Plan B - Athletes supporting Athletes

Mental Performance Coach B
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Success in sports is 90% mental, yet we rarely talk about what goes on behind the scenes. Plan B - Athletes supporting Athletes pulls back the curtain on the athletic experience. Coach B sits down with athletes from across the globe to discuss the high-pressure moments, the transitions, and the mental strategies that keep them going. This isn't just a sports podcast; it’s a toolkit of support and knowledge designed to help active and retired athletes navigate their careers with confidence and authenticity

  1. 4D AGO

    Silent Soldiers - Why Male Athletes Stay Quiet And How Coaches Can Help

    Silence can look like discipline, toughness, and focus. It can also be a warning sign we are trained to ignore. “Silent Soldiers” is my clearest message yet about male athlete mental health, why so many young men learn to bury distress, and what happens when sport rewards performance but punishes honesty.  I walk through the latest NCAA athlete death data shared in a 2024 British Journal of Sports Medicine study: across 2002–2022, suicide becomes the second leading cause of death among college athletes, and the proportion of athlete deaths due to suicide doubles over 20 years even as other causes decline. Most of those losses are men. If that makes you uncomfortable, good. Discomfort is often the first signal that something needs to change.  Then we get practical. I break down the biggest barriers that keep male athletes from seeking support: stigma and embarrassment, fear of losing a role or scholarship, pressure to conform to masculine norms, and low mental health literacy that makes it hard to tell the difference between normal fatigue and depression or anxiety. I also explain the difference between mental toughness and emotional suppression, and why suppression does not make athletes stronger.  Finally, I give coaches and sport leaders a proactive framework: learn what distress looks like in men, build emotional connection into training through structured activities, use independent facilitation so players can be honest without hierarchy, and treat mental performance coaching like strength and conditioning. We also talk about the risk window after sport and why our responsibility cannot stop at the final whistle.  If you care about athletes, share this with one coach or teammate today, then subscribe, leave a review, and tell me: what does your team culture reward, silence or honesty? This Podcast is your Podcast, text us if you're an Athlete with a story to share... Support the show To see more pictures, footage and out takes, bloopers and more follow us @PlanB.By Coach B on Instagram and or contact Coach B directly at www.coachbperformance.com to be part of the show. *Athletes must be 18 years or older or in the company of their legal guardian to participate in the show. Participants can remain anonymous with no visual footage for marketing and names can be changed to protect identity.

    28 min

  2. MAR 19

    A D1 Water Polo Player Rebuilds Coaching Culture

    The water polo season ends, the noise fades, and that’s when a lot of athletes finally feel what they’ve been carrying. Coach B sits down with Jasper Dale, fresh off his final season as a D1 men’s water polo player at UC Irvine, to talk about what high-performance coaching looks like from the inside and what changes when you step onto the deck as a coach yourself. We get into Jasper’s full path, from starting water polo as an after-school “why not?” activity to leveling up through Southern California club training and landing at one of the most competitive NCAA programs. From there the conversation turns to culture: how teams actually win, why role clarity beats ego, and what it feels like to play under a coach known for intensity. We also unpack the Stanford Brian Flax controversy as a broader question about interpretation, power, and where “tough” can slide into something else depending on the athlete and the environment they came from. Coach B makes the case for a missing link in many programs: a trained sports performance and behavioral change professional who can help coaches communicate clearly and help athletes interpret feedback accurately, especially when many elite athletes are neurodivergent. Jasper offers a coaching takeaway that cuts through the noise: confidence is not fluff, it’s a performance driver, and most coaches don’t train it on purpose. If you care about athlete mental health, coach communication, and building a winning water polo culture without losing your people, listen through to the end. Subscribe, share this with a coach or teammate, leave a review, and tell us: what actually builds confidence on your team? This Podcast is your Podcast, text us if you're an Athlete with a story to share... Support the show To see more pictures, footage and out takes, bloopers and more follow us @PlanB.By Coach B on Instagram and or contact Coach B directly at www.coachbperformance.com to be part of the show. *Athletes must be 18 years or older or in the company of their legal guardian to participate in the show. Participants can remain anonymous with no visual footage for marketing and names can be changed to protect identity.

