This is Part 2 of a 3-part Heat Check Series where I walk through different points in my career journey in which I threw hard. There's been 4 specific occasions throughout my journey where I threw hard, but each experience entailed completely different approaches to the same goal — so it's fun to reflect, unpack it all, and hopefully it's of value to those listening in.
In this episode, I pick up where Part 1 left off and dive into the Winter of 2017 moving into 2018. I'll set the stage with the full context — Big League Spring Training with the Cardinals, getting released, Indy ball, Hurricane Maria hitting Puerto Rico, and then the specific mechanical approach that unlocked some of the best stuff I've ever had. This one gets into the loading phase, Hector Barrios, and the biggest lesson I learned about trust in this game. Experience-based, not absolute. Hope this helps someone!

👇Part 1 of “Things I Did to Throw Hard”

• Apple Podcast
• Spotify Podcast

Episode Timeline 👇

02:39 – Back in the Sauna Blanket

We're rolling. Heat Check is back, Part 2 is here, and Robby dives right into the #RobbyRowsJourney — find his throwback Instagram posts under that hashtag.

04:35 – Recapping Part 1 & Why He Started Filming

The 2015 revival (84-85 → 94-95 mph), why he started recording everything, and how proving himself to scouts became the foundation of his content journey.

05:09 – Comeback at 35? The "12-Month Plan" Idea 

A teaser for a future piece of content — what Robby would do if he organized a comeback and had 12 months to execute it.

06:10 – Setting the Stage: Winter 2017 Moving into 2018

Today's episode is laser focused on this specific window. Four different stages of his career, four different approaches to throwing hard.

06:52 – Big League Spring Training 2017 (Cardinals)

First official Big League spring training participation. Coming off the 2016 bone spur surgery, a re-sign from his agent mid-winter ball, and a Big League invite negotiated on the spot from a rental car place.

09:48 – Feeling Elite Going In

Pre-spring training bullpens were some of the best he'd ever thrown. Confidence was through the roof heading into camp.

11:00 – Getting Released

Second cuts, minor league camp, a mediocre outing, and a walk into the office he didn't see coming. Plans evaporated fast.

13:38 – Signing with the Lincoln Saltdogs (Indy Ball 2017)

The decision to go back to Indy ball and — crucially — the decision to pitch as a starter. How that one choice changed everything that followed.

14:00 – Starter vs. Reliever: The Velocity Gap

Robby throws it out there — he genuinely throws 5+ mph harder as a reliever. The starter life was fun, but the velo wasn't the same.

15:12 – Getting Traded to the Southern Illinois Miners

Shoutout to manager Mike Pinto. Some of the most fun baseball he's ever played. The season ends and the unknown sets in.

15:51 – Hurricane Maria & the Puerto Rico Call

The winter ball team's stadium was destroyed. Season restructured. Games moved to one venue, 11am start times. Robby gets the call mid-November that they're running it back.

17:48 – Enter: Hector Barrios

The individual who changed everything. An Instagram connection that turned into daily FaceTimes and a completely new approach to throwing. Hector is now Aroldis Chapman's pitching coach with the Red Sox.

18:07 – The Setup: FBK1, Northern California, & the Daily Grind

Living at his parents' place in NorCal, throwing at KC's cage (FBK1) from 1pm to 9pm, 5am gym sessions, manual labor job, carnivore diet with a portable grill. Psycho mode.

21:15 – The Hector Barrios Method

Head over the back hip. Hands separated over the rear hip. Patient load, aggressive late intent. A drastically different way of throwing — and why it felt so foreign at first.

22:38 – When It Started to Click

One night in the cage, the ball started jumping. The load was right. The timing was dialing in. Two weeks before leaving for winter ball.

23:10 – The Frustration: Radar Said 88-91

Even when it felt good, the gun didn't lie — not in the cage. The velo just wasn't showing up in practice, and that was a hard thing to trust.

24:41 – The First Game: 91 in Bullpens → 97 in the Game

Committed to the mechanics. Leg lift, head over backside, hands separated, patient load, aggressive late. Hitters were late. Struck out two on fastballs down the middle. Post-game: sitting 97. The moment everything clicked on trust.

