Episode 041 | Last Time You Had Fune | June 2024

We all experience moments of joy and happiness — but when was the last time you truly had fun? The kind of fun where you lost track of time, laughed until it hurt, or experienced a moment that changed your life.

In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores how our lives — and especially the lives of young athletes — have become so packed and performance-driven that we often forget to make space for fun. And that has real consequences.

It is time to rethink what fun means, why it matters, and how we can intentionally bring more of it into our lives and our sports environments. This episode draws inspiration from The Power of Fun by Catherine Price and offers actionable ideas for coaches, parents, and athletes alike.

Topics covered:

Defining true fun and why it matters

How busyness and burnout crowd out fun

The mental and physical benefits of fun

Why fun is critical for athlete development and team culture

Practical ways to bring fun back into your life and your coaching

Mentioned in this episode:

The Power of Fun by Catherine Price

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 040 | Where Have I Been? | May 2024

About a year ago, host Dan Mickle quietly stepped away from The MentalCast. At the time, he was not entirely sure why — but a recent conversation and a powerful book helped provide clarity and sparked the return.

Before diving into a brand new season, Dan wanted to share this personal reflection on why he left, what brought him back, and what he hopes to bring to the show moving forward. If you have ever needed to hit pause on something you love, this episode will resonate. And most importantly — Dan is glad to be back and excited for the great conversations to come this season!

Topics covered:

Why Dan stepped away from the podcast

The personal and professional factors behind the break

How The Power of Fun by Catherine Price helped inspire the return

Lessons learned about burnout, reflection, and passion

What to expect in the new season of The MentalCast

Mentioned in this episode:

The Power of Fun by Catherine Price

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 039 | Colin C. Thompson | July 2023

Friend of the show Colin C. Thompson returns to The MentalCast for an exciting update to his 2021 appearance — this time with news about his inspiring new “50 at 50” plan.

In this motivating conversation, host Dan Mickle and Colin dive into the power of self-improvement, goal setting, and simply getting it done. They explore the mindset behind Colin’s 50 at 50 Movement and how it is helping people around the world pursue growth, fitness, and well-being.

Be sure to check out the show links below to see how you can get involved and make an impact through the 50 at 50 Movement!

Topics covered:

What has changed for Colin since 2021

The origin and goals of the 50 at 50 Movement

How to stay motivated at any stage of life

Tips for sustainable personal improvement

Spreading a positive movement worldwide

Guest links:

50 at 50

Facebook

Oligye

LinkedIn

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

pisode 038 | Nuerodivergent Athletes | May 2023

This is one of the most challenging and personal episodes that host Dan Mickle has recorded to date.

In this episode of The MentalCast, Dan opens up about the self-doubt and reflection that comes with wondering if, at times, he may have failed some of the athletes he coached, including those closest to him.

It is time for all of us, as coaches and educators, to deepen our understanding of how to best support neurodivergent athletes and performers. By learning to adapt our coaching strategies, we can help all athletes thrive, perform at their best, and feel fully supported on and off the field.

This is a vital conversation for any coach or leader who works with diverse athletes and wants to do better.

Topics covered:

Why coaching neurodivergent athletes requires new understanding

Recognizing the unique needs of neurodivergent performers

Strategies to help neurodivergent athletes succeed

Reflections on coaching failures and lessons learned

How the coaching community can grow and improve in this area

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 037 | Being a Better Coach - Part 2: Empathy | April 2023

Continuing the five-part Being a Better Coach series, this episode of The MentalCast dives into one of the most critical (and often overlooked) coaching skills: empathy.

Host Dan Mickle explores what empathy really means in a coaching context, how it can transform relationships with athletes, and why it is essential for building trust and fostering a positive team culture.

If you are looking to strengthen your connection with your athletes and lead with greater understanding, this is an episode you will not want to miss. And as always, this episode is also available on YouTube!

Topics covered:

The true meaning of empathy in coaching

How empathy builds trust and team cohesion

Recognizing and responding to athletes' emotional needs

Balancing empathy with accountability

Practical ways to develop and demonstrate empathy as a coach

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 036 | Taking over a successful program | March 2023

Taking over a successful program can be incredibly rewarding — but it also brings unique challenges. In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores some of the common issues new coaches face when stepping into an already established and successful team.

Dan shares practical tips for making the program your own while still honoring its history and past achievements. Whether you are a coach about to take over a winning team or simply interested in leadership transitions, this episode offers valuable insight into balancing respect for tradition with the need to create your own path.

And as always, this episode is now also available in video format on YouTube!

Topics covered:

Challenges of taking over a successful program

Honoring past traditions while creating new ones

Building trust with athletes, staff, and the community

Navigating expectations and managing pressure

Tips for putting your unique stamp on a winning culture

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 035 | Fixing Dan - Part 1 | February 2023

As shared in the Season 4 finale, The MentalCast is kicking off Season 5 with a new focus, host Dan Mickle’s personal journey of self-reflection and growth.

In this first installment of the Fixing Dan series, Dan begins exploring the values that matter most to him and how he can do a better job of living them day-to-day. This is a raw, honest look into the process of personal development and not polished, not perfect, but very real.

And for the first time, the podcast is also available with video on YouTube!

Topics covered:

Why it was time to focus on personal growth

Defining core values

Reflecting on how well we actually live those values

Creating a path toward better alignment and authenticity

The start of a new season of self-reflection

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 034 | State of the Universe 2022 | December 2022

It is time for the annual recap and roadmap episode of The MentalCast! In this special year-end reflection, host Dan Mickle shares a personal and unscripted look back at 2022 — the challenges, the lessons learned, and the growth that came with it.

Dan also offers a candid look ahead, sharing his intentions and plans for 2023, both personally and professionally. If you are someone who enjoys real talk about the ups and downs of life and performance, this is an episode you will connect with.

Topics covered:

Honest reflections on the struggles of the past year

Lessons learned from 2022

Personal and professional growth goals for 2023

Why opening up about challenges matters

The importance of creating an intentional roadmap for the year ahead

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 033 | Benefits of Losing | December 2022

Losing sucks…no question about it. But in this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle digs into why losing and failure can actually be some of the most powerful tools for growth.

Too often, we slap shallow motivational sayings on the back of t-shirts and leave it at that. Dan challenges us to go deeper: to truly examine how we can use loss and failure to drive personal and team development. The key is understanding how to process setbacks in a way that leads to meaningful progress, both on and off the field.

If you are tired of cliché advice and ready for a more authentic conversation about failure and growth, this is your episode.

Topics covered:

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul

Episode 032 | They Ain't Coachable | November 2022

In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle challenges the common narrative that players today “aren’t coachable.” Maybe the issue is not the players — maybe it is how we, as coaches, are trying to reach them.

Dan explores the importance of truly knowing who your players are: beyond their positions or what they contribute on the field. Building meaningful relationships and adapting to generational shifts are key to effective coaching. Today’s athletes are not weaker or "less" in any way — they are unique to their time and situation. And it is on us as coaches to evolve with them.

Topics covered:

Rethinking what it means to be "coachable"

Why understanding your players matters more than ever

Building stronger coach-athlete relationships

How generational shifts impact coaching approaches

Moving away from outdated coaching narratives

Contact the show: [email protected]

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul