The Sports Mastermind
The Sports Mastermind is where mental toughness meets real-world performance. Hosted by internationally recognized expert Laura Ratto, this podcast delivers quick, high-impact episodes that break down key sport psychology concepts in 10 minutes or less. Whether you're a rising athlete, elite competitor, coach, or parent, you’ll learn how to train your mind like you train your body—building focus, confidence, resilience, and motivation across all sports and skill levels.
Laura brings together her background as a former professional athlete, certified strength coach (CSCS), and college professor to simplify complex mental strategies into practical, easy-to-implement tools. With experience designing Olympic training programs and academic curricula, she’s on a mission to help you perform your best—on and off the field.
Subscribe now to sharpen your mindset, fuel your performance, and become the athlete you were meant to be.
Episodes
53 episodes
E53: Confidence Series - Players - How to Build Confidence After a Bad Practice
The Focus four for How to build Confidence after a bad practice or competition are:Hit the RESET ButtonBe BETTER THAN YESTERDAYSET REALISTIC GOALSFOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
E52: Confidence Series - Coaches - How to Build Confidence in Your Athletes
This episode starts the 1st of three in the confidence series. This first episode is tailored more for coaches and specifically discusses how to build confidence in your athletes. The second episode will shift back to the athletes perspective. ...
E51: PETTLEP Series - Basketball - Shooting a Free Throw
Hello and welcome back to the sports mastermind. Last week we used PETTLEP to break down serving a ball in beach volleyball. In this final episode of the series, we will be going over the sequence of events leading up to shooting a free throw i...
E50: PETTLEP Series - Beach Volleyball - Serving a Ball
Hello and welcome back to the sports mastermind. This is the FIFTIETH episode today, so I am going to be doing the beach volleyball bonus episode of PETTLEP. Last week we used PETTLEP to break down taking a shot on goal in soccer. This episode ...
E49: PETTLEP Series - Soccer - Shooting a Penalty Kick
Hello and welcome back to the sports mastermind. Last week we used PETTLEP to break down hitting a pitch in baseball. This episode we will be going over the sequence of events leading up to shooting a penalty kick in soccer. For those of you th...
E48: PETTLEP Series - Baseball - Hitting a Pitch
Hello and welcome back to the sports mastermind. Last week we used PETTLEP to break down passing a serve in indoor volleyball. This episode we will be going over the sequence of events leading up to hitting a pitch in baseball. For those of you...
E47: PETTLEP series - Volleyball
Over the course of the next several weeks, I will be taking one skill and running you through PETTLEP imagery. The series will be as follows: 1. Indoor Volleyball - Passing a serve 2. Baseball - Hitting a pitch 3. Soccer - Taking a shot on Goal...
E46: PETTLEP Series - Introduction - What is it?!?!
In episode 9 we talked about mental imagery in broad terms. Today we are going to break down one specific type - PETTLEP. In this series, we will break down what it is and how to use it.
E45: How to Self-Motivate (Increasing Internal Motivation)
How to self-motivate (increasing internal motivation)
E43: How Do You Stay Motivated In Difficult Situations - Words Matter
How do you stay motivated in difficult situations - Words Matter
E42: Decision Making - When You Are Learning a New Skill
Decision-Making when you are learning a new skill
E41: What Is Your Purpose? Finding Your Ikigai - Maccabi Series Closing Thoughts
What is your purpose? Finding your ikigai - Maccabi Series Closing Thoughts
E38: Strategies for Working with Mixed Skill Levels From the Coach Perspective - Maccabi Series
Strategies for Working with Mixed skill levels from the coach perspective - Maccabi Series
E37: Making the Most of a New Experience - Maccabi Series
Making the most of a new experience
E36: What is Your Compliment Sandwich Made of? - Effective Coach Communication.
What is your compliment sandwich made of? - Effective coach communication.
E35: Communicating With Your Coach When You Think They're Wrong
Communicating with your coach when you think they're wrong
E34: Communicating With Teammates During Critical Moments
Communicating with teammates during critical moments
E33: Communication With a Teammate in Partner Sports
Communication with a teammate in partner sports
E32: How to Reward Yourself for Reaching Goals
How to reward yourself for reaching goals