Unit3d w/ B1G Team at Indiana University

n this episode of the United with BigTeam at Indiana University podcast, host Eli Friedman, a 5th Year PhD Candidate, engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Troy Moles, Director of Counseling and Sports Psychology at Indiana University Athletics. They explore Dr. Moles' journey to becoming a sports psychologist, and the role of cognitive behavioral therapy in facilitating change and the power of humility as a clinician. The discussion also touches on the cultural shifts within Indiana athletics, the significance of assessment in sports psychology, and the myths surrounding the field. Dr. Moles emphasizes the importance of focusing on what is best for the student athlete, highlighting the need for humility and hard work in the profession.

In this episode of the Unit3d podcast, doctoral student and BigTeam member, Katy Johnson, is joined by Dr. Jesse Michel, a renowned expert in sport and performance psychology. Katy and Jesse delve into the complex topic of the yips, exploring their own experiences with it, its impact on athletes, the stigma surrounding it, and strategies for overcoming it. Jesse shares his personal experiences and insights from working with elite athletes, offering valuable advice for athletes, coaches, parents, and teammates on how to support those affected by the yips across all sports.Dr. Jesse Michel is a Sport and Performance Psychology professional within the Deloitte Performance Psychology program. Over the last 20 years, he has had the privilege of providing mental training services to MLB and NBA MVPs, CEOs, World Series champions, US Soldiers, Olympians, and NCAA champions. Jesse is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant via the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

SummaryIn this first episode of Unit3d w/BigTeam at Indiana University, Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt sits down with a fellow former collegiate football player, Clinical Sport Psychologist Dr. Jacob Cooper. Together, Jesse and Jacob explore a range of topics, ranging from football to masculinity to oxytocin to Oracles. This engaging episode will give viewers insights into comprehensive masculinity, clinical techniques to maximize men’s ability to perform and to connect, applications to military and NASCAR spaces, as well as a cameo appearance from a prophet who gives his predictions on the CFP Championship game AND the Super Bowl! It is a fun and informative conversation between two meathead doctors who model and care about men’s mental heath, on the football field and beyond.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mental Health in Sports04:26 Dr. Cooper's Journey in Sports Psychology06:43 The Injury Clinic: A New Approach09:55 Building Trust with Coaches and Athletes12:34 The Importance of Visibility and Credibility16:36 Cultural Humility in Sports Psychology21:18 Breaking Down Barriers to Help-Seeking24:46 Modeling Emotional Intelligence in Athletics25:47 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence in Sports26:31 Working with High-Performance Teams28:00 Integrating Physiological Metrics in Training30:36 The Role of Visualization in High-Stress Situations33:21 Community Resilience During Crisis37:00 Leadership and Its Impact on Team Dynamics42:30 Reflections on Loss and Community StrengthGuest BioDr. Jacob Cooper is the Associate Athletic Director of Sport Psychology and Mental Wellness at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. He has worked with athletes at the Olympic, Professional, and Division-1 levels over the course of his career. Dr. Cooper has worked with athletes and staff throughout the NFL, NASCAR, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and PGA. With a unique background and training in the areas of occupational and industrial psychology, culture building, leadership training, and military psychology, he has provided performance optimization for military personnel prior to their deployments as well as counseling for veterans transitioning back to civilian life throughout Western North Carolina, Indiana, and Boston.

In this Jay-Z homage titled episode, Unit3d listeners meet Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt and his dynamic crew of 12 elite PhD students from Indiana University—the B1G Team. These Hoosiers are taking over the mic and rebooting Unit3d in 2026 as “Unit3d w/ B1G Team at Indiana University.”The podcast will continue its mission to educate, entertain, and inform, focusing on the mental health and wellbeing of student-athletes while exploring the complexities of their experiences and the role of sports psychology. With a diverse group of hosts bringing unique perspectives and research interests, future episodes will dive deep into topics that matter most to athletes and those who support them.This 258th episode gives listeners an inside look at the new team, a preview of upcoming themes, and a taste of what’s to come in this exciting relaunch. Enjoy the introduction—and get ready for the next era of Unit3d!

Morgan Weaver is a professional soccer player for the NWSL team the Portland Thorns. She was an athlete at Washington State University at the time of Tyler Hilinski’s death. In this episode of Unit3d she discusses the importance of truly checking in on each other, talking through difficulties and struggles with someone as well as being there for those who are struggling. She also talks about the fight to eradicate stigma surrounding mental health issues and her experiences as a collegiate and professional athlete.

The past few weeks have been painful and heavy for our nation. Conversations are difficult and tensions are extremely high. The Black community is hurting. So many in the White community want to help but feel unsure as to how. Dr. Kensa Gunter, clinical and sport psychologist, talks today with Dr. Josie Nicholson about how to start the conversation and how to be an ally. She also talks about how educational institutions can work to support their student athletes and how athletes can help and support each other