The Mental Approach To Youth Sports

The Sound Off Media Company
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Bimonthly

Welcome to The Mental Approach, a podcast that explores the power of mindfulness and mental performance in sports. Host Todd Arkell collects resources, techniques and strategies from his guests with the intention to share tools with athletes so they can develop a winning mindset and build confidence. With a quest to grow mindset alongside physical training in sports, Todd sees a gap in athletics that demands more attention. Tune in for expert insights, inspirational stories, and practical advice for athletes of all levels and sports. Let's unlock the mental game together; the goal is to be an MVP both in and out of play.

  1. Aug 5

    Betting on Himself: Jake Sanford’s Journey from Yankees Prospect to Responsible Gambling Advocate

    What happens when a million-dollar dream is derailed by a hidden addiction? In this candid episode of The Mental Approach, host Todd Arkell sits down with Jake Sanford—the highest MLB draft pick ever to come out of Nova Scotia (3rd round, New York Yankees). Jake takes us through his incredible journey from an unrecruited walk-on in small-town Nebraska to signing a $600,000 bonus with the most famous franchise in sports. But behind the scenes, a growing gambling addiction—sparked by innocent casino trips and fueled by locker room culture, rapidly spiraled out of control. Costing him his spot on the Yankees roster and threatening his future. In this episode, we unpack many topics around the current gambling epidemic plaguing young people today The Slippery Slope: How a $100 win turned into chasing six-figure losses in high-stakes VIP rooms. The Reality of Sports Betting Today: The hidden pressures young athletes face from mobile apps, campus fans, and online sports culture. Rebuilding & Redemption: How Jake got honest with his family, reclaimed his career in independent ball, and transitioned into an international speaker helping the NCAA, NHL, and MLB educate young athletes on responsible gambling. A raw, powerful conversation on mental toughness, self-awareness, and turning life's hardest lessons into a mission to help others. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Betting on Himself: Jake Sanford’s Journey from Yankees Prospect to Responsible Gambling Advocate

  2. Jul 22

    Shift Control Back to the Athlete: Why Growth Is the Only Stat That Matters with Author Brad Dalton

    Todd Arkell sits down with Brad Dalton—mental performance coach, educator, and bestselling author of DNA of a Winner: 8 Steps to Building the Soul Print of a Winner. In a youth sports culture increasingly obsessed with stats, rankings, and immediate outcomes, Brad makes a compelling case for shifting the focus away from what you achieve and back toward who you are becoming. Whether you are a young athlete trying to filter out the noise, a coach building team culture, or a parent supporting from the sidelines, this conversation provides an actionable roadmap for building mental toughness and focusing on what truly matters. Areas of Conversation Growth is the Only Stat That Matters: Why treating success as a continuous journey—rather than a final result—builds long-term resilience and sustained high performance. Redefining "Winning": How coaches and parents can reward daily habits, effort, and positive behaviors instead of fixating solely on the scoreboard. Navigating the Recruiting Game: Practical advice for young athletes seeking the right program fit over ego-driven rankings or division titles. The "Soul Print" & In-Game Reset: Practical strategies for taking action, preparing mentally before high-pressure moments, and breaking out of negative mid-game thought loops. Perspective & Significance: Brad shares how his family's personal journey navigating an autism diagnosis reshaped his outlook on aggressive patience, meeting people where they are, and prioritizing impact over ego. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Shift Control Back to the Athlete: Why Growth Is the Only Stat That Matters with Author Brad Dalton

  3. Jul 8

    The Mental Game Architect: Why Smart Athletes Struggle in the Storm with Andrew Pardy

    Every parent of a competitive teenager knows this story: Your kid looks completely unstoppable in practice. They have the skill, the talent, and the drive to be the best in the room. But the moment the spotlight hits—the big tournament, the college scout in the stands, the high-stakes play—something flips. The mistakes start piling up, and a talented athlete gets completely trapped inside their own head. In this episode of The Mental Approach, host Todd Arkell sits down with Andrew Pardy, founder of Self-Aware Athlete and the "Mental Game Architect," to figure out why youth sports culture is facing a quiet epidemic of teenage anxiety—and how to fix it. Andrew has worked with over a thousand elite young athletes across hockey, baseball, and basketball. In this deep dive, he pulls back the curtain on sports psychometrics to explain how measuring the invisible building blocks of performance can unlock a player’s true potential. You can find Andrew's Mental Game Academy program details and a free strategy session here - https://hockey.selfawareathlete.com/start See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Mental Game Architect: Why Smart Athletes Struggle in the Storm with Andrew Pardy

  4. Jun 24

    Why Your Teen Athlete Can’t Gain Weight - Where the Mental Game Meets the Dinner Plate with Nutrition Coach Jeremy Fouts

    Ever watch your kid completely fade out or lose focus in the fourth quarter, or during a grueling weekend tournament? Before you assume they lack mental toughness, ask yourself a different question: What did they eat today? In this episode of The Mental Approach, host Todd Arkell sits down with Jeremy Fouts—soil scientist, founder of Corviv sports nutrition, and dad to elite competitive athletes—to expose a quiet epidemic in youth sports: Our kids aren't soft. They are severely underfueled. We spend thousands of dollars on training facilities, specialized coaching, and top-tier gear, only to send our kids out to compete on a granola bar, a blue Gatorade, and pure willpower. Jeremy bridges the gap between the lab, the farm, and the field to explain why discipline doesn’t start in the weight room—it starts in the kitchen. If you are tired of watching your athlete plateau, struggle to put on healthy weight, or hit a physical wall mid-game, this conversation is the ultimate blueprint you've been waiting for. Find Jeremy here Website www.jeremyfouts.com Instagram: @jeremyfoutsleadership X: @foutsleadership See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Why Your Teen Athlete Can’t Gain Weight - Where the Mental Game Meets the Dinner Plate with Nutrition Coach Jeremy Fouts

