🚨 Upperclassmen — the way you treat freshmen can make or break your season.

Ignore them, exclude them, haze them? You’re not tough… you’re toxic.

In this episode of the Next Season Podcast, I lay out 3 huge mistakes upperclassmen make that DESTROY their leadership potential & trash team culture.

But I don't stop there - stay to the end because I give you 3 underrated & proven leadership moves that build trust, confidence and team performance.

👉 Discover why exclusion can mimic physical pain (neuroscience doesn’t lie), why hazing kills culture, and how the best leaders model standards, protect the vibe and share their struggles.

Whether you’re in high school, college, a more experienced guy on your travel team or a leader in any aspect of life — this episode will show you how to stop being a garbage teammate and start being the culture-builder your team actually want to take the field with.

00:00 Intro & Episode Highlights

01:01 Recapping 032 - Garbage Freshman & New Guy

02:17 Talking to the Upperclassman - Standards, Culture & Neuroscience of Connection

03:53 Stories from my High School & College Freshman Years

06:24 Garbage Upperclassman Step 1: Ignoring & Excluding

10:56 Garbage Upperclassman Step 2: Withholding Knowledge

13:05 Garbage Upperclassman Step 3: Hazing

22:11 Ideal Upperclassman Step 1: Model Standards & Competition

23:59 Ideal Upperclassman Step 2: Set & Protect Team Culture

26:33 Ideal Upperclassman Step 3: Share Your Struggles (Vulnerability)

22:43 Closing Thoughts: What Teammates Remember & How You Can Support

Don’t be that guy on a new team. You know the one—shows up late, acts too cool, doesn’t listen, and loses respect before the first game even starts.

In this episode of the Next Season Podcast, I break down 5 brutal mistakes that instantly make you a garbage new teammate—and how to flip them into habits that earn trust, respect and leadership on day one.

Whether you’re a freshman walking into high school or college ball, a transfer adjusting to a new program, or a parent/coach trying to help athletes thrive, this is your survival guide for first impressions.

We’ll hit on:

🚫 Acting too cool for the team

⏰ Blowing off punctuality

🙅 Not being coachable

😑 Killing trust with bad body language

🧠 Forgetting humility and ownership

🔥 Listen now and learn how to stand out the right way and become the teammate every coach, scout, and player wants in their locker room.

00:00 Intro & Episode Highlights

01:33 Freshman Year Transitions & Challenges

03:47 The Neuroscience of First Impressions

04:39 Inversion Thinking & Episode Structure

06:24 Garbage Freshman Step 1: Acting Too Cool

09:32 Garbage Freshman Step 2: Being Late

13:30 Garbage Freshman Step 3: Trying to be the Clown

16:10 Garbage Freshman Step 4: Blaming & Making Excuses

18:46 Garbage Freshman Step 5: Talking Trash About Old Team

21:17 What to Do Instead: 5 Ways to be an Awesome New Guy

22:11 Ideal Freshman Step 1: Keep Your Mouth Shut & Ears Open

23:59 Ideal Freshman Step 2: Look for Work (No Empty Hands)

26:33 Ideal Freshman Step 3: Keep Your World Small

28:22 Ideal Freshman Step 4: Be Coachable & Take Notes

30:05 Ideal Freshman Step 5: Take Care of Your Gear & Your Body (& Your Mind)

32:35 The Ideal Team Player: Hungry, Humble & Smart

33:45 Closing Thoughts & How You Can Help

In Episode 030, I hit you with 6 reasons that the "dumb" mistakes you see may not be on purpose - and they fell in the No Choice Bucket. If you missed it, go back and listen first.

Now in Part 2, we go even deeper with 10 more brain-based, logic-driven reasons people make choices that look dumb but actually make perfect sense to them in the moment.

From processing speed under pressure to emotional hijacking, habit loops, fear of judgment and outdated mental models, we break down the hidden forces that drive behavior, choices and performance — and why these moments almost never come from laziness, disrespect or lack of care.

Backed by sports neuroscience, real coaching stories, and practical tools, this episode will help coaches, parents, and players swap judgment for understanding, build trust faster, and create performance environments where athletes can thrive.

Plus at the end, I give you some tactical advice on what you can do different and 3 book recommendations that may just change your life.

00:00 Intro & the No Choice Bucket

00:54 What About When They Do Have a Choice?

