Coaching Mind's Podcast: Perform at your best!
Mental Training Plan 153 episodes Oct 28, 2026
This podcast helps listeners regain control of their mind and body in high-pressure situations, with a primary focus on sports. It features conversations with athletes and coaches about applying mental skills in athletic settings. The show also explains how these tools can be used in everyday life when distractions, self-doubt, or lost confidence interfere with performance. Strategies are grounded in cognitive brain research and neuropsychology.
Episodes
#154 - Mental Toughness Is Built, Not Born | Matt Fitzgerald
Mental toughness isn't something you're born with. It's something you build.When Matt Fitzgerald joined The Coaching Minds Podcast back in 2021 (Episode #66), we talked about his book How Bad Do You Want It? and the psychology of pushing beyond our perceived limitations.Five years later, Matt returns with a very different perspective.After developing a serious illness that prevented
#153 - From Westfield to IU: Jackson Wasserstrom on Betting on Yourself, Earning Everything, and Chasing Big Dreams
Jackson Wasserstrom joins The Coaching Minds Podcast to talk about his journey from Westfield High School to Indiana University football.After arriving at IU as a walk-on, Jackson spent years earning his way, building his role, and eventually receiving a scholarship. His story is one of faith, discipline, visualization, gratitude, resilience, and betting on yourself when nothing is guaranteed.In t
#152 - Dr. Chris Carr on Performance Psychology, Mental Health, and Preparing Athletes for Pressure
Dr. Chris Carr joins The Coaching Minds Podcast for a powerful conversation on performance psychology, mental health, and the evolution of mental training in sport.Dr. Carr is the Director of Performance Psychology and Team Behavioral Health Clinician for the Green Bay Packers. Over the course of his career, he has worked with athletes and teams across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, MLS, IndyCar, Olympi
#151 - Dillon Thieneman on Preparation, Pressure, and Playing Free in the NFL
Dillon Thieneman’s path from Westfield High School to Purdue, Oregon, and now the NFL was built on more than talent.In this episode of The Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes sits down with Dillon to talk about the mental side of elite performance: growing up in a competitive household, learning from his brothers’ walk-on mentality, handling recruiting noise, preparing with detail, bouncing back fr
#150 - What Athletes Can Learn from Fighter Pilots with Boo Boucousis
What do fighter pilots and elite athletes have in common? More than you think.In this episode, Ben sits down with Boo Boucousis—former fighter pilot and entrepreneur—to break down how high performers train, think, and respond under pressure. From the cockpit to competition, the principles of execution, accountability, and mental control remain the same.Boo shares how fighter pilots use systematic
#149 - Mental Secrets from an NBA Sports Psychologist
What separates great athletes from everyone else?It’s not talent.It’s how they handle pressure.In this episode, Dr. Tom Mitchell (former NBA sports psychologist for the Golden State Warriors) breaks down:• The truth about nerves and performance• How elite athletes reset after mistakes• Why comparison destroys confidence• The mindset tools used at the highest levelIf you want to perform at your bes
#148 - Relationships First: Real world lessons learned from athletics with Myron Burr Jr.
