Coaching Mind's Podcast: Perform at your best!

#147 - Handling Failure, Pressure, and Identity in College Baseball with Tyler Rubasky

Baseball is a game of failure — and how athletes respond to that failure often determines who lasts and who fades.In this episode of The Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes sits down with Tyler Rubasky, Head Baseball Coach at Anderson University, to talk about what it really takes to build mentally tough athletes in today’s college game.Tyler shares his journey from player to assistant coach to head coach, how injuries shaped his mindset, and why he chose to fully invest in mental training — even during a major coaching transition. He explains how mental skills impact performance between pitches, after errors, and during slumps, and why mental preparation matters just as much as physical development.You’ll also hear how mental training:Shapes recruiting and cultureHelps athletes move on from failure fasterPrepares players for life after baseballChanges how coaches show up in big momentsWhether you’re a coach, athlete, or leader working under pressure, this conversation is packed with insight on identity, resilience, and long-term development.Episode Chapters / Timestamps (Highly Recommended)00:00 – Intro & Tyler’s coaching journey 02:00 – Why mental training matters in baseball 03:15 – Playing through injury & mental resilience 05:20 – Initial skepticism about mental training 06:40 – Why Anderson invested in Mental Training Plan 08:00 – Why baseball is uniquely mentally demanding 10:45 – NIL, transfers, and new mental challenges 12:40 – Building culture players want to stay in 14:15 – Mental training’s role in recruiting 17:15 – How players actually use mental skills in games 18:45 – How mental training changed Tyler’s coaching style 20:05 – Preparing athletes for life after baseball 22:10 – Advice to coaches on the fence about mental training 24:45 – Advice Tyler would give his younger self 26:20 – Advice for first-year coachesAre you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:mentaltrainingplan.com/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

#146 – The Story Behind MTP Biz with Co-Founder Matt Hallock

In this episode, we officially introduce Matt Hallock, the newest member of Mental Training Plan and the Co-Founder & Chief Performance Officer of MTP Biz—our new division bringing mental performance training to the corporate world.Matt brings 25 years of corporate leadership, decades of experience coaching athletes nationwide, and a lifelong passion for serving and developing people. From managing Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches in his 20s to leading early-career talent development for Fortune 100 companies, Matt has seen firsthand how stress, burnout, imposter syndrome, leadership gaps, and performance pressure impact the modern workforce.Together, we break down:• Matt’s unique background in coaching, biomechanics, recruiting, and corporate leadership • How his upbringing shaped a service-driven, people-first philosophy • Why athletes and corporate professionals experience the exact same pressure patterns • Why information isn’t training—and why mental performance tools actually stick • The massive costs of burnout, turnover, and untrained middle managers • The launch of MTP Biz and what early partner companies will receive • How micro-learning, assessment, and coaching can transform culture & performanceIf your company struggles with stress, retention, leadership readiness, burnout, or performance under pressure, this conversation shows why training the mind is no longer optional—it's the next competitive advantage.Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:mentaltrainingplan.com/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

#145 - Launching MTP Biz: Mental Performance Training for the Corporate World

Today marks a major moment for the Mental Training Plan. After helping athletes in 90+ schools across 14 states perform at their best, we’re officially expanding into the business world with the launch of MTP Biz — a mental performance division built specifically for high-performing leaders and teams.In this episode, Ben shares the story behind the decision to move into corporate America, the imposter syndrome that held him back, and the conversations that made it clear:We don’t have a football brain or a corporate brain. We have a human brain. And human performance under pressure works the same everywhere.You’ll hear:How burnout, pressure, mergers, and promotions mirror high-stakes sportsWhy tools that increase playoff wins and point differentials also improve corporate KPIsWhat the research shows about performance psychology in Fortune 100 companiesThe simple system we’ll use with businesses (assessment → alignment → training → application → reassessment)Why MTP Biz is only for high performers who want an edgeA preview of next episode with new MTP Biz co-founder & Chief Performance Officer, Matt HallockIf you're a business leader curious about bringing mental performance training to your organization, this is the place to start.Next episode: A deep dive with Matt Hallock on what’s really happening inside corporate America and why this training is desperately needed.As always: Make your plan and put it to work.Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:mentaltrainingplan.com/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

#144 - Confidence Pt 5: Pro Golfer Jocelyn Bruch on Using These Tools On The Course

Today, I’m joined by Jocelyn Bruch: Indiana individual state champion, Division I golfer at Purdue, national championship competitor, and now a professional who just returned from Q-School.We dig into the real tools she used in competition — not theory — to calm nerves, trust her preparation, and perform when it counts:Diaphragmatic Breathing (16+ seconds, not 2!) to lower heart rate and get presentFMR (Forced Muscular Relaxation) to release tension before swings and puttsGo-To Statement she repeats before every shot to push out negative thoughtsCaddie Game-Plan Meetings and a simple “got it” cue to protect her routineEarned / Shows / Trained Confidence (and why “fake it till you make it” cracks under pressure)Using the book out of order to solve immediate problems, then spot-checking before roundsIf this helps you, please share it with a teammate, parent, or coach who could use a practical confidence framework.Resources:My book: Confidence: Build It, Trust It, Show It — https://amzn.to/3LqECEB (includes FREE athlete workbook)Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:mentaltrainingplan.com/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams

#143 - Confidence Pt 4: Breath, Reset, Recover: Building Confidence You Can Trust

In this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes, founder of The Mental Training Plan, breaks down the next layer of the Confidence Wall: how to train confidence like a muscle.Learn practical, science-backed tools that help athletes hardwire belief into their body and nervous system through three powerful bricks:The Breath Brick – how controlled breathing regulates the vagus nerve and restores focus.The Reset Brick – how pros like Drew Brees and Victor Oladipo flush mistakes and get back in rhythm.The Recovery Brick – why sleep, rest, and recovery are the secret advantage most athletes ignore.Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, you’ll walk away with real tools you can use to help your athletes perform under pressure and bounce back stronger after mistakes.📘 Get the book Confidence on Amazon (includes free workbook download)https://amzn.to/46RhDJJ Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:mentaltrainingplan.com/athletesAre you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:mentaltrainingplan.com/teams