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

    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a former college coach and father of two recruited players, Walter explains why today’s parents are often stuck in an outdated mindset, chasing early exposure, showcases, and rankings instead of focusing on long-term development and honest evaluation.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.

    56 min
  2. You May Also Like - Why The Mental Approach Was Created

    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.

    27 min
  3. The Truth About Recruiting - Building The College Ready Athlete

    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.

    1h 1m
  4. The Truth About Getting Recruited - The NCAA Landscape is Shifting

    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.

    47 min
  5. How to Survive the Redshirt Year: A Mental Playbook with Morgan Kane-Brons

    Apr 15

    How to Survive the Redshirt Year: A Mental Playbook with Morgan Kane-Brons

    In this episode of The Mental Approach, we sit down with Morgan Kane-Brons of Winning Edge Coaching to talk about what it actually looks like to build a championship mindset from the ground up. Morgan went from winning a Big 12 title at Iowa State to becoming a mental performance coach, but her path wasn’t always smooth. She’s incredibly open about the fact that as a freshman, she basically laughed off the idea of sports psychology—until the pressure of D1 ball hit her and she realized that the physical side of the game was only half the battle. We dive deep into the "Redshirt Reality," exploring that unique mental grind where you're doing all the heavy lifting and practice reps without the immediate payoff of game time. Morgan shares how she had to flip the script, turning what felt like a failure into a year of "consequence-free" growth. What I love about this conversation is how practical it gets. Morgan isn’t just talking theory; she shares the exact tools she used to stay present, like drawing a literal "reset button" on her hand with a Sharpie or using her famous "Goose" trigger at the free-throw line. We also get into the "all gas, no brakes" mentality that so many athletes fall into and why it’s so important to find a holistic balance that includes recovery and a life outside of the jersey. Finally, we tackle the tough stuff: the difference between "hard coaching" that builds resilience and the kind of toxic environments that actually break an athlete down. It’s a great conversation for any parent or player who knows that the six inches between the ears is where the game is truly won. You can contact Morgan at www.winningedgecoaching.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    49 min
  6. The Tyranny of Talent: Dr. Joe Baker on Why Early Labels Are Failing Youth Athletes

    Apr 1

    The Tyranny of Talent: Dr. Joe Baker on Why Early Labels Are Failing Youth Athletes

    Do you ever wonder why "can't-miss" youth athletes sometimes disappear while late bloomers eventually rise to the top? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Joe Baker, a leading researcher on athlete development and co-author of The Tyranny of Talent. Together, we challenge one of the sports world's most deeply held beliefs: that success is primarily driven by natural ability. Dr. Baker explains how placing early labels on kids can negatively shape their athletic identity , breaks down the realities of the "relative age effect" , and reveals why psychological traits—like resilience, mental toughness, and a consistent willingness to practice—are much better indicators of long-term success than early physical advantages. We also explore innovative concepts like "bio-banding," which groups athletes based on their physical maturation rather than their birth year to create better learning environments. If you want to cut through the developmental myths and learn how to create environments where young athletes can truly grow, this conversation will completely change how you look at "talent." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 8m
  7. Beyond the Drills: Coach Craig on Body Language, Recruiting, and Building Unbreakable Athletes

    Mar 18

    Beyond the Drills: Coach Craig on Body Language, Recruiting, and Building Unbreakable Athletes

    Coach Craig Kolek , a former NCAA volleyball coach who has transitioned to a mental performance coach joins the show emphasizing body language, focus, and self-talk. He highlights the importance of athletes' ability to bounce back from mistakes quickly and maintain present-moment focus. Craig's approach has evolved, now seeking athlete input before coaching. He stresses the significance of goal setting, routines, and intrinsic motivation. Craig advises parents to model composure and let athletes learn from their mistakes. He also discusses the need for athletes to play multiple sports and manage social media to avoid distractions. Craig's philosophy is rooted in building trust and leadership through values and communication. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    49 min
  8. The 11-Time Champion with a Secret: Lisa Bentley’s Unlikely Journey

    Mar 4

    The 11-Time Champion with a Secret: Lisa Bentley’s Unlikely Journey

    I am joined by 11-time Ironman champion, Author of An Unlikely Champion, motivational speaker and cystic fibrosis advocate Lisa Bentley to explore what it really means to compete with heart. Lisa walks me through her journey from a self-described “chubby little girl” who was told she’d never be an athlete, to becoming one of the world’s premier endurance racers. She shares how discovering her cystic fibrosis in university reshaped her perspective, and how she turned that adversity into a superpower and a source of purpose for others. We dig into the mental side of high performance—self‑talk in the darkest miles, problem‑solving under pressure, building an ‘asset list,’ and using visualization to prepare for race day. Lisa also opens up about retirement, identity beyond sport, the importance of community, and why doing “the thing you don’t want to do” is often exactly what you need. It’s a powerful conversation about resilience, joy, and choosing to show up fully in everyday life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 8m
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About

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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