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Joy is a performance edge, and it needs protection. When you’re joyful, you think clearer, connect better, and play free. When you’re surrounded by chronic criticism, your momentum stalls—and so does your team’s.

Coach Mikki shares practical ways to spot joy thieves, respond with composure, and keep your culture strong. We unpack the difference between high standards and harsh judgment, how to offer critique without crushing confidence, and why recognition is a strategic tool for repeatable excellence. You’ll hear simple rituals to build a “force field” around your focus, decline drama you didn’t invite, and return to gratitude so negativity can’t own the narrative.

This conversation is for athletes, coaches, leaders, and anyone tired of letting other people’s moods run their day. Learn how to set firm boundaries, curate your circle, and protect what matters most: your joy, your peace, and your potential. Start strong, finish strong, and dominate the space in between with clear habits that reinforce who you want to be and how your team shows up.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a teammate who needs the lift, and leave a quick review so more people can build a mindset that wins.

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Ever seen a superstar get benched and wondered why? Coach Mikki pulls back the curtain on a season full of hard choices, where raw talent collides with team standards and the scoreboard isn’t the only thing that matters. We walk through the moments that test a coach’s resolve, when gifted players skip practice, expect to be “plugged in” on game day, and force a decision between chasing a quick win or protecting the culture eighty-seven other athletes have earned.

From the trenches of the D-line and special teams, we share what trust really looks like: first on the field, last to leave, coachable in the quiet moments, and relentless when no one’s watching. Coach Mikki lays out why passion and drive aren’t clichés but competitive advantages that compound, and why entitlement, arrogance, and ego always tax a locker room. There’s tough love in these stories. Two players walked away when the standard didn’t bend, and there are clear takeaways for life beyond the field: your past highlights don’t pay today’s rent; your habits do.

We also dig into a simple question that changes everything: is it can’t or won’t? That filter strips away excuses, exposes avoidance, and puts ownership back where it belongs. If you want a blueprint for earning your reps, whether at work, in sports, or in personal goals, this conversation provides you with the language, mindset, and standards to hold. Start strong, finish strong, and dominate everthing in between with consistent effort, honest feedback, and a commitment to team over ego.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs tough love, and leave a review telling us your take: does hustle beat talent where you are?

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Are you constantly putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own dreams? Coach Mikki gets vulnerable in this powerful episode about the battle against distraction and the courage to say "no."

Drawing from her own experience as a newly published author who hasn't even had time for a book signing, Coach Mikki explores the profound frustration of watching personal goals languish while serving others. She distinguishes between necessary responsibilities we all must maintain and the unnecessary distractions that quietly steal our time and energy. Most importantly, she challenges listeners to examine their relationship with the word "no" – a simple yet powerful tool many of us struggle to use effectively.


At its heart, this episode delivers a transformative truth: "Something that's important to you will become a priority, and you will find the time to do the things you love." Coach Mikki authentic coaching style empowers you to honestly evaluate your priorities and reclaim your time for what truly matters. Ready to shut out the noise and focus on your goals? Start by hitting subscribe, sharing with friends who need this message, and leaving a comment about which distractions you're committed to eliminating from your life.

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Words have incredible power, especially when they come from authority figures like coaches. A single sentence can completely transform how a young athlete sees themselves and their potential.

Coach Mikki pulls back the curtain on a frustrating pattern she's witnessed throughout her coaching career: the coach with an ego who tears players down rather than building them up. Drawing from current experiences coaching defensive linemen, Coach Mikki  shares stories of players who quit after demoralizing comments and others who flourished when given positive support despite being told they "weren't good enough."

The most successful teams don't necessarily have superior talent, they have superior mindsets. She explores how NFL teams can stage remarkable comebacks not because players suddenly become more skilled during halftime, but because their mental approach transforms. This same principle applies whether you're coaching youth football or leading in any capacity. We're not responsible for others' actions, but we are responsible for how we respond to situations and the words we choose in those moments.

