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 both on and off the court, as she uncovers the power of wearable technology in understanding and managing stress in real-time.

In our conversation, we explore a treasure trove of practical strategies for taming stress and anxiety. From the calming rituals of reading the Bible and prayer to the grounding practice of journaling through a nightly "brain dump," listeners will gain actionable insights. We dive into the power of breathwork and the liberating concept of giving oneself "permission to forget," especially crucial in high-pressure environments like teaching. Emphasizing the role of purpose and the importance of professional counseling, this episode is a holistic guide to mental wellness.

As life's pace quickens, we reveal the art of balance through rest and mindfulness practices. Discussing the struggle of carving out Sabbath moments or mere quiet minutes amid chaos, we highlight how habit stacking small routines can yield significant changes. With personal anecdotes and stress-tracking success stories, we encourage listeners to prioritize self-care and mental health, offering a strategic blueprint for enhancing both life and athletic performance. Tap into the episode for insights that could redefine your approach to balancing life's demands.

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy

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 pressure.

Through Caleb and Noah's experiences, you'll discover practical strategies for shifting focus away from distractions, using positive self-talk to reinforce confidence, and controlling physical responses to maintain composure during critical moments. We break down how athletes can consciously create the emotions they need to succeed, harnessing the power of intention and presence to stay in the moment.

This episode is a valuable resource for coaches, too, showcasing how the Focus Cycle can be adapted for athletes of all ages. Whether you’re working with budding players or seasoned competitors, these insights will help you guide your athletes toward mental resilience, providing them with the tools to transform nerves into peak performance. Coaches will also gain actionable techniques for embedding these practices into training, creating a supportive environment where young athletes can thrive both on and off the field.

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy

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 breathing exercises to understanding how to use them in high-stress moments, we share real-life examples and proven strategies to make these techniques work. Whether it's adjusting timing or mindset, we’ll teach you how to guide athletes through the common challenges of breathing and focus control. Plus, we'll explore additional strategies like muscle relaxation and mental resets to enhance their overall performance.

If you're looking for ways to help athletes unlock the full potential of their breathing techniques, this episode is for you!

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy

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 practical ways to shift your mindset when self-doubt creeps in, helping you push past those mental roadblocks. It’s not just about repeating feel-good phrases—it’s about backing your self-talk with evidence, preparation, and real effort. We explore how to make your Go-To Statements authentic, so they resonate with you in high-pressure situations, and how to use self-talk to genuinely build confidence, not just cover up anxiety.

Join us as we provide solutions that will help you stay mentally strong and focused, even when doubt tries to take over.

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy

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 you covered. We’ll break down the most common challenges and provide practical strategies to help athletes regain control of their mind and body in high-pressure situations. If you're looking to fine-tune your mental performance training and equip your athletes to handle the heat of competition, this episode is a must-listen!

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy

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 career.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the Focus Cycle, which has become the foundation of everything we do with athletes. This is not just a generic approach. It’s a systematic framework that helps you stay aware of what’s happening in high-pressure moments and gives you practical tools to take back control of your mind and body.

If you’ve ever been curious about what mental performance training is all about, or if you’re a coach looking for a better way to train your athletes mentally, this episode is for you.

GET THE WORKSHEET: mentaltrainingplan.com/focuscycle

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy

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 highlights their practical application during high-pressure situations and the evolution of team dynamics.

Gain an in-depth understanding of how tailored mental and emotional strategies are implemented for athletes on game days, the role of consistent communication among coaching staff, and the impact of mental discipline when overcoming adversity. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of how mental preparedness shapes not only game performance but also long-term athlete development.

Concluding with a discussion on the continuous importance of mental training, this episode offers valuable insights for coaches and teams looking to enhance their programs with effective mental strategies. We discuss the successes of teams that have integrated these approaches and the resulting shifts in sports culture. Coaches are encouraged to elevate their mental training techniques to foster competitive excellence and holistic athlete growth.

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy

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 routine is good enough."

If you do not have any sort of pre shot or post shot routine I would encourage you to go back to the bonus season between Seasons 2 & 3 as this episode will assume that you already have a routine in place.

Here is a link to make a copy of the rubric sheet Ben put together to help evaluate whether her routine completed all of the steps necessary to control her mind and body and put her in the best position for success possible if you would like to use it with your own golfers:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H7vdjPPL1o9UwDtK53Ac0hYKU-LQbJR2CX1_Ls-nHYs/copy

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy