Don’t be that guy on a new team. You know the one—shows up late, acts too cool, doesn’t listen, and loses respect before the first game even starts. In this episode of the Next Season Podcast, I break down 5 brutal mistakes that instantly make you a garbage new teammate—and how to flip them into habits that earn trust, respect and leadership on day one. Whether you’re a freshman walking into high school or college ball, a transfer adjusting to a new program, or a parent/coach trying to help athletes thrive, this is your survival guide for first impressions. We’ll hit on: 🚫 Acting too cool for the team ⏰ Blowing off punctuality 🙅 Not being coachable 😑 Killing trust with bad body language 🧠 Forgetting humility & ownership 🔥 Listen now and learn how to stand out the right way and become the teammate every coach, scout, and player wants in their locker room. 00:00 Intro & Episode Highlights 01:33 Freshman Year Transitions & Challenges 03:47 The Neuroscience of First Impressions 04:39 Inversion Thinking & Episode Structure 06:24 Garbage Freshman Step 1: Acting Too Cool 09:32 Garbage Freshman Step 2: Being Late 13:30 Garbage Freshman Step 3: Trying to be the Clown 16:10 Garbage Freshman Step 4: Blaming & Making Excuses 18:46 Garbage Freshman Step 5: Talking Trash About Old Team 21:17 What to Do Instead: 5 Ways to be an Awesome New Guy 22:11 Ideal Freshman Step 1: Keep Your Mouth Shut & Ears Open 23:59 Ideal Freshman Step 2: Look for Work (No Empty Hands) 26:33 Ideal Freshman Step 3: Keep Your World Small 28:22 Ideal Freshman Step 4: Be Coachable & Take Notes 30:05 Ideal Freshman Step 5: Take Care of Your Gear & Your Body (& Your Mind) 32:35 The Ideal Team Player: Hungry, Humble & Smart 33:45 Closing Thoughts & How You Can Help

In Episode 030, I hit you with 6 reasons that the "dumb" mistakes you see may not be on purpose - and they fell in the No Choice Bucket. If you missed it, go back and listen first. Now in Part 2, we go even deeper with 10 more brain-based, logic-driven reasons people make choices that look dumb but actually make perfect sense to them in the moment. From processing speed under pressure to emotional hijacking, habit loops, fear of judgment and outdated mental models, we break down the hidden forces that drive behavior, choices and performance — and why these moments almost never come from laziness, disrespect or lack of care. Backed by sports neuroscience, real coaching stories, and practical tools, this episode will help coaches, parents, and players swap judgment for understanding, build trust faster, and create performance environments where athletes can thrive. Plus at the end, I give you some tactical advice on what you can do different and 3 book recommendations that may just change your life. 00:00 Intro & the No Choice Bucket 00:54 What About When They Do Have a Choice? 01:47 Reason 1: They Don't Know Why They Should Do It 05:11 Reason 2: They Think They're Way is Better 06:43 Reason 3: They Think Something Else is More Important 07:47 Reason 4: There's No Perceived Positive Outcome for Doing It 09:01 Reason 5: There's a Perceived Negative Consequence for Doing It 10:15 Reason 6: There's a Perceived Positive Outcome for Not Doing It 12:45 Reason 7: There's No Negative Consequence for Not Doing it 13:40 Reason 8: They're Dealing with Hard Personal Stuff 15:08 Reason 9: They're Afraid of […] 17:18 Reason 10: You're Wrong 19:43 Recapping the Two Buckets: No Choice & Logical Reasons 20:22 Two Tactical Steps to Help You Handle These Situations 21:41 Three Book Recommendations 23:57 Don't Be Dumb - Hit Me Up to Talk Book Recommendations (I don't make any money or commission from these links, just sharing books that have helped me, and maybe you'll like them too): The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom Extreme Ownership: How US Navy SEALS Lead and Win Heads-Up Baseball 2.0: 5 Skills for Competing One Pitch at a Time

