Hoops and Headspace
Hoops and Headspace isn’t just a basketball podcast. It’s a space where we focus on the mental, emotional, and personal parts of being an athlete, a coach, a parent, and a mentor.
We started this podcast because we saw how often athletes are told to just be tough and push through everything without ever learning how to take care of their mental health. We wanted to help break that stigma. Through honest conversations, storytelling, and real-life experiences, we talk about things like pressure, burnout, confidence, identity, recovery, discipline, and what life looks like beyond the game.
What makes Hoops and Headspace different is that we don’t just talk about winning. We talk about wellness, balance, mindset, nutrition, rest, and the habits that help athletes grow as people, not just players. We bring on guests like athletes, coaches, and mentors who are willing to be real and share their journeys. The good and the hard parts.
Hoops and Headspace
How Coach Rolanda Tipler Builds Strong Athletes & Strong Minds | Hoops & Headspace Podcast
Welcome to another powerful episode of Hoops & Headspace, the podcast where basketball meets mindset, leadership, and real-life growth.
In this episode, host Jada Rich and co-host Tae Gray sit down with Coach Rolanda Tipler — Ashland native and current Boys Head Basketball Coach at Pontotoc High School (MS) — for a deep, authentic, and emotional conversation about coaching, confidence, accountability, and the mental side of the game.
Coach Tipler shares his journey from Ashland’s basketball legacy to leading young men at the high-school level, while breaking generational barriers around emotional expression, leadership, and believing in yourself even when life hits hard.
This episode dives into:
🏀 Building a winning program with culture, not just talent
🧠 Mental health in coaching & raising strong young men
🤝 Connecting with players beyond basketball
👨👦 Fatherhood, mentorship, & emotional vulnerability
🔥 Confidence, fear of failure, and competitive identity
👪 The role of parents in youth sports
💬 Communication, accountability, and emotional leadership
Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or just someone who loves powerful conversations, this episode will leave you inspired to lead with heart and grow through adversity.
💡 Key Topics & Takeaways
Mental health is foundational to athlete success
Coaching requires empathy, vulnerability, and accountability
Confidence destroys fear — and coaches help build it
Culture talent: winning starts with trust and brotherhood
Young men need safe spaces to express emotions
Communication matters between parents, kids, and coaches
Sports teach life — not just X’s and O’s
👇 Connect & Support
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#Coaching #Basketball #MentalHealthInSports #HighSchoolBasketball #CoachLife #PlayerDevelopment #Leadership #Motivation #YouthSports #HoopsAndHeadspace #MississippiBasketball #SportsMindset #AthleteMentalHealth #basketballpodcast
Chapters:
00:00 Intro – Hoops & Headspace
01:49 Coach Tipler’s Journey
06:11 Ashland Basketball Legacy
12:11 Coaching Philosophy & Player Relationships
19:00 Mental Health in Coaching
25:03 Building Trust with Players
31:01 Coaching Different Personalities
38:50 Team Culture & Dynamics
45:48 Coaching Vulnerability
49:06 Emotional Bonds with Players
55:20 Player-Coach Relationships
01:00:14 Overcoming Fear of Failure
01:05:29 Confidence & Performance
01:12:22 Team Roles & Accountability
01:17:06 Parents’ Role in Sports
01:31:47 Winning, Losing & Pressure
01:34:13 Parent-Coach Communication
01:40:29 Fatherhood & Mentorship
01:50:36 Mental Health & Leadership
02:01:19 The Reality of Coaching
02:09:43 Final Thoughts & Takeaways