26:03 – Winning Winter Ball & the Caribbean Series

Great season. Won the whole thing. Setup guy (8th inning). 94-97 on the cutter. Games on ESPN in front of 20,000 fans in Mexico. The best bullpen role of his career.

28:17 – The Caribbean Series Breakdown

Blister. Started trying to force it. Rushed the delivery. Command fell off. Scouts and Mexican League GMs were texting — and the harder he tried, the worse it got.

30:08 – The Mindset Shift Breakdown

Patient → trusting → free … to forcing → rushing → inconsistent. How the environment and the pressure of being a free agent crept into his mechanics and unraveled what had been working.

31:08 – Training in Winter Ball: Planet Fitness & Kettlebell Circuits

35-45 minute sessions. Three rounds of kettlebell circuits and explosive plyometrics. Robby's honest take: the velo wasn't a byproduct of his training at this point.

31:24 – The Circadian Rhythm Insight

11am games matched his natural early riser schedule. Pitching at 1pm in the Caribbean Series was peak power output time for his body. Not an accident.

32:47 – The Locked-In Routine & Loving Himself Most

Reading every day, podcasting, podcasting, training — his spirit was on fire. This was one of the best stretches of his life as a human being overall.

33:43 – Spoiler: Getting Signed by Texas 

Invite-only tryouts with the Rangers and Diamondbacks before spring training. Eventually signed by Texas mid-2018 Indy ball season. Full story coming in a future episode.

35:20 – The Closing Reflection: One More Ride

There's still one more ride left where it all comes together. The career struggle of being 100 or 0 — all in on one thing at a time, never fully diversifying. Can do it in coaching. Can't fully do it for himself. Yet.

37:09 – Links in the Show Notes & Coaching CTA

MLB Postures & Delivery YouTube video linked below. Remote Coaching options in the show notes. Reach out with questions.

38:16 – The Soundbite of His Life

"I love solving problems that are not existent — only in my own mind." Biggest career hiccup: once he figured something out, he craved deviation. Couldn't just stay the same.

This is Part 1 of a 3-part Heat Check Series where I walk through different points in my career journey in which I threw hard. There’s been 4 specific occasions throughout my journey that I threw hard but each experience entailed different approaches to the same goal so it’s fun to reflect/unpack it all and think it could be of value for those listening in. 
In this episode, I reflect on my high school years and what I was actively doing to influence my throwing velocity which landed me the 88th overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft (when things were so simple lol) Then we’ll dive into the 2014-2015 season, breaking down how athleticism, long toss, mindset, and freedom played a massive role in power output. This is experience-based, not absolute! Hope this helps someone! 

Links & Content
Ask a question for future episodes
Work with me Remotely
Watch me Discuss my Biggest Pitching Regrets
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Find Discounts on Products I Use

Episode Timeline 👇

02:02 – Velocity Is NOT Absolute
Why velocity advice shouldn’t be taken as black-and-white rules and why individual process matters.
02:43 – Watching Elite Throwers Develop Differently
Observations from pro ball and why different athletes reach high velocity in completely different ways.
04:07 – High School Velocity Context
Being highly scouted, showcase environments, and why early velocity is often more genetic than developmental.
06:32 – Showcases vs Game Pitching
Why velocity showed up most in short stints and what that environment allowed mentally and physically.
07:08 – No Weightlifting, Tons of Athleticism
Distance running, jump rope, long toss, and why developing as an athlete mattered more than loading weight early.
08:07 – Pre-Start Routine & Process Orientation
Detailed warmups, mental preparation, and how being obsessive about process built confidence.
10:57 – Long Toss as an Athletic Stimulus
Why extensive long toss was one of the most powerful velocity builders in high school.
12:47 – Loving Pitching More Than Throwing Hard
Sequencing, command, and how being a “pitcher first” may have limited raw velocity at times.
14:34 – Velocity Dip & Getting Released (2014)
Leaving Pittsburgh, velocity falling off, and the mental reset that followed.
15:05 – Returning to High School Roots
Distance running, simplified training, and rebuilding athletic movement patterns.
17:30 – Training in the Backyard Lab
Homemade strength work, front squats, sandbags, and throwing far with intention.
18:40 – “If I Need to Throw Hard, I Need to Throw Far”
How increased long toss volume organically reshaped arm path and movement efficiency.
19:51 – 2015 Velocity Jump
Going from unknown free agent to touching upper-90s through intent, freedom, and consistent stimulus.
20:20 – Long Toss vs Mound Mechanics
The realization that controlled chaos in long toss can (and should) influence mound movement.
21:07 – Over-Exaggerating Athleticism on the Mound
Learning to load aggressively, use the ground, and embrace movement instead of fighting it.
22:53 – Mental Freedom & Power Output
Why letting go of fear and expectation unlocked the best velocity of my career.
24:08 – Ground Force, Loading & Energy Transfer
Early understanding of force absorption, storage, and release — before knowing the biomechanics language.
25:22 – Being Released Was a Gift
How freedom from pressure allowed velocity to climb rapidly in 2015.
26:03 – Training That Supported Velocity
Front squats, med balls, arm care, and throwing volume — no magic exercise, just alignment.
27:11 – Velocity Spike & Injury Reality
Rapid velocity gains, accumulated stress, and the bone spur surgery that followed.
28:18 – Setting Up Part 2
Previewing the 2017–2018 velocity journey and a completely different path to power.
30:17 – Closing Thoughts
Why reflecting on the journey matters and what’s coming next in Part 2 and Part 3.

