For this week's episode I got the opportunity to interview my former teammate and friend, Kelsey Gaston! Kelsey and I were teammates at Concordia University where she played in the infield. After graduating, Kelsey went on to go to PT school and is now a practicing physical therapist. Kelsey’s journey from competitive athlete to a fulfilled physical therapist highlights the complexities of athletic identity and the emotional challenges faced post-competition. It encourages listeners to embrace their multifaceted selves and recognize the resilience built through sports.

Episode Highlights:
• Navigating personal identity after sports
• The transition from athlete to professional life
• The importance of diversifying athletic experiences
• Building resilience through adversity

Connect with Kelsey:

Instagram: @drkelsey.g

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• Twitter @CoachAB_

We've got another archive Guest Speaker call we are sharing with you today! In 2020 Bella Norton a catcher for the University of Indiana came and shared her story with our warriors. Her story highlights the significance of mental resilience and teamwork in sports. Through her struggles and triumphs, Bella teaches that identity is rooted in character, not merely performance statistics.

Episode Highlights:
• Bella's recruitment experience and challenges with exposure
• The importance of academic performance and time management
• Daily life of a collegiate athlete and the grind of training
• Utilizing visualization for mental strength and confidence

Connect with Bella:

Instagram: @catch42softball

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• Twitter @CoachAB_

We reached way back to 2020 in our guest speaker files to share this awesome conversation with former Michigan State Spartan, McKenzie Long. In this episode, Kenzie shares her journey of identity transformation after serious injuries sidelined her athletic career at Michigan State. Through challenges, faith, and community support, she shares how she learned that worth is rooted in self, not performance.

Episode Highlights:
• Importance of mindset in overcoming adversity
• The struggle of identity tied to athletic performance
• Lessons learned from failure and unmet expectations
• The role of faith in personal growth and resilience

Connect with Kenzie

Instagram: @kenzie_long

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• Twitter @CoachAB_

This is the 5th installment in our "Mindset Myths" series. Today, I challenge the popular notion of "mental toughness," asserting that it often leads to emotional suppression and unrealistic expectations in athletes. I also share with you what term I use instead, and my reasoning around that decision.

Episode Highlights:
• Why I don't use the word mental toughness
• The difference between mental toughness and mental strength
• How the term mental strength can give the power back to your athletes
• Importance of fostering supportive environments over tough love

If you want to read the article I mention in this episode: "7 Signs You're Not Mentally Strong, You're Just Acting Tough", you can find it here

If you are a coach and looking for more resources to help support building mental strength in your athletes, book a FREE call with Coach Kara, our Director of Team Performance, to discuss strategies and resources we provide to help teams, click here

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• Twitter @CoachAB_

On today's episode we bust the myth that our athletes need to "visualize success." We discuss the varying abilities of athletes to visualize, the importance of tailoring techniques to individual learning styles, and how coaches can better prepare their teams.

Episode Highlights:
• Debunking the myth about instant visualization success
• Comparing the learning process of mental skills to physical skills
• Recognizing individual differences in athletes' ability to visualize
• The relevance of aphantasia and learning preferences

If you are coach looking for support in teaching mental skills to your players, check out the replay recording of our recent Coaches Workshop here

To book a FREE call with Coach Kara, our Director of Team Performance, to discuss strategies and resources we provide to help teams, click here

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• Twitter @CoachAB_

Today we are re-releasing our conversation with Shelly Mowinkel, Milford Softball Head Coach. We discuss building strong relationships with athletes, integrating mindset training, and fostering a culture of accountability and support within a high school sports program.

Episode Highlights:
• Joy as a core value in coaching
• Integrating mental performance tools into training
• Understanding personality colors for tailored coaching
• Implementing micro-goals and celebrating small wins
• Navigating challenges and creating a positive team culture

Connect with Coach Mo:
Instagram: @shellymo, @mhssoftba11

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• Twitter @CoachAB_

This episode is the next installment of our "Mindset Myths Busted" series. Today I bust the myth that mantras alone are effective tools for building confidence. I discuss how superficial affirmations often fall short and teach you what to say instead.

Episode Highlights:
• Exploring the concept and limitations of mantras
• The 'dirty jersey' analogy to illustrate deep-seated issues
• Transitioning to more actionable belief statements
• Emphasizing actions over mere words for true confidence


If you want to learn more about belief shifting, check out Episode 13: How to Identify and Overcome Limiting Beliefs

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• Twitter @CoachAB_

Today's episode is the second installment in our "Myths Busted" series. Today we tackle the myth that there are "good" and "bad" emotions. In this episode, we explore how emotions are merely responses to situations and why suppressing them might just be the quickest way to amplify them. Drawing from insights shared our recent Confidence Camp, we explore how the meanings we attach to emotions shape our mindset and performance. Whether you're an athlete striving for mental resilience, a coach nurturing a team, or a parent supporting a child's emotional journey, this episode offers vital lessons to support a healthier, more accepting approach to emotions.

Episode Highlights:

• Why there are no "good" and "bad" emotions
• How emotions are like the weather
• Mistakes parents make with their athlete's emotions
• The 5 second rule

Ready to help your daughter with her confidence? Enrollment into the Fearless Warrior Program is open now! Visit: https://www.fearlesswarriorprogram.com/enrollment

To start training her mental game today!

More ways to work with Fearless Fastpitch

• Learn about our proven Mental Skills Program, The Fearless Warrior Program
• Book a One on One Session for your Athlete
• Book a Mental Skills Workshop for your Team or Organization

Follow us on Social Media

• Facebook @fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining
• Instagram @fearlessfastpitch
• Twitter @CoachAB_