Student Athlete Performance

What do you do when you’re doing everything right, but the results still aren’t there? In this episode, Nick sits down with Hartnell College baseball player Boston Stanley to talk about rejection, setbacks, and delayed progress in high school athletics. From recruiting uncertainty to training plateaus and nutrition for leaning out, this conversation breaks down what actually matters when effort do...

Athletes don’t fall behind because they don’t work hard enough. They fall behind because they work hard on the wrong things. As 2026 approaches, the athletes who separate themselves won’t be the busiest. They’ll be the most focused. In this episode, Nick breaks down how athletes actually win in 2026 by getting clear, simplifying their inputs, protecting their energy, and setting minimum standards...

Heading into 2026, a lot of athletes think the answer is simple: train harder, sacrifice more, and push through. But the truth is this: doing more is often the reason athletes burn out, plateau, or walk away from a sport they once loved. In this episode, Nick breaks down why identity-based pressure is crushing today’s athletes, why burnout isn’t laziness, and how clarity, recovery, and alignment m...

Anyone can gain weight. Gaining lean muscle the kind that translates to strength, speed, and explosiveness takes intention. In this episode, Nick breaks down the three biggest mistakes athletes make when trying to gain muscle and the three pillars that actually build lean muscle the right way . This is for athletes who are tired of bulking, feeling sluggish, or gaining weight that doesn’t help per...

Athletes will train their body year-round, but completely ignore training their mind . And right now, more athletes than ever are struggling with confidence, perfectionism, pressure, and negative self-talk. In this episode, Nick sits down with Kate Kelley Schneider , mental performance coach for youth athletes, pros, and Olympians. She breaks down the exact tools she uses to help athletes calm the...

The holidays aren’t the problem, losing your structure is. Athletes don’t lose progress because of one big meal… they lose progress when that one meal turns into two weeks. In this episode, Nick breaks down the five holiday tools every athlete should follow to stay lean, stay strong, and actually feel good going into the new year. These tools are simple, repeatable, and designed for real athletes...

Pitchers want more velocity, but many of the things they do to chase it are the same things wrecking their elbows and shoulders. In this episode, Nick sits down with Dr. Tyler Winfield , better known as The Velo Doc , a former player, clinician, and pitching consultant who’s treated thousands of throwing athletes , from youth players to MLB arms. If you’re a pitcher who wants to throw harder and s...

Athletes want to get bigger and stronger, but they are afraid of losing speed. The truth? You don’t get slower from gaining weight… you get slower from gaining the wrong kind of weight . In this episode, Nick breaks down exactly how to build performance muscle that makes you faster, more explosive, and more durable… not slower and stiffer. If you’re in football, baseball, basketball, or any speed-...

Most athletes think a meal plan will fix their nutrition, but meal plans fall apart the second your schedule changes. In this episode, Nick breaks down why cookie-cutter meal plans don’t work for athletes , why they kill consistency, and what to do instead if you want long-term performance results. This one will hit home for any athlete who’s ever tried to follow a plan… and couldn’t stick to it....

If you’re a middle school or high school infielder, this episode is mandatory listening. Nick sits down with Julius Gaines, founder of Ground Up Baseball and one of the top infield developers in the game. Julius was a top national recruit, a standout at FIU, and later played in the Mariners organization. Now he’s coaching the next generation on how to dominate the infield the right way. This episo...

Most athletes think “eat more” or “drink more protein shakes” is the secret to building muscle — but that’s not how elite athletes do it. In this episode, Nick breaks down how to build muscle that actually translates to better performance , without getting slower, heavier, or tired mid-season. You’ll learn how to fuel like the 1%, not the 99%, and how to make small adjustments that create massive...

Athletes train their body, but very few ever train their mind. In this episode, Nick sits down with former MLB player and mindset coach Chad Hermansen to break down the mental side of performance, from confidence to focus to handling pressure. Chad shares what he learned from his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and how athletes can use the self-coaching model to master their emotions, stop overth...

The reason most athletes never reach their potential isn't from lack of talent, it's because their standards don’t match their goals. In this episode, Nick explains why having D1 dreams means nothing if your habits don’t back them up. From his book From Nobody to Noticed , he shares the truth about what it takes to actually reach your full potential and how to raise your standards in the g...

