Chris Reyes is the founder of Athelite Player Development, CatcherMTRX, and the Catchers Summit. He’s heavily involved with USA Baseball, Evolution Events, Metro Scout Day, and runs a leadership development company focused on building better athletes, coaches, and people.

00:00 Intro
06:26 Managing Emotions in Youth Sports
09:24 The Role of Parents and Coaches
12:24 Cultural Shifts in Youth Baseball
15:27 Developing Leaders Through Baseball
18:27 Personal Journey and Motivation
24:55 The Journey to Confidence and Influence
27:44 Building a Supportive Circle
31:03 The Importance of Prioritizing People
32:02 First Steps Towards Growth
34:42 Learning from Mistakes
37:39 The Role of Experience in Learning
39:53 Creating Reachable Moments
43:52 The Power of Competition
48:19 Developing Competitive Nature in Youth
01:04:26 Cultural Conditioning and Conversations
01:08:34 The Impact of Early Competition
01:12:40 Balancing Competition and Development
01:16:55 Defining Wins Beyond Trophies
01:20:35 The Importance of Little Wins
01:25:41 Creating a Positive Coaching Culture
01:28:33 The 8% Concept: Fostering Excellence
01:38:10 The Impact of Social Media on Young Athletes
01:43:51 Navigating Leadership Dynamics in Coaching
01:50:31 The Importance of Trust and Influence in Coaching
01:56:42 Building a Sustainable Coaching Career
02:02:50 Creative Freedom and Time Management in Coaching
02:09:10 Innovative Media Coverage for Youth Sports
02:16:36 Podcast Outro

Nick Fanti is a professional left-handed pitcher with an incredible story. He’s pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies organization, for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, and most recently with the Long Island Ducks.

00:00 Introduction
03:22 The Transition to Competitive Play
09:05 The Balance of Sports and Burnout
26:40 Recruitment Challenges and Growth
32:21 Overcoming Early Challenges in Baseball
38:22 The Mental Grind of Pitching
44:01 Process Over Results
50:46 Commitment to College Baseball
56:53 Pitching in Front of Scouts
01:04:31 Draft Day Experience
01:12:11 The Journey of Competing and Growth
01:17:17 Understanding Personal Identity and Work Ethic
01:20:27 The Draft Experience and Public Speaking Challenges
01:29:07 The Decision: College vs. Pro Ball
01:34:24 Transitioning to Professional Baseball
01:40:35 Adjusting to Life as a Pro
01:46:02 Development and Overcoming Adversity
01:58:09 Injuries and Comebacks
02:14:55 The Road Ahead: Future Aspirations
02:23:48 Rebuilding and Rediscovering Passion for Baseball
02:35:35 Coaching and Mentoring the Next Generation
02:45:13 Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations
02:56:03 Podcast Outro

Sean O’Neill is the owner of One Mental Performance, consulting elite professional and college athletes across sports.

00:00 Intro
05:02 Navigating the End of the School Year
08:03 Building Trust and Commitment in Education
11:01 The Importance of Choices and Behaviors
13:50 Maintaining Standards and Accountability
17:05 Above the Line vs Below the Line Behaviors
20:09 The Dynamics of Team Culture and Leadership
23:01 The Impact of Player Awareness and Communication
26:15 The Role of Individual vs Group Conversations
29:12 The Changing Landscape of College Baseball
40:59 Maximizing Limited Practice Time
47:11 Preparing for Playoffs: Mental Strategies
54:16 The Importance of Consistency and Routine
01:03:48 Shifting from Player Two to Player One
01:19:44 Mindfulness and Performance in Sports
01:22:11 The Power of Mindfulness in Daily Life
01:26:19 Mindfulness in Athletics: A Game Changer
01:32:02 Integrating Mindfulness into Training Routines
01:36:27 Building a Culture of Mindfulness Among Athletes
01:41:43 The Importance of Mindfulness in Performance
01:42:56 Podcast Outro

Tim LaMonte is a former Major League Hitting Coach for the Cincinnati Reds. Before that, he was the Minor League Hitting Coordinator for the New York Mets and spent five years with the Houston Astros as a Complex Hitting Coordinator and Double-A Hitting Coach.

