Today Matters Podcast With Steve Pinkston

Every team has an emotional temperature—and every athlete has a choice: react to it or help set it. In this episode of Today Matters, Coach Steve Pinkston explains the difference between being a thermometer and being a thermostat. Athletes, coaches, and sport parents will learn why leadership isn't just about responding when things are going well. It's about intentionally bringing the attitude, effort, and energy the situation needs—especially when practices get hard, mistakes pile up, or momentum turns against you.

Today’s Action Step: 

Sometime in the next 24 hours, walk into one environment—practice, school, work, or home—and before you enter, ask yourself:

"What does this room need from me?"

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

Talent can help you make plays, score points, and win matchups—but your energy can influence everyone around you. In this episode of Today Matters, Coach Steve Pinkston challenges athletes, coaches, and sport parents to think beyond individual performance and recognize the impact their attitude, body language, and presence have on a team. You’ll learn why positive energy is a competitive advantage, how negativity spreads faster than we realize, and why becoming an energy-giver may be one of the most valuable roles you can play.

Today’s Action Step: 

For the next 24 hours, every time you enter a room—practice, class, work, your house, anywhere—ask yourself one question:

"Am I adding energy or taking energy?"

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

It's easy to be grateful after the victory—but what about while you're still waiting for it? In this faith-centered episode of Today Matters, Coach Steve Pinkston explores the biblical principle of giving thanks in every circumstance. Through the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, athletes, coaches, and parents will discover that gratitude isn't dependent on having enough, winning, or getting the outcome we wanted. Gratitude begins when we recognize what God has already placed in our hands—even when it doesn't look like enough.

Today’s Action Step: 

Ask yourself:

Am I so focused on what I'm waiting for that I'm missing what God has already given me?

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

Take three minutes to slow down, breathe, and recognize what's good in your life. In this guided mental imagery session, Coach Steve Pinkston leads athletes, coaches, and parents through a simple gratitude reset designed to shift attention away from pressure, frustration, and what's missing toward the people, opportunities, and experiences that matter most. No performance goals. No fixing anything. Just breathing, visualizing, and appreciating. Use this session before practice, before bed, after a difficult day, or anytime you need to reset your perspective and return to the present moment.

Today’s Action Step: 

Practice Gratitude through this 3 minute Mental Imagery

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

Success can test your character just as much as failure. In this episode of Today Matters, Coach Steve Pinkston uses a powerful John Wooden principle to explore the relationship between talent, gratitude, humility, and ego. Athletes, coaches, and parents will learn why achievement should increase appreciation rather than entitlement. Talent may open doors and hard work may produce results, but mentally strong performers remember the people, opportunities, and gifts that helped them succeed. The goal isn't simply to become successful—it's to remain grounded when success arrives.

Today’s Action Step: 

Sometime today say:

“I'm grateful I've been given this ability. How can I use it well?”

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

Nobody succeeds alone. Behind nearly every great athletic achievement are teammates, coaches, parents, teachers, trainers, and others who helped make the moment possible. In this episode of Today Matters, Coach Steve Pinkston uses Abby Wambach’s powerful observation about never scoring without receiving a pass to explore gratitude and teamwork. Athletes, coaches, and parents will learn why recognizing the people behind our accomplishments doesn't diminish individual success—it makes us better teammates, stronger leaders, and more grateful people.

Today’s Action Step: 

Think of one person who made a pass that helped you score in life.

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

What if gratitude isn't about having everything go your way, but recognizing what you still have when it doesn't? In this episode of Today Matters, Coach Steve Pinkston uses the unforgettable example of baseball legend Lou Gehrig to explore the power of perspective. Athletes, coaches, and parents will learn why gratitude doesn't eliminate adversity—it changes how we see it. When circumstances get difficult, mentally strong people don't ignore what's wrong. They refuse to let what's wrong blind them to everything that's still right.

Today’s Action Step: 

Before you go to bed tonight, identify one thing in your life you've started taking for granted.

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

Today’s Action Step: 

Finish this sentence:

“Because that happened, I now know I need to get better at ______.”

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

Distractions are inevitable. Following them is a choice. In this episode of Today Matters, Coach Steve Pinkston explores the connection between awareness, discipline, and athletic focus. Athletes will learn why noticing a distraction isn’t failure—it’s the first step toward regaining control of their attention. Through a relatable competition example, Coach Steve explains how high performers recognize when their mind has drifted and deliberately bring it back to the next important task. A practical lesson for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone trying to perform with greater focus and discipline.

Today’s Action Step: 

Every time you notice yourself distracted today, quietly say:

“Noticed it. Back to now.”

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?

Episode 365 is more than another episode of Today Matters—it’s a chance to look back, say thank you, and recognize what a year of showing up can become. Coach Steve Pinkston reflects on the lessons learned through 365 episodes and expresses gratitude to his wife Silvia, Karen, mentors Brian Cain, Justin Sua, and DJ Hillier, and most importantly, every listener who chose to grow alongside him. The lesson is simple: progress happens one day, one choice, and one small step at a time—because Today Matters.

Today’s Action Step: 

Before tomorrow, reach out to one person who has helped you become who you are.

Simply say:  "Thank you. You made a difference in my life."

About Today Matters

Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston

Stay Connected

Enjoying the Show?