The Playbook with Colin Jonov

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to step into the ring, both physically and mentally? Join us as we chat with former UFC and Bellator fighter Sean Spencer, who opens up about the grueling demands of weight cutting and the discipline required to maintain peak physical condition. Discover Sean's strategies for staying closer to fighting weight during training and the intense psychol...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a mission trip could completely transform someone's life? Nate Burkhalter, a multifaceted professional who seamlessly balances being an actor, athlete, and mission worker, joins us to share his incredible journey. He reveals how a pivotal trip to Nicaragua with Filter of Hope opened his eyes to the global water crisis, compelling him to shift from a corporat...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to transition from a small-town high school athlete to a Division I collegiate player and beyond? Join us as we explore this journey with Colton Hock, a former Stanford pitcher and Marlins organization player turned entrepreneur. Colton takes us back to Pennsylvania, sharing the exhilarating moment he hit 90 miles per hour in high school—a milestone that set the...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a baseball manager balances the pressures of the game with personal well-being? In this episode, we sit down with Clint Hurdle, former MLB player and manager turned special advisor for the Colorado Rockies, to unpack the art of managing time and energy. Clint shares his journey from battling to find work-life balance to discovering a rhythm that suits different f...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the cognitive revolution in sports training as we're joined by AI sports scientist Bo Ndlovu, the visionary founder of Olyup. Unveiling the intricate dance between artificial intelligence and human athleticism, Bo sheds light on how AI is not just reshaping how we understand the five pillars of athletic growth—fitness, skill acquisition, mental cognition, nutrition,...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine standing in the tunnel with your brothers, moments before making NFL history as the first trio of siblings to play in a game together since 1927. That’s the reality Trey Edmunds lived, and he joins us to share the incredible journey that led to this moment. Our conversation traverses the realms of family dynamics, competitive spirit, and the role of faith in shaping a mind...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secret to enduring a career in athletics as we sit down with Tami Matheny, a mental game coach and John Gordon certified trainer, who brings her expertise on the mental fortitude required for dual-sport athletes. Tammy's insights into balancing tennis and basketball reveal the power of varied interests in warding off burnout and maintaining passion—a lifeline in ou...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself grappling with the tension between the journey and the finish line? Nate Heise of Iowa State basketball joins us to unravel that very conundrum, illuminating the profound lessons that emerge from the ebbs and flows of athletic life. Through Nate's eyes, we explore the transformation that occurs when outcomes are stripped away, revealing the growth and pass...

Send us Fan Mail Every setback in life holds the seeds of transformation, if only we have the courage to cultivate them. Join me as I sit down with Trevor Rosenthal, an MLB pitcher who's no stranger to life's curveballs, and Jason Holzer, 4D Athletes co-founder, to explore the resilience and mindset required to overcome adversity. Our conversation traverses personal journeys marked by ch...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how athletes bounce back from injuries that seem career-ending? Join us as my guest Kyle Baum, a nurse and bodybuilding dynamo with a history of Division I football, shares his secret weapon for recovery: healing peptides. Dubbed the Wolverine stack, compounds like BPC-157 have helped him rebound from injuries with remarkable speed. While the science is still catchin...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to cultivating a high-performing sports team with insights from Greg Berge, an accomplished educator, coach, and leadership consultant. This episode serves as your exclusive playbook to understanding the profound impact that high school coaching has on athletes and why a solid team culture often eclipses tactical prowess in securing wins. Witness firsthand how c...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what sets top athletes apart from the rest? Josh Bonhotal, the powerhouse behind the Chicago Bulls' and Purdue men's basketball strength and conditioning, joins us to debunk the myth of the 'wired differently' elite and reveals how the simple act of showing up consistently is the real game-changer. Prepare to have your perceptions shifted as we ex...

