The Mental Mettle Podcast
Helping coaches forge mental toughness in student-athletes
Episodes
134 episodes
Ep. 132: The Power of Hope with Derek Gordon
Derek Gordon is a Ministry Coordinator at a men’s homeless shelter in Peoria, and he understands the power of hope. In this episode of the Mental Mettle Podcast, Derek sits down with Coach Matt Thomann to discuss how his own mistakes—and his wo...
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57:09
Ep 131: Way of the Warrior: Leadership Coaching with SGT. Brett Miller
Coach Matt Thomann hosts The Mental Mettle Podcast with guest Brett Miller—Air National Guard Sergeant, Caterpillar auditor, youth coach, and founder of Way of the Warrior Leadership Academy. Brett takes us inside his Captain’s Class program, w...
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1:11:22
Episode 130: Happy Thanks "taking"
If someone hands you a wrapped gift, you take it, open it, smile, and say thank you. But when someone gives you the gift of gratitude—a compliment—do you do the same? Or do you deflect it with “It was nothing” or “I just got lucky”? When we don...
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18:56
Episode 129: A Coach Looks at 50
Coach Thomann turns 50 this week, so on this week's episode he drops some knowledge about things he's learned from being a father, a husband, a teacher, a believer, and a coach. Tune in to hear him talk about positivity, confidence, aggre...
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56:27
Episode 128: Basketballs and Bibles with Robo Kreps
Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast with your host, Coach Matt Thomann. In this episode, we dive deep into the incredible journey of Robo Kreps, a former professional basketball player who has seamlessly blended hi...
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1:03:50
Ep 127: From Courts to Fields: 30 Years of Klay Wheeler's Coaching Insights
Welcome to "The Mental Mettle Podcast," hosted by Coach Matt Thomann! In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary 30-year coaching journey of Klay Wheeler, a seasoned coach who has impacted countless athletes across a wide range of sports. ...
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1:10:59
Episode 126: Building Mental Strength Take Mental Tools with Jason Drengwitz
A few years ago, Jason Drengwitz noticed a problem. He was asking the player of Normal Community Football to show mental strength, but he wasnt teaching how to be mentally strong. He fixed that. Now he uses intentional breath...
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59:30
Ep. 125: Sleep is your mental and physical superpower
The Monthly Mettle Challenge continues. This month Coach Matt Thomann turns into Mr. Sandman and talks about sleep. Due to his struggles with sleep and associated health issues, this a topic that Coach Thomann is passio...
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49:58
EP. 124: The Power of a Player-Led Team with Coach Tyler Erwin
Learn more about the Ember to Inferno program! Welcome to "The Mental Mettle Podcast," where we dive into the strategies, stories, and insights that shape succ...
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1:15:05
Ep. 123: "What else is possible?" with endurance athlete Pierce Showe.
In this episode of the Mental Mettle Podcast, host Matt Thomann speaks with endurance athlete Pierce Showe about his journey into ultra marathons and the mental toughness required to succeed in endurance sports. They discuss the importance of m...
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1:05:56
Ep. 122: The Freedom to Lead: Sean Taylor’s Coaching Philosophy
In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Sean Taylor of Moline Boys Basketball shares his philosophy on developing leaders within his program. Instead of forcing leadership, he creates space for his players to grow into it, al...
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1:04:29
Ep. 121: Transforming Athletes from the Inside Out with Coach Jamie Kromm
Coach Jamie Kromm believes in ripples. She believes in focusing on building mental traits that will help basketball players not only on the court but in life. Using Kamp Kromm she helps young hoopers develop traits that will affect...
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1:05:52
EP. 120: Looking for that "edge" with HOF basketball coach Tim Meiss
Tim Meiss has been coaching for more than half a century, but he continues to find ways to improve. In this episode, Coach Thomann talks to him about why he believes that mental training is the next evolution in basketball coaching. ...
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1:03:58
Ep. 119: Intentional Positivity is the Key to Happiness.
Whatever we put our time and effort into, we improve on. If you want more happiness and fulfillment in your life, you have to spend time being intentionally positive. It's not hard, but you have to be intentional about it. Our...
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50:51
Ep. 118. Unified Hearts, Fearless Minds, and National Championships with Greg Tonagel.
Greg Tonagel won 500 games faster than any coach in collegiate history. He also has 3 National Championships as the Head Coach at Indiana Wesleyan University. He wins, and he does not with Xs and Os, but with unified hearts and fear...
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1:03:35
EP. 117: Anchored in Faith: JaDawn Bryant's Guide to Purposeful Leadership
Welcome to The Mental Mettle Podcast! In this episode, we're joined by the inspiring JaDawn Bryant, a dynamic coach and evangelist who seamlessly blends faith with her approach to leadership and coaching. Discover how JaDawn's journey from athl...
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1:07:41
EP 116: Finding Identity Beyond the Court: Zach Cleveland's Journey
In this powerful episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Thomann delves into the inspiring story of Zach Cleveland, a dedicated basketball player from Liberty University, who shares how his faith in God has shaped his life both on and off t...
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56:39
EP 115: Beyond Wins and Losses with Coach Abe Zeller
Join us in this insightful episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, where we sit down with Coach Abe Zeller, head basketball coach of Morton Potters, to explore the deeper dimensions of coaching beyond the scoreboard. In this conversat...
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1:09:31
EP 114: The Untapped Power of Visualization: Are You Missing Out?
In this episode of the Mental Mettle Podcast, we delve into the transformative power of visualization and explore why it's an underutilized tool for achieving peak performance. Discover the science behind how visualization activates neura...
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59:36
EP 113. The Healing Power of Faith and Determination with Anna Pavey
Welcome to another episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast with your host, Coach Matt Thomann! In this episode, we delve into an inspiring story of resilience and transformation.Join Matt as he sits down with Anna Pavey, an amateur e...
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1:09:26
EP 112: Building a First-Class Program with New Millikin Coach Billy Riebock
Join Coach Thomann for an inspiring conversation with Millikin University’s new Football Coach, Billy Riebok, as they discuss the exciting journey of rebuilding the Big Blue. The program hasn't won a game in 2 years, but Coach Riebok is determi...
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1:06:43
Ep 111: Tips for Mastering the Mental Game with Coach Brandon Beery and Coach Matt Thomann
In this episode, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with fellow mindset coach, Brandon Beery. Be ready to dive into the pivotal role mental strength plays in achieving peak performance.Episode Highlights for Coaches and Athletes:<...
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1:15:46
Ep 110: Passion for the Process with Jarrett Brown and Lane Thomann
SIGN UP FOR "Passion for the Process" camp by contacting Coach Matt Thomann at coachthomann@gmail.com or check out the information here
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1:15:04
Episode 109: JT Welch, playing with confidence and a chip on his shoulder.
Dive into TJ Welch's inspiring journey from college basketball player to coach. Discover how he builds confidence and channels determination with a "chip on his shoulder" mentality.Highlights:Building Confid...
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1:06:00
Episode 108: A journey from transactional to transformational coaching with Josh Williams
Welcome to the Mental Mettle Podcast with your host, Coach Thomann! 🎙️ In this episode, we're joined by Josh Williams, the head coach of the Clinton Lady Maroons, to explore his fascinating journey from transactional to transformational coachin...
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1:16:52