The Mental Mettle Podcast

Matt Thomann
  • 5.0 (12)
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Helping coaches forge mental toughness in student-athletes

  1. 5D AGO

    Ep. 148: Reborn in the Ring: Gabi Jacobs on Walking Away, Coming Back, and Trusting the Process

    Team USA discus thrower Gabi Jacobs didn’t start track dreaming of the Olympics. She joined in 7th grade just to hang out with friends, then quietly became a three-time All-American and three-time SEC champion at Mizzou. After a heartbreaking Olympic Trials in 2021 and the pressure of juggling demanding jobs with elite training, she walked away from the sport completely—fully believing she was done. In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Gabi and I dig into how she went from that “I’m done” moment to a full-on comeback, and why her reasons for competing now are totally different than they were before. She talks about growing up a multi-sport athlete at Normal U-High in Bloomington-Normal, thinking more about volleyball than track in college, and how Mizzou’s coaches taught her to dream big while obsessing over the daily details. Gabi explains how she used SMART goals, training journals, and small, tangible wins to build a high-performance mindset, and then what happens when that mindset collides with burnout. She takes us inside the 2021 Olympic Trials—making the final, fouling out, and the mental crash that followed. From there, she made a deliberate choice: rather than do the sport halfway, she chose to quit and focus on her career. Two years away from throwing changed everything. Watching SECs, USAs, and then Worlds in Budapest lit a fire she didn’t expect, especially seeing women she used to compete against on the world stage. A simple conversation with her dad, a longtime high school track and cross-country coach, gave her the framework for coming back: start again, and if it brings you joy, keep going. If it doesn’t, it’s okay to stop. Now training again in Columbia, Missouri with Coach Dane Miller of Garage Strength, Gabi is rebuilding as a Team USA discus thrower with a very different internal compass. She’s structuring her life around training and part-time work, coming back from a knee injury, and using the same process mindset to navigate recovery and the long season ahead. The focus is no longer on sponsorships or status, but on seeing how good she can become and enjoying the grind along the way. Gabi also holds a master’s in Positive Coaching, so when she talks about goal setting, small wins, burnout, and joy, she’s drawing from both lived experience and positive psychology. If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach wrestling with pressure, expectations, or burnout, this conversation will give you a real, practical look at what it means to step away, come back, and truly trust the process. If you found this helpful, hit subscribe for more conversations on mental performance, resilience, and mindset from athletes across all sports. To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation: americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching: Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook: www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact: matt@mentalmettlecoach.com for a free coaching session with Coach Thomann www.mentalmettlecoach.com mentalmettle | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

    1h 7m

  2. MAR 23

    Ep. 147: Fear vs. Faith with Dr. Dave Jones: Beating Toxic Motivators with True Mental Toughness

    Former pro hockey player, Air Force veteran, and sport & performance psychologist Dr. Dave Jones joins The Mental Mettle Podcast to unpack the battle between fear and faith—and how “toxic motivators” quietly drive so many athletes and high performers off course. Dr. Dave shares how a brutal slap shot to the face ended his early hockey career, led him into the Air Force, and unexpectedly opened the door to playing pro hockey in Germany while serving as an F‑16 crew chief. That season of pain, identity loss, and rerouting became the foundation for his faith, his work in performance psychology, and his work as founder of the Christian marketing agency MisGood Marketing (misgood.com). A lot of what we talk about in this episode flows directly into his upcoming book, Plan to Win, which you can learn more about on his site. In this episode, we dig into: The four toxic motivators: fear, lust, anger, and pride Why fear-based and anger-based “mental toughness” can work in the short term but destroy you in the long run The difference between identity and role (you’re more than your sport, job, or scoreboard) How faith, vision, and humility create a healthier, more sustainable form of toughness High vs. low emotional intelligence in sport: calm, confident, team-first vs. reactive, revenge-driven, and self-focused Practical ways to start shifting from fear to faith, including gratitude, “fruit‑checking,” and choosing the right people around you How Plan to Win helps you identify which toxic motivators you struggle with most and walk through devo-style steps to replace them with faith-driven motivation To learn more about Dr. Dave’s work, his Christian marketing agency, and his book Plan to Win, visit https://misgood.com. If you’ve ever felt driven, successful, and yet strangely empty—or if you’re tired of being powered by fear, anger, or pride—this conversation will show you a different way to be mentally tough, rooted in faith instead of toxicity, and point you toward tools to keep doing that work long after the episode ends.For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook. www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact:  matt@mentalmettlecoach.com www.mentalmettlecoach.com Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Links

