The Mental Cast
A Podcast for Mental Performance Training, Coaching and Great Discussions.
Episodes
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle shares a story that almost never became an episode. After sitting down to write what he thought would be the next podcast, he stopped halfway through, looked at his notes, and realized he was writing something that no longer sounded like him. What followed was an unexpected conversation sparked by six handwritten words found in an...
Episode 053 | A Conversation with Coach Gabe of Coquí Volleyball | June 2026
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle sits down with Coach Gabe, founder of Coquí Volleyball Club, for a candid conversation about coaching, athlete development, and the realities of building a volleyball club in today's youth sports environment.
Gabe shares his journey from growing up in Puerto Rico, where volleyball became a lifelong passion...
Episode 052 | You’re Not Supposed to Be Sure | April 2026
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle takes on the pressure athletes and parents feel to make the “right” decision in youth sports. From tryouts to team selection, people search for certainty in a system that simply does not provide enough information to be sure.
Dan breaks down why this happens and shifts the focus to what actually matters: ho...
In this special year-end episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle steps away from the usual structure to offer a deeply personal reflection on 2025. Rather than teaching a skill or breaking down a framework, this episode serves as a State of the Universe check-in, part annual review, part integrity audit, and part honest reckoning with what it means to grow without los...
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle challenges the common belief that sports automatically teach confidence, resilience, accountability, and leadership. While sports expose athletes to pressure, failure, and feedback, Dan explains why exposure alone does not equal development.
Dan breaks down why calling these abilities “soft skills” minimizes th...
Episode 049 | Buyer’s Remorse | December 2025
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores buyer’s remorse in youth sports, a feeling that often surfaces after tryouts, team changes, and when the excitement of a new environment fades. Athletes, parents, and coaches begin questioning whether the switch they made was the right one.
Dan explains why these decisions are often made under pressure and why early...
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores the complicated and often misunderstood use of the word bully in youth sports. Are young athletes truly experiencing bullying in more situations, or have we started labeling every uncomfortable moment as something harmful?
Dan breaks down the growing confusion between bullying and accountability, looking at why this happens, how it ...
Episode 047 | A Conversation with Coach Nicole - Life Pivots, Coaching Philosophy, and Embracing Growth | June 2025
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle interviews the inspiring Coach Nicole from USA Volleyball. Nicole shares her unique journey through multiple careers, ultimately dedicating her life to coaching volleyball.
Despite facing imposter syndrome, Nicole speaks about her “fake it till you make it&rdquo...
Episode 046 | Athlete Apathy - Rethinking Motivation in Youth Sports | June 2025
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle tackles one of the most debated topics in today’s coaching circles: athlete apathy. Are today’s young athletes truly apathetic, or are coaches failing to ignite their spark?
Dan dives into an engaging conversation that challenges the common misconceptions about today’s youth in sports...
Episode 045 | Honor The Past Without Being Trapped By It | May 30, 2025
Welcome to this enlightening episode of The MentalCast, where host Dan Mickle explores the complex relationship between tradition and progress in sports and coaching.
As athletes and coaches strive to honor time-tested customs while adapting to the evolving needs of modern sports, this episode asks a critical question: does tradition support growth, or does it ...
pisode 044 | We Have Lost Our Damn Minds | March 21, 2025
Welcome to The MentalCast, hosted by Dan Mickle and supported by Soul Performance Academy.
In this episode, Dan shares an unscripted rant about the chaotic and often unhealthy state of youth sports today. He dives into the financial burdens placed on families, the unrealistic expectations heaped on young athletes, and the increasingly out-of-control behaviors seen from paren...
Episode 043 | A Conversation with Summer Montabone | February 26, 2025
In this enlightening episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle sits down with Summer Montabone, retired pro athlete and performance mindset coach, for an inspiring conversation about empowerment, leadership, and the mental side of sports.
They dive into important discussions around empowering girls through sports, addressing the unique challenges of female lead...
Episode 042 | Building Confidence for Success | January 2025
Confidence is more than just belief; it is a skill that can be trained, honed, and protected. In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores the key elements of building true, lasting confidence, from preparation and visualization to setting achievable goals.
You will learn how to bounce back from setbacks, foster a growth mindset, and create supportive envir...
Episode 041 | Last Time You Had Fune | June 2024
We all experience moments of joy and happiness — but when was the last time you truly had fun? The kind of fun where you lost track of time, laughed until it hurt, or experienced a moment that changed your life.
In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores how our lives — and especially the lives of young athletes — have become so packed and performan...
Episode 040 | Where Have I Been? | May 2024
About a year ago, host Dan Mickle quietly stepped away from The MentalCast. At the time, he was not entirely sure why — but a recent conversation and a powerful book helped provide clarity and sparked the return.
Before diving into a brand new season, Dan wanted to share this personal reflection on why he left, what brought him back, and what he hopes to bring to the show moving for...
Episode 039 | Colin C. Thompson | July 2023
Friend of the show Colin C. Thompson returns to The MentalCast for an exciting update to his 2021 appearance — this time with news about his inspiring new “50 at 50” plan.
In this motivating conversation, host Dan Mickle and Colin dive into the power of self-improvement, goal setting, and simply getting it done. They explore the mindset behind Colin’s 50 at 50 Move...
pisode 038 | Nuerodivergent Athletes | May 2023
This is one of the most challenging and personal episodes that host Dan Mickle has recorded to date.
In this episode of The MentalCast, Dan opens up about the self-doubt and reflection that comes with wondering if, at times, he may have failed some of the athletes he coached, including those closest to him.
It is time for all of us, as coaches and educators, to deepen our understandin...
Episode 037 | Being a Better Coach - Part 2: Empathy | April 2023
Continuing the five-part Being a Better Coach series, this episode of The MentalCast dives into one of the most critical (and often overlooked) coaching skills: empathy.
Host Dan Mickle explores what empathy really means in a coaching context, how it can transform relationships with athletes, and why it is essential for building trust and fostering a positive team cu...
Episode 036 | Taking over a successful program | March 2023
Taking over a successful program can be incredibly rewarding — but it also brings unique challenges. In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores some of the common issues new coaches face when stepping into an already established and successful team.
Dan shares practical tips for making the program your own while still honoring its history and past ac...
Episode 035 | Fixing Dan - Part 1 | February 2023
As shared in the Season 4 finale, The MentalCast is kicking off Season 5 with a new focus, host Dan Mickle’s personal journey of self-reflection and growth.
In this first installment of the Fixing Dan series, Dan begins exploring the values that matter most to him and how he can do a better job of living them day-to-day. This is a raw, honest look into the process of personal ...
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