The Mental Mettle Podcast

Matt Thomann
  • 5.0 (12)
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Helping coaches forge mental toughness in student-athletes

  1. 2D AGO

    Ep 152: "Throwing it into the pole" with Olympian Joe Brown

    Today’s episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast is all about what you do after you hit rock bottom, in sport and in life. My guest is Olympian discus thrower Joe Brown (@joethethrower on Instagram)—one of only a handful of Division II athletes to make it all the way to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Joe is the: 2019 NCAA Division II national champion in the discus (won on his final attempt)4x USATF national qualifier (every year since 2021)4th place finisher at the 2023 USA Championships, earning a spot on the Pan American Games team (5th place finish)Bronze medalist at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials—again, on his final throw in a historic competition, punching his ticket to ParisCurrently ranked 31st in the world and in the top 100 male discus throwers of all timeBut this conversation is not just a highlight reel. When Joe talks about “throwing it into the pole,” he means it literally—slamming the discus into the metal pole of the cage under massive pressure at the Olympic Trials and nearly knocking himself out of contention. On his very last attempt, with his Olympic dream and his entire career on the line, he had to decide: walk away, or step back into the ring one more time. That moment in the stadium mirrors the rest of his life. Joe opens up about years spent in a destructive loop with alcohol—training hard all week and then erasing it with blackout weekends, drinking alone, using it to numb grief and depression, and “throwing it into the pole” in his own life over and over again. We get into: The resilience it takes to keep fighting after you fall flat on your face on the biggest stageThe mental framework behind being able to win on your final throwThe discipline required to train in solitude with no coach, no teammates, and no cheerleadersHow he handled doubt, depression, grief, and self-sabotage while still chasing an Olympic dreamThe tools he built through construction work with his dad, books, meditation, visualization, and trial and errorWe also dive into Joe’s “Olympic Decisions” series on Instagram—where he breaks tough moments down into simple but powerful choices (confidence or curiosity, belonging or independence, etc.) and uses those choices to come back from failure instead of being crushed by it. If you’ve ever felt like you keep slamming into the same wall—whether in competition, with alcohol, or in your own patterns—Joe’s story is a blueprint for how to step back into the ring and take one more throw. To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation: americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching: Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook: www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact: matt@mentalmettlecoach.com for a free coaching session with Coach Thomann www.mentalmettlecoach.com mentalmettle | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

    1h 9m

  2. APR 20

    Ep. 151: Before the Crisis – How Coach Chad Cluver’s Habits Shape Team Adversity Response

    Before the crisis hits, your team has already decided how it will respond. In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with IBCA Hall of Fame coach Chad Cluver to unpack how daily habits, standards, and relationships shape a team’s response to adversity long before the big moment arrives. Across 36 years on the sidelines and over 450 career wins, Coach Cluver has built competitive, resilient teams by putting culture before X’s and O’s. In this conversation, we dive into: In this episode, you’ll learn: Why culture must come before schemes—especially when flipping a struggling programHow clearly defining roles, standards, and expectations transforms team chemistryPractical ways to teach emotional regulation, vulnerability, and next-play mentalityHow to train responses to adversity instead of labeling kids as “tough” or “soft”What adversity actually reveals about your preparation, habits, and relationshipsHow to give players real ownership with tools like code words, communication systems, and feedback loopsWhy coaches say culture matters most—but often invest PD time only in X’s and O’sIf you’ve ever thought: “My kids just aren’t mentally tough,”“We fall apart when things get hard,” or“I believe in culture… but I don’t know how to build it,”…this episode will give you both a mindset framework and concrete ideas you can use with your team tomorrow. 🔥 Want Help Building This in Your Program? This conversation is exactly what my Ember to Inferno program is about—helping coaches intentionally develop that third skill set: Mental skillsEmotional regulationResponse to adversityProgram standards and culture systemsCoaches go to clinics every year to sharpen their press, their zone defense, their ball-screen offense. But if you truly believe culture > X’s and O’s, your professional development should reflect that. If you’re thinking, “I love this stuff, but I don’t know how to start,” that’s where I come in. Contact: matt@mentalmettlecoach.com for a free coaching session with Coach Thomann www.mentalmettlecoach.com mentalmettle | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook: www.resilientparentsplaybook.com