01:47 Reason 1: They Don't Know Why They Should Do It

05:11 Reason 2: They Think They're Way is Better

06:43 Reason 3: They Think Something Else is More Important

07:47 Reason 4: There's No Perceived Positive Outcome for Doing It

09:01 Reason 5: There's a Perceived Negative Consequence for Doing It

10:15 Reason 6: There's a Perceived Positive Outcome for Not Doing It

12:45 Reason 7: There's No Negative Consequence for Not Doing it

13:40 Reason 8: They're Dealing with Hard Personal Stuff

15:08 Reason 9: They're Afraid of […]

17:18 Reason 10: You're Wrong

19:43 Recapping the Two Buckets: No Choice & Logical Reasons

20:22 Two Tactical Steps to Help You Handle These Situations

21:41 Three Book Recommendations

23:57 Don't Be Dumb - Hit Me Up to Talk

Book Recommendations (I don't make any money or commission from these links, just sharing books that have helped me, and maybe you'll like them too):

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

Extreme Ownership: How US Navy SEALS Lead and Win

Heads-Up Baseball 2.0: 5 Skills for Competing One Pitch at a Time

Tell me if these sound familiar…

Your shortstop makes a wild throw when he should’ve eaten it.

A hitter swings 3–0 with the game on the line and pops up.

The ump blows an obvious call.

Your mom says something awkward in front of your whole team.

A teammate zones out and misses the sign, and you pay the price.

Another teammate hits a missile and thinks it's gone, tosses his bat and starts his homerun trot, but it stays in the yard and he's thrown out at second.

Your best player loses control of his emotions, slams his bat and gets tossed at the worst possible time.

We’ve all seen it — people doing really dumb $**t.

But here’s the truth: it’s almost never on purpose.

This part 1 of a 2-part series giving you the exact reasons people may do really dumb things. This episode covers the first bucket of 6 reasons. Stay tuned for episode 031 which gives you another bucket of 10 more reasons.

Backed by neuroscience, real stories and coaching insights, this series flips how you see “dumb plays” forever.

00:00 Intro: A Dumb Baserunning Play…or not?

02:56 Overview of the Two Buckets

04:25 Reason 1: They Don't Know What They're Supposed to Do

06:25 Reason 2: They Don't Know How to Do it the Right Way

08:53 Reason 3: They Think They Are Doing it Right

11:18 Reason 4: There Are Obstacles Beyond Their Control

14:55 Reason 5: They Have Personal Limitations

19:18 Reason 6: Nobody Can Do It

22:28 Recap & Watch Out for Part 2

Coach Murph is changing the game—literally.

Chris “Coach Murph” Murphy went from youth ballplayer to landing a front office job with the Red Sox. When he realized there was something missing, he went all-in and has become one of the premier online coaches, including the personal hitting coach to MLB LEGEND MANNY RAMIREZ & MLB draft prospects. In this episode, we unpack his journey, his coaching philosophy and how he builds real confidence in hitters of all ages.

You’ll hear:

• Why talent without structure won’t cut it
• The secret power of video feedback (and how it trains the brain)
• The truth about slumps, self-doubt and hitting mechanics
• Why even Manny has a hitting coach—and how Coach Murph earned his trust
• What parents need to know about in-season skill development

This episode is packed with pure gold for players 10–20, parents and coaches alike.

📲 Find Coach Murphy @icoachbaseball & DM “Core Four” to get started with his program

https://www.coachmurphbaseball.com/

00:00 Episode Highlights & Intro

00:57 Introducing Coach Murph

02:05 Following the Dream & Love of the Game

04:20 Taking Chances & Changing Directions: Red Sox to Coaching

07:07 Communication, Connection and Coaching Tactics

10:18 Becoming the Hitting Coach for Manny Ramirez

15:44 Lessons for Players from an MLB Legend

16:41 Video Feedback: Enhancing Player Performance

18:02 Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming Self-Doubt

19:14 Coach Murph on Confidence

25:13 In-season Adjustments

26:59 Commitment & Accountability in Training

30:44 Rapid Fire: Science-based Coaching, How to Connect, What's Next, One Piece of Advice, Breaking Through, Perspectives for A Slumping Player

37:45 Closing Thoughts

You need to know what coaches and scouts are really looking for. Baseball is a game of details. And if you're missing these ones, you’re in trouble.

In Part 2 of this two-part series, I break down 4 more subtle red flags that silently kill trust with coaches and hold players back—on the field and in life.

These aren’t just performance issues.

These are character issues, mindset traps, and lifestyle habits that coaches notice… even if you think they don’t.

(I had a few challenges with the mic and recording this episode, appreciate your understanding with the minor audio issues)

🚩 Victim Mentality & Self-Shaming

🚩 The Impact of Poor Nutrition, Hydration and Sleep

🚩 The 'Always Kinda Hurt' Guy

🚩 Not Cleaning Up The Dugout

PLUS why they matter from a brain-science 🧠 perspective, and what you can do about it.

If you’re serious about getting recruited, earning playing time and becoming a complete player, this is an episode you can’t afford to skip.

👇 Drop a comment if one of these hits home—or if you’ve seen these in teammates.

🎧 Subscribe for more episodes weekly

00:00 Episode Highlights & Intro

01:12 Red Flag #5: Victim Mentality & Self-Shaming (& the brain science)

06:34 Red Flag #6: Neglecting Physical Health (& the brain science)

12:52 Red Flag #7: The Always Kinda Hurt Guy (& the brain science)

17:55 Red Flag #8: Lack of Stewardship & Accountability (& the brain science)

21:57 My Challenge to You, Recap & Wrapping Up

You might have talent—but talent won’t save you if you're making these mistakes.

You need to know what coaches and scouts are really looking for. Baseball is a game of details. And if you're missing these ones, you’re in trouble.

In this episode, I break down 4 red flags that coaches and scouts hate seeing from players. These aren't the obvious ones. These are the small habits and behaviors that quietly scream, “Not ready.”

🚩 Phones & Earbuds During Warmups

🚩 Over-Reliance on Mom & Dad

🚩 Drip Without a Grip

🚩 False Coachability (Knowing But Not Applying)

PLUS why they matter from a brain-science 🧠 perspective, and what you can do about it.

If you’re serious about getting recruited, earning playing time and becoming a complete player, this is the episode you can’t afford to skip.

00:00 - Old School Upbringing (& still being a dumb kid)

01:31 - The Price of Entry: Basic Standards & Expectations

02:38 - Red Flag #1: Phones & Earbuds (& the brain science)

08:19 - Red Flag #2: Over-Reliance on Mom & Dad (& the brain science)

12:26 - Red Flag #3: All Drip, No Grip (& the brain science)

16:17 - Red Flag #4: False Coachability (& the brain science)

20:25 - My Challenge to You, Recap & Wrapping Up

Welcome back to The Next Season Podcast — and trust me, this one's a masterclass.

I’m honored to sit down with Johnny Martin, a speaker, coach and mentor to Fortune 1 executives, elite military operators, world-record holders, pro athletes, and high-level entrepreneurs. More than that, Johnny is a man who lives what he teaches—a life built on values, vision and grit.

When I created the Ambition Pillar in my coaching program, it was grounded in lessons I learned from Johnny—because values are the foundation for everything: goals, standards, boundaries, success and a life of purpose.

In this episode, we unpack what it really means to live in alignment, how to coach elite performers through pressure and transition, and why character always outlasts talent.

If you’re an athlete, parent, coach—or just someone chasing something bigger—get your notepad ready.

Here’s Johnny Martin.

Connect with Johnny: [email protected]

https://veteransfuture.org/

00:00 – Opening & Johnny's Origin Story

04:00 – Strict Parents & Firm Expectations

06:18 – Poor Choices, Free Labor & a Life Lesson

10:00 – Finding Purpose & a Path - Lessons from Johnny's Father

16:08 – We DON'T Learn from Experience…

18:41 – The Neuroscience of Real Behavior Change

25:10 – Johnny's Journey From the Classroom to Coaching Elite Performers

36:00 – Different Environments, Same Principles

38:48 – Pillars of Next Season

41:53 – The Ambition Pillar - Identity, Vision, Values, Standards and Boundaries

43:23 – It Starts with Values - Your “No Matter Whats”

52:16 – "We're Gonna Dance, and I'm Gonna Lead" - Stress, Distress & Agency

58:36 – Acknowledge, Accept, Act

1:00:00 – Wrapping Up, Honoring Our Military & Helping Transitioning Veterans

Baseball moms, this one’s for you.

