The Athletic School Podcast

Pressure. Overthinking. Self-doubt. Feeling lost after bad performances. Most athletes think the problem is confidence. But what if the real problem is disconnection? In this episode, we dive into the hidden identity crisis many athletes face — how attaching your worth to performance creates pressure, anxiety, and mental burnout. Inspired by lessons from Aristotle’s Guide to Self-Persuasion , this...

Most people think success is hard because of the work. But what if that’s not the real problem? In this episode, we break down a powerful mindset shift that changes how athletes and high performers experience discipline, sacrifice, and consistency. Inspired by an idea from Zig Ziglar, this conversation explores why success often feels heavier than it should — and what actually causes that resistan...

Most people don’t struggle because they don’t think…they struggle because they don’t rethink. In this episode, I break down key ideas from Think Again by Adam Grant, including the four mindsets: preacher, prosecutor, politician, and scientist. If you’re an athlete—or someone who wants to keep growing—this will challenge how you see confidence, being right, and learning. At the end, I’ll give you o...

No motivation to train anymore? It’s not what you think. In this episode, I break down why former athletes (and even current ones) start losing discipline—even when they still care and still show up. We talk about intensity, environment, and the real reason your energy feels different now. If you’ve been feeling off, inconsistent, or just not as sharp… this will make sense. Stay until the end—I’ll...

This episode is a real and simple breakdown of what it actually takes to change your life. From feeling stuck in a job I didn’t love to traveling for work with a professional soccer team, I share the mindset shift that changed everything for me. If you feel like you’re meant for more but don’t know where to start—this is for you. Simple. Practical. Real. This episode is brought to you by Californi...

Most athletes think mindset is about staying positive—but that’s not what actually changes performance. In this episode, we go deeper into what mindset really means and why so many athletes struggle to apply it when it matters most. We break down the journey into mental performance coaching and, more importantly, what athletes can actually do to improve how they think, prepare, and perform. This i...

Do you ever feel like you train well all week… but once the game starts, you start overthinking everything? Many athletes struggle with overthinking during competition . Instead of playing freely, they begin to analyze every move, worry about mistakes, and suddenly their performance drops. In this episode, we talk about why athletes start overthinking in games and what’s actually happening inside...

What happens when the final season ends and the structure of college sports disappears? For many athletes, the transition after graduation can feel confusing. The routines, competition, and identity that shaped daily life suddenly change, leaving many former players wondering what comes next. In this episode, we dive into why athletes often feel lost after college sports and how the athlete mindse...

What if your biggest regrets are not about what you did—but what you never tried? In this episode, we break down the powerful lessons from The Midnight Library and connect them to real-life mindset shifts that can help you stop overthinking the past and start creating your future. We talk about the “Book of Regrets,” life transitions, identity change, and why most people stay stuck between fear an...

One bad game can quietly ruin your season — not because you lost confidence, but because you lost trust in yourself . If you’ve been replaying mistakes, hesitating in games, or feeling disconnected from your instincts, this episode is urgent. Most athletes try to “get their confidence back” after a bad performance. That’s the wrong focus. Confidence comes and goes. Self-trust is what determines wh...

In this clip from one of our latest podcast episodes, we talk about mindset, embracing the process, and why focusing less on results leads to better performance and growth.

Not getting playing time? Feeling frustrated, overlooked, or stuck on the bench? This episode is for athletes who aren’t starting and are struggling with the mental side of not playing. We break down the mindset athletes need when they’re not getting minutes , how to take ownership during waiting seasons , and why the bench can either destroy your confidence—or build it. In this episode, you’ll le...

Listen to this clip from our episode with Todd Crandell, where he shares his journey of completing multiple Ironman races, breaking barriers, challenging himself, raising awareness about addiction recovery, and finding his life purpose.

In this episode, I break down the 7 laws to become a successful athlete in sport and life , inspired by The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success . Each law is explained in simple, practical language , with clear examples that apply to sport, performance, and everyday life. This episode is designed for athletes—but the principles apply to anyone chasing growth, discipline, and long-term success. This is...

Recovering from an injury is more than physical — it’s mental, emotional, and deeply personal. In this episode, I share my own journey after completing an Ironman while injured and dealing with a sports hernia that forced me to stop training. We dive into the mindset of recovery, patience, relearning movement, identity beyond sport, and how psychology and philosophy can help athletes come back str...

This year challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. In this episode, I share 12 lessons this year taught me —about discipline, patience, consistency, pressure, ambition, and growth when results don’t come as fast as you want. These are lessons built through training, work, responsibility, setbacks, and showing up when motivation wasn’t there. No hype. No shortcuts....

Most athletes think the new year is about setting better goals. It’s not. In this episode, I break down the mindset athletes actually need to improve, perform under pressure, and win the next season. This podcast is about athlete mindset, mental toughness, and end-of-year reflection , without clichés or fake motivation. We talk about: Why goal-setting alone doesn’t change performance The mindset e...

There’s a reason some athletes get recruited and others don’t — and it goes far beyond talent. The difference is in how you think, how you carry yourself, and the way you respond when the game gets real. In this episode, we dive deep into the mindset that makes coaches pay attention, the inner habits that separate players, and the simple but powerful shifts that can change your entire recruiting p...

In this episode, Jourdan Ziff reveals the mindset behind becoming a successful professional athlete — and how she learned to thrive through change, pressure, and uncertainty. We talk about the essential mindset shifts athletes need today, from building confidence to adapting to new cultures and performing at a high level in unfamiliar environments. Jourdan shares how her global playing career shap...

In this episode, I sit down with Todd Crandell—an Ironman finisher, counselor, author, and the founder of Racing for Recovery. Todd went from years of addiction and darkness to completing some of the hardest endurance races in the world. We talk about how he turned pain into purpose, how the Ironman became a metaphor for rebuilding his life, and why mindset, gratitude, and discipline are non-negot...

Every athlete deals with self-doubt — even the ones who look confident on the field. But why does it hit so hard, especially when you’ve trained, prepared, and done everything right? In this episode, we break down exactly why self-doubt shows up and how to fix it , using simple language, real research, and practical tools you can use today. If you’ve been overthinking, playing scared, or second-gu...

In this episode, European U23 Champion Anika Thompson joins me to break down the mindset behind elite performance. We talk about the daily habits that create consistent success , how to win the day when motivation is low, and how to balance obsession, recovery, and joy in training. Anika also opens up about the mental side of long races , managing pressure after winning , and the difference betwee...

Are you tired of overthinking every play, every mistake, every move? In this episode, we break down why athletes overthink — and how to finally stop. You’ll learn how disconnection causes overthinking, and how to reconnect with your instincts so you can play freely again. I’ll share simple tools like micro-goals , sensory cues , and mental resets that top athletes use to stay in the moment and per...

You failed. You made a mistake. Now what? In this episode we dive deep into what it really takes to rebuild your confidence after failure . Whether you had a bad game, made a costly error, or just feel stuck mentally — this episode will help you reset fast. You’ll learn: Why your confidence naturally drops after a mistake (and why that’s totally okay) How to use mental tools like self-talk, journa...

In this episode, we break down what performance anxiety really is , why it happens , and how to transform it into excitement and confidence when it matters most. Whether you're an athlete, performer, or professional under pressure, you’ll learn mental strategies to calm your mind, focus on the moment, and perform at your highest level . We’ll explore the root causes of anxiety , how to reframe...