The Goalkeeper's Mindset Podcast

In this episode I'm joined by Hull City FC goalkeeper Matt Ingram. Matty speaks about how his mindset has changed throughout his career and shares the invaluable knowledge he has learned about how his mind operates under the pressures of League Football. We discuss the changes he has made and how learning to challenge the stories your mind tells you can help you bridge the gap between your mind and reality.

We discuss:

• How the mind creates its own stories and why they aren't always necessarily true
• Why enjoyment is the biggest driver of performance
• The self-fulfilling prophecy and reliving mistakes over and over again
• Why you're responsible for your own happiness
• The dangers of social media and working out who's opinion matters
• What makes professional footballers vulnerable
• Why self-awareness is the first step to creating a high-performance mindset
• Feeding on positive feedback and using it to your advantage
• Why reality tells you that you deserve the opportunities you gain

Matty was one of my role models growing up at Wycombe and has made huge improvements in his game through training his mind. If there's one episode that will show you how mindset can improve your game for the better, this is it.

In this episode I'm joined by Harrogate Town FC goalkeeper James Belshaw. James was recently promoted with Harrogate who are historically playing their first season in the EFL. James gives us an absolute masterclass in leadership, and explains why football in the EFL means raising your standards and focusing on making marginal gains where you can.

We discuss:

• The differences between the National League and the EFL from a technical and mental perspective
• Why footballers are humans and how effective communication can help you get the best out of others
• Finding a balance between being a leader and a performer
• How to be emotionally intelligent and build relationships with players in the dressing room
• Making marginal gains through feedback and analysis to achieve high-performance
• Why goalie coaches are so much more than just a coach
• The important of allowing yourself to be vulnerable and holding yourself accountable
• Managing the stress of elite football with Harry Potter Jigsaws and cooking

I'm really excited for you to listen to this episode. Get your notepad out because there's so much knowledge for you to get yourselves into.

As goalkeeper's, we will inevitably develop into leaders on the pitch. Give this episode a listen and get a head start on others. A 2% improvement in your game is only a click away.

To keep up-to-date with James, you can follow him on:

@jbelly31 (Twitter & Instagram)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (instagram)

In this episode I'm joined by National League goalkeeper Jimmy Geobey. Jimmy is an advocate for promoting conversations about mental health in professional football, having dealt with depression whilst contracted at several professional football clubs. This episode touches on the realities of having mental health problems in professional football, and how little support there is from clubs for players to get the help they need.

We discuss:

• Why mental health has a negative stigma attached to in in professional football
• Recognising when you need to get help and how to go about it
• What the steps are when dealing with depression and what they actually look like
• The process of change when using psychology, sport psychology, CBT and hypnotherapy
• How sport psychology, mindset and the mental health gym has changed his life
• The impact of social media and the outlook for young footballers moving forwards

This episode touches on some of the most important and current topics in professional football to date. Mental health has long been a talking point at the highest level of the game and it is finally getting the exposure it deserves.

If you want to understand what unhealthy thinking looks like, or just need to figure out what to do to get help when you feel low, listen to this episode and you'll get a lot of your questions answered.

A really powerful insight from someone who has been in a dark place and has bravely come out the other side. Now, he want to help you.

To keep up-to-date with Jimmy, you can follow him on:

@_cabbers (twitter) @instajam_25 (Instagram)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (instagram)

In this episode I'm joined by former Manchester United Trainee and Accrington Stanley FC goalkeeper Andrew Dawber. Dawbs is passionate about helping goalkeepers discover their own identity and wants to encourage them to be true to themselves at all times.

We discuss:

• Why saying 'Yes' and trying to please everyone doesn't get you anywhere
• How to transition away from professional football and find happiness
• Training with Manchester United and working with Eric Steele
• Picking up habits off David De Gea and backing your own way of doing things
• Having lunch with Paul Scholes and rumors that he might sign for United
• What it feels like to be in the 'goalkeeping zone'
• Getting subbed off at half-time and how Andy Lonergan may have saved his football career

This episode is incredibly insightful and contains many mindset lessons from someone who has trained in some of the world's most high-performance environments.

