The Post Game Podcast Ep. 25 - Dr. Jesse Michel: Mental Performance, Impact of Environment, Life Transitions
Dr. Jesse Michel is the Owner of Mindset for Excellence, where for the last 20 years, he has provided Mental Training Services to MLB MVPs, CEOs, World Series Champions, NBA Lottery picks, US Soldiers, Olympians, and NCAA Champions.
From 2017-2021, he was the Mental Skills Coordinator for the Houston Astros.
Prior to his time in professional baseball, he worked for the US Army as the Lead Master Resilience Trainer and Performance Expert at the Comprehensive Solider and Family Fitness Training Center in Honolulu, HI.
He has a PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a Masters in Counseling from West Virgnia University, a Masters degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences from Ithaca College, and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from UC San Diego.
These days, in addition to his own practice, he works in the corporate world for Deloitte where he leads the Performance Psychology Program, helping partners, executives, and other employees on their mental game.
He’s a Husband, father, and it’s clear he’s passionate about what he does.
What You’ll Learn About:
- The continuum of Psychological health
- Athletes and leaders leaning into vulnerability
- Transitions at different points in life
- How can this person help me get better?
- Being in the 1% in any industry is hard
- What would the title of each chapter of your story be?
- Traits of people who are successful during transition
- What I do is not Who I am
Timestamps:
(0:00) – Intro to Dr. Jesse Michel
(3:20) – Danny Hurley on Pat McAfee
(6:40) – Evolution of Sports Psychology
(8:30) – Continuum of Psychological Health
(10:30) – Jesse’s self-discovery journey
(12:10) – I’m not feeling the way I want to feel
(14:10) – Stumbling upon field of mental performance
(17:30) – Observe, ask questions, be human
(22:20) – Mental performance in different pro sports markets
(23:40) – Trea Turner
(26:40) – Alec Bohm standing ovation – what changed?
(28:40) – If you stick around in the big leagues, you’re the exception
(31:00) – How environment shapes us
(34:40) – The environment with the culture, organization, and clubhouse
(36:00) – People who have success in transitions
(37:10) – How can you learn to transition better?
(41:20) – Jesse’s transition to working in corporate world
(44:30) – When you’re in it, tough to gain perspective
(45:45) – Not everyone is going to love what they do
(49:00) – How long before you didn’t see a baseball player?
(50:10) – Where to Find Jesse’s work
Intro Song Credit: “days go bye” by mike.