The Mindset Advantage Poker Podcast

Latest Episodes:

173 - Monika Hrabec - Streaming vs. Studying: The Hidden Cost of Poker Content Creation Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Monika shares how she shifted from a promising pharmacology/science path into poker because it felt more merit-based and rewarding long-term skill over connections, with supportive family conversations and a "plan B" degree behind her. She credits her biggest leap to pandemic-era routine and repetition, plus dropping her "lone wolf" ego to seek feedback and mindset coaching, especially after burnout and difficult WSOP summers in Las Vegas. She explains the tradeoffs of being a streamer (doors opened, resilience gained, but slower poker progress and more mental strain) and says her current focus is live poker growth through disciplined habits and detailed hand-by-hand reflection.

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172 - Dr. Bryce Appelbaum - Why Poker Players Lose Focus & the Vision Skill That Fixes It Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Bryce Appelbaum examines neuro-optometry as a performance discipline, reframing vision as a brain-based, trainable system rather than simply eyesight. Bryce shares how functional vision influences attention, pattern recognition, emotional regulation, fatigue, and decision-making under pressure, drawing from his own childhood transformation and his work with elite athletes, medical patients, and professional poker players. The discussion highlights the distinction between eyesight (clarity) and vision (how the brain processes visual information), explaining how stress, screen use, and fatigue narrow perception and degrade performance. The central takeaway is that optimizing the eye-brain connection is a largely untapped lever for sustained high performance, particularly in mentally demanding, screen-heavy environments like poker.

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171 - Mateos Norian - Finding Safety in Your Own Inner Alignment Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mateos shares his journey from casual COVID-era home games to playing poker professionally, emphasizing that his growth came not from a single breakthrough but from years of obsession, trial and error, and learning how to learn. He discusses how active deliberate study replaced passive consumption. How documenting his struggles and progress on social media helped him build a personal brand during a difficult downswing, and how success milestones often failed to deliver lasting fulfillment. Throughout the conversation Mateos reflects candidly on burnout, identity, and motivation, ultimately highlighting the importance of process over outcomes, community over isolation, and aligning daily actions with personal values as the real foundation for long-term performance.

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170 - Jay 'JWIN' Nguyen - Rethinking Downswings Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, JWIN shares his journey from corporate success to life as a high-stakes professional poker player. He explains why leaving a secure career wasn't as reckless as it seemed and how mindset, not luck, determines long-term success in poker.

Jay reflects on overcoming major downswings, building mental resilience, and the importance of structured study routines. He also highlights the challenges of balancing poker with family life and offers honest advice to those considering going pro, urging them to pursue it for love of the game, not the illusion of freedom.

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169 - Vlastimil Pustina - Vlastimil on Mastery, Mindset & Meaning May 27, 2025

Show notes

Vlastimil, a former law student turned professional poker player, shared his journey from accidentally discovering poker during law school to becoming a dedicated cash game player. He discussed the challenges of transitioning from low to high stakes, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes, including better money management and a healthier routine. Vlastimil highlighted the significance of mental preparation, such as meditation, visualization, and physical exercise, in enhancing his performance. He also stressed the value of investing in personal development and seeking professional help to improve both the mental and physical aspects of his game.

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168 - Samuel Mullur - Sam's Rise Through Mindset, Mentors & the Mental Game Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Meet Sam, a 27-year-old poker player, shared his journey from gaming to poker, highlighting his meteoric rise from casual play to high-stakes tournaments. He emphasized the importance of networking and mentorship, noting a pivotal realization that collaboration accelerated his growth. Sam discussed overcoming a significant downswing by maintaining good bankroll management and leveraging small victories. He credited his mental strength, developed through meditation, gratitude practices, and mental coaching, as crucial to his success. Sam also underscored the value of a positive mindset and enjoying the journey, rather than focusing solely on results.

167 - Stephen Baker - A Game Poker Office Hours Webinar Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

A Game Poker Office Hours Webinar w: Stephen Baker on October 17th

166 - Henrik Johansson - From Poker to Real Estate Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

Today's guest is Henrik Johansson. Henrik, a former high-stakes poker player, discussed his early poker journey, starting at age 13 and progressing to playing at the highest levels. He emphasized his strategy of shallow stacking and the mentorship from "Luck 123," which focused on bankroll management, tilt control, and table selection. Henrik transitioned out of poker due to lack of motivation and founded Temple, a real estate company aiming to help young people become homeowners by renting apartments with the option to buy. Temple's innovative model addresses housing affordability and has attracted interest from major investors.

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164 - Andrijana Gligoric - The Cash Game Queen Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

Meet Andrijana Gligoric, known as "Lija," a professional poker player from Serbia, now living in Malta. Her poker passion started in university while studying electrical engineering, playing in cash games with friends. After college, she moved to Malta, began streaming her gameplay on Twitch, and quickly built a large following. As a key member of Team Global and nicknamed "Cash Game Queen," Andrijana streams almost daily and is preparing to compete in the World Series of Poker.

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163 - Dara O' Kearney - From Ultra-Marathons to Poker Mastery Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

Dara O'Kearney, born on June 17, 1965, in Ennis, County Clare, is an accomplished Irish ultra runner and professional poker player. He has won several ultra running events and claimed the title of Irish 24-hour running champion in 2007.

In poker, Dara won the 2008 European Deepstack Poker Championship and has earned over $3 million online and $1 million in live tournaments. He co-authored "Poker Satellite Strategy" and "PKO Poker Strategy," co-hosts the popular podcast "The Chip Race," and serves as a poker expert for CardsChat and Tight Poker.

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