The Mindset Advantage

In this episode of The Mindset Advantage Podcast, Louie shares the lessons he's learned throughout his professional baseball career, including the mental adjustments he made following a challenging 2024 season, the importance of self-talk, and how he handles pressure on the mound.

The conversation explores controlling the controllables, moving on from mistakes, navigating a major career transition, and the importance of being coachable.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, this conversation offers practical lessons on confidence, resilience, and performing under pressure.

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In this episode of The Mindset Advantage Podcast, DJ Hillier sits down with Bergen Reilly, standout setter for the University of Nebraska and one of the most accomplished players in collegiate volleyball, as part of the special UNRL Athlete Mindset Series.

A three-time All-American, three-time Big Ten Setter of the Year, 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year, and 2025 National Setter of the Year, Bergen has established herself as one of the nation's elite athletes.

Beyond her impressive accomplishments, Bergen shares the mindset, habits, and perspectives that have helped her navigate the pressures and expectations of competing at one of the most storied programs in college volleyball.

Throughout the conversation, Bergen discusses how she maintains confidence and composure under pressure, approaches leadership and teamwork, and navigates the inevitable challenges that come with competing at the highest level. She also shares the importance of finding purpose beyond personal accomplishments, including how the next generation of young female athletes inspires her to show up and give her best, even on the most difficult days.

One of the most powerful themes of the episode is the distinction between what you do and who you are. Bergen opens up about how her faith, relationships, and life outside of volleyball have helped her separate her identity from her performance, allowing her to compete with greater freedom, joy, and perspective.

Whether you're an athlete navigating expectations, a coach developing young leaders, or a parent supporting an athlete's journey, this conversation offers valuable lessons on confidence, purpose, leadership, and building an identity that extends far beyond the scoreboard.

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In this episode of The Mindset Advantage Podcast, DJ Hillier continues the UNRL Athlete Series with University of Minnesota wrestling standout and 2026 NCAA National Champion Max McEnelly.

A four-time Minnesota high school state champion from Waconia, Max has put together an extraordinary wrestling career, winning 245 matches and losing just six since his freshman year of high school.

But beyond his impressive accomplishments is a mindset built on preparation, consistency, confidence, and a relentless commitment to improvement.

Throughout the conversation, Max shares how he developed the confidence to compete at the highest level, why he embraces failure as part of the development process, and how he stays calm and composed in high-pressure situations.

He also breaks down his powerful philosophy of "Train like I've never won, compete like I've never lost," and explains how he manages the expectations and pressures that come with being a national champion.

Max also takes listeners behind the scenes of his remarkable journey from losing in the Big Ten Finals to defeating that same opponent just weeks later to capture the NCAA National Championship.

This episode is packed with practical lessons for athletes, coaches, and high performers looking to build confidence, embrace the process, and consistently perform at their best.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why confidence is built through preparation, not just results.
• How to stay calm and composed when the pressure is highest.
• Why embracing failure in practice is essential for long-term development.
• The difference between competing to win and competing not to lose.
• How to manage outside expectations and focus on what you can control.
• Why maintaining high standards is critical, especially after achieving success.
• How Max used a difficult loss as an opportunity to become a national champion.

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Michael E. Jordan is the founder and CEO of UNRL, a Minnesota-based premium athletic and lifestyle apparel brand built on the principles of hard work, grit, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence.

What began with just $300 in his mother's basement has grown into a nationally recognized brand, with collaborations involving major professional sports organizations, including the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Minnesota Wild.

Named ACG Minnesota's 2024 Boldest Leader of the Year, Michael has built UNRL through a relentless commitment to his vision, a willingness to bet on himself, and a belief in doing things differently.

In this conversation, Michael shares the mindset behind his entrepreneurial journey, including the importance of work ethic, overcoming criticism, pursuing excellence, and refusing to let other people's opinions determine your direction.

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What if confidence isn’t where you start?

