The Advocate Podcast

Get ready for an inspiring story of what happens when you don't give up on your big dream. In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Westbrook, a.k.a. "The Barrel Man," who spent over 11 seasons in the minors before reaching the big leagues. Jamie shares advice on managing performance pressures, staying focused during tough times, and why resilience is key to long-term success. We explore how to build a strong mental approach, turn setbacks like injuries into growth opportunities, and how parents and players develop the right mindset to thrive through the ups and downs of a season. 

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet Jamie Westbrook, a.k.a. The Barrel Man.

05:30 Strategies to stand out if you're an undersized player.

13:30 How to keep moving forward when things don’t go as planned.

15:00 The mindset to help your kids develop for competition.

16:30 What do parents and athletes need to know to navigate the college recruiting process?

25:00 How the energy in lower-level vs. higher-level teams impact a player's experience.

33:15 Jamie’s top advice after spending multiple seasons in Double-A.

37:45 Tips to maintain a strong mindset despite setbacks.

46:15 How playing in the Olympics freed Jamie from the pressures of minor league expectations.

50:30 What was the transition like returning to minor league baseball after the Olympics?

53:45 How analytics refine your baseball approach.

01:02:15 Lessons on bouncing back from family challenges.

01:05:15 How does your life outside of baseball impact your performance?

01:08:30 Tips for young athletes to deal with setbacks constructively.

01:10:15 The best support parents can provide without adding pressure.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Jamie Westbrooke: @jwesunderscore4

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Does your athlete want to excel in multiple sports?  In this episode, I’m joined by the phenomenal J.R. House, the current third base coach for the Cincinnati Reds. He was an exceptional high school baseball player in Florida and football player in West Virginia, setting numerous state records as a quarterback. He shares how playing multiple sports is beneficial to players. He also breaks down tips on how to overcome the mental and physical challenges of injury recovery, how to deal with failures, and MORE. Get ready to build your athletic versatility.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet the record-breaker of West Virginia, J.R. House.

05:45 Benefits from playing multiple sports.

08:30 The biggest adjustment you have to make as a player.

12:30 How did you overcome injuries at a young age?

21:00 The challenges of transitioning to coaching.

25:30 How do you communicate with players' parents (esp. the controlling ones)?

28:00 The BTS preparation of big leaguers.

31:00 Top tip to have a great relationship with your teammates and coaches.

34:15 The biggest difference between players before vs now.

40:15 How should players deal with possible failures?

46:00 What’s your advice on aspiring baseball players?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

The world of college baseball has turned into a complete business. Today’s guest is my good friend and newly appointed head baseball coach at Long Beach State, TJ Bruce. He’s here to share his thoughts on the similarities between college baseball and professional baseball. We also dive into the most important thing to make sure your athlete develops and what separates players that make it to the pros. Tj also shares the challenges posed by the transfer portal and an inside look at his recruiting process so you know what colleges are looking for in your athlete. Tune in to learn more about the "Dirtbag” culture that fosters growth, both on and off the field.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet the new head coach of the Long Beach State baseball program, Tj Bruce.

04:45 TJ Bruce's background and journey as a player.

11:15 Challenges of starting as a volunteer coach.

17:15 How do you know when is the right time to retire?

22:00 Why did you choose to step down as the Head Coach of Nevada?

26:45 What happened before and after you had your best offense at TCU?

32:45 The role of coaches in a player's development.

37:30 Advice to player's parents who are preparing for college baseball.

45:15 The culture that is bigger than the result of your game.

50:15 The biggest misconception players have about the transition from college to making it to the pros.

53:00 What characteristics are you looking for to determine if a player is a good fit for your program?

01:00:30 How do you deal with the transfer portal?

01:07:45 Advice to players in handling communication about the draft process.

01:13:30 What does Long Beach’s nickname “dirtbags” really represent?

