Welcome back to The Mental Mettle Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Thornton, a high school basketball coach, girls' golf coach, and dedicated educator. Join us as we dive deep into the evolution of Ryan's coaching philosophy, the importance of building relationships, and how focusing on personal well-being can revolutionize your coach…

Welcome to the latest episode of the "Mental Mettle Podcast" with your host, Coach Matt Thomann. In this episode, we sit down with Coach Seth Massey to dive deep into the evolving culture of sports and the critical role mental strength plays in today's athletic landscape. Join us as we discuss: Building and maintaining a strong team culture The imp…

Join host Matt Thomann as he chats with Coach Brad Soderberg from Virginia Basketball on this episode of the Mental Metal Podcast. They dive into the importance of grindability and core values in sports and life. Coach Soderberg shares his 39-year coaching experience, emphasizing humility, thankfulness, and staying true to one's values. Perfect for…

In this episode of the Mental Metal Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann interviews the legendary Coach Matt Long from Central Southeastern High School. With over 600 wins as the girls' coach, Coach Long shares his transformative coaching strategies, emphasizing the power of visualization, the importance of gratitude, and his practice mantra: "Do it right, …

A special episode required a special guest! I finally interviewed my little brother about his basketball experience. 11 years of pro basketball and 4 years of college basketball were all guided by a phrase he learned in high school. So, coaches, be aware your intentional coaching decisions make an impact! Schedule a free coaching session with Coach…

Join me in a great conversation with Southwest Baptist assistant coach Vince Walker. We talk about confidence, mindset, and even shooting slumps. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Mental Mettle Coaching specializes in providing comprehensive m…

Coach and athletic director, Ryan Hamilton, recently hired Mental Mettle Coaching to work with several of his high school coaches. His goal was simple, he wanted to give them tools they could use to help them better help their athletes. In this episode, we discuss the Ember to Inferno program provided by Mental Mettle coaching, and how he is alread…

Coach Herm spent his youth developing his basketball skills and his mental skills. It allowed him to be successful at the high school, college, and professional levels. Now he helps other young basketball players do the same. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Officia…

Joni Nightingale has been the head coach of the Dee-Mack Lady Chiefs for 3 seasons, and every year they have set the school record for wins in a season. She is humble enough to know she has had help from others, but her communication and her care for her players are an enormous factor as well. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Ord…

Craig Lambert was the Chief Sportswriter for Harvard Magazine for 26 years, so he knows a thing or two about high-level Student-Athletes. Now he is using that experience to write his new book "The Signature Game" which helps young athletes learn to play their game in their way, despite what modern analytics and "best practices" say are best for a y…

Margaret Lehr was the IHSA female wrestler in Illinois. She knows her toughness is due to this intentional adversity in her youth and she now preaches that idea to her athletes at Normal West High School. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Podcast | Official Gear | Bonfire Ment…

This episode stands as a heartfelt tribute to the memory of Dylan Bazzell and Drew Fehr, whose lives were tragically cut short in an accident on March 20, 2023. Darin Bazzell, not only the father of Dylan but also the coach of Drew, reminisces about their vibrant lives and the positive impact they left behind. In the wake of this devastating loss, …

"Just keep living", that's what doctors told Savannah Jost to do when she was diagnosed with Lymphoma during her Freshman year of high school. So she did. She kept playing the same way she always had. She faced every game and every obstacle in a spirited and resilient way. A true example of mental mettle! Schedule a free coaching session with Coach…

Jeff Henry has spent over 30 years coaching multiple high school sports at Rockridge High School. He knows something about athletes, mentality, and the benefits of being a multiple sport athlete. If you are unsure what to tell your athlete in today's specialized word, listen to this episode. Mental Mettle Coaching Links. Schedule a free coaching se…

Reggie is a former Marine Corps Martial Arts instructor, BJJ purple belt, and owner of Embrace Process, a non-profit Jiu-Jitsu program for at-risk kids. From personal experience, he knows that a growth mindset is the key for many kids in tough situations. Jiu Jitsu can create that growth mindset. Use the code "mettle" for a 20% discount on the Embr…

An absolute legend, Coach Kearns is thought to be the first woman to both play and coach in the NCAA tournament, and she did it all for Millikin University, an NCAA Division 3 school in Decatur, IL. In her coaching career, she won 548 games, 11 CCIW conference titles, and one National Championship. She is one of the most competitive, successful, re…

Tammy Barlette knows confidence under pressure. She is a graduate of the USAF Weapon School, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and she's a mom. She's also a coach who now teaches cockpit confidence to civilian pilots. Check out her links here. CrossCheck: COACHING (tammybarlette.com) Athena's Voice: Tammy "G." Barlette — Athena's Voice…