    1h 5m

  3. MAR 16

    Ep. 146: Pedaling with a Purpose with USA Track Cyclist McKenna McKee

    McKenna McKee is a 16-time National Champion in sprint cycling, she is an Olympic hopeful for Team USA, and she is also in school to become a nurse.  She is an impressive young woman and her accomplishments are notable.  What makes it even more impressive is that she was diagnosed with diabetes at age 6. Or does it?   Does the diagnosis make it harder for her to be an elite athlete or did it actually help?   Because of the diagnosis, she learned to eat right and fuel her body at a time in her life when most of her classmates at whatever and whenever.  It also taught here that focusing on excuses does translate to results.  With the right attitude, she was able to take something that happened TO her and turn it into something that happened FOR her.    You and your athlete may not be facing a chronic health issue, but you are likely facing some sort of scenario that could be seen as a disadvantage.   Forging Mettle is about not only facing that disadvantage, but also turning it around.  McKenna has done that and is on her way to being an Olympian for the United States of America.    Along the way, she has become an advocate for athletes competing with diabetes.  As a member of Team Novo Nordisk, she races to inspire, educate, and empower athletes who face the same struggles.  Check out the episode to learn more about her journey and purpose.        If you found this helpful, hit subscribe for more conversations on mental performance, resilience, and mindset from athletes across all sports To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation at americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook. www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact:  matt@mentalmettlecoach.com www.mentalmettlecoach.com Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Links

    1h 1m

  4. MAR 9

    Ep. 145 The Resilient Parents Playbook

    👉 Get the free playbook here:  resilientparentsplaybook.com Resilient Parents Playbook: 5 Mistakes Killing Your Athlete’s Confidence (and What to Do Instead) In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann pulls back the curtain on the real mental performance coach in every young athlete’s life: their parents. Drawing on hundreds of hours working with athletes, coaches, and his own journey through cancer, stroke, and anxiety, Matt breaks down how well‑meaning parents can unintentionally undermine their kid’s confidence, resilience, and love of the game—and how to turn that around. You’ll learn: 🧠 Why the car ride home and dinner table talk shape your athlete’s inner voice more than any practice or pep talk. 🏆 The 3 essential skill sets every athlete needs (physical, game, and mental)—and why we usually neglect the mental. ❌ The 5 most common parent mistakes: Praising results instead of effort and attitude Using negative motivation (“toughen up”) Teaching kids to fight/ignore stress instead of manage it Turning the car ride home into a negative performance review Trying to be both parent and coach ✅ And practical replacements you can start using today: How to praise controllables (effort, attitude, communication) How to build “positive toughness” instead of shame-based toughness Simple tools to help kids manage nerves and anxiety The “Three Good Things” car-ride ritual that rewires their brain for confidence How to run a “reset conversation” if you feel like you’ve been getting it wrong for years This is not a parent-blaming episode—it’s a parent-empowering one. You’ll walk away with a clear framework for becoming the kind of mental performance influence your athlete desperately needs at home. FREE RESOURCE – RESILIENT PARENTS PLAYBOOK Want these concepts broken down into simple, bite-sized steps? Grab Matt’s FREE email course, “The Resilient Parents Playbook,” and get: Daily, practical prompts you can use with your athlete Scripts for car rides and post-game talks Tools to help your kid manage stress, pressure, and mistakes 👉 Get the free playbook here:  resilientparentsplaybook.com