Tell me if these sound familiar… Your shortstop makes a wild throw when he should’ve eaten it. A hitter swings 3–0 with the game on the line and pops up. The ump blows an obvious call. Your mom says something awkward in front of your whole team. A teammate zones out and misses the sign, and you pay the price. Another teammate hits a missile and thinks it's gone, tosses his bat and starts his homerun trot, but it stays in the yard and he's thrown out at second. Your best player loses control of his emotions, slams his bat and gets tossed at the worst possible time. We’ve all seen it — people doing really dumb $**t. But here’s the truth: it’s almost never on purpose. This part 1 of a 2-part series giving you the exact reasons people may do really dumb things. This episode covers the first bucket of 6 reasons. Stay tuned for episode 031 which gives you another bucket of 10 more reasons. Backed by neuroscience, real stories and coaching insights, this series flips how you see “dumb plays” forever. 00:00 Intro: A Dumb Baserunning Play…or not? 02:56 Overview of the Two Buckets 04:25 Reason 1: They Don't Know What They're Supposed to Do 06:25 Reason 2: They Don't Know How to Do it the Right Way 08:53 Reason 3: They Think They Are Doing it Right 11:18 Reason 4: There Are Obstacles Beyond Their Control 14:55 Reason 5: They Have Personal Limitations 19:18 Reason 6: Nobody Can Do It 22:28 Recap & Watch Out for Part 2

Coach Murph is changing the game—literally. Chris “Coach Murph” Murphy went from youth ballplayer to landing a front office job with the Red Sox. When he realized there was something missing, he went all-in and has become one of the premier online coaches, including the personal hitting coach to MLB LEGEND MANNY RAMIREZ & MLB draft prospects. In this episode, we unpack his journey, his coaching philosophy and how he builds real confidence in hitters of all ages. You’ll hear: -Why talent without structure won’t cut it -The secret power of video feedback (and how it trains the brain) -The truth about slumps, self-doubt and hitting mechanics -Why even Manny has a hitting coach—and how Coach Murph earned his trust -What parents need to know about in-season skill development This episode is packed with pure gold for players 10–20, parents and coaches alike. 📲 Find Coach Murphy @icoachbaseball & DM “Core Four” to get started with his program https://www.coachmurphbaseball.com/ 00:00 Episode Highlights & Intro 00:57 Introducing Coach Murph 02:05 Following the Dream & Love of the Game 04:20 Taking Chances & Changing Directions: Red Sox to Coaching 07:07 Communication, Connection and Coaching Tactics 10:18 Becoming the Hitting Coach for Manny Ramirez 15:44 Lessons for Players from an MLB Legend 16:41 Video Feedback: Enhancing Player Performance 18:02 Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming Self-Doubt 19:14 Coach Murph on Confidence 25:13 In-season Adjustments 26:59 Commitment & Accountability in Training 30:44 Rapid Fire: Science-based Coaching, How to Connect, What's Next, One Piece of Advice, Breaking Through, Perspectives for A Slumping Player 37:45 Closing Thoughts

You need to know what coaches and scouts are really looking for. Baseball is a game of details. And if you're missing these ones, you’re in trouble. In Part 2 of this two-part series, I break down 4 more subtle red flags that silently kill trust with coaches and hold players back—on the field and in life. These aren’t just performance issues. These are character issues, mindset traps, and lifestyle habits that coaches notice… even if you think they don’t. (I had a few challenges with the mic and recording this episode, appreciate your understanding with the minor audio issues) 🚩 Victim Mentality & Self-Shaming 🚩 The Impact of Poor Nutrition, Hydration and Sleep 🚩 The 'Always Kinda Hurt' Guy 🚩 Not Cleaning Up The Dugout PLUS why they matter from a brain-science 🧠 perspective, and what you can do about it. If you’re serious about getting recruited, earning playing time and becoming a complete player, this is an episode you can’t afford to skip. 👇 Drop a comment if one of these hits home—or if you’ve seen these in teammates. 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes weekly 00:00 Episode Highlights & Intro 01:12 Red Flag #5: Victim Mentality & Self-Shaming (& the brain science) 06:34 Red Flag #6: Neglecting Physical Health (& the brain science) 12:52 Red Flag #7: The Always Kinda Hurt Guy (& the brain science) 17:55 Red Flag #8: Lack of Stewardship & Accountability (& the brain science) 21:57 My Challenge to You, Recap & Wrapping Up

