MOJO MODE with Annie O

Welcome to Sports Mojo!

In this episode, I share one of my personal stories of adversity, mindset, and triumph. At the Division 1 women’s college basketball level, the three-point shot is one of the most important of the game. In high school, I had practiced for years and years as a jump-shooter and then during my freshman season at Illinois, a mental block took over and I couldn’t hit the rim from behind the three point line! I knew I had to fix my shot to become a top player - but how? A couple years later, the moment came where it was time to fix my shot once and for all - and I went back to the basics. I repeated the mantra form that I learned when I was six-years-old: toe, knee, elbow, ball. Slowly but surely, I retrained my entire body to shoot with a cohesive, aligned flow. Listen to today’s episode to hear the backstory of one of my favorite and frequent mindset practices of going back to the basics. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: What I do when I'm up against something that feels insurmountable or too complicated Simple ways to take the pressure off and get out of your head The incredible outcomes of going back to basics during my basketball career Learning to pivot when your ideal plan gets set off course Special Offers: If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod Follow Us: Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter Anne’s Website Anne’s LinkedIn Anne’s Instagram Anne’s Twitter

I’m joined by Dr. Margaret Rutherford, a psychologist with over 25 years of experience, author of Perfectly Hidden Depression, and host of The SelfWork Podcast. Her research is mainly centered around the mental health effects of perfectionism. She’s passionate about helping people get out of that thought pattern and live authentic, balanced, and healthy lives. Perfectly Hidden Depression is a compassionate guide that walks readers through the process of understanding their perfectionism, identifying destructive beliefs, and uncovering repressed emotions. Dr. Margaret details tangible tips for quieting that critical inner voice, and powerful strategies for coping with difficult feelings, including her ‘5 C’s’ method. She created The SelfWork Podcast, which has over 300 episodes and 3.5 million downloads, to broaden the conversation around mental health. Dr. Margaret also works closely with This Is My Brave, a non-profit organization that believes in the power of storytelling to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness. This Is My Brave has produced over 75 unique shows in cities across the world and featured nearly 875 storytellers sharing true, personal stories on overcoming depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more. Listen to today’s episode to hear how Dr. Margaret is breaking down barriers and normalizing conversations about mental health. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: How Dr. Margaret made the bold decision to pivot her career from singer to therapist Recognizing when your actions are driven by the past, and how to shift that narrative Leaning and growing into your curiosities and passions - even in your 60’s How to identify signs and symptoms of perfectly hidden depression in your loved ones The importance of keeping your energy focused on what you have control over About our guest: Dr. Margaret's Website Dr. Margaret's Instagram The SelfWork Podcast Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism That Masks Your Depression This Is My Brave Special Offers: If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod Follow Us: Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter Anne’s Website Anne’s LinkedIn Anne’s Instagram Anne’s Twitter

I’m joined by Steven Benedict, a professional track and field athlete and Olympic Trials Qualifier, to discuss his unique and inspiring story. There are over 400,000 children in the foster care system, and at just a few months old, Steven became part of that statistic. At eight years old, he and his younger brother were adopted by a supportive and loving family who encouraged him to try out every sport that sparked his interest. Though he was involved in all different after-school activities growing up, Steven felt naturally inclined and interested in track and field. Since then, he’s done consistent work to build internal confidence and become a world-class athlete. In addition to competing in the Adidas Classic Diamond League and US Nationals, he ran for Nike for 2 years and was a Penn Relays Champion. Off the track, Steven is the founder of Empowering Movement, a coaching business that offers tailored programs to elite and up-and-coming athletes that utilizes his signature Performance Coaching Method. He’s also the founder of a non-profit organization called Fostering Success, which pairs professional athletes with foster kids to create awareness, offer mentorship, and support ongoing opportunities for fostered and adopted children nationwide. Listen to today’s episode to learn more about Steven’s incredible story and how he’s working to create sustainable change in the foster care system. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: How being exposed to different activities and communities as a child added up and expanded Steven’s track and field skill set What Steven means when he calls running a ’soul sport’ How Steven has worked to develop his mental, physical, spiritual, and situational awareness The reality of what it takes to be a professional athlete Steven’s vision for Fostering Success and how he plans to move the needle in the foster care system About our guest: Steven's Website Fostering Success Website Special Offers: If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod Follow Us: Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter Anne’s Website Anne’s LinkedIn Anne’s Instagram Anne’s Twitter

I’m joined by chef, food blogger, photographer, recipe developer, and creator of Ask Chef Dennis®, Dennis Littley. He’s an online cooking sensation known for sharing his recipes and techniques that result in restaurant-quality meals in under 30 minutes. After transitioning from chef to food services management, Dennis landed in the cafeteria of an all-girls Catholic high school. He was tired of the same old pizza and chicken nuggets, and decided to use his fine dining experience to revamp the menu. He eventually created a culinary program that brought acclaim to the school and was used as a model for other schools around the country. It was around that time that he started his food blog to provide a space for his trainees to learn more and connect, but he also gained a global following. Dennis and I discuss what inspired him to get out of his comfort zone, start recording cooking videos, and develop new social media skills. He shares the stories behind some of his most popular recipes, including the fan-favorite tiramisu, and what his vision is for his culinary travel series. Throughout his career, Dennis has always been dedicated to paying it forward and opening people’s minds to the world of possibility that exists within the home kitchen. Even in a prosperous and privileged country like the US, ​there are millions of children and adults who don’t get the daily meals they need in order to thrive. Dennis is passionate about the work that the folks over at Feeding America do to ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all Americans. Listen to today’s episode to hear Chef Dennis’ story and find joy in the one thing that brings us together: delicious food! Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Simplecast, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: The importance of surrounding yourself with a with a team that lifts you up and delegating tasks Reigniting the spark for something that you love after experiencing burnout Tips for becoming more present in the cooking and eating process Being open to learning new skills and reinventing yourself in retirement How Dennis is upgrading his website and staying on top of food trends Dennis’ philosophy of giving everything in life three chances About our guest: Dennis' Blog Dennis' Instagram Dennis' Facebook Dennis' TikTok Feeding America Website Special Offers: If there’s a topic or charity you want me to highlight on the podcast, DM it to me on Instagram @getbusylivin_pod Follow Us: Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Website Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Instagram Get Busy Livin’ Podcast Twitter Anne’s Website Anne’s LinkedIn Anne’s Instagram Anne’s Twitter