What if confidence is where you arrive?

Athletes often believe they need to feel confident before they can perform at their best. But in this episode, DJ challenges that belief and breaks down where confidence actually comes from.

You’ll learn why action comes before confidence, how keeping promises to yourself builds self-trust, and what to do when pressure makes you forget just how prepared you really are.

DJ also breaks down three things every athlete can control when confidence disappears — body language, focus, and self-talk — and shares practical strategies you can use immediately in competition.

In this episode:
• Why you don’t need confidence to compete
• The relationship between action, competence, and confidence
• Why “confidence comes with receipts”
• How to build trust with yourself
• The three controllables: Body Language, Focus, and Self-Talk
• How to turn “What if?” into “Even if”
• Why the work nobody sees ultimately creates the moments everybody sees

If you’ve ever found yourself waiting to feel confident before taking action, this episode is for you.

Stop waiting for confidence.

Start building it.

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Sarah Martin is currently the starting goalkeeper and captain for the women’s soccer team at the University of Minnesota.

During her three years as a starter for the Gophers, Sarah has consistently been one of the top performers in goal. She’s recorded numerous shutouts, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, and worked her way into the Minnesota record books, where she currently ranks third all-time in career saves.

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Join DJ in this solo podcast as he breaks down how perspective can become your superpower!

Download my FREE Coaching Beyond the Scoreboard E-book www.djhillier.com/coach 

Download my FREE 60 minute Mindset Masterclass at www.djhillier.com/masterclass

Download my FREE top 40 book list written by Mindset Advantage guests: www.djhillier.com/40books

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MindsetAdvantage

Purchase a copy of my book: https://a.co/d/bGok9Ud

Follow me on Instagram: @deejayhillier

Connect with me on my website: www.djhillier.com

Brody Brecht is a right-handed pitcher in the Colorado Rockies organization and one of the top arms in their system. The former two-sport Iowa Hawkeye left as the program's career strikeout leader and was taken 38th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, the highest any Iowa player has gone since 1990. He throws a fastball that has touched 100 and a slider scouts call the best in the system. He's a husband, a father, and open about how his faith shapes the way he competes.

Download my FREE Coaching Beyond the Scoreboard E-book www.djhillier.com/coach 

Download my FREE 60 minute Mindset Masterclass at www.djhillier.com/masterclass

Download my FREE top 40 book list written by Mindset Advantage guests: www.djhillier.com/40books

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MindsetAdvantage

Purchase a copy of my book: https://a.co/d/bGok9Ud

Follow me on Instagram: @deejayhillier

Connect with me on my website: www.djhillier.com

Join DJ as he concludes a three part series on lessons learned from the greatest coaches in the country! 

In case you missed it!

Part 1: How Great Coaches Give Feedback: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mi-fit-podcast/id1420211275?i=1000775596549

Part 2: How Great Coaches Handle Winning and Losing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-advantage/id1420211275?i=1000776542586

NO FACTOR STORE: https://shirt-werks-promotionals-inc.printavo.com/merch/2026-mindset-advantage-store

Cori Close has been the head coach of UCLA women's basketball since 2011. In 2026 she led the Bruins to the program's first NCAA national championship, beating South Carolina 79-51 to cap a 37-1 season. She's the only coach in program history with 300-plus career wins, and after 15 years being mentored by John Wooden, she's become one of the sport's clearest voices on coaching people rather than performances.

Download my FREE Coaching Beyond the Scoreboard E-book www.djhillier.com/coach 

Download my FREE 60 minute Mindset Masterclass at www.djhillier.com/masterclass

Download my FREE top 40 book list written by Mindset Advantage guests: www.djhillier.com/40books

Subscribe to our NEW YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MindsetAdvantage

Purchase a copy of my book: https://a.co/d/bGok9Ud

Follow me on Instagram: @deejayhillier

Connect with me on my website: www.djhillier.com