The 7Pillar Podcast

Nick Ahmed & Mike Ahmed
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

What separates good from great? It’s not talent. It’s how you think, lead, respond to adversity, and live with purpose. Hosted by brothers Nick Ahmed, former MLB player and 2x Gold Glove winner, and Mike Ahmed, former professional baseball player and coach, each episode equips athletes, coaches, leaders, and high performers with practical mindset, leadership, and biblical principles to thrive in sport, business, and life. Greatness is built on a firm foundation: one decision, one habit at a time.

  1. 4d ago

    17. How to Live Your Potential | 6 Keys to Greatness

    What does it actually mean to reach your potential? In this episode of the 7Pillar Podcast, Mike and Nick Ahmed break down why potential isn’t simply about what you accomplish—it’s about who you become along the way. The goal isn’t just to reach a certain level of success, but to become the type of person capable of reaching and sustaining excellence over time. Mike and Nick break down six keys to living your potential: Know who you’re becomingBuild on a firm foundationRaise your standardsStrip off what’s holding you backSurround yourself with the right peopleDevelop an opportunity mindsetThey also discuss redefining success beyond results, building your life on faith and character, mastering the fundamentals, choosing your standards, learning from adversity, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to grow. Potential isn’t a destination. It’s a process of becoming. Are you living your potential today? Subscribe to the 7Pillar Podcast, share this episode with someone who needs it, and keep becoming the person you’re capable of becoming.

  2. Sep 29

    16. Transforming Obstacles Into Opportunity | Adley Rutschman, 3x MLB All-Star

    What does it take to become one of the best baseball players in the world—and stay grounded when your identity, expectations, and performance are constantly being tested? In this episode of the 7Pillar Podcast, Mike and Nick Ahmed sit down with three-time MLB All-Star catcher and former No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman for a powerful conversation about the person behind the player. Adley shares how his upbringing shaped his work ethic and character, why his father made him take ownership of his own development, and how months of failure at Oregon State helped prepare him for eventually becoming the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft. But this conversation goes far beyond baseball. Adley opens up about his faith and identity, the pressure that comes with expectations, navigating injuries and adversity, being traded, and why reaching the Major Leagues taught him that achievement alone could never provide lasting fulfillment. He also breaks down the routines and “protocols” he uses to prepare his body and mind, why mental performance training has become such an important part of his development, and his relentless approach to finding the next area of his life he can improve. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or leader, this conversation is a reminder that becoming great is about far more than talent. It’s about who you’re becoming along the way. If this episode helped or encouraged you in any way, please subscribe to the 7Pillar Podcast, leave us a review, and share it with an athlete, coach, or parent who could benefit from the conversation!

  3. Sep 22

    15. Leading with Conviction | 10 Biblical Principles for Uncommon Leadership

    In this episode of the 7Pillar Podcast, Mike and Nick break down 10 biblical principles for uncommon leadership—and how athletes, coaches, and leaders can put them into practice. From David taking off the armor and stepping courageously toward Goliath, to Jesus washing His disciples’ feet and flipping tables in the temple, Scripture gives us a powerful blueprint for what leadership actually looks like. Mike and Nick unpack 10 practical principles: Take Off the Armor — Know who you are. Go the Extra Mile — Own a higher standard. Drop Your Stones — Lead with humility and grace. Sling the Rock — Have the courage to act. Wash Their Feet — Serve others. Renew Your Mind — Never stop growing. Plant Some Seeds — Invest in people and build trust. Flip the Tables — Stand firm in your convictions. Speak Life — Use your words to build others up. Multiply Your Leadership — Develop and empower other leaders. Great leadership isn't about a title or position. It's about how you use your influence, the standards you live by, how you serve the people around you, and having the courage to stand for what you believe in. Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or leader, this episode will challenge you to take an honest look at the way you lead—and give you a biblical framework for becoming the kind of leader others want to follow. Great leadership multiplies. If this episode impacted you, pass it on to someone you lead, coach, or compete with. And subscribe to the 7Pillar Podcast so you never miss an episode.

  4. Sep 15

    14. Faith, Football & Finding Your Purpose | Colt McCoy, Texas Football Legend & 14-Year NFL QB

    What does it take to build a career—and a life—that can withstand adversity? In this episode of the 7Pillar Podcast, Mike and Nick sit down with Texas football legend and 14-year NFL quarterback Colt McCoy for a powerful conversation about performance, faith, resilience, and building your life on the right foundation. Colt shares his journey from an under-recruited quarterback in small-town Texas to becoming one of the most accomplished players in college football history. He opens up about learning to find his edge, dealing with self-doubt and pressure, and the habits and routines that helped him compete at the highest level for nearly two decades. He also takes us inside one of the most difficult moments of his career—suffering an injury just five plays into the National Championship Game—and how his faith gave him a foundation to stand on when everything he had worked for suddenly changed. The conversation goes beyond football as Colt shares what he learned through injuries, setbacks, retirement, and the transition into life after the game. From identity and purpose to family, leadership, discipline, and legacy, this episode is about becoming the type of person who can stay grounded no matter what life throws at you. If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or leader looking to build a stronger foundation for performance and life, this conversation is for you. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation. Your support helps us continue to grow the 7Pillar Podcast and impact more athletes, coaches, and leaders.

