Confidence: Where it Comes From & What Most Athletes Get Wrong

Strong Enough to Ask: The Myth of the Tough Man

"There is a difference between being tough and just sucking it up or isolating yourself." In honor of June being Men’s Health Month, hosts Chris Carruthers and Andrew Grantz are tearing down the playbook for a different kind of conversation. In the sports world (and everyday life), men are conditioned to mask pain, shake off injury, and push through isolation. But the numbers tell a heartbreaking story: men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the US, and 1 in 3 male college athletes report experiencing anxiety or depression. In this episode, Chris and Andrew challenge traditional standards of athletic grit, drawing on powerful personal stories of grief, coaching regrets, and the power of faith. Welcome to the huddle. S1E4

Confidence: Where it Comes From & What Most Athletes Get Wrong

In this episode of The Mindset Huddle Podcast, Chris and Andrew unpack the truth about confidence—and why it’s not something you either have or don’t. Instead, confidence is built through preparation, identity, and daily habits. Through personal stories and real-life examples, they challenge the idea of surface-level positivity and explore what it really takes to develop lasting confidence. From trusting the process over outcomes to leading with quiet confidence, this conversation offers practical insight for athletes, coaches, and anyone working to grow through pressure and adversity. When confidence is rooted in who you are and how you prepare, it becomes something you can rely on—no matter the moment. Welcome to the huddle. S1E3

Identity Beyond the Scoreboard: Turning Pressure into Fuel

In this episode of The Mindset Huddle Podcast, Chris and Andrew take on one of the biggest challenges in sports: the pressure to perform. Too often, expectations and anxiety start to define how athletes show up and enjoy the game—but pressure doesn’t have to lead. Through stories from high school rivalries and college setbacks, this conversation helps athletes stay grounded in identity so they can perform at their best when it matters most. Drawing from their experiences as athletes and coaches, Chris and Andrew explore the “six inches between the ears” and where performance anxiety really begins. This episode is a guide for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to move beyond the scoreboard. When identity is rooted in something deeper—our values, purpose, and relationship with God—pressure becomes fuel, not fear. In that grounding, we’re reminded that worth isn’t defined by performance, but by who we are beyond the game. S1E2

From Performance to Purpose: Redefining the Athlete Mindset

In the debut episode of The Mindset Huddle Podcast, hosts Chris Carruthers and Andrew Grantz explore the intersection of sports, mental health, and personal identity. Andrew shares his journey navigating loss in high school and how sports initially helped him cope with anxiety—but also why performance alone can’t define self-worth. The hosts discuss the difference between identity and performance, shifting focus from outcomes to attitude and purpose, and practical strategies to support resilience for athletes, coaches, and parents. The episode also touches on modern pressures like social media and highlights the importance of faith and the spiritual and mental foundations that support long-term well-being on and off the field. S1E2