Athlete Builder Ep. #135: Ohio State Football Coaches Clinic 2026--Leadership, Culture & Mental Performance

Athlete Builder Ep. #140: Midnight Practice, a Broken Wrist, & an All-American. The Justin Baker Story

Athlete Builder Podcast | Episode #140 Midnight Practice, Broken Wrists & All-American: The JB Baker Story He broke a bone in his wrist two weeks before Nationals. Didn't tell a soul. Then competed anyway — and became an All-American. Justin "JB" Baker is an elite hammer thrower, former college football player at Northern Iowa, high school coach in Kansas City, and mental performance coach with the AEA Mental Edge Academy. His story doesn't start with a scholarship or a throws coach — it starts with a belt, an uncle, and a shot put ring where nobody taught him anything. So he listened to every coach on the sideline, stole every cue he could, and built himself piece by piece into one of the best throwers in the country. In this episode, Jim and JB go deep on what actually separates elite athletes from everyone else — and it's not talent. What you'll learn in this episode: — How JB used visualization, kinesthetic rehearsal, and audio cues to train through three simultaneous injuries and still compete at the national level — Why he drove his truck onto campus at midnight, parked in the grass, and used the headlights to practice — and why he kept doing it every year after that — The math behind becoming an All-American: how JB and his coach reverse-engineered exactly what it would take and built the entire training plan backward from that number — Why cracking the national top 10 almost ended his career — and the lesson his coach had to scream at him in front of the whole team — The psychology of pain avoidance vs. reward: why athletes work harder to avoid losing than they do to win, and how to use both levers — What the Blue Angels, Mike Tyson, and Brian Dawkins all have in common when it comes to pre-performance mindset — How to build momentum when everything is going wrong — and why "I'll be right as right" changed JB's relationship with adversity This episode is for athletes, coaches, parents, and competitors who want to understand what mental performance actually looks like when the stakes are real, the body is broken, and quitting would be the easy choice. Timestamps 0:00 — Intro & how JB came to Mental Edge Academy 1:30 — Football or track? JB makes his call 4:00 — The controlled chaos of throwing sports 7:30 — Shot put, discus, hammer — ranked and explained 11:00 — Dr. Zach Riley & the physics of throwing 14:00 — How JB got into throwing: a belt, an uncle, and a ring in Kansas City 18:00 — Career-ending wrist injury — and he still competed 20:30 — From injured to All-American: the math, the method, the mindset 25:00 — Visualization, audio cues & kinesthetic rehearsal 31:00 — The midnight practice story 34:00 — The art of momentum in mindset training 37:00 — Carrot and stick: why people avoid pain harder than they chase wins 43:00 — Stacking wins — from making your bed to breaking records 45:00 — The lesson that cost JB a national championship 50:00 — John Gruden, perfect walkthroughs & building a culture of fundamentals 53:00 — Rapid fire: music, movies, heroes, villains & favorite lifts 56:00 — Rugby, the All Blacks & why the Haka is on Jim's gym wall 58:00 — Book rec, closing quote & where to find JB Connect with JB Baker Instagram: @justinbaker_9010 Facebook: Justin JB Baker TikTok: @justinbaker Connect with Athlete Builder 🌐 athlete-builder.com 📸 Instagram: @athlete_builder 🎵 TikTok: @athlete.builder 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/1athletebuilder ✉️ info@athlete-builder.com [info@athlete-builder.com] Listen on 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/34QCcodvAqAgj7iwk3tdrj [https://open.spotify.com/show/34QCcodvAqAgj7iwk3tdrj] 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athlete-builder/id1715521920 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athlete-builder/id1715521920] 📻 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5583cce-62bc-4611-ab54-ff367f41632d/athlete-builder [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5583cce-62bc-4611-ab54-ff367f41632d/athlete-builder] Athlete Builder Products 📘 Buy the Book: https://a.co/d/9xiGOWQ [https://a.co/d/9xiGOWQ] 🎓 Courses: https://athlete-builder.com/courses [https://athlete-builder.com/courses]🧠 Book a Game Plan Session: https://link.closersoftware.com/widget/bookings/ab-gameplansession [https://link.closersoftware.com/widget/bookings/ab-gameplansession] 🎤 Speaking: https://athlete-builder.com/speaking [https://athlete-builder.com/speaking] 👕 Apparel: https://athlete-builder.printify.me/products [https://athlete-builder.printify.me/products] 📰 Newsletter: https://athlete-builder.com/newsletter [https://athlete-builder.com/newsletter] AEA Mental Edge Academy 🌐 https://www.aea-neuro-fitness-academy.com/ [https://www.aea-neuro-fitness-academy.com/] Athlete Builder is brought to you by the AEA Institute — Performance Management. Mental Edge Academy summer boot camps are open now. Contact Jim at info@athlete-builder.com [info@athlete-builder.com] for team and school programs.

