Jose Trevino may be new to the MLB level, but he approaches the game like a seasoned veteran. As a converted catcher in the minor leagues, he was quickly confronted with a major task when he was told his new position would be behind home plate. Still, though, his ability to adjust has aided him in his pursuit of becoming a MLB catcher. In today's episode with Jose, we discuss:

*Why the mental game is so important (3:10)

*What's important to keep in mind as a leader (5:02)

*His melting point that helped shape him (10:06)

*Playing baseball for his father and coach (13:04)

*Internal vs. external motivation (15:15)

*The biggest lesson he learned as a minor leaguer (17:57)

*The biggest thing he's learned at the MLB level (20:03)

*The message he'd share with prospects (27:49)

*Things he does to bring himself to the moment (30:31)

In listening to this episode, you'll notice the detailed tactics Trevino uses to prepare himself mentally. This level of dedication allows Trevino to focus on the moment and clear his mind of distractions as he continues his pursuit of greatness at the major league level. 

MLB Bench Coach, Don Wakamatsu's career in baseball spans nearly four decades across 15 MLB organizations. You may ask yourself how a guy sticks around that long, and if you ask Wak, he'll tell you it's all about getting back up when you get knocked down.  In today's podcast, we discuss:

*Having a thirst to grow, even when you have 30+ years of experience (4:36)

*Self-evaluation (7:15)

*Advice to young coaches (8:55)

*The mindset of a World Series team (12:15)

*The blend of analytics and trust (19:39)

*One pearl of wisdom (28:52)

There were plenty of instances in his career where he could have stayed down, but the drive to "attack it again" drove Wak to push on in the game of baseball.  This episode gives us insight into Wak's personal and professional experiences that have made him the coach he is today. Additionally, his advice to young coaches is crucial to those who seek to understand the performer and help in the most impactful ways possible. We learn from Wak that the coach must prepare themselves to be more than a coach, and instead a parental-figure, brother, or teammate. To watch today's episode, please click the following link: https://vimeo.com/363051629

Todd Frazier is a seasoned big leaguer with 10+ years of experience in professional baseball. During these challenging times, however, Todd uses his positive demeanor to value the opportunity he has to spend time with his family as the world faces a challenging pandemic. While others are worried about the implications of a delayed season, Todd remains positive and reflects on this time he has to spend with his family. In today's episode with Todd, we discuss:

*What he's doing to stay busy during these challenging times (2:19)

*His realization of the pandemic (4:52)

*His biggest stress relievers while at home (8:19)

*Words of encouragement (15:40)

Even with the baseball season at a stand-still, guys like Todd serve as a reminder to value the time we have with our families as we await the end of COVID-19. Anyone who listens to this episode can take a page out of his book and remind themselves of the valuable time they have to reflect and appreciate the opportunity they have today.

High performers often credit their support system for their successful experiences.  Today's guest, Callix Crabbe, may have grown up with humble means, but he, like others, details how a supportive family system helped him to achieve the goal of becoming a Major League Baseball player. Throughout this episode, we discuss how coaching is much more than teaching fundamentals; it's the practice of seeking to understand the individual and customize the message. 

Talking points in this episode include:

*How to customize the craft of coaching (6:45)

*Seeking to understand what's in the athlete's heart (e.g., what motivates them) (7:38)

*Adapting to learning styles of individuals (9:11)

Even though Crabbe has only been coaching in MLB for a short time, he explains to us how he originally started coaching at a very young age growing up in Saint Thomas. His coaching style and dedication to bettering himself teaches us that even though baseball is somewhat of a simple game, there are many previous experiences one can draw from when addressing new challenges. To watch today's episode, please click the following link: https://vimeo.com/352618545

With nearly 20-years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach in MLB, Jose Vazquez has seen the game change considerably.  New technology, information, and outside influences are proof of how rapid this change has been over the years.  In today's discussion with Jose, we highlight:

*How high performers recover from failure (3:00)

*The mind-body connection in strength and conditioning (4:06)

*Crafting the message for the individual (6:17)

*Connecting with others on a personal level (9:07)

*Advice for coaches (11:27)

*What excites him in sports now (16:06)

*Educating people within to strengthen an organization (23:56)

Throughout this discussion, Jose draws upon years of experience, not only in strength and conditioning, but coaching as well.  His advice for new coaches regarding message delivery, learning styles, and personal connections teaches us how to remain even keeled in an ever-changing industry.  To watch today's episode, please click the following link: https://vimeo.com/359611888

Much of what breeds success at the professional level is defined by what one does in the offseason.  Today we have a conversation with Willie Calhoun about:

*His offseason transformation (2:14)

*The lessons he learned about self-care (3:08)

*How he gets back on track when things are tough (9:05)

We also learn how Willie's father, as well as CC Sabathia and Barry Bonds inspired him to become the player he is today.  Finally, we close with some crucial advice about how one can remain on track in pursuit of their goals.  To watch today's episode, please click the following link: 

In today's interview, we talk with Jesse Chavez about what's made him the man he is today.  We discuss:

*His upbringing (5:30)

*His ability to communicate with others (12:50)

*Where his drive comes from (17:00)

*How he manages himself when times are tough (23:35) 

Jesse's transparency regarding his development and major influences in his life, like Bartolo Colon, paint a picture of how a MLB pitcher can learn from others and take ownership of the moment when it comes to competing at the major league level.  He details his preparation and what he believes to be the most important trait of a championship clubhouse, which is something anyone can apply to their own pursuits.  To watch today's episode, please click the link below: https://vimeo.com/359643844

As an international signee, Julio Rangel had to learn rather quickly that he was going to have to fend for himself.  Thankfully, the hardworking traits displayed by his parents fueled his desire to be successful and coach at baseball's highest level.  Being the son of educators instilled a work ethic in Julio that drove him to become the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers.  In today's conversation with Julio, we highlight:

*His professional experiences in and out of baseball (1:12)

*How caring for others inspires his passion to coach (8:00)

*The value of athlete intelligence (12:23)

*How to coach players from diverse cultures (15:00)

Julio's path to coaching in MLB took many turns throughout his career.  One thing that never changed, however, was his drive to prove to others that he had what it took to succeed.  Julio's upbringing in Panama, as well as his development as a player, helped him grow into the coach he is today.  To watch today's episode, please click the following link:

https://vimeo.com/362916880

When asked about his demeanor, Shawn Kelley tells us that even though he considers himself to be laid-back, he flips a switch when it comes to competition.  The laid-back, calm man becomes relentless when facing the opposition on the field.  Tenacity like this comes from experience, and Shawn is no stranger to learning from others, as much of his competitive nature derives from watching his father work relentlessly to ensure his family was taken care of. 

In today's episode, we sit down with Shawn and discuss:

*What has remained constant over his 10+ years in professional baseball (5:33)

*What has made him a better version of himself (7:50)

*One pearl of advice he'd give to those who seek a career in MLB (10:13)

Shawn's interview paints the picture of a man who's remained steadfast in his dedication to his craft and betterment as a competitor. He explains the humbling nature of injuries and the tenacity it takes to remain positive and thankful even when injuries can question one's future. To watch this interview, please click the following link: https://vimeo.com/351835970