You might have talent—but talent won’t save you if you're making these mistakes. You need to know what coaches and scouts are really looking for. Baseball is a game of details. And if you're missing these ones, you’re in trouble. In this episode, I break down 4 red flags that coaches and scouts hate seeing from players. These aren't the obvious ones. These are the small habits and behaviors that quietly scream, “Not ready.” 🚩 Phones & Earbuds During Warmups 🚩 Over-Reliance on Mom & Dad 🚩 Drip Without a Grip 🚩 False Coachability (Knowing But Not Applying) PLUS why they matter from a brain-science 🧠 perspective, and what you can do about it. If you’re serious about getting recruited, earning playing time and becoming a complete player, this is the episode you can’t afford to skip. 00:00 - Old School Upbringing (& still being a dumb kid) 01:31 - The Price of Entry: Basic Standards & Expectations 02:38 - Red Flag #1: Phones & Earbuds (& the brain science) 08:19 - Red Flag #2: Over-Reliance on Mom & Dad (& the brain science) 12:26 - Red Flag #3: All Drip, No Grip (& the brain science) 16:17 - Red Flag #4: False Coachability (& the brain science) 20:25 - My Challenge to You, Recap & Wrapping Up

Welcome back to The Next Season Podcast — and trust me, this one's a masterclass. I’m honored to sit down with Johnny Martin, a speaker, coach and mentor to Fortune 1 executives, elite military operators, world-record holders, pro athletes, and high-level entrepreneurs. More than that, Johnny is a man who lives what he teaches—a life built on values, vision and grit. When I created the Ambition Pillar in my coaching program, it was grounded in lessons I learned from Johnny—because values are the foundation for everything: goals, standards, boundaries, success and a life of purpose. In this episode, we unpack what it really means to live in alignment, how to coach elite performers through pressure and transition, and why character always outlasts talent. If you’re an athlete, parent, coach—or just someone chasing something bigger—get your notepad ready. Here’s Johnny Martin. Connect with Johnny: johnny@veteransfuture.org https://veteransfuture.org/ 00:00 – Opening & Johnny's Origin Story 04:00 – Strict Parents & Firm Expectations 06:18 – Poor Choices, Free Labor & a Life Lesson 10:00 – Finding Purpose & a Path - Lessons from Johnny's Father 16:08 – We DON'T Learn from Experience… 18:41 – The Neuroscience of Real Behavior Change 25:10 – Johnny's Journey From the Classroom to Coaching Elite Performers 36:00 – Different Environments, Same Principles 38:48 – Pillars of Next Season 41:53 – The Ambition Pillar - Identity, Vision, Values, Standards and Boundaries 43:23 – It Starts with Values - Your “No Matter Whats” 52:16 – "We're Gonna Dance, and I'm Gonna Lead" - Stress, Distress & Agency 58:36 – Acknowledge, Accept, Act 1:00:00 – Wrapping Up, Honoring Our Military & Helping Transitioning Veterans

