Advertise on podcast: The Next Season Podcast

039 gave you the awareness. 040 gives you the tools. Nothing was “wrong”… but everything felt heavy. I wasn’t injured. I wasn’t unprepared. I wasn’t lazy. I was exhausted because I was carrying too many moments at once. In this episode, I give you simple, practical tools to stop replaying the past, stop worrying about the future, and finally put your energy where it belongs — right here. We build on the Process. Perform. Prepare framework from Episode 39 and break down: How to process the past without carrying itHow to get back into the present when pressure hitsHow to prepare for the future without letting ambition hijack performance You’ll learn why pressure builds, confidence feels fake, and the game speeds up — and how to reset your mind so you can play free again.  This isn’t fluffy motivation. These are tools to get out of your head and back into the moment that actually matters. If you feel mentally tired, tight, distracted, or stuck — this episode is for you. 00:00 Intro & Highlights 01:00 The Weight of the Moments 02:01 Understanding Energy Blocks 03:40 Tools for Processing the Past: Write It & Burn It; Write & Don't Send 08:35 Other Tools for Processing the Past 09:56 Tools for Performing in the Present: Breathing and Power Presence Words 13:37 Tools for Preparing for the Future: Values and Visualization 19:04 Putting Your Energy into the Right Block 20:23 Wrap-Up & Closing Thoughts

Some of my biggest struggles had nothing to do with talent. They came from my head being in the wrong place. I was physically present, but mentally stuck — replaying the past, worrying about the future, and trying to perform somewhere other than where my feet were. In this episode, I break down a simple framework I call Process. Perform. Prepare. It's how to align your focus, effort, and energy with the right moment for the right job: Process the pastPerform in the presentPrepare for what’s next I explain why pressure builds, confidence drops, and performance tightens — even when you care and even when you’re prepared. Most athletes aren’t broken. They’re just living in the wrong moment. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Episode 39 gives you awareness and clarity. Episode 40 gives you the tools. If you’ve ever felt distracted, overwhelmed, or unable to play free — on the field or in life — this is for you.   00:00 Intro & Highlights 00:55 My Struggles & Realizations 02:34 Process, Perform & Prepare: Understanding Energy Blocks 03:30 Pressure vs. Anxiety (and the impact on mind, body & performance) 06:37 Your Job/The Purpose of Each Energy Blocks 10:09 Processing the Past 14:17 Performing in the Present 18:18 Preparing for the Future 21:36 Wrap-up, Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead

**REPOSTING FOR NEW YEARS DAY 2026** This is episode 014 of the Next Season Podcast! In episode 013, I gave you a better way to set and pursue goals using a brain-based, next-level framework.  In this episode, we're going to take those goals and turn them into habits using neuroscience-backed tips and tools. We'll start with some brain mechanisms and processes, and bust the 21-day habit myth. Then, I'll share 5 practical strategies or tools to create habits that stick. These insights will help you build a sustainable system that actually helps you achieve your goal and drive life-long growth. Let's go! 00:00 Introduction - Turning Goals into Habits 02:30 Habits & the Brain: Long-Term Potentiation & Long-Term Depression 07:04 Goal & Habit Cycles: Key Brain Regions & Neurochemicals 13:08 Debunking the 21-Day Habit Myth 16:34 Tool 1: Create-a-Player Identity & Never Summit Goals 19:38 Tool 2: Habit Stacking 22:48 Tool 3: The Sweet Spot Rule 25:53 Tool 4: Using Failure as Feedback, Short-Term Memory & Chunking (Win the Inning) 28:34 Tool 5: Creating Friction in Bad Habits 30:30 My Challenge to You & Wrap-Up ________________________________________ Find me, follow, share & get in the game: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextseasoncoach/ Website: https://www.nextseasonathletes.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c4Ysto0Xoy98NPxDDeTXY?si=ac3628c83ea04a05 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-season-podcast/id1770193226 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkF51BhMjh8dy9w0gEzenwg  Email: [email protected]

