The difference between average and elite lives in the details. In this episode, Jon breaks down ATD—attention to detail—and why small habits, awareness, and standards quietly separate those who last from those who fade.

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. 

Journaling isn’t about perfection — it’s about reflection. In this episode, Jon breaks down a simple journaling habit that helps athletes and high performers think clearer, slow things down, and grow on and off the field.

You can check out The Hitter's Journey at www.jonkarcich.com/shop.

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure is feedback. Every episode breaks down the patterns, habits, and decisions behind high performance—because success isn’t luck, it’s a trail of choices, stacked reps, and learned lessons. It’s a puzzle—and the pieces are out there if you’re paying attention. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent—this show hands you the raw materials. Learn from what worked. Learn from what didn’t. Build your own version of success.

Follow Jon:

X: @JonKarcich

IG: @JonKarcich

TikTok: @recruitwithjk

Special episode from The Athlete’s Porch.

Max Jung Goldberg joins the porch just days before starting his Banana Ball season. His path wasn’t planned or linear, Division I baseball at the University of San Diego, entering the transfer portal, choosing an NAIA stop at Hope International to keep playing, grinding through independent baseball, experiencing a trade, playing overseas in Dubai… and staying in the game long enough for Banana Ball to find him.

This conversation is about owning your journey, choosing opportunity over ego, why fit matters more than level, learning how to fail, building real confidence, and playing with joy again.

If you’re an athlete navigating the portal, questioning your next move, or a parent trying to understand what really matters in development, this episode will resonate.

Subscribe to The Athlete’s Porch for more real athlete conversations.

00:00 Welcome to The Athlete’s Porch, special episode intro

00:30 Early connection at Stanford, extra hacks and early work

01:31 Palo Alto HS and committing to USD

01:52 Four years at USD and entering the transfer portal

03:09 Why he left after senior year and chose a new path

05:21 Why fit mattered more than exposure at USD

07:04 NAIA at Hope International, indy ball in Boise, trade, Dubai

07:52 Would he change his journey?

08:49 NAIA reality, ground balls on the blacktop

09:16 Independent baseball and loving the game

10:14 What Banana Ball really is and why performance still matters

12:59 Overthinking vs confidence, the mental shift

16:49 Competing without outcome obsession

20:20 Identity switching throughout the day

22:35 “Three rounds then see you at 7pm” routine

27:08 Walk-off story and authentic belief

29:26 Same game, bigger stage, staying yourself

30:21 What excites Max most about Banana Ball

32:13 Final thoughts on the journey

Some of the best advice you’ll ever receive is free—if you’re willing to listen. In this short episode, Jon shares a lesson that continues to shape his approach to work, coaching, and life.

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure is feedback. Every episode breaks down the patterns, habits, and decisions behind high performance—because success isn’t luck, it’s a trail of choices, stacked reps, and learned lessons. It’s a puzzle—and the pieces are out there if you’re paying attention. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent—this show hands you the raw materials. Learn from what worked. Learn from what didn’t. Build your own version of success.

Follow Jon:

X: @JonKarcich

IG: @JonKarcich

TikTok: @recruitwithjk

Growth hurts before it strengthens, just like a blister before it becomes a callus. This episode explains how adversity, failure, and reflection are what build resilient, high performing athletes.

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth, success leaves clues and failure is feedback. Every episode breaks down the patterns, habits, and decisions behind high performance, because success isn’t luck, it’s a trail of choices, stacked reps, and learned lessons. It’s a puzzle, and the pieces are out there if you’re paying attention. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent, this show hands you the raw materials. Learn from what worked. Learn from what didn’t. Build your own version of success.

Follow Jon:

X: @JonKarcich

IG: @JonKarcich

TikTok: @recruitwithjk

Success isn’t built overnight—it’s compounded through daily habits, small wins, and delayed gratification. In this episode, Jon breaks down the “stacking pennies” mindset and how playing the long game leads to massive results.

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure is feedback. Every episode breaks down the patterns, habits, and decisions behind high performance—because success isn’t luck, it’s a trail of choices, stacked reps, and learned lessons. It’s a puzzle—and the pieces are out there if you’re paying attention. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent—this show hands you the raw materials. Learn from what worked. Learn from what didn’t. Build your own version of success.

Follow Jon:

X: @JonKarcich

IG: @JonKarcich

TikTok: @recruitwithjk

Action beats motivation every time. In this episode, I break down why taking action today—not waiting for the perfect moment—is the real separator in growth, performance, and life.

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level.

This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure is feedback. Every episode breaks down the patterns, habits, and decisions behind high performance—because success isn’t luck, it’s a trail of choices, stacked reps, and learned lessons. It’s a puzzle—and the pieces are out there if you’re paying attention. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or parent, this show hands you the raw materials. Learn from what worked. Learn from what didn’t. Build your own version of success.

X: @JonKarcich

Instagram: @JonKarcich

TikTok: @recruitwithjk

In this episode, Jon shares powerful affirmations to help you enter 2026 feeling focused and confident...

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure is feedback. Every episode breaks down the patterns, habits, and decisions behind high performance—because success isn’t luck, it’s a trail of choices, stacked reps, and learned lessons. It’s a puzzle—and the pieces are out there if you’re paying attention. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent—this show hands you the raw materials. Learn from what worked. Learn from what didn’t. Build your own version of success.

Follow Jon:

X: @JonKarcich

IG: @JonKarcich

In this episode, Jon the process of overcoming 50,000 negative thoughts (every day)...

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure is feedback. Every episode breaks down the patterns, habits, and decisions behind high performance—because success isn’t luck, it’s a trail of choices, stacked reps, and learned lessons. It’s a puzzle—and the pieces are out there if you’re paying attention. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent—this show hands you the raw materials. Learn from what worked. Learn from what didn’t. Build your own version of success.

Follow Jon:

X: @JonKarcich

IG: @JonKarcich

In this episode, Jon discusses what you must do if you want to get recruited in 2026…

Success Leaves Clues is hosted by Jon Karcich, a former Division I baseball coach at Stanford University and Santa Clara University who now helps athletes own the recruiting process, dial in their mental game, and perform at a high level. This podcast is built on one simple truth: success leaves clues and failure is feedback. Every episode breaks down the patterns, habits, and decisions behind high performance—because success isn’t luck, it’s a trail of choices, stacked reps, and learned lessons. It’s a puzzle—and the pieces are out there if you’re paying attention. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent—this show hands you the raw materials. Learn from what worked. Learn from what didn’t. Build your own version of success.

Follow Jon:

X: @JonKarcich

IG: @JonKarcich