Baseball moms, this one’s for you. You've traded in Mother's Day brunches for the bleachers. Mimosas are out, replaced by jugs of electrolytes & coolers of water. A long weekend in the sun often ends with a 30 minutes scrubbing stains from the white baseball pants, figuring out how you'll get the mixture of grass, dirt, sand, clay, blood and those awesome black turf streaks off the uniform and down the drain. And you do figure it out. We see you. As a coach, a husband, a father and former player - we know that none of this crazy baseball life happens without you. In this special Mother’s Day episode, I talk with my wife, Taryn—a business owner, coach’s wife and baseball mom—about what it's really like behind the scenes. Stories from the ballpark, lessons from our own journey and tips & tricks to try to keep everyone sane. ⚾ We talk: - The emotional toll of raising athletes - Funny (& cringy) sideline moments - How to handle pressure as a parent without transferring it to your kid - Balancing mom life, crazy schedules & sports culture - Why character > stats (& how to keep perspective) - How grit & confidence will earn you a starting spot on the field & in life - Real advice for new & tired baseball moms If you're a mom running on coffee, crockpot meals and sideline adrenaline...I know this conversation will hit home. We appreciate you. 0:00 - Intro & Episode Highlights 01:54 - Who is Taryn: Life, Dating, Marriage, Parenting, Business & Baseball 08:45 - Authenticity for Moms & Athletes 09:55 - No More Mother's Day Brunches - the Life of Athlete Moms 11:15 - Team & Family Culture 13:16 - What do you talk about? 14:51 - Managing the Emotional Swings & Eternal To-Do Lists 17:22 - A Mother's Advice for Dads & Coaches 19:23 - Pressures & Overscheduling 22:40 - When to Push, When to Listen 25:13 - Cringey Moments & Observations 27:37 - Finding & Building the Right Culture (Accountability & Character) 29:40 - Let Them Fall: The Impact of Parental Reactions 35:06 - Advice for Baseball & Life: Grit & Confidence 41:07 - (Very) Imperfect Parents 42:01 - Quick Pitches - Rapid Questions for a Baseball Mom (Breathe, Culture, Humor, Snacks, Shirts & Stay in Your Seat) 53:22 - Closing Thoughts & Eternal Gratitude

Is your athlete chasing hype instead of building something real? In this episode of The Pain Point Series, I tackle a pattern that frustrates parents and coaches alike: athletes jumping from goal to goal without a clear sense of identity. "He doesn’t know who he wants to be… he just copies what he sees on social," and "His goals change every week. He’s chasing the hype, not something deeper." Sound familiar? I break down what's happening in the athlete’s brain, why delayed gratification is key, and how social media is might be destroying his ambition. You'll get insights on the real damage being done by instant gratification, comparison and chasing the flash, and I'll share some science-backed tools for building discipline and self-identity. In this episode, you'll learn: - What’s going on in the brain when goals are constantly changing - The impact of social media on identity and ambition - How comparison and lack of authenticity are derailing athlete mental health - Simple, actionable strategies to build real direction and self-discipline - Real-world action steps that parents, coaches and athletes can use right now 🎯 Athletes, coaches and parents - this episode is packed with practical, brain-based tools to help athletes find their true path and focus on what really matters. ⚾ If you're looking for strategies to cut through the noise, this one’s for you. Episodes Mentioned: 008 - Ambition is Essential https://youtu.be/0dnK-zEMmrQ 00:00 – Intro 02:27 – Ambition Pain Point: "Chasing Hype, Not Something Deeper" 05:47 – No Identity = No Anchor: The Brain Impact of Chasing Social Media Hype 09:17 – Comparison is Killing Ambition & Identity 13:00 – The Right Ways to Build Authentic Identity 16:11 – Tool 1: Delayed Gratification (& the Stanford University Marshmallow Test) 22:00 – Delayed Gratification Tactic: Build Time & Effort Between Desire & Reward 23:30 – Tool 2: Create Your Personal Highlight Reel 25:16 – Pro Highlight Reel Example: Corbin Burnes 28:13 – Recapping Actionable Steps: Watch Ep. 008, Create-A-Player, Delayed Gratification, Personal Highlight Reel 29:22 – If I'm Talking to This Athlete… 30:53 – Closing Thoughts, My Challenge to You & How You Can Help

