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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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