When The Cleats Come Off

Playing free doesn’t happen by chance. It comes from preparation. Learn why it MATTERS to put in the reps but also how you can use those reps to trust your stuff come gametime! Leave a review of WTCCO on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-the-cleats-come-off/id1525612274   Similar Episodes of When the Cleats Come Off: Ep. 70 - Ben-Marvin Egel: A few things golf can te...

Learn from All-Big Ten pitcher, Purdue University record holder (and maid of honor in my wedding!) Lilly Fecho, about her dominant presence on the mound, how she practiced self-talk to give her an advantage, the importance of having a strong pitcher/catcher relationship and how softball brings you some friends for life – so cherish it! Join the Virtual Hitting Academy - https://www.ashleybtraining...

The best in the world break down each performance into an easy process where they can highlight their “wins”, analyze their “losses” and quickly learn from their mistakes and move on. IN THAT ORDER. Tune in to get a full breakdown of your performance in a simple, consistent reflection you can use to help you level up. Softball Pre-Game Confidence Meditation (10 min) - https://player.captivate.fm/e...

Ashley breaks down her favorite Bluey episode as it teaches us the valuable lessons sports can teach us – in this case Cricket – along with the beauty of staying in it even when things get tough. Ep. 185 - Odicci Alexander: Women's College World Series work ethic - https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0fb11a7b-dda8-4902-8d5f-58782860a00c/   Join the When the Cleats Come Off Facebook Community...

This 2025 post-season has had some superstars and Cydnee is one of them! Learn what it was like living in the moment and being an ESPN highlight reel, how her JUCO experience helped her love the game again before transferring to Southeastern Louisiana and what her experience has been playing for these impactful coaches! Follow Cydnee on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cyd_schneider1/  ...

Each of the well deserved teams participating in the 2025 WCWS can teach us some valuable lessons we can take into our own “games” and make us all better players, coaches and parents. I guarantee you’ll watch each of these teams differently after you hear them. Join the Virtual Hitting Academy #smashtribe - https://www.ashleybtraining.com/virtual-hitting-academy-2-0   Join the When the Cleats...

This might’ve been the greatest D1 softball regional weekend I’ve ever witnessed and this week, I’m breaking down some of the top jaw-dropping moments along with my take on the fact that there are over 1000 athletes in the transfer portal right now and how that will impact the college game. Join the When the Cleats Come Off Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenthecleatscomeoff/...

These past two weeks you’ve gotten to learn the passion my dad has for coaching and raising strong and confident daughters, but this week you get to learn about his new passion: umpiring. Learn why he chooses the “tight” strike zone that he does, how he’s able to keep his cool so well, what he does/doesn’t like to see from coaches in games and also why he’s definitely the right man for the “job”!...

No two athletes (and in our case three) are the same, and this week, my Dad is back talking about the similarities and unique differences between my two D1 athletes sisters and I and how we built a competitive edge from our very own backyard. Scott Burkhardt: What it’s like being a “softball dad”, Part 1 Scott Burkhardt: What it’s like being a “softball dad”, Part 2 Join the When the Cleats Come O...

My dad is BACK (finally!) on the podcast chatting about his experience coaching my sisters and I at the youth and elite basketball and softball levels, how he enjoyed practice planning more than anything, who a few of his coaching mentors were/are, and more! Scott Burkhardt: What it’s like being a “softball dad”, Part 1 Scott Burkhardt: What it’s like being a “softball dad”, Part 2 Join the When t...

Justin is back this week elaborating on what teams are trending upward right now, what upsets we’ll likely see as conference season plays out, and who his dark horses and predictions are to play in the WCWS this year. If you want a deep dive from a professional softball analyst, this is YOUR episode! Visit the D1 Softball website - https://d1softball.com/   Follow Justin on Twitter - https://...

The softball obsession is in Justin’s blood. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn the role model players that stand out to him, what a great team culture looks like, his love for mid-majors making statements against Power 4 schools, his thoughts on the transfer portal and more. Visit the D1 Softball website - https://d1softball.com/   Follow Justin on Twitter - https://x.com/justfactsmaam?...