    1h 10m

  3. APR 13

    EP. 150: Do All Your Labor as Unto the Lord: Faith, Failure, and the Hammer with Olympian Alex Young

    On this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Matt sits down with 2020 Olympian and NCAA national champion hammer thrower Alex Young to talk about what it really means to “do all your labor as unto the Lord.” Alex grew up in Laverne, Tennessee as a football and weight-room kid before a high school coach pulled him into track and field. Inspired by watching Reese Hoffa at the Olympics, he took up the throws as a sophomore, went on to win a Tennessee state title in the shot put, and eventually became an NCAA champion in the weight throw and a World Championships finalist in the hammer. But this conversation isn’t just about results—it’s about what happens when they stop coming. Alex and Matt dig into: How Alex discovered throwing and chose track over footballBecoming SLU’s first-ever Division I national championMaking Team USA, the 2020 Olympics, and finishing 12th at Worlds in 2022Then having the worst professional seasons of his career in 2023–2024Losing confidence, changing coaches, and rebuilding from the bottomWhy he now competes for an “audience of One” and what that actually looks likeThe scripture that anchors him: “Do all your labor as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23)Learning to truly enjoy the process—even when the outcome hurtsHis thesis on self-talk, neuromuscular efficiency, and why what you say to yourself shows up in your bodyThe difference between real mental toughness and just grinding yourself into the groundHow he talks to younger athletes about finding their “superpower” and building confidence the right wayIf you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or believer who cares about faith, performance, and real resilience—not just motivational slogans—this episode is for you. If you found this helpful, hit subscribe for more conversations on mental performance, resilience, and mindset from athletes across all sports. To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation: americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching: Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook: www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact: matt@mentalmettlecoach.com for a free coaching session with Coach Thomann www.mentalmettlecoach.com mentalmettle | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

    1h 7m

  4. APR 6

    Ep. 149: Never Done Learning with HOF Coach Pat Ryan

    In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Pat Ryan, Director of High School Relations for Illinois Football and longtime head coach at Metamora High School. 📌 About Pat Ryan Pat Ryan is the Director of High School Relations for the University of Illinois football program. Before joining Illinois, he spent decades as the head football coach at Metamora High School in Illinois, where his teams became known statewide for their toughness, consistency, and championship‑level success. A former high school teacher and coach, Pat now serves as a vital bridge between the Illini and high school programs across the state, helping build relationships, evaluate talent, and support coaches and athletes through the recruiting process. Pat’s story isn’t about secret schemes or flashy buzzwords. It’s about a simple, humble approach to coaching that’s built on love for the game and genuine care for people. Drawing on years as a high school coach and now at a Big Ten program, Pat talks about: Why “you’re never done learning in this game”How he helped build Metamora into a perennial powerhouse without chasing gimmicksThe importance of relationships with players, families, and other coachesGetting the best athletes in your school to actually play footballMeeting kids where they are without lowering standardsSecond chances, discipline, and not “majoring in psychology” as a coachWhat Illinois looks for in recruits and how HS coaches can truly help their kidsHow routines, preparation, and situational work build real mental toughnessIf you’re a high school coach, this conversation is a masterclass in doing the “simple stuff” really well: caring deeply, staying consistent, and never stopping your own development. For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching: Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook: www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact: matt@mentalmettlecoach.com for a free coaching session with Coach Thomann www.mentalmettlecoach.com mentalmettle | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

    1h 9m

  5. MAR 30

    Ep. 148: Reborn in the Ring: Gabi Jacobs on Walking Away, Coming Back, and Trusting the Process

