Elev8 Podcast

Find Justin on Instagram   Overview Tyler interviewed Justin Su’a, now a performance advisor with Performance Advisory Group (PAG), on building confidence in athletes, coaching strategies, and managing focus in a distracted world. Justin works with executives and head coaches in the NFL, NBA, and MLB, and approaches performance through a systems lens rather than traditional mental-skills terminology. Key Takeaways Confidence follows focus: Direct attention to past successes rather than failures or future worries. Confidence is not an accurate predictor of success; build competence and skill instead. Productive vs. unproductive self-talk: What works varies by athlete and context. Some thrive on sharp, emotional cues; others are hurt by mechanical thoughts mid-game. Close the feedback loop: Track performance to gather evidence that feelings don’t dictate results. Use a quick daily routine: pick one focus item, review it at the end of practice (inspired by Eduardo Salas). Reflect on what went well, what was learned, and one thing to improve. Systems thinking for coaches: When athletes excel in practice but struggle in games, isolate root causes rather than assuming. Change one variable at a time, and invert problems to find the simplest, highest-impact fix. Engineer the environment: Counter device distraction by designing settings that prioritize purposeful engagement, and set clear environmental standards. Coaches must model it: Teach leadership skills, foster intrinsic motivation, and build personal systems for stress, such as boundaries and recognizing unhealthy coping habits.

Get the Book here! Find Doug on Social   Doug Crandall was interviewed for the Elev8 Podcast, where he shared his leadership philosophy centered on "building or diminishing" others, developed through his experience teaching at West Point and coaching his son. He introduced four leadership archetypes and emphasized that effective leaders can maintain high standards while using positive communication to build confidence, capability, and trust in others. The conversation concluded with a discussion on how coaches can develop player-led teams by earning trust and transferring ownership of standards to their players.

Get Collin's NEW Book the Oz Method Find Collin on Instagram The conversation between Tyler and Collin centered on Collin's new book, "The Oz Method," and its application to performance, leadership, and sales. They discussed the book's core concepts, including the use of the Wizard of Oz analogy to represent different dimensions of communication and the importance of creating systems, like the Yellow Brick Road, to achieve goals. Collin explained the "confidence card" tool, detailing how it helps performers focus on past successes, preparation, support networks, anchor statements, and identity to build credible confidence. They also talked about the 3x3 grid for setting daily, weekly, and monthly behaviors to drive progress  

Find Jodie's YouTube Channel Jodie's Website This podcast episode featured Jodie Jackson discussing the impact of media consumption on mental health and performance, particularly for student athletes and coaches. Jodie shared her personal journey from experiencing anxiety and depression caused by consuming negative news content for six years to creating the website "What a Good Week" as a therapeutic response, which helped her shift from believing the world was awful to recognizing its progress and potential. She explained how media functions as a psychology platform designed by behavioral scientists with business models that prioritize shareholder interests, and emphasized that people need to actively design their media diet rather than passively consuming content. Jodie discussed the importance of understanding how media affects the brain through repetition and mirror neurons, and shared her vision for making mental nutrition and fitness as standard as physical diet and exercise in education and sports training. She provided practical advice for managing media consumption, including measuring usage patterns, asking whether media serves to tune out or tune into potential, and treating the mind as a valuable asset requiring protection. The conversation concluded with Jodie offering three simple tips: learn from experienced guides, apply the knowledge rather than just understanding it, and get information from notebooks into one's nervous system through action.  