Are you frustrated watching an athlete crush it one day… then coast the next? You see the talent, you know the toughness is there—but something’s missing: consistent effort. In this episode, I break down a raw comment from a coach and dad: “He has the toughness to handle challenges, but he doesn’t always push himself to his limits.” Why does that happen? And more importantly—what can you do about it? We dive into the psychology and neuroscience 🧠 behind why athletes hold back, explore how to close the gap between capability and consistency, and unpack the mindset blocks that keep players from going all in. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode delivers actionable strategies to help unlock full potential and build mental toughness that lasts. This one’s for anyone who knows growth happens outside the comfort zone—but wants the secret to help getting there consistently - and the secret may surprise you. Episodes Mentioned: 011 - Strategies to Overcome an Athlete's Biggest Mental Challenges (Part 1 of 2) 012 - MORE Strategies to Overcome Common Athlete Pain Points (Part 2 of 2) 021 - The Pain Point Series Pt 3: I wish he realized how much his character shaped his opportunities 0:00 – Intro: The Gap Between Capability and Consistency 1:26 – The Yellowstone Wildfire 2:16 – Pain Point: He's tough, be he doesn't always push his limits. 4:46 – Digging Deeper - The Brain Mechanics of Effort and Hesitation 9:22 – Where Growth Happens (Comfort in Discomfort) 13:05 – Intensity Personified: David Goggins & the 40% Rule 14:51 – The Secret 16:16 – If I Were in Your Shoes (and I am) / Understanding Why Athletes May be Holding Back 18:42 – Perspectives from Experts in Sports Performance & Training 19:36 – Questions to Ask (Awareness, Trust & Ownership) 23:26 – Action Steps for Parents, Coaches & Athletes 23:48 – Effort & Mindset Tool 1: Find Your Next Gear 24:22 – Effort & Mindset Tool 2: Beat Your Yesterday (& Screw Everyone Else's) 25:05 – Effort & Mindset Tool 3: Reframe Discomfort 27:02 – Sticks & Thorns: A Lesson from the Eagle Nest 28:14 – Closing Thoughts & How You Can Help

Former pro baseball player Jason Aspito shares his journey from high school standout to a decade in professional baseball. We dive into: 🔥 The reality of recruiting & the draft process ⚾ Balancing individual goals & performance with a team culture 🧠 The mental side of baseball—goals, resilience, handling failure, overcoming injuries & adapting to new roles 📈 Transitioning from player to coach & life beyond the game This is another episode packed with insights for high school, college & pro players, parents and coaches. Find & Follow Jason: https://x.com/aspito28 https://dcssportscomplex.com/ 00:00 Intro 02:04 Growing Up & Competing as a Multi-Sport Athlete 04:56 College Recruitment & Showcases: Then & Now 07:23 Freshman Year at the University of Texas: Ups, Downs & Seeking Opportunity 12:13 Transferring from Texas to LA - Self-Advocacy the Right Way 19:25 Draft Day Disappointment & Becoming a Pro 23:40 Lots of Gloves in the Bag: The Value of Versatility 24:46 Coaching and Mentoring Young Players 25:38 The Mental Game: The Separator & What I Wish Was Taught More 28:56: What to Do When The Game Beats You Up & Spits You Out 30:55 Traded: Changing Organizations, Culture & Injuries 32:14 Seeing the End of the Road 34:00 The Identity of a Retiring Ballplayer 35:34 Lessons, Current Endeavors & Final Thoughts: Competing, Chunking, The Process, Adversity, Culture, Be Like Howie

