Before we dive into Dan Abrahams' latest book Compete, which will be released soon, we're bringing back one of our most impactful early conversations — the one that started it all.

Dan Abrahams is a leading sports psychologist who has worked with Premier League clubs including West Ham and Fulham, and has spent over 15 years embedded in the football world at every level. He's also the author of Soccer Tough, Soccer Tough 2, and Soccer Brain.

In this foundational episode, Dan breaks down what it really means to develop a mental game in soccer — from why he believes football is fundamentally a game of mindset, to practical tools coaches and players can use right now. We cover:

• The "Three M's" — Mood, Motivation, and Movement — and why managing them is non-negotiable
• What mental toughness actually means (hint: it's simpler than you think)
• The Match Script technique — giving players 1–3 controllable tasks to come back to under pressure
• Game Face — how to help players build an identity on the pitch using key words and model players
• Why coaches need to be tolerant on outcome and tough on process
• Body language as a performance weapon, not just an aesthetic

This episode sets the stage for the upcoming deep dive into Compete. If you haven't heard this one yet, now is the perfect time before the release of our new conversation later next week.