**REPOSTING FOR NEW YEARS EVE 2025** It's the time of year for goal setting and New Years Failures…I mean Resolutions.  In this episode I share some stats to show just how bad most of us are at setting and achieving goals, then introduce a science-supported framework to help you be better at setting and pursuing goals. I also identify three common mistakes that you may be making - even though you think they're helping your progress.  This episode is packed with practical advice to help athletes like you set and achieve your goals effectively - using science-backed principles and concepts. 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Episode Objectives 02:52 Real-Life Examples and Reframing Goals  06:02 We SUCK at Setting and Pursuing Goals 06:40 The Power of Writing Down Goals  09:08 SMART Goals and Beyond  11:00 Step 1: Create One Hyper-SMART Goal  14:04 Step 2: Eliminate Distractions and Negative Influences  17:00 Step 3: Identify Positive Benefits and Emotional Connection  20:37 Step 4: Specify the Actions You'll Take Consistently 23:50 Step 5: Identify and Prepare for Obstacles  27:17 Step 6: Visualize Negative Outcomes  30:30 Step 7: Create an Intermittent Random Reward System  34:48 Recapping the 7 Steps 35:34 3 Common Mistakes in Goal Pursuit  40:45 Wrap Up _________________________________________________________ Find me, follow, share & get in the game: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextseasoncoach/ Website: https://www.nextseasonathletes.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c4Ysto0Xoy98NPxDDeTXY?si=ac3628c83ea04a05 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-season-podcast/id1770193226 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkF51BhMjh8dy9w0gEzenwg  Email: [email protected]

What do you do when life blindsides you - left laying on the side of the road? In this powerful episode, Jimmy Mudgett shares the story of nearly dying while training for an Ironman after being hit by a car and told he might never walk again. Instead of giving up, he rebuilt his identity, his confidence, his character, and eventually crossed the Ironman finish line he almost lost. This conversation cuts straight into the heart of what athletes actually struggle with: identity, comparison, purpose, pain, rebuilding, and becoming the kind of person who refuses to quit. If you’re in a season of transition, dealing with self-doubt, or trying to figure out who you are after sports, Jimmy’s story is one you can't miss. A raw, honest, long-overdue conversation with Maryland's other Ironman: Jimmy Mudgett. 00:00 Introducing Jimmy Mudgett 02:14 Jimmy's Origin Story 04:52 Character Development & Becoming a True Athlete 08:47 College Recruiting Process & an Unexpected Offer 11:12 More on the Importance of Character in Sports & Life 23:09 Transition from College Athlete to Business Owner 28:15 Struggling with Emptiness & Discovering Triathlons 34:25 Building a Mindset of the Biggest Badass in the World 37:23 The Neuroscience of Runner's High 40:30 August 6, 2014: A Life Altering Accident 43:47 The Miracle 44:56 The Necessity of Strong Bodies & Support Systems 46:15 Mental & Physical Pain and the Grueling Recovery Process 52:28 Training Tool: Chunking in the Pursuit of Goals 53:45 Finish What You Start: Returning to Ironman Training 57:16 Facing Fear, Staring at Walls & the Neuroscience of Chunking 01:00:44 Becoming an Ironman & Lessons Learned

