The Mental Approach To Youth Sports

In this episode of The Mental Approach, host Todd Arkell sits down with Libby Triolo, a mental performance coach and licensed professional counselor based in Colorado. Livy, a former competitive soccer player and current billet mom for a junior hockey team, specializes in helping athletes optimize their performance through mindset mastery and emotional intelligence.

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In this episode of the Mental Approach podcast, Todd Arkell interviews Dr. Colt Olson, a mental skills coordinator for the Colorado Rockies. They discuss the challenges of being a student-athlete, the journey into sports psychology, and the importance of mental skills in sports. Dr. Olson shares insights on building confidence in athletes, the role of education in sports psychology, and effective goal-setting strategies. T...

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Cooper Davis, a former collegiate baseball player at Vanderbilt University, discussing his journey from youth sports in Mississauga, Canada to playing at a prestigious college. They explore themes of mentorship, perseverance, and the cultural transition from Canada to the U.S. Davis shares insights on the importance of sticking with challenges, the role of leadership in sports, ...

In this episode of the Mental Approach Podcast, host Todd Arkell speaks with former MLB pitcher Jason Grilli about resilience, mental preparation, and the emotional challenges faced by athletes. Grilli shares insights from his extensive career, discussing the importance of mental toughness, the internal competition within teams, and the impact of injuries on performance. He reflects on his experiences during the 2006 World...

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Chase Lambin about the mental approach to youth sports and coaching. Chase has been the bench coach for the Texas Rangers AAA affiliate the Round Rock Express for the past 5 seasons. They discuss the importance of confidence in players, the evolution of mental skills in baseball, and the predator vs. prey mentality that players should adopt. Chase shares insights on how to i...

How do you handle the mental part of recovering from injury? In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Ian Jenkins, a former college baseball player and founder of the Freak Protocol. They discuss Ian's journey through numerous injuries, the mental resilience required to overcome them, and the importance of hard work and dedication in youth sports. Ian shares his philosophy on training, the impact of social media on you...

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Alan Jaeger, a pioneer in the sporting world known for his contributions to arm care and mental training in youth sports. They discuss the importance of mental health awareness, the challenges faced by young athletes, and the need for a balanced approach to physical and mental training. Jaeger emphasizes the significance of mental practice, trust, and neutrality in enhancing per...

Host Todd Arkell brings together Sara Reichenbach and Rob Pallante, two deeply experienced hockey players and mental performance coaches to provide you some assistance to crush that anxiety over tryouts. This conversation delves into the various aspects of tryout anxiety faced by young athletes, particularly in hockey. The discussion highlights the pressures from parents, coaches, and the athletes themselves, and emphasize...

In this conversation, Clint Hurdle shares his journey from a promising baseball career to struggles with alcoholism and eventual recovery. He emphasizes the importance of discipline, service to others, and the lessons learned through personal challenges. Hurdle reflects on his family life, the impact of his children, and the significance of maintaining focus and composure in both parenting and professional settings. In thi...

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Will Rogers, a Division I baseball player from the University of Michigan. They discuss Will's experiences in high school and college baseball, as well as his mindset and mental approach to the game. Will shares his journey from being a highly recruited high school player to choosing the college route over pursuing professional baseball. He also talks about the importance of min...

Lucinda Snyder, founder of Peak Flow, discusses the importance of mental performance in youth sports and how she stumbled into this field. She shares her journey of teaching yoga to athletes and the transformative impact it had on them. Lucinda emphasizes the integration of mindfulness and mental performance in sports and how it can benefit athletes beyond the game. She highlights the six pillars of her program, which incl...

Doug Dimma, a former draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays, shares his experience of getting drafted and playing professional baseball. He discusses the difference between the MLB draft then and now, as well as the excitement and challenges of playing for his hometown team. Doug also talks about his journey from playing baseball in Ontario, Canada to playing college baseball in Florida and the importance of having a supporti...

Travis Rogers is a mental performance coach and author of Parenting Athletic Kids. Host Todd Arkell discusses with Travis the common mistakes parents make in youth sports and how to correct them. Travis emphasizes the importance of not adding pressure to youth athletics and focusing too much on outcomes and results. Instead, parents should encourage their children to be present in every moment and enjoy the game. Rogers al...

In this episode of the Mental Approach Podcast, host Todd Arkell engages with mindset coach Pete Fry and young goalie Everett TK to explore the mental aspects of goaltending. They discuss the importance of visualization, confidence building, and the negative 23% rule, which emphasizes focusing on positive performance rather than mistakes. The conversation also covers pre-game routines and mental preparation techniques that...

Jon Carson, founder of Birdies, Bogies and Beyond and Hurricane Junior Golf Canada shares his journey from being a police officer to a scout to the Phillies, to incorporating mindfulness and breath work into youth sports. He discusses the importance of addressing mental health in emergency service culture and the need for men to seek therapy. John emphasizes the inefficiencies in current programs and the importance of empo...

Host Todd Arkell jokingly refers to this episode as one the kids will hate and the parents will love. Guest Larissa Mills, founder and CEO of the Mental Game Academy, discusses the dangers and challenges of technology overuse in youth sports. She highlights how technology affects sleep, self-esteem, brain chemistry, and focus. Larissa emphasizes the need for parents to take control of their children's phone usage and creat...

Edwar Gonzalez, Newly promoted*, Director, Hitting Development and Special Advisor to the International Scouting Director of the Philadelphia Phillies, discusses his background in baseball and the challenges faced by Latin American players. He emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude and the passion for baseball that drives many Latin American players. Gonzalez also shares his philosophy on the mental side of hitting,...

In this episode of the Mental Approach Podcast, Todd Arkell interviews Reggie Calhoun Jr., the founder and president of RPA College Prep and the director of operations for 5430, the Colorado Buffaloes NIL collective. They discuss athlete development, the cycle of change, and the impact of mental health on athletes. They also delve into the concept of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and how it allows college athletes to mon...