  Pre-Order the Book out Nov. 3 Summary Mental Toughness Training Book Interview Tyler interviewed Jim and Phil about their new book "The Daily Champion's Mind: 365 Days of Mental Toughness Training with the World's Greatest Athletes." The authors explained that the book focuses on treating each day as a training opportunity for mental skills, with daily lessons from famous athletes like Rory McIlroy and others. Each chapter represents a month and takes place at famous arenas, featuring quotes from athletes and mental game lessons structured around morning intentions, midday adjustments, and evening reflections. Resilience and Preparation Strategies The group discussed resilience and preparation, with Jim emphasizing the importance of being prepared every day and not just for specific events. Phil shared a story about Michael Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman, highlighting how unconventional training methods helped Phelps adapt to unexpected challenges during the Olympics, particularly when his goggles filled with water during a race. Tyler then connected these themes to his work with student athletes, noting a common desire for increased confidence and resilience among young people. Athlete Confidence and Memory Jim discussed how confidence in sports and performance varies with experience levels and emphasized the importance of using memory correctly to maintain confidence. He shared a story about Rory McElroy, who acknowledged he should be more confident in his abilities despite his transparent and deep-thinking nature. Jim highlighted that athletes often get philosophical in the wrong way during challenging times and suggested focusing on past successes to build authentic confidence. Building Athlete Confidence Strategies Jim emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence by focusing on one's achievements and experiences rather than selling oneself short. He discussed how athletes can build confidence through consistent effort and participation, even in challenging situations. Jim also shared his approach to helping athletes find focus through the four C's: compete, celebrate, communicate, and compete anyway, emphasizing that confidence is more about attitude and memory than feelings. Athletic Focus and Concentration Strategies Jim and Tyler discussed the importance of focus and concentration in performance, with Phil sharing insights from Roger Federer about balancing long-term vision with present-moment focus. Jim emphasized the ability to quickly refocus when the mind drifts and suggested viewing mental wandering as natural rather than a problem to be solved. The conversation concluded with Jim explaining the value of daily reflection for unloading mental baggage, allowing athletes to compete hard while remaining light-hearted. Athletic Mental Performance Strategies Jim and Phil discussed strategies for maintaining mental focus and recovery in athletic performance, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries, practicing self-reflection, and managing negative self-talk. They highlighted the need for athletes to balance work with rest and recovery, sharing specific examples like PGA Tour players and NBA legends to illustrate effective self-care practices. The conversation also covered techniques for positive self-talk and visualization, with Jim and Phil encouraging athletes to recognize and reframe negative thoughts as part of developing a "champion's mind." The discussion concluded with information about their upcoming book "The Daily Champion's Mind," which will be released on November 3rd.

Find Paddy on Instagram & the Toughness Podcast here. His Book will be out March of 2027!  Quick recap The Elevate Podcast featured Paddy Steinfurt, a performance and pressure coach, discussing his transition from professional Australian football to working with elite athletes and professionals across various high-pressure fields. Paddy explained the physiological effects of pressure, focusing on hormones like cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin, and how they impact performance. He shared insights into the challenges of applying positive psychology in high-performance environments, highlighting the importance of balancing optimism with reality. Paddy recounted stories from his work with athletes like DeMarco Murray and Patrick Mahomes, emphasizing the role of trust, consistency, and character in coaching. He also discussed practical techniques for managing focus and stress, such as attention training, and shared personal travel hacks for maintaining performance. The conversation concluded with Paddy reflecting on what brings him joy in his work, which is the gratitude and positive impact he sees in those he helps.   Summary AFL Player to Performance Coach Tyler interviewed Paddy Steinfurt for the Elevate Podcast, discussing Paddy's background transitioning from professional Australian Football League (AFL) player to a performance coach working with high-level athletes across multiple sports including MLB, NBA, NFL, and FIFA World Cups. Paddy explained his journey from a seven-year professional career that ended due to surgeries to pursuing a Master's in Positive Psychology at University of Pennsylvania, which led to his current work as a "pressure coach" helping athletes and professionals manage performance-related stress. The conversation began to explore Paddy's 2015 article "The Inner Game" about balancing mental health and high performance in sports, though the transcript ended before this topic was fully discussed. Mental Health in Sports Discussion Paddy discussed the complexities of mental health in sports, noting that while there is increased awareness and discussion about mental wellness, there is a risk of over-sensitization that can prevent appropriate intervention. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between performance frustration and actual mental health conditions, sharing his approach from previous roles with the Philadelphia Eagles and Toronto Blue Jays where he focused on covering all aspects of performance while being careful not to mix mental health issues with performance concerns. The conversation ended as Tyler began asking about hormones related to high performance, but the transcript ended before Paddy could respond to this question. Cortisol and Pressure Hormonal Effects Paddy explained how cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone, plays a significant role under pressure rather than during general stress. He described how cortisol can lead to increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, affecting decision-making and emotional responses under pressure. Paddy also mentioned that this hormonal imbalance can cause difficulties in focusing and making balanced decisions. Stress and Mental Health Effects Paddy discussed the potential negative effects of sustained high-stress environments on mental health, explaining how it can lead to depletion of serotonin and link to conditions like burnout and post-traumatic stress. He shared an anecdote about implementing positive psychology techniques with an NFL team, specifically mentioning an interaction with player DeMarco Murray who approached thinking differently about stress and recovery. Paddy observed that high-performing individuals sometimes resist positive psychology practices because they know that feeling good all the time is not always necessary for peak performance. High-Performance Psychology Approach Paddy discussed his approach to working with high-performance individuals, noting that the best operators often reject traditional positive psychology techniques because they focus on immediate task execution rather than emotional management. He explained the need for a balanced approach that combines both emotional handling and optimism, which he terms "3D thinking" using both "rose colored glasses" and a "blue lens" perspective. Paddy emphasized the importance of psychological safety and team connection in high-performance environments, suggesting that support and compassion from teammates can enhance willpower and help athletes maintain focus on their goals rather than just personal comfort. Building Trust with Athletes Paddy and Tyler discussed the importance of building trust with athletes, with Paddy explaining that trust is built on three C's: character, competence, and consistency. Paddy shared a story about Patrick Mahomes from his college years, highlighting Mahomes' reliability, openness, and willingness to engage in challenging exercises as key qualities that made him stand out among other athletes. Sports Psychology and Performance Techniques Paddy discussed his work in sports psychology, sharing insights about attention training techniques and how he helped athletes like Patrick Mahomes and TJ McConnell manage their mental focus. He explained his travel hacks for managing jet lag, including proper pillow management, exercise, and careful substance management. When asked about what brings him joy in his work, Paddy emphasized the satisfaction of helping people improve and receiving their gratitude, citing examples from his time as a physical therapist and coach.  

Find Bella on Instagram Learn more About the Quell Foundation and their amazing work!   Summary Quell Foundation Mental Health Overview Bella provided an overview of the Quell Foundation, explaining that it is a national 501c3 organization founded in 2016 to reduce stigma surrounding mental health. She described how the foundation initially focused on supporting students through scholarships and later expanded into creating documentary films, with research showing that their screenings effectively reduce stigma and increase willingness to seek help. Bella noted that after working with first responders, they identified parallels between first responders and athletes regarding mental health barriers and stigma. Athlete Mental Health Documentary Initiative Bella discussed her involvement with the Quell Foundation, where she works on athlete mental health initiatives and supports student programming, including a new scholarship for students who lost a parent or guardian who was a first responder to suicide or in the line of duty. She shared that she was approached by Quell's founder Kevin Lynch in early 2025 to work on a documentary about athlete mental health set to release in November, which features various perspectives from the athlete ecosystem including collegiate athletes, retired professionals, Olympians, coaches, and clinicians. Isabella reflected that using her lived experience to support others has shown her where she thrives both professionally and personally, making this career path feel aligned with her purpose. Public Mental Health Story Sharing Tyler and Bella discussed Isabella's journey of sharing her mental health story publicly. Isabella explained that while she grew up in a supportive environment where mental health conversations were normal due to her parents' experiences with anxiety, college brought significant mental health struggles. She described how she initially found it difficult to speak about her experiences but gained empowerment by viewing it as an opportunity to help others, starting with public sharing during her sophomore year of college. Isabella shared that the more she talked about her experiences, the more connected she felt to herself and the easier it became to share her story, culminating in a conference appearance in Denver where she spoke on stage for the first time in front of a physical audience. Anxiety and Softball Journey Tyler and Bella discussed Bella's journey with anxiety and softball. Bella shared that she was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder at age 11 and found softball to be a saving grace where she could be her authentic self. She described how her identity became heavily tied to softball, which later led to injury issues in high school when coaches prioritized her playing time over her physical health. Pandemic Depression and Campus Struggles Bella shared her experience of struggling with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly after losing her identity outside of softball when