Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics: Dr. Braden Brown

Episode 51 with Dr. Braden Brown, Director of Mental Health at BYU Athletics is officially live.

What stood out most wasn’t a flashy mental skill — it was his grounded, experience-driven approach to helping athletes perform without trying to control how they feel.

At the core of his work: You don’t need confidence, calm, or certainty to perform well — you need the ability to respond effectively under pressure.

We dive into:

• Why confidence isn’t a requirement for performance

• Acceptance vs. fighting thoughts and emotions

• Separating identity from outcome so athletes can play free• Using experiential tools to build real awareness

• Helping athletes build an identity beyond sport

A great reminder that the best mental performance work isn’t about hype — it’s about helping athletes build capacity, trust, and flexibility under pressure.