Mind Your Game

Mind Your Game Podcast: What to do when you are leading.On this episode of Mind Your Game, Dr. Mat and Cydney Clanton discuss why mental skills matter not only when athletes struggle but also when they’re leading.

Cydney recounts caddying for a junior golfer in a US Girls qualifier who played calmly and effectively for 17 holes, then spiraled into panic after learning she had a four-shot cushion on the 18th, speeding up, overthinking, and making a double while still winning.

They frame this as a “success threshold” and threat-mode response, using a balance-beam analogy and examples like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. The episode emphasizes narrowing focus through specific step-by-step instructions, body awareness, and progressive muscle relaxation, highlighting the need to train mental skills consistently.

00:00 Welcome and mental skills

00:33 Caddying the qualifier

02:05 18th tee mind trick

03:28 Lead revealed panic hits

06:06 Spiral signs and reset cues

08:48 Club choice under stress

12:06 Threat mode and IZOF

17:57 Balance beam stakes analogy

20:54 What to do when leading

21:50 Cydney likes to know

23:04 Why Thursdays Feel Hard

23:56 Narrow Focus Wins

26:08 Crisis Needs Direction

28:55 Interrupt the Spiral

30:02 Rory Masters Example

32:18 Body Awareness Reset

34:38 Step by Step Self Talk

40:39 Mind Drives Mechanics

42:47 Train Mental Like Muscles

43:53 Recap and Sponsor Thanks

Episode brought to you by: www.eatcaddysnacks.com

The Slow Build: Why the Mental Game is Never a Moment

Dr. Mat and LPGA veteran-turned-performance coach Cydney Clanton discuss mental performance lessons drawn from recent Masters interviews, highlighting Cameron Young’s idea that handling pressure comes from a slow buildup of tools and confidence to stay present.

They compare examples from Rory, Tommy Fleetwood, Tiger Woods, and Scottie Scheffler to explore perspective shifts under pressure, why athletes can tighten up when leading, and how success can trigger an “upper limit” ceiling that leads to self-sabotage.

The episode emphasizes deliberate daily mental training, redefining success as progress and contention, managing nerves as normal, using committed swings to conservative targets, and shaping better self-talk through language (e.g., “improvements” vs. “bad”).

On the Mind Your Game podcast, hosts Dustin Donner and Dr. Mat Park welcome pro golfer Cydney Clanton to discuss the Rory McIlroy Amazon Prime documentary, focusing on how Rory avoided spiraling after major mistakes and why recovery is trainable. They explore why putting carries extra pressure as the “finale” of each hole, how body language and sustainable confidence (chin up, shoulders back, eye line above the horizon) helped Rory, and how distractions like Masters scoreboards and crowd roars can be managed by focusing on controllables. Dr. Mat introduces the FACE pillars—focus, attitude, commitment, and effort—plus the value of grit and never quitting. Cydney explains why mental-game training is the fastest performance lever, helping in both slumps and success, and shares her own early-career experience of reaching a goal without clarity. They close with Masters winner picks: Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood, and Max Homa.00:00 Rory Bounces Back00:40 Podcast Intro01:02 Rory Doc Pressures01:58 Why Putting Feels Final03:48 Wedge Mistakes and Media05:39 Built to Bounce Back07:14 Body Language and Confidence11:01 FACE Mental Game Plan17:03 Never Quit Grit Clip18:59 Player Reactions to Grit21:00 Love the Struggle Mindset22:46 Confidence vs Cocky24:42 Stop Complaining Start Grinding25:22 Why Mental Game Wins26:24 Tools For Slumps And Surges31:04 Visualization And Injury Prevention32:43 Winning Then What34:22 Syds LPGA Wake Up Call38:13 Clarity Over Panic Practice41:04 Masters Picks And Wrap Up

Who would sign up for a job where you have to pay upfront, not know if you’ll get reimbursed, grind all year long… and still might not make enough to keep your spot?

Welcome back to the Mind Your Game Podcast.

In this powerful episode, co-hosts Dustin Donner and Dr. Matt sit down with “Lefty Sophia” — former performer, licensed clinical dietician, late-life left-handed golfer, and now LPGA sports agent — for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the mental and financial realities of professional golf.