Athlete Builder Ep. #139--Colorado State's Shelton Bynum: Culture, Leadership, & Mental Toughness

Episode Summary In Episode #139 of the Athlete Builder Podcast, Jim Beebe sits down with Shelton Bynum, Director of Football Strength & Conditioning at Colorado State University and former Division 1 football player at UNC Chapel Hill. Shelton shares powerful insights on what separates average athletes from elite competitors, including the mindset shifts required to move from high school football to Division 1 and ultimately to the NFL. He discusses intentionality, sacrifice, accountability, leadership, and the importance of culture in elite programs. The conversation dives into locker room brotherhood, the psychology of performance, NIL and transfer portal challenges, mental toughness across generations, and what today's athletes must do to stand out in an increasingly distracted world. Shelton also gives a behind-the-scenes look at college football culture, game-day environments, player development, leadership standards, and how championship programs create accountability from the top down. This episode is loaded with practical wisdom for athletes, coaches, parents, strength coaches, and leaders looking to build elite habits and championship culture. Key Lessons & Takeaways 1. Elite Athletes Live With Intentionality At the highest levels, talent alone is never enough. Shelton explains that athletes must become intentional with every rep, recovery session, meal, study session, and practice. Elite performers don't drift through the day — they attack it with purpose. 2. Sacrifice Separates Good From Great The jump from high school to college football requires sacrifice: * Better sleep * Better nutrition * Better preparation * More discipline * More recovery * More consistency Elite athletes willingly give up comfort to pursue greatness. 3. Culture Is Built Through Consistency Shelton emphasizes that culture is created by consistent standards and messaging: * Accountability * Effort * Communication * Attention to detail * Leadership by example Everything matters — from cleaning up the locker room to moving weights correctly. 4. Leadership Requires Courage True leaders: * Hold teammates accountable * Communicate directly * Stand out from the crowd * Do extra work * Accept discomfort Leadership is not popularity — it's responsibility. 5. Today's Athletes Struggle With Instant Gratification Shelton and Jim discuss how younger athletes often: * Want results too quickly * Fear failure * Avoid standing out * Resist long-term development Elite athletes trust the process and stay committed when progress is slow. 6. Brotherhood Is Still Football's Greatest Gift Beyond wins and losses, Shelton says football's greatest value is the lifelong brotherhood built through shared struggle, adversity, competition, and sacrifice. Episode Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Chad Coy Stories 02:15 – What Shelton Loves About Football 06:55 – The Power of the Weight Room 11:05 – Why Game Day Is Different 14:00 – Craziest College Football Environments 19:30 – Mindset Shifts From High School to College to NFL 27:30 – NIL, Money & Financial Literacy 31:00 – Transfer Portal & "Portal Pain" for Coaches 37:30 – Building Culture & Leadership Standards 44:50 – Mental Toughness Across Generations 52:00 – Winning a National Championship as a Coach vs Player 54:45 – Favorite Music, Movies & Athletes 59:45 – Book Recommendations & Leadership Growth 1:04:00 – Favorite Lift: Zercher Squats 1:05:00 – "Grown Man Habits & Behaviors" 1:06:00 – Final Thoughts & Closing CONNECT WITH ATHLETE BUILDER AEA Institute 🌐 https://www.aea-neuro-fitness-academy.com/ [https://www.aea-neuro-fitness-academy.com/] Listen to Athlete Builder Podcast 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Athlete-Builder [https://www.youtube.com/@Athlete-Builder] 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/34QCcodvAqAgj7iwk3tdrj [https://open.spotify.com/show/34QCcodvAqAgj7iwk3tdrj] 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athlete-builder/id1715521920 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athlete-builder/id1715521920] 📻 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5583cce-62bc-4611-ab54-ff367f41632d/athlete-builder [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5583cce-62bc-4611-ab54-ff367f41632d/athlete-builder] Follow Athlete Builder 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athlete_builder/ [https://www.instagram.com/athlete_builder/] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1athletebuilder [https://www.facebook.com/1athletebuilder] 𝕏 X / Twitter: https://x.com/AthleteBuilder [https://x.com/AthleteBuilder] 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athlete.builder [https://www.tiktok.com/@athlete.builder] 🌐 Website: https://athlete-builder.com [https://athlete-builder.com/] ✉️ Email: info@athlete-builder.com Athlete Builder Products & Services 📘 Buy the Athlete Builder Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9xiGOWQ [https://a.co/d/9xiGOWQ] 📚 Bulk Orders: https://bookpal.com/athlete-builder-the-blueprint-to-build-champion-athletes-9798218498382 [https://bookpal.com/athlete-builder-the-blueprint-to-build-champion-athletes-9798218498382] 🎓 Athlete Builder Courses: https://athlete-builder.com/courses [https://athlete-builder.com/courses] 🧠 Schedule a Game Plan Session: https://link.closersoftware.com/widget/bookings/ab-gameplansession [https://link.closersoftware.com/widget/bookings/ab-gameplansession] 🎤 Book Jim Beebe for Speaking Engagements: https://athlete-builder.com/speaking [https://athlete-builder.com/speaking] 👕 Athlete Builder Apparel & Swag: https://athlete-builder.printify.me/products [https://athlete-builder.printify.me/products] 📰 Athlete Builder Newsletter: https://athlete-builder.com/newsletter [https://athlete-builder.com/newsletter] ✍️ Athlete Builder Blog: https://athlete-builder.com/blog [https://athlete-builder.com/blog] 🏋️ Train at Unbreakable Athletics Academy: https://unbreakableathleticsacademy.com [https://unbreakableathleticsacademy.com/] ❤️ Support Our Charities: https://theufoundation.square.site [https://theufoundation.square.site/] WIN THE DAY 💪