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. If you play baseball — or live a meaningful life — you’re going to get bruised, banged up, embarrassed, humbled, and tested. The question isn’t if pain shows up. It’s what you do next. In Part 2 of our deep dive into pain & toughness, I break down the exact mindsets, tools, and tactics you can use to: Train toughness over time (gradual exposure, mental training, reframing, physical conditioning)Recover faster and smarter using the modern P.E.A.C.E. & L.O.V.E. frameworkHandle pain in the moment with my go-to S.E.A. WALK method—shake it off, exhale, affirm, and move forwardAnd yes… even the psychology behind swearing as a pain tool (my older athletes will get it) If you want to build real grit, raise your pain threshold, recover better, and stay composed when it hurts, this episode gives you everything you need. Listen in and start training toughness the right way — with your brain and body working together, not against each other. DISCLAIMER: This episode includes discussions on medical terminology and treatment options. I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. All points made and advice provided is based upon my own independent research, discussions with medical professionals and the treatment of my own/my family's pain & injuries. Please seek a qualified medical professional for the diagnosis and treatment of any pain, injury, illness or any other medical event. 00:00 Introduction & Recap of Part 1 (Understanding Pain) 01:28 Episode Goal: Moving from Understanding to Mastering Pain 02:32 Tool #1 (Preparing for Pain): Conditioning for Toughness 02:56 Step 1 - Acknowledge & Understand Multi-dimensional Pain 04:15 Step 2 - Get Comfortable with Discomfort 05:59 Step 3 - Mental Training for Pain 08:33 Step 4 - Physical Conditioning 09:43 Step 5 - Support & Recovery 11:07 Tool #2 (Recovering from Pain): P.E.A.C.E. & L.O.V.E. Framework 16:55 Tool #3 (Handling Pain in the Moment): S.E.A. WALK 20:38 Bonus Tool (NOT FOR YOUTH): Profanity as a Pain Response 23:39 Key Takeaways, Closing Thoughts & My Challenge To You

If you’ve got real passion, you’re signing up for pain. Pain is inevitable—it’s the cost of chasing something that matters. But it’s not just physical. Pain is multidimensional. It’s mental, emotional, even social. And when you start to understand that, everything about how you handle it changes. In this episode, I break down the science of pain and toughness—the way your brain interprets pain, how toughness impacts your reputation, why two players can feel the same injury completely differently, and how you can learn to use pain to become tougher, smarter and grittier on and off the field. This isn’t about pretending you’re fine. It’s about learning how pain works, why it shows up, and how to make it mean something. Listen now to understand pain differently -- and don't forget to subscribe and click notifications to catch Part II for specific mindsets and tools to shift from understanding pain to controlling it. DISCLAIMER: This episode includes discussions on medical terminology and treatment options. I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. All points made and advice provided is based upon my own independent research, discussions with medical professionals and the treatment of my own/my family's pain & injuries. Please seek a qualified medical professional for the diagnosis and treatment of any pain, injury, illness or any other medical event. 00:00 Introduction to Pain and Toughness 01:31 The Importance of Toughness 02:30 Neuroscience of Pain 03:17 The Neuroscience of Pain: Multidimensional & Biopsychosocial Factors That Influence Pain 06:31 Practical Advice for Parents & Coaches 08:21 Distinguishing Pain from Injury 11:26 Gate Control Theory & Pain Inhibition 14:33 Heat & Cold Therapy (The Changing Science, Bad Advice and 18:41 Closing Thoughts & Preview of Part II

You ever crush a huge goal — and then feel...empty? You thought you’d feel unstoppable, but instead, it’s flat. That’s not weakness — it’s brain science. In this episode of The Next Season Podcast, I break down why success can trigger burnout, emptiness and even depression, and teach a better way to set goals using my Never Summit Goal Setting framework. Learn how to stay ambitious without burning out, and how to climb toward your dreams without tying your identity to the outcome. Backed by neuroscience, real stories, and practical takeaways, this episode will help athletes, parents, and coaches rethink success and rediscover joy in the process. You’ll learn how to: 🏔 Avoid the Arrival Fallacy that kills motivation after a win ⚡Rewire your dopamine system to stay hungry without crashing 🧠Detach your identity from stats, scholarships, or status 💪 Build confidence through continuous growth, not perfection   🎧 Tune in for a science-backed playbook on how to dream bigger, chase smarter, and stay grounded on every climb.   00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview 01:14 You Hit Your Goal…But… (The Problems with Traditional Goal Setting) 02:48 The Brain Science of Goal Setting & Pursuit (Dopamine & Motivation) 04:41 Brief Intro to Never Summit Goal Setting 04:59 Factor 1: The Arrival Fallacy (& Hedonic Treadmill) 07:44 Factor 2: The Motivation Gap 08:38 Factor 3: Identity Loss 10:18 Factor 4: Emotional Letdown (& Perfectionism) 12:49 The Reality of Climbing Mount Everest (& What It Means For You) 17:47 A Different Approach: Never Summit Goal Setting Framework 18:57 Brain Science to Support Never Summit Goals & Ambition Without Attachment 22:38 Action Steps, Closing Thoughts, How to Help & Useful Resources