Send us Fan Mail Strap in for a mind-bending conversation with Spencer Lynn, National Director of Sales for Applied Nutrition and ex-Army First Lieutenant, as he flips the script on sleep and performance. Sleep is sacred, right? Not always, according to Spencer. He draws from his military tenacity and nutritional expertise to argue that the key to high productivity might just lie in optimizing our...

Send us Fan Mail When the rodeo comes to town, it's not just the bucking broncos that can teach us about resilience and tenacity. Jeff Heggie, a former professional rodeo competitor turned coach and entrepreneur, joins me to share how the same strategies he used to tackle steer wrestling can help anyone bounce back stronger from life's challenges. With stories that will make you feel the...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the mysteries of mental performance with the Phoenix Suns' very own VP of Health and Performance, Brady Howe. This episode promises to elevate your understanding of the psychological game in sports, where the interplay of mindset and culture shape the champions of tomorrow. We engage in a profound conversation about the subtle yet powerful influence of mental skills co...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how unshakeable determination and an unwavering positive mindset can turn the tides in one’s favor? John Petrishen, a former Penn State and Pitt football standout who's now making waves in the CFL, joins us to unpack his awe-inspiring journey towards an NFL career. He's not just chasing a dream; he's living proof that with enough grit and heart, the se...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to peak mental performance as we welcome Brian Miles, the sage of psychological conditioning for the Cleveland Guardians. Imagine harnessing the power of your mind to not just survive but thrive under the most intense pressures, be it on the sports field or in life's unexpected battles. Our riveting conversation dives into the strategies that tie the mental...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to unshakeable resilience and peak performance with Matthew Caldaroni, the CEO of Molliteum and former pro soccer player, who steps into our podcast arena to share his professional insights. This episode promises a playbook on mastering the four pillars of resilience—competence, commitment, focus, and toughness—with a spotlight on understanding and leveraging yo...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what separates the good athletes from the truly great ones? We warmly welcome Dr. Bhrett McCabe, sports psychologist to the stars, who pulls back the curtain on the mental game of high-stakes sports. Together, we unmask the complexities of stress and anxiety, delve into the high expectations athletes face, and provide a playbook for success that defies the t...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Mitch Abrams joins us this week on the Athletic Fortitude Show—unleashing his sport and forensic psychology prowess to dissect the complex interplay of anger within the competitive sports landscape. With his guidance, we navigate the stormy waters of emotion, pinpointing when anger propels athletes to greatness and when it threatens to capsize their performance. We chew over t...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the full potential of your mental game as Dr. Brook Choulet, a trailblazer in the intersection of psychiatry and athletic performance, shares her revolutionary insights. Imagine overcoming mental hurdles with the same precision you perfect your physical prowess—Dr. Choulet teaches us how targeted lifestyle adjustments and, when necessary, medication can amplify an athlete’s...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the true meaning of leadership in sports and learn how to foster an environment of success and unity within your team with insights from AJ Shavell, our special guest. AJ, who masterfully breaks down the misconception that leadership is tied to titles, shares his expertise on the influence and connection that true leaders wield. We examine the vital roles of emotional intel...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like you’re not quite measuring up, even when you’re at the top of your game? Athletic counselor and sports social worker, Kelli Monedero from Indiana University, joins us to tackle the all-too-common imposter syndrome plaguing athletes. With Kelli's guidance, we unravel the complexities of internal confidence and the critical role of self-awareness for those in com...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how elite athletes navigate the choppy waters of team dynamics and ego management with Duncan Simpson, the mastermind behind personal development at IMG Academy. As we converse with Duncan, he unveils the intricacies of fostering a cohesive team spirit even under the spotlight of individual achievement. Learn the secrets from inside one of the top sports academies about h...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the mental mastery behind top athletic performance with Dr. Jesse Michel, a venerated consultant in sports psychology, as we delve into the depths of resilience and focus amidst the uproar of controversy. Our journey with Dr. Michel, from his tenure with the Houston Astros during their tumultuous times to his expertise as a resilience trainer for the military, lays bare the...