Meet Megan Gilmore, a former athlete, author, and the brains behind Lark's Song. Trust me, she's the go-to for all things athletics, well-being, and coaching—she's been there and done that. But for those who haven't experienced coaching, it might seem a bit too "woo-woo," like some magical stuff that's not practical for everyday progress. Spoiler a…

Not only is Nick Zerby a former Fat Kid he is also a fellow "tough guy". He played college football, he does CrossFit, and he hunts, kills, and eats wild game. He and I get along well, but not for all those reasons. We get along well because we both understand that toughness goes well beyond what we do physically. Toughness is a mental state of min…

Coach Leonard has a great story to tell. He is all about Faith, Family, and Football, and it shows. In this episode, we talk about all of those and about how he has organically grown a program that has nine state championships. Buy a copy of his book here! Victorious! A story of Faith, Family and Football in the Heartland | Victorious Leonards Sche…

Ryan Tompkins has been a part of GCMS basketball since it started. He was a player when the schools consolidated, and a few years after college he became the head coach. He is very aware of the legacy he is purposely building, and it shows. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann https://calendly.com/coachthomann/coachingdemo Order The …

For over 20 years, Josh Jostes has been the Head Coach of one of the best 2A programs in the State of Illinois, but it didn't start that way. He took over a program that was failing and everyone knew it. He built it up by facing issues "head on". They needed a better weight room, so he built it. They needed more participation, so built a program ki…

Honestly, all referees are out of your control. Whether you are a coach, a player, or a parent, it should not be your focus. For coaches, what percentage of your effort, thoughts, and words go into arguing with an official during a game? Is that percentage an amount you tolerate from your players? Some soul-searching questions on this week's episod…

New Year's Resolutions are awful. They almost always fail. They are resolute, black and white, binary. The world is not. There is room for improvement for everyone this 2024, but it doesn't have to come in the form of a resolution. Instead, focus on a skill you'd like to acquire in 2024 and start creating it. I can help. Order The Mental Mettle Pod…

The only exception is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but I'm talking about Hollywood-created Christmas Miracles. They are fake and don't exemplify real change. At best they are catalysts for change, but more likely they make us believe that a visit from an angel, 3 ghosts, or a group of German terrorists is what we need to bring th…

Rainer Meisterjahn Ph.D. runs Courtex Performance which a company that provides proactive mental coaching to NBA, WNBA, and FIBA basketball players. The word "proactive" resonated the most with me. It is not necessarily "fixing" issues, it is more about improving mindset before issues arise. Order The Mental Mettle Podcast Gear The Mental Mettle Po…

Hallie Mitchell is a softball player, a really good softball player. So good in fact that she was able to leverage her ability to go from a small Illinois High School to Lexington Kentucky where she plays for the Kentucky Wildcats. It was exactly what she wanted....but it was also extremely hard. As her coach, I helped Hallie overcome the struggles…

Toxic situations happen. They happen in families, in the workplace, and in athletics. Acting like they do not happen does not prepare us for dealing with them. In this episode, I break down some useful advice for athletes and coaches when facing conflict and toxic situations. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann https://calendly.com/…

Communication, communication, and communication. Those are the three most important factors in success according to Coach Plummer. He should know, he had a lot of it. Over 30 years of coaching and over 800 wins as a soccer coach make him a guy worth listening to! Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann https://calendly.com/coachthomann/…

Tammy Lott saved my life, at least my life as I know it. I met her less than a month after my stroke. She was tasked with helping me ease my anxiety about my diminished communication skills, no easy task. She did such a good job that I switched careers and became a coach. My life would not be what it is without her, Thanks Tammy! Schedule a free co…

Coach Feeney is a coach worth listening to. He skipped his senior year of playing basketball in college to coach in college. He definitely has a gift, but he also works on his craft. Over the years he's learned that focusing on mindset and mentality is just as important as physical drills. No excuses. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Tho…

I love watching Jason Welch coach. He is a great example of how you can be passionate and positive at the same time. As the Head Coach of Bloomington Central Catholic he leads young men to be better men and better Christians. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thomann https://calendly.com/coachthomann/coachingdemo Mental Mettle Coaching sp…

In the 90s, Clancy Hall left Texas for basketball in Middle Tennessee. He played at Lipscomb, met a girl, decided to stick around, and now he's still in Middle Tennessee for basketball. Along the way he has learned a lot, changed the way he coaches, and now has a solid metric of success he lives by. Schedule a free coaching session with Coach Thoma…

Seriously, what else can you say about a guy who picks a goal and sticks with it, regardless of what every other person (and common sense) thinks? Dre scored 2 points per game in high school, walked on to a D3 school, and saw limited minutes; however, he kept "hustling" til he got an overseas basketball contract. He then turned that contract into m…

