301 Words of Wisdom – Collective Insights on Mental Toughness
Release Date: 01/02/2026
301 Words of Wisdom – Collective Insights on Mental Toughness
Demystifying Mental Toughness
Happy New Year! This special compilation episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness brings together powerful reflections from multiple experts across sport, performance, and personal development. Rather than offering quick fixes, this episode invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly underpins sustainable performance: self-awareness, authenticity, focus, and self-trust. A recurring theme throughout the episode is the importance of the internal narrative. The conversations we have with ourselves shape confidence, behaviour, and decision-making under pressure....
info_outline
300 Owning Your Journey: Personal Responsibility, Success Redefined & Thriving on Loan
Demystifying Mental Toughness
In this milestone episode #300 of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David Charlton is joined by former Newcastle United defender and current Assistant Loans Manager Peter Ramage. In the second part of our conversation Peter shares powerful insights into what truly drives progression and resilience in young footballers. Peter discusses the importance of personal responsibility in career development highlighting how top performers take ownership of their learning, habits, and mindset. Through examples such as golfer Matthew Fitzpatrick and Harry Kane, he explains why success is...
info_outline
299 Emotional Flexibility & Versatility: Inside the Minds of Professional Footballers on Loan
Demystifying Mental Toughness
In this episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, host David Charlton is joined by former professional footballer and coach, and current Assistant Loans Manager at Newcastle United, Peter Ramage, who pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like for young players when they go out on loan. We talk about the often-unseen side of the loan pathway: adapting to new environments, dealing with being away from family, handling uncertainty and change, and the social-media comparison trap that many players fall into. Peter provides real world insight from his time at clubs like...
info_outline
298 Run Your Race: The Power of Consistency, Faith, and Mental Strength
Demystifying Mental Toughness
In the second part of our conversation David Charlton speaks with endurance athlete, coach, and world record holder Pierce Showe, who completed 153 consecutive half marathons to raise awareness about health and nutrition. Together, they explore what it really means to run your race in sport, business, and life. Pierce shares his philosophy of focusing on your own journey, avoiding the comparison trap, and finding strength through faith and purpose. He also talks about how goal setting and discipline form the foundation for consistent growth and long-term success, lessons that resonate...
info_outline
297 How Endurance Challenges Build Mental Toughness – Lessons from Pierce Showe
Demystifying Mental Toughness
In this powerful episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David sits down with endurance athlete, coach, and world record holder, Pierce Showe. From a lacrosse player to completing gruelling 200-mile ultra marathons, Pierce shares his journey of developing resilience, faith, and belief through extreme endurance. Pierce opens up about how early life challenges shaped his hunger for growth, the defining moment that unlocked his belief system, and why mental toughness isn’t something you’re born with and it’s built through hardship, practice, and reflection. He and...
info_outline
296 How to Take Control of Your Emotions: Building Your Personal Playbook for Confidence and Calm
Demystifying Mental Toughness
In the second part of our conversation, David Charlton talks with anxiety and fear coach Matt Young about why emotional control and emotional mastery is the key to lasting confidence and calmness under pressure. Matt challenges the common idea that we can only manage our emotions. Instead, he explains how emotions like anxiety, fear, or procrastination are learned traits that serve a purpose. By understanding why they appear, athletes and coaches can start to take ownership and use their emotions intentionally rather than reactively. Drawing parallels between sport and everyday...
info_outline
295 Taking Control Of Your Emotions: Lessons from Ex-Footballer and Anxiety Coach Matt Young
Demystifying Mental Toughness
In this episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness, David Charlton speaks with Matt Young, an anxiety and fear coach and former professional footballer, about how emotional control can help athletes and coaches achieve lasting freedom and confidence, on and off the pitch. Matt shares how his playing career at Southampton and other clubs exposed deep insecurities and a constant need to control outcomes including; selection, performance, and judgment from others. That same drive for control, he explains, often leads athletes into anxiety, superstition, and burnout. True freedom, he argues, comes...