    1h 15m

  5. MAR 2

    Ep. 144: Persistence Over Prodigy with Team USA Climber Ben Hanna

    In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Team USA climber Ben Hanna, one of the grittiest and most consistent competitors in American climbing. Ben was never the “young phenom” who won everything. He never won Youth Nationals, watched peers win titles and World Cups, and almost quit multiple times. Instead, he built a world‑class career on longevity, stubborn persistence, and a refusal to walk away. We dig into: How Ben went from “I’m not that good at this” to becoming:The 24th American to climb 5.15The 86th person in the world to climb V16A fixture in almost every US national final from 2019–2025What competition bouldering really demands mentally:Isolation, unknown problems, and 4–5 minutes to figure everything outWalking out to Boulder 1, getting zero points, and hearing the crowd go wild for everyone elseWhy Boulder #4 is where true mental toughness shows up“Persistence over prodigy”:Why not winning as a kid kept him hungryHow he handled watching peers succeed fasterThe near‑retirement moment just weeks before winning Team TrialsThe courage to say goals out loud:Why Ben is finally vocal about wanting to contend for the OlympicsHow expectations can both sharpen you and crush youAdapting your mindset each season as you go from underdog to “the one to beat”Training, sacrifice, and picking one path:Quitting climbing for months to focus on deadlifts, bench, and finger strengthPouring all his “training water” into one cup and trusting it for a full yearWhy success is less about the perfect plan and more about trying your face offMental health, ADHD, and using sport as medicine:Realizing he’s been self‑medicating anxiety and depression with the gymADHD, dyslexia, and why traditional school was brutalLearning to design life and routines around his brain instead of against itIf you’re an athlete who has never been the prodigy, or a coach/parent trying to help someone navigate pressure, frustration, and long-term development, this conversation is for you. Ben’s story is proof that: You don’t have to peak early to reach the top.Losing can be the best kind of fuel.The real edge is mental mettle—the ability to keep showing up long after the talent stories fade.If you found this helpful, hit subscribe for more conversations on mental performance, resilience, and mindset from athletes across all sports To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation at americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook. www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact:  matt@mentalmettlecoach.com www.mentalmettlecoach.com Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Links

    1h 27m

  6. FEB 23

    Ep. 143. Skydiving into Sharks with Travis Thomas: Improv Tools for Athletes and Coaches

    Skydiving with Sharks with Travis Thomas: Improv Tools for Athletes and Coaches In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with performance coach, keynote speaker, and author Travis Thomas to unpack how improv isn’t just for comedians—it’s a powerful mental performance tool for athletes, coaches, and high performers. Travis shares his journey from being a self-described “mediocre D3 soccer player” to working with elite organizations like U.S. Soccer, the Yankees, Georgia Football, and more. The unlikely bridge? Improvisational comedy. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: How improv principles like “Yes, And” can transform your mindset in sport and lifeA simple improv game (“word toss”) you can use as a reset tool for anxiety, nerves, or overthinkingWhy performance only happens in the present moment—and how to actually get back therePractical ways to create your own “reset button” under pressureHow to use play and improv to build connection and trust on teamsWhy confidence is overrated and what to focus on instead (courage, commitment, and controllable behaviors)The difference between confidence and belief—and why that matters for athletesHow to shift from internal (me-focused) thinking to external (team-focused) thinking when you’re in a slumpThe improv mantra: “Make your partner look brilliant” and how it can change your team cultureWhether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or performer in any field, this episode is packed with practical mindset tools you can start using immediately. Connect with Travis Thomas: Website: https://www.liveyesand.com Book: Live Yes, And: What Improv Taught Me About Leadership, Teamwork, and the Meaning of Life Book: Confidence Is Overrated (add your purchase link here) If you found this helpful, hit subscribe, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share this episode with a coach or athlete who needs these tools. For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook. www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact:  matt@mentalmettlecoach.com www.mentalmettlecoach.com Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Links

