Ep. 3 - Rewriting Fear in Youth Sports with Shawnee Harle, 2X Olympian; former Assistant Coach for Team Canada Basketball

Forged Youth | Legacy Within

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What if fear rather than skill is the biggest thing holding your athlete back? In this powerful episode, legendary Canadian basketball coach and mental toughness trainer Shawnee Harlee joins Mariel to dismantle the culture of fear-based performance in youth sports. From “playing not to lose” to the paralyzing weight of FOPO (Fear of People’s Opinions), Shawnee breaks down how athletes, parents, and coaches unknowingly sabotage potential. Together, they explore the antidotes: emotional intelligence, courageous self-awareness, and the radically underused skill of self-forgiveness.

You’ll learn why confidence isn’t reliable, how to shift from outcome to process, and the two words every athlete needs after a mistake: “That’s okay.” Whether you're a parent in the stands, a coach on the bench, or an athlete in the game—this episode gives you the tools to change the story.
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Shawnee Harle is a powerhouse in the world of coaching and mental performance, with over 27 years of elite experience that spans courts, classrooms, and boardrooms. As a two-time Olympian and former Assistant Coach for Team Canada Women’s Basketball, Shawnee has stood on some of the sport’s biggest stages; bringing grit, heart, and wisdom to every team she touches.

Her coaching résumé isn’t just about wins and titles, it’s about transformation. Shawnee holds a Master’s Degree in Coaching Studies and is a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), a designation of excellence from the Coaching Association of Canada. She is also a Master Coach Developer and Master Learning Facilitator for Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program, where she helps shape the next generation of coaches to lead with clarity, courage, and connection.

What makes Shawnee truly stand out is her commitment to mental and emotional performance. She doesn’t just build athletes, she builds resilient, antifragile humans. With a fierce passion for helping individuals find their inner fire, Shawnee helps youth athletes, parents, and coaches alike understand that true greatness comes from mastering the space between the ears. She teaches how to turn fear into fuel, pressure into poise, and setbacks into comebacks.

A straight-shooter with a sharp mind and an even bigger heart, Shawnee Harle equips people not just to compete; but to lead, to rise, and to thrive under pressure. Whether on the court or in life, she believes everyone deserves the tools to win from within.