full

full
Published on:

23rd Sep 2025

Unlocking Your Emotional Energy for Peak Performance

In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, host James Blasco speaks with Dr. Jarrod Spencer, a leading sports psychologist, about the critical role of emotional energy and mental toughness in performance. They discuss the importance of understanding emotional energy, the necessity of rest and recovery, and the shift in mental health awareness post-pandemic. Dr. Spencer emphasizes that both athletes and business professionals face similar emotional challenges and highlights the significance of emotional health in achieving peak performance. He also provides valuable advice for young athletes and individuals seeking to improve their mental health and performance.

Takeaways

Emotional energy is measured on a scale from 0 to 100.

Mental toughness is closely related to emotional health.

Rest and recovery are essential for high performance.

Emotional fatigue has increased since the pandemic.

Understanding emotional energy can enhance performance.

People in high-pressure roles often experience burnout.

The gut microbiome significantly impacts mental health.

Self-awareness is crucial for emotional intelligence.

Coaching and counseling can provide valuable insights.

Everyone, regardless of status, faces emotional challenges.

Sound Bites

"Rest is critical for performance."

"It's okay not to be okay."

"The gut and mind are connected."


Chapters

(00:00) Understanding Emotional Energy

(02:54) The Importance of Mental Toughness

(06:11) The Role of Rest and Recovery

(08:52) Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health

(12:04) Emotional Energy Management

(14:59) The Connection Between Mind and Gut

(17:48) Advice for Young Athletes

(20:50) The Journey of Self-Discovery


About the Host:

James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience Coach, Certified Neuroscience Coach and a trained and licensed user of the MTQ assessments by AQR International, the global leader in mental toughness assessment. James brings a rich and diverse background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship to his coaching practice.

Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, successfully owned and operated three businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. These experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, effective communication, and the drive required to achieve success.

James is uniquely trained to coach all aspects of mental toughness and resilience. Leveraging the MTQ assessments, including MTQ48 and MTQPlus, he provides clients with valuable insights into their mental strengths and areas for growth. This data-driven approach enables James to deliver highly personalized coaching that drives meaningful progress and achieves measurable results.


About the Guest:

Dr. Spencer's over two decades of experience and expertise is in helping the best of the best with each of their mind’s greatest complexities.

From the Super Bowl to the World Series to the Indy 500 and the Olympics in Paris, Jarrod is one of the preeminent sports psychologists that elite athletes trust the most for their defining opportunities.

As one of the nation’s leading mental health advocates, he’s been featured on CNN, Fox News, BBC, Bloomberg, USA Today, Inc., New York Daily News and ESPN Radio. Dr. Jarrod’s worldwide recognition is further magnified through his role as the ‘iFit mind doc’ on NordicTrack treadmills.

Dr. Spencer’s passion in the fields of health psychology, neuroscience, and peak performance literature empowers his clients to maximize their potential by becoming the emotionally healthiest version of themselves. His signature message is that a clearer mind leads to better health, and in the sports world to a better performance. This message permeates throughout both of his books Mind of the Athlete: Clearer Mind, Better Performance and The Sky Is NOT The Limit: Discovering the True North for Your Life’s Path.

Dr. Spencer has extensive training and experience in the field of health and sports psychology. Before earning a Doctor of Psychology degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, he earned his master’s degree in clinical psychology from West Chester University and his bachelor’s degree in psychobiology from Lafayette College.

Resources:

Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn:   / chargeforwardcoaching  

Facebook:  S / chargeforwardcoaching  

Instagram:  p / chargeforwardcoaching  

YouTube:   o / @chargeforwardcoaching  

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeF...

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForw...

Dr. Jarrod Spencer: https://www.drjarrodspencer.com/tify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeF...

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForw...

Dr. Jarrod Spencer: https://www.drjarrodspencer.com/


emotional energy, mental toughness, performance psychology, rest and recovery, emotional health, sports psychology, mental performance, coaching, resilience, emotional fatigue


All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Charge Forward Coaching

About the Podcast

Charge Forward Coaching
What if the key to unlocking your athletic potential wasn’t just about improving your skills, but strengthening your mind? At Charge Forward Coaching, we believe that mental toughness is the secret weapon every elite athlete needs to excel. In this podcast, we explore how athletes can develop the focus, resilience, and mindset necessary to perform at their best, whether you're a high school athlete facing intense competition or a college athlete aiming for the next level.

We explore essential topics such as mental resilience, providing techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building mental endurance. We also tackle performance anxiety, offering strategies to manage stress and stay focused under pressure. Throughout the show, we focus on mindset mastery, sharing tools to stay motivated, handle setbacks, and maintain peak performance. James Blasco offers expert advice on cultivating a champion's mindset for long-term success, helping athletes gain the mental clarity needed to perform at their highest level.

With expert guidance from James Blasco, each episode empowers athletes with actionable strategies they can apply immediately, enabling them to sharpen their focus, handle adversity, and perform under pressure. James’s coaching approach fosters a supportive and empowering environment, where athletes are encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential. In the world of elite sports, success goes far beyond physical ability—it’s about mastering the mental challenges that arise during competition and ensuring they are prepared to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

In addition to James’s insights, each episode features interviews with top athletes, coaches, and mental performance experts. These guests share their own stories, experiences, and strategies for achieving success in highly competitive environments. Through these conversations, listeners will gain diverse perspectives on how mental toughness plays a pivotal role in their journeys to excellence. Whether it’s learning from a former professional athlete about overcoming personal obstacles, or hearing a coach’s tips for developing a high-performance team mindset, these interviews will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
Join us on this journey to improve your concentration, boost your confidence, and develop the mindset necessary to reach new heights in your athletic career. Start listening today and begin charging forward toward your goals with mental clarity and strength.

About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

About your host

Profile picture for James Blasco

James Blasco