Advertise on podcast: Coaching Mind's Podcast: Perform at your best!

Jackson Wasserstrom joins The Coaching Minds Podcast to talk about his journey from Westfield High School to Indiana University football. After arriving at IU as a walk-on, Jackson spent years earning his way, building his role, and eventually receiving a scholarship. His story is one of faith, discipline, visualization, gratitude, resilience, and betting on yourself when nothing is guaranteed. In this episode, Ben and Jackson discuss: • Growing up with a dream of playing college football  • Battling injuries in high school  • Using journaling, prayer, and visualization to build belief  • What it feels like to be a walk-on at the bottom of the depth chart  • Treating every rep like a game rep  • Earning a scholarship at IU  • The culture shift under Coach Cignetti  • Why everything has to be earned every day  • Choosing to stay at IU instead of transferring  • Advice for high school athletes who feel overlooked  • Why gratitude matters in the middle of chasing big goals Jackson’s story is a powerful reminder that talent matters, but mindset, work ethic, preparation, and belief can carry an athlete further than most people expect. 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/athletes Are 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

Dr. Chris Carr joins The Coaching Minds Podcast for a powerful conversation on performance psychology, mental health, and the evolution of mental training in sport. Dr. Carr is the Director of Performance Psychology and Team Behavioral Health Clinician for the Green Bay Packers. Over the course of his career, he has worked with athletes and teams across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, MLS, IndyCar, Olympic sports, and college athletics. In this episode, Ben and Dr. Carr discuss: • Why performance psychology and mental health are deeply connected  • The blurry line between performance coaching and therapy  • How the stigma around mental health in sports has changed  • Why mental training needs more science and clearer standards  • How coaches can help athletes handle pressure, failure, and setbacks  • Why process goals matter more than outcome obsession  • What high school coaches should teach first when building the mental game  • Why the best coaches support the person before the player Dr. Carr also shares practical insight for coaches who want to help athletes build confidence, composure, concentration, routines, emotional regulation, and the ability to reset after mistakes. 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/athletes Are 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

Dillon Thieneman’s path from Westfield High School to Purdue, Oregon, and now the NFL was built on more than talent. In this episode of The Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes sits down with Dillon to talk about the mental side of elite performance: growing up in a competitive household, learning from his brothers’ walk-on mentality, handling recruiting noise, preparing with detail, bouncing back from mistakes, and using visualization to “play the game before the game.” Dillon shares how preparation helped reduce anxiety, why fundamentals still matter at the highest level, what he learned from Oregon’s championship-level culture, and how he handles pressure, criticism, and comparison now that the stage is even bigger. This conversation is packed with lessons for athletes, coaches, and parents about confidence, coachability, and staying committed to the process. 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/athletes Are 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 fighter pilots and elite athletes have in common? More than you think. In this episode, Ben sits down with Boo Boucousis—former fighter pilot and entrepreneur—to break down how high performers train, think, and respond under pressure. From the cockpit to competition, the principles of execution, accountability, and mental control remain the same. Boo shares how fighter pilots use systematic debriefing, real-time feedback, and disciplined habits to accelerate learning and eliminate mistakes—lessons every athlete and coach can apply immediately. If you want to perform at your best when it matters most, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most elite performance environments in the world. Key Takeaways:  Performance is built on mastering the basics—especially when you don’t feel like it  Debriefing and reflection are the fastest ways to improve  Fear isn’t the enemy—it’s part of the process in high-pressure momentsAre 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/athletes Are 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 separates great athletes from everyone else? It’s not talent. It’s how they handle pressure. In this episode, Dr. Tom Mitchell (former NBA sports psychologist for the Golden State Warriors) breaks down: • The truth about nerves and performance • How elite athletes reset after mistakes • Why comparison destroys confidence • The mindset tools used at the highest level If you want to perform at your best when it matters most… this episode is for you. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 13:00 Visualization Story 18:45 Super Bowl Story 23:00 Joe Montana on Fear 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/athletes Are 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 this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes interviews Myron Burr Jr., who shares his journey from being an athlete to a coach and now an assistant city manager. They discuss the importance of mental preparation in sports, the lessons learned from veteran players, and the unique challenges of coaching young athletes. Myron emphasizes the significance of building relationships, understanding individual needs, and the transition of skills from sports to professional life. He concludes with advice for young athletes to relax and enjoy their journey. Mental preparation is crucial for performance.Building relationships with athletes is essential.Understanding individual needs helps in coaching.Preparation leads to confidence in performance.The mental aspect of sports is often overlooked.Lessons from veterans can shape a player's approach.Track and field requires a different mindset than team sports.Coaching young athletes involves navigating their social development.Routine and preparation can limit decision fatigue.Flexibility in routines is important for adaptability. 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/athletes Are 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

