Forged Youth | Legacy Within
Forged Youth: Legacy Within
What if the conversations you needed most as a teen athlete were finally being had, openly, honestly, and with purpose?
Forged Youth: Legacy Within is the podcast that equips youth athletes (ages 12–24), their parents, and coaches with the mental tools, emotional resilience, and life insight to rise above the noise and grow into strong, intentional human beings.
Each episode features real, raw conversations with professional athletes, CEOs, and cultural leaders sharing what they wish they knew when they were younger. We unpack topics like mental grit, overcoming adversity, identity beyond sport, and building a life of purpose, even when things fall apart.
Hosted by former elite athlete and mental health advocate Mariel Nichole Anderson, this podcast is your companion through the messy middle of chasing big dreams, and becoming someone even bigger in the process.
Because you weren’t born to just survive sport. You were made to be forged by it.
Forged Youth | Legacy Within
Ep. 9 - Thriving Under Pressure with Jelena Janicijevic
What does it take to perform under pressure and actually thrive there? Serbian professional boxer Jelena Janicijevic discovered the power of visualization, mindfulness, and mental training tools that helped her push through fear, overcome setbacks, and achieve history as the first Serbian woman to medal at the European Boxing Championship. Now, as a mentor to young athletes, Jelena reflects on the value of internal motivation, focusing on daily processes, and staying true to yourself in a world that often prioritizes quick wins. Her story is a reminder that sport is more than medals, it’s a lifelong teacher of resilience, discipline, and character.
Jelena Janicijevic, a former kickboxer turned professional boxer, has built a remarkable career through determination and skill. She transitioned to boxing in 2015, facing early challenges including a loss in her professional debut in France. Undeterred, she earned multiple victories and, in 2022, captured the European female lightweight title after a hard-fought rematch against Oleksandra Sidorenko. That same year, Jelena made history by winning Serbia’s first-ever senior medal at an International Boxing Association event, taking bronze at the European Amateur Boxing Championships. She has also competed at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, demonstrating her resilience against some of the world’s top fighters. Known for her grit, discipline, and relentless pursuit of growth, Jelena now inspires others by sharing her journey and helping athletes discover their own strength and potential.
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