  5. Jun 10

    The College Recruiting Illusion: How Most Families Waste Time Chasing a Mirage (with Coach Walter Beede)

    Walter Beede and I unpack the realities of the modern baseball recruiting landscape. Drawing on his experience as a former college coach and father of two recruited players, Walter explains why today’s parents are often stuck in an outdated mindset, chasing early exposure, showcases, and rankings instead of focusing on long-term development and honest evaluation. We talk about how the true recruiting window has shifted later, why time is the most wasted resource, and how strength, speed, nutrition, sleep, and routines separate those who actually play in college from those who only dream about it. Walter also walks through the impact of the transfer portal, JUCO routes, international talent, and gap/post-grad years, all within the bigger “business of baseball.” This episode is a reality check—but also a roadmap—for families who want to approach recruiting with clarity, patience, and a plan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The College Recruiting Illusion: How Most Families Waste Time Chasing a Mirage (with Coach Walter Beede)

  6. May 27

    You May Also Like - Why The Mental Approach Was Created

    This week we turn the tables on host Todd Arkell as he no longer gets to ask the questions. Instead Matt Cundill host of You May Also Like interviews Todd. They discuss the evolution of youth sports, emphasizing the shift from informal play to highly organized, expensive travel teams. Matt digs into why Todd launched his "Mental Approach to Youth Sports" podcast to address the mental health challenges faced by young athletes. Discussion highlights the financial pressures on parents and the professionalization of youth sports, which can lead to mental health issues. Matt also touches on what The Mental Approach podcast is all about - diverse guests, including athletes and coaches, offering practical tips on mental preparation, journaling, and coping with failure to support young athletes and their parents on their athletic journey See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    You May Also Like - Why The Mental Approach Was Created

  7. May 13

    The Truth About Recruiting - Building The College Ready Athlete

    Think your athlete is ready for the next level? Most NCAA coaches say they aren’t even close. In this powerhouse series finale of The Mental Approach, we’re stripping away the highlight reels and the "guru" fluff to deliver the ultimate reality check. We’ve synthesized the best moments from nine deep-dive interviews with NCAA coaches and recruiting experts to reveal what it actually takes to survive—and thrive—in college athletics. This isn't just another recruiting talk. It’s a masterclass in the physical, mental, and administrative preparation required to play at the highest level. Stop guessing about the process. Start listening to the people who make the decisions. In this episode, we’re uncovering: The Weight Room Reality Check: Why "maintenance" is a myth that is costing high schoolers their scholarships before they even arrive on campus. The Silent Scholarship Killer: How a student can have a 4.0 GPA and still be deemed ineligible by the NCAA (and the one registration step you need to take in 9th grade). The Identity Trap: Why tying your entire self-worth to your sport is a recipe for a freshman-year crisis—and how the best players "outwork their fears." The Portal Problem: The brutal truth about why recruiting classes are shrinking from 15 spots to 3, and what "late bloomers" must do to stay in the game. The "Offer" Framework: Four principles to use before you sign—including the one red flag that should make you walk away from a program immediately. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Truth About Recruiting - Building The College Ready Athlete

  8. Apr 29

    The Truth About Getting Recruited - The NCAA Landscape is Shifting

    Your kid isn't getting recruited. And it's probably not for the reason you think. A 4.0 student can be ineligible for the NCAA. A five-star talent can lose his spot to a "glue guy." And that $3,000 exposure tournament you just paid for? One Power Four coach compares it to waiting 90 minutes for a three-minute Disney ride. In this two-part compilation, Todd Arkell sits down with recruiting coordinators and compliance experts from Michigan, Oregon, Boston College, William & Mary, Sam Houston State, and more — to tell parents and athletes the truth nobody at the showcase is telling them. Inside the episode: Why "competitiveness" beats raw skill — every timeThe Parent Trap: how driving the bus is costing your kid the scholarshipThe Core GPA most families don't know exists until it's too lateHow the Transfer Portal is quietly shrinking the high school class of 2027The four-question gut check before your kid signs anythingFeaturing Jake Valentine (Michigan), Tracy Joyner (Oregon), Rob McCoy (William & Mary), Beth Krysiak (Boston College), David Wood (Sam Houston State), Bo Wills (Southern Indiana), Mike Eversole (Akron), Shaquana Miller (NextPlay Athletics), and Walter Beede (player advisor) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Truth About Getting Recruited - The NCAA Landscape is Shifting
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Welcome to The Mental Approach, a podcast that explores the power of mindfulness and mental performance in sports. Host Todd Arkell collects resources, techniques and strategies from his guests with the intention to share tools with athletes so they can develop a winning mindset and build confidence. With a quest to grow mindset alongside physical training in sports, Todd sees a gap in athletics that demands more attention. Tune in for expert insights, inspirational stories, and practical advice for athletes of all levels and sports. Let's unlock the mental game together; the goal is to be an MVP both in and out of play.

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