In this episode of The Heat Check, I’m joined by my Boo-Skenes AKA Girlfriend @coachmorganfontaine, for a completely unscripted, real conversation about 2026 goals, consistency, perfectionism, routines, and what it actually takes to stay authentic when life, content, and identity start shifting.
This one is raw by design. No outline. No polish. Just us talking through communication habits, filler words, social media pressure, athlete identity, burnout, and how hard it can be to keep promises to yourself — especially when motivation fades.
Should I have her on the Pod more often 🤔

Ask a question for future episodes 👉 https://therobbyrowshow.com/ask/

⏱️ Episode Timestamps + Topics 👇

01:12 – 03:30
Awkward beginnings + filler words
• Why filler words exist
• Learning to be okay with silence 

03:30 – 08:00
Communication, pace, and clarity
• Slowing down how you speak
• Engagement vs filler words

08:00 – 10:30
Creating content without a script
• Off-the-cuff content vs structure
• How filler words creep in
• Adapting to new environments 

10:30 – 13:30
Authenticity on social media
• Losing personality in “serious” content
• Algorithm pressure and retention
• Feeling boxed into one content style 

13:30 – 18:00
Excitement, novelty, and creativity
• Why newness fuels authenticity for me
• Consistency vs variety
• Being energized by learning something new 

18:00 – 21:30
Morgan’s 2026 goals
• Consistency as an identity
• How perfectionism blocks action
• Letting yourself be bad before getting better 

21:30 – 25:00
Routines, mornings, and accountability
• Why the morning sets the tone for the day
• Phone placement and discipline
• Setting yourself up for success 

25:00 – 28:30
Consistency and self-trust
• Keeping promises to yourself
• How inconsistency affects identity
• Truth, honesty, and self-respect 

28:30 – 31:30
Peaks, valleys, and emotional regulation 
• “Worst roller coaster ride possible” metaphor
• Limiting emotional extremes
• Controlling what you can control 

31:30 – 35:30
Rediscovering joy after burnout
• Losing love for the game
• Stepping away to reconnect
• Childlike joy vs outcome-based identity 

35:30 – 38:30
Athlete parallels + future conversations
• Similar struggles across different sports
• Body, consistency, and enjoyment
• Teasing a deeper dive into Morgan’s journey 

38:30 – 40:06
Wrap-up
• Reflections, gratitude, and future episodes
• Newsletter shoutout
• Closing thoughts

🔗 Links & Resources
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Click HERE to checkout the Newsletter Morgan Created
Click Here For DISCOUNTS on Products I Use
Click HERE To View The Content Equipment I Use
Click HERE To Learn More About ME!
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This episode is about the battle between flow and fear — and why one shows up in practice while the other takes over in games.
Today Robby Rowland dives deep into why so many athletes feel elite in practice but struggle to transfer that performance into games — and how obsession, fear, and overthinking can quietly rob you of flow..inevitably robbing you of the performance you know you’re capable of.
This is a raw, experience-driven breakdown of threat perception, discomfort, joy, and the practical tools that actually helped Robby navigate performance anxiety, the yips, and pressure moments at the highest levels of baseball.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps + Topics
 
