The Mental Mettle Podcast

Matt Thomann
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Helping coaches forge mental toughness in student-athletes

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 166: The Principal's Playbook for Building Championship Culture with Metamora's Charlie Zimmerman

    What separates good athletic programs from great ones? In this episode, I sit down with Charlie Zimmerman, principal of Metamora Township High School, to discuss what it really takes to build a championship culture. As a former athlete, coach, and now school leader, Charlie offers a unique perspective on how administrators, coaches, parents, and athletes all play a role in creating an environment where excellence becomes the standard. In our conversation, we discuss: Why culture must be built intentionally—not left to chance.Why the best programs are never satisfied with yesterday's success.Why mental performance training isn't "soft"—it's one of the smartest investments a school can make.How coaches, parents, and administrators can work together instead of pulling athletes in different directions.Why sports should prepare young people for life, not just for the next game.Whether you're a coach, athletic director, principal, teacher, or parent, you'll walk away with practical ideas for building a stronger culture in your school and helping young athletes thrive both on and off the field. Remember: Championship teams are built by championship cultures. For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching: www.mentalmettlecoach.com Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook: www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact: matt@mentalmettlecoach.com for a free coaching session with Coach Thomann

  2. Jul 27

    Ep. 165: "I know I'll be ok" with USA Handball Player Julia Taylor

    What gives someone the confidence to say those five words? In this episode of the Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Team USA Women's Handball athlete Julia Taylor to explore a journey marked by profound loss, unwavering purpose, and servant leadership. After losing both of her parents as a young child, Julia learned firsthand that resilience isn't something you're born with—it's something you discover when life forces you to keep moving forward. That lesson carried her from a college club sport to professional handball in Europe, to representing Team USA, and now to helping shape the future of her sport through leadership. Together, Coach Matt and Julia discuss: Why adversity can become our greatest teacherHow purpose keeps us going when motivation fadesWhat true leadership looks like when you're serving the next generationThe mental skills elite athletes use to perform under pressureWhy the lessons we learn in sports prepare us for life far beyond competitionWhether you're an athlete, coach, parent, educator, or simply navigating a difficult season, Julia's story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn't about avoiding hardship—it's about knowing that whatever comes your way... You'll be ok. A special thanks to Shane Fisher and American Paragons for connecting us with another outstanding Team USA athlete. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from it. 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

  3. Jul 20

    Ep. 164: Hope is Aggressive with Dr. Brandi Kelly

    You've probably heard the saying: "Hope isn't a strategy." There's some truth to that—but I also believe I don't want to be part of any strategy that doesn't include hope. In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Brandi Kelly—former superintendent, licensed clinical social worker, leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Spark Hope EDU—to explore why hope is so much more than wishful thinking. We discuss how hope fuels action, why focusing on your circle of control builds confidence, and how simple daily habits create lasting excellence. Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, educator, or leader, these principles will help you build resilience and perform at your best. In this episode, we discuss: Why hope is the foundation of action—not a substitute for it.How your circle of control determines your confidence.The role habits play in building mental toughness.Why self-awareness is essential for growth.How adversity can become one of your greatest teachers.Why greatness is built through consistent daily choices.One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation is simple: Hope isn't passive. Hope is aggressive. Hope shows up. Hope goes to practice. Hope keeps working. Hope believes tomorrow can be better—and then gets to work making it happen. Connect with Dr. Brandi Kelly https://sparkhopeedu.com If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with another coach, athlete, teacher, or leader who could benefit from this conversation. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with a coach, athlete, or parent who could benefit from the conversation. 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

  4. Jul 13

    Ep. 163: Playing from Identity, Not Approval with Ricky Scruggs

    What if the biggest obstacle to peak performance isn't a lack of confidence—but a misplaced identity? In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, I sit down with mental and spiritual performance coach Ricky Scruggs to explore why so many athletes struggle under pressure and how true mental toughness begins long before the game starts. Ricky shares how his journey—from growing up in Washington, D.C., to playing Division I and professional baseball, building successful businesses, and coaching athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs—led him to a completely different understanding of performance. Together, we discuss why chasing approval, perfection, and outcomes often leads to anxiety, while competing from a foundation of identity leads to freedom. We also dive into the role faith plays in mental performance. Rather than separating faith and sport, Ricky explains how biblical principles like identity, truth, service, and purpose provide a practical framework for competing with confidence and resilience. In this episode, we discuss: Why identity is the foundation of mental toughnessHow approval and perfectionism rob athletes of confidenceCompeting for purpose instead of validationThe connection between faith and peak performancePractical ways athletes can handle pressure, mistakes, and adversityWhy mental skills must be trained just like physical skillsWhether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, this conversation will challenge the way you think about confidence, competition, and what it truly means to perform at your best. Connect with Ricky Scruggs: 🌐 Website: www.rickyscruggs.com 📸 Instagram: @rickyscruggs19 🎵 TikTok: @truthtoker1969 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with a coach, athlete, or parent who could benefit from the conversation. 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

  5. Jul 6

    Ep. 162: Six Throws: Years of Preparation, Seconds to Perform with USA thrower Rachel Richeson

    What if everything you've worked for came down to just six attempts? That's the reality for Team USA hammer thrower Rachel Richeson. After years of training, sacrifice, and relentless improvement, Olympic dreams and World Championship opportunities can be decided by just six throws. In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Rachel shares her incredible journey from a high school volleyball player who didn't even throw the hammer until college to becoming one of the top hammer throwers in the world. But this conversation goes far beyond track and field. We discuss: How confidence is built by recognizing progress and believing you still have "more in the tank."Why elite performers focus on growth instead of outcomes.The hidden pressure that comes with rising expectations.How Rachel incorporates mental training into every practice—not as something extra, but as part of the process.Using body scans between throws to recognize anxiety without letting it control performance.The psychology of youth sport specialization, identity, and intrinsic motivation.Why failure is one of our greatest teachers... even though, as Rachel says, "it still sucks."Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone pursuing excellence, Rachel's insights offer practical strategies for performing under pressure and trusting your preparation when the moment arrives. A special thanks to Shane Fisher and American Paragons for connecting us with another outstanding Team USA athlete. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from it. 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

  6. Jun 29

    Ep. 161: Faith, Ironman, and Stage 4 Cancer: Just Keep Tri-ing with Jim Logan.

    What happens when a lifelong endurance athlete is suddenly told he has Stage 4 cancer and may only have months to live? In this episode of the Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Ironman competitor and author Jim Logan for a powerful conversation about resilience, faith, and the mindset required to keep moving forward when everything is on the line. Jim shares his journey through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery while continuing to pursue endurance racing at the highest level, including his goal of finishing the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Together, they explore the deeper lessons behind his story: How intentional suffering in sport can prepare you for unexpected hardship in lifeThe moment fear began to shift into faithWhy vulnerability and surrender became turning points in his journeyThe difference between focusing on finish lines versus embracing the daily processHow purpose and perspective can change everything in the face of uncertaintyThis conversation goes far beyond triathlon and cancer. It’s about what it means to rebuild your life from the inside out when the future is unclear, and how discipline, belief, and faith can carry you through the darkest moments. Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or someone navigating your own challenges, Jim’s story is a reminder that strength isn’t just about pushing harder—it’s about continuing to move forward with purpose. Just keep TRI-ing. To learn more about Jim Logan, his book, and his mission to inspire others through faith, endurance sports, and his cancer journey, visit www.justkeeptri-ing.com. To learn more about Mental Mettle Coaching, visit www.mentalmettlecoach.com. If you're looking to strengthen your mindset, build resilience, or improve your performance in sports, work, or life, email matt@mentalmettlecoach.com to schedule a free coaching session.

  7. Jun 22

    Ep. 160: Ryan Davis is not a great coach despite his anxiety; he is a great coach because of it.

    In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Roanoke Benson girls basketball coach Ryan Davis for a powerful conversation about anxiety, expectations, coaching, and vulnerability. Ryan shares his personal story of battling severe performance anxiety as a high school athlete—a struggle that ultimately cut short the playing career he loved. But this isn't a story about overcoming anxiety and leaving it behind. It's a story about how that struggle shaped the coach he would become. Together, Matt and Ryan discuss: • How anxiety impacted Ryan's basketball career • The hidden connection between expectations and anxiety • Growing up trying to play under pressure • Why athletes often put more pressure on themselves than anyone else does • How vulnerability helps coaches build trust • Why empathy may be a coach's greatest leadership tool • The "Play Fearless" philosophy and helping athletes compete freely • Why mental skills deserve practice just like physical skills • The importance of controlling the controllables • How adversity can become a superpower when used to serve others One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that Ryan isn't a great coach despite his anxiety. He's a great coach because of it. His struggles gave him empathy. They taught him how pressure feels. They helped him connect with athletes in ways many coaches never can. If you're an athlete, coach, parent, educator, or anyone navigating the pressures and expectations of life, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on mental toughness, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Connect with Coach Matt / Mental Mettle www.mentalmettlecoach.com matt@mentalmettlecoach.com

  8. Jun 15

    Ep. 159: Be Willing to Be Bad – From Hoops to Team USA Handball with Katie Timmerman

    Most people think mental toughness is just grinding harder at what you’re already good at. This episode is about the opposite: choosing to be a beginner again on purpose. In this conversation, I sit down with USA Team Handball player and Olympic hopeful Katie Timmerman. Katie went from being a high-level college and pro basketball player to a complete novice in a sport she’d never even heard of… and did it knowing she’d be bad at first. We get into: From Hoops to HandballHow an Instagram DM from USA Team Handball changed her pathWhat it was like walking into her first camp with no real idea how to playGoing from “expert” in basketball to “day-one rookie” in handballChoosing Hard Paths on PurposeFlying to Korea on a one-way ticket with no guarantee she’d be draftedLiving in a foreign country, new language, new leagueLeaving pro basketball to chase an Olympic dream in a pay-to-play sportMental Mettle, Not Just Skill & StrengthHow she realized her mindset was actually hurting her gameThe books and tools that helped her flip her self-talkWhat she does mentally when she knows she’ll fail more than she’ll succeedTurning the COVID Shutdown Into an AdvantageWhy COVID hit during the worst mental stretch of her careerHow losing access to gyms forced her to attack the mental sideUsing therapy, reading, and reflection to come back as a different playerThe Reality of Underfunded Olympic SportsWhat “Team USA” actually looks like in a sport with almost no fundingTradeoffs: delayed career, part-time jobs, and financial strainWhy she still says it’s worth itIf you’re an athlete, coach, or competitor in any field, this episode is a playbook for: “Vulnerability reps” – intentionally doing things you’ll be bad at to grow fasterReframing setbacks – using shutdowns, cuts, losses, and “no’s” to build your mental gameBuilding true mental mettle instead of just more reps and more weightsFollow Katie on Instagram! @katie_timmerman  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

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About

Helping coaches forge mental toughness in student-athletes

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Thomann
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Mental Mettle Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Mental Mettle Podcast

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