The Athletic School Podcast

The Athletic School
  • 4.9 (9)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

Win the mental battle before the comeback. The Athletic School is for athletes in transition — anyone rebuilding who they are beyond the game. Hosted by Igor Acorinte, a former competitive soccer player and Brazilian immigrant who rebuilt his life from nothing in the US, now applying that same mindset as a husband, dad, and Ironman-in-training. Every episode digs into the real mechanics of reconnection — pressure, self-doubt, identity, and the ownership it takes to move forward. Not motivation. The actual work underneath it. New episodes every other week.

  1. Jul 21

    #132 Locker Room Mindset — Winning the Mental Race, Losing the Clock

    I finished my Ironman disappointed. Coming back from injury, my fitness just wasn't where I wanted it to be — and no amount of mental toughness changes what your body is or isn't ready for. In this episode, I'm being fully honest about that disappointment, and about something I'm just as proud of: I stayed exactly where I needed to stay mentally, and I pushed correctly instead of just pushing hard. This one's about the gap between the result and the inner game — and why learning to hold both the pride and the disappointment at once might be the most important skill an athlete can build. Because there are two scoreboards out there, and only one of them shows up on the clock. If you've ever crossed a finish line feeling like you lost even though you technically finished — this episode is for you. 🥑 This episode is brought to you by California Avocados Direct — hand-picked, creamy avocados delivered straight to your door. A real superfood for athletes who care about performance and recovery, not just another empty snack. Use code THEATHLETICSCHOOL for 10% off.

    #132 Locker Room Mindset — Winning the Mental Race, Losing the Clock

  2. Jul 14

    #131 Mindset Lab: Mind Over Body: The Psychology Behind Peak Performance & Becoming Your Future Self

    What if your biggest limitation isn't your body—it's your mind? As I prepare for my Ironman 70.3, I explore the connection between mindset and performance, the science behind the placebo effect, and lessons from Deepak Chopra, Carol Dweck, and Joe Dispenza. We also discuss why lasting success starts by becoming the person you want to be before the results show up. If you're looking to improve your performance, build a stronger mindset, and unlock your potential, this episode is for you. If you care about performance, recovery, and fueling your body the right way, high-quality nutrition matters. California Avocados Direct ships fresh, farm-picked avocados straight to your door, perfect for athletes, busy professionals, and anyone focused on healthy living. Check them out at californiaavocadosdirect.com and start upgrading your nutrition today. Code: THEATHLETICSCHOOL

    #131 Mindset Lab: Mind Over Body: The Psychology Behind Peak Performance & Becoming Your Future Self

  3. Jun 8

    #130 Mindset Lab: The Identity Crisis Destroying Athletes (And How to Reconnect With Yourself)

    Pressure. Overthinking. Self-doubt. Feeling lost after bad performances. Most athletes think the problem is confidence. But what if the real problem is disconnection? In this episode, we dive into the hidden identity crisis many athletes face — how attaching your worth to performance creates pressure, anxiety, and mental burnout. Inspired by lessons from Aristotle’s Guide to Self-Persuasion, this conversation breaks down how your thoughts, habits, and internal story shape the athlete — and person — you become. We talk about: Why athletes overthink The danger of tying identity to performance How pressure is often interpreted Why one mistake is NOT your identity The power of self-awareness and ownership Practical tools to reconnect with yourself and compete freely again If you’ve ever felt mentally stuck, disconnected, or lost in your sport… this episode is for you. Big thanks to California Avocados Direct for sponsoring the show 🥑 Our listeners get 10% OFF their order by using the code:THEATHLETICSCHOOL Go support them and support your performance with high-quality fuel.

    #130 Mindset Lab: The Identity Crisis Destroying Athletes (And How to Reconnect With Yourself)

  4. Jun 1

    #129 Mindset Lab: Success isn’t hard until you resist it

    Most people think success is hard because of the work. But what if that’s not the real problem? In this episode, we break down a powerful mindset shift that changes how athletes and high performers experience discipline, sacrifice, and consistency. Inspired by an idea from Zig Ziglar, this conversation explores why success often feels heavier than it should — and what actually causes that resistance. We dive into athlete mindset, mental performance, and sports psychology to understand why two people can do the same work, but experience it completely differently. From training sessions to life transitions after sports, this episode challenges the way you relate to the process itself. If you’re an athlete, competitor, or someone building something bigger than yourself, this episode will force you to rethink how you approach the grind. This episode is brought to you by California Avocados Direct, the best fresh, creamy, handy avocado straight from a family farm in California. Use the code "THEATHLETICSCHOOL" for 10% off.