What makes this conversation particularly powerful is her 25 years of coaching experience across multiple disciplines. She's observed that the most impactful messages in anyone's life typically come from parents, teachers, coaches, and friends, in that order. This places enormous responsibility on coaches to choose words carefully, understanding that what they say may echo in a young person's mind for decades.

Are you mindful of how your words affect others? Next time you're frustrated or disappointed, take a breath before speaking. Remember that whatever you put out as intention is what you'll get back. Let's make someone's life better today by choosing our words with care and compassion. Start strong, finish strong, and dominate everything in between!

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Ever wondered if the experts, coaches, and mentors we admire have it all figured out? Coach Mikki pulls back the curtain on this misconception with refreshing honesty. Despite years of experience with her  coaching football at extraordinary levels, she reveals that challenges never stop coming, what changes is how we handle them.

4th and 1 Mindset, Life's Playbook for Success

The difference between struggling and thriving isn't the absence of problems but the quality of our responses.
Life's unpredictability means we'll never face identical situations twice. The tools we develop aren't meant to eliminate challenges but to equip us for evolving through them. When someone tests your limits or pushes you to your breaking point, resisting the urge to immediately react can prevent escalation and regret. Instead, taking time to formulate a "precise, accurate, calm and thought through" response empowers you to maintain control and dignity while effectively addressing the situation.

Whether you're coaching a team, leading a business, or navigating personal relationships, this mindset applies universally. As Coach Mikki says, "We're probably going through the same thing, it's just in a different capacity." Ready to transform how you handle life's challenges? Visit www.4thand1Mindset.com to connect with Coach Mikki  directly and share situations where her perspective might help you respond rather than react.

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Ever feel like you're trapped in a cycle of doing the same thing over and over, wondering why progress seems impossible despite your best efforts? Coach Mikki tackles this universal challenge head-on, revealing why Albert Einstein's famous definition of insanity, doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results, remains one of life's most powerful yet overlooked lessons.

Through compelling football analogies that anyone can understand, Coach Mikki demonstrates how we often run the same ineffective plays in our lives, businesses, and relationships, then wonder why we're perpetually stopped at the line of scrimmage. The defense knows exactly what's coming because we've become predictable, comfortable in our patterns despite their clear ineffectiveness. The solution isn't complicated, but it requires courage: we must recognize our stagnant patterns and commit to trying something anything different.

What typically holds us back isn't knowledge but fear of the unknown. 

Coach Mikki acknowledges this fear while emphasizing that uncertainty is an unavoidable part of growth. Even the best-executed plans can encounter unexpected obstacles, yet this shouldn't paralyze us into inaction. By taking that first step outside our comfort zones, committing to new approaches, and surrounding ourselves with supportive people, we create momentum. Each small victory moves the chains forward until we reach our personal end zone of success. Stop overthinking what might go wrong, make those necessary changes, and watch as extraordinary possibilities unfold in your life. Ready to break free from routine and transform your results? Coach Mikki shows you exactly how to make it happen.

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Ready to stop watching from the sidelines? Coach Mikki delivers a powerful wake-up call about the dangers of waiting for the "perfect moment" to pursue your dreams. With straight-talking wisdom, this episode tackles the uncomfortable truth that no touchdowns are ever scored while sitting on the bench.

We all fall into the trap of hesitation, waiting for the right time, the perfect opportunity, or until we feel "good enough." But as Coach Mikki reminds us, these are just mental barriers we create. The reality? There's no such thing as perfect timing. Everyone who's ever accomplished anything meaningful had to start somewhere, often with shaky, uncertain first steps.

This episode reframes failure as simply "the first attempt in learning" and challenges the negative "what if?" questions that keep us paralyzed. What if you succeed beyond your wildest dreams? What if taking action opens doors you never knew existed? The only way to discover these possibilities is to get in the game.

The most empowering message comes in recognizing that your unique path can only be walked by you. No one, not family, friends, or mentors. can do the work required to achieve your specific goals. Small, consistent actions compound over time, creating momentum that transforms into extraordinary results.