In this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes interviews Myron Burr Jr., who shares his journey from being an athlete to a coach and now an assistant city manager. They discuss the importance of mental preparation in sports, the lessons learned from veteran players, and the unique challenges of coaching young athletes. Myron emphasizes the significance of building relationships, unders
#147 - Handling Failure, Pressure, and Identity in College Baseball with Tyler Rubasky
Baseball is a game of failure — and how athletes respond to that failure often determines who lasts and who fades.In this episode of The Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes sits down with Tyler Rubasky, Head Baseball Coach at Anderson University, to talk about what it really takes to build mentally tough athletes in today’s college game.Tyler shares his journey from player to assistant coach to hea
#146 – The Story Behind MTP Biz with Co-Founder Matt Hallock
In this episode, we officially introduce Matt Hallock, the newest member of Mental Training Plan and the Co-Founder & Chief Performance Officer of MTP Biz—our new division bringing mental performance training to the corporate world.Matt brings 25 years of corporate leadership, decades of experience coaching athletes nationwide, and a lifelong passion for serving and developing people. From man
#145 - Launching MTP Biz: Mental Performance Training for the Corporate World
Today marks a major moment for the Mental Training Plan. After helping athletes in 90+ schools across 14 states perform at their best, we’re officially expanding into the business world with the launch of MTP Biz — a mental performance division built specifically for high-performing leaders and teams.In this episode, Ben shares the story behind the decision to move into corporate America, the impo
#144 - Confidence Pt 5: Pro Golfer Jocelyn Bruch on Using These Tools On The Course
Today, I’m joined by Jocelyn Bruch: Indiana individual state champion, Division I golfer at Purdue, national championship competitor, and now a professional who just returned from Q-School.We dig into the real tools she used in competition — not theory — to calm nerves, trust her preparation, and perform when it counts:Diaphragmatic Breathing (16+ seconds, not 2!) to lower heart rate and get prese
#143 - Confidence Pt 4: Breath, Reset, Recover: Building Confidence You Can Trust
In this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes, founder of The Mental Training Plan, breaks down the next layer of the Confidence Wall: how to train confidence like a muscle.Learn practical, science-backed tools that help athletes hardwire belief into their body and nervous system through three powerful bricks:The Breath Brick – how controlled breathing regulates the vagus nerve and res
#142 - Confidence Pt 3: Identity, Body Language & Self-Talk for Athletes
In this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, we continue our Confidence series and dig into three critical building blocks every athlete needs: identity, body language, and self-talk.You’ll learn why confidence isn’t just earned through practice and reps — it’s also chosen by who you decide to be. Ben shares a powerful example from an NBA player who missed six straight shots but still had the co
#141 - Confidence Pt 2: Building Belief Through Reps, Proof, and Preparation
Confidence doesn’t come from hype—it comes from work. In Episode #2 of our Confidence Series, we break down how athletes, coaches, and parents can build earned confidence through three critical “bricks”:Reps – putting in the work with intentionEvidence – gathering proof of growth and winsPreparation – creating routines that build stabilityYou’ll hear stories from the field, practical tools (like t
#140 - Confidence Pt I: Launching the Prime Five Series
Athletes don’t lose games because of talent. They lose because of confidence.In this episode, I’m sharing some big news:The launch of my new book, Confidence: Tools to Build Belief for Athletes, Coaches, and Parents.This is the first book in the Prime Five Series — a collection of tools, stories, and systems I’ve used with athletes from youth sports to state champions and even professionals.Inside
#139 - Sleep Like a Champion: How Rest Fuels Peak Performance with Lori Oliver & Jill MacRae
In this episode of The Coaching Minds Podcast, we flip the script on performance by focusing on the other 12 hours of the day—rest and recovery. Ben Carnes sits down with Lori Oliver and Jill MacRae, co-founders of The Inactive Company and creators of the Inactivator Sleep Mask, to explore the science of sleep and why most people are doing it wrong.With powerhouse careers at Spanx, Coca-Cola, and
#138 - Choosing Joy Through Adversity with Kierstyn Ballard
In this episode of the Coaching Minds podcast, we sit down with former Baylor pole vaulter Kierstyn Ballard to talk about the real journey behind the highlights — from early gymnastics to Division I athletics, injuries, identity loss, and choosing joy through adversity.Kierstyn opens up about navigating mental and emotional challenges, her faith, and what it really takes to ask for help when thing
#137 - Simple, Not Easy: Building High Performance with Marc Nudelberg
In this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes sits down with Marc Nudelberg—former college football coach and founder of On The Ball—to explore the principles behind consistent, high-level performance. Drawing from his experiences at programs like Florida State and Cincinnati, Marc explains why simplicity beats complexity, how culture can make or break a team, and why most businesses a
#136 - MTP Certification Part II - Inside the MTP Certification Journey with Coach Danny Tippit
What’s it really like to go through MTP Certification? In this episode, you’ll hear directly from Coach Danny Tippett — the very first coach to complete the program.Danny shares:Why he decided to pursue mental performance trainingHow the tools helped him coach his son, lead a middle school football team, and improve his own anxietyWhat the certification process was likeHow he’s now applying MTP to
#135 - MTP Certification Part I - So You Want to Coach the Mental Game? Start Here.