We break down the problems with trying to please everyone through being a 'Yes Man', and how the identity crisis Dawbs experienced ultimately led to him transitioning away from professional football.

This episode is incredibly important for goalkeepers who have fallen out of the game and for those who have anxieties over the cut-throat nature of life as a professional goalkeeper.

If you want to learn how to maximise the opportunities you have at professional clubs through being true to yourself, this podcast has everything and more.

To keep up-to-date with Dawbs, you can follow him on:

@andrew.dawber (Instagram)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (instagram)

In this episode I'm joined by Chesterfield FC goalkeeper Grant Smith. Granty was a mainstay in Borehamwood's team when they reached Wembley for the first time in their history and has since gone on to play for Lincoln FC in the Football League. He shares his mindset secrets on how you can overcome pre-match nerves and why keeping things simple can take your game to the next level.

We discuss:

• How to perform when your match preparation is interrupted
• How the role of goalkeeper coach has evolved past more than just being the coach
• How goalkeeper coaches can get the best out of their goalkeepers through developing a strong relationship
• Why football and goalkeeping are being overcomplicated and how you can simplify it
• How external pressures can impact your performance on the pitch and how to manage them
• What visualisation is and how it can benefit your game
• How to stay calm and perform under pressure by using breathing techniques
• Social media abuse and learning to block out the noise
• Why playing in non-league can be harder than the football league

This episode is great for aspiring pros and young coaches. Granty has experience on both sides of the coach – player relationship and there are loads of knowledge bombs that goalkeepers and coaches can apply to their games.

With everyone stuck at home with limited access to football, this podcast is a great way to continue your development and add 2% to your game. If you want to reach the next level, get the headphones in and start listening.

To keep up-to-date with Granty, you can follow him on:

GrantySmith (Twitter & Instagram)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (instagram)

In this episode I'm joined by Ex-Pro Charlie Horlock who represented Wycombe Wanderers FC. Chaz has experienced lots of wins and losses on his football journey and gives us unique insight into how sport psychology and mindset training can help goalkeepers get that extra 2% they need.

We discuss:

• How to deal with the pressure of trials
• Why Top Field in Hitchin is better than Wembley
• Being present and making the most of opportunities
• Reality testing – how we can challenge negative beliefs and pressure through simple questions
• How shorter goalkeepers can benefit from the growth mindset
• Why adversity and setbacks can be a huge positive
• Insight into working with a sport psychologist as a young goalkeeper
• Perception – how mindset changes when you view the world different
• Why good people are better than good goalkeepers in the training environment
• Having a pro contract taken away a minute before his meeting
• Stories and insights into our time together at Stevenage FC and Wycombe Wanderers FC

This episode cuts deep on mindset and has lots of lessons for coaches and goalkeepers alike. Chaz is one of the most psychologically informed goalkeepers around and many could learn a lot from the way he views the game.

Chaz is a great example of how mindset training and sport psychology can give you 2% over other players. Make sure you listen to this episode because the messages strike a chord.

To keep up-to-date with Chaz, you can follow him on:

@charliehorlock (twitter) @charlie_horlock (Instagram)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (instagram)

In this episode I'm joined by Middlesbrough FC goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. Marcus has a huge amount of experience in the game at the highest level. Formerly and England U21 International, he has gone on to represent Fulham FC in the Premier League and was also called up to Gareth Southgate's England Squad. Marcus shares his thoughts on the importance of mindset, and how his mind alone has allowed him to overcome some of the most adverse situations in his career.

We discuss:

• Why developing your mindset is an ongoing process
• How to get into the zone as a goalkeeper
• Why goalkeeping is all mental
• Dealing psychologically with injury and playing through the pain
• Why football and golf are similar in terms of mindset
• Social media and its impact on confidence and mental health
• The importance of self-awareness and understanding how your mind works
• Why pundits are creating unrealistic expectations and anxiety for goalkeepers
• The problems of 'overthinking it'
• His loan move to Middlesbrough FC and the future
• How to start including psychology and mindset into your game

This podcast is as honest as they come. I've known Marcus a few years now and there are messages and stories in here which he hasn't shared with anyone before. If you want tips on how to develop an elite level mindset from someone who's played at the highest level of the game, look no further.