sports stopped. She described her difficult first semester at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she was isolated in a dorm pod with limited access to campus services and support due to COVID restrictions and furloughed coaches. Bella explained that even when softball resumed in the spring, she was still struggling with the pandemic's effects and felt disconnected from both her team and the campus environment. Athlete Mental Health Advocacy Bella discussed her journey through an identity crisis and how she founded a 501c4 organization called Let's Get Real About Athlete Mental Health in 2020 to create a platform for athletes to share self-authored stories about mental health. She explained how this initiative helped normalize conversations about mental health in sports and allowed her to heal while advocating for others. Bella noted that despite career-ending injuries, she was able to focus on her advocacy work and leave her university's athletic department with improved mental health competency. Mental Health Resources in Athletics Bella shared her experience working in mental health programming for student athletes and discussed the resource gaps at Division III schools compared to Division I and professional levels. When asked what changes she would wish for with a magic wand, Bella emphasized the need for smaller schools to have more resources for clinical mental health support and highlighted the importance of educating support staff and administrators about the difference between mental skills and mental health. Athlete Mental Health Support Distinction Bella and Tyler discussed the distinction between mental skills and clinical mental health support for athletes. Bella emphasized the importance of education for coaches and administrators about appropriate interventions for athlete mental health needs. They agreed that while current intentions are good, there is a need for better understanding of when to use mental performance coaching versus clinical mental health support. The conversation ended with Tyler asking about how coaches could create a supportive space for athletes, though this question was not fully addressed in the provided transcript segment. Coaches' Vulnerability and Athlete Connection Bella discussed the importance of coaches disclosing their own lived experiences to create comfortable environments for athletes to share theirs. She emphasized that vulnerability should be seen as an opportunity for connection rather than a weakness, and shared her approach to journaling without rigid rules. When asked for advice to her 16-year-old self, Bella recommended playing with joy and trusting that everything happens for a reason.

Find more on the Daily Debrief Habit Builder DebriefAdvantage.com   Episode Summary Five-Step Debriefing Habit Model Jeff discussed his background in military aviation and his current work helping teams debrief to improve performance. He explained that effective debriefing requires developing a habit of regular reflection, particularly in Western cultures where self-reflection can be challenging due to vulnerability concerns. Jeff outlined a five-step habit model (G-R-E-A-T) for debriefing, starting with gratitude to create a positive mental state, followed by reviewing goals, and then evaluating performance through specific questions about what was done. Five-Step Debrief Model Presentation Jeff presented a five-step debrief model focusing on what worked and what didn't work, emphasizing the importance of recognizing both successful and unsuccessful aspects to drive continuous improvement. He explained that the model helps teams develop a championship culture by identifying successful dynamics to repeat and learning from failures to improve over time. Tyler agreed with the approach and discussed the importance of creating a collaborative environment for debriefs, particularly in sports teams where coaches often struggle with accountability and responsibility. Continuous Improvement and Visualization Jeff discussed a 5-step quick model starting with why they are glad to be present, emphasizing the importance of developing a culture of continuous improvement through consistent practice rather than perfection. He explained how fighter pilots use visualization techniques, including chair flying, to prepare mentally for missions by envisioning every aspect of the mission from start to finish. Jeff stressed that the goal is excellence rather than perfection, and that visualization helps condition the mind to see what good performance looks like. Chair Flying Debrief Strategies Jeff and Tyler discussed the concept of "chair flying" and its application beyond sports, including in personal and professional settings. They explored strategies for conducting productive debriefs, particularly when challenging conversations arise, with Jeff emphasizing the importance of starting with gratitude and self-identification of mistakes. Jeff outlined three key traits that distinguish good from bad debriefs: structure, appropriate length (five minutes), and regular, daily practice rather than only addressing failures. Combat Mission Debrief Experience Jeff shared his experience of his first combat mission in the northern Arabian Gulf during the initial ground waves into Iraq, where he provided close-air support to Marine Corps infantry units. He recalled the plane captain's words "This time it's for real" and the realization that years of training were about to be tested in a high-stakes environment. From this experience, Jeff developed his approach to helping teams debrief and improve, focusing on addressing the question of "what if I'm not good enough" in high-performance environments. Debriefing Process and Reflection Jeff discussed the importance of reflection and adjustment in debriefing processes, emphasizing that experience alone doesn't lead to improvement without these steps. When asked about advice for his teenage self, Jeff suggested focusing on the idea that "it's all gonna work out" and recommended reading "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey.

