Mental Advantage Podcast

The MAP boys sit down to discuss feedback from the previous episode with Ashley Merryman and her book "Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing." They also review some questions sent in by long-time friend of the show, Sean O'Neil, who shared some questions relating to the role of ego and momentum in competition.
The boys breakdown the difference between playing to win vs. playing not to lose. They share some great personal development questions and strategies to be used in habit forming and goal setting.

To write the show: [email protected]
To write John Cullen: [email protected]
To write Brandon Allen: [email protected]

The MAP boys sit down with Ashley Merryman, the co-author (along with Po Bronson) of "Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing." Their book, "NurtureShock", has become one of the most influential books about children ever published. Both books are New York Times bestsellers.
Merryman has written for the NY TImes, Time, the Washington Post, CNN.com, the Guardian, ESPN Magazine, and others. She has made appearances on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360; Fox and Friends; CBS This Morning; ESPN's Outside the Lines; HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
Among other topics, she discusses the importance of competition in development - difference in types of competitors - the impact TEAM can have on competitors - how the way you set up a competition can have influence on the competitors - difference between genders in competition, etc.

To view more from Ashley -- go to her website: www.ashleymerryman.com
Questions or comments for the show: [email protected]
To contact John Cullen: [email protected]
To contact Brandon Allen: [email protected]

The MAP boys sit down with Devi Jags to discuss her recent article in the Washington Post, “There’s a Mental Health Crisis in College Sports – I know it firsthand.” They explore what are some of the issues that have led to this crisis and where do we go from here. This is just part one of a series of shows the boys will do about mental health and college athletics.

Jags is the Marketing & Sales Director of Chatty Monks Brewing and is co-founder of an Indian food brand, Sambar Kitchen. Devi holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. She has been published in the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Bon Appetit, Ms. Magazine and more.
In her writing, Devi aims to share her story in healing from sexual violence, discuss pressures in NCAA athletics, and define her identity despite past trauma. She uses the power of storytelling to elevate others, create social change, and above all, find solidarity for herself.
To join her journey, follow her work @devijags or visit her website at www.devijags.com

To write the show: [email protected]
To write John Cullen: [email protected]
To write Brandon Allen: [email protected]

On this episode of the Mental Advantage Podcast, the MAP boys discuss such topics as: research on the science of winning and losing, staying calm in the competition and some upcoming guests.

To write the show: [email protected]
To get in touch with John Cullen or Brandon Allen: [email protected] or [email protected]

Back from Episode 12, the MAP boys sit down with Andy Riise, the man with many titles or even more life experiences. Andy is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, who is now the Texas A&M University Program Director for the National Security Innovation Network. He is also a Presidential Leadership Scholar.

Andy's a West Point graduate and former Army football player who spent over 20 years leading Soldiers including multiple combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan and five years with two elite Special Forces units. He taught Performance Psychology and leadership at West Point, the Air Force Academy and Texas A&M University. Andy works with high performing populations in multiple arenas including pro sports, business, health care and emergency services. He is the owner/operator of Design to Perform, LLC and co-author of the best selling book, "Deliberate Discomfort: How US Special Operations Forces Overcome Fear and Dare to Win by Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable.

Social Media:
Instagram: @coach_riise
Twitter: @andy.riise

Mental Advantage Podcast: @mentaladvantagepodcast
@jc_mental_advantage @midwodbickering

The Mental Advantage Podcast welcomes Vad Lee, the former quarterback at Georgia Tech and James Madison University. Among some of the topics, Vad talks to the MAP boys about his books, "Purpose over Position" and "That's My Friend." He discusses some of the many highlights of his journey through football as well as some of the low moments and how through all of these experiences he found his Purpose. After listening to this interview, you will understand how Vad Lee became one of the top college QBs in the country and now uses all of these personal experiences to inspire and motivate so many others. Get your pen and paper ready.

Vad Lee on Twitter: @_VL2
Vad Lee on Instagram: _vlee2
Website: www.vadlee.org

To contact the Mental Advantage Podcast: [email protected]
To contact John Cullen: [email protected]
To contact Brandon Allen: [email protected]

The MAP boys were pumped up to sit down with Steve Springer, founder of Quality-At-Bats academy and former performance coach and scout for the Toronto Blue Jays. After not starting in his senior year of HS, getting cut in college, Springer was drafted by the Mets after a breakout junior season in college.
Springer played over 14 years as a professional baseball player and compiled 1,600 professional hits.
Over 35 years as a professional player, agent and scout. He is also the author of the book, "Spring Time: My Amazing Journey from High School Benchwarmer, to the Big Leagues, to Mentor of Major League All-Stars."
He is currently a scout for the Oakland A's.

You can find out more about Quality At Bats and what Spring has to offer at www.qualityatbats.com

If you want to reach the show, please contact [email protected]
If you want to work with John Cullen, please contact [email protected]
If you want to reach Brandon Allen, please contact [email protected]

The MAP boys sit down with mental performance coach, Mandy Patterson, to discuss how to turn mental blocks and fears into confidence and joy. Mandy offers individual and team coaching and is a speaker in the Atlanta, GA area.

To work with Mandy or to fill out the no-cost performance check, go to mgpcoach.com/performancechecksession.com

To follow Mandy Patterson on Instagram and Facebook: @mandypattersoncoaching
To write the show: [email protected]
To get in touch with John Cullen or Brandon Allen: [email protected] or [email protected]

On this first episode of the second season of the Mental Advantage Podcast, the MAP boys discuss such topics as: how to coach by focusing on the performance and not the performer; China McCarney's Mental Health Manual; dealing with negative people and they also talk about upcoming guests.

To write the show: [email protected]
To get in touch with John Cullen or Brandon Allen: [email protected] or [email protected]

The MAP boys welcome back China McCarney, the founder of AAADF (Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation) and VP or Jaeger Sports. China has written the books, "Off the Field", Finding true purpose and passion and "Tell Your Story." He is also a former professional baseball player, who has dealt with anxiety, panic attacks and depression for over a decade. On this visit, China talks about the “Mental Health Manual” a great resource for the many people who are fighting their daily battle with mental health issues.

To get involved in Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation, go to www.aaadf.org --- to download the Mental Health Manual and Companion Journal, go to mentalhealthmanual.org

To follow China McCarney on social media: @ChinaMcCarney
To write the show: [email protected]
To get in touch with John Cullen or Brandon Allen: [email protected] or [email protected]