Athlete Builder: Ep. #138 Pete Remmes--NFL & Power 4 Lessons for Building Youth

Episode Summary In Episode #138 of the Athlete Builder Podcast, Jim Beebe sits down with strength coach Pete Remmes to discuss the realities of athlete development from youth sports all the way to the NFL. Pete shares his journey from playing football in Maine to Springfield College, then working at powerhouse programs including Florida State, Texas A&M, Iowa, Indiana, and in the NFL with the Bills and Giants before returning home to help athletes through Schofield Sports Performance. The conversation dives deep into: * the difference between talent and long-term development, * why discipline beats motivation, * how small daily habits compound into elite performance, * why modern youth athletes are often underdeveloped physically, * and how mindset ultimately determines who survives adversity and who folds under pressure. Pete also discusses the instability and pressure of high-level college athletics, the importance of resilience, and why helping young athletes grow now provides more fulfillment than chasing wins at the college and NFL level. The episode is packed with practical lessons for coaches, parents, athletes, and anyone interested in long-term performance development. Episode Chapters 00:00 Intro & Mental Edge Academy 02:00 Pete's Athletic Journey 05:00 Transition to College Football 08:00 NFL & College Coaching Lessons 12:00 Talent vs Work Ethic 16:00 The Slight Edge Philosophy 20:00 Youth Athlete Development 25:00 Confidence Through Training 28:00 Coaching Instability in College Sports 33:00 Big-Time College Football Atmospheres 36:00 Building a Growth Mindset 41:00 Athlete Buy-In & Development 45:00 What Pete Misses About College Football 48:00 Rapid Fire Questions 50:00 Final Thoughts & Contact Info Connect with Pete Remmes Instagram: @petermmes Schofield Sports Performance: https://www.schofieldsports.com AEA Institute https://www.aea-neuro-fitness-academy.com/ [https://www.aea-neuro-fitness-academy.com/] Athlete Builder Podcast Links 🎥 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Athlete-Builder [https://www.youtube.com/@Athlete-Builder] 🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/34QCcodvAqAgj7iwk3tdrj [https://open.spotify.com/show/34QCcodvAqAgj7iwk3tdrj] 🍎 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athlete-builder/id1715521920 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athlete-builder/id1715521920] 📻 Amazon Podcasts https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5583cce-62bc-4611-ab54-ff367f41632d/athlete-builder [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5583cce-62bc-4611-ab54-ff367f41632d/athlete-builder] Athlete Builder Social Media 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/athlete_builder/ [https://www.instagram.com/athlete_builder/] 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/1athletebuilder [https://www.facebook.com/1athletebuilder] 🐦 X / Twitter https://x.com/AthleteBuilder [https://x.com/AthleteBuilder] 🎵 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@athlete.builder [https://www.tiktok.com/@athlete.builder] 🌐 Website https://athlete-builder.com [https://athlete-builder.com/] 📩 Email info@athlete-builder.com Athlete Builder Products & Services 📘 Athlete Builder Book (Amazon) https://a.co/d/9xiGOWQ [https://a.co/d/9xiGOWQ] 📘 Athlete Builder Book (Barnes & Noble) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/athlete-builder-jim-beebe/1146362511?ean=9798218498382 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/athlete-builder-jim-beebe/1146362511?ean=9798218498382] 📚 Bulk Book Orders https://bookpal.com/athlete-builder-the-blueprint-to-build-champion-athletes-9798218498382 [https://bookpal.com/athlete-builder-the-blueprint-to-build-champion-athletes-9798218498382] 🎓 Athlete Builder Courses https://athlete-builder.com/courses [https://athlete-builder.com/courses] 📅 Schedule a Game Plan Session https://link.closersoftware.com/widget/bookings/ab-gameplansession [https://link.closersoftware.com/widget/bookings/ab-gameplansession] 🎤 Speaking Engagements https://athlete-builder.com/speaking [https://athlete-builder.com/speaking] 👕 Athlete Builder Apparel https://athlete-builder.printify.me/products [https://athlete-builder.printify.me/products] 📰 Newsletter https://athlete-builder.com/newsletter [https://athlete-builder.com/newsletter] ✍️ Blog https://athlete-builder.com/blog [https://athlete-builder.com/blog] 🏋️ Train at Unbreakable Athletics Academy https://unbreakableathleticsacademy.com [https://unbreakableathleticsacademy.com/] ❤️ Support Our Charities https://theufoundation.square.site [https://theufoundation.square.site/] WIN THE DAY 💥

