December 24, 2024 • 35 mins
Hunter Ross joins us to share his journey from a baseball-loving child in Alabama to a standout collegiate player at Jones County Community College. His story is not just about baseball; it's about the unwavering support from a family that stretches across the U.S. and to Poland, and the life lessons learned along the way. Hunter reflects on the early influence of his stepdad, the exhilaration of hitting his first home run, and his admiration for the great Clayton Kershaw. But that's not all—listeners also get a peek into Hunter's bowling passion, proving that his talents extend beyond the baseball diamond.
Our conversation uncovers the grit and determination required to transition from high school to college baseball, highlighting the mental and physical demands that come with the territory. Hunter walks us through his freshman year as a varsity pitcher and the challenges of adapting to collegiate level play, all while emphasizing the significance of dedication, proper training, and listening to coaches. We delve into the crucial role of medical professionals and sports psychologists, emphasizing how they help athletes like Hunter maintain mental toughness and overcome obstacles, from shoulder injuries to intense mental pressure. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for young athletes and anyone interested in the intricate balance of sports, passion, and perseverance.
Thank you for tuning in to "Beyond the Game"! We hope you found valuable insights into the world of sports medicine and the importance of health and wellness in athletics. Remember, whether you're an athlete, a parent, or a sports enthusiast, this podcast is designed for you.
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Keep pushing your limits, and see you next time!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (00:11):
hey, what's up everybody.
I got hunter ross in the houseand welcome to beyond the game
podcast.
Hunter is a good friend of mine.
Now he's a collegiate baseballplayer at uh.
Well, tell him hunter, uh jonescounty community college.
Hunter Ross (00:25):
Jones county's a collegiate baseball player at
well, tell them Hunter.
Jones County Community College.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (00:28):
Jones County Community College Collegiate
baseball player Hunter's been apatient of mine for a while now.
He's come to me with a fewissues which we'll talk about
here in the podcast and wantedto give you guys kind of an
overview of what collegiateathletics looks like and sort of
how he went from, you know,high school to college and what
life looks like beyond the game.
(00:49):
So, hunter, what drew you intobaseball as a kid?
Hunter Ross (00:54):
I always like watched baseball occasionally
when I was younger and when wemoved to Alabama I kind of took
a stride to be in sports.
So my stepdad just basicallytaught me how to play baseball
and ever since then I've justbeen playing the game.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (01:14):
So you just caught on to it.
Hunter Ross (01:15):
Yeah, it became natural for you.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (01:17):
Yeah, yeah, kind of like that weightlifting.
So he's trying to catch up tome.
He's like what do you got Doc600 on a squat?
No, dude, I got 1 up to me.
He's like what do you got doc600?
Hunter Ross (01:25):
on a squat?
No dude, I got a thousand.
What are you talking about it's?
It's the total opposite guys.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (01:29):
I used to be in your shoes.
Bro used to have big legs, notanymore yeah, they're just.
Hunter Ross (01:34):
They'll continue to be like that.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (01:36):
They're just white can you, uh, can you,
elaborate on your earliestmemories of playing baseball?
Hunter Ross (01:45):
I just remember having practice with all the
guys I used to play baseballwith.
There wasn't really any bigmemories.
Yeah.
Because it was just like ashort period when we lived in
Alabama until we moved toLexington.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (02:03):
Yeah, what about your first home run?
You remember that?
Yeah, moved to Lexington.
Yeah, what about your firsthome run?
You don't?
Hunter Ross (02:06):
remember that?
Yeah, I do remember that Okay,okay.
I was 11 or 12, and I wasplaying with an actual new team,
like a new travel team.
It was my first time playing.
I actually did baseball and Idon't know, my mind went blank
(02:26):
when I hit the ball.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (02:27):
Yeah, it was crazy, it's so surreal, right
when you hit that and you'relike there's no way, that just
went over the fence.
Yeah, yeah, that's awesome.
So what were your or who wereyour biggest influences in
baseball growing up like majorleaguers?
Hunter Ross (02:44):
Being a pitcher.
I was like watching ClaytonKershaw.
He's just like a real rolemodel, like the way he carries
himself, Just everything abouthim, just the way he plays.
Yeah.
So I try to be like him.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (03:00):
Yeah, it's funny listening to you talk
about baseball.
It's like I'm 38, so, goingback in my days, I'm like, yeah,
Ken Griffey Jr, you're likewho's that?
Hunter Ross (03:11):
I know the older guys.
I love watching the older guys.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (03:13):
Yeah, old baseball man, best memories,
best memories.
Yeah, so did you always playbaseball.
Did you ever have like anyother sports interests?
Hunter Ross (03:26):
Not, did you always play baseball.
Did you ever have like anyother sports interests?
Not really at the time.
Like I mean, I always wanted toplay football.
Like I'd joke around and playfootball and whatnot.
But I never thought of itbecause I never wanted to get
injured because of the level ofgame I had for baseball.
Yeah.
But as a freshman in highschool I took a game of bowling.
(03:47):
Yeah.
I've bowled ever since.
Yeah.
And hopefully make it.
Try to put my name out thereand make it professionally.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (03:55):
Yeah, man, I think that's super cool.
Yeah, Hunter is asking me to goplay a game of bowl with him
and I'm like dude, what he'slike.
Hunter Ross (04:05):
Yeah, I'm actually pretty good, I'm like well, I'm
not, I'm a two-hander, so it'skind of it would be a little
hard because you might bowlone-handed.
Yeah, granny, bowl down thelane.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (04:16):
Yeah, dude, you got to pull up the lane
assist and granny bowl.
Hunter Ross (04:19):
it Bumpers.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (04:20):
The bumpers.
Yeah, bumpa, that's right.
So how about your familysupport and friends?
You know, obviously throughsports, and what I like most
about sports, man, is just thecamaraderie of the athleticism
that goes into the sport.
So how does your family andyour teammates support your
journey, especially through youryouth years, like high school
(04:40):
baseball?
You know, I remember highschool sports.
Everybody gets to play,sometimes there's a tryout,
sometimes there's not, dependingon how many people you have and
the school.
You know you're just trying tomake a team.
But was your family supportive?
And I bet they're stillsupportive, knowing your mom.
Hunter Ross (04:57):
Family's always been really supportive of me.
Like just with anything, justpursue your dream.
If you feel like it's right,then we'll support you.
So when I took up the game ofbaseball, they supported me and
this support hasn't stoppedsince.
Especially, I have differentfamily members from all over the
(05:23):
country, Especially all overthe United States Kentucky.
I actually have no familymembers that live in Kentucky.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (05:33):
No Zero, no zero Okay.
Hunter Ross (05:35):
I have family members that live in California,
texas, north Carolina, georgia.
My older brother lives inPoland, poland, poland, poland
Okay, it's far, yeah, andTennessee.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (05:53):
And Tennessee, so you pretty much
took over the South Basically.
Okay, I got you.
Yeah, so let's talk about yourhigh school baseball journey.
What were some of your biggestchallenges during high school,
especially for, like our younglisteners as a collegiate
baseball player now, what do youthink your biggest challenges
or hurdles were during your highschool career?
Hunter Ross (06:14):
Running.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (06:15):
Running.
Hunter Ross (06:16):
Running, because as a seventh, eighth grader coming
up to play high school baseball, you're not, you don't run on
your own.
So when you come into, likehigh school sports and you have
to run, that's a really, reallybig challenge for a lot of
incoming freshmen.
It was my biggest challenge.
And weights, because at thetime you don't lift weights.
(06:42):
Yeah, because at the time youdon't lift weights.
So that was the biggest, twobiggest obstacles, plus, give or
take, every now and then youhave injuries, so you have to
accommodate for that.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (06:55):
That's right , then you know who to go to now
.
Hunter Ross (06:58):
Right, dr Harden?
Guys, make sure you all go toDr Harden, I've got him in a
chokehold right now.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (07:06):
He has to say it.
I paid him Just kidding.
What accomplishments ormemories from your high school
team stand out to you the most?
Hunter Ross (07:14):
Actually my freshman season.
Okay.
As a freshman I started varsityPO'd.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (07:22):
Hey, that's impressive.
Hunter Ross (07:25):
We ended up going to the second round of playoffs.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (07:29):
Yep Fell short, unfortunately, but hey
man, you made it to playoffs.
It was your first year in highschool baseball you made it to
playoffs.
And for those of you who don'tknow, when he says PO'd he
doesn't mean pissed off, hemeans pitcher only.