00:00 – 02:14
Intro + why this episode matters 
• Feeling better in practice than games
• Nervous system, anticipation, and heaviness on game day

02:14 – 03:31
What this episode will cover
• Practice vs game performance
• Personal experiences
• Practical tools, not theory 

03:31 – 04:53
Why the task is the same — but performance isn’t
• Bullpens vs live games
• Brain response to environment
• Thoughts driving physical output 

04:53 – 05:56
Fight-or-flight vs flow
• Low expectation in practice
• Threat perception in games
• Why flow disappears under pressure 

05:56 – 06:44
Competing inside preparation
• Live ABs vs bullpens
• Putting something on the line
• Creating stakes without overdoing volume 

06:44 – 07:50
The danger of comfort-seeking
• Avoiding discomfort during the work week
• Easy catch play, minimal effort habits
• Why this backfires on game day 

07:50 – 08:38
Hiding mental struggle
• Fear of being exposed
• Avoiding attention-demanding situations
• Insecurity living in the shadows 

08:38 – 09:46
Personal identification
• No single solution fits everyone
• Trial, error, and ownership
• Finding what actually works for you
 
09:46 – 10:46
Reigniting the love for throwing
• Joy as a performance multiplier
• Why constant discomfort isn’t always the answer •
Fake it till you make it — carefully 

10:46 – 11:58
The double-edged sword of discomfort
• Too much grind kills joy
• When pushing harder stops working
• Knowing when to shift gears 

11:58 – 13:04
Breaking out of mechanical obsession
• Every throw becoming “pitching”
• Overthinking destroying flow
• Why variety and play matter 

13:04 – 14:27
Flow vs mechanics overload
• Feeling 800 things = robotic movement
• Why elite performance feels effortless
• Letting the body do what it knows 

14:27 – 15:28
How Robby worked through the yips
• Long toss and pull-downs
• Athletic throws over mechanical cues
• Freedom before control 

15:28 – 16:27
Individual solutions matter
• Long toss helped Robby — not everyone
• One-size-fits-all thinking is flawed
• The beauty of individualized development 

16:27 – 17:48
Movement, variability, and exploration
• Target-based long toss
• Allowing failure without judgment
• Restoring athletic intent 

17:48 – 19:05
Pre-throw movement as a reset
• Sprint-in-place throws
• Rhythm, motion, and flow
• Removing space for overthinking 

19:05 – 20:17
Pressure, shame, and expectations
• Fear of missing your partner
• Caring too much about perception
• When throwing with others becomes heavy 

20:17 – 21:30
Throwing alone to heal
• Going to the park solo
• Rediscovering joy
• Throwing without judgment 

21:30 – 22:51
Pressure never fully disappears
• Caribbean Series story
• Lingering thoughts under stress
• Why you need anchors to return to 

22:51 – 23:30
Anchors and freedom tools
• Sprint-in-place throws
• Athletic intent resets
• Regaining flow mid-chaos

🎯 Core Takeaways
• Practice and games feel different because your brain treats them differently
• Flow dies when fear and overthinking take over
• Comfort-seeking during preparation sabotages competition
• Mechanics without movement kill athleticism
• Joy and freedom are performance tools, not luxuries
• Every athlete needs individualized solutions
• You need go-to anchors when pressure resurfaces

🎬 YouTube - Top 10 Gift Guide for Pitchers

Robby Row's Links 👇
Click HERE to Personally Contact Me Via My Question Platform
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Click HERE To View The Content Equipment I Use
Click HERE To Learn More About ME!
Click HERE to Checkout My Pitching Development eBooks

In this episode of Heat Check, Robby unpacks one of the biggest realizations of his playing and coaching career — why chasing perfect mechanics often kills performance, and how flow, freedom, and controlled chaos are what actually unlock elite movement.
 
From backyard wiffle ball battles and mimicking MLB pitchers… to pro ball, injuries, overthinking, and ultimately rediscovering simplicity — this episode is a raw reflection on why athletes perform best when they stop forcing it and start trusting it.
 
