Episode 011 - Stefan Mauk on Mental Resilience, Playing Abroad & Navigating Professional Football
In this podcast episode, Stefan, a professional football player, shares his journey from local teams in Adelaide to professional leagues in Japan, which included a trip through Europe.
He discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of resilience, discipline, and self-motivation, and the role of the Australian Institute of Sport in his development.
Stefan also talks about his transition to living independently, his experiences with contract negotiations, and the intensity of training at a professional level.
He emphasises the importance of mental health in football and shares his work on the Inner Games Journals, aimed at helping athletes set goals and develop resilience.
Stefan shares his journey from Australia to NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands, the challenges of adapting to higher training loads, and why sticking it out in Europe is crucial for young players. He also discusses cultural adaptation, team integration, and the importance of feedback and journaling in athlete development.
Key Topics Discussed:
Stefan’s journey from A-League to Europe & Japan
The importance of having a trustworthy agent & buyout clauses in contracts
Mental resilience & handling setbacks like relegation & performance pressure
Why young players must prepare for the tough realities of professional football
The impact of nutrition, recovery, and training intensity in modern football
Cultural adaptation—learning to navigate language barriers & daily life abroad
Why athletes don’t get enough feedback & how coaching can improve development
The business side of football—why Australia is a great market for transfers
Stefan also shares his personal experiences with athlete journaling, how he uses it for self-reflection and improvement, and why he wants to help build more resilient athletes.
🚀 If you're an aspiring professional footballer, a young athlete, or want a behind-the-scenes look at the mental and business side of the sport, this episode is packed with valuable lessons from an elite player’s perspective.
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🎧 Available on all podcast platforms.