Find Zone14 Coaching   Quick recap Tyler interviewed Ike Opara, a former professional soccer player and current coach, for the Elevate podcast. Ike shared his journey from starting soccer at age three to playing in the MLS and eventually transitioning to coaching. They discussed the importance of intentional coaching, reflective journaling for athletes and coaches, and the challenges of balancing results with process-oriented development in youth sports. Ike emphasized the value of individual freedom for players' development and stressed the significance of self-awareness and journaling for both players and coaches. They also touched on managing stress and off-field influences in sports and the importance of maintaining a love for the game. The conversation concluded with Ike advising his teenage self to focus on enjoying the sport rather than just pursuing professional goals. Next steps Tyler: Edit the podcast episode and include Zone 14 Coaching website/link in the show notes, then send links to Ike when the episode is published (by the weekend). Ike: Join the scheduled webinar call on Friday later in the month. Tyler: See KC next week and coordinate potential in-person meeting/dinner with Ike in Kansas City. Summary Ike Opara Soccer Career Interview Tyler interviewed Ike Opara for the Elevate podcast, discussing his soccer journey from starting at age 3 to playing professionally and then transitioning into coaching. Ike shared his background playing for various teams including San Jose Earthquakes, Kansas City, and Minnesota, before moving into coaching roles with Sporting Kansas City's second team and as interim head coach. He explained his recent transition to creating planners for coaches focused on intentional coaching and player development, driven by his desire to give back to the sport while balancing family life with young children. Intentional Coaching and Athlete Development Ike discussed the concept of intentional coaching, emphasizing the importance of deliberate actions and creating a positive environment for both coaches and players. He explained the benefits of reflective journaling for athletes, highlighting how it can help them process emotions, identify patterns, and maintain a growth mindset. Ike also shared insights from his experience as both a player and coach, stressing the need for athletes to focus on the process rather than just results to achieve long-term success and development. Athletic Self-Awareness and Journaling Tyler and Ike discussed the importance of self-narrative and self-awareness in athletic performance. Ike explained how journaling can help athletes develop better self-awareness and objective evaluation of their performance, particularly in subjective team sports. Ike shared that his college coach Jay Vitovich at Wake Forest significantly influenced his development through intentional coaching that effectively challenged and built him up as a player. Professional Team Accountability Characteristics Ike discussed the characteristics of best teammates at the professional level, emphasizing that self-driven accountability is crucial due to the focus on results and winning. He noted that coaches at that level typically don't have time for extensive development, making accountability from players essential. When asked about the transition from playing to coaching, Ike shared that he enjoyed coaching more than expected, particularly the development aspect, and found managing different player motivations challenging. Youth Soccer Development Coaching Insights Ike shared his experience as an assistant coach with a second team focused on player development from ages 14 to 23. He noted that players on the team were motivated to improve and reach higher levels, which was an enjoyable experience for him. In discussing American soccer, Ike identified a need to balance coaching with individual player freedom, particularly in youth development, as he observed that current coaching systems focus too heavily on pattern play at the expense of players developing their own problem-solving skills. Athlete Journaling and Performance Reflection Ike advised starting with simple daily journaling to build a sustainable habit, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on both on-field performance and personal life balance. He explained that journaling helps athletes and coaches see progress over time and understand how personal life affects performance on the field. The discussion touched on the challenges of navigating social aspects in competitive sports, particularly when moving from youth to collegiate levels, though the specific details about NIL and contract pressures were not fully completed in the transcript.

