For this week's episode, Coach Kara and I provide an overview of our first in-person mental skills camp! Mental skills training is transforming softball, giving players the tools they need to handle the mental challenges of the game without their gloves or bats. During the camp, we had stations that covered how to catch negative thoughts, develop breathing techniques, create routines, and recover from failure.

Episode Highlights:

• Why mental skills training is crucial in softball
• Mental skills can be taught during practice without sacrificing physical development
• Mental skills in a team setting help players feel less alone in their struggles
• The importance of mental reps is just as important as the physical ones

Ready to discover where your team stands mentally and how you can help?
Take our Team Assessment. The results will give you detailed insights on areas for growth, where your players need more coaching from you, and how you can bridge the gap with real solutions!

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• X @CoachAB_
• YouTube @fearlessfastpitch5040

For this week's episode, I host the Mather brothers and discuss their journey with the Omaha Stockmen. We dissect how mental skills strategies lead to enhanced gameplay and improved team cohesion. We discussed how these strategies helped pave the way for a 4th championship title.

Episode Highlights:

• The importance of mental performance coaching in a team setting
• How they used mental strategies to help individual players
• Fostering a positive team culture through mental resilience
• How the team's motto "Rise as One" helped unify the players

Connect with Jason & Andrew:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Omahastockmen/

Instagram: @omahastockmen

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• X @CoachAB_
• YouTube @fearlessfastpitch5040

For this week's episode, I'm sharing a parent workshop I hosted during a previous Mental Skills Challenge Week! I dive into the vital need for effective communication between parents and young athletes. Focusing on tools and strategies that foster emotional safety, I provide insights on navigating tough conversations and building lasting connections.

Episode Highlights:
• Discussing the challenges of parent-athlete communication
• Importance of emotional awareness in young athletes
• Introducing the parent communication guide with practical tips
• Celebrating progress and handling emotional setbacks

Parent Resources:

Parent Guide: https://www.fearlesswarriorprogram.com/ctcc

X: @ToriTyson

The Emotion Wheel

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• X @CoachAB_
• YouTube @fearlessfastpitch5040

For this week's episode I got the opportunity to interview my former teammate and friend, Kelsey Gaston! Kelsey and I were teammates at Concordia University where she played in the infield. After graduating, Kelsey went on to go to PT school and is now a practicing physical therapist. Kelsey’s journey from competitive athlete to a fulfilled physical therapist highlights the complexities of athletic identity and the emotional challenges faced post-competition. It encourages listeners to embrace their multifaceted selves and recognize the resilience built through sports.

Episode Highlights:
• Navigating personal identity after sports
• The transition from athlete to professional life
• The importance of diversifying athletic experiences
• Building resilience through adversity

Connect with Kelsey:

Instagram: @drkelsey.g

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• X @CoachAB_
• YouTube @fearlessfastpitch5040

We've got another archive Guest Speaker call we are sharing with you today! In 2020 Bella Norton a catcher for the University of Indiana came and shared her story with our warriors. Her story highlights the significance of mental resilience and teamwork in sports. Through her struggles and triumphs, Bella teaches that identity is rooted in character, not merely performance statistics.

Episode Highlights:
• Bella's recruitment experience and challenges with exposure
• The importance of academic performance and time management
• Daily life of a collegiate athlete and the grind of training
• Utilizing visualization for mental strength and confidence

Connect with Bella:

Instagram: @catch42softball

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• X @CoachAB_
• YouTube @fearlessfastpitch5040

We reached way back to 2020 in our guest speaker files to share this awesome conversation with former Michigan State Spartan, McKenzie Long. In this episode, Kenzie shares her journey of identity transformation after serious injuries sidelined her athletic career at Michigan State. Through challenges, faith, and community support, she shares how she learned that worth is rooted in self, not performance.

Episode Highlights:
• Importance of mindset in overcoming adversity
• The struggle of identity tied to athletic performance
• Lessons learned from failure and unmet expectations
• The role of faith in personal growth and resilience

Connect with Kenzie

Instagram: @kenzie_long

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• X @CoachAB_
• YouTube @fearlessfastpitch5040

This is the 5th installment in our "Mindset Myths" series. Today, I challenge the popular notion of "mental toughness," asserting that it often leads to emotional suppression and unrealistic expectations in athletes. I also share with you what term I use instead, and my reasoning around that decision.

Episode Highlights:
• Why I don't use the word mental toughness
• The difference between mental toughness and mental strength
• How the term mental strength can give the power back to your athletes
• Importance of fostering supportive environments over tough love

If you want to read the article I mention in this episode: "7 Signs You're Not Mentally Strong, You're Just Acting Tough", you can find it here

If you are a coach and looking for more resources to help support building mental strength in your athletes, book a FREE call with Coach Kara, our Director of Team Performance, to discuss strategies and resources we provide to help teams, click here

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• X @CoachAB_
• YouTube @fearlessfastpitch5040

On today's episode we bust the myth that our athletes need to "visualize success." We discuss the varying abilities of athletes to visualize, the importance of tailoring techniques to individual learning styles, and how coaches can better prepare their teams.

Episode Highlights:
• Debunking the myth about instant visualization success
• Comparing the learning process of mental skills to physical skills
• Recognizing individual differences in athletes' ability to visualize
• The relevance of aphantasia and learning preferences

If you are coach looking for support in teaching mental skills to your players, check out the replay recording of our recent Coaches Workshop here

To book a FREE call with Coach Kara, our Director of Team Performance, to discuss strategies and resources we provide to help teams, click here

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• X @CoachAB_
• YouTube @fearlessfastpitch5040