• # 79 - Tanner Swanson - New York Yankees Director of Catching / Major League Field Coordinator
    Jan 17 2026

    In this episode of the Mindset U Playbook, Curtis Pelletier reconnects with Tanner Swanson, the director of catching for the New York Yankees. They discuss Tanner's journey through coaching, starting from his time at the University of Washington to his current role with the Yankees. Tanner shares insights on the evolution of catching techniques, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new data and analytics in player development. He reflects on the challenges of introducing innovative catching styles, particularly the knee-down stance, and how it has transformed the way catchers approach their roles in the game. Tanner also highlights the significance of mental skills in coaching, focusing on building trust and maintaining a consistent mindset among players.

    Keywords

    Tanner Swanson, New York Yankees, catching techniques, player development, analytics in baseball, mindset coaching, knee-down stance, baseball coaching, catcher training, mental skills

    Takeaways

    • "You continue to want to push and sharpen your craft."
    • "I kind of wake up every day with this panic that we're missing something."
    • "The act of doing and being available and saying yes to things before you maybe feel ready was a really positive thing for my journey."
    • "It's hard to be stagnant in this industry; the expectations are so high."
    • "You want to feel the ground; we're anchored to the ground."
    • "It's about influencing, not necessarily selling concepts to players."
    • "You have to know the player and how they respond to feedback."
    • "The quality of hitter that we're seeing at the position right now is much different than it was five, seven, ten years ago."
    • "You have to get that piece; you just lose credibility with the people you're trying to impact."
    • "Focus on improving yourself rather than comparing to others."

    Titles

    • Revolutionizing Catching: Insights from Tanner Swanson
    • The Evolution of Catching Techniques with Tanner Swanson

    Sound Bites

    • "It's hard to be stagnant in this industry."
    • "I wake up every day with this panic."
    • "I don't have many non-negotiables."

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction and Reconnection

    01:39
    The Journey to the Yankees

    06:34
    Innovative Catching Techniques

    10:19
    Understanding Pitch Framing

    16:44
    Implementing New Techniques in Real Time

    20:52
    Shifting Scouting Philosophies

    24:12
    The Impact of the Challenge System

    25:32
    Understanding Umpires and Their Impact

    27:04
    The Mental Game: Coaching Mindsets

    29:23
    Building Relationships with Young Players

    31:44
    Adapting Techniques for Individual Players

    34:04
    Non-Negotiables in Catching Development

    38:06
    Advice for Aspiring Coaches

    40:09
    The Importance of Influence in Coaching

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    51 mins
  • # 78 - Raegyn Hall - Vancouver Whitecaps
    Jan 17 2026

    In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Raegyn Hall, the head of goalkeeping for the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy. They discuss Raegyn's journey from player to coach, the importance of building a supportive culture among goalkeepers, and the methodologies used in training young talent. Raegyn emphasizes the significance of mental resilience, consistency, and the evolving nature of goalkeeping in modern soccer. The conversation also touches on the use of data analytics in coaching and the importance of recovery and physical management for goalkeepers.


    Sound Bites

    • "We want to produce first team players."
    • "You need to trust the process."
    • "I smash balls for a living."


    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction to Raegyn Hall and His Journey

    02:49
    Raegyn's Coaching Philosophy and Experience

    05:24
    The Whitecaps Academy Structure and Culture

    08:24
    Goalkeeping Culture and Support Systems

    11:11
    Recruitment and Development in the Academy

    13:56
    Pathways for Young Players and Future Opportunities

    16:47
    Opportunities and Pathways for Young Goalkeepers

    18:54
    The Importance of Consistency in Goalkeeping

    23:23
    Building Trust and Resilience in Young Athletes

    27:03
    The Role of Mental Anchors in Performance

    30:46
    Adapting Training for Modern Goalkeeping

    38:36
    Continuous Learning and Evolving Coaching Methods

    43:28
    The Importance of Planning and Coordination in Coaching

    49:41
    Quantifying Success in Goalkeeping Training

    55:40
    Managing Physical Load and Recovery for Goalkeepers

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • # 77 - Chris Begg - OTU Baseball | SF Giants | Canadian National Team
    Jan 11 2026

    In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Chris begs, a former professional baseball player and current coach, discuss his journey from independent baseball to the SF Giants the national team and his transition into coaching. They explore the importance of mental performance, the launch of OTU and Oppotaco, a comprehensive baseball program, and the significance of grassroots development in the sport. Chris shares insights on dealing with failure, emotional management, and the role of parents and coaches in player development.

