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Forged Youth | Legacy Within
Forged Youth: Legacy Within
What if the conversations you needed most as a teen athlete were finally being had, openly, honestly, and with purpose?
Forged Youth: Legacy Within is the podcast that equips youth athletes (ages 12–24), their parents, and coaches with the mental tools, emotional resilience, and life insight to rise above the noise and grow into strong, intentional human beings.
Each episode features real, raw conversations with professional athletes, CEOs, and cultural leaders sharing what they wish they knew when they were younger. We unpack topics like mental grit, overcoming adversity, identity beyond sport, and building a life of purpose, even when things fall apart.
Hosted by former elite athlete and mental health advocate Mariel Nichole Anderson, this podcast is your companion through the messy middle of chasing big dreams, and becoming someone even bigger in the process.
Because you weren’t born to just survive sport. You were made to be forged by it.
Forged Youth | Legacy Within
Season 1 Ep 9 - Distress Tolerance - What is it and how does it effect our lives?
Defining Distress and Tolerance
Josh and Mariel start by defining distress as uncomfortable feelings stemming from thoughts or situations. They explain distress tolerance as the ability to endure distress without resorting to dysfunctional behaviors.
Parenting and Building Distress Tolerance
Mariel shares a personal anecdote about their daughter's struggles with learning chores, highlighting the importance of teaching children to tolerate discomfort. They discuss the delicate balance in parenting between nurturing and allowing space for distress.
The Concept of Windows of Tolerance
Josh elaborates on the concept of a "window of tolerance," likening it to a window that can shrink under stress. Distress tolerance widens this window, aiding in emotional regulation and wise decision-making. They discuss how meditation can cultivate presence in the face of discomfort.
Practical Activities for Building Distress Tolerance
Josh suggests a beginner activity—standing motionless in a doorway for two minutes—to practice observing thoughts and sensations without distraction or judgment.
Cultivating Compassion Through Distress Tolerance
They explore the connection between distress tolerance and empathy, noting that understanding others' unique experiences of discomfort can foster compassion.
The Evolution of Distress Tolerance
Josh outlines the stages of distress tolerance, from intolerance to tolerance to compassion. He emphasizes that true compassion involves not just enduring distress but actively entering distressing situations to offer support, leading to more effective responses.
Join us on this journey of exploring distress tolerance and its profound impact on mental health and relationships.