Athlete Builder Ep. #137: Building a Champion's Mind in Golf | Greg Towne (Indiana State Women's PGA Pro Golf Coach)

What separates good golfers from elite performers? In Episode #137 of the Athlete Builder Podcast, I sit down with PGA Professional Greg Towne, Head Coach of Indiana State Women's Golf, to break down the mental, emotional, and performance demands of elite golf. From competing at the highest levels to coaching future pros, Greg shares what it really takes to succeed—not just physically, but mentally. We dive into: * Why golf is one of the most mentally demanding sports in the world * How to handle pressure, distractions, and emotional swings * The importance of routine, journaling, and reflection * Why discipline and focus—not motivation—separate pros from amateurs * How athletes can create an edge through preparation and attention to detail * The truth about goal setting vs. process-driven growth One of the biggest takeaways: "If you know the right path but won't take it because it's hard… that's the difference." ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Greg Towne Background 01:15 – The Masters, Tiger vs Jack & Golf Greatness 02:30 – Best Courses in the World & Unique Experiences 04:00 – Pressure in Golf: Why "Easy Shots" Become Hard 05:50 – Mental Games & Subtle Competitive Edges 07:15 – Coaching Philosophy: Taking Control & Building Confidence 09:30 – Coaching Women vs Men (Emotional Regulation) 11:00 – Mindset: You Can't Control Emotions—Only Regulate Them 12:30 – Golf's Unique Mental Challenge (Time Between Shots) 14:30 – Resetting Your Mind During Competition 16:30 – Coaching on the Course & Real-Time Development 18:00 – Learning from Experience & Journaling for Growth 21:00 – Player vs Coach Success: Impacting Lives 22:30 – Goal Setting vs Process & Staying Curious 26:00 – The Discipline to Change & Improve 28:30 – Playing in the U.S. Open & Visiting the White House 30:30 – Coaching Elite Players vs College Athletes 32:00 – What Separates Pros Mentally 34:30 – Environment, Focus & Eliminating Distractions 37:00 – Extreme Focus & Learning Faster 39:00 – Sacrifice Required for Greatness 40:00 – Nutrition Then vs Now in Golf 42:00 – Training Without Distractions (State-Based Performance) 43:00 – Travel, Bucket List & Experiences 44:30 – Favorite Sports & Athletes (Michael Phelps Insight) 46:30 – Book Recommendations for Athletes 48:30 – Strength Training & Golf Performance 50:30 – Favorite Quote: Discipline & Hard Choices 52:00 – Where to Find Greg Towne 53:00 – Closing Thoughts 🧠 Lessons & Takeaways * Golf is a mental marathon – most of the game happens between shots * Emotional regulation > emotional control * Discipline and focus beat talent alone * Journaling accelerates growth and learning * Preparation creates confidence under pressure * Distractions destroy performance at elite levels * Curiosity + work ethic = long-term success * The best athletes eliminate noise and simplify their process 🏆 For Coaches & Athletes If you want your athletes to: * Stay composed under pressure * Build consistent routines * Improve focus and discipline * Develop a championship mindset Then you need more than physical training… You need a mental performance system. 🚀 Work With Us 👉 Schedule a call to learn about the Mental Edge Academy Summer Bootcamp 👉 Or reply directly to get more info 👉 Join our SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/athlete-builder-6593/about 📩 Email: info@athlete-builder.com 📲 Connect with Greg Towne Indiana State Athletics: https://gosycamores.com [https://gosycamores.com/] Email: gregory.towne@indstate.edu 🔗 Athlete Builder Links AEA Institute: https://www.aea-neuro-fitness-academy.com/ [https://www.aea-neuro-fitness-academy.com/] 🎧 Podcast Platforms YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Athlete-Builder [https://www.youtube.com/@Athlete-Builder] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/34QCcodvAqAgj7iwk3tdrj [https://open.spotify.com/show/34QCcodvAqAgj7iwk3tdrj] Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athlete-builder/id1715521920 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/athlete-builder/id1715521920] Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5583cce-62bc-4611-ab54-ff367f41632d/athlete-builder [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5583cce-62bc-4611-ab54-ff367f41632d/athlete-builder] 📱 Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athlete_builder/ [https://www.instagram.com/athlete_builder/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1athletebuilder [https://www.facebook.com/1athletebuilder] X: https://x.com/AthleteBuilder [https://x.com/AthleteBuilder] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@athlete.builder [https://www.tiktok.com/@athlete.builder] 🧩 Products & Services Courses: https://athlete-builder.com/courses [https://athlete-builder.com/courses] Game Plan Session: https://link.closersoftware.com/widget/bookings/ab-gameplansession [https://link.closersoftware.com/widget/bookings/ab-gameplansession] Speaking: https://athlete-builder.com/speaking [https://athlete-builder.com/speaking] Apparel: https://athlete-builder.printify.me/products [https://athlete-builder.printify.me/products]