Hunter Ross (07:48):
Real baseball players know what that means.
Yeah, yeah, there you go.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (07:52):
Did you always know you wanted to pursue
baseball at the collegiatelevel, or did that decision come
later, like as a junior orsenior?
Hunter Ross (08:00):
I knew ever since I started working out the end of
my freshman year, going into mysophomore year, that I wanted to
pursue the sport in college.
That's since I started workingout the end of my freshman year,
going into my sophomore year,that I wanted to pursue the
sport in college.
That's when I started workinghard.
Yeah.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (08:10):
And so you guys now like give us a rundown.
What does high school baseballlook like?
I mean, you're not waking up at5.30, 6.30 in the morning to do
workouts.
You have basically a blockperiod at the end of your day
where you transition intobaseball, right?
Hunter Ross (08:26):
Yeah, I don't know how to say this.
It's definitely easier beingable to do this stuff in high
school, not waking up early inthe morning.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (08:39):
You have more freedom.
Hunter Ross (08:41):
Absolutely.
Yeah, you don't have to.
You're not tired not walkingaround like a zombie every time.
You have to go work out or run,right.
So get some grace, unless youget the coach pissed off, and
then that's a different story.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (08:59):
That's a different PO.
Yeah, yeah.
Hunter Ross (09:02):
We had a couple encounters of that this year.
Yeah, and we will not talkabout it.
We won't talk about it, not onthe air, not on the air, and we
will not talk about it.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (09:07):
We won't talk about it.
Not on the air.
Not on the air.
What do you think about shapingyour skills in high school Like
?
Let's give them a rundown realquick for the high school
players listening to this today.
Guys, listen up.
This is what you need to do.
What would it be, Especially toprepare for college.
Hunter Ross (09:26):
Definitely make sure you're on top of it.
Don't slack at all.
Make sure you hit the gym andjust listen to what the coaches
have like playing for y'allRight, because that's the
biggest thing.
They always want you to go playat the next level it doesn't
(09:47):
matter, like if they're nicemean, just listen to what they
have to say, because they alwaysknow what's best for you.
They probably had that.
What's the word?
Dr. Brandon Hardin (10:02):
They advocate for you.
Yeah, hunter just woke up.
Not too long ago I had to feedhim some lunch before we did
this podcast.
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (10:14):
Words aren't coming out of my mouth right now.
They had the experience, theyhad some sort of experience when
they, when they came.
Yeah.
So they know.
They know what it's been liketo be in your shoes.
They know what it's been liketo play at the college level.
So they just want what's bestfor you.
Just listen to them.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (10:35):
Your recruitment process.
How does that look?
How did you decide on whichcollege you were going to?
Hunter Ross (10:41):
Funny Jones was my only offer and I committed on
the spot.
Ever since I walked on campusat Jones, I knew it was the
right place for me.
I love the spot.
Yeah, Ever since I walked oncampus at Jones, I knew it was
the right place for me.
Coaches I love the coaches.
Yeah.
I love the way they have whatthey have, what they have to
offer, mm-hmm, and just liketheir mindset toward the game,
because I know they're good atmaking people get to the next
(11:04):
level.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:05):
Yeah, Jones is known for that.
Yeah, they have a great, greatbaseball program.
Hunter Ross (11:09):
We had eight guys signed last year to play the
next level.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:15):
Yeah, I mean , yeah, it's incredible.
Hunter Ross (11:17):
I want to be a part of that.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:19):
How much longer do you have left?
Two years, Two years.
And then NIL says hey, Hunter,guess what?
You got another four over here.
Hunter Ross (11:30):
Yeah yeah, thank you, vanderb, what you got.
Another four over here, yeahyeah.
Thank you, Vanderbilt, Thankyou.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:33):
Vanderbilt yeah, dude, absolutely.
We were just talking about thatat lunch today.
So what was your biggestadjustment you had to make when
transitioning from high schoolto college ball?
Obviously, I know you get upway earlier.
Hunter Ross (11:49):
Not really.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:50):
No.
Hunter Ross (11:51):
I mean you get up way earlier, Not really.
No, I mean you're not workingout, you wake up earlier for
high school.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:54):
Well, I mean to go to school, but I mean for
like to go and do your workouts.
You guys do early morningworkouts.
Hunter Ross (11:59):
Oh, so you don't have to call the coach at Jones
then.
Yeah, Unless you piss the coachoff and we have to do like 6 am
like agility stuff on apractice football field it's
fine.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (12:10):
Yeah, put that 45-pound plate on and go up
the stands.
Hunter Ross (12:14):
I promise you the trap bar carry is awful.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (12:17):
Oh yeah, I'm sure.
Hunter Ross (12:19):
That's the one thing I struggle with throughout
the six weeks of competitionthat we had.
Yeah, yeah.
Transitioning to college istough.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (12:33):
Did you make any preparatory changes when
you made the jump to playing atthe collegiate level Before you
went in?
I know a lot of colleges sayhey guys, this is the summer
before your freshman year.
These are our expectations.
This is your workout plan.
Either do it over the summer oryou're going to be suffering in
the fall For fall ball yeah, um, I actually did do the workouts
(12:55):
.
Hunter Ross (12:56):
Yeah, it definitely helped me out with all the the
running and working out we do.
Now you know to live the amountof weight that I do and playing
over the summer as well,definitely, definitely helped
out a lot.
Staying loose try to keep thebody moving absolutely because
you, you don't want to go stiff.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (13:17):
I promise you that that is the worst thing
to do oh yeah, I mean, you knowthat's what I do all day is
treat athletes and I'm nocollege.
Athletes come in and they'relike, doc, I have not done any
of my summer workouts.
I'm like, hey, good luck whenyou get to school, because that
coach is going to know exactlywhat you're slacking on.
Hunter Ross (13:36):
Stay off the game.
Stay off the game.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (13:40):
Stay off the .
Hunter Ross (13:40):
PS5.
Make sure you get your work in.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (13:43):
Yeah, absolutely, and nutrition is
obviously important as well,which we'll talk about in a
little bit Eat right, yeah, yeah, nutrition is obviously
important as well, which we'lltalk about in a little bit Eat
right, yeah, eat, right, yeah.
Hunter Ross (13:54):
So Hunter came in during the season.
What were you about 210?
I was not that big.
No, no, I think I was 195.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (14:01):
Oh, 195.
Oh, and then you cut 10 duringworkouts Right to 185?
.
Hunter Ross (14:08):
Yes, did not like it.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (14:10):
Does not like it.
Yeah yeah, as a dude, we don'tlike cutting that much.
I like to be a big boy.
Hunter Ross (14:16):
No, I like being a little bit bigger, a little bit
stockier.
Yeah.
Still lean.
Still able to move all thatweight yeah, I will say that,
dropping to 10 pounds, I'm ableto move, get into different
positions that I haven't been in, so I unlock a lot more power,
which is really good.
I've experienced a lot morepower when it comes to moving
(14:41):
weight.
For sure.
And it keeps you more mobile.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (14:46):
I mean it absolutely does, Absolutely does
.
I mean absolutely does,Absolutely does.
So what did it feel?
Hunter Ross (14:56):
like when you first stepped onto the field as a
college athlete One.
It was like this is unreal.
I can't believe all my hardwork has paid off to this, even
though it's a juco, but mostkids don't even get to play JUCO
.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (15:10):
Well, and just so everybody knows, Jones
can compete against D1 colleges,I mean their program is
fantastic, Absolutely.
Hunter Ross (15:26):
We actually, I think we play.
I don't know if they're JUCO orD1, but we play in.
Florida, I think second orthird week Nice.
So I don't know what thecolleges are.
But JUCO and.
D1,.
They're getting beat.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (15:40):
Yeah, there you go.
Right attitude, that's a goodone.
How do you handle balancingacademics and athletics in
college?
Like what advice?
Hunter Ross (15:50):
would you give other student-athletes Make?
Sure you take the right classes.
That's the big one.
I took classes that I did nothave to take during the fall and
it caused me to lose being ableto hit, being able to play in a
position, because I just had tofocus on one thing I couldn't
(16:11):
balance out the academics andthe athletics.
That was planned, but I plan toget back into it.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (16:21):
Yeah, man, you got it, you got it.
What do you believe makescollegiate baseball different
from high school or even theyouth level?
Hunter Ross (16:29):
Yeah, you get, the more stuff is on you.
You, I mean, we don't get.