You’ve had a garbage teammate before—selfish, lazy, full of excuses. Toxic. Talks crap and puts you down. You're never good enough, you don't belong…you get it. In this episode I continue to garbage teammate series but this time it may be the worst version - that horrible teammate is YOU. You are the worst possible teammate to yourself. We cover what it sounds and looks like to be a garbage teammate to yourself, the danger of those negative self-beliefs and words, and then what to do instead. You’ll learn how to stop being your own worst critic and start being your best teammate—the one who builds confidence, respects identity and plays free. We’ll break it down into three buckets: Identity – Who you really are beyond stats and playing timeAuthenticity – Staying aligned with your values and self-respectConfidence Evidence – Stacking proof that fuel unshakable belief Packed with real stories, neuroscience and tactical tools like box breathing, reframing, snapback cues, gratitude, journaling and visualization—this episode is your playbook for resilience, confidence, and freedom on and off the field. Perfect for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to shift the mental game from toxic self-talk to authentic self-trust. 00:00 Intro, Episode Highlights & Garbage Teammate Recap (032 & 033) 01:17 Hearing the Hate from a Championship Game Disaster 05:00 Inversion Thinking Exercise: Playbook to Being Your Own Worst Teammate 09:25 Three Buckets of How to Be the Best Teammate to Yourself 09:59 Bucket 1 - Identity: Who You Really Are 12:58 Bucket 2 - Authenticity: How Aligned You Are To Your Identity 16:53 Bucket 3 - Confidence Evidence 20:10 Tactics In the Heat of the Moment: Breathwork, Reframe & Snapback, Gratitude 24:15 Strategies To Practice Over Time: Meditation, Journaling, Visualization 27:41 Closing Thoughts: Recap & How To Support

🚨 Upperclassmen — the way you treat freshmen can make or break your season. Ignore them, exclude them, haze them? You’re not tough… you’re toxic. In this episode of the Next Season Podcast, I lay out 3 huge mistakes upperclassmen make that DESTROY their leadership potential & trash team culture. But I don't stop there - stay to the end because I give you 3 underrated & proven leadership moves that build trust, confidence and team performance. 👉 Discover why exclusion can mimic physical pain (neuroscience doesn’t lie), why hazing kills culture, and how the best leaders model standards, protect the vibe and share their struggles. Whether you’re in high school, college, a more experienced guy on your travel team or a leader in any aspect of life — this episode will show you how to stop being a garbage teammate and start being the culture-builder your team actually want to take the field with. 00:00 Intro & Episode Highlights 01:01 Recapping 032 - Garbage Freshman & New Guy 02:17 Talking to the Upperclassman - Standards, Culture & Neuroscience of Connection 03:53 Stories from my High School & College Freshman Years 06:24 Garbage Upperclassman Step 1: Ignoring & Excluding 10:56 Garbage Upperclassman Step 2: Withholding Knowledge 13:05 Garbage Upperclassman Step 3: Hazing 22:11 Ideal Upperclassman Step 1: Model Standards & Competition 23:59 Ideal Upperclassman Step 2: Set & Protect Team Culture 26:33 Ideal Upperclassman Step 3: Share Your Struggles (Vulnerability) 22:43 Closing Thoughts: What Teammates Remember & How You Can Support