With the role of big brother coming his way any minute, here’s an open letter to my first born of things I want him to know when he grows older…coming from his mom who’s also a first born.  Join the When the Cleats Come Off Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/whenthecleatscomeoff/   Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-the-cleats-...

Former George Washington pitcher, Paige Rose, has an incredible story of joining the U.S. Marine Corps soon after competing collegiately and how it paved the way for her to jump into strength and conditioning training and helping athletes build the foundations of physical and mental strength in the weight room. Whether you want to be an elite athlete or simply a stronger, more confident version of...

Success in the box comes from within, but unless it’s practiced, it’s hard to see it translate to games. This episode is for coaches and players to put into practice shifting our thoughts from hurtful to helpful, building a solid routine to rely on, having an “alter ego” when you step on that field to compete and help you feel prepared and READY to take on your opponents this season! Ep. 133 - Sof...

University of Florida standout, Skylar Wallace, spent time with my Virtual Hitting Academy members talking about mastering the inner voice inside our head, how to bet on ourselves when we’re out on the field, working to be in a relaxed “flow” state using imagery to see ourselves succeed and so much more! Follow Skylar on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/skylar.wallace/   Get your free mo...

2009 National Champion at the University of Washington, Morgan Stuart, is getting REAL on the podcast sharing stories of her inner struggles of depression and lack of confidence while playing softball even at the highest level but what she would do differently if she had a chance to go back and talk to her younger self. Get your hands on her book “The Real Work”: https://therealwrk.com/book/real-w...

Change your body, change your mind. Science states that how you carry and present yourself has a direct correlation to your success, so in this episode, we’re diving into why it’s important to take your body language and posture seriously and ways it can help you build up your confidence in a matter of minutes! Ted Talk with Amy Cuddy - https://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc   The Body Language Expert:...

Let’s face it. The world of travel ball has turned into a political game, and that’s not what’s going to help the game of softball move in a positive direction. Insert Jami Lobpries. Her vision with The Alliance Fastpitch is bringing travel ball back to where it SHOULD be…with the focus on the ATHLETE FIRST. And here’s how she’s doing it. The Alliance Fastpitch Website - https://thealliancefastpit...

It’s EARLY but things are HAPPENING in the D1 softball world. Huge upsets, pitchers hitting bombs along with throwing no-hitters, walk-off DRAMA, and how you can watch so many games LIVE on TV! Here’s an early take on what you need to know and watch for this (already!) intense 2025 season! D1 Softball Website - https://d1softball.com/   In the Circle Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/po...

Learn straight from the YouTube and social media coaching sensation, Megan Rembielak, not just all the drills you need to know to become a better competitive softball player on the diamond but also learn the ins and outs of how she’s become one of the most “viral” and respected coaches in the game, how to effectively run a successful practice, throwing tips on how to avoid common arm injuries, and...

Without proper habits and concrete SYSTEMS, our goals are so much harder to achieve! In this 30min recorded mental skills workshop with my Virtual Hitting Academy Members, we discussed how to create a S.M.A.R.T. goal and most importantly how to develop a disciplined at-home training system which will help you reach that goal FASTER and create the discipline to show up and train, especially when di...

There are VERY few baseball players I loved watching as much as Ichiro, so I decided to devote an entire “fangirling” episode to him now that he was just elected into the MLB Hall of Fame this week for being one of the best hitters and respectable players the game has ever seen.  Learn the “Ichiro Drill” on my YouTube Channel - https://youtu.be/dy0dVzGXdsg   Leave a review of When the Cl...

Get to know my former professional softball GM for the Dallas Charge, Kevin Shelton, as he shares the ins and outs of the pro softball world back in 2015, how being a “softball dad” turned into building one of the most premier travel ball organizations in the country, the Texas Glory, and how, in 20 years coaching, he and has helped over over 850 athletes live out their dream in college while crea...

Increasing your competitiveness isn’t complicated, but most aren’t willing to do the little things to get there. If you go all-in on even just one of these three mentalities in 2025, I can basically guarantee this will be your best, most competitive year yet on and off the diamond!  Leave a review of When the Cleats Come Off on Apple Podcasts (200th giveaway rules below!) - https://podcasts.a...