Building Mental Toughness in Athletes

The Ember to Inferno series guides coaches through their own journey of mental toughness while providing actionable strategies to build confidence and belief in their athletes. Rather than simply introducing more adversity, the focus is on creating a strong foundation for mental resilience.

Key Topics covered

Understanding Mental Toughness

Basics, definition, and factors contributing to its loss

Modern Challenges

Impact of social media, athletic pressures, and trauma

Neuroplasticity

Techniques for developing mental toughness

Mindfulness

Methods for improving focus and control

Confidence Building

Recognizing and controlling inner voice, practicing gratitude

Intentional Adversity

Assessing growth mindset and developing related skills

Accountability

Creating practice plans that consider mental health

Program Options

Small Group Coaching Sessions

Ideal for groups of 5-10 people (grade levels, committees, departments, administrative staff).

  • Format: Virtual

  • Duration: 1 hour per session

Combined Presentation and Coaching Sessions

A comprehensive SEL program starting with the keynote presentation for all coaches, followed by small group coaching sessions throughout the school year.

About Coach matt Thomann

Matt Thomann is a highly regarded sports mental performance coach and life coach with over a decade of experience in public education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. His journey to becoming a life coach was shaped by a series of life-altering events in 2020, including a cancer diagnosis and an ischemic stroke while managing a school during the Covid-19 pandemic.

These challenges taught Matt the essential nature of a positive mindset in overcoming life's obstacles. After relearning to speak and read aloud, and benefiting from positive psychology techniques, Matt decided to pivot his career. He began life coach training just five months after his stroke, combining his newfound insights with his extensive background in education and athletics.

The Mental Edge

"The Mental Edge" is your go-to resource for unlocking peak performance through mental resilience and strategic mindset training with stories containing valuable insights, practical tips, and expert advice tailored for athletes, coaches, and parents alike. Explore techniques to enhance focus, build confidence, and overcome adversity, empowering you to excel in sports and life.

Why Individual Mental Performance Coaching Matters for Athletes
Athletes train their bodies, sharpen their skills, and study the game, but many still struggle when pressure rises. Individual mental performance coaching helps bridge that gap by teaching athletes how to think, respond, and compete with more confidence, composure, and control.
Ember to Inferno: Building Mentally Tough Athletes Through Coach Development
Coaches spend countless hours perfecting physical training and game strategies, but mental toughness—the ability to thrive under pressure, regulate emotions, and respond to adversity—often gets overlooked. That's where Ember to Inferno comes in.
Episode 111: Tips for Mastering the Mental Game with Coach Brandon Beery
How do elite athletes and coaches rise above the noise, pressure, and setbacks to achieve peak performance? In Episode 111 of the Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann and fellow mindset coach Brandon Beery break down the science and art of mastering the mental game.