If you’re a player, coach, or parent trying to navigate development without burning the joy out of the process — this one hits.

🔥 Quote That Sums It Up
“The throw is the throw. Your body will organize how it organizes — flow is what unlocks it.”

As always, if you ever want to reach out to me personally hit me up on my Question Platform
Discounts to Products I Use (Including the Sauna Blanket) can be found here

⏱️ Episode Breakdown & Key Moments
 
00:00 – 00:50 | Pre-Roll + What This Episode Is Really About
Setting expectations, birthday reflections, identity, and teasing the flow vs mechanics conversation.
 
00:50 – 02:50 | New Look, Cold Weather & Life Check-In
Shaving the beard, Connecticut winter, mouth taping, and seasonal shifts.
 
02:50 – 04:55 | Monthly Challenges, Tightness & Body Awareness
Daily challenges, soreness, desk work, and the realization that mobility may matter more than grinding.
 
04:55 – 06:30 | Simplicity vs Overthinking (Content + Performance)
How more gear, more knowledge, and more complexity don’t always equal better results.
 
06:30 – 08:20 | Changing Deliveries & Early Baseball Memories
Loving deviation, changing windups, travel ball memories, and falling in love with Anthony Reyes’ delivery.
 
08:20 – 10:25 | Wiffle Ball, Competition & Athletic Development
Backyard wiffle ball, mimicking teams and players, and why play accelerated arm speed and skill.
 
10:25 – 12:35 | Chaos as a Development Tool
Lawn chair strike zones, throwing runners out, target acquisition, and learning to organize the body under pressure.
 
12:35 – 14:30 | Flow, Deviation & Mental Freedom
Why changing things sparks excitement, frees the mind, and unlocks better movement.
 
14:30 – 16:10 | Mimicking MLB Pitchers & Identity Questions
Dontrelle Willis, Tim Lincecum, Josh Beckett — copying deliveries as exploration, not insecurity.
 
16:10 – 18:40 | Consistency Beneath the Chaos
Despite changing styles, key mechanical positions stayed the same across years and levels.
 
18:40 – 21:15 | When Mechanics Became the Enemy
Hyper-fixation, robotic movement, loss of flow, and how overthinking derailed performance. 

21:15 – 23:45 | Why ‘FLOW’ is the Key
Mechanics matter — but they’re not the main driver. Flow, environment, and mindset are. 

23:45 – 26:15 | Coaching Philosophy Shift
Moving away from “what it should look like” toward creating conditions that let the body self-organize.
 
26:15 – 28:40 | Variability, Arm Slots & Athletic Training
Multiple arm angles, jumping throws, body angles, and teaching adaptability. 

28:40 – 30:45 | Controlled Chaos & Mental Performance
Why chaos simplified the mind, improved command, and unlocked repeatability. 

30:45 – End | Final Reflection + Call to Action
Be a kid. Protect curiosity. Fall in Love 

⸻
 
🧠 Core Takeaways ✅
Mechanics matter — but they’re not the main driver
Flow beats fixation Athleticism thrives in controlled chaos
Kids need play, competition, and creativity first
The body organizes itself better when the mind gets out of the way

ROBBY ROW'S LINKS 4 CONSIDERATION

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A raw, honest look at perfectionism — where it comes from, how it shaped Robby’s baseball journey, and why the pressure to be different can quietly erode joy, confidence, and identity.

In this episode, Robby settles into the sauna blanket and unpacks the invisible forces that drove him for years: childhood expectations, early success, attention, insecurity, the obsession with mechanics, and the internal collapse that comes when identity is built on being “the guy.” 