We don't get a whole period tolive.
You stay out there as long aspossible, as much as you want.
Yeah, get the work done, youneed to.
Yeah, kind of helps out withthe process for you.
(16:51):
Help the process with me Saying, after you get work done, I'm
going to be a better ball player.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (16:59):
Sure, so more of your conscience has to
be there.
Yes, you are part of a team andobviously the team wants to win
.
If you're not doing your part,everybody suffers, right?
Hunter Ross (17:12):
Absolutely.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (17:14):
So can you share what your role is on your
team right now?
Hunter Ross (17:21):
Being a freshman, I think just being there for my
teammates is the role.
I have being humble, being ableto piggyback on what they have
to say and get better that way,because they do have more
experience than I do andprobably more success, so being
(17:42):
able to get feedback off oftheir success would help me,
help my knowledge and help me bea better role player overall.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (17:51):
How do you approach each season and prepare
mentally and physically?
Hunter Ross (17:56):
I feel like just keep the mindset of staying
after it, being humble, and justallow God to work.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (18:07):
Mm-hmm.
Absolutely.
Hunter Ross (18:09):
Keep your faith in God.
He is the one who's given youthe ability and the talent to
play the game, so all glory goesto him.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (18:16):
Absolutely, bro, absolutely.
How do you approach each seasonas far as workouts and
nutrition?
Does anything change duringyour offseason versus your
in-season play?
Hunter Ross (18:33):
Definitely being able to gain muscle.
So, being able to, your caloriecount would go up and it would
cause you to gain that musclemass that you want to be at for
the season.
And then, during the season,you end up cutting a little bit,
stay a little bit leaner.
It causes you to be more mobile.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (18:56):
Obviously you're playing more games.
How many games a season do youguys have in college?
62.
62.
Hunter Ross (19:02):
So how do you stay Minus the World Series if we go
yeah?
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:06):
How do you stay motivated throughout the
season, especially during thosetough stretches?
Hunter Ross (19:11):
The ring.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:13):
The ring.
Hunter Ross (19:13):
The ring.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:14):
You have that picture in your locker room
.
It's like we want this.
Hunter Ross (19:18):
I think everyone wants the job, to be able to
have a ring on their finger.
Absolutely, it keeps everyonemotivated.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:26):
If I remember correctly, which we'll
have hopefully have our softballplayer from Jones on there, If
I remember correctly, didn'tJones softball win a
championship?
Hunter Ross (19:36):
They did.
They did last year.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:42):
Yeah, last year they were pretty good.
Yeah, I saw a couple of myathletes post their big fat
rings on their Instagram.
Hunter Ross (19:48):
Yeah, it would be nice to be able to have one of
those.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:51):
Yeah, yeah, brooklyn, if you're listening,
I'm talking about you.
They did fantastic.
Man, what challenges are youfacing as far as growth?
Every athlete faces setbacks.
What's been one of your biggestobstacles in your baseball
career and how did you overcomeit?
Hunter Ross (20:12):
Shoulder injuries, this throwing arm.
I'll say that it's the wholething, dr Harden.
Dr Harden was the reason that Iwas able to come back, get me
back right, all the stuff thathe put me through.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (20:34):
Nice man.
Yeah, I appreciate that I don'thave him in a chokehold this
time.
He he said that on his own Iwas never in a chokehold oh man,
yeah, no, we, we get you righthere, don't we?
we get to have a lot of fun heretoo, and hunter knows like,
about our clinic.
We're, uh, we are all sportsmad.
I mean, we got you have turf inour office like our.
Our facility is builtspecifically for athletes, um,
(20:58):
and when these guys come in, uh,it especially makes me feel
great to see them, uh, performbetter, even even better than
they did before they had aninjury.
Um, and that's the goal hereand and that's kind of what we
we face every day with ourathletes is is, hey, you know,
this is only a little minorsetback.
You know, we go into thepsychology of sport with Dr
(21:19):
Ferris here in office and wetalk about you know how, during
our training, our peak periods,we're feeling great.
But, hey, my motto to all thesekids is you know how you got
hurt, right, how, doc, I said,well, you weren't riding the
bench when you did it, but youcould have been right, you could
(21:42):
have been sitting the bench thewhole time, but you weren't.
You're playing ball, you'rehaving fun.
You know, sometimes they dosilly things, like I had a two
lane baseball player one time.
He comes in because he's like,he comes in.
He's like, doc, you won'tbelieve it.
And I said what happened?
Dude, he goes.
Man, I was playing basketball.
He fell over the basketball andbroke it.
I'm like, bro, stick tobaseball, stay away from
basketball, let's see whatyou're good at.
(22:02):
The poor guy man, he didn'tstand a chance against me that
day.
Hunter Ross (22:06):
It's always the sports, the different sports,
that get you injured, not thesport that you're playing.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:10):
That's exactly right, man.
That's exactly right.
That's exactly right, man.
That's exactly right, ordeadlifting.
Hunter Ross (22:18):
Let's be honest, performs bad.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:19):
Yeah, that's exactly right.
Performs bad yeah.
Hunter Ross (22:22):
Performs terrible.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:24):
I do not deadlift, I am way too tall for
that shit.
No, not happening.
Hunter Ross (22:28):
Sumo.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:29):
Yeah, you could sumo.
Hunter Ross (22:31):
I mean, you don't get anything out of it.
You just need to be able tomove weight.
I'm just not a deadlifter?
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:35):
right, I'm just not doing it.
I like to put weight on my back, I like to squat, I like to
lunge.
We've got to have Jacques Pichuon here.
We've got to show everybodywhat lunging looks like.
With 225 on your back, then 315.
Hunter Ross (22:49):
I'm like dude he's asking for it.
He's got that.
He's got that.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:54):
He's got that.
Yeah, he does, he does.
Hunter Ross (22:58):
Man worked hard for that All credit goes to him.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (23:00):
Yeah, man, he did, he did good, he did good
have you.
Obviously you came here for afew injuries.
Can you elaborate on what gotyou in our office to begin with?
Hunter Ross (23:11):
Wasn't it your low back?
Yeah, yeah, throughout, yeahthroughout like pitching whatnot
?
Dr. Brandon Hardin (23:19):
Yeah, you weren't opening up very well
were you, I was not.
Hunter Ross (23:23):
I was causing stress in my lower back and just
wasn't able to do the rightthing.
So I came in for a lower backand see where I am now.
Yeah.
Being able to do stuff Ihaven't been able to do.
And then shoulder my shoulderwas tight, really tight.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (23:46):
We did arm care for it, arm care for it,
super, super, very important.
Hunter Ross (23:51):
Important, very, very important.
Yes.
Especially as a this's sportsall around.
Just make sure you get yourcare in in general.
It doesn't matter what part ofyour body, Just make sure you
get your care in.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (24:02):
Yeah, absolutely man.
So I mean it starts from thefield up, right?
So I mean I attend a lot ofsporting events as a doctor, but
there are athletic trainers,there's physical therapists.
You know you've got to utilizeall of your resources to stay
well and your arm care guys.
If you don't have an arm careroutine, let your coaches know.
Dr Harden will hook you up andwe'll get you right.
Hunter Ross (24:27):
Now I can't tell you all my secrets, but we can
hook you up.
I know the secrets.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (24:30):
Yeah, how long have you worked on
improving your mental toughness,hunter, especially when facing
pressure?
I mean you're a pitcher, right,so there's a lot of pressure.
Hunter Ross (24:39):
There is a lot of pressure.
Yeah, obviously the gamedepends on you, Even though
you're the one person out ofeight other guys on the field
being a pitcher.
You control the game.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (24:48):
Yeah, I think we saw that last year in a
College World Series man.
Hunter Ross (24:54):
That was crazy.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (24:55):
Yeah, that was nuts.
Hunter Ross (25:02):
But keeping your composure, just staying humble
and just keeping your mind rightand don't allow the setbacks to
destroy your mental toughness.
Everything will be okay.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (25:12):
That's exactly right, man.
I'm glad you said that that'sone of the biggest things in
sport now and you'll see, likesport psychologists,
psychologists who are athleticpsychologists- they only take on
athletes to talk with themabout these certain types of
injuries and setbacks that theyhave.
Hunter Ross (25:28):
It's very big.
Yeah, your mental toughnessgoes down the drain.
You're just not going to bethere mentally and it's not
going to help the team getbetter in any way possible yeah
that's exactly right, so lookingahead what are your goals for
the remainder of your collegebaseball career?
