Mental Advantage Podcast

The MAP boys sat down with Mike Taylor and Roger Kitchen Jr. to discuss an athlete assessment that uses AI to take a comprehensive view of an athlete's profile to measure "heart" and "head" through the merits of five traits: mastery; persistence; competitiveness; work ethic and team orientation. Mike Taylor is the co-founder of AgDiago and has worked in the sports industry for more than 20 years where he has held leadership roles working with college coaches, the American Football Coaches Association, American Football Coaches Foundation and with other sports organizations such as United States Olympic Committee, NASCAR and ESPN.Roger Kitchen, Jr. is the founder and mental skills coach for Power Mental Performance and friend of the Mental Advantage Podcast having been on the show multiple times.The AgDiago athletic assessment can be used to help identify an athletes best cultural fit in a program and has been used by many high profile NCAA and professional teams. To learn more about the assessment and other services provided by AgDiago - visit www.agdiago.com or follow the company on social media @agdiagoTo learn more about Power Mental Performance - visit www.powermentalperformance.com or follow @rogerkitchenjrIf you have a comment or question for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.net To contact Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

In this episode the MAP boys talk with Aaron Machbitz, host of podcasts, "Something for Everybody" and "Champions Adjust." A former D-1 baseball player and professional wrestler Aaron is also the founder and CEO of "You are Loved". Aaron opens up about how pain and curiosity fueled him on his journey to be an advocate for those suffering from mental health issues. He discusses the tragic loss of his sister and how that impacted his life and lays out some great strategies to be used in helping others who may be suffering as well. Many other topics are discussed.To learn more about Aaron and his wonderful work in this arena: www.aaronmachbitz.com If you or someone you love is in crisis or just need someone to talk to, you can call or text the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988.If you have a comment or question for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.net To contact Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

In this episode, the MAP boys sit down with Major Gen. (Ret.) Chris Hughes to discuss the lessons of leadership that he learned in over 35 years of leadership experience in the US Army, from platoon leader to Commanding General.Over the course of his career, Chris served as the Executive Officer for the Secretary of the Army, the Army Senior Liaison to the US House of Representatives, and he commanded an Infantry Battalion from the 101st Airborne Division during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. He assisted in the creation of five major organizations within the Department of Defense and served as an investigator on the USS Cole Commission in 2000. After retiring from military service, Chris became the President and CEO of Northwest Consulting, LLC. He's also the author of "War on Two Fronts: an Infantry Commander's War in Iraq and the Pentagon." To work with General Hughes, please visit www.the-way-forward.comRemember you can use the code MA20 and get 20% off anything on the MindVue site including the amazing mindset assessment. Fix your mindset and start closing the gap today between where you are and where you want to be.If you have a question or comment for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo contact Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys sit down with public speaker, facilitator and master of healing arts, Vital Akimana. Vital shares his unbelievable journey from Rwanda where he and his family escaped the genocide that saw 800,000 people slaughtered in 100 days of blood-letting. He talks about the unspeakable things he saw before he was even 10 years old and how these events shaped his life. A graduate of Guilford College, he studied Comparative Religion and Peace Studies. He is a certified mediator and facilitator trainer through the Guilford College Conflict Resolution Center and an NEDA End of Life Counselor. In his capacity as a facilitator he has served with various organizations including the National Conference for Community and Justice as well as the National Student Leadership Conference.His story has been written about in various outlets including: "Our Search for Belonging," written by Howard Ross and a Washington Post piece by Courtland Milloy, "A Peacemaker Who Knows the Horror of War."To have Vital come to your organization as public speaker or to see what other services he provides go to: www.vitalakimana.comRemember you can use the code MA20 and get 20% off anything on the MindVue site including the amazing mindset assessment. Fix your mindset and start closing the gap today between where you are and where you want to be.If you have a question or comment for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo contact Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys sit down to discuss the feedback from the Brendan Suhr episode. They also talk about some of the interesting things they have been following in the world of mental performance. For more information about MindVue and the mindset skills assessment go to www.mindvue.com - to receive a 20% discount use the code: MA20 at checkout.Have a question or comment for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netWant to work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo reach Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys sit down with Brendan Suhr, the founder of Coaching U and long-time NBA assistant coach who coached many of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Brendan talks to the boys about his start in coaching and shares some of the stories from his distinguished career that saw him be a part of two teams that won NBA titles (with the Bad Boys teams of the Detroit Pistons). He shares the lessons he learned from all of the great coaches and players he was around and how those lessons can help you become better coaches and leaders with your own teams.Brendan also works with Brian Davidson and our friends at MindVue. Remember you can use the code MA20 and get 20% off anything on the MindVue site including the amazing mindset assessment. Fix your mindset and start closing the gap today between where you are and where you want to be.To find out more about Coaching U, you can visit the website at www.coachingulive.com If you have a question or comment for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo contact Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

For the 100th episode of the Mental Advantage Podcast, the MAP boys sit down with their very first guest ever, Dave Meyer. Dave is a physical therapist and mental performance coach who has been working in professional sports for many years. He is the author of the book, "Injured to Elite" and the host of the podcast, "Beyond Zero." He is truly considered a "friend of the show" as always brings a ton of great insights and energy. Special thanks to all of our listeners for 100 episodes!!Get your pen and paper ready.For more information about MindVue and the mindset skills assessment go to www.mindvue.com - to receive a 20% discount use the code: MA20 at checkout.Have a question or comment for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netWant to work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo reach Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys sit down with Austin Byler, co-founder of Major League University to discuss his career and how he got motivated to become a mental performance coach. The importance of culture in programs, the Breath A.I.R. method for helping improve better self-talk and many other topics. For more information about MindVue and the mindset skills assessment go to www.mindvue.com - to receive a 20% discount use the code: MA20 at checkout.Have a question or comment for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netWant to work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo reach Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys sit down to discuss the feedback from the Damon West episode, "The Coffee Bean." They also talk about the hard choices that have to made around when it is time to retire or walk away from something you have been doing for a long time. The importance of identity in that decision. Other topics include lessons from the College World Series in Omaha. Upcoming guests: Austin Byler, Major League University.For more information about MindVue and the mindset skills assessment go to www.mindvue.com - to receive a 20% discount use the code: MA20 at checkout.Have a question or comment for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netWant to work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo reach Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys sit down with Damon West to hear one of the most fascinating and inspiring stories you will ever hear. Make sure you are sitting somewhere that you can take lots of notes as this one is packed full of life lessons. Damon tells us the story of his life and the lessons he has learned along the way. A story of an All-American kid who essentially has everything in life going his way yet he ends up on the streets of Dallas an addict and a thief. Damon grew up in a very loving and nurturing family with two amazing parents. From Port Arthur, TX, he lives out every young man's dream of becoming a Division 1 college quarterback. After college he goes to work in politics and investments -- he has it all until he doesn't. But, this is a story of redemption and he walks us through the amazing lessons he has learned along the way from some of the most unexpected teachers. The story of 'The Coffee Bean', a book he co-authored with Jon Gordon will provide a life lesson you will likely never forget. Damon also chronicled his entire journey from college to prison to life after prison in his book, 'The Change Agent' and we are so fortunate to have him on the show to share it with us. So, get your pen and paper ready, because this is Damon West.Don't forget the discount being offered to all listeners of the Mental Advantage Podcast. If you have been waiting to take the MindVue profiler -- a comprehensive mindset assessment. Go to www.mindvue.com and enter code: MA20.To learn more about Damon West you can visit his website: www.damonwest.org To leave a comment or a question for the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo leave a question for or work with John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo reach Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net