In this inspiring episode of Game Changers Podcast, host Linda Martindale welcomes our very own Sarah Meister—a former Division I volleyball player and now a licensed professional counselor specializing in student-athlete mental health. Sarah shares her journey from being a multi-sport athlete in high school to leading her team at the University of Missouri to an undefeated 32-0 season and an SEC Championship title. She opens up about the mental resilience, team culture, and self-belief that drove her success both on and off the court.

As the Athlete Wellness Director at Millennium Counseling Center, Sarah works with athletes on their mental health, helping them navigate performance pressures, identity challenges, and emotional well-being. In this episode, she and Linda discuss key topics such as the mental side of sports, building a strong team culture, handling jealousy in athletics, and fostering joy in competition.

• Journey to College Athletics: Sarah’s path from a multi-sport high school athlete to playing Division I volleyball at Missouri.
• Mental Resilience & Self-Belief: How mindset, confidence, and perseverance helped her overcome challenges and secure a starting role.
• Transforming Team Culture: The impact of accountability, leadership, and a team-first mentality in building a championship program.
• Handling Jealousy in Sports: Understanding envy among teammates and how to channel it into motivation rather than division.
• Mental Fitness for Athletes: Why training the mind is just as important as training the body for peak performance.
• Coaching & Athlete Well-Being: Strategies for coaches to create an environment where athletes feel valued, supported, and mentally strong.
• This episode originally aired on the Game Changers podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsE Podcast Network // hosted by Linda Martindale: Game Changers | LinkedIn

Millennium Athlete Wellness provides a holistic approach to mental health and performance enhancement for athletes. Our team comprises sports psychology experts and clinical mental health professionals dedicated to helping athletes at all levels achieve peak performance and overall wellness. Each athlete we work with is connected to a licensed counselor, many of whom have personal experience as Division 1 athletes. This unique insight ensures a deep understanding of athletes’ challenges, both on and off the field. Our mission is to support athletes’ mental well-being and performance through expert guidance and empathetic care.

Millennium Athlete Wellness: Website
Sarah Meister: Millennium | LinkedIn

At Millennium Counseling Center, our mission is to provide compassionate and personalized support for individuals facing challenges related to mental health, addiction, relationships, and trauma. Our dedicated and diverse staff works to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for people from all walks of life. We are committed to fostering a program and treatment plan uniquely tailored to your needs and who you are, helping you find a path to healing and growth.

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