Just work hard, get better,just allow God to work and allow
(25:53):
him to do stuff in my life.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (25:56):
Yeah, man, do you have aspirations to play
professionally?
Hunter Ross (26:00):
Absolutely.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:01):
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (26:02):
That's always the goal and nothing will change
that goal.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:07):
I like that.
That's awesome, man.
That is awesome.
Do you envision life afterbaseball, like even after
professional baseball?
If you achieve that, what aresome of your passions or plans
that you have in the future?
Hunter Ross (26:21):
Bowling.
I'm going to pick up bowlingagain.
Bowling will never leave.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:28):
Bowling will never leave.
Hunter Ross (26:32):
Bowling is the plan after baseball.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:34):
Yeah, I bet you guys didn't think he was
going to say that.
I know I didn't think you weregoing to say that.
Hunter Ross (26:38):
Yeah, I'm going to be like Donald Trump.
Let's pick up golf.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:43):
Yeah, dude.
So Hunter Ross, running forpresident, he's going to pick up
golf and go be at the WhiteHouse 24-7.
That sounds good, man.
Yeah, definitely tune in.
He'll put a bowling alley inthe basement.
Absolutely my own custombowling alley.
How are you staying focusedright now, while keeping an eye
(27:07):
on your?
Hunter Ross (27:07):
future opportunities.
Keeping the eyes on the futureis good, but keeping your eyes
one day at a time, every minuteof the day, making sure you're
doing the right things, alwaysaccumulates to what happens in
the future.
You don't take it one day at atime, you just steadily think
(27:28):
about the future.
Then the future will never come.
The future plans that you havefor yourself will never come if
you don't take everything oneday at a time, one minute at a
time.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (27:40):
You're staying humble in the moment.
Yeah, I love that.
Got to yeah for sure.
Hunter Ross (27:47):
I mean, if you're good and you're humble about
being good and you have thosecocky moments, that's fine.
If you're just cock, you'rehumble about being good and you
have those cocky moments, that'sfine.
If you're just cocky about itand Karma yeah, karma bites you
in the butt.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (27:58):
Baseball to the teeth.
Hunter Ross (28:02):
Jawline fractured.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (28:04):
Right Seen that happen.
So let's talk about beyond thegame, right, big reason why
we're here Beyond the game.
Pretty cool, catchy rightOutside of baseball.
What are some of your interestsor hobbies?
Not bowling, but what otherinterests or hobbies do you have
?
Travel I love traveling.
Hunter Ross (28:24):
Even though my mom likes to stay home, I'm going to
find some way somehow to getout the house.
Be, able to travel not toMississippi or not to places
I've been before, because that'sjust boring.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (28:37):
Have you been out of the country?
Hunter Ross (28:39):
I want to.
I want to go to Italy.
Dad was there for three yearsand he loved it and I always
wanted to go.
Yeah.
I want to go to the UK, okay,the weather sucks, you like tea
and crumpets never tried them.
I want to try them, or Canada,canada, yeah.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (29:05):
I heard Canadians are mean, but no,
they're not mean, they just havea way of life it's like you
going to New York.
Oh, dude, that's a hodgepodge.
Yeah, there's a lot going onthere.
Yeah, yeah, keep your money inyour front pockets.
Hunter Ross (29:21):
Always.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (29:23):
Oh man.
So how has college shaped youinto the person you are today,
both on and off the field?
Hunter Ross (29:31):
It's definitely allowed me to keep my eyes
peeled into the person you aretoday, both on and off the field
.
It's definitely allowed me tokeep my eyes peeled for anything
, because you never know whatcould happen.
You don't know what thesetbacks could do to you.
So, always keeping your eyesopen, always keeping your mind
(29:52):
straight this allows you to be abetter person overall.
It doesn't matter if you'replaying the game or not, just
keeping the focus in general,this allows you to be a better
person.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:06):
Yeah, absolutely.
What advice would you giveyoung athletes aspiring to reach
the collegiate level, really inany sport, not just baseball?
Hunter Ross (30:17):
Trust the process.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:19):
Trust the process.
Hunter Ross (30:23):
Just in the work that you do, always work hard.
Give it 110% every day, everytime you're doing something, and
everything will fall like itshould.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:38):
Keep the faith.
Hunter Ross (30:39):
Keep the faith.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:40):
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (30:41):
Have good grades.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:42):
Yeah yeah.
Hunter Ross (30:43):
Because sports does not just get you into college.
Right.
And if you want college paidfor, have good grades, have a
good GPA, have a good ACT score.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:54):
And just have fun with it.
You know, I think a lot ofpeople place too much emphasis
on one area of their life andare not very I'm not saying
they're not very well-rounded,but you know, there are certain
people who baseball, baseball,baseball, baseball.
You know, like I have to playbaseball, I have to go out today
and do something related tobaseball.
What do you think on those?
(31:15):
Do you take rest days?
You think those are important,absolutely.
Hunter Ross (31:18):
Yeah, you have to, Because that's one way you get
hurt.
You don't have the rest thatyou need and it causes you to
stay injured.
It's the body.
You don't rebuild the muscle asfast when you just keep doing
stuff.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (31:32):
Constantly breaking it down, yeah
absolutely.
Hunter Ross (31:34):
Yeah, all the tissue Mm-hmm.
Yeah, that's why you stay sore,that's why you get inflammation
.
That's when inflammation buildsup, especially throwing nonstop
, that causes the inflammationto build up in the shoulder and
that's how your shoulder hurts.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (31:51):
Mm-hmm.
Hunter Ross (31:52):
Just figure that out.
You did yeah last year.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (31:57):
Well, hunter man, we really appreciate you
coming on the show and you wantto have anything else that you
have for the audience, do youhave?
Hunter Ross (32:06):
anything else for them.
Stay tuned.
More is to come.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (32:09):
Stay tuned.
More is to come.
That's right.
You guys can watch Hunter overat Jones Baseball.
Again, hunter's a pitcher.
You guys go out to Jones andcatch a good game.
Man, I would say probably, atleast in my opinion, you'll have
the best JUCO program inMississippi, absolutely.
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (32:38):
I know my PERC guys are going to be really PO'd at
me for saying that, but Jonestypically has fantastic athletes
.
Y'all stay tuned to the PERC.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (32:43):
Jones game.
We're going to kick some buttDude.
We ought to set up a podcast atthe game.
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (32:48):
We should do that In between games just be able to
go on the podcast.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (32:52):
Yeah, Hunter come on over Land Hunter.
Come on over Landon Wallace.
Come on over and tell us howyou feel about Jones kicking
that butt.
I'm just kidding, Landon.
I'm just kidding.
Hunter Ross (33:01):
He's going to get a chair.
He's going to be sitting downin the dugout wondering what
happened.
Yeah, Joshley, sit him down,boss Joshley.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:12):
Yeah, Poor Josh picking on him down, boss
Josh Lee.
Yeah, poor Josh picking on him.
Hunter Ross (33:16):
Yeah, we don't have anything else, nicholas Handy.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:23):
You better get in this office.
We're talking to you too, buddyNicholas Hamby.
Hamby, Hamby, Hambone.
Call him Hambone.
Hunter Ross (33:33):
Hambone.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:34):
Hambone.
Hunter Ross (33:35):
That's Hambone.
Call him Hambone.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:36):
Hambone.
Hunter Ross (33:37):
Hambone, that's the new nickname yeah, dude, just
make sure you all stay focused.
For sure.
Stay focused and what you love.
It doesn't matter if it'sbaseball, just any sport.
Stay focused.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:47):
Yep eye on the prize right.
Hunter Ross (33:49):
Yep.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:51):
Stay focused , stay humble.
Hunter Ross (33:53):
Take everything one day at a time.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:55):
Be in the moment.
Hunter Ross (33:56):
Be in the moment, mm-hmm, and allow God to work.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (34:02):
Yeah, man absolutely.
Hunter Ross (34:04):
Grow your faith.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (34:05):
Yeah, dude, that is exactly right.
Hey guys, thanks for listeningup to Beyond the Game podcast.
We appreciate Hunter Ross forbeing on the podcast today and
wish him all the success for therest of his college career and
beyond.
Hopefully we'll see you in thepros, brother, and good luck
catching up to me on squat day.
Stay tuned for that.
We'll post more on that.
Hopefully Hunter doesn't hurthimself, but if he does, he can
(34:26):
come see me.
Hunter Ross (34:28):
Coach Dr Harden will hurt himself for sure.
