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. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or simply passionate about personal growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Why the Mental Game Matters

Physical skills may get you in the game, but it’s your mental strength that keeps you performing at your best when it matters most. Coach Thomann and Coach Beery explore why mental conditioning is the secret weapon of champions—and how anyone can develop it with the right mindset and tools.

Elite Mindset Strategies

Focus and Resilience Under Pressure

Top athletes don’t just train their bodies—they train their minds to stay locked in, even when the stakes are high. Coach Beery shares techniques for maintaining focus, such as pre-performance routines, visualization, and breathing exercises. These strategies help athletes reset quickly after mistakes and keep moving forward.

Building Mental Toughness

The episode highlights how resilience is built through adversity. Both coaches discuss the importance of embracing challenges, learning from setbacks, and using failure as fuel for future success. They share real-world examples of athletes who bounced back from tough losses to reach new heights.

Mental Conditioning Techniques

Cutting-Edge Methods Used by Champions

From mindfulness practices to self-talk scripts, the episode dives into the latest mental conditioning tools used by top performers. Coach Beery explains how techniques like goal setting, gratitude journaling, and mental imagery can help athletes stay sharp and motivated throughout the season.

Staying Motivated

Motivation isn’t just about hype—it’s about having a clear “why.” The coaches discuss how connecting to a deeper purpose and setting meaningful goals keeps athletes driven, especially during tough training cycles or slumps.

Insights from the Experts

Interviews and Perspectives

The episode features insights from leading sports psychologists and mental performance coaches, who reveal their go-to strategies for building mental excellence. You’ll hear about the psychological barriers athletes commonly face—like fear of failure, perfectionism, and performance anxiety—and how to overcome them.

What You’ll Gain

  • Inspiration from the Pros:
    Hear firsthand stories of athletes who turned adversity into triumph, proving that mental strength is just as important as physical talent.
  • Understanding Mental Barriers:
    Learn to identify and break through common obstacles, from negative self-talk to loss of motivation.
  • Case Studies in Sport:
    Analyze real-life examples of athletes who mastered their mental game to achieve breakthrough success.
  • Alternative Approaches:
    Explore diverse mental training methods—find what works best for your unique style and needs.

Key Takeaways

  • Mental skills are trainable: Anyone can develop focus, resilience, and confidence with consistent practice.
  • Habits matter: Daily routines, mental reps, and self-reflection are the foundation of a strong mindset.
  • Support is crucial: Coaches, teammates, and mental performance professionals all play a role in building mental strength.
  • Growth is ongoing: The journey never ends—embrace the process and keep striving for improvement.

Ready to master your mental game?
Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Matt Thomann and start building the mindset that sets champions apart.

For more information, contact coachthomann@gmail.com or visit www.mentalmettlelifecoaching.com.

Subscribe for more episodes and insights from top coaches and leaders!

Are you ready to forge your mettle?

More From Mental Mettle

Episode 143. Skydiving into Sharks with Travis Thomas: Improv Tools for Athletes and Coaches
In Episode 143 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with performance coach, keynote speaker, and author Travis Thomas to explore a surprising idea: improv isn’t just for comedians—it might be one of the most powerful mental performance tools you’re not using yet.​
Episode 141: Shane Fisher USA Bobsled Pilot (Part 2)
Most people see the Olympics as a dream; very few see the invoice that comes with it. In Episode 141 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, “Shane Fisher – USA Bobsled Pilot (Part 2),” we go behind the highlight reels and into the financial and emotional reality of chasing an Olympic dream as a Team USA athlete.​
Episode 142: Zen & Grit: The Mental Game of Nordic Combined with USA Olympian Niklas Malacinski
In Episode 142 of the Mental Mettle Podcast, “Zen & Grit: The Mental Game of Nordic Combined,” we go inside a sport that asks one athlete to master two completely different Olympic events: the precise, millimeter-sensitive “zen” of ski jumping and the brutal, 20–27 minute “grit” of a 10k cross-country race.​
The Mental Pillar of Performance: Why Your Strongest Athletes Still Break Down Under Pressure
Every fourth winter, we celebrate the strongest, fastest, most technically gifted athletes on ice and snow, but the ones who stand out have trained something most people never see: their mind.
Episode 140: Shane Fisher USA Bobsled Pilot (Part 1)
Olympic dreams are usually built on highlight reels and podium shots. In Episode 140 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, “Shane Fisher – USA Bobsled Pilot (Part 1),” you meet the reality behind that picture: an elite athlete grinding in the shadows, building his mind as intentionally as his body, and working to lift up other underfunded Team USA athletes through the American Paragons Foundation.​
Episode 139: The Winning Edge with Morgan (Kane) Brons
Most athletes only learn mental toughness the hard way. In Episode 139 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, “The Winning Edge with Morgan (Kane) Brons,” you get a front-row seat to how one high-level athlete rewired her mindset—and why she’s now committed to helping the next generation do it sooner.​