Coaching Mind's Podcast: Perform at your best!

This episode dives into the pivotal role confidence plays in athletic performance. The launch of a new book introduces the Prime Five series, focusing on essential mental training tools. The discussion reveals three 'bricks'—earned, chosen, and trained—that form a solid foundation for self-belief. Practical approaches for athletes and coaches are highlighted, emphasizing strategies rooted in neuropsychology. Listeners can learn how to cultivate a culture of confidence that empowers both individuals and teams.

In this episode of The Coaching Minds Podcast, we flip the script on performance by focusing on the other 12 hours of the day—rest and recovery. Ben Carnes sits down with Lori Oliver and Jill MacRae, co-founders of The Inactive Company and creators of the Inactivator Sleep Mask, to explore the science of sleep and why most people are doing it wrong.With powerhouse careers at Spanx, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks, Lori and Jill know what it’s like to push limits—and what it costs when rest is ignored. They share research-backed strategies, from small weekly sleep tweaks to blackout environments, and explain why better sleep can unlock creativity, decision-making, and game-day performance.If you’re a coach, athlete, or high-performer who wants to recover faster, think sharper, and win more, this conversation will change the way you think about rest.Highlights:Why elite athletes and teams are making sleep a top priorityThe Sleep 7 Playbook: small changes that make a big impactHow blackout & temperature regulation can transform recoveryWhy “sleep is a workout” is the message every teenager needs to hearTools for coaches to integrate sleep into performance cultureResources Mentioned:The Inactive Company: inactiveco.comWhy We Sleep by Matthew Walker: amzn.to/4lsqDKy🎧 Listen now: mentaltrainingplan.com/podcastAre 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/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

Join former Baylor pole vaulter Kierstyn Ballard, who is currently pursuing a master’s in sport management, as she shares her compelling journey from gymnastics to high-stakes athletics. Kierstyn delves into the mental hurdles of high-risk performance, the identity crisis that follows injury, and the importance of asking for help. She emphasizes finding joy amidst adversity through faith and resilience, offering valuable insights for athletes and coaches alike on redefining toughness and navigating emotional challenges. A truly inspiring conversation!

In this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes sits down with Marc Nudelberg—former college football coach and founder of On The Ball—to explore the principles behind consistent, high-level performance. Drawing from his experiences at programs like Florida State and Cincinnati, Marc explains why simplicity beats complexity, how culture can make or break a team, and why most businesses are failing when it comes to real leadership development.The conversation dives into athlete identity, the dangers of tying your worth to your title, and the difference between feedback in football vs. feedback in business. Marc also shares tactical ways entrepreneurs and coaches can build sustainable habits using the “1% better every day” philosophy—without burning out or chasing perfection.TimeTopic1:10 | Marc's coaching and entrepreneurial journey3:00 | Why he left college football despite success5:10 | Special teams = leadership bootcamp7:00 | The hidden culture behind Florida State’s national title10:00 | Identity shifts and the cost of chasing success15:00 | Why most athletes (and coaches) struggle with identity18:00 | What business gets wrong about leadership + training21:00 | The importance of visibility and feedback loops25:00 | How solo entrepreneurs can use AI (like ChatGPT!) as a coach28:00 | What “1% better every day” really means in practice30:00 | Avoiding burnout and perfectionism through minimum standards33:30 | Applying time + mindset management for MTP coaches37:00 | The 3 priorities every coach-entrepreneur must schedule40:00 | How to hold others accountable without sacrificing care42:00 | Marc’s advice to his younger self: Be obsessively curiousAre 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/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

What’s it really like to go through MTP Certification? In this episode, you’ll hear directly from Coach Danny Tippett — the very first coach to complete the program.Danny shares:Why he decided to pursue mental performance trainingHow the tools helped him coach his son, lead a middle school football team, and improve his own anxietyWhat the certification process was likeHow he’s now applying MTP tools in sports like cheerleading, volleyball, and footballWhy every coach should have this in their toolbox — even if it’s not their main roleWhether you're a coach, trainer, or someone who wants to make a bigger impact — this episode gives you a clear picture of what’s possible when you get MTP Certified.🔗 Apply at mentaltrainingplan.com → Click “Get Certified”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/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

