Episode 136: Use Your Strengths and Own Your Limitations with Coach Adam Lewandowski

Owning who you are – both the strengths you bring and the limitations you’re still growing through – is at the heart of real toughness, and that is exactly where Episode 136 of The Mental Mettle Podcast goes to work.​

Episode 136 overview

In Episode 136, “Use Your Strengths and Own Your Limitations,” Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Coach Adam Lewandowski of Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Illinois to talk about what it really means to lead and compete with honesty, humility, and purpose. Drawing from his own playing days, pro coaching experience, and current high school program, Lewandowski shares how great coaches and athletes learn to lean into their strengths while refusing to hide from their weaknesses.​

Leadership, ego, and modern youth sports

Throughout the conversation, Coach Lewandowski reflects on the mentors, Hall of Fame coaches, and early experiences that shaped his calling to coach and serve young people through football. He and Thomann unpack how ego, distractions, and the pace of modern youth sports—and technology—can pull players away from focus, commitment, and true mental toughness if they are not intentional.​

Mental toughness, accountability, and mission

The episode dives into how Lewandowski defines mental toughness, why ownership and accountability are non-negotiable for his players, and what it takes to build a mission-driven program that develops champions on and off the field. From coaching women’s professional football to leading a high school program rooted in character, service, and community, he shows how small, consistent actions over time create big results—in performance and in life.​

If you are a coach, parent, or athlete who wants to build mentally tough competitors without sacrificing character, this episode will give you practical ideas you can apply right away. Subscribe to The Mental Mettle Podcast and start forging your 100% Mettle today, and to learn more or schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann, visit mentalmettlelifecoaching.com or email coachthomann@gmail.com.​