Are you training the thing that's actually getting in the way? Most coaches design practice around skill repetition. Fewer design it around the constraints that show up in competition — fatigue, pressure, anxiety, and the emotions that cloud judgment and kill decision-making. Coach Kerri Kuzbyt of Transforming Basketball has built her entire player development philosophy around that gap. And in this conversation, she makes the case that emotion isn't a sideline problem. It's a training variable. And if you're not designing it into your sessions, you're leaving your athletes unprepared for the moments that matter most.

Who belongs at your athlete's table — and how do you build it? In this conversation, I sit down with Nick Valenti, a registered dietitian and founder of a sports nutrition practice working with athletes from youth level through the professional ranks, to talk about one of the most important — and most overlooked — questions in athlete development. Most families think about individual pieces. The hitting coach. The strength program. The mental side. But rarely does anyone step back and ask who's at the table, who's talking to each other, and whether the right team is actually in place. Nick has been at those tables. He knows what it takes to earn a seat — and what it takes to keep it. He knows how to work alongside coaches, parents, and other professionals to build something that actually serves the athlete at the center. He also knows what it feels like to be the athlete. He was a catcher at Mercy College and Queens College, tore his ankle on the first play of his college career, transferred, and tore his labrum a week before the season. Those years in the rehab room didn't just lead him to nutrition — they taught him how to think about what athletes actually need. If you're a parent trying to build the right support system for your athlete — or a high school player wondering who should be in your corner — this episode gives you a clear, honest, and experienced answer.

What does the high school-to-college baseball transition actually look like — from the inside out? In this conversation, I sit down with Dan Galati and Trevor Powers, co-founders of Backside Groundballs Media and former college coaches, to talk about what they've learned traveling to college programs across the country — and what it really takes for young players to make it at the next level. Many players arrive on campus thinking they're ready. They've put in the work, they've been recruited, they've heard how good they are. But Dan and Trevor have been inside these programs. They've sat in the film rooms, watched practice, and talked with the coaches shaping the next generation of college baseball players — and what they've seen tells a different story. We discuss what the best college programs are actually teaching, why compete and baseball IQ matter more than ever, and what freshmen consistently struggle with when they step on campus for the first time. Dan and Trevor also share their honest take on the transfer portal, what it means to truly be ready to play at the next level, and what separates the players who make it from the ones who don't. If you're a high school player with college aspirations — or a parent trying to help your athlete navigate what's ahead — this episode is an honest, inside look at what college baseball is really asking of you.

What do college baseball coaches actually look for? In this conversation, I sit down with Bryan Torresani, Head Baseball Coach at DeSales University, to unpack what really matters in the recruiting process — and what often gets overlooked. Many players focus on velocity, statistics, and what level they’re “good enough” to play at. But Bryan explains that what separates players often goes beyond measurable tools. We discuss how coaches evaluate athletes when things aren’t going their way, why recruiting is a two-way street, and how players can stand out through their behavior, communication, and daily habits. Bryan also shares what freshmen struggle with most when they arrive on campus — from the speed of the game to the demands of managing their time, routines, and responsibilities. If you’re a high school player with college aspirations — or a parent trying to help your athlete navigate the recruiting process — this episode will give you a clearer understanding of what college coaches are really paying attention to.

What should high school baseball players actually focus on during the season? In this conversation, I sit down with Sam Sharf of RPP Recruiting to unpack how the high school season fits into the college recruiting process. If you’re a high school player with college aspirations — or a parent trying to help your athlete navigate the pressure of the season — this episode will give you a clearer framework for what actually matters right now.

What if pitchers are chasing the wrong thing? In this conversation, I sit down with Scott Shuman, Head Pitching Coach at RPP Baseball, to explore what truly separates throwers from competitors. We discuss why velocity and spin rate don’t guarantee outs, how anxiety shows up when athletes lack a plan, and why developing a consistent mental process is the foundation of long-term success. Scott also shares how his own professional journey — including throwing 100 mph in Double-A — forced him to confront a hard truth: talent without a process creates inconsistency. If you’re a pitcher, baseball parent, or coach navigating today’s data-driven, year-round culture, this episode will challenge you to rethink development from the inside out.

In this episode, hitting instructor and performance coach Cameron Ginger joins me to explore how mechanics and mindset are deeply connected. We talk about why chasing quick fixes keeps athletes stuck, how real growth begins beneath the surface, and why bravery — not perfection — is the foundation for confidence.

What happens when athletes stop fighting their insecurities? In this conversation, sports psychologist Callum Gowling joins me to explore how acceptance and honesty can transform performance. We discuss why “just relax” is empty advice, how the 3 B’s — body, breath, and brain — help athletes stay composed, and why true confidence begins with embracing, not erasing, self-doubt.

In this episode of The Freshman Foundation® Podcast, quarterback trainer Greg Holcomb joins me to break down what it takes to succeed mentally at the most demanding position in sports.

In this episode, I sit down with ADHD coach Corie Wightlin to explore how ADHD shows up in young athletes — and how parents, coaches, and athletes themselves can turn potential challenges into performance advantages. We dive into practical tools for emotional regulation, goal setting, motivation, and building resilience in the face of mistakes.