If you're a coach who believes in the power of the mental game — and you're ready to start teaching it — this episode is for you.MTP founder Ben Carnes breaks down exactly what MTP Certification is, who it’s for, and how it equips you to start leading 1-on-1 coaching and team workshops right away.You'll hear:The story behind how the MTP system was builtWhat makes MTP Certification different from any other mental training programHow certified coaches are using this to serve athletes in their schools or build their own coaching businessWhat tools, training, and support you’ll walk away withAnd why now is the best time to join the missionWhether you’re a trainer, team coach, AD, or just someone who wants to make a lasting impact… this is the launchpad you’ve been waiting for.🔗 Learn more or apply at mentaltrainingplan.com → Click “Get Certified”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/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

What do you do when life changes in a single moment? Dave Randall knows. After surviving a life-altering medical condition while serving in the U.S. Navy, Dave could’ve quit. Instead, he rebuilt—body, mind, and mission.Now a world champion hand cyclist and founder of Alive Day Apparel, Dave joins Ben to talk about identity, faith, pain, purpose, and what it takes to thrive after hitting rock bottom. This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone trying to rise from a setback.Highlights include:The story behind “Alive Day” and what it means to DaveWhy purpose makes discipline effortlessHow to win the mental game before the race even beginsThe role of faith in high performanceWhy your comeback is always stronger than the setbackAre 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/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

In just one season, South Ripley went from a middle-of-the-pack team to a 19–0 start, a #1 ranking, and a sectional championship. The difference? A full commitment to mental training.Assistant coach Tom Beach, a 40-year coaching veteran, joins us to share how implementing MTP Academy transformed the mindset—and the results—of a small-town Indiana basketball team.“MTP can’t guarantee you championships… but I can guarantee you—we wouldn’t have won a sectional without it.”If you’ve ever wondered what mental training can really do for your program, this is the episode to hear it from someone who’s seen it firsthand.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/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

Your life moves in the strongest direction of your thoughts – a powerful truth that forms the foundation of this eye-opening conclusion to our Positive Intelligence series. What if all your distress was self-generated? What if you could transform every challenge into an opportunity simply by shifting your perspective?In this enlightening conversation with mental performance coach Brenna, we explore how to activate your "sage" mindset – that wiser, calmer part of your brain – through practical, science-backed techniques that anyone can implement. Far from passive positivity, the sage perspective requires active mental training and deliberate choice.We break down the game-changing "three gifts technique" that helps athletes reframe failures as learning opportunities, and dive deep into the five sage powers: empathize, explore, innovate, navigate, and activate. You'll discover why visualizing yourself as a child can instantly shift your self-talk, and how identifying your "true north" values creates an unshakable foundation for decision-making when challenges arise.The most exciting revelation? You can literally train your brain through simple 10-second "PQ reps" that focus on your five senses. These micro-moments of mindfulness – feeling the breeze on your face during practice, truly tasting your food, or noticing the heartbeat of a loved one during a hug – create new neural pathways that enhance performance and overall wellbeing.Science confirms that negative self-talk decreases performance in every sport studied, while positive expectation demonstrably improves outcomes. The goal: 100 daily PQ reps to rewire your brain for optimal performance when it matters most. With practical examples and real-world applications, this episode provides a roadmap for taking control of your thoughts – and therefore, your life.Ready to transform your mental game? Begin with just one PQ rep today. Remember, your performance, happiness, and fulfillment all depend on mastering the inside game.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/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

Ever wondered why that voice in your head keeps sabotaging your performance? In this revealing exploration of Chapters 3 and 4 from "Positive Intelligence," we dive deep into understanding the mental saboteurs that derail even the most talented athletes.The conversation uncovers how these negative thought patterns—which we all possess—initially formed as protection mechanisms in childhood but now cause more harm than good. Everyone has a primary "judge" saboteur along with accomplice saboteurs like the hyperachiever, pleaser, controller, or stickler. These mental patterns might have helped us survive and even excel (as Brenna shares from her gymnastics career), but they eventually become obstacles to peak performance.What makes these mental saboteurs particularly dangerous is how they masquerade as helpful. "Without me pushing you, you'll get lazy" or "Without me judging others, you won't protect yourself." These justification lies keep us locked in negative thought patterns that wake us at 3AM with anxiety rather than helping us improve.The most powerful strategy for breaking free? Simply recognizing and naming these saboteurs. When you can say, "That's my judge talking" rather than identifying with those thoughts as "me," you create separation that allows you to choose a different response. This awareness extends beyond individual performance to team dynamics and family relationships, as understanding different saboteur patterns improves communication and empathy.Ready to identify your own mental saboteurs and learn how to weaken their grip on your performance? Take the free PQ assessment mentioned in the episode and join us next time as we explore how to strengthen your "sage"—the inner coach that provides constructive guidance without the emotional toll.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/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams