Mental Performance Playbook

Gabe Rummel, The Athletes Health
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Every athlete trains their body, but how many train their mind? Mental Performance Playbook breaks down elite mental strategies used by top performers and gives you simple, actionable exercises to apply immediately. Hosted by Gabe Rummel, Mental Performance Coach, Founder of The Athletes Health™, and creator of it's Phronoic Gym™, where athletes train their minds like they train their bodies. Whether you’re looking to reset after mistakes, boost focus under pressure, or build unshakable confidence, this playbook has you covered.

  1. 8h ago

    3 Key Brain Areas to Master for Performance | Ep. 177

    Mental Performance Playbook Episode 177. Brought to you by TAH. In episode 177 of the Mental Performance Playbook, Gabe Rummel heads to the whiteboard and breaks down three key brain areas behind performance under pressure, pulled from his grad school work in sport and performance psychology. In this episode you will learn The amygdala, the alarm system for fear, threats, and emotionThe basal ganglia, where habits and muscle memory get wired inThe anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC), the conflict monitor that decides if you push through discomfortHow all three show up when an athlete freezes on a free throw, a PK, a catch, or a diveTwo mental exercises to take control, the reset breath and knowing your zone temp (Caitlin Clark near a 10, Kobe near a 1)Parents and coaches, you do not need to teach the neuroscience. Just hint at the reset breath and the zone, and it will quietly help all three. Pick one pressure moment this week and name which part of the brain is running the show. If this episode helps, follow, subscribe, leave five stars, and share it with an athlete, parent, or coach. Free resources and training links are below. [Add links] Covered in this order Welcome and why these three brain areasWhiteboard, amygdala (fear, threats, emotion)Basal ganglia (habit formation)aMCC (conflict monitor, effort and control)Example, freezing in a big momentMental exercise 1, reset breathMental exercise 2, your zone tempTie back to Clarity, Confidence, and ComposureKeywords brain and performance, sports neuroscience, amygdala, basal ganglia, anterior midcingulate cortex, choking under pressure, why athletes freeze, performance anxiety in sports, reset breath, breathing for athletes, mental performance playbook, mental performance coach, mental training for athletes, mental exercises for athletes, sports psychology, student athletes, sports parents, clarity confidence composure, Gabe Rummel, TAH, Top Athlete Habits Check out more! Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠ Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot Text us! (319) 349-9553

  2. 4d ago

    How To Dial In Peak Performance | Ep. 176

    Mental Performance Playbook Episode 176. Brought to you by TAH. Great practice, bad game, scouts in the stands. Any one of these can knock a student athlete off their game, even the good ones. In this episode of the Mental Performance Playbook, Gabe grabs the whiteboard and breaks down the dial. It's a simple way to picture how the brain and body rise toward peak performance and fall away from it, and how athletes can take control of it. In this episode you'll learn Why injuries, bad games, and losing a starting spot don't have to hold an athlete downWhy great practices, hot streaks, and scouts can get athletes stuck in their headsHow to flip each one into something to train, like new and improved, routine, and processThe one word that ties it all together, trust, and why the mind is harder to trust than the bodyHow to turn the dial on and find the right station for each practice and gameParents and coaches, use this language at home and at practice. Ask your athlete, "What station are you on today?" Want help building this into your athlete's game-day routine? Book a session with TAH at the links below. If this episode helped, follow, share it with a teammate or parent, and leave a 5-star review. Check out more! Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠ Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot Text us! (319) 349-9553

  3. Sep 20

    5 Ways to See the Game Before It Happens (Mental Imagery for Athletes) | Ep. 175

    Mental Performance Playbook Episode 175. Brought to you by TAH. The game comes down to who gets the most good reps, and those reps do not have to happen on the field, court, track, mat, or water. In this episode of the Mental Performance Playbook, Gabe Rummel walks through the whiteboard and breaks down 5 ways to see the game anytime, anywhere using mental imagery, also called visualization. You will learn rotation, scanning, third person POV, first person POV, and five senses. You will also hear how student athletes, parents, and coaches can use each one to build clarity, confidence, and composure. Pick one of the five ways and try it for 5 minutes this week. If this episode helps, please follow, subscribe, leave five stars, and share it with an athlete, parent, or coach. Want training or resources? Links are below. Check out more! Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠ Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot Text us! (319) 349-9553 Time stamps (00:00) Welcome, why seeing the game matters, and how to get more reps(03:24) Whiteboard time, mental imagery and the 5 ways to see the gameKeywords: mental imagery, mental imagery for athletes, visualization for athletes, sports visualization, how to visualize in sports, mental rehearsal, mental reps, mental performance playbook, mental performance coach, mental training for athletes, mental exercises for athletes, sports psychology, athlete mindset, student athletes, youth sports, sports parents, performance under pressure, clarity confidence composure, five senses visualization, Gabe Rummel, TAH, Top Athlete Habits

  4. Sep 14

    Train Attention Because It Wins Games | Ep. 174

    Mental Performance Playbook Episode 174. Brought to you by TAH (The Athletes Health). Your athlete's attention goes somewhere every second of the game. The only question is whether they're steering it or it's steering them. In this episode, Gabe breaks down Nideffer's attention theory on the whiteboard and turns it into a simple four zone system called RAAP. It's the difference between an athlete who spirals when things get tight and one who has a focus point ready to go, just like a free throw shooter locking onto the front of the rim. Learn where your athlete's attention should go before the game, during it, and when things start to snowball. Check out more! Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠ Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot Text us! (319) 32-3917 Keywords: mental performance training, attention training for athletes, sports psychology for youth athletes, focus exercises for athletes, Nideffer attention theory, mental toughness training, youth athlete mindset, pregame anxiety exercises, sports focus techniques, athlete confidence training, mental performance coach, focus under pressure in sports, high school athlete mental training, attention control in sports, sports psychology podcast

  5. Aug 31

    How Clear Definitions Improve Athletic Performance | Ep. 173

    Mental Performance Playbook Episode 173. Brought to you by TAH (The Athletes Health). Most problems in sports don't come from bad talent. They come from a definition nobody agreed on. In this episode, Gabe breaks down why definitions might be the most important word in sports, and how one skipped conversation can throw off an entire season. You'll hear real stories from working with student athletes, why "injured" doesn't mean the same thing to every coach and parent, and how a team captain's added pressure came from a definition, not a title. In this episode: A way to define what you're actually training before you train itThree different ways to define "injured," and why the difference mattersA simple question to ask before you react to any coach, parent, or teammateAnd more!Follow, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to hear it. --- Check out more! Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠ Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot --- mental performance training, sports psychology for athletes, mental training for student athletes, athlete mindset coaching, sports parent support, coaching communication in sports, defining expectations in sports, athlete confidence and pressure, team captain leadership pressure, injury definition in sports, online mental performance coaching, mental exercises for athletes, youth sports communication, coach and athlete communication, student athlete mental toughness

  6. Aug 24

    The Quarterback's Curse | Ep. 172

    Mental Performance Playbook Episode 172. Brought to you by The Athletes Health. Every quarterback carries a curse. No time to celebrate the touchdown. No time to sulk over the interception. The next play is already coming, ready or not. In this episode, Gabe breaks down the quarterback's curse: the forced short memory that looks brutal from the outside but is actually a trained mental exercise. You'll learn the exact 4-step process quarterbacks use to reset between plays, and how any athlete, in any sport, can train the same skill. What you'll learn: Why the "quarterback's curse" is really a mental exercise, not a personality traitThe 4-step reset: stop the last play, prepare for the next one, treat the next play like the only one, repeatHow to build a personal cue (a breath, a word, a routine) that trains your body to move on before your mind doesWhy letting go of the outcome before the play even happens is the final piece elite athletes trainThis isn't just for quarterbacks. Volleyball players reset between sets. Golfers reset between swings. Swimmers reset between races. Every sport has a next play. Learn how to train yours. Follow the Mental Performance Playbook for a new mental exercise every week. If this episode helps, share it with a parent, coach, or athlete who needs it. Show Notes / Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to mental training for athletes: the quarterback's perspective(03:31) Step 1: Stopping the last play(05:27) Step 2: Preparing for the next play(08:02) Step 3: Playing like it's the only play that exists(10:05) Step 4: Repeating the process, play after play(11:18) Letting go of the outcome + recap Check out more! Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠ Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot Text us! (319) 349-9553 Tags/Keywords: mental performance, sports psychology, quarterback mindset, athlete mindset training, mental toughness, next play mentality, youth sports mental training, TAH, The Athletes Health, mental performance coaching, sports mental training, athlete confidence, focus in sports, reset routine for athletes, quarterback mental training, football mindset, sports mindset coach, athletic performance mindset, coach mental training, student athlete mindset, Gabe Rummel, Mental Performance Playbook, sports mom

  7. Aug 17

    The Secret of Silence: Go Quiet to Go Fast | Ep. 171

    Mental Performance Playbook Episode 171. Brought to you by The Athletes Health. In this episode of The Mental Performance Playbook... Every athlete knows that moment right before it matters most, the crowd noise, the hype music, the heartbeat racing right along with it. What most people miss is the other side of that noise. The best performers train themselves to find silence right when the pressure hits hardest, and that silence is the real secret weapon. In this episode, Gabe breaks down silence as one of the most overlooked mental exercises in sports, and why it works like the Quicksilver effect from X-Men: when everything slows down internally, athletes react faster and play with more control. What we cover: Why silence is a trained skill, not just the absence of noiseThe Quicksilver effect: how slowing down internally speeds up performance on the field, court, or in the poolBreath as the on-ramp into silence, including box breathing and the triangle breathHow self talk fills the silence, and why the words an athlete uses matter more than staying quiet aloneReal examples of using silence before the national anthem, a race start, or a first serveIf you're a student athlete, coach, or parent looking for a mental exercise that actually moves the needle under pressure, this one is worth trying before your next practice or game. Try one piece of this out and let us know how it goes. Catch a new episode of the Mental Performance Playbook every week from TAH, The Athletes Health. Chapters:(00:00) Introduction to the power of silence in sports(02:01) The Secret Weapon: Silence(04:19) The Quicksilver Effect (X-Men Analogy)(07:42) Breath: The On-Ramp to Silence(09:59) Self-Talk Inside the Silence(13:09) Real Game Examples (National Anthem, Race Starts)(15:07) Recap & Challenge to Try It Check out more! Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠ Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot Text us! (319) 349-9553 Keywords: sports psychology, mental performance, mental toughness, athlete mindset, mental training, mental exercises, youth sports, student athlete confidence, focus under pressure, staying calm under pressure, breathing techniques, box breathing, self talk, silence and focus, pre performance routine, game day mindset, clutch performance, competitive mindset, sports mindset, sports parents, athletic performance, mental performance coach, quicksilver effect, TAH, The Athletes Health

  8. Aug 10

    How to Push Past Limits: Mental Toughness for Athletes | Ep. 170

    Ever wonder why some athletes push past limits while others quit before their body ever taps out? In this episode (170) of the Mental Performance Playbook, Gabe Rummel, founder of The Athletes Health, breaks down the mental toughness framework that helps student athletes reach further than they think possible. You'll learn: The difference between motivation from inside and motivation from outside, and why one builds mental toughness that actually lastsHow to set real benchmarks for your athlete, using both competition and personal tracking, so progress never goes unnoticedWhy every athlete needs a "spare tire mindset" for setbacks, not a backup plan, but a real plan for when things break downGabe shares a personal story from a recent trip to Colorado, where a car breakdown became the perfect real-world example of mental toughness in action. If you're a parent, coach, or athlete looking for practical mental performance strategies, this episode gives you exercises you can use today. Follow the Mental Performance Playbook from TAH for weekly mental performance training built on our Clarity, Confidence, Composure framework. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Reaching Further in Performance (01:57) Introductory Story (03:20) Two kinds of motivation (05:49) Setting real trackable benchmarks (09:26) Plan for the brakes going out (13:46) Wrapping Up Check out more! Website: ⁠https://www.theathleteshealth.com/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/gaberummeltah/⁠ Free Athlete Assessment: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/free-mental-max-out-finder Free Parent Snapshot Questionnaire: https://www.theathleteshealth.com/tah-mental-max-snapshot Text us! (319) 349-9553 Keywords: mental toughness, mental performance, youth athletes, sports psychology, athlete mindset, mental performance coach, sports parenting, youth sports mindset, motivation for athletes, confidence coaching, clarity confidence composure, resilience in sports, goal setting for athletes, mental performance playbook, sports mindset coaching, pushing past limits, benchmarks for athletes, tracking athlete progress, intrinsic motivation sports, extrinsic motivation sports, mental exercises for athletes, sports performance psychology, athlete resilience training

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About

Every athlete trains their body, but how many train their mind? Mental Performance Playbook breaks down elite mental strategies used by top performers and gives you simple, actionable exercises to apply immediately. Hosted by Gabe Rummel, Mental Performance Coach, Founder of The Athletes Health™, and creator of it's Phronoic Gym™, where athletes train their minds like they train their bodies. Whether you’re looking to reset after mistakes, boost focus under pressure, or build unshakable confidence, this playbook has you covered.

Information

  • Creator
    Gabe Rummel, The Athletes Health
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gabe Rummel, The Athletes Health
  • Show Website
    Mental Performance Playbook

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