If you’ve ever chased perfection, battled validation, or felt like failure meant losing a part of who you are — you’re gonna feel this one. 
As always, if you ever want to reach out to me personally hit me up on my Question Platform
Discounts to Products I Use (Including the Sauna Blanket) can be found here

⏱️ Episode Timestamps + Topics

00:00 – 01:18 — Pre-Roll Setup & Show Notes
• Why these Heat Check episodes bounce around
• The purpose of timestamps and how listeners can navigate the episode
• Setting the scene inside the sauna blanket 

01:18 – 02:24 — When the Brand Doesn’t Match the New Chapter
• Feeling disconnected from the past “always fired-up athlete” persona
• Learning what content looks like now that playing days are over
• The identity tug-of-war after walking away from baseball 

02:24 – 04:13 — Childhood Memories, Dad, and Why the Brand Began
• Watching his dad retire from pro ball
• Wanting to show fans the behind-the-scenes perspective players never shared
• The spark that eventually became The Robby Row Show 

04:13 – 07:17 — Rookie Ball 2010 & The Surprise Breakthrough
• Repeating rookie ball and entering the season with low expectations
• The unexpected success that followed
• Looking back at one of the most fun periods of his career 

07:17 – 10:10 — Where the Mechanics Obsession Started
• Too much downtime in extended spring training
• Endless video room deep dives
• The moment curiosity turned into obsession 

10:10 – 13:15 — Wanting to Say All the Right Things
• Talking to mental skills coaches
• Developing the “right answers” identity
• Trying to be the ultra-motivated, hard-working guy everyone expected 

13:15 – 14:19 — Why Hard Work Didn’t Fill the Void
• Being praised for effort but still feeling empty
• The disconnect between work ethic and performance
• Early signs of perfectionism taking over 

14:19 – 17:07 — The Dark Side of Perfectionism
• Why perfection removes joy
• The internal pressure to never mess up
• How it slowly made baseball feel heavier than it should 

17:07 – 19:12 — OCD Tendencies & The Brita Jug Example
• Robby vs. household timers (and why he always has to win)
• The funny but real ways competition shows up in his daily life
• How this wiring affected baseball 

19:12 – 20:31 — When Perfection Makes the Game Harder
• Baseball is built on failure… perfectionism is not
• Why the two don’t coexist
• How expectations suffocated enjoyment 

20:31 – 23:15 — Feeling “Different” Growing Up
• Being a big-leaguer’s kid
• Early expectations and identity shaping
• Wanting attention, wanting to stand out, wanting to be “the guy” 

23:15 – 24:00 — Clearing the Air: Parenting & Perception
• Giving his parents credit
• Why this isn’t about blame
• Understanding how kids naturally form identity 

24:00 – 25:12 — The Early Personality Formation
• Loving attention
• Playing to the crowd
• The confidence loop that formed early 

25:12 – 27:29 — Seeking Eyes in Bullpens & Catch Play
• Performing better when being watched
• Using attention as fuel
• Why it eventually stopped working 

27:29 – 30:10 — When Attention Turned Into Pressure
• Anxiety replacing swagger
• Mechanical breakdowns tied to mental spirals
• The shift from confidence → fear 

30:10 – 31:04 — Mental Health, Denial, and Hiding the Struggle
• Trying to “power through it” quietly
• Creating an inauthentic persona
• The emotional cost of pretending everything’s fine 

31:04 – 33:03 — Validation vs. Confidence
• The dangerous loop of chasing external approval
• Why validation feels good… but doesn’t last
• How baseball exposed the cracks 

33:03 – 34:42 — Dad’s Influence & Staying Hungry
• The motivation he got from his dad
• Why that push was healthy — but still fed perfectionism
• Seeing both the good and the shadow side 

34:42 – 37:21 — Losing Himself in a “Killer Instinct” Culture
• Trying to be stone-cold to fit in
• The slow drift away from authenticity
• How identity shapeshifted during the grind 

37:21 – 39:48 — Big Fish, Small Pond: The Ego Trap
• Why success at a young age can create false stability
• Malcolm Gladwell’s “David & Goliath” effect
• What happens when the environment finally challenges you 

39:48 – 41:24 — Not Knowing How to Fail
• Feeling failure for the first time
• How perfection amplified the sting
• The identity crisis that followed 

41:24 – 42:40 — Early Success vs. Real Failure
• Why failure didn’t matter as a kid
• Why it suddenly mattered as a pro
• The emotional punch of “this counts now”

🎙️THE HEAT CHECK - When a Ball Player Stops Ball Playing (Episode 2)
 
A raw, vulnerable walk through identity, retirement, faith, and finding purpose beyond the game
In this episode of Heat Check, Robby climbs back into the sauna blanket and opens up about one of the hardest transitions a ballplayer can face — stepping away from the game that shaped your entire life.
 