    30 min

  3. MAR 10

    Coaching Brains That Play Differently

    What if half your roster processes the game in a completely different way—and that’s not a problem to fix, but an edge to unlock? Coach B sits down with psychologist and coach Dr. “Coach Carey” Heller to rethink how we talk to athletes so they actually hear us, remember it, and execute when the game gets loud. We dig into the real meaning of neurodivergent in sport—ADHD, autism, dyslexia—and why it’s a difference, not a deficit. Coach Carey breaks down practical upgrades any coach can use today: tighten your language, show the drill, and time your talks after movement so attention is high. On the sideline, skip the running commentary and choose one actionable cue. We also rework the feedback sandwich to protect confidence, and move deep corrections to practice where you can adjust mechanics in the moment. Film doesn’t need to be a marathon. Learn how to build short, targeted clips that teach one theme at a time, and when to let athletes review solo to lower anxiety and boost retention. We also tackle pressure: mapping triggers, using box breathing, anchoring with mantras, and building simple pre-performance routines that center attention. Along the way, we highlight the power of silence, the value of letting athletes process, and how small, specific praise sustains self-belief. Whether you coach youth, college, or pros, these tools help every athlete—not just those with a diagnosis. Expect clearer practices, steadier performances, and a stronger bond between coaches and players. If you found value here, share this with a coach, subscribe for more conversations that sharpen your edge, and leave a review with your best one-line game cue—we might feature it next time. This Podcast is your Podcast, text us if you're an Athlete with a story to share... Support the show To see more pictures, footage and out takes, bloopers and more follow us @PlanB.By Coach B on Instagram and or contact Coach B directly at www.coachbperformance.com to be part of the show. *Athletes must be 18 years or older or in the company of their legal guardian to participate in the show. Participants can remain anonymous with no visual footage for marketing and names can be changed to protect identity.

    37 min

  4. MAR 3

    How A Cornell Freshman Turned Passion For Watching Sports Into Real-World Impact

    A lot of us fall in love with sports from the couch, not the court. Anya did exactly that—and then turned her love of watching games into real-world impact that lifted entire teams. We sit down with this Cornell freshman to unpack how she co-founded a 16-person media group in high school to spotlight undercovered athletes, ran pro-quality media days, and later stepped into strategy roles shaping D1 fan engagement. We trace the first spark—seeing girls’ tennis and other “smaller” sports miss out on recognition—and how a student-led solution became Radar Sports: a nimble mix of photographers, editors, and community connectors delivering shareable, athlete-first content. From backdrops and pose coaching to editing and distribution, Anya shares the nuts and bolts anyone can copy to build visibility and pride on campus. Then we zoom out to tactics that move the needle. At Cornell, Anya helped design an alumni-driven activation that lures non-fans with career networking, then converts them with the live-game experience. It’s classic segmentation done right for a pre-professional audience. We also get honest about the gender gap in sports business and why exposure matters—how growing up with games on at home builds the fluency and confidence to lead in broadcast booths, front offices, and advisory boards. If you’re curious about careers beyond playing, this conversation opens the door. We dig into sponsorships and partnerships as the economic engine of modern sport, spotlight Formula One’s hidden roles—from engineering to logistics to performance psychology—and outline practical steps for students to start, scale, and measure their own projects. The throughline is clear: you don’t need to be an athlete to belong in sports; you need curiosity, craft, and the courage to ship your work. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, rate, and share the show with a friend who loves sports or wants to work in it—and tell us the behind-the-scenes role you’d try first. This Podcast is your Podcast, text us if you're an Athlete with a story to share... Support the show To see more pictures, footage and out takes, bloopers and more follow us @PlanB.By Coach B on Instagram and or contact Coach B directly at www.coachbperformance.com to be part of the show. *Athletes must be 18 years or older or in the company of their legal guardian to participate in the show. Participants can remain anonymous with no visual footage for marketing and names can be changed to protect identity.

    44 min

  5. FEB 24

    Scroll Less, Perform Better!

    Athletes the mind body connection is real don't ignore it ! This week we dig into how pre-game scrolling hijacks motivation, dulls focus, and undercuts team connection. Using Neuroscientist  TJ Power’s DOSE model as a guide, from his book The Dose Effect, we share practical swaps that protect brain chemistry so your mind matches your body on game day. • why dopamine drives effort and focus • how short-form feeds deplete motivation • denorphin as a warning signal after over-scrolling • oxytocin, trust, and face-to-face connection • serotonin, sunlight, and steady confidence • endorphins through movement and laughter • a 30–60 minute pre-competition phone fast • active replacements that rebuild chemistry • intentional phone use as a tool, not a habit Make sure you like, share, and subscribe This Podcast is your Podcast, text us if you're an Athlete with a story to share... Support the show To see more pictures, footage and out takes, bloopers and more follow us @PlanB.By Coach B on Instagram and or contact Coach B directly at www.coachbperformance.com to be part of the show. *Athletes must be 18 years or older or in the company of their legal guardian to participate in the show. Participants can remain anonymous with no visual footage for marketing and names can be changed to protect identity.