Don’t be that guy on a new team. You know the one—shows up late, acts too cool, doesn’t listen, and loses respect before the first game even starts. In this episode of the Next Season Podcast, I break down 5 brutal mistakes that instantly make you a garbage new teammate—and how to flip them into habits that earn trust, respect and leadership on day one. Whether you’re a freshman walking into high school or college ball, a transfer adjusting to a new program, or a parent/coach trying to help athletes thrive, this is your survival guide for first impressions. We’ll hit on: 🚫 Acting too cool for the team ⏰ Blowing off punctuality 🙅 Not being coachable 😑 Killing trust with bad body language 🧠 Forgetting humility and ownership   🔥 Listen now and learn how to stand out the right way and become the teammate every coach, scout, and player wants in their locker room. 00:00 Intro & Episode Highlights 01:33 Freshman Year Transitions & Challenges 03:47 The Neuroscience of First Impressions 04:39 Inversion Thinking & Episode Structure 06:24 Garbage Freshman Step 1: Acting Too Cool 09:32 Garbage Freshman Step 2: Being Late 13:30 Garbage Freshman Step 3: Trying to be the Clown 16:10 Garbage Freshman Step 4: Blaming & Making Excuses 18:46 Garbage Freshman Step 5: Talking Trash About Old Team 21:17 What to Do Instead: 5 Ways to be an Awesome New Guy 22:11 Ideal Freshman Step 1: Keep Your Mouth Shut & Ears Open 23:59 Ideal Freshman Step 2: Look for Work (No Empty Hands) 26:33 Ideal Freshman Step 3: Keep Your World Small 28:22 Ideal Freshman Step 4: Be Coachable & Take Notes 30:05 Ideal Freshman Step 5: Take Care of Your Gear & Your Body (& Your Mind) 32:35 The Ideal Team Player: Hungry, Humble & Smart 33:45 Closing Thoughts & How You Can Help

In Episode 030, I hit you with 6 reasons that the "dumb" mistakes you see may not be on purpose - and they fell in the No Choice Bucket. If you missed it, go back and listen first. Now in Part 2, we go even deeper with 10 more brain-based, logic-driven reasons people make choices that look dumb but actually make perfect sense to them in the moment. From processing speed under pressure to emotional hijacking, habit loops, fear of judgment and outdated mental models, we break down the hidden forces that drive behavior, choices and performance — and why these moments almost never come from laziness, disrespect or lack of care. Backed by sports neuroscience, real coaching stories, and practical tools, this episode will help coaches, parents, and players swap judgment for understanding, build trust faster, and create performance environments where athletes can thrive. Plus at the end, I give you some tactical advice on what you can do different and 3 book recommendations that may just change your life.   00:00 Intro & the No Choice Bucket 00:54 What About When They Do Have a Choice? 01:47 Reason 1: They Don't Know Why They Should Do It 05:11 Reason 2: They Think They're Way is Better 06:43 Reason 3: They Think Something Else is More Important 07:47 Reason 4: There's No Perceived Positive Outcome for Doing It 09:01 Reason 5: There's a Perceived Negative Consequence for Doing It 10:15 Reason 6: There's a Perceived Positive Outcome for Not Doing It 12:45 Reason 7: There's No Negative Consequence for Not Doing it 13:40 Reason 8: They're Dealing with Hard Personal Stuff 15:08 Reason 9: They're Afraid of […] 17:18 Reason 10: You're Wrong 19:43 Recapping the Two Buckets: No Choice & Logical Reasons 20:22 Two Tactical Steps to Help You Handle These Situations 21:41 Three Book Recommendations 23:57 Don't Be Dumb - Hit Me Up to Talk Book Recommendations (I don't make any money or commission from these links, just sharing books that have helped me, and maybe you'll like them too): The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom Extreme Ownership: How US Navy SEALS Lead and Win Heads-Up Baseball 2.0: 5 Skills for Competing One Pitch at a Time

