Locker Talk®
Locker Talk®
Hannah Valenzuela
In my Locker Talk® concept podcast which consists of: Women's Locker Talk®, Men's Locker Talk™, LGBTQ+ Locker Talk™, and Locker Talk University™, I articulate stigmatized topics that may or may not be discussed both openly and behind the scenes in our sports environments and communities today. They certainly were not during my time as a competitive distance runner when I struggled tremendously with Depression, eating disorders, food insecurity, suicidal ideations, and much more during my time competing as a member of UCLA's cross country and track & field teams. My simple hope for my Locker Talk™ concept is to use the art of storytelling with some help from some highly-esteemed professionals I've met along my journey to carry the love that I had for my sport and athletics as an act of love, compassion, and mental and emotional wellness, not self destruction. Regardless of your sport or lack thereof, demographic, gender identity, sexuality or race, I welcome any and all to my locker rooms to listen and hopefully take the stories and resources I share as a roadmap to something that you might be currently undergoing. 
Thrive After Sports With Former Football Great, Taj Dashaun
I am elated to welcome fellow Inland Empire native, Taj Dashaun to the locker room! Taj is a former Division 1 football player turned author, speaker, and athlete transition coach. When his football career ended, Taj struggled heavily with depression. Due to being so focused on the game, he never fully developed a clear vision for his life. Taj found a new passion and purpose in taking his eyes off of himself and serving others. Through his business, "Thrive After Sports," Taj runs holistic...
Nov 11, 2024
1 hr 17 min
The Unsatiable Affliction: Binge Eating Disorder (BED) With Dr. Mary Wansley
Put a finger down if you have ever struggled to stop eating something, not because it tasted so good but due to something incredibly psychological and greater than your own comprehension. Put a finger down if you can't help but numb yourself with food after you've had a bad day, resulting in feelings of shame so great you can barely look at yourself or even others the next day. Dr. Mary Wansley joins me in the locker room to discuss the shame-based addiction, Binge Eating Disorder. BED is a...
Nov 10, 2024
1 hr 17 min
Closure & Communication With The Boise Bruiser
I'm honored to welcome Coach Forest Braden (former UCLA Assistant Coach, Mid-Distances, Distance, and Cross Country) to the locker room as we have an open and candid conversation, now in hindsight about the circumstances that led to the collapse of my running career while under his tutelage. Now in his seventh season as head distance coach at William & Mary University in Williamsburg, Virginia, Braden shares how his coaching philosophies have evolved as mental health discussions in distan...
Nov 8, 2024
1 hr 40 min
Acclimatizing & Navigating the Transition To College Athletics With Karen Costello, MA
I'm honored to reunite with former UCLA Sports Performance Coach Karen Costello, MA. I was lucky to work with Karen during my first year at UCLA. Karen worked closely with me to understand the interconnectivity between negative self-talk and sports performance as I struggled to acclimatize to life as a student, athlete, and member of the UCLA community. Today in the locker room, we discuss some of the everyday challenges student-athletes face, what needs to change in the landscape of intercol...
Nov 8, 2024
1 hr 12 min
The Past Is Calling...She Wants To Locker Talk®
Everyone remembers their first love. For me, mine was my sport...and if you have found yourself here, I think yours was too. Welcome to Locker Talk®, my podcast I've created to spread mental health awareness, share space, and build community. My Locker Talk® concept consists of Women's Locker Talk®, Men's Locker Talk™, LGBTQ+ Locker Talk™, and Locker Talk University™. I articulate stigmatized topics that may or may not be discussed both openly and behind the scenes in our sports e...
Nov 7, 2024
16 min