In this episode of the Coaching Minds podcast, we sit down with former Baylor pole vaulter Kierstyn Ballard to talk about the real journey behind the highlights — from early gymnastics to Division I athletics, injuries, identity loss, and choosing joy through adversity.

Kierstyn opens up about navigating mental and emotional challenges, her faith, and what it really takes to ask for help when things feel like they’re falling apart. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent, her insight will challenge you to rethink what toughness means — and how to grow through setbacks.

Topics we cover:

• Transitioning from gymnastics to pole vaulting
• The mental side of committing in high-risk performance
• The identity crisis of injury and retirement
• Asking for help and breaking the stigma
• Her faith and mindset through four chaotic years

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/teams

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/teams

What’s it really like to go through MTP Certification? In this episode, you’ll hear directly from Coach Danny Tippett — the very first coach to complete the program.

Danny shares:

• Why he decided to pursue mental performance training
• How the tools helped him coach his son, lead a middle school football team, and improve his own anxiety
• What the certification process was like
• How he’s now applying MTP tools in sports like cheerleading, volleyball, and football
• Why every coach should have this in their toolbox — even if it’s not their main role

Whether you're a coach, trainer, or someone who wants to make a bigger impact — this episode gives you a clear picture of what’s possible when you get MTP Certified.

🔗 Apply at mentaltrainingplan.com → Click “Get Certified”

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/teams

If you're a coach who believes in the power of the mental game — and you're ready to start teaching it — this episode is for you.

MTP founder Ben Carnes breaks down exactly what MTP Certification is, who it’s for, and how it equips you to start leading 1-on-1 coaching and team workshops right away.

You'll hear:

• The story behind how the MTP system was built
• What makes MTP Certification different from any other mental training program
• How certified coaches are using this to serve athletes in their schools or build their own coaching business
• What tools, training, and support you’ll walk away with
• And why now is the best time to join the mission

Whether you’re a trainer, team coach, AD, or just someone who wants to make a lasting impact… this is the launchpad you’ve been waiting for.

🔗 Learn more or apply at mentaltrainingplan.com → Click “Get Certified”

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/teams

What do you do when life changes in a single moment? Dave Randall knows. After surviving a life-altering medical condition while serving in the U.S. Navy, Dave could’ve quit. Instead, he rebuilt—body, mind, and mission.

Now a world champion hand cyclist and founder of Alive Day Apparel, Dave joins Ben to talk about identity, faith, pain, purpose, and what it takes to thrive after hitting rock bottom. This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone trying to rise from a setback.

Highlights include:

• The story behind “Alive Day” and what it means to Dave
• Why purpose makes discipline effortless
• How to win the mental game before the race even begins
• The role of faith in high performance
• Why your comeback is always stronger than the setback

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/teams

In just one season, South Ripley went from a middle-of-the-pack team to a 19–0 start, a #1 ranking, and a sectional championship. The difference? A full commitment to mental training.

Assistant coach Tom Beach, a 40-year coaching veteran, joins us to share how implementing MTP Academy transformed the mindset—and the results—of a small-town Indiana basketball team.

If you’ve ever wondered what mental training can really do for your program, this is the episode to hear it from someone who’s seen it firsthand.

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/teams

Your life moves in the strongest direction of your thoughts – a powerful truth that forms the foundation of this eye-opening conclusion to our Positive Intelligence series. What if all your distress was self-generated? What if you could transform every challenge into an opportunity simply by shifting your perspective?

In this enlightening conversation with mental performance coach Brenna, we explore how to activate your "sage" mindset – that wiser, calmer part of your brain – through practical, science-backed techniques that anyone can implement. Far from passive positivity, the sage perspective requires active mental training and deliberate choice.

We break down the game-changing "three gifts technique" that helps athletes reframe failures as learning opportunities, and dive deep into the five sage powers: empathize, explore, innovate, navigate, and activate. You'll discover why visualizing yourself as a child can instantly shift your self-talk, and how identifying your "true north" values creates an unshakable foundation for decision-making when challenges arise.

The most exciting revelation? You can literally train your brain through simple 10-second "PQ reps" that focus on your five senses. These micro-moments of mindfulness – feeling the breeze on your face during practice, truly tasting your food, or noticing the heartbeat of a loved one during a hug – create new neural pathways that enhance performance and overall wellbeing.