If you're a coach who believes in the power of the mental game — and you're ready to start teaching it — this episode is for you.MTP founder Ben Carnes breaks down exactly what MTP Certification is, who it’s for, and how it equips you to start leading 1-on-1 coaching and team workshops right away.You'll hear:The story behind how the MTP system was builtWhat makes MTP Certification d
#134 - Alive Day: Resilience, Racing, and the Fight to Keep Going with Dave Randall
What do you do when life changes in a single moment? Dave Randall knows. After surviving a life-altering medical condition while serving in the U.S. Navy, Dave could’ve quit. Instead, he rebuilt—body, mind, and mission.Now a world champion hand cyclist and founder of Alive Day Apparel, Dave joins Ben to talk about identity, faith, pain, purpose, and what it takes to thrive after hitting rock botto
#133 - From .500 to Sectional Champs: How Mental Training Changed South Ripley Basketball with Tom Beach
In just one season, South Ripley went from a middle-of-the-pack team to a 19–0 start, a #1 ranking, and a sectional championship. The difference? A full commitment to mental training.Assistant coach Tom Beach, a 40-year coaching veteran, joins us to share how implementing MTP Academy transformed the mindset—and the results—of a small-town Indiana basketball team.“MTP can’t guarantee you championsh
#132 - Positive Intelligence Pt. 3 w/ Brenna Munson
Your life moves in the strongest direction of your thoughts – a powerful truth that forms the foundation of this eye-opening conclusion to our Positive Intelligence series. What if all your distress was self-generated? What if you could transform every challenge into an opportunity simply by shifting your perspective?In this enlightening conversation with mental performance coach Brenna, we explor
#131 - Positive Intelligence Pt. 2 w/ Brenna Munson
Ever wondered why that voice in your head keeps sabotaging your performance? In this revealing exploration of Chapters 3 and 4 from "Positive Intelligence," we dive deep into understanding the mental saboteurs that derail even the most talented athletes.The conversation uncovers how these negative thought patterns—which we all possess—initially formed as protection mechanisms in childhoo
#130 - Positive Intelligence Pt. 1 w/ Brenna Munson
What if the biggest obstacle to your performance isn’t physical—but the voice in your head?In this first episode of our 3-part series on Positive Intelligence, former Division I gymnast Brenna Munson joins us to explore how mastering mental fitness transformed her approach to sports, injuries, and life. Together, we break down key ideas from Chapters 1 and 2 of Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Cha
#129 - Tommy Richardson - Excellence Over Success: Coaching the Total Athlete
What does it take to develop a champion—not just on the scoreboard, but in life? Coach Tommy Richardson brings 60+ years of wisdom to this question, revealing a framework that transforms athletes from the inside out.At 88 years young, Richardson shares the journey that led him from high school football fields to corporate leadership positions at State Farm, and finally to his current work as a men
#128 - Don Thomas: Beyond Talent-What It Really Takes to Succeed in Football
From walk-on to the NFL, Don Thomas's journey is a masterclass in mental toughness, resilience, and relentless work ethic. He didn’t play football in middle or high school, but after his baseball career ended, he walked on to the University of Connecticut football team—eventually earning a scholarship, a starting spot, and All-Big East honors. He went on to be drafted by the Miami Dolphins, e
#127 - The Art of Coaching: Jackson Lantz on Communication, Organization, and Leadership
At just 24, Jackson Lantz carries the coaching wisdom of someone twice his age. A former multi-sport athlete at Hamilton Southeastern High School and a Division I football player at Ball State, Jackson quickly transitioned from athlete to coach—spending valuable time as a strength coach at Indiana University and also working with other elite programs like the University of Utah and the New York Gi
#126 - From Court to Career: Eddie Gill's Journey of Resilience, Mental Strength, and Giving Back
Eddie's journey from the basketball court to the world of financial services and broadcasting offers a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptation. Formerly with the Indiana Pacers, Eddie shares how basketball provided solace following the loss of his father and became a driving passion that shaped his early life. Through candid reflections on high school and college experiences, listen
#125 - Preparing For a High School Football State Championship
Coach Miracle asked if I could do a video for the players this week so that they could come back to it through out the week if needed as Westfield prepares to play in the 6A State Championship on Friday. We go through a quick review of the Focus Cycle, weekly planner, and two tools that Russell Wilson used while preparing to win a Super Bowl from the book It Takes What It Takes: https://amzn.to/3O
#124 - FC Pt 6: Real world stress and burnout at work. Can the Focus Cycle still work?