He Coach Dr Harden will hurthimself for sure.
He will get under the rack withthe same amount of weight that
I have and he probably will fallto the floor.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (34:38):
Maybe Hopefully not.
Hunter Ross (34:39):
Gracefully, I'll spot you, it's fine.
Yeah, make sure you don't fallMight as well.
Just turn it into deadliftafter that.
Now you've got to pick it up,buddy.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (34:50):
Yeah, oh, man.
Well, guys, again, we reallyappreciate you guys listening
and remember in sports it's allabout the game.
Stay humble, Stay in the momentand we'll see you next time.
Thanks for listening.
hey, what's up everybody.
I got hunter ross in the houseand welcome to beyond the game
podcast.
Hunter is a good friend of mine.
Now he's a collegiate baseballplayer at uh.
Well, tell him hunter, uh jonescounty community college.
Hunter Ross (00:25):
Jones county's a collegiate baseball player at
well, tell them Hunter.
Jones County Community College.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (00:28):
Jones County Community College Collegiate
baseball player Hunter's been apatient of mine for a while now.
He's come to me with a fewissues which we'll talk about
here in the podcast and wantedto give you guys kind of an
overview of what collegiateathletics looks like and sort of
how he went from, you know,high school to college and what
life looks like beyond the game.
(00:49):
So, hunter, what drew you intobaseball as a kid?
Hunter Ross (00:54):
I always like watched baseball occasionally
when I was younger and when wemoved to Alabama I kind of took
a stride to be in sports.
So my stepdad just basicallytaught me how to play baseball
and ever since then I've justbeen playing the game.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (01:14):
So you just caught on to it.
Hunter Ross (01:15):
Yeah, it became natural for you.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (01:17):
Yeah, yeah, kind of like that weightlifting.
So he's trying to catch up tome.
He's like what do you got Doc600 on a squat?
No, dude, I got 1 up to me.
He's like what do you got doc600?
Hunter Ross (01:25):
on a squat?
No dude, I got a thousand.
What are you talking about it's?
It's the total opposite guys.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (01:29):
I used to be in your shoes.
Bro used to have big legs, notanymore yeah, they're just.
Hunter Ross (01:34):
They'll continue to be like that.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (01:36):
They're just white can you, uh, can you,
elaborate on your earliestmemories of playing baseball?
Hunter Ross (01:45):
I just remember having practice with all the
guys I used to play baseballwith.
There wasn't really any bigmemories.
Yeah.
Because it was just like ashort period when we lived in
Alabama until we moved toLexington.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (02:03):
Yeah, what about your first home run?
You remember that?
Yeah, moved to Lexington.
Yeah, what about your firsthome run?
You don't?
Hunter Ross (02:06):
remember that?
Yeah, I do remember that Okay,okay.
I was 11 or 12, and I wasplaying with an actual new team,
like a new travel team.
It was my first time playing.
I actually did baseball and Idon't know, my mind went blank
(02:26):
when I hit the ball.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (02:27):
Yeah, it was crazy, it's so surreal, right
when you hit that and you'relike there's no way, that just
went over the fence.
Yeah, yeah, that's awesome.
So what were your or who wereyour biggest influences in
baseball growing up like majorleaguers?
Hunter Ross (02:44):
Being a pitcher.
I was like watching ClaytonKershaw.
He's just like a real rolemodel, like the way he carries
himself, Just everything abouthim, just the way he plays.
Yeah.
So I try to be like him.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (03:00):
Yeah, it's funny listening to you talk
about baseball.
It's like I'm 38, so, goingback in my days, I'm like, yeah,
Ken Griffey Jr, you're likewho's that?
Hunter Ross (03:11):
I know the older guys.
I love watching the older guys.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (03:13):
Yeah, old baseball man, best memories,
best memories.
Yeah, so did you always playbaseball.
Did you ever have like anyother sports interests?
Hunter Ross (03:26):
Not, did you always play baseball.
Did you ever have like anyother sports interests?
Not really at the time.
Like I mean, I always wanted toplay football.
Like I'd joke around and playfootball and whatnot.
But I never thought of itbecause I never wanted to get
injured because of the level ofgame I had for baseball.
Yeah.
But as a freshman in highschool I took a game of bowling.
(03:47):
Yeah.
I've bowled ever since.
Yeah.
And hopefully make it.
Try to put my name out thereand make it professionally.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (03:55):
Yeah, man, I think that's super cool.
Yeah, Hunter is asking me to goplay a game of bowl with him
and I'm like dude, what he'slike.
Hunter Ross (04:05):
Yeah, I'm actually pretty good, I'm like well, I'm
not, I'm a two-hander, so it'skind of it would be a little
hard because you might bowlone-handed.
Yeah, granny, bowl down thelane.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (04:16):
Yeah, dude, you got to pull up the lane
assist and granny bowl.
Hunter Ross (04:19):
it Bumpers.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (04:20):
The bumpers.
Yeah, bumpa, that's right.
So how about your familysupport and friends?
You know, obviously throughsports, and what I like most
about sports, man, is just thecamaraderie of the athleticism
that goes into the sport.
So how does your family andyour teammates support your
journey, especially through youryouth years, like high school
(04:40):
baseball?
You know, I remember highschool sports.
Everybody gets to play,sometimes there's a tryout,
sometimes there's not, dependingon how many people you have and
the school.
You know you're just trying tomake a team.
But was your family supportive?
And I bet they're stillsupportive, knowing your mom.
Hunter Ross (04:57):
Family's always been really supportive of me.
Like just with anything, justpursue your dream.
If you feel like it's right,then we'll support you.
So when I took up the game ofbaseball, they supported me and
this support hasn't stoppedsince.
Especially, I have differentfamily members from all over the
(05:23):
country, Especially all overthe United States Kentucky.
I actually have no familymembers that live in Kentucky.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (05:33):
No Zero, no zero Okay.
Hunter Ross (05:35):
I have family members that live in California,
texas, north Carolina, georgia.
My older brother lives inPoland, poland, poland, poland
Okay, it's far, yeah, andTennessee.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (05:53):
And Tennessee, so you pretty much
took over the South Basically.
Okay, I got you.
Yeah, so let's talk about yourhigh school baseball journey.
What were some of your biggestchallenges during high school,
especially for, like our younglisteners as a collegiate
baseball player now, what do youthink your biggest challenges
or hurdles were during your highschool career?
Hunter Ross (06:14):
Running.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (06:15):
Running.
Hunter Ross (06:16):
Running, because as a seventh, eighth grader coming
up to play high school baseball, you're not, you don't run on
your own.
So when you come into, likehigh school sports and you have
to run, that's a really, reallybig challenge for a lot of
incoming freshmen.
It was my biggest challenge.
And weights, because at thetime you don't lift weights.
(06:42):
Yeah, because at the time youdon't lift weights.
So that was the biggest, twobiggest obstacles, plus, give or
take, every now and then youhave injuries, so you have to
accommodate for that.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (06:55):
That's right , then you know who to go to now
.
Hunter Ross (06:58):
Right, dr Harden?
Guys, make sure you all go toDr Harden, I've got him in a
chokehold right now.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (07:06):
He has to say it.
I paid him Just kidding.
What accomplishments ormemories from your high school
team stand out to you the most?
Hunter Ross (07:14):
Actually my freshman season.
Okay.
As a freshman I started varsityPO'd.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (07:22):
Hey, that's impressive.
Hunter Ross (07:25):
We ended up going to the second round of playoffs.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (07:29):
Yep Fell short, unfortunately, but hey
man, you made it to playoffs.
It was your first year in highschool baseball you made it to
playoffs.
And for those of you who don'tknow, when he says PO'd he
doesn't mean pissed off, hemeans pitcher only.
Hunter Ross (07:48):
Real baseball players know what that means.
Yeah, yeah, there you go.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (07:52):
Did you always know you wanted to pursue
baseball at the collegiatelevel, or did that decision come
later, like as a junior orsenior?
Hunter Ross (08:00):
I knew ever since I started working out the end of
my freshman year, going into mysophomore year, that I wanted to
pursue the sport in college.
That's since I started workingout the end of my freshman year,
going into my sophomore year,that I wanted to pursue the
sport in college.
That's when I started workinghard.
Yeah.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (08:10):
And so you guys now like give us a rundown.
What does high school baseballlook like?
I mean, you're not waking up at5.30, 6.30 in the morning to do
workouts.