    Team USA discus thrower Gabi Jacobs didn’t start track dreaming of the Olympics. She joined in 7th grade just to hang out with friends, then quietly became a three-time All-American and three-time SEC champion at Mizzou. After a heartbreaking Olympic Trials in 2021 and the pressure of juggling demanding jobs with elite training, she walked away from the sport completely—fully believing she was done. In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Gabi and I dig into how she went from that “I’m done” moment to a full-on comeback, and why her reasons for competing now are totally different than they were before. She talks about growing up a multi-sport athlete at Normal U-High in Bloomington-Normal, thinking more about volleyball than track in college, and how Mizzou’s coaches taught her to dream big while obsessing over the daily details. Gabi explains how she used SMART goals, training journals, and small, tangible wins to build a high-performance mindset, and then what happens when that mindset collides with burnout. She takes us inside the 2021 Olympic Trials—making the final, fouling out, and the mental crash that followed. From there, she made a deliberate choice: rather than do the sport halfway, she chose to quit and focus on her career. Two years away from throwing changed everything. Watching SECs, USAs, and then Worlds in Budapest lit a fire she didn’t expect, especially seeing women she used to compete against on the world stage. A simple conversation with her dad, a longtime high school track and cross-country coach, gave her the framework for coming back: start again, and if it brings you joy, keep going. If it doesn’t, it’s okay to stop. Now training again in Columbia, Missouri with Coach Dane Miller of Garage Strength, Gabi is rebuilding as a Team USA discus thrower with a very different internal compass. She’s structuring her life around training and part-time work, coming back from a knee injury, and using the same process mindset to navigate recovery and the long season ahead. The focus is no longer on sponsorships or status, but on seeing how good she can become and enjoying the grind along the way. Gabi also holds a master’s in Positive Coaching, so when she talks about goal setting, small wins, burnout, and joy, she’s drawing from both lived experience and positive psychology. If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach wrestling with pressure, expectations, or burnout, this conversation will give you a real, practical look at what it means to step away, come back, and truly trust the process. If you found this helpful, hit subscribe for more conversations on mental performance, resilience, and mindset from athletes across all sports. To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation: americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching: Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook: www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact: matt@mentalmettlecoach.com for a free coaching session with Coach Thomann www.mentalmettlecoach.com mentalmettle | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

    1h 7m

  6. MAR 23

    Ep. 147: Fear vs. Faith with Dr. Dave Jones: Beating Toxic Motivators with True Mental Toughness

    Former pro hockey player, Air Force veteran, and sport & performance psychologist Dr. Dave Jones joins The Mental Mettle Podcast to unpack the battle between fear and faith—and how “toxic motivators” quietly drive so many athletes and high performers off course. Dr. Dave shares how a brutal slap shot to the face ended his early hockey career, led him into the Air Force, and unexpectedly opened the door to playing pro hockey in Germany while serving as an F‑16 crew chief. That season of pain, identity loss, and rerouting became the foundation for his faith, his work in performance psychology, and his work as founder of the Christian marketing agency MisGood Marketing (misgood.com). A lot of what we talk about in this episode flows directly into his upcoming book, Plan to Win, which you can learn more about on his site. In this episode, we dig into: The four toxic motivators: fear, lust, anger, and pride Why fear-based and anger-based “mental toughness” can work in the short term but destroy you in the long run The difference between identity and role (you’re more than your sport, job, or scoreboard) How faith, vision, and humility create a healthier, more sustainable form of toughness High vs. low emotional intelligence in sport: calm, confident, team-first vs. reactive, revenge-driven, and self-focused Practical ways to start shifting from fear to faith, including gratitude, “fruit‑checking,” and choosing the right people around you How Plan to Win helps you identify which toxic motivators you struggle with most and walk through devo-style steps to replace them with faith-driven motivation To learn more about Dr. Dave’s work, his Christian marketing agency, and his book Plan to Win, visit https://misgood.com. If you’ve ever felt driven, successful, and yet strangely empty—or if you’re tired of being powered by fear, anger, or pride—this conversation will show you a different way to be mentally tough, rooted in faith instead of toxicity, and point you toward tools to keep doing that work long after the episode ends.For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook. www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact:  matt@mentalmettlecoach.com www.mentalmettlecoach.com Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Links

