In this episode of the Coaching Minds Podcast, Ben Carnes sits down with Marc Nudelberg—former college football coach and founder of On The Ball—to explore the principles behind consistent, high-level performance. Drawing from his experiences at programs like Florida State and Cincinnati, Marc explains why simplicity beats complexity, how culture can make or break a team, and why most businesses are failing when it comes to real leadership development.

The conversation dives into athlete identity, the dangers of tying your worth to your title, and the difference between feedback in football vs. feedback in business. Marc also shares tactical ways entrepreneurs and coaches can build sustainable habits using the “1% better every day” philosophy—without burning out or chasing perfection.

TimeTopic

1:10 | Marc's coaching and entrepreneurial journey

3:00 | Why he left college football despite success

5:10 | Special teams = leadership bootcamp

7:00 | The hidden culture behind Florida State’s national title

10:00 | Identity shifts and the cost of chasing success

15:00 | Why most athletes (and coaches) struggle with identity

18:00 | What business gets wrong about leadership + training

21:00 | The importance of visibility and feedback loops

25:00 | How solo entrepreneurs can use AI (like ChatGPT!) as a coach

28:00 | What “1% better every day” really means in practice

30:00 | Avoiding burnout and perfectionism through minimum standards

33:30 | Applying time + mindset management for MTP coaches

37:00 | The 3 priorities every coach-entrepreneur must schedule

40:00 | How to hold others accountable without sacrificing care

42:00 | Marc’s advice to his younger self: Be obsessively curious

Are you an ATHLETE looking to take your training to the next level? Check out our website to learn more about 1-on-1 training opportunities:
mentaltrainingplan.com/athletes

Are you a COACH looking for an affordable year-round mental performance training program? Check out the MTP Academy available through our website:
mentaltrainingplan.com/academy