Baseball is a game of failure — and how athletes respond to that failure often determines who lasts and who fades. In this episode of The Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes sits down with Tyler Rubasky, Head Baseball Coach at Anderson University, to talk about what it really takes to build mentally tough athletes in today’s college game. Tyler shares his journey from player to assistant coach to head coach, how injuries shaped his mindset, and why he chose to fully invest in mental training — even during a major coaching transition. He explains how mental skills impact performance between pitches, after errors, and during slumps, and why mental preparation matters just as much as physical development. You’ll also hear how mental training: Shapes recruiting and cultureHelps athletes move on from failure fasterPrepares players for life after baseballChanges how coaches show up in big momentsWhether you’re a coach, athlete, or leader working under pressure, this conversation is packed with insight on identity, resilience, and long-term development. Episode Chapters / Timestamps (Highly Recommended) 00:00 – Intro & Tyler’s coaching journey 02:00 – Why mental training matters in baseball 03:15 – Playing through injury & mental resilience 05:20 – Initial skepticism about mental training 06:40 – Why Anderson invested in Mental Training Plan 08:00 – Why baseball is uniquely mentally demanding 10:45 – NIL, transfers, and new mental challenges 12:40 – Building culture players want to stay in 14:15 – Mental training’s role in recruiting 17:15 – How players actually use mental skills in games 18:45 – How mental training changed Tyler’s coaching style 20:05 – Preparing athletes for life after baseball 22:10 – Advice to coaches on the fence about mental training 24:45 – Advice Tyler would give his younger self 26:20 – Advice for first-year coaches 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/athletes Are 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 this episode, we officially introduce Matt Hallock, the newest member of Mental Training Plan and the Co-Founder & Chief Performance Officer of MTP Biz—our new division bringing mental performance training to the corporate world. Matt brings 25 years of corporate leadership, decades of experience coaching athletes nationwide, and a lifelong passion for serving and developing people. From managing Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches in his 20s to leading early-career talent development for Fortune 100 companies, Matt has seen firsthand how stress, burnout, imposter syndrome, leadership gaps, and performance pressure impact the modern workforce. Together, we break down: • Matt’s unique background in coaching, biomechanics, recruiting, and corporate leadership • How his upbringing shaped a service-driven, people-first philosophy • Why athletes and corporate professionals experience the exact same pressure patterns • Why information isn’t training—and why mental performance tools actually stick • The massive costs of burnout, turnover, and untrained middle managers • The launch of MTP Biz and what early partner companies will receive • How micro-learning, assessment, and coaching can transform culture & performance If your company struggles with stress, retention, leadership readiness, burnout, or performance under pressure, this conversation shows why training the mind is no longer optional—it's the next competitive advantage. 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/athletes Are 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

Today marks a major moment for the Mental Training Plan. After helping athletes in 90+ schools across 14 states perform at their best, we’re officially expanding into the business world with the launch of MTP Biz — a mental performance division built specifically for high-performing leaders and teams. In this episode, Ben shares the story behind the decision to move into corporate America, the imposter syndrome that held him back, and the conversations that made it clear: We don’t have a football brain or a corporate brain. We have a human brain. And human performance under pressure works the same everywhere.You’ll hear: How burnout, pressure, mergers, and promotions mirror high-stakes sportsWhy tools that increase playoff wins and point differentials also improve corporate KPIsWhat the research shows about performance psychology in Fortune 100 companiesThe simple system we’ll use with businesses (assessment → alignment → training → application → reassessment)Why MTP Biz is only for high performers who want an edgeA preview of next episode with new MTP Biz co-founder & Chief Performance Officer, Matt HallockIf you're a business leader curious about bringing mental performance training to your organization, this is the place to start. Next episode: A deep dive with Matt Hallock on what’s really happening inside corporate America and why this training is desperately needed. As always: Make your plan and put it to work. 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/athletes Are 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

Today, I’m joined by Jocelyn Bruch: Indiana individual state champion, Division I golfer at Purdue, national championship competitor, and now a professional who just returned from Q-School. We dig into the real tools she used in competition — not theory — to calm nerves, trust her preparation, and perform when it counts: Diaphragmatic Breathing (16+ seconds, not 2!) to lower heart rate and get presentFMR (Forced Muscular Relaxation) to release tension before swings and puttsGo-To Statement she repeats before every shot to push out negative thoughtsCaddie Game-Plan Meetings and a simple “got it” cue to protect her routineEarned / Shows / Trained Confidence (and why “fake it till you make it” cracks under pressure)Using the book out of order to solve immediate problems, then spot-checking before roundsIf this helps you, please share it with a teammate, parent, or coach who could use a practical confidence framework. Resources: My book: Confidence: Build It, Trust It, Show It — https://amzn.to/3LqECEB (includes FREE athlete workbook)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/athletes Are 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 this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes, founder of The Mental Training Plan, breaks down the next layer of the Confidence Wall: how to train confidence like a muscle. Learn practical, science-backed tools that help athletes hardwire belief into their body and nervous system through three powerful bricks: The Breath Brick – how controlled breathing regulates the vagus nerve and restores focus.The Reset Brick – how pros like Drew Brees and Victor Oladipo flush mistakes and get back in rhythm.The Recovery Brick – why sleep, rest, and recovery are the secret advantage most athletes ignore.Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, you’ll walk away with real tools you can use to help your athletes perform under pressure and bounce back stronger after mistakes. 📘 Get the book Confidence on Amazon (includes free workbook download) https://amzn.to/46RhDJJ  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/athletes Are 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 this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, we continue our Confidence series and dig into three critical building blocks every athlete needs: identity, body language, and self-talk. You’ll learn why confidence isn’t just earned through practice and reps — it’s also chosen by who you decide to be. Ben shares a powerful example from an NBA player who missed six straight shots but still had the confidence to take — and make — the game-tying shot. Coaches will discover how to use self-schema theory to shape team culture, why body language impacts performance, focus, and even how opponents view you, and how tools like a Go-To Statement and mental reset phrases can rewire an athlete’s belief system. Whether you’re a high school athlete, college competitor, coach, or sports parent, this episode provides actionable mental performance strategies that strengthen confidence on and off the field. 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/athletes Are 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

Confidence doesn’t come from hype—it comes from work. In Episode #2 of our Confidence Series, we break down how athletes, coaches, and parents can build earned confidence through three critical “bricks”: Reps – putting in the work with intentionEvidence – gathering proof of growth and winsPreparation – creating routines that build stabilityYou’ll hear stories from the field, practical tools (like the Rep Tracker and Confidence Journal), and the science behind why deliberate practice and routines create real, lasting belief. 📖 Following along with the Confidence book? Grab your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pfeU5a and be sure to download the free workbook that comes with it! 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/athletes Are 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

Athletes don’t lose games because of talent. They lose because of confidence. In this episode, I’m sharing some big news: The launch of my new book, Confidence: Tools to Build Belief for Athletes, Coaches, and Parents. This is the first book in the Prime Five Series — a collection of tools, stories, and systems I’ve used with athletes from youth sports to state champions and even professionals. Inside the episode: Why Confidence had to be Book #1.The story of where this journey started.What the “Prime Five” are and why they matter.How coaches, athletes, and parents can start building confidence brick by brick.If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete who wants to learn how to train confidence like a skill: this episode is for you. 👉 Grab your copy on Amazon: amzn.to/4lSeSNN 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/athletes Are 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 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/podcast 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/athletes Are 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