Athletes - You may have heard this before: "You've got a ton of physical gifts, and God-given skills and abilities. BUT…" And what comes after the BUT is the hard truth - your talent isn't enough. In Episode 021 of the Next Season Podcast I dive into one of the most important traits that will impact your opportunities on the field and in life: YOUR CHARACTER. You'll learn about what character really means, what coaches look for, the brain science of character, and practical steps you can take to work on it. This is the same format I did in episodes 11 and 12 - taking questions and comments directly from parents and coaches to help address some of the biggest challenges they face with their athletes. 011 - Strategies to Overcome an Athlete's Biggest Mental Challenges (Part 1 of 2) 012 - MORE Strategies to Overcome Common Athlete Pain Points (Part 2 of 2) Got more questions or challenges? Drop a comment, send me a DM, or email. 00:00 Introduction to Episode 021 - Character Traits 01:42 The Hard Truth About Talent 04:21 The Character Traits of Next Season Athletes 05:46 Character - According to Sports Psychology & Coaches 07:58 What is Character, Really? (The Brain Processes of Character Formation) 12:52 Practical Steps for Athletes to Develop Character 14:33 Tool 1 - Repetition & Recognizing Small Wins 15:33 Tool 2 - Pre-Decide Your Ideal Response 16:31 Tool 3 - Define Character Non-Negotiables 17:15 Tool 4 - Surround Yourself with High-Character People 17:41 Tool 5 - Own Your Mistakes (Publicly) 18:18 Tool 6 - Do Hard Things on Purpose 18:56 Tool 7 - Teach Character To Someone Else 19:50 Honest Self-Awareness - Would You Play You? 20:38 Impressive on Paper vs Impressive in Real Life 21:10 Closing Gratitude & How You Can Support

In this episode I chat with my former college teammate Dustin Pease - a Baltimore native, D1 Freshman All-American, Pitcher of the Year, professional pitcher and owner of Pease Baseball Professionals. We dive into his lessons learned as a youth, to his journey becoming a college standout, to his gritty pro career. Dustin shares how he embraced his unique sidearm delivery and mindset to succeed despite being undersized. We also discuss his transition to coaching, the founding of PBP and the importance of mental toughness, hard work and creating a culture for his players. This is a must-watch for athletes, parents and coaches. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 02:28 Early Life and Baseball Beginnings 07:19 Lessons From a Plumber 11:12 Adapting & The Importance of Grabbing Attention 17:27 "Overnight Success" - College Career 20:33 Struggles and Realizations in College and Pro Career 21:50 Confidence 23:40 Baseball Must Be FUN 24:22 Building a Culture 25:42 Dustin's Pro Journey 28:37 A Wedding Rehearsal & Serendipitous First Pitch 30:47 The End of the Road 33:54 The New Purpose & Entrepreneurship 37:06 Closing Thoughts

ATHLETES: Are mental challenges draining your brain? Your mental game can be your greatest asset—or your biggest liability. In this episode, I’m uncovering the 5 hidden leaks that are silently draining your mental focus, energy and confidence. I’ll break down my top 5 mindset killers that are destroying your performance & mental health. I'll also share actionable strategies to stop them to regain agency and control - on the field and in life. Don’t let these internal obstacles hold you back—your brain is too powerful to let them win. Whether you're a current athlete or transitioning out of the game, this episode is for you…and I'm talking to myself too. Mentioned in this episode: Next Season Podcast 011 - Strategies to Overcome an Athlete's Biggest Mental Challenges (Part 1 of 2) Next Season Podcast 012 - MORE Strategies to Overcome Common Athlete Pain Points (Part 2 of 2) 00:00 Intro & Benefits of Being an Athlete 01:10 Life's Not All Puppies & Ice Cream (the Mental Struggles of Athletes) 02:50 The Ones That Didn't Make the Cut 04:11 Mental Challenge #1: Increased Pressure & Expectations 10:06 Mental Challenge #2: Exposure to Criticism & Judgement 16:38 Mental Challenge #3: Mental Fatigue from Constant Competition 22:56 Mental Challenge #4: Over-Reliance on Routine & Structure 27:21 Mental Challenge #5: Identity Foreclosure & Post-Career Transition 32:14 Closing Reminders, Gratitude & How You Can Help

