Podcasts · Health & Fitness · Sports

Coaching Mind's Podcast: Perform at your best!

Mental Training Plan

153 episodes

This podcast is designed to help people take back control of their mind and body in high-pressure situations. We primarily focus on athletic situations usually spend time talking with athletes and coaches about how to use these tools in an athletic setting. However, we firmly believe that these are tools and skills that you will be able to use for the rest of your life in any situation or setting that causes your mind or body to get off track. Whether that is losing focus to distractions, losing confidence, that little voice in the back of your mind creating doubt, or wondering if you have what it takes, we use tools and strategies backed by cognitive brain research and neuropsychology to help YOU take back control and perform at your best when it matters the most.

Episodes page 1 of 4

  1. #153 - From Westfield to IU: Jackson Wasserstrom on Betting on Yourself, Earning Everything, and Chasing Big Dreams

    · 45 min · Episode 153

    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,…

  2. #152 - Dr. Chris Carr on Performance Psychology, Mental Health, and Preparing Athletes for Pressure

    · 50 min · Episode 152 · Explicit

    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…

  3. #151 - Dillon Thieneman on Preparation, Pressure, and Playing Free in the NFL

    · 31 min · Episode 151

    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…

  4. #150 - What Athletes Can Learn from Fighter Pilots with Boo Boucousis

    · 42 min · Episode 150 · Explicit

    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,…

  5. #149 - Mental Secrets from an NBA Sports Psychologist

    · 31 min · Episode 149

    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…

  6. #148 - Relationships First: Real world lessons learned from athletics with Myron Burr Jr.

    · 34 min · Episode 148

    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…

  7. #147 - Handling Failure, Pressure, and Identity in College Baseball with Tyler Rubasky

    · 25 min · Episode 147

    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…

  8. #146 – The Story Behind MTP Biz with Co-Founder Matt Hallock

    · 39 min · Episode 146

    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…

  9. #145 - Launching MTP Biz: Mental Performance Training for the Corporate World

    · 15 min · Episode 145

    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…

  10. #144 - Confidence Pt 5: Pro Golfer Jocelyn Bruch on Using These Tools On The Course

    · 1 h 04 min · Episode 144

    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…

  11. #143 - Confidence Pt 4: Breath, Reset, Recover: Building Confidence You Can Trust

    · 33 min

    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…

  12. #142 - Confidence Pt 3: Identity, Body Language & Self-Talk for Athletes

    · 39 min · Episode 142

    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…

  13. #141 - Confidence Pt 2: Building Belief Through Reps, Proof, and Preparation

    · 44 min · Episode 141

    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 –…

  14. #140 - Confidence Pt I: Launching the Prime Five Series

    · 29 min · Episode 140

    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…

  15. #139 - Sleep Like a Champion: How Rest Fuels Peak Performance with Lori Oliver & Jill MacRae

    · 27 min · Episode 139

    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…

  16. #138 - Choosing Joy Through Adversity with Kierstyn Ballard

    · 38 min · Episode 138

    In this episode of the Coaching Minds podcast, we sit down with former Baylor pole vaulter Kierstyn Ballard to talk about the real journey behind the highlights — from early gymnastics to Division I athletics,…

  17. #137 - Simple, Not Easy: Building High Performance with Marc Nudelberg

    · 46 min · Episode 137

    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.…

  18. #136 - MTP Certification Part II - Inside the MTP Certification Journey with Coach Danny Tippit

    · 31 min

    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…

  19. #135 - MTP Certification Part I - So You Want to Coach the Mental Game? Start Here.

    · 17 min · Episode 135

    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…

  20. #134 - Alive Day: Resilience, Racing, and the Fight to Keep Going with Dave Randall

    · 32 min · Episode 134

    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…

  21. #133 - From .500 to Sectional Champs: How Mental Training Changed South Ripley Basketball with Tom Beach

    · 57 min · Episode 133

    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…

  22. #132 - Positive Intelligence Pt. 3 w/ Brenna Munson

    · 33 min

    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?…

  23. #131 - Positive Intelligence Pt. 2 w/ Brenna Munson

    · 36 min · Episode 131

    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…

  24. #130 - Positive Intelligence Pt. 1 w/ Brenna Munson

    · 39 min · Episode 130

    What if the biggest obstacle to your performance isn’t physical—but the voice in your head? In this first episode of our 3-part series on Positive Intelligence, former Division I gymnast Brenna Munson joins us to…

  25. #129 - Tommy Richardson - Excellence Over Success: Coaching the Total Athlete

    · 47 min · Episode 129

    What does it take to develop a champion—not just on the scoreboard, but in life? Coach Tommy Richardson brings 60+ years of wisdom to this question, revealing a framework that transforms athletes from the inside out.…

  26. #128 - Don Thomas: Beyond Talent-What It Really Takes to Succeed in Football

    · 51 min · Episode 128 · Explicit

    From walk-on to the NFL, Don Thomas's journey is a masterclass in mental toughness, resilience, and relentless work ethic. He didn’t play football in middle or high school, but after his baseball career ended, he…

  27. #127 - The Art of Coaching: Jackson Lantz on Communication, Organization, and Leadership

    · 35 min · Episode 127

    At just 24, Jackson Lantz carries the coaching wisdom of someone twice his age. A former multi-sport athlete at Hamilton Southeastern High School and a Division I football player at Ball State, Jackson quickly…

  28. #126 - From Court to Career: Eddie Gill's Journey of Resilience, Mental Strength, and Giving Back

    · 28 min · Episode 126

    Eddie's journey from the basketball court to the world of financial services and broadcasting offers a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptation. Formerly with the Indiana Pacers, Eddie shares how basketball…

  29. #125 - Preparing For a High School Football State Championship

    · 22 min · Episode 125

    Coach Miracle asked if I could do a video for the players this week so that they could come back to it through out the week if needed as Westfield prepares to play in the 6A State Championship on Friday. We go through…

  30. #124 - FC Pt 6: Real world stress and burnout at work. Can the Focus Cycle still work?

    · 32 min · Episode 124

    High school volleyball coach Lucy Grenda reached out to me with a simple text after I completed a team session with the high school team she helps coach, "Sometimes when I use my self talk in those anxious moments, I…

  31. #123 - FC Pt 5: Little League World Series Example - Conversation with Caleb and Noah

    · 43 min · Episode 123

    Join youth baseball stars Caleb and Noah as they take center stage, sharing how they leverage the Focus Cycle framework to conquer performance anxiety and excel in the Little League World Series. In this episode, we…

  32. #122 - FC Pt 4: What if "taking a deep breath" doesn't work?

    · 28 min · Episode 122

    Have your athletes ever come to you saying, “I tried the breathing, but it didn’t work”? In this episode of Coaching Minds, we tackle exactly that—what to do when athletes struggle with using breathing techniques…

  33. #121 - Focus Cycle Pt 3: What if "positive self-talk" doesn't work?

    · 27 min · Episode 121

    What if your Go-To Statement doesn't work? What if positive self-talk feels fake, forced, or you just don't believe it? In this episode, we tackle the tough questions athletes face when self-talk strategies seem to…

  34. #120 - Focus Cycle Pt 2: What if I'm having trouble focusing on what I choose?

    · 24 min · Episode 120

    In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the Focus Cycle, exploring what to do when athletes struggle to implement this powerful tool during competition. Coaches, you’ve laid the groundwork, but now it’s time to…

  35. #119 - Focus Cycle Pt 1: Perform at your best in high-pressure situations

    · 41 min

    Back in 2014, my head coach, Jake Gilbert, walked into a quarterback meeting where we were doing some mental training. He looked at what we were doing and said, “We have to do this for the entire team.” I remember…

  36. #118 - The Process of Developing a Culture of Mental Toughness with Josh Miracle

    · 45 min · Episode 118

    Explore the essential elements of mental toughness in sports with Westfield's head coach, Josh Miracle, in this insightful episode. We delve into the processes and strategies necessary to build a resilient sports…

  37. #117 - Evaluating Your Golf Routines 2.0

    · 24 min · Episode 117

    This episode is a raw tool that Ben started using with a golfer who was not happy with her routine. She felt like her mind was wandering too much during her rounds and the distractions were taking away from her game.…

  38. #116 - Success in Sports and Entrepreneurship with Dre Baldwin

    · 37 min · Episode 116

    Have you ever wondered what fuels the relentless drive of athletes and entrepreneurs alike? Dre Baldwin, the mastermind behind Work On Your Game Inc., pulls back the curtain on the power of mental toughness that's…

  39. #115 - Brad Ritter: School of Grit

    · 51 min · Episode 115

    When Brad, the mastermind behind the School of Grit, agreed to join us, I knew it was an opportunity to share a profound narrative of human resilience. His journey through the unforgiving Kokoro Camp, where he faced a…

  40. #114 - Our Story, Our Vision, Our Mission

    · 29 min · Episode 114

    Want to learn more about who Ben is and what Mental Training Plan is all about? This is a great place to start! Join Ben Carnes on his transformative journey, ignited by a pivotal moment in high school sports in 1999.…

  41. #113 - Crafting Champions and Building Brotherhood: Inside the Triumph of Westfield's Football Legacy with Coach Jake Gilbert

    · 50 min · Episode 113

    Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Westfield's football program alongside Coach Jake Gilbert. From struggles to triumphs, this story paints a picture of a team that went from underdogs to champions,…

  42. #112 - Years 1 & 2 coaching football at a small high school: Jeremy Fendley and Dan Douglas

    · 46 min

    Discover the secrets to transforming a high school sports team from average to exceptional with insights from two seasoned coaches. As we welcome Coach Fendley and Coach Dan Douglas to our Coaching Minds podcast, they…

  43. #111 - Isaac "fails" to run a marathon and overcomes adversity

    · 34 min

    Ever pushed your limits and hit a wall, only to find a deep well of resilience you never knew you had? Zeke does just that and more as he recounts his grueling experiences at the Chicago and Indianapolis Monumental…

  44. #110 - OTS #3: Navigating the Transfer Portal-Loyalty and Team Culture

    · 22 min · Episode 110

    On The Spot: Where the questions are pulled on the spot, no prep time just raw honest answers on the spot. Are the tides turning in college football team-building? Strap in as we tackle the game-changing dynamics of…

  45. #109 - Matt Comer's Rim to Rim To Rim turns into a 100K in the Grand Canyon

    · 36 min · Episode 109

    Have you ever faced a challenge so daunting it transformed you? This week, we're joined by the extraordinary Matt Comer, who shares the raw and real experiences from his rim-to-rim-to-rim run of the Grand Canyon that…

  46. #108 - Swinging Beyond the Fairway: Cailyn Henderson's Journey Toward Mental Toughness on the Golf Course

    · 37 min · Episode 108

    Have you ever stood at life's crossroads, contemplating a leap of faith that could redefine everything? Cailyn Henderson did just that, swapping collegiate golf greens for the arduous chase toward the professional…

  47. #107 - From Football Fields to Battlefields: Andy Sweet's Lessons on Strength and Leadership

    · 36 min · Episode 107

    Embark on a journey of fortitude with Andy Sweet, the former quarterback and current Marine Corps infantry weapons platoon leader, as we unravel the essence of mental and physical toughness. Andy brings to the table…

  48. #106 Improving Athlete Motivation & Mindset

    · 23 min · Episode 106

    Welcome to a power-packed episode of the Coaching Minds podcast, where we guide you on how to foster a championship mindset in your athletes and keep their motivation burning high. We kick off with the importance of…

  49. #105 - Helping Athletes Control Physical Energy Levels

    · 29 min

    Imagine if you could offer your athletes the tools to master control over their physical reactions to stress, anxiety, and pressure. That's exactly what we discuss in this episode. We delve into the fascinating world…

  50. #104 - Improving Athlete Focus

    · 25 min · Episode 104

    In this episode of Coaching Minds, we delve into the intricacies of enhancing athlete focus and performance. We explore the science behind concentration, introducing tools like concentration grids and activities…

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