Welcome the Athlete Mindset podcast, hosted by Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC. This is part two of our three-part series with The True Athlete Project. Lisa chats with Sam Parfitt, the CEO and founder of The True Athlete Project. Sam is a former NCAA Division I tennis player, a coach, and a mindfulness teacher. He holds a Master’s in Science in Sport Policy, Management, and International Development from the University of Edinburgh

In this episode, Sam shares his story of loving tennis as a kid, only to see it turn cold and destructive. This inspired him to use mindfulness to improve performance, support mental health, and build a kinder sports culture. He also discusses techniques like mindful walking and body scans that his organization uses to help athletes.

Key Takeaways from “The True Athlete Project Series: Building a Compassionate World Through Sport with Sam Parfitt”

• Sam’s personal story: How the joy of sport turned cold and destructive, sparking his mission.
• The role of mindfulness in performance, well-being, and building compassionate communities.
• Overcoming the “old school” mentality: Making mental fitness accessible and relevant.
• Favorite mindfulness practices for athletes: Mindful walking and body scans.
• The True Athlete Project’s mission to revolutionize sport for individuals and society.

Credits: Athlete Mindset is part of the SportsE Media platform.
Produced by KazCM and featured on the QuietLoud Studios podcast network.

Support the Athlete Mindset Community: Click Here to contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community.

By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!

Connect with the guest, host, and podcast production team:

• Sam Parfitt: LinkedIn | website
• Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
• SportsE Media: LinkedIn | X

Related episodes to “The True Athlete Project Series: Building a Compassionate World Through Sport with Sam Parfitt”:

• The True Athlete Project Series: Embracing Identity and Purpose with Oz Marginean
• Embracing Grief and Building Community with Myra Sack
• AthMindset | Sport Social Work with Dr. Stacy Kratz

Music: Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot