The Mindset U Playbook

Curtis Pelletier
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The Mindset U Playbook isn’t just about baseball; it’s about building a complete athlete and a complete person. Every episode dives into the habits, mental tools, and daily decisions that separate good players from great ones, and great players from great human beings. Here, we explore the things that rarely make the highlight reel: discipline, mindset, leadership, recovery, focus, confidence, and the character it takes to thrive when the game ends and real life begins. You’ll hear stories from athletes, coaches, and high performers who’ve learned that success isn’t built on talent alone; it’s built in the quiet hours, in the routines nobody sees, and in the way you handle the challenges life throws your way. Whether you’re a youth athlete, a parent, a coach, or simply someone chasing your next level, The MindsetU Playbook gives you the game plan to win on the field and in life. Because what happens off the field shapes everything on it.

  1. JAN 29

    # 80 - Why I Work in the Dark - EQOS

    Keywords awareness, capacity, emotional intelligence, coaching, personal growth, chaos, order, blame, performance psychology, suffering Summary In this episode, Curtis Pelletier breaks down why awareness without capacity leads to collapse. He challenges the habit of seeking validation instead of building structure and explains how emotional intelligence functions as an internal operating system, not a personality trait. The discussion moves through chaos and order, blame versus responsibility, and the real role of a coach in developing capability. Suffering is framed as a teacher, not an enemy, and structure is positioned as the bridge between insight and resilience. Takeaways Awareness without capacity creates failure, not progress. Blame is avoidance dressed up as explanation. Balance is an ongoing correction, not a middle ground. A real coach builds independence, not dependence. Emotional intelligence governs behaviour under pressure. Structure prevents collapse when stress rises. Suffering refines character when it is faced directly. Chaos grows when responsibility is outsourced. Order creates freedom when applied properly. Growth is the repeated alignment of awareness and capacity. Titles Why I Work in the Dark The Price of Needing Approval Sound Bites “Why I work in the dark.” “A real coach makes you more capable.” “EQ is the ability to hold reality without breaking.” Chapters 00:00 Why I Work in the Dark 02:03 The Price of Needing Approval 05:07 Awareness vs Capacity 07:09 Emotional Intelligence as an Operating System 09:04 Why Blame Creates Chaos 10:55 When Opinions Replace Responsibility 15:01 Balancing Chaos and Order 19:47 What a Coach Is Actually For 25:31 Applied Performance Psychology 28:40 Baseball as a Life Model 33:45 Suffering and Meaning 37:06 What Emotional Intelligence Really Is This version hits harder, reads cleaner, and actually matches what you’re saying instead of sounding like a therapy brochure.

    50 min

  2. JAN 17

    # 79 - Tanner Swanson - New York Yankees Director of Catching / Major League Field Coordinator

    In this episode of the Mindset U Playbook, Curtis Pelletier reconnects with Tanner Swanson, the director of catching for the New York Yankees. They discuss Tanner's journey through coaching, starting from his time at the University of Washington to his current role with the Yankees. Tanner shares insights on the evolution of catching techniques, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new data and analytics in player development. He reflects on the challenges of introducing innovative catching styles, particularly the knee-down stance, and how it has transformed the way catchers approach their roles in the game. Tanner also highlights the significance of mental skills in coaching, focusing on building trust and maintaining a consistent mindset among players. Keywords Tanner Swanson, New York Yankees, catching techniques, player development, analytics in baseball, mindset coaching, knee-down stance, baseball coaching, catcher training, mental skills Takeaways "You continue to want to push and sharpen your craft.""I kind of wake up every day with this panic that we're missing something.""The act of doing and being available and saying yes to things before you maybe feel ready was a really positive thing for my journey.""It's hard to be stagnant in this industry; the expectations are so high.""You want to feel the ground; we're anchored to the ground.""It's about influencing, not necessarily selling concepts to players.""You have to know the player and how they respond to feedback.""The quality of hitter that we're seeing at the position right now is much different than it was five, seven, ten years ago.""You have to get that piece; you just lose credibility with the people you're trying to impact.""Focus on improving yourself rather than comparing to others."Titles Revolutionizing Catching: Insights from Tanner SwansonThe Evolution of Catching Techniques with Tanner SwansonSound Bites "It's hard to be stagnant in this industry.""I wake up every day with this panic.""I don't have many non-negotiables."Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Reconnection 01:39 The Journey to the Yankees 06:34 Innovative Catching Techniques 10:19 Understanding Pitch Framing 16:44 Implementing New Techniques in Real Time 20:52 Shifting Scouting Philosophies 24:12 The Impact of the Challenge System 25:32 Understanding Umpires and Their Impact 27:04 The Mental Game: Coaching Mindsets 29:23 Building Relationships with Young Players 31:44 Adapting Techniques for Individual Players 34:04 Non-Negotiables in Catching Development 38:06 Advice for Aspiring Coaches 40:09 The Importance of Influence in Coaching

    51 min

  3. JAN 17

    # 78 - Raegyn Hall - Vancouver Whitecaps

    In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Raegyn Hall, the head of goalkeeping for the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy. They discuss Raegyn's journey from player to coach, the importance of building a supportive culture among goalkeepers, and the methodologies used in training young talent. Raegyn emphasizes the significance of mental resilience, consistency, and the evolving nature of goalkeeping in modern soccer. The conversation also touches on the use of data analytics in coaching and the importance of recovery and physical management for goalkeepers. Sound Bites "We want to produce first team players.""You need to trust the process.""I smash balls for a living." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Raegyn Hall and His Journey 02:49 Raegyn's Coaching Philosophy and Experience 05:24 The Whitecaps Academy Structure and Culture 08:24 Goalkeeping Culture and Support Systems 11:11 Recruitment and Development in the Academy 13:56 Pathways for Young Players and Future Opportunities 16:47 Opportunities and Pathways for Young Goalkeepers 18:54 The Importance of Consistency in Goalkeeping 23:23 Building Trust and Resilience in Young Athletes 27:03 The Role of Mental Anchors in Performance 30:46 Adapting Training for Modern Goalkeeping 38:36 Continuous Learning and Evolving Coaching Methods 43:28 The Importance of Planning and Coordination in Coaching 49:41 Quantifying Success in Goalkeeping Training 55:40 Managing Physical Load and Recovery for Goalkeepers

    1h 4m

  4. JAN 11

    # 77 - Chris Begg - OTU Baseball | SF Giants | Canadian National Team

    In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Chris begs, a former professional baseball player and current coach, discuss his journey from independent baseball to the SF Giants the national team and his transition into coaching. They explore the importance of mental performance, the launch of OTU and Oppotaco, a comprehensive baseball program, and the significance of grassroots development in the sport. Chris shares insights on dealing with failure, emotional management, and the role of parents and coaches in player development. Takeaways Coaching is more stressful than playing.Enjoying the moment can alleviate pressure.You can only control what you can control.Mental performance is crucial for success.Grassroots development is essential for baseball growth.Involvement of parents can enhance player accountability.Quality production can elevate educational content.Understanding the game is vital for young players.Failure is a part of baseball; managing it is key.Open-mindedness is necessary for learning and growth.Titles From Player to Coach: Chris's Baseball JourneyThe Mental Game: Insights from ChrisSound Bites "I was just having fun.""It was a game changer for me.""I had nothing to lose."Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:37 Journey Through Independent Baseball 05:30 Joining the National Team and Olympic Aspirations 08:13 Transitioning from Player to Coach 11:05 The Launch of Alpo Taco 13:37 Target Audience and Program Focus 16:32 Involvement of Parents and Coaches 19:08 Production Quality and Future Plans 22:23 Grassroots Development in Baseball 25:11 Mental Skills and Performance 27:58 Dealing with Failure and Emotional Management 30:39 Final Thoughts and Advice

    50 min

  5. JAN 8

    # 76 - Jill Payne - Culture & Leadership Coach

    In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Jill Payne discuss the importance of energy management, self-awareness, and emotional regulation in both personal and professional contexts. Jill shares her journey as a leadership and culture coach, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's energy levels and how they affect mood and performance. They explore the challenges of parenting, the concept of burnout, and the necessity of self-regard in achieving personal goals. The discussion highlights practical tools for managing energy and emotions, fostering a supportive environment in teams, and the importance of dialogue in parenting and coaching. www.jillpayne.ca Takeaways You're in control of how you feel.Burnout is just a lack of capacity.Self-awareness is the first step to change.You can feel better within hours using tools.The issues we face look different with varying energy levels.Creating check-in points can help manage energy.Self-regard is crucial for performance.Parenting requires emotional regulation and self-compassion.Team dynamics can impact individual performance.You can shift your energy quickly with awareness.Titles Mastering Energy Management for LeadershipThe Power of Self-Regulation in ParentingSound Bites "You can create check-in points.""You're in control of how you feel.""You can feel better within hours."Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Culture Coaching 02:58 The Journey of Energy Management 05:46 Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation 08:37 The Impact of External Validation 11:39 Burnout and Capacity 14:31 Unbecoming and Self-Regard 17:21 Creating a Supportive Environment 20:15 The Evolution of Coaching Methods 25:52 Empowering Self-Support in Team Dynamics 28:37 Navigating Team Dynamics and Corporate Culture 29:16 The Challenges of Parenting and Self-Regulation 37:40 Building Capacity and Emotional Regulation 46:23 The Power of Choice in Emotional Well-Being

    50 min

  6. JAN 4

    # 75 - Coach Curtis - You HAVE to listen to this before any new goals are created

    This is the first solo episode of 2026. And it’s not a hype talk. If you’re setting goals right now or you’ve already started making changes this episode is meant to catch you before motivation fades. Because most people don’t fail at change due to laziness or lack of discipline. They fail because they misunderstand how change actually works. In this episode, we go deep into the psychology, behavior, and identity behind real transformation. We talk about why you don’t add your way to change. You unbecome your way there. Why repairing energy leaks matters more than stacking habits. Why fixing your nervous system matters more than forcing discipline. Why silence and space are the parts people skip and why that’s where growth actually stabilizes. We break down survival mode and why so many high-functioning people work their entire lives just to stay alive, never learning how to actually live. We unpack the lie that growth must always be painful and walk through the four pillars of real change physical emotional mental spiritual and why focusing on only one, especially the physical, leads to burnout, relapse, or identity collapse. You’ll hear a real example of a common goal like “less screen time” and why vague goals fail how to set realistic paths instead of fantasy expectations and how habits like scrolling are rarely about discipline and almost always about what we’re avoiding or chasing. This episode is about peace. About space. About learning how to sit without urgency. About knowing who you are without achievement, performance, or noise. It’s not about quitting ambition. It’s about removing the chaos that keeps ambition hollow. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly chasing the next version of yourself if stillness makes you uncomfortable if success hasn’t brought the calm you expected this episode will land. This isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about shedding who you no longer are and learning how to live from choice instead of survival.

    25 min

  7. 12/27/2025

    # 74 - Last Episode of 2025 - UNBECOMING Curtis Pelletier

    This is the final episode of 2025. After more than 70 episodes, countless conversations, and a year of deep listening, one truth kept surfacing over and over again: most people don’t need more motivation, more goals, or more pressure. They need clarity. They need regulation. They need to stop running. In this solo episode, I slow everything down. We talk about why your goals won’t stick unless your nervous system is regulated. Why a new year won’t magically fix habits you can’t maintain right now. Why open loops drain your energy and why closure doesn’t have to be comfortable or pretty to be effective. Why so many people are exhausted not from work, but from unresolved thoughts, emotions, and decisions. We dig into the myth that suffering equals success, especially for men. The lie that pain is required to be disciplined. Why the gym helps but doesn’t cure depression. Why alcohol numbs trauma instead of healing it. And why awareness and EQ are the real foundation for change. This episode is about unbecoming. Unbecoming what you learned to survive. Unbecoming identities built on pressure and performance. Unbecoming habits that numb instead of heal. It’s a call to close loops, face what you’ve been avoiding, regulate before you chase, and enter 2026 from a grounded place instead of another cycle of force. This isn’t hype. It’s not a resolution speech. It’s a reset. If you’re ready to stop running and actually change how you live, this one is for you.

    19 min

  8. 12/21/2025

    # 73 - JM Kelly - Dodge City CC Head Coach

    In this engaging conversation, Curtis Pelletier speaks with JM Kelly, head coach of Dodge City Community College, about various aspects of baseball coaching, including summer ball experiences, recruiting challenges, and the importance of mental performance. They discuss the unique structure of the Northwoods League, the transition of coaching roles, and the significance of building a quality coaching staff. The conversation also delves into the potential of Canadian players, the role of data in coaching, and the techniques used in training catchers. Overall, the discussion highlights the complexities and rewards of coaching at the junior college level. Timestamp 2023-10-03T00:00:00Z Titles From Ice Fishing to Coaching: A Baseball JourneyNavigating the Challenges of Summer BallSound Bites "Living the dream, trying to stay warm.""We lost a really good hitter last year.""The game has become a lot about data."Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Ice Fishing Plans 02:52 Summer Ball Coaching Experience 05:26 Northwoods League Insights 08:22 Recruiting Challenges and Strategies 11:17 Pitching Coach Transition 14:00 Building a Quality Coaching Staff 17:03 Recruiting in the Portal Era 19:58 Identifying Talent in Canadian Players 22:37 Mental Performance in Baseball 25:31 Catching Techniques and Training 28:18 The Importance of Data in Coaching 31:16 Final Thoughts on Junior College Baseball

    59 min
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About

The Mindset U Playbook isn’t just about baseball; it’s about building a complete athlete and a complete person. Every episode dives into the habits, mental tools, and daily decisions that separate good players from great ones, and great players from great human beings. Here, we explore the things that rarely make the highlight reel: discipline, mindset, leadership, recovery, focus, confidence, and the character it takes to thrive when the game ends and real life begins. You’ll hear stories from athletes, coaches, and high performers who’ve learned that success isn’t built on talent alone; it’s built in the quiet hours, in the routines nobody sees, and in the way you handle the challenges life throws your way. Whether you’re a youth athlete, a parent, a coach, or simply someone chasing your next level, The MindsetU Playbook gives you the game plan to win on the field and in life. Because what happens off the field shapes everything on it.

Information

  • Creator
    Curtis Pelletier
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Mindset U Playbook
  • Show Website
    The Mindset U Playbook