What the best mindset to hike up the Grand Canyon? (As much as I wish this story came from my own experience, hiking the Grand Canyon remains unchecked on my bucket list. Still, I love the advice!) When hiking back up the Grand Canyon, tour guides often warn the hikers that the top always seems…

It’s always been interesting to me that we say “sports are 90 percent mental,” and yet we spend 100 percent of our time developing only our physical bodies and not our minds. Mental Fitness is a on a mission to change that and to give athletes the mental edge for a significant performance advantage.  This…

He approached rebounding like the ball was a bomb that would go off if it hit the floor. He was the ultimate “do whatever it takes to win” team player. He worked just as hard to study the game as he worked to play the game. Like him or despise him, he was unapologetically and…

Back in 2018, I sent Dan Buettner a thank you email for his keynote on Blue Zones. After a few friendly back and forth correspondence, I sent him the first chapter of my book, Mental Fitness. His feedback of it nearly broke me.  Here are his exact words: “As you know, in my view trying…

I think a lot about abundance versus scarcity…. The scarcity mindset is one that says “I have limited options so I have to figure out what to do right now to survive.” This mindset was helpful in our evolution when we needed to escape a sabertooth tiger so we either fought or fled and weren’t caught…

Here are three factors that ought to be checked if you plan on staying… 1. Do you feel valued and important as a part of the team and its mission?  2. Do you have strong, positive relationship with your immediate supervisor? 3. Are you given the autonomy, training, and resources to do your job to…

I’d like to discuss two things I used to say that I’ve tried to upgrade in the past year. 1. “All attention is positive.” I used to “all attention is positive,” but the better way to say it is “all attention is reinforcing.” Whether you’re trying to avoid drama in adult life or trying to…

It’s a beautiful fall evening in October 2002. I’m a freshman in high school and trying out for the wide receiver position on the North Allegheny football team. I’m lined up for the play and the Coach is standing next to me. As I’m looking down the line waiting for the ball to be snapped,…

Always Have a Trophy in Mind Penn State has an empty trophy case sitting in its team meeting room. It’s not hidden or tucked away, it’s in a spot the players walk by every day. The squad has always had the trophy case sitting in the team meeting room. While the goal is ultimately a…

Are endurance athletic events really worth it? 8 years ago, I completed an Ironman in Hawaii. Though I’m proud of this accomplishment, and incredibly thankful for all those who supported me, I realize now that physical accomplishments don’t really mean anything. In completing the Ironman, I got a medal. The medal has no real value,…