    Takeaways

    • Coaching is more stressful than playing.
    • Enjoying the moment can alleviate pressure.
    • You can only control what you can control.
    • Mental performance is crucial for success.
    • Grassroots development is essential for baseball growth.
    • Involvement of parents can enhance player accountability.
    • Quality production can elevate educational content.
    • Understanding the game is vital for young players.
    • Failure is a part of baseball; managing it is key.
    • Open-mindedness is necessary for learning and growth.

    Titles

    • From Player to Coach: Chris's Baseball Journey
    • The Mental Game: Insights from Chris

    Sound Bites

    • "I was just having fun."
    • "It was a game changer for me."
    • "I had nothing to lose."

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction and Background

    02:37
    Journey Through Independent Baseball

    05:30
    Joining the National Team and Olympic Aspirations

    08:13
    Transitioning from Player to Coach

    11:05
    The Launch of Alpo Taco

    13:37
    Target Audience and Program Focus

    16:32
    Involvement of Parents and Coaches

    19:08
    Production Quality and Future Plans

    22:23
    Grassroots Development in Baseball

    25:11
    Mental Skills and Performance

    27:58
    Dealing with Failure and Emotional Management

    30:39
    Final Thoughts and Advice

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    50 mins
  • # 76 - Jill Payne - Culture & Leadership Coach
    Jan 8 2026

    In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Jill Payne discuss the importance of energy management, self-awareness, and emotional regulation in both personal and professional contexts. Jill shares her journey as a leadership and culture coach, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's energy levels and how they affect mood and performance. They explore the challenges of parenting, the concept of burnout, and the necessity of self-regard in achieving personal goals. The discussion highlights practical tools for managing energy and emotions, fostering a supportive environment in teams, and the importance of dialogue in parenting and coaching.

    www.jillpayne.ca


    Takeaways

    • You're in control of how you feel.
    • Burnout is just a lack of capacity.
    • Self-awareness is the first step to change.
    • You can feel better within hours using tools.
    • The issues we face look different with varying energy levels.
    • Creating check-in points can help manage energy.
    • Self-regard is crucial for performance.
    • Parenting requires emotional regulation and self-compassion.
    • Team dynamics can impact individual performance.
    • You can shift your energy quickly with awareness.

    Titles

    • Mastering Energy Management for Leadership
    • The Power of Self-Regulation in Parenting

    Sound Bites

    • "You can create check-in points."
    • "You're in control of how you feel."
    • "You can feel better within hours."

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction to Leadership and Culture Coaching

    02:58
    The Journey of Energy Management

    05:46
    Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation

    08:37
    The Impact of External Validation

    11:39
    Burnout and Capacity

    14:31
    Unbecoming and Self-Regard

    17:21
    Creating a Supportive Environment

    20:15
    The Evolution of Coaching Methods

    25:52
    Empowering Self-Support in Team Dynamics

    28:37
    Navigating Team Dynamics and Corporate Culture

    29:16
    The Challenges of Parenting and Self-Regulation

    37:40
    Building Capacity and Emotional Regulation

    46:23
    The Power of Choice in Emotional Well-Being

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • # 75 - Coach Curtis - You HAVE to listen to this before any new goals are created
    Jan 4 2026

    This is the first solo episode of 2026.
    And it’s not a hype talk.

    If you’re setting goals right now
    or you’ve already started making changes
    this episode is meant to catch you before motivation fades.

    Because most people don’t fail at change due to laziness or lack of discipline.
    They fail because they misunderstand how change actually works.

    In this episode, we go deep into the psychology, behavior, and identity behind real transformation.

    We talk about why you don’t add your way to change.
    You unbecome your way there.

    Why repairing energy leaks matters more than stacking habits.
    Why fixing your nervous system matters more than forcing discipline.
    Why silence and space are the parts people skip and why that’s where growth actually stabilizes.

    We break down survival mode and why so many high-functioning people work their entire lives just to stay alive, never learning how to actually live.

    We unpack the lie that growth must always be painful
    and walk through the four pillars of real change
    physical
    emotional
    mental
    spiritual

    and why focusing on only one, especially the physical, leads to burnout, relapse, or identity collapse.

    You’ll hear a real example of a common goal like “less screen time”
    and why vague goals fail
    how to set realistic paths instead of fantasy expectations
    and how habits like scrolling are rarely about discipline and almost always about what we’re avoiding or chasing.

    This episode is about peace.
    About space.
    About learning how to sit without urgency.
    About knowing who you are without achievement, performance, or noise.

    It’s not about quitting ambition.
    It’s about removing the chaos that keeps ambition hollow.