You have basically a blockperiod at the end of your day
where you transition intobaseball, right?
Hunter Ross (08:26):
Yeah, I don't know how to say this.
It's definitely easier beingable to do this stuff in high
school, not waking up early inthe morning.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (08:39):
You have more freedom.
Hunter Ross (08:41):
Absolutely.
Yeah, you don't have to.
You're not tired not walkingaround like a zombie every time.
You have to go work out or run,right.
So get some grace, unless youget the coach pissed off, and
then that's a different story.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (08:59):
That's a different PO.
Yeah, yeah.
Hunter Ross (09:02):
We had a couple encounters of that this year.
Yeah, and we will not talkabout it.
We won't talk about it, not onthe air, not on the air, and we
will not talk about it.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (09:07):
We won't talk about it.
Not on the air.
Not on the air.
What do you think about shapingyour skills in high school Like
?
Let's give them a rundown realquick for the high school
players listening to this today.
Guys, listen up.
This is what you need to do.
What would it be, Especially toprepare for college.
Hunter Ross (09:26):
Definitely make sure you're on top of it.
Don't slack at all.
Make sure you hit the gym andjust listen to what the coaches
have like playing for y'allRight, because that's the
biggest thing.
They always want you to go playat the next level it doesn't
(09:47):
matter, like if they're nicemean, just listen to what they
have to say, because they alwaysknow what's best for you.
They probably had that.
What's the word?
Dr. Brandon Hardin (10:02):
They advocate for you.
Yeah, hunter just woke up.
Not too long ago I had to feedhim some lunch before we did
this podcast.
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (10:14):
Words aren't coming out of my mouth right now.
They had the experience, theyhad some sort of experience when
they, when they came.
Yeah.
So they know.
They know what it's been liketo be in your shoes.
They know what it's been liketo play at the college level.
So they just want what's bestfor you.
Just listen to them.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (10:35):
Your recruitment process.
How does that look?
How did you decide on whichcollege you were going to?
Hunter Ross (10:41):
Funny Jones was my only offer and I committed on
the spot.
Ever since I walked on campusat Jones, I knew it was the
right place for me.
I love the spot.
Yeah, Ever since I walked oncampus at Jones, I knew it was
the right place for me.
Coaches I love the coaches.
Yeah.
I love the way they have whatthey have, what they have to
offer, mm-hmm, and just liketheir mindset toward the game,
because I know they're good atmaking people get to the next
(11:04):
level.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:05):
Yeah, Jones is known for that.
Yeah, they have a great, greatbaseball program.
Hunter Ross (11:09):
We had eight guys signed last year to play the
next level.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:15):
Yeah, I mean , yeah, it's incredible.
Hunter Ross (11:17):
I want to be a part of that.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:19):
How much longer do you have left?
Two years, Two years.
And then NIL says hey, Hunter,guess what?
You got another four over here.
Hunter Ross (11:30):
Yeah yeah, thank you, vanderb, what you got.
Another four over here, yeahyeah.
Thank you, Vanderbilt, Thankyou.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:33):
Vanderbilt yeah, dude, absolutely.
We were just talking about thatat lunch today.
So what was your biggestadjustment you had to make when
transitioning from high schoolto college ball?
Obviously, I know you get upway earlier.
Hunter Ross (11:49):
Not really.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:50):
No.
Hunter Ross (11:51):
I mean you get up way earlier, Not really.
No, I mean you're not workingout, you wake up earlier for
high school.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (11:54):
Well, I mean to go to school, but I mean for
like to go and do your workouts.
You guys do early morningworkouts.
Hunter Ross (11:59):
Oh, so you don't have to call the coach at Jones
then.
Yeah, Unless you piss the coachoff and we have to do like 6 am
like agility stuff on apractice football field it's
fine.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (12:10):
Yeah, put that 45-pound plate on and go up
the stands.
Hunter Ross (12:14):
I promise you the trap bar carry is awful.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (12:17):
Oh yeah, I'm sure.
Hunter Ross (12:19):
That's the one thing I struggle with throughout
the six weeks of competitionthat we had.
Yeah, yeah.
Transitioning to college istough.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (12:33):
Did you make any preparatory changes when
you made the jump to playing atthe collegiate level Before you
went in?
I know a lot of colleges sayhey guys, this is the summer
before your freshman year.
These are our expectations.
This is your workout plan.
Either do it over the summer oryou're going to be suffering in
the fall For fall ball yeah, um, I actually did do the workouts
(12:55):
.
Hunter Ross (12:56):
Yeah, it definitely helped me out with all the the
running and working out we do.
Now you know to live the amountof weight that I do and playing
over the summer as well,definitely, definitely helped
out a lot.
Staying loose try to keep thebody moving absolutely because
you, you don't want to go stiff.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (13:17):
I promise you that that is the worst thing
to do oh yeah, I mean, you knowthat's what I do all day is
treat athletes and I'm nocollege.
Athletes come in and they'relike, doc, I have not done any
of my summer workouts.
I'm like, hey, good luck whenyou get to school, because that
coach is going to know exactlywhat you're slacking on.
Hunter Ross (13:36):
Stay off the game.
Stay off the game.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (13:40):
Stay off the .
Hunter Ross (13:40):
PS5.
Make sure you get your work in.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (13:43):
Yeah, absolutely, and nutrition is
obviously important as well,which we'll talk about in a
little bit Eat right, yeah, yeah, nutrition is obviously
important as well, which we'lltalk about in a little bit Eat
right, yeah, eat, right, yeah.
Hunter Ross (13:54):
So Hunter came in during the season.
What were you about 210?
I was not that big.
No, no, I think I was 195.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (14:01):
Oh, 195.
Oh, and then you cut 10 duringworkouts Right to 185?
.
Hunter Ross (14:08):
Yes, did not like it.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (14:10):
Does not like it.
Yeah yeah, as a dude, we don'tlike cutting that much.
I like to be a big boy.
Hunter Ross (14:16):
No, I like being a little bit bigger, a little bit
stockier.
Yeah.
Still lean.
Still able to move all thatweight yeah, I will say that,
dropping to 10 pounds, I'm ableto move, get into different
positions that I haven't been in, so I unlock a lot more power,
which is really good.
I've experienced a lot morepower when it comes to moving
(14:41):
weight.
For sure.
And it keeps you more mobile.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (14:46):
I mean it absolutely does, Absolutely does
.
I mean absolutely does,Absolutely does.
So what did it feel?
Hunter Ross (14:56):
like when you first stepped onto the field as a
college athlete One.
It was like this is unreal.
I can't believe all my hardwork has paid off to this, even
though it's a juco, but mostkids don't even get to play JUCO
.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (15:10):
Well, and just so everybody knows, Jones
can compete against D1 colleges,I mean their program is
fantastic, Absolutely.
Hunter Ross (15:26):
We actually, I think we play.
I don't know if they're JUCO orD1, but we play in.
Florida, I think second orthird week Nice.
So I don't know what thecolleges are.
But JUCO and.
D1,.
They're getting beat.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (15:40):
Yeah, there you go.
Right attitude, that's a goodone.
How do you handle balancingacademics and athletics in
college?
Like what advice?
Hunter Ross (15:50):
would you give other student-athletes Make?
Sure you take the right classes.
That's the big one.
I took classes that I did nothave to take during the fall and
it caused me to lose being ableto hit, being able to play in a
position, because I just had tofocus on one thing I couldn't
(16:11):
balance out the academics andthe athletics.
That was planned, but I plan toget back into it.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (16:21):
Yeah, man, you got it, you got it.
What do you believe makescollegiate baseball different
from high school or even theyouth level?
Hunter Ross (16:29):
Yeah, you get, the more stuff is on you.
You, I mean, we don't get.
We don't get a whole period tolive.
You stay out there as long aspossible, as much as you want.
Yeah, get the work done, youneed to.
Yeah, kind of helps out withthe process for you.
(16:51):
Help the process with me Saying, after you get work done, I'm
going to be a better ball player.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (16:59):
Sure, so more of your conscience has to
be there.
Yes, you are part of a team andobviously the team wants to win
.
If you're not doing your part,everybody suffers, right?
Hunter Ross (17:12):
Absolutely.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (17:14):
So can you share what your role is on your
team right now?
Hunter Ross (17:21):
Being a freshman, I think just being there for my
teammates is the role.