Recruiting has changed... again. With the transfer portal, new NCAA rules, and social media shaping the process, athletes and parents are more confused than ever about how to actually get recruited. In this episode, Nick Lemke talks with Rodney Cox , founder of Game Time Recruiting & Consulting and former Arizona State football player, to break down what athletes need to do differently for 202...

If you’ve ever eaten before a morning practice and thrown up, or skipped breakfast to avoid it... this episode is for you. Nick breaks down exactly what athletes should eat before early workouts so you can stop feeling slow, tired, and behind your teammates. You’ll learn how to fuel right, even when you’re not hungry, and how to finally feel strong during those early lifts or practices. 🎯 What Yo...

Most athletes think supplements are the shortcut to getting bigger, faster, stronger, but most of them are a waste of money… and some are dangerous. In this episode, Nick breaks down the supplement industry myths, the ones you should avoid, and the few that are actually worth considering. If you’ve ever taken something you saw on TikTok, bought a “mass gainer,” or grabbed a pre-workout after schoo...

What does it really take to move from junior college baseball to working with one of the best organizations in the game? In this episode, Nick sits down with Coach EZ (Ezra Lacina), now part of the Los Angeles Dodgers system and former Everett Community College baseball coach to unpack what it means to become a complete ball player. They dive into how catchers, hitters, and pitchers can develop th...

If you’re a soccer player trying to get faster, stronger, and last longer into the second half, this episode is for you. Nick breaks down what soccer players need to eat in the offseason to build speed, strength, and endurance and why skipping carbs or under-eating might be the reason you’re still stuck. What You’ll Learn: Why “eating clean” isn’t enough for soccer players The right balance of car...

Every athlete wants to get faster, but most are training for speed at the wrong time and the wrong way. In this episode, Nick talks with Coach Czar (Frederick Alcazar) , founder of Czar Athletics and Oklahoma’s first certified Universal Speed Rating Lab. Together, they break down what real long-term athlete development looks like, when to focus on speed, and how parents can support growth the righ...

Too many high school athletes are running on empty. They train, they grind, but they never give their bodies the fuel they actually need. In this episode, Nick talks with Stephanie Militano, RD , a sports dietitian who helps athletes overcome under-eating, low energy, and RED-S. They break down the silent problems holding athletes back—from lost strength and slow recovery to poor sleep and stalled...

Basketball season is long. And if you’re losing weight, feeling sore for days, or crashing in the 4th quarter, it’s not your coach or teammates—it’s your nutrition. In this episode, Nick explains how basketball players can fuel smarter in-season to maintain strength, energy, and focus through every game. From common red flags to pro-level examples like LeBron, you’ll learn how to match your fuelin...

Most athletes think winning programs are built by coaches. But the truth? Players have just as much responsibility. In this episode, Coach Art Sonato, with over 500 career wins, college players developed, and MLB scouting experience - shares what it really takes to succeed. From culture and work ethic to recruiting and confidence, this conversation is a must-listen for athletes chasing the dream o...

Persistence keeps you moving forward when everything in you wants to quit. Perspective reminds you why the fight is worth it. Together, they build resilience—the trait that separates athletes who give up from those who rise. In this episode, Nick shares:✅ The story of Hudson, a high school athlete who battled sickness and loss but came back stronger✅ Why persistence is about refusing to stay dow...

This is one of the hardest episodes I've ever recorded, but it matters. I sit down with Bill Borg , who shares the powerful and heartbreaking story of his son Colton, a former college athlete. Together, they open up about mental health, loss, and what families, coaches, and athletes need to know if we want to prevent more tragedies. You’ll hear:✅ Why athletes struggle more than most people re...

Every spring, baseball players complain about being behind, but the truth is, they wasted their offseason. In this episode, Nick breaks down how to lock in your nutrition this fall and winter so you don’t waste another six months. From gaining muscle to leaning out to building speed, you’ll learn how to fuel your training and show up in March as a completely different athlete. We hit on: ✅ Why of...