  5. Sep 8

    13. The Power of Failure | 5 Truths That Will Change How You See Failure

    Failure is inevitable—but what it produces in you is a choice. In this episode, Mike and Nick break down five truths that unlock the power of failure and explain how setbacks, rejection, and disappointment can become some of the greatest catalysts for growth. The 5 Truths: Failure is inevitable.Failure changes our perspective.Failure refines our character.Failure ignites our motivation.Failure presents opportunity. Along the way, Mike and Nick share stories from their own baseball careers and discuss how learning to embrace failure can build resilience, strengthen your identity, expose weaknesses, and prepare you for what’s next. 7Pillar Challenge — Clear Your Head Think of one failure that still lingers in the back of your mind and write down: One thing it taught you.One weakness it exposed.One action you can take because of it. Failure doesn’t have to be a setback. Learn to embrace it, grow through it, and turn it into a springboard for what’s next. If this episode challenged or encouraged you, please subscribe to the 7Pillar Podcast and leave us a review. And share this episode with someone who could use a different perspective on failure.

  6. Sep 1

    12. How to Build a Winning Culture | UConn Head Baseball Coach Jim Penders

    In this episode of the 7Pillar Podcast, Mike and Nick Ahmed sit down with legendary UConn Baseball Head Coach Jim Penders for a conversation about leadership, culture, relationships, mental toughness, and what it truly means to make an impact. Now in his 23rd season as UConn’s head coach, Penders has built one of the most consistently successful programs in college baseball. But his approach goes far beyond wins and championships. For Penders, coaching is a vocation—and success is measured just as much by the type of men who leave the program as it is by what they accomplish on the field. Coach Penders shares the influence of his father, grandfather, and longtime mentor Andy Baylock; the standards that have shaped UConn Baseball; and how he has adapted his leadership style to connect with today’s athletes without compromising his core convictions. The conversation dives into building a player-led culture, holding teammates accountable, developing mental toughness, creating meaningful relationships, and learning to become the “thermostat” as a leader—the steady presence who sets the temperature for everyone around them. Penders also explains what he looks for when recruiting athletes, why the journey and relationships often matter more than the accomplishments, what separates players who reach the highest levels, and why great leadership ultimately comes down to how you treat and impact the people around you. The episode finishes with this week’s 7Pillar Challenge: The Four H’s—History, Heroes, Heartbreaks, and Hopes. It’s a simple exercise Coach Penders is using to build vulnerability, trust, and connection within his team—and one that any coach, leader, or athlete can use to strengthen their relationships and better understand their own story. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or leader, this conversation is a masterclass in building a culture that lasts and leaving an impact that goes far beyond the game.

  7. Aug 25

    11. Inside My Life as an MLB Shortstop | The Habits Behind Elite Performance

    What does it actually take to perform at the highest level—and what happens during the hours no one sees? In this episode of the 7Pillar Podcast, Nick Ahmed takes us behind the scenes of his 12-year MLB career and walks through the habits, routines, and preparation that helped him become a two-time Gold Glove shortstop. Most people see the game, but they don't see the hours of intentional work that happen before and after the lights come on. Nick breaks his typical game day into 8 distinct phases: Morning Routine — Setting the foundation mentally, physically, and spiritually.Arrival at the Ballpark — Showing up early and going the extra mile.Defensive Work — Dominating the details and preparing for every play.Hitting & Skill Development — Taking ownership and practicing with purpose.Final Game Prep — Preparing the mind and body so you can compete with freedom.The Game — Trusting your preparation and competing.Postgame Routine — Evaluating your performance, recovering, and turning experience into growth.Drive Home & Recovery — Downregulating, gaining perspective, being present, and preparing to do it all again. Throughout the episode, Nick shares the principles that drove his preparation: developing great habits and routines, going the extra mile, dominating the details, practicing with purpose, training your mind as much as your body, and constantly looking for ways to improve. 7Pillar Challenge of the Week: Well, Better, How After your next practice or competition, take a few minutes to evaluate yourself: Well: What did I do well? Better: What could I have done better? How: How am I going to improve it? Don't just experience the game—learn from it, create a plan, and use it to get better tomorrow.

  8. Aug 18

    10. Why Most Athletes Never Reach Their Potential

    Why do so many athletes fall short of their potential—even when they’re doing everything they can to improve their performance? The problem may be that we’re looking at performance all wrong. In this episode, Mike and Nick break down the 7Pillar Holistic Performance Framework and explain why elite performance requires more than physical talent, mental skills, or working harder. Everything is connected—and becoming your best starts with building the human first and the athlete second. They walk through each of the seven pillars—Identity, Mindset, Lifestyle, Relationships, Nutrition, Fitness, and Recovery—and share three practical non-negotiables for strengthening each area. Along the way, Mike and Nick share lessons from their own playing, coaching, and life experiences and explain how weaknesses in one area can impact everything else. The goal isn't simply to perform better. It's to become a more complete person—one capable of pursuing excellence, making an impact, and building a legacy that lasts far beyond the field. This week's challenge: The 7Pillar Audit. Rate yourself from 1–10 in each pillar, identify your two weakest areas, and ask yourself: How would my life and performance change if I strengthened these areas by just a few points? If you want to perform at an elite level, don't just train your game. Build the person behind the performance.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What separates good from great? It’s not talent. It’s how you think, lead, respond to adversity, and live with purpose. Hosted by brothers Nick Ahmed, former MLB player and 2x Gold Glove winner, and Mike Ahmed, former professional baseball player and coach, each episode equips athletes, coaches, leaders, and high performers with practical mindset, leadership, and biblical principles to thrive in sport, business, and life. Greatness is built on a firm foundation: one decision, one habit at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Ahmed & Mike Ahmed
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nick Ahmed & Mike Ahmed

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