In this compelling episode of the MINDSET Mentoring podcast, we welcome Rafael Roldán — a seasoned professional soccer coach with extensive international experience across Europe, including Norway, Sweden, and Spain. Rafael is a distinguished expert in Mental Periodization, a cutting-edge approach to structuring mental training for elite teams.

What you’ll discover:

Rafael’s journey: From engineering student to top European coach, fueled by passion, mentors like Ian Burchnell & Manu Torres, and lessons learned from failure.

Mental Periodization: The innovative, season-long mental training method Rafael co-created to boost team resilience and performance — now adopted by clubs across Spain, Portugal & France.

Mindset in coaching: How Rafael’s own mental growth reshaped his coaching style, focusing on self-awareness, team trust, and honest feedback.

Managing player mental load: Practical strategies to keep athletes motivated and balanced through high-pressure competitions without burnout.

Rest and recovery: Why disconnecting and self-care are crucial for sustained peak performance and building team energy.

Individualized coaching: Tailoring approaches to each player’s unique background, culture, and mental needs — including real-world examples.

Match day mindset & AI: Balancing routine, psychological prep, and emerging AI tools to enhance, not replace, human decision-making on the pitch.

Leadership & growth: Rafael’s advice for coaches to stay curious, open-minded, and resilient through challenges and transitions.

Whether you’re a player, coach, or parent striving to elevate mental toughness and performance on the soccer field, this episode offers an inspiring, expert-led roadmap to mastering the mind under pressure and beyond