01:18:30 Questions that players should reflect on.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Tj Bruce: @tjbruce02

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Ready to take the next step in your player's college baseball journey? In this episode, Joe Oliveira, founder of Oliveira Baseball Consulting, shares his experience as a college 3-time All-Conference player himself to his approach helping families navigate the college recruiting process. We cover tips to manage expectations in the draft process, the pros and cons of the college baseball transfer portal, and the current state of NIL in college baseball. Get ready to know the best practices for showcasing talent and finding the right college for your athlete!

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 The man behind the Oliveira Baseball Consulting.

05:45 How it's like coaching at San Diego State under Tony Gwynn.

12:15 How do you evaluate individual players and families?

18:45 The process of working with college baseball programs.

23:15 How do you manage player expectations during the draft process?

28:00 The pros and cons of the transfer portal.

35:15 The most frequent question about NIL.

38:45 Advice for players and families on attending showcases and camps.

44:45 The common mistake families make with the college recruiting process.

48:15 What advice would you give to these parents on taking video?

52:15 What advice do you give to players before going to the showcase?

55:00 Suggested questions for players/families to ask colleges during first contact.

37:45 Best way to respectfully handle calls with schools when a player chooses not to attend.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more about Oliviera Baseball Co. HERE

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Let’s dive into the world of travel sports. In this episode, I sit down with Jered Goodwin, the VP of Scouting Operations at Perfect Game, to explore the intricate world of travel baseball and player development. He shares over two decades of experience in high school and travel ball. We dive deep into the indispensable role that dedicated coaches play in a player's journey, offering insights that often go unnoticed by scouts. We delve into the Perfect Game ranking system, the mental aspect of the game, and how players should engage in self-reflection, identifying personal strengths and areas for improvement. Tune in to learn the balanced approach that prioritizes player development alongside competitive success. 

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Jered's journey as a player.

03:15 How did you utilize your experience as a player and a coach to scouting?

05:45 The perks of mentorship in youth sports.

09:30 Why development and teamwork important than relying on scoreboard results.

13:00 The BTS work, goals, and mission of Perfect Game.

17:15 Why you should prioritize development and showcasing skills over exposure?

23:00 How Perfect Game rankings are created?

30:45 How many times a year do players' re-rank.

34:00 How important is the national for being selected in the all-American game?

36:45 What should players do to prepare for the national?

41:15 How do you identify if a player has more potential than others?

01:02:00 What advice would you give to a 13 year old kid who wants to reach his potential?

01:06:00 Jered’s advice to players being open to versatility.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Jered Goodwin: @jeredgoodwin3

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Are you training your mind with the same intensity as your body? Today’s guest, former MLB player turned Mental Strength Coach and founder of Major League Mindset - Brandon Guyer,  shares how your mental game accounts for 90-95% of your performance! Brandon is here to share expert tips to uplevel your mental game from mastering self-talk, to controlling the controllables, and cultivating a 'win or learn' mindset in high-pressure situations. Strengthening your mental game will not only help you overcome anxiety and fear, but perform at your BEST. 

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet former major league player turned mental strength coach, Brandon Guyer..

02:15 How important it is to have mindset training as early as possible?

07:00 How was the transition retiring from baseball to focusing on mental coaching?

13:15 Why is it important to separate your on-field and off-field identities?

16:00 What is the "Major League Mindset"?

20:30 Tools and techniques to perform in a high-pressure situation.

30:00 Four main barriers players need to unlock to reach their potential.

36:30 The mindset that will guarantee you always win.

46:00 The nuances of implementing specific mental training exercises.

52:00 What is Neuro Linguistic Programming?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more about Major League Mindset HERE

CLICK HERE to listen MAJOR LEAGUE MINDSET PODCAST on Spotify

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Brandon Guyer: @bguyer5

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Did you know there’s an alarming increased rate of arm injuries in baseball? In this episode I’m joined by Orthopedic Surgeon and head physician for the Texas Rangers, Dr. Keith Meister as we dive into the challenges pitchers face today, the spike in Tommy John surgery,  and what we can do to protect young athletes. and the suggested solutions that can be taken to ensure their health. 

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet the doctor who's done over 2000 elbow ligament reconstructions.

