The FAKTR Podcast

#132 - When Performance Becomes Personal: Mental Health, Identity, and the Injured Athlete with Dr. Karolina Shander, Part 2

July 17, 2026·33 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

When Performance Becomes Personal: Mental Health, Identity, and the Injured Athlete Part 2 with Dr. Karolina ShanderIn Part 2 of our conversation with licensed psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Dr. Karolina Shander, we continue exploring the connection between mental health, performance, recovery, and clinical care.Dr. Shander shares practical insight for healthcare providers on how to bring up mental health support with patients in a way that feels collaborative, not dismissive. We discuss patient agency, injury recovery, career-ending injuries, burnout, difficult conversations, and how providers can ask better questions to understand what may be happening beneath the surface.This episode also looks at the provider side of the equation, including how clinicians can recognize burnout in themselves and create small, consistent recovery practices that help them continue showing up well for their patients.Key Themes in Today’s Episode:How to talk with patients about mental health supportWhy agency matters in the healing processHow word choice can impact fear, trust, and recoveryRecognizing signs of burnout in patients and providersSimple practices providers can use to reset and recoverHow to find mental health and performance psychology referral resources🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Psychology Today provider directory: https://www.psychologytoday.comAmerican Psychological Association Division 47: https://www.apadivisions.org/division-47Association for Applied Sport Psychology: https://appliedsportpsych.orgNational Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.orgHealthy Minds Program app: https://hminnovations.org/meditation-appFAKTR 2026 Upper Extremity hands-on courses are now open for registration in select cities. Register online here.🎙️ SUPPORT THE SHOW: Visit our website at faktrpodcast.com to leave a review or comment

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