    #129 Mindset Lab: Success isn’t hard until you resist it

  5. May 27

    #128 Mindset Lab: Think Again: Why Smart People Stay Wrong

    Most people don’t struggle because they don’t think…they struggle because they don’t rethink.In this episode, I break down key ideas from Think Again by Adam Grant, including the four mindsets: preacher, prosecutor, politician, and scientist.If you’re an athlete—or someone who wants to keep growing—this will challenge how you see confidence, being right, and learning.At the end, I’ll give you one simple way to start thinking like a scientist in your daily life.This episode is brought to you by California Avocados Direct. If you want to take your performance to the next level, the little things matter. Check out their website and go for the best quality of avocados.

    #128 Mindset Lab: Think Again: Why Smart People Stay Wrong

  6. Apr 27

    #127 Mindset Lab: No Motivation to Train Anymore? This Is Why

    No motivation to train anymore? It’s not what you think. In this episode, I break down why former athletes (and even current ones) start losing discipline—even when they still care and still show up. We talk about intensity, environment, and the real reason your energy feels different now. If you’ve been feeling off, inconsistent, or just not as sharp… this will make sense. Stay until the end—I’ll give you one simple way to bring your edge back. Keep it simple. Bring the intensity back. This episode is brought to you by ⁠California Avocados Direct. ⁠Fresh, creamy, and the super food you need to level up your game. Use the code 'THEATHLETICSCHOOL' for 10% off.

    #127 Mindset Lab: No Motivation to Train Anymore? This Is Why

  7. Apr 13

    #125 Mindset Lab: Why Your Life Isn’t Changing (And How to Fix It Today)

    This episode is a real and simple breakdown of what it actually takes to change your life. From feeling stuck in a job I didn’t love to traveling for work with a professional soccer team, I share the mindset shift that changed everything for me. If you feel like you’re meant for more but don’t know where to start—this is for you. Simple. Practical. Real. This episode is brought to you by California Avocados Direct.Get fresh avocados delivered straight from California farms to your door at californiaavocadosdirect.com.

    #125 Mindset Lab: Why Your Life Isn’t Changing (And How to Fix It Today)

  8. Mar 30

    #124 Locker Room Mindset - Rob Pallante: Your Mindset Is Killing Your Performance (Fix This NOW)

    Most athletes think mindset is about staying positive—but that’s not what actually changes performance. In this episode, we go deeper into what mindset really means and why so many athletes struggle to apply it when it matters most. We break down the journey into mental performance coaching and, more importantly, what athletes can actually do to improve how they think, prepare, and perform. This is not motivation. This is real. We talk about: What mindset actually is (and what it’s not) Why discipline matters more than inspiration How to build real confidence through habits Overcoming overthinking during performance Creating a strong game-day mindset Controlling what you can (and letting go of the rest) Separating your identity from your performance Becoming the “champion within.” If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or not confident on game day—this episode will challenge how you think and give you tools to improve. If you overthink, lose confidence, or don’t perform the way you know you can… this is for you.

    #124 Locker Room Mindset - Rob Pallante: Your Mindset Is Killing Your Performance (Fix This NOW)
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About

Win the mental battle before the comeback. The Athletic School is for athletes in transition — anyone rebuilding who they are beyond the game. Hosted by Igor Acorinte, a former competitive soccer player and Brazilian immigrant who rebuilt his life from nothing in the US, now applying that same mindset as a husband, dad, and Ironman-in-training. Every episode digs into the real mechanics of reconnection — pressure, self-doubt, identity, and the ownership it takes to move forward. Not motivation. The actual work underneath it. New episodes every other week.

Information

  • Creator
    The Athletic School
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Athletic School
  • Show Website
    The Athletic School Podcast