High school volleyball coach Lucy Grenda reached out to me with a simple text after I completed a team session with the high school team she helps coach, "Sometimes when I use my self talk in those anxious moments, I feel like it doesn't work to calm me down because I 'know all the tricks' I tell my students to do."Discover her journey through mental training techniques bo
#123 - FC Pt 5: Little League World Series Example - Conversation with Caleb and Noah
Join youth baseball stars Caleb and Noah as they take center stage, sharing how they leverage the Focus Cycle framework to conquer performance anxiety and excel in the Little League World Series. In this episode, we dive deep into the essential skills of Focus, Self-Talk, and Body Control—key components that empower young athletes to manage their emotions and perform at their best, even under pres
#122 - FC Pt 4: What if "taking a deep breath" doesn't work?
Have your athletes ever come to you saying, “I tried the breathing, but it didn’t work”? In this episode of Coaching Minds, we tackle exactly that—what to do when athletes struggle with using breathing techniques during competition. We’ll break down why diaphragmatic breathing sometimes feels ineffective and provide practical solutions to help athletes stay calm under pressure.From refining breath
#121 - Focus Cycle Pt 3: What if "positive self-talk" doesn't work?
What if your Go-To Statement doesn't work? What if positive self-talk feels fake, forced, or you just don't believe it? In this episode, we tackle the tough questions athletes face when self-talk strategies seem to fall flat. We dive deep into how to convince the part of your brain wired to fix problems that, yes, you have earned the right to be confident in competition.You’ll learn prac
#120 - Focus Cycle Pt 2: What if I'm having trouble focusing on what I choose?
In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the Focus Cycle, exploring what to do when athletes struggle to implement this powerful tool during competition. Coaches, you’ve laid the groundwork, but now it’s time to troubleshoot. Whether your athletes are forgetting to use the Focus Cycle, not taking it seriously, feeling overwhelmed with thoughts, or trying but just not succeeding, we’ve got y
#119 - Focus Cycle Pt 1: Perform at your best in high-pressure situations
Back in 2014, my head coach, Jake Gilbert, walked into a quarterback meeting where we were doing some mental training. He looked at what we were doing and said, “We have to do this for the entire team.” I remember thinking, I don’t know how to train 130 guys all at once! Little did I know, that conversation would change everything—leading to a book, a podcast, and even a complete shift in my caree
#118 - The Process of Developing a Culture of Mental Toughness with Josh Miracle
Explore the essential elements of mental toughness in sports with Westfield's head coach, Josh Miracle, in this insightful episode. We delve into the processes and strategies necessary to build a resilient sports program, examining the incremental steps that contribute to a team’s mental fortitude. This discussion not only covers the development of mental training techniques but also highligh
#117 - Evaluating Your Golf Routines 2.0
This episode is a raw tool that Ben started using with a golfer who was not happy with her routine. She felt like her mind was wandering too much during her rounds and the distractions were taking away from her game. At some point this will be cleaned up and polished, but sometimes it is helpful to see the behind the scenes of how you can help an athlete when they say, "I don't think my
#116 - Success in Sports and Entrepreneurship with Dre Baldwin
Have you ever wondered what fuels the relentless drive of athletes and entrepreneurs alike? Dre Baldwin, the mastermind behind Work On Your Game Inc., pulls back the curtain on the power of mental toughness that's essential for triumphing in both arenas. Through the lens of his own transformation from a high school bench player to a professional athlete, Dre explains the pivotal role of disci
#115 - Brad Ritter: School of Grit
When Brad, the mastermind behind the School of Grit, agreed to join us, I knew it was an opportunity to share a profound narrative of human resilience. His journey through the unforgiving Kokoro Camp, where he faced a 50-hour crucible that tested every fiber of his being, isn't just a story of endurance; it's a testament to the transformative power of extreme challenges. Together, we ref
#114 - Our Story, Our Vision, Our Mission
Want to learn more about who Ben is and what Mental Training Plan is all about? This is a great place to start!Join Ben Carnes on his transformative journey, ignited by a pivotal moment in high school sports in 1999. From struggling to perform under pressure to realizing the power of mental training, Ben's evolution as a coach and mentor took flight. Through coaching experiences, including a
#113 - Crafting Champions and Building Brotherhood: Inside the Triumph of Westfield's Football Legacy with Coach Jake Gilbert
Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Westfield's football program alongside Coach Jake Gilbert. From struggles to triumphs, this story paints a picture of a team that went from underdogs to champions, united by a simple motto: "out work, out love." With each game, Gilbert's players not only make their mark on the field but also forge lasting bonds of brotherhood.
#112 - Years 1 & 2 coaching football at a small high school: Jeremy Fendley and Dan Douglas
Discover the secrets to transforming a high school sports team from average to exceptional with insights from two seasoned coaches. As we welcome Coach Fendley and Coach Dan Douglas to our Coaching Minds podcast, they share their unique perspectives on instilling a winning mentality in athletes, drawing from military experiences and honoring the legacy of the late Coach George Gilbert. The wisdom
#111 - Isaac "fails" to run a marathon and overcomes adversity
Ever pushed your limits and hit a wall, only to find a deep well of resilience you never knew you had? Zeke does just that and more as he recounts his grueling experiences at the Chicago and Indianapolis Monumental Marathons. With each stride and stumble, he imparts the lessons learned on mental fortitude and the essential adjustments needed when tackling such formidable challenges. Join us as we
#110 - OTS #3: Navigating the Transfer Portal-Loyalty and Team Culture
On The Spot: Where the questions are pulled on the spot, no prep time just raw honest answers on the spot. Are the tides turning in college football team-building? Strap in as we tackle the game-changing dynamics of the transfer portal and its effects on loyalty and team culture. It's a wild ride through the strategies that coaches must employ, akin to planning a Grand Canyon adventure, where
#109 - Matt Comer's Rim to Rim To Rim turns into a 100K in the Grand Canyon
Have you ever faced a challenge so daunting it transformed you? This week, we're joined by the extraordinary Matt Comer, who shares the raw and real experiences from his rim-to-rim-to-rim run of the Grand Canyon that actually ended up being a 100k run through the Grand Canyon. It's a tale of grit and resilience that digs deep into the mental fortitude required to endure such an arduous 4
#108 - Swinging Beyond the Fairway: Cailyn Henderson's Journey Toward Mental Toughness on the Golf Course
Have you ever stood at life's crossroads, contemplating a leap of faith that could redefine everything? Cailyn Henderson did just that, swapping collegiate golf greens for the arduous chase toward the professional ranks. This episode invites you into Cailyn's world, where she lays bare the mental challenges that came with this transformative decision. Her story sheds light on the seldom-
#107 - From Football Fields to Battlefields: Andy Sweet's Lessons on Strength and Leadership
Embark on a journey of fortitude with Andy Sweet, the former quarterback and current Marine Corps infantry weapons platoon leader, as we unravel the essence of mental and physical toughness. Andy brings to the table the concept of "callousing the mind"—a powerful practice of facing and overcoming adversity that he has mastered both on the playing field and the battlefield. By delving int
#106 Improving Athlete Motivation & Mindset
Welcome to a power-packed episode of the Coaching Minds podcast, where we guide you on how to foster a championship mindset in your athletes and keep their motivation burning high. We kick off with the importance of expectation, perserverance, and determination. Discover the impact of big goals, the influence of media and music, and the critical role of a strong 'why'. You'll be equ
#105 - Helping Athletes Control Physical Energy Levels
Imagine if you could offer your athletes the tools to master control over their physical reactions to stress, anxiety, and pressure. That's exactly what we discuss in this episode. We delve into the fascinating world of the human body's physiological responses to stress, pulling references from the US military's research on how to manage such reactions in high-pressure combat situat
#104 - Improving Athlete Focus
In this episode of Coaching Minds, we delve into the intricacies of enhancing athlete focus and performance. We explore the science behind concentration, introducing tools like concentration grids and activities designed to help athletes refine both narrow and broad focus. Did you know that just a few minutes of targeted training a week can make a noticeable difference in performance?Our discussio
#103 - From Grief to Resilience: A Discussion with Liz Howard
Losing a season due to injury, loosing a teammate who moves away, losing a loved one, coach, or teammate who tragically passes away...the list is endless and the topic can feel overwhelming. How can coaches help the people in their program navigate loss without falling victim to comparison. How can coaches help athletes process tragedy when they feel broken and confused themselves?Navigating the s
#102 - Improving Athlete Confidence
As coaches, we have all seen confidence's crucial role in an athlete's performance, mindset, and overall success. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, we provide valuable strategies and practical tips for coaches, trainers, and mentors to empower their athletes and help them build unwavering confidence.Ready to take your team's mental training to the next level? Check o
#101 - Ben Smith: Coaching Strong
This week we welcome Ben Smith as he dives deep into the topic of coaches reclaiming control over their physical health after their playing days are over. Transitioning from a career on the field to a role on the sidelines can present a complex and challenging journey, often filled with overwhelming amounts of information. However, fear not, as Ben expertly breaks down this feat into bite-sized, a
#100 - Ace the Mental Game: Elevating Tennis Performance with Coach Trudy Coler
In this episode, we dive into the intricacies of building mental toughness within tennis teams, a factor often overlooked yet crucial to success on the court. We're joined by Trudy Coler, a seasoned coach who has tirelessly worked on developing her team's mental fortitude. Trudy shares her journey, challenges, and the remarkable transformation she's witnessed in her team's perf
#99 - TENNIS: Complete Mental Training Program
In this episode, we look at how tennis coaches can design a comprehensive mental training program for their entire team. We talk through our Foundation Program that we have available in the MTP Academy that covers:1. Road Map1.1.Hopes, dreams, ambitions1.2.Principles, Passion, Purpose1.3.Why and Wall of Why1.4.Full Potential1.5.Goal Setting1.6.Prime Five Evaluation2. Preparation2.1.Deliberate Pra
#98 - GOLF: Complete Mental Training Program
This week we look at how golf coaches can design a comprehensive mental training program for their entire team. We talk through our Foundation Program that we have available in the MTP Academy that covers:1. Road Map1.1.Hopes, dreams, ambitions1.2.Principles, Passion, Purpose1.3.Why and Wall of Why1.4.Full Potential1.5.Goal Setting1.6.Prime Five Evaluation2. Preparation2.1.Deliberate Practice2.2.
#97 - BASEBALL/SOFTBALL: Complete Mental Training Program
This week we look at how baseball and softball coaches can design a comprehensive mental training program for their entire team. We talk through our Foundation Program that we have available in the MTP Academy that covers:1. Road Map1.1.Hopes, dreams, ambitions1.2.Principles, Passion, Purpose1.3.Why and Wall of Why1.4.Full Potential1.5.Goal Setting1.6.Prime Five Evaluation2. Preparation2.1.Delibe
#96 - Competing for Championships and Dealing With Setbacks in Soccer: Spencer Glass
Spencer Glass, a former college soccer player who went through redshirting, injuries, and the disappointment of falling short on the national championship stage, sits down with us to share his story.Spencer discusses how he dealt with setbacks during his time at Indiana University, and how those experiences shaped him both as an athlete and as a person. Despite facing challenges, he persevered and
#95 FOOTBALL: Complete Mental Training Program
How can coaches develop a complete mental training program specifically for their football program? This episode begins a new chapter for the Coaching Minds Podcast as we shift our focus to helping coaches implement mental training with their athletes. In this episode, we discuss:1. Road Map1.1.Hopes, dreams, ambitions1.2.Principles, Passion, Purpose1.3.Why and Wall of Why1.4.Full Potential1.5.Go
#94 - YOU Can Coach The Mind
In this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben takes listeners on a journey through his personal experiences as an athlete, coach, and mental performance coach. From the lessons learned to the advancements in science and technology, the episode provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of the field of mental performance coaching. With a focus on helping athletes control the mental side of
#93-Fighting Through Adversity (4 Torn ACL's): Kamryn Babb - Ohio State WR and 2x Team Captain
Kamryn Babb has battled through the pain and heartache of seeing his athletic hopes and dreams be crushed by a torn ACL not once, not twice, not three, but four separate times. This week we sit down with Kamryn to discuss his mental toughness, the kind of impact and leadership it takes to be selected captain twice, and the strength that his faith gave him amid seemingly insurmountable odds. In an
#92 - OTS 2: Why is Zeek so positive? Why is building team unity in the weight room important?
This is the second installment of On The Spot, where Ben and Zeek ask questions on the spot, with no planned-out content ahead of time, just honest conversation. At the 1:35 mark, Ben asks Zeek why he is so positive and where that comes from. At the 22:30 mark, Zeek asks Ben why building unity (in the weight room, for example) is so important.If you are interested in helping Zeek support the Nati
#91 - Coaching the mental side of the game: Steve Sebolt
Steve Sebolt is a mental fitness coach from the east coast who helps individuals establish their principles, passion, and purpose. Steve has utilized the Focus Cycle framework within his own life and has also seen it give his daughter a set of tools to overcome negativity on the lacrosse field. Steve reached out to us about partnering with Mental Training Plan in his own practice, but we ended up
#90 - When your playing days end - Justin Glass
Imagine talking to MLB scouts about signing bonuses as a high school player but never getting a chance to play at the next level...even after a very successful D1 college career. In this very real conversation, Justin Glass shares some of the dark times that he went through when his career came to an end, as well as some ways to overcome those dark days and find passion and purpose moving forward
#89 - Mental and physical toughness from an athletic trainer perspective: Dee Mahoney
Dee Mahoney played NCAA Division I softball at Oregon State University. She graduated in 1985 and completed graduate work at the University of Miami (Fla.). She then began her career with USA Track & Field. Spent 25 years raising two lovely children and being an athletic trainer at Westfield High School on the north side of Indianapolis before retiring, moving to Colorado and traveling the wor
#88 OTS1: Aaron Judge, pressure situations, & perfection
On The Spot (OTS) is our new segment that will be mixed in from time to time. No preparation, no script, just questions asked ON THE SPOT with Ben and Zeek about topics relevant to what's going on right now in the sports world. This week we talk through these topics:- Aaron Judge feeling pressure to break the record- High school fall sport athletes feeling pressure entering the playoffs- Fin
#87-Reflecting on a career: George Gilbert HOF HS Football Coach
In this week's episode, we sit down with Indiana High School Football Hall of Fame head coach George Gilbert to talk about things he has learned throughout his career. In this episode, we talk about how he got his start in coaching, some of the biggest challenges he's faced, and the most important lessons he's learned. George Gilbert was a high school football for 41 years. He is cu
#86-Controlling your perception
