Real Talk for Sport Parents Podcast

Hosted by Samantha Livingstone

Ep. 4 - Dr. Andreas Stamatis - Unlocking Mental Toughness

In this thought-provoking episode, Samantha sits down with Dr. Andreas Stamatis - researcher, professor, and mental performance expert - to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in youth sports: mental toughness. Together, they redefine what it actually means, how it can be developed, and why old-school approaches rooted in pressure and punishment fall short.

Dr. Stamatis introduces a more compassionate, evidence-based framework - centered around eight mental skills and three mindset pillars - that equips parents to help their kids handle adversity and strive with intention. Whether your child is elite or just starting out, this conversation is packed with practical insight to guide their growth and your role in supporting it.

00:00 - Welcome + how Samantha met Dr. Stamatis
08:35 - The Special Forces moment that changed his view on mental strength
13:20 - Defining mental toughness: a mindset, not a personality trait
18:05 - Why yelling doesn’t build mental toughness
22:12 - What are the three pillars? Purpose, efficiency, and flexibility
30:14 - Why overprotecting your child can hurt their growth
39:20 - What does real emotional regulation look like in kids and parents?
46:58 - How parent language impacts a child’s confidence
54:50 - Reframing failure through optimistic thinking
1:09:45 - The “car ride home” framework: 3 powerful questions to ask your athlete

Quotes

· “A mentally tough person is not defined by their goals - but by their mindset.”

· “Uncomfortable doesn't mean bad. Discomfort is the beginning of growth.”

· “Success isn’t winning or losing. It’s showing up with purpose, flexibility, and efficiency.”

Social Media and Links

· RTSP Instagram

· samanthalivingstone

· Andreas Stamatis Instagram

Resources + Mentions:

· Mental Toughness Index (MTI)

· Medium articles by Dr. Stamatis

· PubMed + Google Scholar: Search “Andreas Stamatis”