In this episode, Mariel sits down with Jon Giesbrecht: Director of Mental Performance for the Vancouver Bandits and self-proclaimed "Basketball Whisperer." Together, they unpack the real meaning of mental training in sport, why breath awareness is foundational, and how athletes can move from panic to performance through grounded routines and emotional regulation. Jon shares practical tools athletes can use on the court and in life, like how to find your centre, shift from reactivity to readiness, and anchor confidence in the present moment. If you've ever frozen in competition or wondered how to build true mental resilience, this episode is your playbook.
About Jon: Jon Giesbrecht is a trusted mental performance coach and player development leader who helps high-performance basketball athletes unlock their full potential by mastering their mindset. With over a decade of experience coaching at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels, Jon specializes in helping serious athletes overcome overthinking, inconsistency, and self-doubt—so they can play free under pressure and lead with confidence.
Currently serving as the Director of Mental Performance and a player development coach for the Vancouver Bandits (Canadian Elite Basketball League), Jon has worked with athletes across the NBA, NCAA, U SPORTS, and international circuits. He has also supported Team Canada, presented at international coaching clinics, and helped over 50 players reach the college level.
But Jon’s work goes beyond performance. Drawing from his own experience with anxiety, panic attacks, and burnout as a young athlete and coach, Jon brings a level of compassion and clarity few can match. He knows what it feels like to chase greatness while feeling stuck or mentally fragile—and he’s built a proven system to help athletes break through.
His signature program, Play Free, combines mindfulness, identity training, emotional regulation tools, and elite accountability to create lasting transformation—on and off the court. Whether you’re a high school athlete looking to earn a scholarship or a pro trying to find your rhythm again, Jon helps you build confidence that doesn’t waver, no matter what’s happening around you.
Jon has coached over 5,000 athletes, worked with families around the world, and built a growing movement of players who are learning to compete with clarity, joy, and purpose. He’s also the author of the Free Your Mind Journal, a practical tool for athletes to track their growth and reset their focus daily.
From private mentorships and live workshops to community coaching and digital training, Jon’s mission is simple: to help athletes win more and stress less by creating a mental game they can trust.
Follow Jon on...
...and get his book Free Your Mind Journal on Amazon
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.