Athletes: Are your brains wired differently than non-athletes? YES! Years of physical training, mental training, stress, wins, losses, goals achieved and goals missed, pain, joy and discipline wire your brain to give you mental superpowers that others may not have. In this episode I'm giving you my top 5 mental strengths that athletes have, plus I'm giving you a bonus superpower at the end! You'll learn what they are, what's happening in your brain, and specific things you can do to make the most of your athlete brain. Resources & videos mentioned in this episode: Next Season Podcast 007 - Unlocking Elite Effort https://youtu.be/pCG6wKtyn6M?si=DcWIFsX-gssgfjSP Next Season Podcast 008 - Ambition Without Attachment https://youtu.be/0dnK-zEMmrQ?si=hp1hC7Vl2UL0dFGm Next Season Podcast 010 - Mental Toughness https://youtu.be/pQBpEQuSSWk?si=T-x7U2ViauH6FLPW Next Season Podcast 013 - We Suck at Goal Setting https://youtu.be/kPwEfh5PLak?si=ARU6KWqgI_PCHVaK Next Season Podcast 014 - Turn Your Goals Into Habits https://youtu.be/H25eHDXz4SU?si=7ZvAjNtyEB3-ffd- The Science of Hitting a Major League Fastball (Insider Science) https://youtu.be/RENLMum5wz4?si=D9jGUq_oazRaV6Vn Next Season Athletes Focus Matrix - https://www.nextseasonathletes.com/free-stuff Play Sports for a Quieter Brain: Evidence From Division I Collegiate Athletics (Journal: Sports Health) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31813316/ 00:00 Intro & the Athlete's Brain 00:40 Top 5 Superpowers of an Athlete's Brain 03:50 Superpower 1: Heightened Focus & Concentration 11:31 Superpower 2: Elevated Grit & Resilience 17:57 Superpower 3: Greater Neuroplasticity 23:53 Superpower 4: Decision Making Under Pressure 29:49 Superpower 5: Higher Level Goal-Oriented Thinking 33:44 Bonus Superpower: Managing Pain & Discomfort 37:27 Wrap Up, Gratitude & How You Can Help

Imposter syndrome is real, and it's a lot more common than you might think. I’ve lived it too - from high school baseball to college - and still damn near every day in my professional work. In this episode, I share my experiences with imposter syndrome, break down what it is, why it happens to us, what's happening in our brains, and I give you 5 legit strategies to it. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, this one’s for you. 00:00 My Introduction to Imposter Syndrome 02:19 "Why Would Anyone Listen to Me?" 03:45 What is Imposter Syndrome? 06:21 Roots & Causes of Imposter Syndrome 09:53 Neuroscience Behind Imposter Syndrome & What's Happening in Your Brain 12:59 Imposter Syndrome in Baseball 14:51 Neuroplasticity & Strategies to Defeat Imposter Syndrome 16:05 Strategy 1: Challenge Your Thoughts 17:47 Strategy 2: Acknowledge Achievements Objectively 18:54 Strategy 3: Progress Over Perfection 20:41 Strategy 4: Stop Comparing! 21:49 Strategy 5: Normalize Imposter Syndrome 25:05 Final Thoughts, Reminders & Gratitude

