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Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 25, we explore why real growth happens in the dark and why loud, attention-seeking discipline is fragile compared to quiet execution . Drawing on wisdom from ancient Stoics like Seneca and Epictetus alongside Jake Thompson's powerful reminder that progress comes down to making those "can't see choices" to build "can't miss growth," this episode challenges athletes, parents, and coaches to stop posting about the grind and start living it . Tune in to learn how controlling your controllables builds unshakable internal confidence, and stick around to take on our weekly challenge: the 7-Day Silent Work Protocol .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, host Mike Brilla tackles one of the most common questions from sports parents: can drive and determination actually be taught, or are some kids just naturally "built different" ? Drawing key insights from Chapter 2 of Jim Afremow's The Champion's Mind, Mike breaks down 12 essential mental skills—ranging from positive goal setting and mental imagery to breath control and self-talk—that can be nurtured in any young athlete . He also shares practical wisdom from his mental performance coaching training with Lindsay Wilson at Positive Performance Academy, explaining how the brain's survival mechanisms impact motivation and performance . Tune in to discover actionable strategies to help your athlete build mental toughness, manage pre-competition anxiety, and cultivate long-term growth . Don't foget to head to inpsiredathletemp.com to join the email list to get actionable tips to your inbox!

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 23, we kick off the new school year by diving into the powerful lessons our kids teach us about resilience, discomfort, and growth . As an 8th-grade teacher, wrestling coach, and father of two sons, I reflect on back-to-school night jitters, the myth of needing to have all the answers, and why true confidence only grows on the other side of difficulty . Drawing insights from Stoic philosophy, sports psychology, and habit building—from Marcus Aurelius and Trevor Moawad to James Clear—we explore how retraining your subconscious, making hard choices, and choosing motion over emotion can help both you and your young athletes build a champion mindset when facing life's toughest moments .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we're tackling one of the biggest hurdles holding athletes and performers back: the fear of failure and the safety net of "Plan B" . Drawing from a profound conversation with my 16-year-old son about going all-in on your passion, along with lessons from Iowa wrestling legend Brett Metcalf and Roger Bannister's historic four-minute mile, we explore why our brains default to comfort and how true belief requires action . Plus, I break down Lewis Howes' eight core focus areas for achieving your potential and living with zero regrets . Tune in to learn how to conquer self-doubt, step into deep water, and build a champion mindset !

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 20, "Don't Fear Fear," host Mike Brilla opens up about recording outdoors after a long night of septic tank issues and dives deep into how fear and doubt can pull athletes away from their true potential . Drawing from his own struggles putting his face on social media, wisdom from Jim Collins' Inner Excellence, Marcus Aurelius' Stoic reflections, and a powerful lesson on gratitude anchors from his son during a baseball tournament, Mike shares actionable strategies to face discomfort head-on . Whether you are competing on the field or navigating personal growth, learn why true mental toughness isn't about avoiding fear or guaranteeing a win, but about constantly believing in yourself and having your own back no matter what happens .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we dive into what happens when plans fall apart and how an unexpected early loss at my son's baseball tournament led to a family trip to see the movie The Odyssey . A powerful line from the film sparked a deep reflection on our battle with control, competitive drive, and why we so often try to force outcomes instead of trusting the process . Drawing on wisdom from Ryan Holiday, Young Pueblo, Rick Alexander, and Dr. Jim Affenbrough, we explore how embracing productive struggle, taking action through movement, and managing our second thoughts can build a true champion mindset in sports and in life .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast ! Episode 18, "Stop Saving Them from Losing: Reframing Failure and Anxiety in Youth Sports," was born out of a quiet moment on a back deck in Connecticut while watching my son's 13U travel baseball team navigate the rare sting of defeat . After 21 years of coaching high school wrestling, I've realized how easy it is to forget that failing early is the secret sauce to performing when the stakes are highest . In this episode, we dive deep into the sports coaching framework behind why top programs actively seek out losses . We break down elite rugby coach Eddie Jones's 70/30 practice rule , wrestling legend Cary Kolat's lesson on why failure is important, and how leaning into simple moments of awe acts as an instant circuit breaker against performance anxiety on game day .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Episode 17, "The Most Important Words," host Mike Brilla breaks down what happens in a young athlete's head right after a high-stakes failure—and why our go-to parental instincts might actually be falling on deaf ears . When an athlete makes a game-ending error or falls short in a major tournament, standard platitudes like "you did your best" get blocked by the brain's critical gatekeeper . Instead of relying on soft phrases or toxic positivity, this episode explores how parents and coaches can guide athletes toward a grounded, neutral mindset . Drawing from sports psychology, mindfulness traditions, and practical visualization techniques , Mike shares actionable strategies to help athletes release negative self-talk, stop the cycle of suffering, and build true mental toughness when pressure strikes .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we are tackling one of the heaviest burdens our teenage athletes carry: the crushing weight of trying to please everyone around them . Drawing on a powerful (and surprisingly liberating) quote from Marcus Aurelius—"soon you will have forgotten everything, soon everything will have forgotten you"—we dive into how we can help our kids drop the heavy backpack of other people's expectations . I talk about the danger of "time traveling" in performance , why we need to help them put on mental "blinkers" to block out the noise , and how shifting from an external scoreboard to an internal one builds unstoppable, lasting confidence . Plus, I'll share details on my 6-step Inspired Game Plan, designed to help athletes separate who they are from how they perform so they can compete freely . Head over to inspiredathletemp.com to learn how we can train your athlete's mental game with intention ! Let's dive in !