03:00 Factors that contribute to most injuries in baseball.

10:15 The wear and tear pitching is causing and if pitchers can avoid it. 

14:00 Bans in the MLB that are increasing injury rates.

16:30 What’s the cause of the increase in UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) reconstructions?

20:30 Potential solutions to avoid potential injuries in baseball.

25:00 How long is the recovery process after Tommy John surgery?

35:00 Signs you may need Tommy John surgery.

36:15 Top resources families should read to educate yourself on potential injuries.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

How early should I be thinking about getting a financial advisor? Today’s guest has a unique perspective as both a player AND financial advisor and we’re giving you the knowledge you need to navigate finances in the world of pro baseball. My friend, Jacob Turner, a pro player with the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Washington Nationals turned financial advisor knows what you need to protect and secure your wealth for the future. We dive into the top 3 questions you should ask a potential advisor, and what families need to know about the draft process and signing bonuses.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet MLB player turned Financial Advisor, Jacob Turner.

03:15 How to know the best financial decisions for your athlete vs taking generic advice.

08:45 One thing you should consider when choosing an investment strategy.

13:15 The reason why Jacob transitioned from baseball.

23:45 Questions to ask when hiring an agent and financial advisor.

29:30 The difference between broker-dealers vs registered investment advisors.

33:00 Top 3 questions to ask your financial advisor.

37:15 What families should know about the draft process and the true value of a signing bonus.

45:45 The common struggle older players face in a youth-driven league.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more about Moment Private Wealth HERE

10 Questions To Ask A Financial Advisor HERE

How To Choose A Financial Advisor HERE

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Jacob Turner on IG: @thejacob_turner

Jacob Turner on X: @TheJacobTurner

Jacob Turner on YT: @TheJacobTurner

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

The Advocate: @the.advocatepodcast

Athletes are constantly striving to push their limits and achieve peak performance. However, the road to success is often filled with challenges, and setbacks that can test even the most seasoned athlete. In this episode, Johan Martinez-Khalilian, shares the mental skills he teaches professional athletes in the NHL, NBA, and MLB for peak MENTAL performance. We dive into what a mental skills coach does to help players with their mindset, emotions, physical abilities, and even spiritual aspects so they can perform at their best. Listen in for ways to work out and improve your mental game to be able to support your athlete (and yourself!)

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 What's your role to a player's life as a mental skills coach?

10:15 The common pitfall athletes should avoid.

19:00 The “way of being” that will help players navigate obstacles.

22:00 How can parents help young athletes develop the ability to think for themselves?

28:30 A common way top level athletes think (and what surprised me about their confidence.)

30:45 What does integrity mean to you?

32:00 How to identify the gap between a player's current level vs desired goal.

40:00 How do you approach working with a younger player?

44:15 The three laws of human performance.

01:06:00 How can parents best support the development of young athletes?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Work with Johan HERE

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Johan Martinez-Khalilian: @johanspeaks

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Ever wonder what it takes to climb the ranks in professional baseball? In this episode, I am joined by my good friend, Alec Zumwalt, hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals. With a career that spans from player to scout to coach, Alec shares his experiences and personal stories from the field. We dive into the intricacies of professional baseball, the importance of development over exposure, and actionable advice for players at all stages of their careers. Get ready to know how big league hitters maintain their success!

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 How Alec went from being a player, to pro scout, and finally hitting coach.

04:00 How do you balance your time as a coach and being a great Dad?

10:45 The role and responsibilities of a hitting coach in the major leagues.

18:00 The challenges of balancing family life with a demanding baseball career.

23:45 What advice would you give to young hitters?

33:15 The biggest adjustments when transitioning from amateur to professional baseball.

37:30 What's a good overload and under-load batting routine?

39:45 Top drills for lower half separation. 

46:00 Alec's biggest takeaway from Josh Donaldson's technique.

49:00 The key element that helps hitters at the big league level.

53:30 Alec's biggest advice for young baseball players and their parents.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

The Advocate: @the.advocatepodcast