You've traded in Mother's Day brunches for the bleachers. Mimosas are out, replaced by jugs of electrolytes & coolers of water.

A long weekend in the sun often ends with 30 minutes scrubbing stains from the white baseball pants, figuring out how you'll get the mixture of grass, dirt, sand, clay, blood and those awesome black turf streaks off the uniform and down the drain.

And you do figure it out.

We see you.

As a coach, a husband, a father and former player - we know that none of this crazy baseball life happens without you.

In this special Mother’s Day episode, I talk with my wife, Taryn—a business owner, coach’s wife and baseball mom—about what it's really like behind the scenes.

Stories from the ballpark, lessons from our own journey and tips & tricks to try to keep everyone sane.

⚾ We talk:

• The emotional toll of raising athletes
• Funny (& cringy) sideline moments
• How to handle pressure as a parent without transferring it to your kid
• Balancing mom life, crazy schedules & sports culture
• Why character > stats (& how to keep perspective)
• How grit & confidence will earn you a starting spot on the field & in life
• Real advice for new & tired baseball moms

If you're a mom running on coffee, crockpot meals and sideline adrenaline...I know this conversation will hit home.

We appreciate you.

0:00 - Intro & Episode Highlights

01:54 - Who is Taryn: Life, Dating, Marriage, Parenting, Business & Baseball

08:45 - Authenticity for Moms & Athletes

09:55 - No More Mother's Day Brunches - the Life of Athlete Moms

11:15 - Team & Family Culture

13:16 - What do you talk about?

14:51 - Managing the Emotional Swings & Eternal To-Do Lists

17:22 - A Mother's Advice for Dads & Coaches

19:23 - Pressures & Overscheduling

22:40 - When to Push, When to Listen

25:13 - Cringey Moments & Observations

27:37 - Finding & Building the Right Culture (Accountability & Character)

29:40 - Let Them Fall: The Impact of Parental Reactions

35:06 - Advice for Baseball & Life: Grit & Confidence

41:07 - (Very) Imperfect Parents

42:01 - Quick Pitches - Rapid Questions for a Baseball Mom (Breathe, Culture, Humor, Snacks, Shirts & Stay in Your Seat)

53:22 - Closing Thoughts & Eternal Gratitude

Is your athlete chasing hype instead of building something real? 

In this episode of The Pain Point Series, I tackle a pattern that frustrates parents and coaches alike: athletes jumping from goal to goal without a clear sense of identity. "He doesn’t know who he wants to be… he just copies what he sees on social," and "His goals change every week. He’s chasing the hype, not something deeper." Sound familiar?

I break down what's happening in the athlete’s brain, why delayed gratification is key, and how social media is might be destroying his ambition. You'll get insights on the real damage being done by instant gratification, comparison and chasing the flash, and I'll share some science-backed tools for building discipline and self-identity.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What’s going on in the brain when goals are constantly changing
• The impact of social media on identity and ambition
• How comparison and lack of authenticity are derailing athlete mental health
• Simple, actionable strategies to build real direction and self-discipline
• Real-world action steps that parents, coaches and athletes can use right now

🎯 Athletes, coaches and parents - this episode is packed with practical, brain-based tools to help athletes find their true path and focus on what really matters.

⚾ If you're looking for strategies to cut through the noise, this one’s for you.

Episodes Mentioned:

008 - Ambition is Essential https://youtu.be/0dnK-zEMmrQ

00:00 – Intro

02:27 – Ambition Pain Point: "Chasing Hype, Not Something Deeper"

05:47 – No Identity = No Anchor: The Brain Impact of Chasing Social Media Hype

09:17 – Comparison is Killing Ambition & Identity

13:00 – The Right Ways to Build Authentic Identity

16:11 – Tool 1: Delayed Gratification (& the Stanford University Marshmallow Test)

22:00 – Delayed Gratification Tactic: Build Time & Effort Between Desire & Reward

23:30 – Tool 2: Create Your Personal Highlight Reel

25:16 – Pro Highlight Reel Example: Corbin Burnes

28:13 – Recapping Actionable Steps: Watch Ep. 008, Create-A-Player, Delayed Gratification, Personal Highlight Reel

29:22 – If I'm Talking to This Athlete…

30:53 – Closing Thoughts, My Challenge to You & How You Can Help