Send us Fan Mail What does it actually take to perform at your best without burning out, breaking down, or trying to squeeze yourself into a system that was never built for you? In this episode, Mariel sits down with Dan Mickle, Mental Performance Coach, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at York College of Pennsylvania, founder of Soul Performance Academy, and host of The MentalCast podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from breathwork and journaling to neurodivergent athletes, hustle culture, and why "mental toughness" might be the wrong goal entirely. Dan brings 30+ years of coaching experience and a deeply personal perspective on what it means to truly know your athletes. As a father of three neurodivergent children, a doctoral student researching coaching considerations for neurodivergent populations, and a former coach who once made his team do burpees during a timeout (his words), Dan keeps it refreshingly real throughout this whole conversation. In this episode, you'll learn: The three mental skills Dan carried from being a player into 34 years of coaching and why breathwork is the foundation of all of themWhy journaling doesn't have to be a page a day (and what a quick prompt in the parking lot can do for your growth)How to build intention into every practice and what deliberate practice really means Why neurodivergent athletes are just coping and what coaches can do differentlyThe difference between emotional control and emotional suppression, and why fighting your nerves wastes energy you needDan's take on why "mental toughness" misses the mark and what "mental flexibility" gets rightWhy the youth sports system is broken, who's responsible, and what it would actually take to fix itIf you're a coach, a parent, an athlete, or anyone trying to perform with more clarity and less chaos, this one's for you. Connect with Dan Mickle: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn About Dan Mickle: Dan Mickle is a Mental Performance Coach, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at York College of Pennsylvania, educator, and founder of Soul Performance Academy. With over a decade of experience working with athletes, teams, coaches, and organizations, Dan specializes in helping performers build focus, confidence, emotional control, and sustainable high performance — especially for neurodivergent athletes and those who think and learn differently. In addition to coaching at the collegiate level, Dan is an adjunct professor in sport behavior and psychology and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) with a research focus on coaching considerations for neurodivergent populations. His work blends science, real-world coaching experience, and practical tools athletes can use immediately. Dan is also the host of The MentalCast podcast, where he explores mindset, performance, leadership, and growth through conversations with coaches, athletes, and experts across disciplines. He has authored multiple books and created digital programs designed to make mental training simple, effective, and accessible. Whether on the court, in the classroom, or behind the mic, Dan's mission is to help people perform at their best without burning out, breaking down, or trying to fit into systems that were never built for them. Support the show
