On this first episode of the second season of the Mental Advantage Podcast, the MAP boys discuss such topics as: how to coach by focusing on the performance and not the performer; China McCarney's Mental Health Manual; dealing with negative people and they also talk about upcoming guests.To write the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.net To get in touch with John Cullen or Brandon Allen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.net or brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys welcome back China McCarney, the founder of AAADF (Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation) and VP or Jaeger Sports. China has written the books, "Off the Field", Finding true purpose and passion and "Tell Your Story." He is also a former professional baseball player, who has dealt with anxiety, panic attacks and depression for over a decade. On this visit, China talks about the “Mental Health Manual” a great resource for the many people who are fighting their daily battle with mental health issues. To get involved in Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation, go to www.aaadf.org --- to download the Mental Health Manual and Companion Journal, go to mentalhealthmanual.org To follow China McCarney on social media: @ChinaMcCarneyTo write the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.net To get in touch with John Cullen or Brandon Allen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.net or brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys discuss Sean McVay's culture code, what it takes to be a good teammate, the importance of setting standards for yourself, MUDITA and other topics on this episode of the Mental Advantage Podcast.To contact the show, write to: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo contact John Cullen, write to: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo contact Brandon Allen, write to: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys discuss “fake” mental toughness and the challenges of leading or coaching someone who projects a stronger exterior than they really possess. A few ways to identify it and how to deal with it when you spot it. They also discuss the important difference between ‘willing’ and ‘capable.’Plus, an exciting announcement about a new podcast they will be hosting called, “Under Further Review”, a show that discusses reviews that people leave for restaurants, businesses, etc.To contact the show, write to: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo contact John Cullen, write to: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo contact Brandon Allen, write to: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys sit down with Dr. Rob Bell, a mental performance coach, sports psychologist, ultra racer and author of seven books, his latest is, "Puke and Rally -- It's not about the setback, it's about the comeback." He discusses how falling from an 80-foot cliff when he was in college was the "hinge moment" that made all of the difference in his life. He breaks down his book and how the setback, the 'puke moment' can often times be the catalyst that is needed for change -- this low point becomes the best moment of a person's life.To contact the show, write to: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo contact John Cullen, write to: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo contact Brandon Allen, write to: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

Joby Shreckhise sits down with the MAP boys to discuss how the book, "The Comfort Crisis", written by Michael Easter, inspired him to push beyond his comfort zone and run a Spartan Ultra 50K race. The owner of 3XF, a chain of gyms, in Virginia, also talks about his time as a collegiate wrestler and how by learning how to "embrace the suck", you can begin to grow.To contact the show: podcast@mentaladvantage.netTo write John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netTo write Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

In this episode, the MAP boys talk all things Leadership with Dr. Jim Afremow, a mental skills coach and founder of Good to Gold Medal, a leading coaching and consulting practice. Dr. Afremow has worked with athletes and clients of all skill levels from high school all the way up to the college, professional and many Olympic teams. He has worked with Arizona State and Michigan State and shares some of the same mental training routines used by these top athletes in The Champions Mind app.He is the author of The Champion's Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train and Thrive; The Champion's Comeback: How Great Athletes Recover, Reflect and Reignite; The Young Champion's Mind: How to Think, Train and Thrive like an Elite Athlete. And now, his latest release is The Leader's Mind: How Great Leaders Prepare, Perform and Prevail.

The MAP boys welcome Kirk Cabana, the founder of the Pursuit4Purpose website and Assistant Baseball Coach at Carolina University in Winston-Salem, NC. Kirk tells his amazing story of returning to college to be a student-athlete and how he is determined to give back to the student-athletes he coaches and help them on their journey. It is a great story of how to bloom where you are planted and give back to others along your journey.To reach the show, please write to podcast@mentaladvantage.netFor John Cullen: john.cullen@mentaladvantage.netFor Brandon Allen: brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net

The MAP boys welcome back Dr. Bhrett McCabe to the show to discuss his new book, "Break Free From Suckville." Dr. McCabe is a licensed clinical psychologist holding a PhD degree in clinical psychology from Louisiana State University and completed his his pre-doctoral internship at Brown University in Providence, RI. While an undergraduate at LSU, Dr. McCabe was a 4-year letterman on the baseball team and was a member of 2 National Championship teams, 3 SEC championship teams and 3 College World Series teams. Dr. McCabe is a practicing Sports & Performance Psychologist who works with numerous athletes from the PGA and LPGA Tours, NFL, NBA, MMA, and serves as the sports and performance psychologist for the University of Alabama athletic department. He has published several articles in both academic and trade journals. Dr. McCabe discusses topics from his book -- what is Suckville and how it impacts every player or person, no matter what their level of expertise; how to start to get out of it once you are in it.

The MAP boys sit down with friend of the show, Sean O’Neill, to talk about the importance of awareness when it comes to developing mental resilience. They also talk about some of the things that lead to burnout.To write the podcast: podcast@mentaladvantage.netJohn Cullen: John.cullen@mentaladvantage.netBrandon Allen: Brandon.allen@mentaladvantage.net