Hoops and Headspace
If you’re an athlete feeling pressure, battling self-doubt, or trying to stay confident through the ups and downs of sports—this podcast is for you.
Hoops & Headspace is where basketball and mental health collide—real conversations about what athletes go through mentally when nobody’s watching.
We talk about:
- Pressure and performance
- Burnout and mental fatigue
- Confidence and identity
- Recovery, resilience, and life beyond the game
Through honest conversations with athletes, coaches, and mentors, you’ll learn how to manage pressure, rebuild confidence, and develop a mindset that supports both your performance and your life.
This isn’t just about sports—it’s about becoming stronger mentally, on and off the court.
🎥 Featuring Hoops & Headspace Films (sports documentaries)
🏀 Plus Spotlight Live (After Hours) highlighting Tippah County athletes and local sports
📍 Based in Ripley, Mississippi
🎧 New episodes weekly
Episodes
33 episodes
From Blog to Big Moves | Brandon Williams on Sports Media, Consistency & Mental Toughness
Welcome to Hoops and Headspace the podcast where mental health and sports intersect.In this episode, host Jada Rich sits down with Brandon Williams (aka Fresh) founder of Ball Exclusives and a veteran in sports media to break down...
Mental Exhaustion vs Physical Fatigue in Athletes (It’s NOT Laziness)
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “just going through the motions” as an athlete, this episode is for you.In this solo episode of Hoops and Headspace, Jada Rich breaks down the difference between mental exhaustion and physical ...
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From Hate to Leadership: Greg Thomas on Being a Black Quarterback, Mental Toughness & Adversity | Hoops & Headspace
What does it take to lead when the world is against you?In this powerful episode of Hoops & Headspace, host Jada Rich sits down with Greg Thomas — former quarterback and one of the first Black quarterbacks at the University of...
Sobriety, Discipline & Mental Toughness: The Mindset Behind High Performance | Connor Treacy
In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, Jada Rich sits down with Connor Treacy to break down the real mindset behind high performance in sports, business, and life.This conversation dives deep into mental resilience, sobriety, d...
Mental Stamina in Sports: How Athletes Stay Calm Under Pressure
Mental stamina is the difference between athletes who perform under pressure… and those who break.In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, we break down how athletes, coaches, and parents can build mental resilience, manage press...
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D1 Football Scholarship From Small Town Mississippi After Injury | Real Athlete Story
What does it really take to earn a D1 football scholarship coming from a small town in Mississippi?In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, we sit down with Northeast Mississippi athlete Monterio Hunt to talk...
Is AAU Basketball Helping or Hurting Athletes? | Duke James Interview
AAU basketball is one of the biggest influences on young athletes today—but is it helping or hurting them?In this episode of Hoops & Headspace, Jada Rich and Tae Gray sit down with Duke James, founder of Mississippi Rising S...
What People Don’t Tell You About Coaching | Sacrifice, Mental Health & Leadership
In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, hosts Jada Rich and Tae Gray take you behind the scenes of coaching — beyond the wins, losses, and highlight moments.This isn’t about plays or stats.This is about the
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The Heart of Coaching: Insights from Coach John Redman | College Basketball Mindset
Coaching is about more than X’s and O’s — it’s about serving people, building character, and developing resilience. In this episode of Hoops & Headspace, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray sit down with Coach John Redman, head men’s basket...
Navigating the Pressure of Expectations in Sports | Athlete Mindset & Growth
In this episode of Hoops & Headspace, hosts Tae Gray and Jada Rich dive into the intersection of sports and mental health, focusing on the pressures athletes face and how to navigate them. They discuss the...
From Athlete to Physical Therapist: Healing the Mind & Body After Sports Injuries
In this impactful episode of Hoops and Headspace, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray sit down with Sandrika Bowen, owner of Strive Therapy and Wellness Center, to discuss the powerful connection between physical therapy, mental health, and ath...
You Can Be Talented and Still Doubt Yourself | Athlete Confidence & Mental Health
Welcome back to Hoops and Headspace, the podcast where sports and mental health intersect in real conversations that athletes, parents, and coaches actually need.In this episode, hosts Jada Rich and Tae Gray dive into one of the most mi...
What It REALLY Takes to Win a Championship | Mental Toughness, Sisterhood & Basketball
Welcome back to Hoops and Headspace, where we dive into the mental, emotional, and psychological side of sports that rarely gets discussed — especially after the confetti falls.In this powerful episode, host Jada Rich and c...
Why Athletes From Small Towns Don’t “Make It” | Mental Health, Exposure & Community Pressure
Welcome back to Hoops and Headspace, where we explore the mental, emotional, and psychological realities behind sports that often go unspoken.In this episode, hosts Jada Rich and Tae dive deep into a topic that hits ...
Social Media, Rankings & Mental Health in Mississippi Sports|Blake Levine Interview
In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, hosts Jada Rich and Tae Gray sit down with Blake Levine, sports reporter and host of the Magnolia Shine podcast, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation about Mississippi sports, social media, ran...
Building Character Through Football: Mental Health, Failure & Leadership | Coach Rico McDonald
In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray sit down with Rico McDonald, Head Football Coach at Ripley High School, for a powerful conversation about mental health, football,...
The Power of Support in Sports: Mental Health, Injury & Family | Hoops & Headspace
In this deeply personal and emotional episode of Hoops and Headspace, hosts Jada Rich and Tae Gray sit down with Toya and Solomon from the Be Different Podcast to explore the powerful intersection of ment...
Basketball & Mental Health Cam Rucker’s Journey from Ripley to Community Leader Hoops and Headspace Podcast
In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray sit down with Cam Rucker, a basketball player, mentor, and community leader, to discuss the powerful intersection of mental health, baske...
Defying the Odds in Sports & Life Coaching, Parenting & Mental Health Deimara Macon
In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray welcome Deimara Macon — coach, former student-athlete, and mother of young athletes — for a powerful conversation about mental health, pa...
The Mental Game of Football Coaching, Identity & Emotional Intelligence Tony Black Interview
In this episode of Hoops and Headspace, hosts Jada Rich and Tae Gray sit down with football coach Tony Black to explore one of the most overlooked topics in athletics — the mental and emotional side of the game. This...
Leaving Home, Pressure, Injuries & Mental Health in Sports | Tay Hunt Interview | Hoops & Headspace
In this episode of Hoops & Headspace, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray sit down with athlete Tay Hunt for a powerful and transparent conversation about the realities of mental health in sports. From the pres...
How Youth Sports Shape Mental Health, Discipline & Confidence Braylen McDonald Hoops & Headspace
In this powerful episode of Hoops and Headspace, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray sit down with youth sports coach and mentor Braylen McDonald to discuss the real impact sports has on kids beyond the scoreboard.
The Truth About Detoxing, Diet & Performance for Young Athletes|Hoops & Headspace Podcast w Leslie
In this episode of Hoops & Headspace, hosts Jada Rich and Tae Gray sit down with Leslie McDonald Watts — health coach, nutrition educator, and wellness advocate — to break down the REAL connection between nutrition, hydration, mental clarit...
How Coach Rolanda Tipler Builds Strong Athletes & Strong Minds | Hoops & Headspace Podcast
Welcome to another powerful episode of Hoops & Headspace, the podcast where basketball meets mindset, leadership, and real-life growth.In this episode, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray sit down with Coach Rolanda Tipler — Ashland...
Youth Sports Pressure & Mental Health: Are We Pushing Kids Too Hard? | Hoops & Headspace
Youth sports are becoming more intense than ever — but at what cost?In this episode of Hoops & Headspace, Jada Rich and Tae Gray sit down with Hunter Givens (sports writer & former mental-health professional) to break down the me...
