40 - Elevate Your Game: The Power of Mental Training for Athletes and Business Leaders

08/07/2025 22 min Temporada 2 Episodio 40
40 - Elevate Your Game: The Power of Mental Training for Athletes and Business Leaders

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Episode Synopsis

In this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser talk with guest Ben Carnes about the vital role of mental training in sports and business. Ben shares his journey from coaching football players to helping entrepreneurs, introducing practical tools like the "focus cycle" for managing stress and improving performance. The discussion covers breathing techniques, positive affirmations, and focus management, emphasizing resilience and the universal value of mental skills. Listeners are encouraged to apply these strategies to overcome setbacks and achieve success in any high-pressure environment.   Podcast Introduction (00:00:07) Hosts Mike and Josh banter, introduce the show, and set a casual, friendly tone. Introducing Ben Carnes & His Background (00:00:48) Josh introduces guest Ben Carnes, sharing personal connections and Ben's impact on his kids and community. Ben's Journey into Mental Training (00:01:41) Ben describes starting mental training in 2013 after a football loss, expanding from small groups to whole teams. Realizing Broader Impact Beyond Sports (00:02:05) Ben explains how mental training benefits not just athletes but also people in real-world situations. Growth and Reach of the Program (00:02:45) Discussion of Ben's expansion to 96 schools in 14 states, and the crossover to entrepreneurship. Translating Sports Mental Training to Business (00:03:08) Hosts discuss how Ben's sports-focused program can be applied to entrepreneurs and business settings. Westfield Football Team Transformation Stats (00:03:45) Josh shares statistics showing the football team's dramatic improvement after implementing mental training. Sustained Success and Systemization (00:04:38) Emphasis on sustained results, not just a good class, and the need for systemized, predictable tools. Introduction to the Focus Cycle (00:05:15) Ben introduces the "focus cycle" as a practical tool for managing thoughts and emotions under pressure. Breaking Down the Focus Cycle Steps (00:06:28) Ben details the process: identifying the big event, focus, self-talk, physical response, and emotional state. Applying the Focus Cycle in Real Life (00:07:55) Hosts share personal examples and ask how to use the focus cycle in business and daily challenges. Understanding Emotional and Physical Reactions (00:09:05) Ben explains the brain's automatic reactions and the need for intentional strategies to regain control. Building Confidence with Intentional Actions (00:10:50) Ben describes using breathing, muscle relaxation, and self-talk to intentionally generate confidence. The Power of Go-To Statements (00:12:53) Ben shares his experience with affirmations, how to craft effective self-talk, and its neurological impact. Examples of Self-Talk and Rituals (00:15:27) Hosts and Ben discuss real-world examples, like athletes' rituals and positive intelligence practices. Controlling Focus: The Four Boxes (00:16:24) Ben introduces a Venn diagram tool to help focus only on what matters and what can be controlled. Implementing and Adjusting the Tools (00:18:07) Ben emphasizes the importance of practicing, tweaking, and personalizing these mental tools. Clarity Breaks and Entrepreneurial Application (00:19:23) Hosts relate the focus cycle to business practices like clarity breaks and decision-making. Resetting After Failure and Maintaining Confidence (00:19:49) Discussion on the importance of resetting after setbacks and not letting one failure spiral. Rewiring the Brain for Resilience (00:20:52) Ben explains how repeated use of these tools can rewire the brain for better long-term responses. Events + Response = Outcome (00:21:45) Hosts discuss the "above the line" equation and how training responses can change outcomes. Preview of Next Episode & Closing (00:21:58) Tease for the next episode focusing on business applications, and thank yous to Ben.

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