Coaching Mind's Podcast: Perform at your best!

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 isn’t just earned through practice and reps — it’s also chosen by who you decide to be. Ben shares a powerful example from an NBA player who missed six straight shots but still had the confidence to take — and ma...

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 – putting in the work with intention
• Evidence – gathering proof of growth and wins
• Preparation – creating routines that build stability

You’ll hear stories from the field, practical tools (like the Rep Tracker and Confide...

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 Parents.

This is the first book in the Prime Five Series — a collection of tools, stories, and systems I’ve used with athletes from youth sports to state champions and even professionals.

Inside the episode:

• Why Confidenc...

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 Inactive Company and creators of the Inactivator Sleep Mask, to explore the science of sleep and why most people are doing it wrong.

With powerhouse careers at Spanx, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks, Lori and Jill know what ...

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, injuries, identity loss, and choosing joy through adversity.

Kierstyn opens up about navigating mental and emotional challenges, her faith, and what it really takes to ask for help when things feel like they’re falling apart. ...

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. Drawing from his experiences at programs like Florida State and Cincinnati, Marc explains why simplicity beats complexity, how culture can make or break a team, and why most businesses are failing when it comes to real le...

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 performance training
• How the tools helped him coach his son, lead a middle school football team, and improve his own anxiety
• What the certification process was like
• How he’s now applying MTP tools in sports like cheerleading...

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 how it equips you to start leading 1-on-1 coaching and team workshops right away.

You'll hear:

• The story behind how the MTP system was built
• What makes MTP Certification different from any other mental ...

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 mission.

Now a world champion hand cyclist and founder of Alive Day Apparel, Dave joins Ben to talk about identity, faith, pain, purpose, and what it takes to thrive after hitting rock bottom. This episode is a must-listen fo...

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 40-year coaching veteran, joins us to share how implementing MTP Academy transformed the mindset—and the results—of a small-town Indiana basketball team.

“MTP can’t guarantee you championships… but I can guarante...

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? What if you could transform every challenge into an opportunity simply by shifting your perspective?

In this enlightening conversation with mental performance coach Brenna, we explore how to activate your &q...

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 derail even the most talented athletes.

The conversation uncovers how these negative thought patterns—which we all possess—initially formed as protection mechanisms in childhood but now cause more harm...

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 explore how mastering mental fitness transformed her approach to sports, injuries, and life. Together, we break down key ideas from Chapters 1 and 2 of Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine, introducing the foundational ...

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.

At 88 years young, Richardson shares the journey that led him from high school football fields to corporate leadership positions at State Farm, and finally to his current work as a mental performance coach. Hi...

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 walked on to the University of Connecticut football team—eventually earning a scholarship, a starting spot, and All-Big East honors. He went on to be drafted by the Miami Dolphins, endured the struggles of a 1-15 seas...

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 transitioned from athlete to coach—spending valuable time as a strength coach at Indiana University and also working with other elite programs like the University of Utah and the New York Giants.

In this episode of Coaching Mi...

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 provided solace following the loss of his father and became a driving passion that shaped his early life. Through candid reflections on high school and college experiences, listeners gain insights into the mental c...

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 a quick review of the Focus Cycle, weekly planner, and two tools that Russell Wilson used while preparing to win a Super Bowl from the book It Takes What It Takes: https://amzn.to/3OsDRt2

Good luck to the Sha...

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 feel like it doesn't work to calm me down because I 'know all the tricks' I tell my students to do."

Discover her journey through mental training techniques both on and off the court, ...