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

In Episode 150 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Matt sits down with 2020 Olympian and NCAA national champion hammer thrower Alex Young for a conversation about faith, failure, confidence, and what it really means to do all your labor as unto the Lord.

Alex’s journey started in La Vergne, Tennessee, where he was a football and weight-room kid before a high school coach nudged him toward track and field. Inspired by watching Reese Hoffa compete on the Olympic stage, he discovered the throws as a sophomore and quickly turned that spark into a standout career. From winning a Tennessee state title in the shot put to becoming Southeastern Louisiana’s first-ever Division I national champion, Alex built a résumé that eventually included Team USA, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and a World Championships finalist finish in the hammer.

But this episode goes deeper than medals and milestones.

Matt and Alex talk honestly about what happens when the results stop coming. After his strongest years, Alex entered a difficult stretch in 2023 and 2024, dealing with poor performances, lost confidence, and major adjustments in training and coaching. What emerged from that season wasn’t just a comeback plan, but a clearer perspective on purpose, faith, and resilience.

Throughout the conversation, Alex shares how he competes for an “audience of One,” why Colossians 3:23 anchors his mindset, and how he’s learned to enjoy the process even when the outcome hurts. They also dig into his thoughts on self-talk, neuromuscular efficiency, and the difference between true mental toughness and simply grinding yourself into the ground.

If you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or believer who cares about performance, perspective, and real resilience, this episode is worth your time.

He ends the episode with a simple but powerful reminder: find your superpower, stay grounded in faith, and keep showing up with purpose.