Mental Performance Playbook

Ever wonder why some athletes push past limits while others quit before their body ever taps out? In this episode (170) of the Mental Performance Playbook, Gabe Rummel, founder of The Athletes Health, breaks down the mental toughness framework that helps student athletes reach further than they think possible.

You'll learn:

• The difference between motivation from inside and motivation from outside, and why one builds mental toughness that actually lasts
• How to set real benchmarks for your athlete, using both competition and personal tracking, so progress never goes unnoticed
• Why every athlete needs a "spare tire mindset" for setbacks, not a backup plan, but a real plan for when things break down

Gabe shares a personal story from a recent trip to Colorado, where a car breakdown became the perfect real-world example of mental toughness in action. If you're a parent, coach, or athlete looking for practical mental performance strategies, this episode gives you exercises you can use today.

Follow the Mental Performance Playbook from TAH for weekly mental performance training built on our Clarity, Confidence, Composure framework.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Reaching Further in Performance

(01:57) Introductory Story

(03:20) Two kinds of motivation

(05:49) Setting real trackable benchmarks

(09:26) Plan for the brakes going out

(13:46) Wrapping Up

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text us! (319) 349-9553

Keywords:

mental toughness, mental performance, youth athletes, sports psychology, athlete mindset, mental performance coach, sports parenting, youth sports mindset, motivation for athletes, confidence coaching, clarity confidence composure, resilience in sports, goal setting for athletes, mental performance playbook, sports mindset coaching, pushing past limits, benchmarks for athletes, tracking athlete progress, intrinsic motivation sports, extrinsic motivation sports, mental exercises for athletes, sports performance psychology, athlete resilience training

Mental Performance Playbook Episode 169. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance we cover the saying you've probably heard it a thousand times, "don't compare your kid to other athletes." But, sports compare kids at every level, all the time. Playing time, rankings, lineups, it's all comparison. Pretending it doesn't happen doesn't protect your athlete. It just leaves them unprepared for reality.

In this episode, Gabe Rummel breaks down why comparison isn't the villain everyone makes it out to be. Comparison isn't good or bad. It's just information, two things placed side by side. The problem isn't that comparison exists. The problem is nobody's taught how to use it right.

Gabe walks through how to turn comparison from a source of shame into a tool for growth, how to help your athlete see where they stand without spiraling, and why the comparison only gets more intense as your athlete moves up levels. If you want your athlete to handle comparison instead of avoiding it, this episode gives you the mindset shift to start.

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text us! (319) 349-9553

Keywords:

youth sports comparison, athlete comparison, mental performance coaching, youth athlete confidence, comparing athletes, sports parenting, mental toughness youth sports, athlete mindset, confidence in sports, playing time comparison, youth sports psychology, athlete development, sports parent advice, mental performance training, competitive youth sports, athlete self esteem, sports ranking pressure, youth athlete mental health

Mental Performance Playbook Episode. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook Gabe explores the dynamics of stress, adaptation, and mental resilience for athletes, emphasizing how understanding these processes can optimize performance and prevent burnout. Share it if you found it useful, and let us know your thoughts below!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Stress and Adaptation in Sports

(01:51) The Stress Cycle: From Stimulus to Response

(04:29) Perception and Appraisal of Stressors

(05:26) Emotional and Physiological Responses to Stress

(06:54) The Importance of Adaptation and Homeostasis

(08:53) Physical vs. Mental Stressors in Athletes

(11:14) Handling Frustration and Mental Overload

(13:05) Managing Expectations and Support Systems

(16:09) Deprivation Stress and Loneliness

(17:49) Preparing for a Successful Season

Keywords:

stress management, athletic performance, mental resilience, adaptation, sports psychology, stress cycle, homeostasis, mental training, peak performance, mindfulness, cognitive reframing, coping mechanisms, recovery strategies, deep breathwork, visualization, emotional regulation, allostatic load, cortisol regulation, autonomic nervous system, vagal tone, mental toughness, attentional focus, flow state, burnout prevention, physiological arousal, self-efficacy, overtraining, heart rate variability

Find More At:

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text us! (319) 349-9553

Mental Performance Playbook Episode 167. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook Gabe Rummel explores the importance of developing a strong athlete identity through practical mental strategies, including breathing techniques and modeling traits from heroes. Learn how to implement these methods to enhance performance and resilience. Let us know the traits you come up with by commenting or contacting us below!

