The Mental Mettle Podcast
The Mental Mettle Podcast
Ep. 143. Skydiving into Sharks with Travis Thomas: Improv Tools for Athletes and Coaches
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Skydiving with Sharks with Travis Thomas: Improv Tools for Athletes and Coaches
In this episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with performance coach, keynote speaker, and author Travis Thomas to unpack how improv isn’t just for comedians—it’s a powerful mental performance tool for athletes, coaches, and high performers.
Travis shares his journey from being a self-described “mediocre D3 soccer player” to working with elite organizations like U.S. Soccer, the Yankees, Georgia Football, and more. The unlikely bridge? Improvisational comedy.
Inside this conversation, you’ll learn:
- How improv principles like “Yes, And” can transform your mindset in sport and life
- A simple improv game (“word toss”) you can use as a reset tool for anxiety, nerves, or overthinking
- Why performance only happens in the present moment—and how to actually get back there
- Practical ways to create your own “reset button” under pressure
- How to use play and improv to build connection and trust on teams
- Why confidence is overrated and what to focus on instead (courage, commitment, and controllable behaviors)
- The difference between confidence and belief—and why that matters for athletes
- How to shift from internal (me-focused) thinking to external (team-focused) thinking when you’re in a slump
- The improv mantra: “Make your partner look brilliant” and how it can change your team culture
Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or performer in any field, this episode is packed with practical mindset tools you can start using immediately.
Connect with Travis Thomas:
Website: https://www.liveyesand.com
Book: Live Yes, And: What Improv Taught Me About Leadership, Teamwork, and the Meaning of Life
Book: Confidence Is Overrated (add your purchase link here)
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