To keep up-to-date with Marcus, you can follow him on:

@marcusbetts (twitter) @marcusbettinelli (Instagram)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (instagram)

In this episode I'm joined by Borehamwood FC goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore. Ash is goalkeeping maverick in today's game, starting his career at the bottom of the football pyramid with United Services and quickly rising to the top of the National league system. Ash has experienced so much in his career, and kindly shares insight into how his experiences with mental health and adversity have shaped the bulletproof mindset he has today.

We discuss:

• How crowds influence players' mindset's and what its currently like playing in empty stadiums
• Learning to become a goalkeeper who performs in big games
• Bouncing back from being released at Portsmouth FC
• Why young players miss out on 'old school' dressing room experiences
• Why good training goalkeepers don't necessarily make good match day goalkeepers
• Recovering from mistakes in training and carrying confidence into matches
• Having to perform through adverse club situations at Ebbsfleet United FC
• Overcoming a manager's problems with his body image
• Counselling, recognising Mental health and knowing when to get help
• How mindset changes when you're pushing for promotion

Mental health has a huge impact on an individual's life and functioning as a person. If you are struggling, please go and talk to someone and remember that it's okay to not be okay.

This episode is filled with raw emotion and comedy, and touches on some important topics and issues that goalkeepers at all levels face in today's game.

If you want to learn how to deal with adversity and become mentally tough, this episode is definitely for you.

To keep up-to-date with what Ash is doing, you can follow him on:

@ashmore77 (Twitter & Instagram)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (instagram)

In this episode I'm joined by former England U21 and Barnet FC Goalkeeper Scott Loach. Loachy is one of the most professional and experienced goalkeepers in the game and is a great mentor for the young goalkeepers he works with at Barnet. He shares his mindset secrets which have allowed him to become one of the most consistent goalkeepers I have worked with.

We discuss:

• Learning from Ben Foster on how to approach the game
• The importance of doing your job and keeping things simple
• Having a bulletproof process and sticking to it
• How to approach training when being a number 2
• Building relationships with managers
• How social media and pundits are creating unrealistic performance expectations for goalkeepers
• How his relationship with former GK coach Shaun Griffiths helped him maintain his form and identify
• How to block out the criticism and focus on yourself
• Being a pro and being a dad/husband

Massive knowledge bombs, personal stories and invaluable advice from a goalkeeper who's been there and done it.

Get your notepad and pen out because this episode is invaluable.

To keep up-to-date with Loachy, you can follow him on:

@s1goalkeeping (twitter)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (Twitter) @thegoalkeepersmindset (Instagram)

In This episode I'm joined by Aldershot Town FC goalkeeper Mitch Walker. Mitch talks about his developing mindset from his youth as a scholar at Brighton FC, and how his early experiences as a young pro went a long way into shaping the goalkeeper he is today.

We discuss:

• How to cope mentally with playing an age-group up in academy football.
• His methods on preparing psychologically before matches.
• How to get the most out of your training and keep yourself motivated to learn and develop throughout the season.
• The importance of allowing adversity to drive you towards success.
• What youngsters could have learned from the 'old school way' of being a scholar at a pro club.
• The opportunity to represent England C and the pressures that come with representing your country.
• Mindset, professionalism and the fear of missing out.

Huge knowledge bombs, relatable stories and insight into situations you have, or will inevitably find yourself in as a keeper going through the footballing system.

If you're serious about adding 2% to your game, this podcast will give you everything you need.

To keep up-to-date with what Mitch is doing, you can follow him on:

@mitchwalkerGK (twitter) @mitch_walker_01 (instagram)

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave me a 5-star review and subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (Kev) at:

[email protected]

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (instagram)