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly chasing the next version of yourself
    if stillness makes you uncomfortable
    if success hasn’t brought the calm you expected

    this episode will land.

    This isn’t about becoming someone new.

    It’s about shedding who you no longer are
    and learning how to live from choice instead of survival.

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    25 mins
  • # 74 - Last Episode of 2025 - UNBECOMING Curtis Pelletier
    Dec 27 2025

    This is the final episode of 2025.

    After more than 70 episodes, countless conversations, and a year of deep listening, one truth kept surfacing over and over again: most people don’t need more motivation, more goals, or more pressure. They need clarity. They need regulation. They need to stop running.

    In this solo episode, I slow everything down.

    We talk about why your goals won’t stick unless your nervous system is regulated.
    Why a new year won’t magically fix habits you can’t maintain right now.
    Why open loops drain your energy and why closure doesn’t have to be comfortable or pretty to be effective.
    Why so many people are exhausted not from work, but from unresolved thoughts, emotions, and decisions.

    We dig into the myth that suffering equals success, especially for men.
    The lie that pain is required to be disciplined.
    Why the gym helps but doesn’t cure depression.
    Why alcohol numbs trauma instead of healing it.
    And why awareness and EQ are the real foundation for change.

    This episode is about unbecoming.
    Unbecoming what you learned to survive.
    Unbecoming identities built on pressure and performance.
    Unbecoming habits that numb instead of heal.

    It’s a call to close loops, face what you’ve been avoiding, regulate before you chase, and enter 2026 from a grounded place instead of another cycle of force.

    This isn’t hype.
    It’s not a resolution speech.
    It’s a reset.

    If you’re ready to stop running and actually change how you live, this one is for you.

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • # 73 - JM Kelly - Dodge City CC Head Coach
    Dec 21 2025

    In this engaging conversation, Curtis Pelletier speaks with JM Kelly, head coach of Dodge City Community College, about various aspects of baseball coaching, including summer ball experiences, recruiting challenges, and the importance of mental performance. They discuss the unique structure of the Northwoods League, the transition of coaching roles, and the significance of building a quality coaching staff. The conversation also delves into the potential of Canadian players, the role of data in coaching, and the techniques used in training catchers. Overall, the discussion highlights the complexities and rewards of coaching at the junior college level.

    Timestamp

    2023-10-03T00:00:00Z

    Titles

    • From Ice Fishing to Coaching: A Baseball Journey
    • Navigating the Challenges of Summer Ball

    Sound Bites

    • "Living the dream, trying to stay warm."
    • "We lost a really good hitter last year."
    • "The game has become a lot about data."

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction and Ice Fishing Plans

    02:52
    Summer Ball Coaching Experience

    05:26
    Northwoods League Insights

    08:22
    Recruiting Challenges and Strategies

    11:17
    Pitching Coach Transition

    14:00
    Building a Quality Coaching Staff

    17:03
    Recruiting in the Portal Era

    19:58
    Identifying Talent in Canadian Players

    22:37
    Mental Performance in Baseball

    25:31
    Catching Techniques and Training

    28:18
    The Importance of Data in Coaching

    31:16
    Final Thoughts on Junior College Baseball

    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • # 72 - Jake Harris - Broken Bow HS Head Baseball Coach, Oklahoma
    Dec 21 2025

    In this engaging conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Jake Harris discuss the unique dynamics of coaching in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience, community, and player development. They explore the differences between high school sports in Oklahoma and Texas, the significance of fast-pitch softball, and the challenges faced by multi-sport athletes. The discussion also highlights the role of mindset in sports, the value of being present, and the lessons learned from both success and failure in athletics.

    Titles

    • From the Classroom to the Field: Coaching Insights
    • Building Resilience in Young Athletes

    Sound Bites

    • "What's going on, brother?"
    • "You gotta be ready to go!"
    • "You gotta embrace the grind!"

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction and Background

    02:46
    Life in Broken Bow, Oklahoma

    05:46
    High School Sports Dynamics

    08:40
    Coaching Philosophy and Strategies

    11:34
    Transitioning Between Sports

    14:33
    Preparing for the Baseball Season

    17:27
    The State of Baseball in Broken Bow

    19:29
    Building a Competitive Mindset

    21:55
    The Importance of Juco Experience

    23:49
    Differentiating in a Competitive Landscape

    26:17
    The Role of Routine and Mental Preparation

    30:34
    Insights from the Coaches Convention

    34:48
    The Evolution of Coaching Communication

    37:39
    Understanding Player Mindsets and Mental Resilience

    41:17
    The Importance of Being Present

    44:10
    Balancing Life and Sports: A Coach's Perspective

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    53 mins