I have being humble, being ableto piggyback on what they have
to say and get better that way,because they do have more
experience than I do andprobably more success, so being
(17:42):
able to get feedback off oftheir success would help me,
help my knowledge and help me bea better role player overall.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (17:51):
How do you approach each season and prepare
mentally and physically?
Hunter Ross (17:56):
I feel like just keep the mindset of staying
after it, being humble, and justallow God to work.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (18:07):
Mm-hmm.
Absolutely.
Hunter Ross (18:09):
Keep your faith in God.
He is the one who's given youthe ability and the talent to
play the game, so all glory goesto him.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (18:16):
Absolutely, bro, absolutely.
How do you approach each seasonas far as workouts and
nutrition?
Does anything change duringyour offseason versus your
in-season play?
Hunter Ross (18:33):
Definitely being able to gain muscle.
So, being able to, your caloriecount would go up and it would
cause you to gain that musclemass that you want to be at for
the season.
And then, during the season,you end up cutting a little bit,
stay a little bit leaner.
It causes you to be more mobile.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (18:56):
Obviously you're playing more games.
How many games a season do youguys have in college?
62.
62.
Hunter Ross (19:02):
So how do you stay Minus the World Series if we go
yeah?
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:06):
How do you stay motivated throughout the
season, especially during thosetough stretches?
Hunter Ross (19:11):
The ring.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:13):
The ring.
Hunter Ross (19:13):
The ring.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:14):
You have that picture in your locker room
.
It's like we want this.
Hunter Ross (19:18):
I think everyone wants the job, to be able to
have a ring on their finger.
Absolutely, it keeps everyonemotivated.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:26):
If I remember correctly, which we'll
have hopefully have our softballplayer from Jones on there, If
I remember correctly, didn'tJones softball win a
championship?
Hunter Ross (19:36):
They did.
They did last year.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:42):
Yeah, last year they were pretty good.
Yeah, I saw a couple of myathletes post their big fat
rings on their Instagram.
Hunter Ross (19:48):
Yeah, it would be nice to be able to have one of
those.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (19:51):
Yeah, yeah, brooklyn, if you're listening,
I'm talking about you.
They did fantastic.
Man, what challenges are youfacing as far as growth?
Every athlete faces setbacks.
What's been one of your biggestobstacles in your baseball
career and how did you overcomeit?
Hunter Ross (20:12):
Shoulder injuries, this throwing arm.
I'll say that it's the wholething, dr Harden.
Dr Harden was the reason that Iwas able to come back, get me
back right, all the stuff thathe put me through.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (20:34):
Nice man.
Yeah, I appreciate that I don'thave him in a chokehold this
time.
He he said that on his own Iwas never in a chokehold oh man,
yeah, no, we, we get you righthere, don't we?
we get to have a lot of fun heretoo, and hunter knows like,
about our clinic.
We're, uh, we are all sportsmad.
I mean, we got you have turf inour office like our.
Our facility is builtspecifically for athletes, um,
(20:58):
and when these guys come in, uh,it especially makes me feel
great to see them, uh, performbetter, even even better than
they did before they had aninjury.
Um, and that's the goal hereand and that's kind of what we
we face every day with ourathletes is is, hey, you know,
this is only a little minorsetback.
You know, we go into thepsychology of sport with Dr
(21:19):
Ferris here in office and wetalk about you know how, during
our training, our peak periods,we're feeling great.
But, hey, my motto to all thesekids is you know how you got
hurt, right, how, doc, I said,well, you weren't riding the
bench when you did it, but youcould have been right, you could
(21:42):
have been sitting the bench thewhole time, but you weren't.
You're playing ball, you'rehaving fun.
You know, sometimes they dosilly things, like I had a two
lane baseball player one time.
He comes in because he's like,he comes in.
He's like, doc, you won'tbelieve it.
And I said what happened?
Dude, he goes.
Man, I was playing basketball.
He fell over the basketball andbroke it.
I'm like, bro, stick tobaseball, stay away from
basketball, let's see whatyou're good at.
(22:02):
The poor guy man, he didn'tstand a chance against me that
day.
Hunter Ross (22:06):
It's always the sports, the different sports,
that get you injured, not thesport that you're playing.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:10):
That's exactly right, man.
That's exactly right.
That's exactly right, man.
That's exactly right, ordeadlifting.
Hunter Ross (22:18):
Let's be honest, performs bad.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:19):
Yeah, that's exactly right.
Performs bad yeah.
Hunter Ross (22:22):
Performs terrible.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:24):
I do not deadlift, I am way too tall for
that shit.
No, not happening.
Hunter Ross (22:28):
Sumo.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:29):
Yeah, you could sumo.
Hunter Ross (22:31):
I mean, you don't get anything out of it.
You just need to be able tomove weight.
I'm just not a deadlifter?
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:35):
right, I'm just not doing it.
I like to put weight on my back, I like to squat, I like to
lunge.
We've got to have Jacques Pichuon here.
We've got to show everybodywhat lunging looks like.
With 225 on your back, then 315.
Hunter Ross (22:49):
I'm like dude he's asking for it.
He's got that.
He's got that.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (22:54):
He's got that.
Yeah, he does, he does.
Hunter Ross (22:58):
Man worked hard for that All credit goes to him.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (23:00):
Yeah, man, he did, he did good, he did good
have you.
Obviously you came here for afew injuries.
Can you elaborate on what gotyou in our office to begin with?
Hunter Ross (23:11):
Wasn't it your low back?
Yeah, yeah, throughout, yeahthroughout like pitching whatnot
?
Dr. Brandon Hardin (23:19):
Yeah, you weren't opening up very well
were you, I was not.
Hunter Ross (23:23):
I was causing stress in my lower back and just
wasn't able to do the rightthing.
So I came in for a lower backand see where I am now.
Yeah.
Being able to do stuff Ihaven't been able to do.
And then shoulder my shoulderwas tight, really tight.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (23:46):
We did arm care for it, arm care for it,
super, super, very important.
Hunter Ross (23:51):
Important, very, very important.
Yes.
Especially as a this's sportsall around.
Just make sure you get yourcare in in general.
It doesn't matter what part ofyour body, Just make sure you
get your care in.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (24:02):
Yeah, absolutely man.
So I mean it starts from thefield up, right?
So I mean I attend a lot ofsporting events as a doctor, but
there are athletic trainers,there's physical therapists.
You know you've got to utilizeall of your resources to stay
well and your arm care guys.
If you don't have an arm careroutine, let your coaches know.
Dr Harden will hook you up andwe'll get you right.
Hunter Ross (24:27):
Now I can't tell you all my secrets, but we can
hook you up.
I know the secrets.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (24:30):
Yeah, how long have you worked on
improving your mental toughness,hunter, especially when facing
pressure?
I mean you're a pitcher, right,so there's a lot of pressure.
Hunter Ross (24:39):
There is a lot of pressure.
Yeah, obviously the gamedepends on you, Even though
you're the one person out ofeight other guys on the field
being a pitcher.
You control the game.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (24:48):
Yeah, I think we saw that last year in a
College World Series man.
Hunter Ross (24:54):
That was crazy.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (24:55):
Yeah, that was nuts.
Hunter Ross (25:02):
But keeping your composure, just staying humble
and just keeping your mind rightand don't allow the setbacks to
destroy your mental toughness.
Everything will be okay.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (25:12):
That's exactly right, man.
I'm glad you said that that'sone of the biggest things in
sport now and you'll see, likesport psychologists,
psychologists who are athleticpsychologists- they only take on
athletes to talk with themabout these certain types of
injuries and setbacks that theyhave.
Hunter Ross (25:28):
It's very big.
Yeah, your mental toughnessgoes down the drain.
You're just not going to bethere mentally and it's not
going to help the team getbetter in any way possible yeah
that's exactly right, so lookingahead what are your goals for
the remainder of your collegebaseball career?
Just work hard, get better,just allow God to work and allow
(25:53):
him to do stuff in my life.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (25:56):
Yeah, man, do you have aspirations to play
professionally?
Hunter Ross (26:00):
Absolutely.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:01):
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (26:02):
That's always the goal and nothing will change
that goal.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:07):
I like that.
That's awesome, man.
That is awesome.
Do you envision life afterbaseball, like even after
professional baseball?
If you achieve that, what aresome of your passions or plans
that you have in the future?
Hunter Ross (26:21):
Bowling.
I'm going to pick up bowlingagain.
Bowling will never leave.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:28):
Bowling will never leave.
Hunter Ross (26:32):
Bowling is the plan after baseball.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:34):
Yeah, I bet you guys didn't think he was
going to say that.