    22 min

  6. FEB 17

    Building A Life After College Sports

    The final whistle doesn’t have to mean game over. Former D1 soccer player Case Montanile joins us to unpack how injuries pushed him to step away from the game he loved and redirect that same competitive drive into commercial real estate. What emerges isn’t a sob story—it’s a playbook for turning athletic grit into career momentum, without losing your love for sport or yourself. We walk through the real stuff athletes rarely say out loud: feeling your identity shrink when the schedule stops, the quiet grief of recurring injuries, and the slow realization that the cost of chasing your dreams might not be worth it to your body. Case explains how a lifelong habit of team-first thinking, paying dues, and staying coachable translated directly into the workplace. He shares why confidence is the most portable skill you own, how to rebuild structure when no one is setting practice times, and why new associates and college freshmen have more in common than you think. You’ll also hear tangible strategies for stability during transition. Case breaks down his morning routine—early runs, a daily Murph, time in nature—and how those rituals act as active meditation that resets the nervous system before a day of prospecting, calls, and client meetings. We connect the performance triangle from sport to work: preparation, execution, and recovery, with simple ways to design a “nurture” outlet so you don’t burn out trying to replace the adrenaline of game day. If you’re a current athlete, a recent grad, or anyone facing a forced pivot, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful path forward. Expect clear takeaways on transferable skills, building a second identity before you need it, and using perspective to turn “unfair” into “opportunity.” Subscribe for more honest, practical stories from the world of human performance, and share this with a teammate who needs a nudge. Got your own post-sport strategy—or questions we should tackle next? Drop us a note and leave a review to help others find the show. This Podcast is your Podcast, text us if you're an Athlete with a story to share... Support the show To see more pictures, footage and out takes, bloopers and more follow us @PlanB.By Coach B on Instagram and or contact Coach B directly at www.coachbperformance.com to be part of the show. *Athletes must be 18 years or older or in the company of their legal guardian to participate in the show. Participants can remain anonymous with no visual footage for marketing and names can be changed to protect identity.

    32 min

  7. FEB 10

    How A Teen Sprinter Uses Faith, Nutrition, And Precision To Run Faster

    Ten seconds can hold a season’s worth of pressure. Nick, a senior 100, 200, and 4x100 sprinter, walks us through how he turns that pressure into speed by starting months early, lifting with purpose, and translating gym gains into cleaner mechanics on the track. We dig into the shift from “just showing up” to training with intention, and how simple choices—sleep, warmups, and daily core finishers—unlock relaxed form and faster top-end velocity. Fuel becomes a competitive edge. Nick explains why he ditched energy drinks and constant sugar, timed his carbs, and treated hydration like equipment. The payoff shows up in recovery, muscle growth, and repeatable speed. He breaks down the art of the start: block patience, no chasing the gun, and a mental reset when false starts rattle the field. Music cues, breath, and focus on the finish line keep him present when it matters most. Faith is his anchor. With 1 Corinthians 9:24 inked on his spikes, he races with gratitude and clarity, turning nerves into calm energy. We highlight the mentors who shaped him—from pros like Noah Lyles to a D1-bound teammate whose discipline raises the standard—and why track, despite its lanes, is a true team sport. Nick shares how to process the hard moments, from dropped batons to off days, without losing humor or heart, and how identity beyond sport protects performance across a long season. If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete chasing a better sprint season, you’ll leave with practical tactics for nutrition, recovery, mechanics, and mindset—and a fresh view of leadership and faith on the track. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, share with a teammate, and leave a rating to help more athletes find the show. This Podcast is your Podcast, text us if you're an Athlete with a story to share... Support the show To see more pictures, footage and out takes, bloopers and more follow us @PlanB.By Coach B on Instagram and or contact Coach B directly at www.coachbperformance.com to be part of the show. *Athletes must be 18 years or older or in the company of their legal guardian to participate in the show. Participants can remain anonymous with no visual footage for marketing and names can be changed to protect identity.

    30 min

  8. FEB 4

    Inside The Trans Youth Sports Debate: Data, Fairness, And Real Solutions

    We cut through the noise on trans youth in sport by examining real participation numbers, performance gaps after puberty, and the mental health stakes of belonging. We challenge glossy campaigns, map the current legal landscape, and offer a concrete idea to expand opportunity without sacrificing fairness. • mission of athletes supporting athletes and signal versus noise • critique of the ACLU More Than A Game campaign messaging • overview of state laws and pending Supreme Court timelines • mental health benefits for LGBTQ youth and risks in restrictive states • participation rates in high school and college contexts • sport-specific performance gaps and safety considerations • human impact on girls’ and boys’ psychology in competition • proposal to pilot dedicated trans competitions and open categories • invitation for trans athletes and parents to share perspectives You can find me at coachbperformance.com, or at the Plan B by Coach B Instagram podcast page. Want to come on the show? Drop us a line and share your story. This Podcast is your Podcast, text us if you're an Athlete with a story to share... Support the show To see more pictures, footage and out takes, bloopers and more follow us @PlanB.By Coach B on Instagram and or contact Coach B directly at www.coachbperformance.com to be part of the show. *Athletes must be 18 years or older or in the company of their legal guardian to participate in the show. Participants can remain anonymous with no visual footage for marketing and names can be changed to protect identity.

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Success in sports is 90% mental, yet we rarely talk about what goes on behind the scenes. Plan B - Athletes supporting Athletes pulls back the curtain on the athletic experience. Coach B sits down with athletes from across the globe to discuss the high-pressure moments, the transitions, and the mental strategies that keep them going. This isn't just a sports podcast; it’s a toolkit of support and knowledge designed to help active and retired athletes navigate their careers with confidence and authenticity

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