Ready to stop watching life happen around you? Listen now and discover how to silence the doubts, embrace imperfection, and take that crucial first step toward the life you truly want. As Coach Mikki says, "Start strong, finish strong, and dominate everything in between."

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Ever wondered what it takes to completely reinvent yourself in midlife? Brian McFarland's story of transformation from divorced dad to semi-professional goalkeeper will challenge everything you believe about "too late" or "too old."

Growing up as a "heavy, slow kid" who was bullied off his elementary school soccer team, Brian never imagined he'd one day be playing alongside athletes half his age in semi-professional matches. His journey began unexpectedly while coaching his children's teams after his divorce left him with empty weekends. What started as casual recreational games evolved into a consuming passion that had him training over ten hours weekly and seeking professional coaching from former MLS players.

Brian shares the unique mental architecture required by goalkeeping, a position he describes as "85% autopilot punctuated by 15% sheer chaos." This mindset translates directly to his work with underprivileged STEM students through his "Business of Life" program, where he teaches essential professional skills often overlooked in traditional education. His approach centers on Maya Angelou's wisdom that "people will never forget how you made them feel," demonstrating how this principle applies equally in sports, business, and personal relationships.

The conversation reaches its philosophical peak with Brian's mantra: "Slow down to speed up." Drawing parallels between learning complex musical bass lines and developing athletic prowess, he explains why rushing toward goals without mastering fundamentals leads to failure, while patient, deliberate practice builds sustainable success in any domain of life.

Whether you're contemplating a major life change, seeking to improve your performance, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode offers actionable wisdom about embracing discomfort, finding great coaches, and maintaining enthusiasm through inevitable setbacks. As Brian proves, it's never too late to pursue excellence in something that brings you joy.

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What transforms a talented young athlete into a successful adult? According to Coach Mez, a baseball coach with over 50 years of experience, the answer lies far beyond physical skills and game strategy.

In this captivating locker room conversation, Coach Mez reveals his proven framework for developing both athletic and character excellence.
The discussion dives deep into practical mental performance techniques, including the powerful "Five R's"
Perhaps most revealing is the inside look at college recruitment, where we learn that scouts' first questions are rarely about athletic ability but instead focus on character, academic performance, and even family dynamics. "If you have good grades, it means you're a hard worker," Coach Mez explains, highlighting how academic discipline translates directly to athletic potential.

Whether you're a coach seeking new mentorship strategies, a parent supporting a young athlete, or a player looking to elevate your mental game, this episode delivers transformative insights about using sports as a vehicle for developing not just better players, but better people. The conversation bridges football and baseball perspectives, proving that the principles of character development transcend specific sports.

Ready to transform your approach to athletic development? Listen now and discover how to build jawbreakers instead of marshmallows!

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Connect with Thomas Reed III

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Built Through Adversity: Thomas Reed III’s Journey to Empower Young Athletes

When personal struggle meets unstoppable purpose, true greatness is born. In this inspiring episode, Olympic gold medalist Thomas Reed III shares how facing family hardship as a young athlete shaped his mission to serve the next generation. From caring for his father during a life-threatening illness to building nationwide football camps and scholarship programs, Reed’s story is proof that adversity doesn’t define you it builds you.

If you're a parent, coach, or athlete looking for more than just athletic success and want to build a life of impact beyond the game this episode will light that fire inside you.

The impact is tangible. Reed shares moving stories of overlooked athletes he's helped secure college scholarships and education opportunities. 

His Upcoming camps in Iowa, Alabama, Colorado, New York, and Hawaii will extend that impact even further. For parents of talented young athletes who need guidance on the recruiting process or players searching for their next opportunity, Reed's foundation offers a beacon of practical support and mentorship.

Ready to help your athlete maximize their potential both on and off the field? Visit Thomas Reed's website through the link  to learn more about upcoming camps, scholarship opportunities, and how to connect directly with this passionate advocate for young athletes.

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