Coaching Mind's Podcast: Perform at your best!

Explore the fascinating dynamics of confidence in athletes through identity, body language, and self-talk. Discover how choosing who you want to be can drive your performance, illustrated by Victor Oladipo's inspiring comeback. Learn the power of nonverbal cues and how they impact team dynamics and personal morale. Coaches gain insights into modeling positivity and creating tailored self-talk strategies. Finally, find actionable plans to reshape beliefs and enhance your mental game on and off the field!

Confidence is built through hard work, not hype. Discover how athletes and coaches can develop earned confidence by focusing on three key elements: consistent practice, gathering evidence of progress, and establishing solid routines. Hear inspiring stories and learn practical tools like the Rep Tracker and Confidence Journal. Uncover the science behind deliberate practice and how it fosters real belief in oneself.

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