I know I didn't think you weregoing to say that.
Hunter Ross (26:38):
Yeah, I'm going to be like Donald Trump.
Let's pick up golf.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (26:43):
Yeah, dude.
So Hunter Ross, running forpresident, he's going to pick up
golf and go be at the WhiteHouse 24-7.
That sounds good, man.
Yeah, definitely tune in.
He'll put a bowling alley inthe basement.
Absolutely my own custombowling alley.
How are you staying focusedright now, while keeping an eye
(27:07):
on your?
Hunter Ross (27:07):
future opportunities.
Keeping the eyes on the futureis good, but keeping your eyes
one day at a time, every minuteof the day, making sure you're
doing the right things, alwaysaccumulates to what happens in
the future.
You don't take it one day at atime, you just steadily think
(27:28):
about the future.
Then the future will never come.
The future plans that you havefor yourself will never come if
you don't take everything oneday at a time, one minute at a
time.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (27:40):
You're staying humble in the moment.
Yeah, I love that.
Got to yeah for sure.
Hunter Ross (27:47):
I mean, if you're good and you're humble about
being good and you have thosecocky moments, that's fine.
If you're just cock, you'rehumble about being good and you
have those cocky moments, that'sfine.
If you're just cocky about itand Karma yeah, karma bites you
in the butt.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (27:58):
Baseball to the teeth.
Hunter Ross (28:02):
Jawline fractured.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (28:04):
Right Seen that happen.
So let's talk about beyond thegame, right, big reason why
we're here Beyond the game.
Pretty cool, catchy rightOutside of baseball.
What are some of your interestsor hobbies?
Not bowling, but what otherinterests or hobbies do you have
?
Travel I love traveling.
Hunter Ross (28:24):
Even though my mom likes to stay home, I'm going to
find some way somehow to getout the house.
Be, able to travel not toMississippi or not to places
I've been before, because that'sjust boring.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (28:37):
Have you been out of the country?
Hunter Ross (28:39):
I want to.
I want to go to Italy.
Dad was there for three yearsand he loved it and I always
wanted to go.
Yeah.
I want to go to the UK, okay,the weather sucks, you like tea
and crumpets never tried them.
I want to try them, or Canada,canada, yeah.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (29:05):
I heard Canadians are mean, but no,
they're not mean, they just havea way of life it's like you
going to New York.
Oh, dude, that's a hodgepodge.
Yeah, there's a lot going onthere.
Yeah, yeah, keep your money inyour front pockets.
Hunter Ross (29:21):
Always.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (29:23):
Oh man.
So how has college shaped youinto the person you are today,
both on and off the field?
Hunter Ross (29:31):
It's definitely allowed me to keep my eyes
peeled into the person you aretoday, both on and off the field
.
It's definitely allowed me tokeep my eyes peeled for anything
, because you never know whatcould happen.
You don't know what thesetbacks could do to you.
So, always keeping your eyesopen, always keeping your mind
(29:52):
straight this allows you to be abetter person overall.
It doesn't matter if you'replaying the game or not, just
keeping the focus in general,this allows you to be a better
person.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:06):
Yeah, absolutely.
What advice would you giveyoung athletes aspiring to reach
the collegiate level, really inany sport, not just baseball?
Hunter Ross (30:17):
Trust the process.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:19):
Trust the process.
Hunter Ross (30:23):
Just in the work that you do, always work hard.
Give it 110% every day, everytime you're doing something, and
everything will fall like itshould.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:38):
Keep the faith.
Hunter Ross (30:39):
Keep the faith.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:40):
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (30:41):
Have good grades.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:42):
Yeah yeah.
Hunter Ross (30:43):
Because sports does not just get you into college.
Right.
And if you want college paidfor, have good grades, have a
good GPA, have a good ACT score.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (30:54):
And just have fun with it.
You know, I think a lot ofpeople place too much emphasis
on one area of their life andare not very I'm not saying
they're not very well-rounded,but you know, there are certain
people who baseball, baseball,baseball, baseball.
You know, like I have to playbaseball, I have to go out today
and do something related tobaseball.
What do you think on those?
(31:15):
Do you take rest days?
You think those are important,absolutely.
Hunter Ross (31:18):
Yeah, you have to, Because that's one way you get
hurt.
You don't have the rest thatyou need and it causes you to
stay injured.
It's the body.
You don't rebuild the muscle asfast when you just keep doing
stuff.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (31:32):
Constantly breaking it down, yeah
absolutely.
Hunter Ross (31:34):
Yeah, all the tissue Mm-hmm.
Yeah, that's why you stay sore,that's why you get inflammation
.
That's when inflammation buildsup, especially throwing nonstop
, that causes the inflammationto build up in the shoulder and
that's how your shoulder hurts.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (31:51):
Mm-hmm.
Hunter Ross (31:52):
Just figure that out.
You did yeah last year.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (31:57):
Well, hunter man, we really appreciate you
coming on the show and you wantto have anything else that you
have for the audience, do youhave?
Hunter Ross (32:06):
anything else for them.
Stay tuned.
More is to come.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (32:09):
Stay tuned.
More is to come.
That's right.
You guys can watch Hunter overat Jones Baseball.
Again, hunter's a pitcher.
You guys go out to Jones andcatch a good game.
Man, I would say probably, atleast in my opinion, you'll have
the best JUCO program inMississippi, absolutely.
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (32:38):
I know my PERC guys are going to be really PO'd at
me for saying that, but Jonestypically has fantastic athletes
.
Y'all stay tuned to the PERC.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (32:43):
Jones game.
We're going to kick some buttDude.
We ought to set up a podcast atthe game.
Yeah.
Hunter Ross (32:48):
We should do that In between games just be able to
go on the podcast.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (32:52):
Yeah, Hunter come on over Land Hunter.
Come on over Landon Wallace.
Come on over and tell us howyou feel about Jones kicking
that butt.
I'm just kidding, Landon.
I'm just kidding.
Hunter Ross (33:01):
He's going to get a chair.
He's going to be sitting downin the dugout wondering what
happened.
Yeah, Joshley, sit him down,boss Joshley.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:12):
Yeah, Poor Josh picking on him down, boss
Josh Lee.
Yeah, poor Josh picking on him.
Hunter Ross (33:16):
Yeah, we don't have anything else, nicholas Handy.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:23):
You better get in this office.
We're talking to you too, buddyNicholas Hamby.
Hamby, Hamby, Hambone.
Call him Hambone.
Hunter Ross (33:33):
Hambone.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:34):
Hambone.
Hunter Ross (33:35):
That's Hambone.
Call him Hambone.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:36):
Hambone.
Hunter Ross (33:37):
Hambone, that's the new nickname yeah, dude, just
make sure you all stay focused.
For sure.
Stay focused and what you love.
It doesn't matter if it'sbaseball, just any sport.
Stay focused.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:47):
Yep eye on the prize right.
Hunter Ross (33:49):
Yep.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:51):
Stay focused , stay humble.
Hunter Ross (33:53):
Take everything one day at a time.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (33:55):
Be in the moment.
Hunter Ross (33:56):
Be in the moment, mm-hmm, and allow God to work.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (34:02):
Yeah, man absolutely.
Hunter Ross (34:04):
Grow your faith.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (34:05):
Yeah, dude, that is exactly right.
Hey guys, thanks for listeningup to Beyond the Game podcast.
We appreciate Hunter Ross forbeing on the podcast today and
wish him all the success for therest of his college career and
beyond.
Hopefully we'll see you in thepros, brother, and good luck
catching up to me on squat day.
Stay tuned for that.
We'll post more on that.
Hopefully Hunter doesn't hurthimself, but if he does, he can
(34:26):
come see me.
Hunter Ross (34:28):
Coach Dr Harden will hurt himself for sure.
He Coach Dr Harden will hurthimself for sure.
He will get under the rack withthe same amount of weight that
I have and he probably will fallto the floor.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (34:38):
Maybe Hopefully not.
Hunter Ross (34:39):
Gracefully, I'll spot you, it's fine.
Yeah, make sure you don't fallMight as well.
Just turn it into deadliftafter that.
Now you've got to pick it up,buddy.
Dr. Brandon Hardin (34:50):
Yeah, oh, man.
Well, guys, again, we reallyappreciate you guys listening
and remember in sports it's allabout the game.
Stay humble, Stay in the momentand we'll see you next time.
Thanks for listening.
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