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we're diving deep into the love-hate relationship many of us—especially coaches, teachers, and athletes—have with the summer off-season . Without the daily grind and rigid structure of the school year schedule, it's incredibly easy to fall into the trap of procrastination and what Jocko Willink calls "mission creep" . I get transparent about my own struggles with staying disciplined when the motivation just isn't there, and how drawing on wisdom ranging from Navy SEALs to ancient Stoics like Seneca can help us simplify our goals . We'll talk about how to eliminate analysis paralysis, build a solid morning anchor routine, and learn to truly execute and rest so you can conquer your off-season and focus on your purpose over outcomes .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we tackle that quiet, "now what?" feeling that hits when a competitive season ends or the school year wraps up, and the circus leaves town . It's incredibly easy for athletes and performers to fall into the trap of wrapping their identity in what they do rather than who they are . Drawing timeless wisdom from Olympic gold medalist Tenley Albright, Stoic philosopher Epictetus, big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton, and author Austin Kleon, we discuss how defining yourself by external accolades, wins, or trophies sets you up for a massive crash when the season ends . Instead, you'll learn how to shift your focus away from outcomes you cannot control and anchor your identity in your internal "why" and the daily, unglamorous act of doing the work . Walk back into your training tomorrow knowing that the practice field and weight room aren't just about winning titles—they are where you go to forge a bulletproof character .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we're digging into a truth I've learned over 20 years of coaching wrestling: the greatest athletes aren't just in love with winning; they are in love with the daily act of getting better . We explore why legendary researcher Jim Collins argues we should "focus on the fire" of the work itself, using the incredible story of Olympic gold medalist Tenley Albright, who dedicated less than 2% of her biography to her medal because she was so focused on the joy of her next pursuit . We also take a page out of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations to realize that "glory" is often just the fleeting "clapping of tongues," and that true resilience comes from valuing your own actions and the process rather than seeking the shaky ground of external approval . Whether you're a state champ or just starting out, it's time to ask yourself: if nobody could see the work you're putting in, would it still be worth doing?

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we are diving deep into the concept of "productive struggle" and why that feeling of frustration isn't a sign that you're failing, but proof that you're on the right path . We often fall into the trap of thinking our "encodings"—what we're meant to do—should be easy, but the reality is that true growth requires us to work through things that challenge us . I share stories ranging from the legendary wrestling culture in Nazareth, PA, to the "try-hard" label that we should all start wearing as a badge of honor . Whether you're an athlete battling self-doubt or a parent trying to help your child navigate a setback, we explore how to move to a "neutral" mindset, focus on internal effort over external results, and remember that struggle is not an interruption to the process—it is the process

Podcast Summary Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into the "paradox of habits" and exploring when a healthy routine turns into a rigid attachment. Drawing on the wisdom of James Clear and the teachings of Buddhism, I'm getting real about my own struggles with "tracker obsession" and the pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect . We discuss why true greatness requires a flexible identity rather than a fragile one, featuring insights from coaching legend Steve Draffle and a powerful graduation speech from an Air Force Academy-bound wrestler . Whether you're grinding through 5 a.m. runs or trying to find your identity outside of your sport, this episode is a reminder that the path isn't easy, but learning to detach your self-worth from your external results is always worth the struggle .

Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we are diving deep into what it truly takes to sustain greatness when adversity strikes, stripping away the talent and leaving behind the pure grit required to overcome major setbacks. Inspired by a powerful message from the legendary Inky Johnson, I break down why one bad chapter doesn't define your entire book and how your brain's natural self-defense mechanism might actually be self-sabotaging your progress. Pulling insights from James Clear's Atomic Habits and Jake Thompson's concept of "can't-see choices," we explore why you need to stop playing the scoreboard's game and start unlearning the old identities holding you back. Plus, I share a simple, actionable strategy from Bobby Maximus—the "Green Dot" method—to help you flip the switch on negative red-light thoughts and force your mind to optimize for the things you can 100% control.