Do you ever feel like one mistake defines your entire performance? Do you catch yourself overthinking and expecting the worst? Does the pressure to be perfect hold you back? Do you assume others are talking about you and judging you negatively? Find yourself saying "always" and "never" even if it's not true? You're not alone. The human brain defaults to negative thinking - and it's so common this phenomenon has a name: Automatic Negative Thoughts, or ANTs. Left unchecked, these ANTs can infest your mind, derail your performance and steal your enjoyment. In this episode, we cover: The differences between thoughts, feelings, emotions and moods A breakdown of the 9 ANTs that you are likely dealing with every day A simple 3-step strategy to stomp out these ANTs 00:00 Glory Days & Missing the Opportunity of a Lifetime 01:34 The Human Brain Defaults to Negative Thinking 02:29 An Intro to ANTs 04:01 Revisiting Thoughts, Emotions, Feelings & Moods 04:30 Thoughts (and Dark Thoughts) 06:58 Emotions 08:22 Feelings 11:13 Moods 13:40 Recognizing the ANT Infestation 14:12 ANT 1: Always & Never Thinking 15:36 ANT 2: Focusing on the Negative/Discounting the Positive 17:29 ANT 3: Catastrophizing & Worst Case Scenarios 19:25 ANT 4: Mind Reading & the Spotlight Effect 21:11 ANT 5: Thinking with your Feelings 22:30 ANT 6: Guilt Beatings, Shaming & Perfectionism 24:08 ANT 7: Labeling 25:03 ANT 8: Personalization 26:35 ANT 9: Blame 28:31 Three Steps to Fight the ANTs: Awareness, Challenging, Replacing 32:14 Wrap-Up & Gratitude

Can changing your beliefs improve your performance? Your beliefs may shape your game as much as any other skill or ability - and science shows it. In Episode 015 of the Next Season Podcast, we explore the science behind self-belief, placebo effects, and how your brain and body respond to what you think. Stay open-minded - and you can transform your performance on the field and in life. 00:00 The Power of Belief 02:17 Defining & Disentangling the Elements of Self-Belief 07:04 The Rosenthal Experiment 10:53 Belief in Sports Performance 18:49 The Placebo Effect 23:51 The Role of Self-Talk 28:51 Harnessing Faith and Building Resilience 31:54 Wrap-Up

This is episode 014 of the Next Season Podcast! In episode 013, I gave you a better way to set and pursue goals using a brain-based, next-level framework. In this episode, we're going to take those goals and turn them into habits using neuroscience-backed tips and tools. We'll start with some brain mechanisms and processes, and bust the 21-day habit myth. Then, I'll share 5 practical strategies or tools to create habits that stick. These insights will help you build a sustainable system that actually helps you achieve your goal and drive life-long growth. Let's go! 00:00 Introduction - Turning Goals into Habits 02:22 Habits & the Brain: Long-Term Potentiation & Long-Term Depression 06:58 Goal & Habit Cycles: Key Brain Regions & Neurochemicals 13:00 Debunking the 21-Day Habit Myth 16:27 Tool 1: Create-a-Player Identity & Never Summit Goals 19:31 Tool 2: Habit Stacking 22:41 Tool 3: The Sweet Spot Rule 25:45 Tool 4: Using Failure as Feedback, Short-Term Memory & Chunking (Win the Inning) 28:27 Tool 5: Creating Friction in Bad Habits 30:22 My Challenge to You & Wrap-Up

It's the time of year for goal setting and New Years Failures…I mean Resolutions. In this episode I share some stats to show just how bad most of us are at setting and achieving goals, then introduce a science-supported framework to help you be better at setting and pursuing goals. I also identify three common mistakes that you may be making - even though you think they're helping your progress. This episode is packed with practical advice to help athletes like you set and achieve your goals effectively - using science-backed principles and concepts. 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Episode Objectives 02:44 Real-Life Examples and Reframing Goals 05:56 We SUCK at Setting and Pursuing Goals 06:32 The Power of Writing Down Goals 09:02 SMART Goals and Beyond 10:54 Step 1: Create One Hyper-SMART Goal 13:58 Step 2: Eliminate Distractions and Negative Influences 16:54 Step 3: Identify Positive Benefits and Emotional Connection 20:30 Step 4: Specify the Actions You'll Take Consistently 23:44 Step 5: Identify and Prepare for Obstacles 27:09 Step 6: Visualize Negative Outcomes 30:23 Step 7: Create an Intermittent Random Reward System 34:40 Recapping the 7 Steps 35:28 3 Common Mistakes in Goal Pursuit 40:39 Wrap Up