Gabe is one of the nicest guys you could ever want to meet. He's a family man, a good friend, a former preschool teacher, and the leader of my men's bible study group. Seriously a great guy, but he's also a jiu-jitsu black belt that would make you tap out in no time (or at least that's what happens when I roll with him). Also, he is a former "tradi…

Malik Mims has a passion for helping young hoopers. He does it from a place of experience and from a place of love. He is honest with his athletes and makes sure they know the truth about their abilities and their deficiencies. Make sure your kids have someone in their life like Malik! EPISODE 006| TRAGEDY TO CLARITY W/ MATT THOMANN - YouTube OWN Y…

Rob calls it the "Well". The place he goes to when things get tough. The memory of a terrible situation that he has already endured in his life His "well" is the time he was a mile 90 of a 135-mile run through Death Valley. His shoes were melting and his feet were covered with blisters. You might think he is certifiably insane, maybe he is, but you…

Henry Domercant was a beast! At EIU he set the NCAA on fire with his offensive explosions every night, but it didn't happen overnight. As a college freshman he, begrudgingly, redshirted. He learned he needed to work on his game and his mindset. After college, he spent over a decade playing basketball in Europe, constantly honing his game. His exper…

Ali is tough. 800 meters in 2:06 in 100-degree heat tough. Heading into her senior year at Normal Community High School Ali has already won 3 State Championships in her signature event, the 800 meters. In this episode, hear how she develops the mental toughness needed to become a U20 USA athlete. OWN YOUR VOICE, EMPOWER YOUR GAME! Join Coach Thoman…

When Coach Meiss sits on the bench these days he has a lot of roles: head coach, father of a player, and son to one of his assistant coaches. Yes, 3 generations sit on the bench for each El Paso-Gridley basketball game. It is an interesting dynamic to be sure.. In this episode hear how Coach Meiss fills all of those roles at the same time while als…

If you are a big fish in a little pond, go find a bigger pond. It doesn't have to be the AAU circuit, but the AAU circuit is a great place to determine how you stack up. Every summer hundreds of the best junior high and high school players battle it out throughout the U.S.A. It is great competition, but you have to have the right mindset. Expect an…

Skyler Bowlin has spent over a decade playing professional basketball in Europe. He loves it and knows he gets to play a game for a living; however, it isn't everything it's cracked up to be. it can be a grind and takes a solid mindset to make it happen. Mental Mettle Coaching specializes in providing comprehensive mental performance coaching servi…

Jennifer Hayes is easily the most passionate coach I know. Her passion and fire for her players and her program are legendary. She IS Hartsbure-Emden volleyball. She coaches girls at every level from primary school through high school varsity, and she wins. A lot. Listen to how she has built and maintained her program throughout the years. Mental M…

How to win basketball games with AI, no not artificial intelligence, but adversity and intentionality. In this episode Coach Dehm, assistant coach of the state champion Metamora Redbirds, discuss their 2021-22 and 2022-23 basketball seasons. The key to their success seems to be adversity, intentionality, and intentional adversity. Mental Mettle Coa…

Part 1 of an interview with Coach Justin Dehm of the Metamora Redbirds. He's been the assistant for the Redbirds during their phenomenal run these last few years. He is a young coach with great ideas and we discuss the benefits of doing things differently in this episode. Mental Mettle Coaching specializes in providing comprehensive mental performa…

Was Jesus a hooper? Well, no. But I assume he could have been. But more importantly, how does he view the way you hoop? In this episode, we talk about the connection between sports and Christianity. My guest is Coach Kramer Soderberg, Head Coach of Millikin University, and author of "Fill your Cup for Christ". CONTACT Coach Soderberg: ksoderberg@mi…

Many parents are asked to coach their kid. But should you? Sometimes you don't have a choice. So if that's the case, how should handle it? Well, Anna Hayes and Audrey Thomann are two athletes that had the honor and misfortune of playing for a parent in youth sports and in high school. Hear their stories and how playing for their parent affected the…

JJ Guedet graduated from Washington high school at Christmas during his senior year and moved into a dorm room at 17 to play football for the University of Minnesota. After a redshirt year, a covid year, learning the system, fighting for PT, and a season-ending injury he's now ready to make the most of his 2 remaining years of eligibility. As a lin…

No. The ump is not blind, he just has a different perspective than you. So what does an umpire notice from behind home plate? Plenty. In this episode I converse with Stephen Wilson about how mindset towards an umpire affects the performance of a player. We also discuss how parents and coaches that spout negativity at umpires are modeling negativity…

Coach Chris Lowery possesses a lifelong dedication to the game of basketball. With his experience as the head coach for SIU in Carbondale, IL, and as an assistant for esteemed Big Ten programs such as Illinois and now Northwestern, he has developed a profound understanding of the pivotal role mindset plays in the success of modern athletes. During …