The Athletic School Podcast

Some people stay locked in when everything around them is falling apart. Other people lose it the second one thing goes wrong. It's not because the first person is just naturally calmer, and it's not a personality thing at all.

In this episode I break down why most people try to build this kind of calm in exactly the wrong moment, why a quote you've probably heard about the space between stimulus and response gets credited to the wrong person constantly, and the three completely unglamorous things I actually do that build real awareness before pressure ever shows up.

If you've ever wondered why some people seem to have it together when everything's on the line and you don't, this one's for you.

I trained for a year to fix one specific problem. Then I raced again and got almost the exact same result, down to the number.

I had a legitimate injury both times. A hernia I was either dealing with or still recovering from. I could've blamed that and moved on. Most people would have.

I didn't. What I found underneath it changed how I train, and honestly, how I think about any hard goal I'm actually trying to rebuild from scratch.

Stay till the end. I break down three lessons from this, not just for training, but for anything you're starting over on.

Ken Moench, founder of Moench Method Bodywork, joins The Athletic School Podcast to explain why pain is your body's warning system, not something to grind through.

We break down his technique for releasing fascia and muscle tightness in minutes instead of months, why athletes who push past pain end up injured instead of stronger, and how the same root causes show up in babies, adults, and pets.

If you've been told pain is just part of the game, this episode will make you rethink that.

Ever feel like your identity disappeared the moment your sport, your job, or your routine did? This episode follows one athlete's journey from college sports to building an entirely new life abroad — learning a new language, navigating culture shock, and figuring out who he is without the structure that used to define him.

Leon and I met in college in the US, where we played soccer together. He grew up in Germany, and today he's living a completely different life in Japan — learning the language, spending more time with family, and pushing himself out of his comfort zone in ways neither of us could've predicted back then.

We talk about the transition from college to adult life, finding purpose after the game ends, how the discipline from sports carries over (or doesn't) into everyday life, and navigating support and doubt from people around you when you make a decision most don't understand.

Mental toughness has never had a single agreed-on scientific definition — researchers have been trying to pin it down since 2002 and still don't fully agree. In this episode, I break down why the version of "mental toughness" you've been sold is basically a myth, why suppressing your emotions actually makes performance worse, and the real reason athletes crack under pressure: disconnection, not weakness.

Then I get into the story of how Kobe Bryant, at one of the lowest points of his career, was told he wasn't losing his edge — he was losing his identity. That's the moment "The Black Mamba" was born, and it's the clearest real-world proof of what actually builds mental toughness: not suppression, not grit — ownership.

If you've ever been told to "just be tougher" without anyone explaining what that actually means, this episode is for you.

I finished my Ironman disappointed. Coming back from injury, my fitness just wasn't where I wanted it to be — and no amount of mental toughness changes what your body is or isn't ready for. In this episode, I'm being fully honest about that disappointment, and about something I'm just as proud of: I stayed exactly where I needed to stay mentally, and I pushed correctly instead of just pushing hard.

This one's about the gap between the result and the inner game — and why learning to hold both the pride and the disappointment at once might be the most important skill an athlete can build. Because there are two scoreboards out there, and only one of them shows up on the clock.

If you've ever crossed a finish line feeling like you lost even though you technically finished — this episode is for you.

🥑 This episode is brought to you by California Avocados Direct — hand-picked, creamy avocados delivered straight to your door. A real superfood for athletes who care about performance and recovery, not just another empty snack.

Use code THEATHLETICSCHOOL for 10% off.

What if your biggest limitation isn't your body—it's your mind?

As I prepare for my Ironman 70.3, I explore the connection between mindset and performance, the science behind the placebo effect, and lessons from Deepak Chopra, Carol Dweck, and Joe Dispenza. We also discuss why lasting success starts by becoming the person you want to be before the results show up.

If you're looking to improve your performance, build a stronger mindset, and unlock your potential, this episode is for you.

If you care about performance, recovery, and fueling your body the right way, high-quality nutrition matters. California Avocados Direct ships fresh, farm-picked avocados straight to your door, perfect for athletes, busy professionals, and anyone focused on healthy living.

Check them out at californiaavocadosdirect.com and start upgrading your nutrition today. Code: THEATHLETICSCHOOL

Pressure. Overthinking. Self-doubt. Feeling lost after bad performances.

Most athletes think the problem is confidence.

But what if the real problem is disconnection?

In this episode, we dive into the hidden identity crisis many athletes face — how attaching your worth to performance creates pressure, anxiety, and mental burnout. Inspired by lessons from Aristotle’s Guide to Self-Persuasion, this conversation breaks down how your thoughts, habits, and internal story shape the athlete — and person — you become.

We talk about:

• Why athletes overthink

• The danger of tying identity to performance

• How pressure is often interpreted

• Why one mistake is NOT your identity

• The power of self-awareness and ownership

• Practical tools to reconnect with yourself and compete freely again

If you’ve ever felt mentally stuck, disconnected, or lost in your sport… this episode is for you.

Big thanks to California Avocados Direct for sponsoring the show 🥑

Our listeners get 10% OFF their order by using the code:
THEATHLETICSCHOOL

Go support them and support your performance with high-quality fuel.

Most people think success is hard because of the work.

But what if that’s not the real problem?

In this episode, we break down a powerful mindset shift that changes how athletes and high performers experience discipline, sacrifice, and consistency. Inspired by an idea from Zig Ziglar, this conversation explores why success often feels heavier than it should — and what actually causes that resistance.

We dive into athlete mindset, mental performance, and sports psychology to understand why two people can do the same work, but experience it completely differently. From training sessions to life transitions after sports, this episode challenges the way you relate to the process itself.

If you’re an athlete, competitor, or someone building something bigger than yourself, this episode will force you to rethink how you approach the grind.

This episode is brought to you by California Avocados Direct, the best fresh, creamy, handy avocado straight from a family farm in California. Use the code "THEATHLETICSCHOOL" for 10% off.

Most people don’t struggle because they don’t think…they struggle because they don’t rethink.In this episode, I break down key ideas from Think Again by Adam Grant, including the four mindsets: preacher, prosecutor, politician, and scientist.If you’re an athlete—or someone who wants to keep growing—this will challenge how you see confidence, being right, and learning.At the end, I’ll give you one simple way to start thinking like a scientist in your daily life.This episode is brought to you by California Avocados Direct. If you want to take your performance to the next level, the little things matter. Check out their website and go for the best quality of avocados.