    1h 28m

  7. FEB 16

    Ep 142: Zen & Grit: The Mental Game of Nordic Combined with USA Olympian Niklas Malacinski

    Olympian and U.S. Nordic Combined national champion Niklas Malacinski joins The Mental Mettle Podcast to break down the real mental side of elite performance. Nordic combined is already wild: ski jumping plus cross-country skiing in one event. But the psychology behind mastering two completely different disciplines? That’s next level. In this episode, we dive into: How Niklas uses meditation and detailed visualization (down to tying his boots and feeling the wind) to nail jumps where millimeters matter The difference between the “Zen” of ski jumping and the “grit” of cross-country racing—and how he switches mindsets between the two What it’s like being the top-ranked American for three straight years and competing with the best in the world When drive becomes toxic: his honest story of overtraining, isolation, and chasing results so hard it backfired How he rebuilt his mental game by going “psycho” about recovery, balance, and joy instead of just grind Using self-talk and affirmations to survive 20–27 minutes alone in your head during a 10k race Why sleep is the most underrated performance enhancer in sports The power of reframing nerves as excitement on the biggest stages, including his first Olympic Games Whether you’re a skier, a football or basketball player, a coach, or just someone obsessed with improvement, Niklas’s insights on mental training, balance, and sustainable high performance will resonate. Timestamps (approx): 0:00 – Intro to Niklas and Nordic Combined 5:30 – Peaking, age, and consistency vs. one-off performances 12:30 – Growing up in Steamboat Springs & discovering Nordic combined 15:30 – The psychology of ski jumping vs. cross-country skiing 19:30 – How Niklas actually visualizes: routines, senses, and slow-motion reps 23:30 – Fixing technical habits through mental reps 26:00 – Self-talk during 10k races & training his mind as hard as his body 29:00 – David Goggins, “weak mind” culture, and why his approach doesn’t fit elite sport 34:00 – When drive turns toxic: overtraining, isolation, and losing joy 40:00 – Rebuilding: balance, recovery, and redefining “psycho” dedication 42:00 – Sleep, rest, and why they’re non‑negotiable for peak performance 44:30 – Representing the U.S. at the Olympics & honoring his community 45:45 – Why you should start paying attention to Nordic combined If you found this helpful, hit subscribe for more conversations on mental performance, resilience, and mindset from athletes across all sports To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation at americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook. www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact:  matt@mentalmettlecoach.com www.mentalmettlecoach.com Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Links

    1h 3m

  8. FEB 9

    Ep 141: Shane Fisher USA Bobsled Pilot Part 2

    In Part 2 of my conversation with Team USA bobsled pilot Shane Fisher, we go deeper into the real cost of chasing an Olympic dream—and why mindset alone isn’t enough when the bills keep coming. Shane pulls back the curtain on the financial side of being an elite athlete for Team USA: How little funding most athletes actually receiveThe sacrifices and side jobs required just to stay in the gameThe emotional toll of training like a pro while living without pro-level supportWe also unpack the origin story of the American Paragons Foundation—the organization Shane founded to support underfunded Team USA athletes. He explains how American Paragons helps athletes by: Connecting them with employers who understand the demands of high-level trainingPartnering with media platforms and storytellers (like this podcast) to share their journeysMatching them with mentors who’ve navigated the same pathFinding lodging hosts who can relieve the burden of housing costs while they train and competeIf you’ve ever wondered what it truly takes—mentally, emotionally, and financially—to represent your country on the world stage, this episode will change how you see Olympic hopefuls. Tune in to Part 2 with Shane Fisher to learn how you can support America’s next generation of Olympians and become part of the solution. To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation at americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching Contact:  matt@mentalmettlecoach.com www.mentalmettlecoach.com Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Links

    1h 4m
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About

Helping coaches forge mental toughness in student-athletes

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Thomann
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Mental Mettle Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Mental Mettle Podcast