From childhood memories of watching his dad retire from pro ball… to the confusing emotional aftermath of his own final seasons… to the weird limbo of feeling done but not finished…
This one cuts deep.
 
If you’ve ever stopped playing, lost a version of yourself, or struggled with purpose when a chapter ends — you’re gonna feel this one.
 
⸻
 
⏱️ Episode Timestamps + Topics
 
00:00 – 02:25 — Pre-Roll Vulnerability
• Robby sets the scene: sauna blanket, no script, full vulnerability
• Why these episodes feel like therapy
• Encouragement for listeners to submit topics via Ask Robby Platform (therobbyrowshow.com/ask) 
 
02:25 – 06:00 — Letting Go of Opinions & Fear of Sympathy
• Wrestling with how people might perceive this openness
• Processing ego, validation, and the fear of “sounding ungrateful”
• How speaking out loud helps emotional healing
 
06:00 – 07:30 — The Discomfort of Closure
• Robby admits this topic gives him “heebie jeebies”
• Why he resists calling his career “over”
• The internal battle between acceptance and hope
 
07:30 – 12:00 — Childhood Flashbacks (1997 Memories)
• His dad in spring training with the Giants
• Life in the RV, family photos, early baseball impressions
• Funny/chaotic moment tipping a foul ball into his brother’s mouth
• Early realization of who his dad was in the baseball world
 
12:00 – 17:00 — Moving to the Woods + Dad’s Retirement
• Family relocating after dad leaves baseball
• Life on acres of land, trampolines, fire truck hoses
• The infamous “rock to the face” story
• Seeing subtle emotional changes he didn’t understand as a kid
 
17:00 – 21:00 — Watching His Dad Fall Out of Love With Baseball
• Dad unable to watch games anymore
• Learning as a teenager how deeply retirement affected him
• The weight of retiring when the game didn’t force you out
 
21:00 – 25:00 — Robby’s Early Mindset About His Own Career
• How his dad’s story shaped his expectations
• Belief that he’d “play until they ripped the jersey off”
• Realization that experience hits different than second-hand wisdom
 
25:00 – 30:00 — 2022 Season, Coaching, and Sour Endings
• The tough Indy Ball season as a player/coach
• Being excited to rebound… but not getting the ending he imagined
• Winter Ball ups and downs
• Navigating being Phantom’d after performing well
 
30:00 – 33:30 — When Teams Don’t Want the Brand
• Teams telling him to tone down or stop his content
• The confusing shift from “my brand is my résumé” to “it’s a distraction”
• Choosing between baseball and content creation
• Feeling like either choice had a cost
 
33:30 – 36:00 — Identity Crisis: Player Rob vs. Creator Rob
• The weirdness of waking up without a team
• Missing the structured purpose baseball gave
• The pressure of content performance affecting self-worth
• Why engaging directly with fans helps ground him
 
36:00 – 39:00 — Winter Ball Comeback Attempt
• Reinventing himself as a 3-slot pitcher
• Feeling re-energized and excited again
• Performing well… and still getting Phantom’d
• Questioning whether God was closing a door or testing resilience
 
39:00 – 41:30 — The Emotional Toll & Loss of Faith
• Honest conversation about resentment toward God 
• The “Disney ending” he felt he was on track for
• Recognizing that the game doesn’t owe you anything
• Wrestling with purpose outside of playing
 
41:30 – 43:15 — Moving Forward & What’s Next
• Accepting that he didn’t call every team back 
• The mental gap between liking baseball and liking playing
• Realizing baseball is therapeutic only when tied to a bigger mission
• Longing for deeper purpose and identity beyond the field
 
43:15 – End — Closing Thoughts
• Thanksgiving gratitude
• Plans to get mom & dad on future episodes
• Invitation to ask questions via his website 
• “These episodes may not be for everyone… but they’re good for me.”
 
⸻
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THE HEAT CHECK - Morning Mind Dump from Inside the Sauna Blanket (Episode 1)

In this first-ever episode from inside the sauna, I get real about something I’ve been wrestling with for a long time… losing my joy for creating. And i'm publishing this "disaster" of an episode to finally attempt to rid myself of this OCD perfectionism I have that makes creating content less enjoyable.. 
 
