most debated topics in youth sports: should kids focus on one sport or play multiple? Pulling from real-life coaching and parenting experience, they unpack the balance between commitment and freedom, structure and fun. From learning how to teach accountability to knowing when it’s okay to miss practice, or even walk away from a sport, they explore what it really means to raise athletes who love the game and stay resilient....
Send us a text Before Forged Youth became a movement, it started as survival. In this raw, unfiltered, and deeply human episode, Mariel Anderson, founder, athlete, and mental resilience coach, shares her origin story for the first time without filters. Growing up as a top-tier volleyball player, Mariel was introduced early to the power of mental training: visualization, emotional regulation, and focus. But at just 15 years old, everything changed when she was assaulted at a tournament, an eve...
Send us a text What does it take to bounce back when life (and sport) knocks you down? In this episode, David 'Jacko' joins Mariel to share powerful lessons on resilience, mindset, and confidence. From his own journey through challenges to coaching young athletes, Jacko breaks down what separates those who plateau from those who rise. We dive into why confidence built only on “winning” won’t last, how to reframe setbacks into growth, and the habits athletes (and their parents) need to support...
Send us a text In this episode, Mariel sits down with Jordan Owens to explore the lessons sport teaches far beyond the rink. From resilience and mental toughness to leadership and building strong relationships, Jordan shares how his hockey journey shaped his perspective on life after sport. He reflects on overcoming adversity, the importance of adaptability, and how athletes can redefine success for themselves once their competitive careers end. Packed with insights for athletes, parents, and...
Send us a text In this episode, Mariel introduces a new member of the Forged Youth team: former professional hockey player, Jordan Owens. After a 12-year pro career that took him across North America and Europe (including signing with the New York Rangers and playing in top leagues in Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the UK), Jordan now helps others develop the mindset, clarity, and discipline needed to pursue their potential, both on and off the ice. Together, Mariel and Jordan tackle real quest...
Send us a text In this powerful and personal episode, Mariel is joined by longtime friend and 5th-degree black belt Mike Blom, a dedicated martial artist and national-level competitor, who’s getting ready to represent Canada at the ITF World Championships in Croatia. From ninja turtles and Power Rangers to the intense, disciplined world of Taekwondo, Mike shares the deeply human side of martial arts. He opens up about what it really means to step into the ring, not just to fight, but to face ...
Send us a text 🎙️ Inside Volleyball Tryouts: Playing Time, Fair Play & Earning Your Spot In this special episode, Mariel sits down in person with editor and longtime volleyball coach Kyle to dig deep into the real conversations happening around youth volleyball. From the evolution of "Fair Play" rules to the pressure of earning playing time, this candid discussion unpacks the growing tension between development and competition. Whether you're a parent wondering why your kid isn’t starting...
Send us a text What does it really take to develop an elite athlete and how can parents best support their child’s journey? In this episode, former professional ice hockey coach Alex Stein shares his insights on the fundamentals of high performance. From building confidence through intentional practice to developing resilience through adversity, Alex highlights the habits and mindset that separate good athletes from great ones. Alex and Mariel also dive into the challenges of parenting high-a...
Send us a text 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 motivation, focusing on daily processes, and staying true to yo...
Send us a text 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 on how they balanced guidance with independence, created a safe sp...
Send us a text 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 anxiety-calming technique from a Serbian boxing champion that a...
Send us a text 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 manages pressure before big races, and why recovery is just as im...
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