Science confirms that negative self-talk decreases performance in every sport studied, while positive expectation demonstrably improves outcomes. The goal: 100 daily PQ reps to rewire your brain for optimal performance when it matters most. With practical examples and real-world applications, this episode provides a roadmap for taking control of your thoughts – and therefore, your life.

Ready to transform your mental game? Begin with just one PQ rep today. Remember, your performance, happiness, and fulfillment all depend on mastering the inside game.

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/teams

Ever wondered why that voice in your head keeps sabotaging your performance? In this revealing exploration of Chapters 3 and 4 from "Positive Intelligence," we dive deep into understanding the mental saboteurs that derail even the most talented athletes.

The conversation uncovers how these negative thought patterns—which we all possess—initially formed as protection mechanisms in childhood but now cause more harm than good. Everyone has a primary "judge" saboteur along with accomplice saboteurs like the hyperachiever, pleaser, controller, or stickler. These mental patterns might have helped us survive and even excel (as Brenna shares from her gymnastics career), but they eventually become obstacles to peak performance.

What makes these mental saboteurs particularly dangerous is how they masquerade as helpful. "Without me pushing you, you'll get lazy" or "Without me judging others, you won't protect yourself." These justification lies keep us locked in negative thought patterns that wake us at 3AM with anxiety rather than helping us improve.

The most powerful strategy for breaking free? Simply recognizing and naming these saboteurs. When you can say, "That's my judge talking" rather than identifying with those thoughts as "me," you create separation that allows you to choose a different response. This awareness extends beyond individual performance to team dynamics and family relationships, as understanding different saboteur patterns improves communication and empathy.

Ready to identify your own mental saboteurs and learn how to weaken their grip on your performance? Take the free PQ assessment mentioned in the episode and join us next time as we explore how to strengthen your "sage"—the inner coach that provides constructive guidance without the emotional toll.

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/teams

What if the biggest obstacle to your performance isn’t physical—but the voice in your head?

In this first episode of our 3-part series on Positive Intelligence, former Division I gymnast Brenna Munson joins us to explore how mastering mental fitness transformed her approach to sports, injuries, and life. Together, we break down key ideas from Chapters 1 and 2 of Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine, introducing the foundational concepts that every athlete, coach, and competitor needs to understand.

You’ll learn:

• How negative thought patterns—or “saboteurs” like the Judge, Controller, and Hyper-Achiever—undermine performance
• Why naming and recognizing these mental habits is the first step to weakening their influence
• What it means to operate from the “Sage” perspective, where curiosity replaces self-judgment
• Why mental training is just as essential as physical training—and how even small efforts can lead to major breakthroughs

Brenna shares her powerful story of navigating injury, self-doubt, and the pressure to achieve. “I would’ve been unstoppable,” she reflects, imagining the difference these tools could’ve made earlier in her career. Whether you're an athlete or simply facing your own performance battles, this episode will challenge you to start training the part of you that matters most: your mind.

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/teams

What does it take to develop a champion—not just on the scoreboard, but in life? Coach Tommy Richardson brings 60+ years of wisdom to this question, revealing a framework that transforms athletes from the inside out.

At 88 years young, Richardson shares the journey that led him from high school football fields to corporate leadership positions at State Farm, and finally to his current work as a mental performance coach. His "three-dimensional approach" to coaching addresses not just physical skills (first dimension), but also mental training (second dimension) and heart development (third dimension). This comprehensive methodology turned losing programs into championship contenders and eventually led to a stadium being named in his honor.

Richardson draws a powerful distinction between success and excellence that challenges conventional thinking about winning. "Success is being number one," he explains, "but excellence is going as far as you can using all that you've got." This philosophy creates athletes who measure themselves against their own potential rather than just the scoreboard.

The conversation explores practical frameworks like the SCORE method (Self-discipline, Concentration, Optimistic mindset, Relaxation/Response, Enjoyment) that helps athletes reach peak performance states. Richardson also shares how implementing "After Action Reviews" following competitions transforms even losses into growth opportunities. "You only lose when you stop learning and growing," he emphasizes.

Whether you're a coach seeking to develop more complete athletes, a parent supporting a young competitor, or someone striving for personal excellence, Richardson's wisdom offers a roadmap to achievement that extends far beyond sports. His message reminds us that while athletic careers eventually end, the mental, emotional, and character foundations built through sport can last a lifetime.

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/teams