#476 Mentlaity Wins with former Harvard Womens Basketball Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith,, NFL and MLB Sport Psychologist Dr Jonathan Jenkins, and Sport Psychologist and NCAA Champion Dr. Kimberly O'Brien

In this powerful episode of the Way of Champions podcast, host Jon O'Sullivan brings together three leading voices in sports psychology and coaching: Kathy Delaney-Smith, former Harvard women's basketball coach with 40 seasons and 600+ wins; Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, clinical psychologist for the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox; and Dr. Kimberly O'Brien, founder of Unlimited Resilience and NCAA champion athlete. The conversation centers on the transformative power of mentality in sports and life, emphasizing that true success comes not from wins alone, but from cultivating joy, resilience, gratitude, and love within athletic environments. The guests explore how modern youth face unprecedented mental health challenges due to over-scheduling, 'snowplow parenting,' and social media-driven comparison, leading to a crisis of relevance and belonging. They advocate for a shift from performance obsession to holistic development, promoting 'type two fun'—challenging, collaborative experiences that build lasting joy and connection. Central to their message is the idea that 'feeling equals function': when athletes feel valued, seen, and grateful, they perform at higher levels. The discussion highlights the importance of the 'mirror and window' philosophy in leadership, where coaches take responsibility (mirror) rather than blame others (window), and the need for coaches, parents, and athletes to co-create safe, supportive cultures where mental health and personal growth are prioritized. The episode concludes with a call to view sport as a classroom for life, not just a path to victory.