Since stepping away from baseball, my identity, my routines, and the way I show up online have all shifted. Somewhere along the way, content stopped feeling like something I get to do, and started feeling like something I have to do — and that slow shift into perfectionism and pressure has been eating away at me.
 
Inside the sauna blanket (yes, literally sweating through this), I talk openly about:
• burnout, overthinking, and losing the “one-take Robby” authenticity
• the identity crisis that hits when baseball is no longer the center
• why being perceived as “perfect” has held me back
• how I’m trying to reconnect with my actual voice
• and why I’m starting this new raw, unfiltered mini-series 

If you’re into mindset, creativity, growth, or just want to hear what’s going on behind the scenes of my life right now, I think you’ll take something from this one.

Discounts to Products I Use (Including the Sauna Blanket) can be found here
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Personally reach out to me using my Question Platform here
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This one’s personal. I’m breaking down my own throwback mechanics from my pro ball career and the mistakes that cost me years of development.

👉 Watch the full YouTube breakdown (with throwback clips of my mechanics throughout the years): https://link.mcpay.io/BHHdnjt

From being drafted in 2010… to getting released in 2014… to reinventing myself in the bullpen… I learned the hard way that:
 • Velocity is a choice — you throw hard by training to throw hard
 • Your environment dictates how your body organizes
 • Athleticism is more important than robotic mechanics
 • The mental approach you take into every throw will shape your movements
 • Skipping the adaptation phase is what leads to injury

If you’re a pitcher who’s struggling with mechanics, command, or velocity… this episode is going to hit home. My journey had a lot of failures, but now I use those lessons to help guys like YOU avoid the same mistakes.

👉 Watch the full YouTube breakdown (with throwback clips of my mechanics through the years):
https://link.mcpay.io/BHHdnjt

What you’re thinking impacts the way your body is going to move in an effort to complete the task at hand.. something I learned the HARD WAY and I know a lot of us ball players struggle with..

For me I struggled sooo hard trying to get the ball to move and NOT THROW BALLS that I forgot my body is the most adaptable thing on this planet n it knows how to get the job done IF I’d just get out of my own frickin way lol

That’s why I’m such an advocate for training in environments that DEMAND athleticism/freedom/power and FLOWWW 🌊

Want to throw hard - Throw HARD

Think aggressive - be aggressive

Think passive - be passive

Simplicity is the gateway to athleticism 

When I finally found my groove in 2015 I realized I could literally think “throw it as hard as I frickin can” and it’d actually go where I wanted it to go because I was just FLOWING bruh.. I also intentionally trained my body to adapt to the movements of high velocity demands in my preparation (long toss, pulldowns, and high intent catch plays) 

👉 Want to work with me directly? https://therobbyrowshow.com/coaching/
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Resources & Links
A Complete Guide To Pitching Mechanics eBook → https://therobbyrowshow.com/product/mechanics-ebook/
Discounts on Products I Use → https://therobbyrowshow.com/productdiscounts/
My Content Equipment Setup → https://therobbyrowshow.com/content-creation/
Development eBooks → https://therobbyrowshow.com/ebooks/

In Episode 8 of Season 9 here on THE Robby Row Show Baseball Podcast we’ll be discussing ‘OFF-SEASON THROWING’ thru the lens of my personal experiences having played professionally since 18 years of age as well as having gone thru some injuries which requires a bit more attention towards how you go about your throwing program in the off-season.

I want to be clear in the simple understanding that every single ball player that i've ever played with/worked with/met has all been uniquely different from one another.. There's never really a singular absolute in this game when it comes to how you should go about your work. The goal is to be super intentional and mindful with understanding what your body AND mind need to be able to perform at the highest level possible. 
 
So with that being said - Here’s some insights that maybe will help you better understand everything that goes into off season throwing as well as how to better prepare you for your journey in this game. That’s the foundation my dudes! Here to help! Speaking of, don’t hesitate to reach out to me via my question platform 

Watch This Episode on YouTube 🎥


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Thanks for listening + God Bless 🖖