In this episode of the Skull Sessions Podcast, co-host Nate Last turns the microphone on Andy Riise to explore the experiences that shaped his journey from West Point football player and decorated U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel to NFL Director of Mental Performance and Leadership. Drawing from over two decades of military service, combat leadership, elite sports, and family life, Andy shares the lessons that transformed adversity into purpose and passion into a lifelong mission. Together, Andy and Nate discuss mental toughness, resilience, leadership, recovery, parenting, and the importance of developing the mindset needed to perform at your best—not just in sports or business, but in every area of life.

In this episode of the Skull Sessions Podcast, Andy Riise and Nate Last sit down with Daniel Roby, CEO of Austin Street Center, to explore leadership, resilience, and the realities of homelessness. Drawing from decades of service on the front lines, Daniel shares how purpose, compassion, and daily discipline help him lead through crisis, challenge common misconceptions about homelessness, and create meaningful impact in the lives of thousands. This conversation is a powerful reminder that making a difference starts with showing up, serving others, and staying committed to something bigger than yourself.

In this episode of the Skull Sessions Podcast, retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Stephen Drum joins Andy Riise and Nate Last to unpack what it really means to stay mentally strong when life gets hard. From surviving the intensity of BUD/S training and combat deployments to helping build the Navy’s Warrior Toughness Program, Stephen shares hard-earned lessons on resilience, emotional regulation, leadership, identity, and handling pressure without losing yourself in the process. This conversation goes beyond military stories and dives into practical mental performance tools that apply to business, relationships, parenting, and everyday life.

Pressure, failure, confidence, and resilience—this episode of the Skull Sessions Podcast dives deep into the mental side of performance with co-host Nate Last. As the CEO of a premier mental performance training firm and an expert in performance psychology and leadership development, Nate shares his journey from struggling with performance anxiety and self-doubt to helping athletes, leaders, and teams unlock their full potential. Together, Andy Riise and Nate explore the realities of mental toughness, entrepreneurship, identity, and learning how to perform under pressure without losing yourself in the process. This honest conversation offers practical insights and powerful lessons for anyone striving to grow through adversity and build lasting mental grit.

In this episode of the Skull Sessions Podcast, Andy Riise and Nate Last talk with Valerie Alston, a former Division I softball player and Certified Mental Performance Consultant with over 15 years of experience helping athletes, soldiers, and leaders build resilience and mental toughness. Valerie shares practical strategies for performing under pressure, developing strong mental habits, and creating environments that support growth and confidence, while also discussing the important role parents and coaches play in shaping young athletes.