Our perception of any given situation is determined by four main factors: the filter through which we see it, how we frame it, how we evaluate it, and how we respond to it. The filter is our individual lens on the world, shaped by our experiences, beliefs, and values. Our frame is how we choose to see the situation, whether we focus on the negative or the positive. Our evaluation is based on our j
#85 Overwhelmed, Exhausted, Burned out, and 3 Ways You Can Take Back Control
Full disclosure to start this post...this is not advice from some expert who has everything figured out. This is simply a look into a very difficult time in Ben's life, some ways he dealt with anxiety, and some of the lessons he has learned from feeling overwhelmed. Here is the link to the blog post on this topic: BLOG LINKLink to the Focus Cycle: Controlling your mind and body in Big Moments
#84 - The Psychological Side of Real Estate with Jeff and Debra Wilson
This week we sit down with Jeff and Debra Wilson who are on the Wilson Team with Keller Williams in Indianapolis. Purchasing a home is one of the largest purchases (both financially and emotionally) that a couple or individual will make in their lifetime. Jeff and Debra have decades of experience in the world of real estate, investing, renting, relocating, general contracting, staging, and apprais
#83 - Custom Shoe Designer for NBA players: Brett Golliff - PART II
Welcome back to Part II of our conversation with Brett Golliff. If you missed Part I, be sure to go back and check that out first. This week's conversation shifts from designing Corvette interiors to designing custom shoes for NBA players. Brett talks with us about the value of hard work, taking risks, and the #1 tool he uses to achieve at a higher level. Learn more or connect with us online
#82 - Global Color & Trim Design Manager for Chevrolet: Brett Golliff - PART I
At first glance, the field of art & design seems worlds away from high-performance athletes. However, as Brett Golliff (Global Color & Trim Design Manager for Chevrolet) shares in this week's episode, there is plenty to learn from someone who has reached one of the highest levels in his or her field. From his passion as a 4-year-old for art to being told to pick a "real career&qu
#81 - Performing in the real world: Josh Bryant Part II
This week's episode is a continuation of the start of our conversation with Josh Bryant last week. Josh continues to discuss building relationships and other topics that tie both sports and running your own business together. Learn more or connect with us online at: mentaltrainingplan.comAre you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more ab
#80 - Real World Pressure Situations w/ Josh Bryant Part I
This week we dive into our first episode that examines the link between lessons learn in athletics that can be applied to the real world with Ben's good friend Josh Bryant. Josh was a very successful athlete growing up. After college, he became a teacher and coach at a very successful high school. He later left and became a successful salesman in the corporate world. Next, Josh started his ow
#79 - Clutch Time
In this week's episode started with the question that was asked of us "who is the most clutch player of all time?" Rather than diving into that argument, we shifted the question to "what can we learn from some of the most clutch players of all time?" We also wanted to reference some great episodes related to this topic:Episode #76 - COURAGEFocus on the processNegative voic
#78 - Top 10 Mindset/Mental Toughness Books
From time to time we are asked for recommendations on books to read or give as a gift. With the holiday season coming up, we thought this would be a good time to put together our Top Ten! Thinking, Fast and Slow - by Daniel Kahneman https://amzn.to/3EvhnRs Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds- by David Goggins https://amzn.to/3lDLcYA How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Ps
#77 - The Power of Gratitude & Being a Grateful Athlete
Research is very clear that there are measurable and tangible benefits to having a grateful attitude. In the world of performance, gratitude can help you shift from a negative internal focus to an external positive focus...which might be just what you need to perform at a higher level. In this week's episode, we take a look at the power of gratitude and how it can help you improve your perfor
#76 Building Courage in the Presence of Fear
Courage is not the absence of fear, but moving forward in the face of fear. Simply typing that into a Google search will bring back all kinds of quote results accredited to all kinds of famous people. Despite that quote being repeated generation after generation, it is still something that each of us must learn on our own. This week we talk about some ways to build courage in the face of fear so t
#75 - Mental Training Services We Offer for Athletes
We receive a lot of questions about what our training programs look like for mental performance. We work with teams and athletes from all over the country and today we take a look at how those programs are set up so that coaches looking to help their own athletes or teams can hopefully gain some insight into how they can start to build their own program. If you want more information or have any qu
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