In this episode of the Athlete Mindset podcast, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC welcomes Mariah Mazon, a professional softball player and aspiring sports psychology professional. Mariah shares her journey from a youth softball player in Tulare, California, to a standout two-way star at Oregon State, and now a pro with Athletes Unlimited. She opens up about navigating major adversities, including the COVID-19 season disruption and a hamstring injury during her senior year, and how she leaned on family, physical activity, and mental strategies like meditation and focal cues to stay grounded. Mariah also discusses the unique challenges of transitioning to professional softball, from the pressure of the Athletes Unlimited point system to managing media and fan interactions. Her insights into mental preparation and her vision to create a holistic training facility for young athletes make this a must-listen for athletes and coaches alike.

As she pursues her master’s in Sport and Performance Psychology, Mariah reflects on how her experiences with a sports psychologist shaped her approach to coaching and mental resilience. This episode offers practical tools and inspiration for young athletes navigating transitions and building mental toughness.

Key Takeaways from "From Adversity to Aspiration: Mariah Mazon’s Softball Journey and Mental Game"

Navigating COVID Disruptions: Mariah leaned on family time, board games, and outdoor activities like running to maintain mental health during the uncertain 2020 season cancellation.
Mental Recovery from Injury: A hamstring tear in her senior year challenged Mariah’s mindset; she used meditation and team sports psychology sessions to focus on pitching and regain balance.
Power of Mental Tools: Mariah relies on pre-game meditation, physical focal cues (e.g., grounding her feet), and verbal cues like “WIN” (What’s Important Now) to stay present and manage distractions.
Pro-Level Challenges: The Athletes Unlimited point system, public leaderboards, mandatory fan interactions, and living in hotels create unique pressures that require mental discipline.
Overcoming Negative Self-Talk: Exposure to a sports psychologist helped Mariah recognize and shift negative self-talk from harsh coaching, boosting her performance and confidence.
Transition Tips: Mariah advises young athletes to focus on mental preparation routines, reflecting on successful games to identify what mental strategies work best.
Future Vision: Mariah aims to open a Central Valley facility offering physical and mental training for young athletes, addressing the lack of resources she faced growing up.

More about Mariah Mazon:

Mariah Mazon is a Tulare, California, native and standout softball player, best known for her dominant two-way career at Oregon State as both a pitcher and hitter. After college, she went pro with Athletes Unlimited Softball League, represented Team USA internationally, and played overseas in Japan with the Toda Medics. She later transitioned into coaching, with stops at Holy Names University and the Academy of Art University. Mariah is currently pursuing a master's degree in Sport and Performance Psychology at California State University, Fresno.

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

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

Mariah Mazon: Team USA
Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
SportsE Media: LinkedIn | X

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