Sophia shares her unconventional journey:

* Switching from righty to lefty in golf during COVID

* Starting a brand-new career later in life

* Navigating fear, rejection, and performance pressure

* Supporting LPGA players who are grinding week-to-week just to break even

This conversation goes far beyond golf.

We dive into:The financial pressure of life on tourHow money stress impacts performanceThe emotional weight of representing athletesPerforming under pressure (on stage and on the course)The “Mama Bear” mindset of being an agentFear, rejection, and learning to accept both

Sophia opens up about what it’s really like for professional golfers who:

* Prepay travel, caddies, and tournament fees

* Must make the cut just to break even

* Risk losing their card if they don’t earn enough points

* Carry family sacrifices on their shoulders

This episode is about pressure — financial, mental, emotional — and what it takes to stay in the game when nothing is guaranteed.

If you’re an athlete, parent, coach, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing something uncertain… this one will hit home.

In this episode of The Mind Your Game Podcast, host Dustin Donner sits down with veteran LPGA tour player Lauren Coughlin to discuss the mental side of athletics, business, and life. Lauren shares her recent victory at the Grant Thornton Invitational, her experiences on the LPGA tour, and how she deals with both success and adversity. From her beginnings as a walk-on at the University of Virginia to becoming a professional golfer, Lauren dives deep into staying mentally tough, setting realistic goals, and finding success beyond just winning tournaments. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete or just looking to improve your mental game, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:42 Lauren Coughlin’s Recent Victory

01:47 Celebrating Wins and Moving Forward

03:19 Mindset and Routine in Golf

06:04 The Challenges of Putting

11:59 Overcoming Adversity and Building Belief

18:10 Task-Oriented Practice and Structure

20:50 Working with Sports Psychologists

21:57 Managing Performance Anxiety

25:04 Balancing Golf and Personal Life

28:15 Reflecting on Success and Identity

30:39 The Importance of Support Systems

32:32 Defining Success and Setting Goals

35:47 Team Dynamics and Mental Toughness

37:48 Underdog Mentality and Self-Belief

40:27 Looking Back and Moving Forward

In this episode of the Mind Your Game podcast, co-hosts Dustin Donner and Dr. Mat sit down with LPGA player Kate Smith-Stroh to discuss the emotional and professional challenges of life on the tour. Kate shares candid insights about her recent experiences at the Q series, coping mechanisms for handling pressure, and the importance of maintaining joy and authenticity in golf and life. She also reflects on her growth over the past year, offers advice for aspiring young golfers, and talks about her creative pursuits off the course. Join us for a deep dive into the world of professional golf and the mental resilience it demands.

00:00 Introduction and Overcoming Losses

00:31 Q Series Experience

02:07 Welcome to the Podcast

02:26 Charity Event in Texas

03:23 Reflecting on the 2025 Season

04:17 Growth Moments and Confidence

07:27 Belonging on the LPGA Tour

09:54 Playing with Fear and Anxiety

17:18 Balancing Golf and Graphic Design

19:56 Goals for 2026

24:30 Reflecting on Tour Moments

26:09 Advice for Aspiring Athletes

28:23 Handling Losses and Q Series Experience

31:29 Finding Peace and Moving Forward

33:47 Balancing Play and Professionalism

39:27 Looking Ahead and Embracing Creativity

44:18 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Building a Resilient Athletic Culture: Insights from Athletic Director Scott Larson

In this episode of The Mind Your Game podcast, host Dustin Donner welcomes Scott Larson, Athletic Director at UTPB, to discuss the role of resilience in student-athletes, the impact of parental involvement, and the unique aspects of Division II athletics. Scott Larson shares his journey from starting college on a music scholarship to becoming an Athletic Director, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive culture in athletic programs. He highlights the significance of setting standards, accountability, and the need for athletes to take ownership of their development. Larson also provides practical advice for student-athletes and their parents on navigating the recruiting process. Tune in for valuable insights into building a strong athletic department and fostering resilience in student-athletes.