Athlete Builder Ep. #136. Briggs Pittman. 82nd Airborne & Jiu Jitsu Leaders on a Champion's Mindset

What does it take to build a champion's mindset? In this episode of Athlete Builder, I sit down with Briggs Pittman—former 82nd Airborne soldier, national-level jiu-jitsu referee, and elite-level competitor—to break down what separates average athletes from those who win at the highest level. This conversation goes way beyond sports. We dive into: * How elite performers train their minds under pressure * Why discipline beats motivation every time * The difference between being a champion… and having a champion mindset * How to stay calm when everything is falling apart * The role of fun, consistency, and environment in long-term development * Why your past can either fuel you… or destroy you One of the most powerful takeaways: "There's nothing bad that can happen… if you learn how to shift it into something positive." WE ARE BUILDING MORE TO HELP YOU. WE ARE STARTING OUR SKOOL COMMUNITY. Connect with us here. And I will work with you and upload all lessons discussed the last 5 years. We are holding nothing back. https://www.skool.com/athlete-builder-6593/about ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Guest Background (Briggs Pittman) 01:30 – Winning vs Coaching vs Refereeing at the Highest Level 03:00 – Training Systems: Why Repetition Builds Confidence 07:00 – Military Mindset & Airborne Training Lessons 12:30 – Applying Structure to Fighter Development 16:30 – Coaching Athletes: Balancing Strengths vs Weaknesses 18:30 – Motivation, Discipline & Making Training Fun 21:30 – Using Your Past as Fuel (Not an Excuse) 25:00 – What is a Champion's Mindset? 29:30 – Core Values: Discipline, Leadership & Protection 34:30 – Humor, Team Culture & Building Community 35:30 – Hunting, Endurance & Mental Toughness 41:00 – Handling Pressure & Fatigue in Extreme Situations 49:00 – Marriage, Energy & Channeling Drive 50:30 – Sleep, Recovery & Mental Reset Strategies 56:00 – Music, Training Tempo & Performance 57:30 – Rapid Fire (Movies, Books, Heroes, Quotes) 01:02:00 – Bucket List & Life Philosophy 01:04:00 – Where to Find Briggs + Closing Thoughts 🔥 Key Lessons for Coaches & Athletes: * Consistency > intensity * Systems remove pressure * Discipline builds everything else * Mindset determines how far you go 📲 Connect with Briggs: Instagram: Briggs_Pittman YouTube: Briggs Pittman 📩 Contact: info@athlete-builder.com