info_outline
294 The 3-Second Reset: How Stuart Barnes Helps Cricketers Perform Under Pressure
Demystifying Mental Toughness
High performance in cricket and sport in general is about far more than technical ability. In this episode of The Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, I’m joined by Stuart Barnes, Bowling Coach at Warwickshire County Cricket Club, for the second part of our conversation. Together we explore the unique pressures cricketers face and how coaches and psychologists can work hand in hand to support player growth, confidence, and resilience. The Player at the Centre Stuart highlights the importance of a joined-up approach between coaches, psychologists, and teammates, with the athlete...
info_outline
293 How Cricket Coaches Build Mental Toughness: High Challenge, High Support with Stuart Barnes
Demystifying Mental Toughness
In this episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, I’m joined by Stuart Barnes, Bowling Coach at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. With over 27 years of coaching experience, Stuart shares fascinating insights into the demands of elite cricket, the brutal nature of today’s schedules, and the importance of balancing challenge with support. We dive into how coaches can help players thrive under pressure, the role of self-awareness and process, and why some athletes fear success. Stuart also discusses the fine line between surviving and thriving in professional sport—and what...
info_outline
292 Breaking Barriers in Sport: Culture and Inclusion in India & the Middle East
Demystifying Mental Toughness
Today’s episode is the second part of my discussion with Gayatri Bhushan, co-founder of Mind Matter Performance. We go onto continue to explore the importance of being curious and open to learn about the experiences of others in sport. Gayatri goes onto share further insights from India and the Middle East, where cultural, social, and gender barriers can put limits on opportunities for different athletes, participants and coaches. Key Learning Points: · The discussion highlighted the significant impact of Premier League Football...
info_outlineHappy New Year! This special compilation episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness brings together powerful reflections from multiple experts across sport, performance, and personal development. Rather than offering quick fixes, this episode invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly underpins sustainable performance: self-awareness, authenticity, focus, and self-trust.
A recurring theme throughout the episode is the importance of the internal narrative. The conversations we have with ourselves shape confidence, behaviour, and decision-making under pressure. Listeners are encouraged to question unhelpful self-talk, recognise vulnerability as a strength, and understand that mental toughness is not about being “bulletproof”, but about knowing yourself and responding wisely.
The episode also explores the value of building a support network a “board of directors” made up of real or imagined mentors who guide thinking, perspective, and behaviour. Alongside this, the myth of multitasking is challenged, reinforcing the power of focus, presence, and committing fully to the one thing that matters most.
Fear, mistakes, motivation, and setbacks are reframed not as barriers, but as essential ingredients for growth. Listeners are reminded that action often comes before motivation, progress is rarely linear, and joy and creativity are vital for long-term engagement in sport and life.
This episode is a timely reminder that mental toughness is human, flexible, and deeply personal and that rediscovering enjoyment, trust, and purpose is just as important as striving for results.
Key Takeaways
- You are the thinker, not the thought, self-talk can be shaped and trained
- Mental toughness exists on a spectrum; sensitivity is not weakness
- Authenticity matters more than approval or fitting in
- Build a “board of directors” to guide perspective and decision-making
- Multitasking is a myth, focus deeply on one thing at a time
- Fear can be used as fuel when recognised and harnessed
- Motivation is cyclical; action often comes before motivation
- Vulnerability and self-compassion support long-term performance
- Mistakes and setbacks are essential for learning and growth
- Joy, creativity, and presence reconnect performers with why they started
Connect with David Charlton
Relevant Podcast Episodes To Improve Your Mental Toughness as Relayed in Episode 301
Ep001: Doug Strycharczyk – The Importance of Mental Toughness
Ep028: Peter Clough MBE – Why is Mental Toughness Important?
Ep035: Dr John Perry – Thrive, Don’t Just Survive 2021
Ep037: Penny Mallory – World Class Thinking, World Class Behaviour
Ep041: Paul McGee – How to Develop Interpersonal Confidence
Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport
Ep066: Marilyn Okoro – Mental Health and Resilience: Lessons from an Olympic Medalist
Ep068: Andrew Nicholson – How Hard Is It To Become A Tour Professional Golfer?