    1h 5m

  7. MAR 16

    Ep. 146: Pedaling with a Purpose with USA Track Cyclist McKenna McKee

    McKenna McKee is a 16-time National Champion in sprint cycling, she is an Olympic hopeful for Team USA, and she is also in school to become a nurse.  She is an impressive young woman and her accomplishments are notable.  What makes it even more impressive is that she was diagnosed with diabetes at age 6. Or does it?   Does the diagnosis make it harder for her to be an elite athlete or did it actually help?   Because of the diagnosis, she learned to eat right and fuel her body at a time in her life when most of her classmates at whatever and whenever.  It also taught here that focusing on excuses does translate to results.  With the right attitude, she was able to take something that happened TO her and turn it into something that happened FOR her.    You and your athlete may not be facing a chronic health issue, but you are likely facing some sort of scenario that could be seen as a disadvantage.   Forging Mettle is about not only facing that disadvantage, but also turning it around.  McKenna has done that and is on her way to being an Olympian for the United States of America.    Along the way, she has become an advocate for athletes competing with diabetes.  As a member of Team Novo Nordisk, she races to inspire, educate, and empower athletes who face the same struggles.  Check out the episode to learn more about her journey and purpose.        If you found this helpful, hit subscribe for more conversations on mental performance, resilience, and mindset from athletes across all sports To learn more about the American Paragons Foundation at americanparagons.org For more information about Mental Mettle Coaching Sign up here for the FREE Resilient Parents Playbook. www.resilientparentsplaybook.com Contact:  matt@mentalmettlecoach.com www.mentalmettlecoach.com Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Links

    1h 1m

  8. MAR 9

    Ep. 145 The Resilient Parents Playbook

    👉 Get the free playbook here:  resilientparentsplaybook.com Resilient Parents Playbook: 5 Mistakes Killing Your Athlete’s Confidence (and What to Do Instead) In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann pulls back the curtain on the real mental performance coach in every young athlete’s life: their parents. Drawing on hundreds of hours working with athletes, coaches, and his own journey through cancer, stroke, and anxiety, Matt breaks down how well‑meaning parents can unintentionally undermine their kid’s confidence, resilience, and love of the game—and how to turn that around. You’ll learn: 🧠 Why the car ride home and dinner table talk shape your athlete’s inner voice more than any practice or pep talk. 🏆 The 3 essential skill sets every athlete needs (physical, game, and mental)—and why we usually neglect the mental. ❌ The 5 most common parent mistakes: Praising results instead of effort and attitude Using negative motivation (“toughen up”) Teaching kids to fight/ignore stress instead of manage it Turning the car ride home into a negative performance review Trying to be both parent and coach ✅ And practical replacements you can start using today: How to praise controllables (effort, attitude, communication) How to build “positive toughness” instead of shame-based toughness Simple tools to help kids manage nerves and anxiety The “Three Good Things” car-ride ritual that rewires their brain for confidence How to run a “reset conversation” if you feel like you’ve been getting it wrong for years This is not a parent-blaming episode—it’s a parent-empowering one. You’ll walk away with a clear framework for becoming the kind of mental performance influence your athlete desperately needs at home. FREE RESOURCE – RESILIENT PARENTS PLAYBOOK Want these concepts broken down into simple, bite-sized steps? Grab Matt’s FREE email course, “The Resilient Parents Playbook,” and get: Daily, practical prompts you can use with your athlete Scripts for car rides and post-game talks Tools to help your kid manage stress, pressure, and mistakes 👉 Get the free playbook here:  resilientparentsplaybook.com

    1h 15m
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About

Helping coaches forge mental toughness in student-athletes

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Thomann
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Mental Mettle Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Mental Mettle Podcast

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