00:00 Introduction: Resilience in Athletes

00:43 Meet Scott Larson: Athletic Director of UTPB

01:13 Scott’s Journey in Athletics

03:55 The Appeal of Division II Athletics

06:51 Creating a Positive Athletic Culture

10:58 Challenges and Rewards of Coaching

23:24 Parental Influence on Student Athletes

29:01 Balancing Work and Personal Life

33:51 Conclusion: Building a Supportive Environment

Join Dustin Donner on The Mind Your Game podcast as he interviews Epson tour player Sadie Engleman. In this engaging episode, Sadie shares her journey from college golf at Stanford to her first year as a professional. Listen as Sadie discusses the importance of balancing life and golf, how she manages the pressures of professional tournaments, and the mental shift that helped her play her best golf. Learn about her support system, managing off-seasons, handling failures, and the crucial piece of advice she has for youth athletes aspiring to reach the next level.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:28 Life as a Professional Golfer

05:15 Transition from College to Professional Golf

12:51 Support System and Mental Health

25:39 Financial Realities of Professional Golf

27:29 Passion and Motivation in Golf

36:18 Advice for Aspiring Athletes

40:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Mind Your Game podcast, co-hosts Dustin Donner and Dr. Mat are joined by special guest Grace van der Byl, a world-record-holding long-distance swimmer. Grace shares her exhilarating journey of swimming from Catalina to San Pedro and breaking records, only to face life-threatening challenges like stepping on a sea urchin and contracting MRSA. Grace delves into the mental toughness required for open water swimming, the significance of staying present, and her unique relationship with fear. She also discusses her major setbacks, including a near-death experience, and how they shaped her resilience and performance. Grace highlights the importance of owning one’s path, having a reliable support system, and maintaining accountability. The episode wraps up with insight into her relationship with Vito and an endorsement of Caddy Snacks, the official sponsor of the podcast. Perfect for athletes and anyone interested in high performance and mental fortitude, this episode offers invaluable lessons on pushing limits and achieving greatness.

00:00 Record-Breaking Swim and Unexpected Hospital Visit

00:30 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:57 Grace’s Training Environment and Community

03:09 The Mental Game in Sports

05:46 Facing Fear in Open Water Swimming

10:33 Embracing Challenges and Authentic Self

14:13 Handling Setbacks and Learning from Failure

22:41 Reframing Weakness and Continuing the Journey

26:04 Hallucinations and Hypothermia

27:13 Tropical Storm Hits Manhattan Swim

28:38 Near-Death Experience and Reflection

30:14 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

31:59 Winning the Manhattan Swim

33:13 The Importance of Accountability

35:51 Meeting Vito and Night Train

40:40 Advice for Youth Athletes

47:17 Final Thoughts and Mentorship

In this episode of the Mind Your Game podcast, co-founder of Caddy Snacks, Chelsea Bialla, joins us to discuss the journey of building the brand with her family. Chelsea shares how her father’s vision and veteran background inspired Caddy Snacks and highlights the emotional and entrepreneurial aspects of their journey. Delve into the importance of grit, adaptability, and setting realistic expectations as an entrepreneur. Discover the unique health benefits of Caddy Snacks, their future vision for the brand, and how they aim to provide golfers with optimal nutrition. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on family, business, and innovation in the golf nutrition space.

00:00 The Heartwarming Origin of Caddy Snacks

01:14 Welcome to Mind Your Game Podcast

01:46 The Grind of Building a New Brand

02:37 The Importance of Grit and Team Support

03:39 A Family of Extreme Athletes and Entrepreneurs

05:15 Identifying a Unique Market Opportunity in Golf

07:25 The Challenges and Rewards of a Niche Market

10:20 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Personal Life

16:02 The Nutritional Benefits of Caddy Snacks

17:15 The Power of L-Theanine

17:42 Nootropics and Their Benefits

18:54 Caddy Snacks: A Superfood Bar

19:35 Educating Consumers on Nootropics

21:09 The Vision for Caddy Snacks

22:41 Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

27:14 The Emotional Journey of Caddy Snacks

31:11 Live from Florida: Expanding Horizons

32:54 Conclusion and Farewell