Discipline, Not Motivation
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, host Mike Brilla breaks down why discipline—not motivation—is the ultimate key to athletic and personal success . Drawing from recent experiences watching top wrestlers at the Super 32 Challenge in Greensboro, NC, and conducting mental performance sessions with college athletes, Mike explores why having lofty goals means nothing if your minimum standards don't match . He gets candid about his own nutrition standards slipping when decision fatigue sets in and explains how choosing discipline over temporary gratification builds true...
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Be About It
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 25, we explore why real growth happens in the dark and why loud, attention-seeking discipline is fragile compared to quiet execution . Drawing on wisdom from ancient Stoics like Seneca and Epictetus alongside Jake Thompson’s powerful reminder that progress comes down to making those "can't see choices" to build "can't miss growth," this episode challenges athletes, parents, and coaches to stop posting about the grind and start living it . Tune in to learn how controlling your controllables builds unshakable internal confidence,...
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Are Some Kids Built Different?
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, host Mike Brilla tackles one of the most common questions from sports parents: can drive and determination actually be taught, or are some kids just naturally "built different" ? Drawing key insights from Chapter 2 of Jim Afremow's The Champion's Mind, Mike breaks down 12 essential mental skills—ranging from positive goal setting and mental imagery to breath control and self-talk—that can be nurtured in any young athlete . He also shares practical wisdom from his mental performance coaching training with Lindsay Wilson at Positive...
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A Lesson from Parenting
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 23, we kick off the new school year by diving into the powerful lessons our kids teach us about resilience, discomfort, and growth . As an 8th-grade teacher, wrestling coach, and father of two sons, I reflect on back-to-school night jitters, the myth of needing to have all the answers, and why true confidence only grows on the other side of difficulty . Drawing insights from Stoic philosophy, sports psychology, and habit building—from Marcus Aurelius and Trevor Moawad to James Clear—we explore how retraining your subconscious,...
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Take the Next Right Step
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 22, we take a deep dive into what happens when life shatters your timeline and completely derails your carefully laid plans . While setting ambitious goals is essential for direction and focus, goals can change, timelines can get delayed, and circumstances beyond our control will inevitably pop up . True resilience isn't about blindly clinging to a broken plan; it's about adapting your strategy without abandoning your underlying purpose . Drawing from Stoic philosophy, insights from Dr. Joe Dispenza, and lessons from over two...
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Don't Fear Deep Water
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest hurdles holding athletes and performers back: the fear of failure and the safety net of "Plan B" . Drawing from a profound conversation with my 16-year-old son about going all-in on your passion, along with lessons from Iowa wrestling legend Brett Metcalf and Roger Bannister's historic four-minute mile, we explore why our brains default to comfort and how true belief requires action . Plus, I break down Lewis Howes’ eight core focus areas for achieving your potential and living with zero regrets ....
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Don't Fear Fear
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 20, "Don't Fear Fear," host Mike Brilla opens up about recording outdoors after a long night of septic tank issues and dives deep into how fear and doubt can pull athletes away from their true potential . Drawing from his own struggles putting his face on social media, wisdom from Jim Collins’ Inner Excellence, Marcus Aurelius’ Stoic reflections, and a powerful lesson on gratitude anchors from his son during a baseball tournament, Mike shares actionable strategies to face discomfort head-on . Whether you are competing on the...
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Embrace Growth
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we dive into what happens when plans fall apart and how an unexpected early loss at my son's baseball tournament led to a family trip to see the movie The Odyssey . A powerful line from the film sparked a deep reflection on our battle with control, competitive drive, and why we so often try to force outcomes instead of trusting the process . Drawing on wisdom from Ryan Holiday, Young Pueblo, Rick Alexander, and Dr. Jim Affenbrough, we explore how embracing productive struggle, taking action through movement, and managing our second...
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Stop Saving Them from Losing: Reframing Failure & Anxiety in Youth Sports
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast ! Episode 18, "Stop Saving Them from Losing: Reframing Failure and Anxiety in Youth Sports," was born out of a quiet moment on a back deck in Connecticut while watching my son’s 13U travel baseball team navigate the rare sting of defeat . After 21 years of coaching high school wrestling, I’ve realized how easy it is to forget that failing early is the secret sauce to performing when the stakes are highest . In this episode, we dive deep into the sports coaching framework behind why top programs actively seek out losses . We break down elite rugby...
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The Most Important Words
The Inspired Athlete
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Episode 17, "The Most Important Words," host Mike Brilla breaks down what happens in a young athlete's head right after a high-stakes failure—and why our go-to parental instincts might actually be falling on deaf ears . When an athlete makes a game-ending error or falls short in a major tournament, standard platitudes like "you did your best" get blocked by the brain's critical gatekeeper . Instead of relying on soft phrases or toxic positivity, this episode explores how parents and coaches can guide athletes toward a grounded, neutral...
info_outlineWelcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 23, we kick off the new school year by diving into the powerful lessons our kids teach us about resilience, discomfort, and growth . As an 8th-grade teacher, wrestling coach, and father of two sons, I reflect on back-to-school night jitters, the myth of needing to have all the answers, and why true confidence only grows on the other side of difficulty . Drawing insights from Stoic philosophy, sports psychology, and habit building—from Marcus Aurelius and Trevor Moawad to James Clear—we explore how retraining your subconscious, making hard choices, and choosing motion over emotion can help both you and your young athletes build a champion mindset when facing life's toughest moments .