In this episode, we sit down with Ben Carnes — educator, coach, and founder of Mental Training Plan — to explore how athletes can train their mindset with the same intentionality they train their bodies.

Ben’s career began in education and coaching. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from Indiana University and a master’s in Athletic Administration and Coaching from North Central University, he spent 15 years as a high school teacher and varsity football coach in the Westfield Washington School District. Those years on the sidelines and in the classroom gave him firsthand exposure to the pressure, expectations, and emotional challenges athletes face every day.

That experience led to a powerful question:
How do you train confidence, composure, and focus the same way you train strength and skill?

From that question, Mental Training Plan was born — a structured, research-backed system designed to help athletes regulate emotions, control their reactions, and perform at their best when moments matter most.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• Ben’s path from teacher and coach to founder
• The lessons he learned about pressure and performance at the high school level
• The origin and framework of his company
• An in-depth look at “The Focus Cycle” and how it shapes mental performance
• Where mental training is headed in the next five years

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, this episode offers practical insight into building confidence, consistency, and competitive composure.

Because when the game speeds up, your mindset can’t.

Here is the link to Ben's company, Mental Training Plan

https://www.mentaltrainingplan.com/