Tell me if these sound familiar… Your shortstop makes a wild throw when he should’ve eaten it. A hitter swings 3–0 with the game on the line and pops up. The ump blows an obvious call. Your mom says something awkward in front of your whole team. A teammate zones out and misses the sign, and you pay the price. Another teammate hits a missile and thinks it's gone, tosses his bat and starts his homerun trot, but it stays in the yard and he's thrown out at second. Your best player loses control of his emotions, slams his bat and gets tossed at the worst possible time. We’ve all seen it — people doing really dumb $**t. But here’s the truth: it’s almost never on purpose. This part 1 of a 2-part series giving you the exact reasons people may do really dumb things. This episode covers the first bucket of 6 reasons. Stay tuned for episode 031 which gives you another bucket of 10 more reasons. Backed by neuroscience, real stories and coaching insights, this series flips how you see “dumb plays” forever. 00:00 Intro: A Dumb Baserunning Play…or not? 02:56 Overview of the Two Buckets 04:25 Reason 1: They Don't Know What They're Supposed to Do 06:25 Reason 2: They Don't Know How to Do it the Right Way 08:53 Reason 3: They Think They Are Doing it Right 11:18 Reason 4: There Are Obstacles Beyond Their Control 14:55 Reason 5: They Have Personal Limitations 19:18 Reason 6: Nobody Can Do It 22:28 Recap & Watch Out for Part 2

Coach Murph is changing the game—literally. Chris “Coach Murph” Murphy went from youth ballplayer to landing a front office job with the Red Sox. When he realized there was something missing, he went all-in and has become one of the premier online coaches, including the personal hitting coach to MLB LEGEND MANNY RAMIREZ & MLB draft prospects. In this episode, we unpack his journey, his coaching philosophy and how he builds real confidence in hitters of all ages. You’ll hear: Why talent without structure won’t cut itThe secret power of video feedback (and how it trains the brain)The truth about slumps, self-doubt and hitting mechanicsWhy even Manny has a hitting coach—and how Coach Murph earned his trustWhat parents need to know about in-season skill development This episode is packed with pure gold for players 10–20, parents and coaches alike. 📲 Find Coach Murphy @icoachbaseball & DM “Core Four” to get started with his program https://www.coachmurphbaseball.com/   00:00 Episode Highlights & Intro 00:57 Introducing Coach Murph 02:05 Following the Dream & Love of the Game 04:20 Taking Chances & Changing Directions: Red Sox to Coaching 07:07 Communication, Connection and Coaching Tactics 10:18 Becoming the Hitting Coach for Manny Ramirez 15:44 Lessons for Players from an MLB Legend 16:41 Video Feedback: Enhancing Player Performance 18:02 Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming Self-Doubt 19:14 Coach Murph on Confidence 25:13 In-season Adjustments 26:59 Commitment & Accountability in Training 30:44 Rapid Fire: Science-based Coaching, How to Connect, What's Next, One Piece of Advice, Breaking Through, Perspectives for A Slumping Player 37:45 Closing Thoughts

You need to know what coaches and scouts are really looking for. Baseball is a game of details. And if you're missing these ones, you’re in trouble. In Part 2 of this two-part series, I break down 4 more subtle red flags that silently kill trust with coaches and hold players back—on the field and in life. These aren’t just performance issues. These are character issues, mindset traps, and lifestyle habits that coaches notice… even if you think they don’t. (I had a few challenges with the mic and recording this episode, appreciate your understanding with the minor audio issues) 🚩 Victim Mentality & Self-Shaming 🚩 The Impact of Poor Nutrition, Hydration and Sleep 🚩 The 'Always Kinda Hurt' Guy 🚩 Not Cleaning Up The Dugout PLUS why they matter from a brain-science 🧠 perspective, and what you can do about it. If you’re serious about getting recruited, earning playing time and becoming a complete player, this is an episode you can’t afford to skip. 👇 Drop a comment if one of these hits home—or if you’ve seen these in teammates. 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes weekly   00:00 Episode Highlights & Intro 01:12 Red Flag #5: Victim Mentality & Self-Shaming (& the brain science) 06:34 Red Flag #6: Neglecting Physical Health (& the brain science) 12:52 Red Flag #7: The Always Kinda Hurt Guy (& the brain science) 17:55 Red Flag #8: Lack of Stewardship & Accountability (& the brain science) 21:57 My Challenge to You, Recap & Wrapping Up