Time stamps:

(00:00) Introduction to Mental Performance and Athlete Identity

(03:17) The BBM Framework: Body, Breath, Mind

(04:19) Breathing Techniques: Triangle Breath and Variations

(06:36) Modeling Traits from Successful Athletes and Mentors

(09:32) Using Past Wins and Challenges to Define Traits

(11:30) Locking in Top-Tier Identity for Hard Moments

(13:26) Recap and Practical Steps for Implementation

(14:24) Closing Remarks and Next Steps

Keywords:

Athlete identity, mental performance, breathing techniques, modeling traits, confidence, resilience, sports psychology, mental toughness, self-talk, visualization, focus training, pressure performance, pre-game routines, growth mindset, emotional regulation, goal setting, mindfulness, performance anxiety, grit, self-belief, competitive mindset, coachability, flow state, peak performance.

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text us! (319) 349-9553

Mental Performance Playbook Episode 166. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook Gabe Rummel introduces the ABC framework (Activating event, Beliefs, and emotional Consequences)and explains how understanding and training beliefs can improve athletic performance and emotional resilience. Let us know your thoughts, and share the show if you liked it!

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text us! (319) 349-9553

mental training, ABC framework, athletic performance, emotional resilience, sports psychology, mental toughness, confidence coaching, focus training, pressure performance, youth athletes, mindset coaching, performance anxiety, mental performance coach, composure under pressure, competitive mindset, coach development, team culture, resilience training, clarity confidence composure, sports mindset coach

Mental Performance Playbook Episode 165. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook Gabe Rummel discusses the importance of adaptability in performance, especially during transitions and new environments. He shares practical mental exercises to help athletes and coaches stay light on their feet and perform at their best amidst change. Let us know your thoughts below, and share the show!

Chapters

(00:00) Embracing Change and Adaptability

(05:27) Mental Exercises for Performance

(10:15) Implementing Strategies for Success

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text me! (319) 349-9553

keywords:

adaptability, mental training, performance, athletes, coaching, environment, mental exercises, sports psychology, focus, change management

Mental Performance Playbook Episode 164. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook Gabe Rummel uses the Fourth of July as a metaphor to explain the importance of ramping up and down in athletic performance, emphasizing mental exercises and strategic preparation for sports seasons. Check it out!

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text me! (319) 349-9553

keywords

mental performance, athletic training, ramping up, sports psychology, cross country, baseball, softball, mental exercises, performance preparation

Mental Performance Playbook Episode 163. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook Gabe discusses the levels of mental training in sports, from pee-wee to professional, emphasizing the importance of mental skills at every stage for optimal performance. He relates it to constant strength training and growth, and how and when to get started. Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and share the show!

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Mental Performance

(00:31) Levels of the Game: Understanding the Journey

(01:21) Peewee: Starting Out

(02:48) Elementary: Basics, Competing, Growing

(04:15) Middle School: Start Mental Training (If Haven't Already)

(06:09) High School: Honing Skills and Mental Strength

(08:02) College: New Challenges and Mental Resilience

(09:36) Professional Level: Performance and Business

(11:12) Conclusion and Call to Action

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text me! (319) 349-9553

keywords

mental training, sports psychology, athlete development, performance, coaching, mental skills, youth sports, college sports, professional sports

Mental Performance Playbook Episode 161. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook Gabe Rummel shares a powerful mental performance exercise focused on action from recent events. He emphasizes the importance of acting on mental strategies immediately to improve overall performance, using personal stories and practical tips. Share the show if you found it valuable!

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text me! (319) 349-9553

Keywords:

mental performance, action, sports psychology, performance improvement, mental exercises, The Athletes Health, TAH

Mental Performance Playbook Episode 161. Brought to you by The Athletes Health.

In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook Gabe Rummel shares his mental preparation strategies for his marathon race, emphasizing visualization, internal locus of control, pain management, and identity shaping to optimize performance, among other topics. This episode goes through his journey of this year, some of the challenges, and how any performance, especially athletic performances, can use these mental exercises. Especially useful for coaches, parents, and of course, athletes!

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Mental Preparation for Marathon

(01:10) Mental Training as Part of Athletic Preparation

(02:56) Course Visualization Techniques

(05:58 Importance of Physical and Mental Preparation

(07:58) Internal Locus of Control and Focus

(09:04) Breathing and Self-Talk Strategies

(11:09) Using Music to Alter State

(12:37) Pain as a Performance Driver

(14:07) Building Confidence Through VTO and PSP

(15:25) The Power of Identity in Performance

(17:25) Setting Mountain Goals and Milestones

(20:03) Integrating Mental Skills into Life and Sport

(20:57) Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Keywords:

mental performance, marathon, visualization, internal locus of control, pain management, athlete mindset, mental exercises, sports psychology, performance preparation, mental toughness, endurance running, goal setting, positive self-talk, resilience, mindfulness, race strategy, pacing, hitting the wall, motivation, stress management, confidence, flow state, breathwork, cognitive appraisal, positive affirmations, arousal regulation, coping mechanisms, concentration, imagery, self-efficacy, energy

Check out more!

Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠

Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder

Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot

Text me! (319) 349-9553