Find Tele-Hope here! Find Ralph on Instagram here!   Tyler interviewed Ralph Fawz, founder of TeleHope, a program that helps create connections between college athletes and high school students through interactive workshops focused on building confidence and community. Ralph shared his personal journey from being a college football punter at Wyoming to starting TeleHope after experiencing benching and observing team morale issues during the COVID pandemic. They discussed how vulnerability and going first are key barriers to making connections, particularly in athletic environments disrupted by transfer portals and COVID restrictions. Ralph explained how TeleHope has evolved from a mentorship program to workshops teaching confidence-building skills, and shared his personal story of finding hope through a shooting star experience that inspired the program's logo. The conversation concluded with both participants reflecting on their own athletic journeys and the importance of maintaining connections after competitive careers.   Summary TeleHope Founder Interview Discussion Tyler interviewed Ralph Fuaz for the Elevate podcast, discussing Ralph's journey from college football player to founder of TeleHope. Ralph shared his background as a former Division I punter at Wyoming who started TeleHope as a student-athlete mentorship program after being benched. He explained how the program evolved from matching student-athletes with local kids to conducting interactive workshops focused on building confidence and creating communities. Vulnerability in Mentorship Connections Tyler and Ralph discussed vulnerability and its role in building connections, particularly in mentorship programs. Ralph explained how TeleHope uses vulnerability to pair mentors with high school students, emphasizing that sharing imperfections helps create genuine connections. They also discussed the importance of having confidence in one's story and the concept of self-talk, with Ralph referencing a book called "Chatter" by Ethan Cross about how people should talk to themselves as they would talk to a friend. College Athletes During COVID Pandemic Tyler and Ralph discussed their experiences as college athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ralph shared how the extended off-season at Wyoming allowed him and his teammates to form close bonds, despite the challenging conditions. He noted an interesting statistic about suicide rates during the early months of COVID, when people were forced to stay together. Tyler reflected on how his team's experience was different, with limited opportunities for connection beyond small groups. They agreed that the pandemic created significant barriers to creating meaningful human connection for college athletes, particularly for younger players who missed out on the typical freedoms and celebrations of college life. Overcoming Friendship Initiation Challenges Ralph discussed the challenges people face in building friendships, particularly men's reluctance to initiate connections due to fear of appearing imperfect or "soft." He shared an example from a workshop with engineers where he explained that reaching out to others is actually the tougher, more courageous action rather than withdrawing. Ralph emphasized that people often fail to recognize that those around them might understand their struggles better than therapists of a different generation, but they never give others a chance due to this fear of being the first to reach out. Tele Hope Logo Origin Story Ralph shared the origin of the Tele Hope logo, explaining how a personal experience with a shooting star in the mountains became his symbol of hope. He described how the telescope in the logo represents how people can help each other find hope and support, rather than just telling others they matter. Ralph attributed his passion for the work to his faith and mentioned that seeing practical applications of their teachings, like when a student approached someone new at a workshop, brings him joy and drives his continued efforts. Connectedness in Sports Discussion Ralph and Tyler discussed the challenges of creating connectedness in sports, particularly with transient rosters due to the transfer portal. Ralph emphasized the importance of coaches empowering athletes to support each other and having difficult conversations about mental health. They also talked about their personal experiences with maintaining connections from college sports and the importance of finding hope during challenging times.