00:00 Intro
08:20 Awareness and Transition in Youth Sports
14:12 The Identity Crisis of Athletes
20:09 The Importance of Versatility and Education
26:21 Finding the Right Path for Young Athletes
43:42 The Importance of Versatility in Player Development
51:26 Navigating the Parent-Coach Dynamic
01:00:09 Curating Intrinsic Motivation in Young Athletes
01:06:06 Development vs. Winning: Different Levels of Play
01:12:35 The Evolution of Pitching in Professional Baseball
01:19:11 Approach vs. Mechanics: The Key to Hitting Success
01:28:37 Balancing Improvement and Confidence
01:34:52 The Importance of Individualized Coaching
01:39:57 Developing Skills Through Experience
01:48:09 Navigating the Hitting Debate
01:54:14 The Value of Movement and Athleticism
02:04:38 Encouraging Multi-Sport Participation
02:09:48 Building a Coaching Business
02:16:29 Transitioning from Coordinator to Business Owner
02:23:15 Lessons from the Mets
02:42:43 Understanding Movement in Coaching
02:48:37 Personal Growth and Life Experiences
02:58:23 The Importance of Community and Relationships
03:17:23 Podcast Outro

Tom Downey is a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies. He helps run the Titans Baseball Organization, Blue Chip Prospects, is the Director of CatcherMTRX Long Island, and Prime Infield Clinic.

00:00 Intro
05:14 Culinary Adventures: Cooking as a Passion
11:14 Navigating Life After Baseball
17:04 Curiosity and Lifelong Learning in Coaching
32:30 Navigating the Balance of Winning and Development
39:58 Fostering Creativity in Young Athletes
48:11 Cultural Differences in Baseball Training
01:00:24 Understanding Player Development and Intangibles
01:18:11 The Challenges of Scouting and Team Collaboration
01:26:24 The Evolution of Coaches and Players
01:33:07 The Value of Relationships in Coaching
01:41:21 Memories and Lessons from COVID-19
01:42:52 The Importance of Making the Most of Every Day
01:43:46 Understanding Player Readiness for College
01:51:02 The Role of Family and Social Media in Player Development
02:00:17 The Impact of Draft Changes
02:06:01 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation
02:14:13 Fostering a Love for the Game
02:21:17 Qualities of Successful Players
02:35:46 Podcast Outro.MP4

Dwayne Page and Kyle Brennan catch up after the start of the 2025 season. They recap spring training, reflect on the early part of the minor league and St. Joseph’s College baseball seasons, and dive into coaching themes like communication, player engagement, and building confidence.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:22 Adapting Coaching Styles
04:30 Connecting with Players
07:45 The Role of Communication in Coaching
10:29 Game Strategies and Adjustments
13:48 Fundamentals of Baseball
16:38 The Impact of Small Details
19:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
25:54 Fundamentals of College Baseball
28:12 Celebrating Player Achievements
32:29 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development
35:31 Engaging Young Players in Training
44:10 Adapting to Game Situations
49:06 The Importance of Game Awareness
01:02:34 Navigating Life's Blurred Lines
01:03:27 The Reality of Daily Adjustments
01:04:40 Embracing Unpredictability in Performance
01:06:14 Finding Creative Solutions
01:06:57 The Importance of Flexibility
01:08:41 The Monotony of Routine
01:09:45 The Why Behind the Grind
01:12:43 Balancing Work and Personal Life
01:16:14 The Value of Connection
01:17:40 Investing in Relationships
01:21:33 Sharing Life's Little Details
01:23:50 The Power of Everyday Conversations
01:27:09 Maintaining Youthful Connections
01:30:11 The Importance of Disconnecting
01:32:06 Adjusting to Weather Challenges
01:37:57 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
01:38:13 Transition Video 2.MP4
01:38:20 Balancing Preparation and Personal Life
01:39:08 The Dynamics of Coaching and Player Interaction
01:42:18 Mindfulness in Coaching Conversations
01:52:49 Building Relationships with Players
01:55:51 The Importance of Off-the-Cuff Conversations
02:04:00 Creating a Supportive Team Culture
02:09:11 Balancing Fun and Seriousness in Coaching
02:21:13 The Value of Engagement and Connection
02:25:12 Podcast Outro

Taylor Jones is a former MLB first baseman and a former minor league hitting coach for the Houston Astros. He played college ball at Gonzaga and won a high school state championship.

00:00 Intro
09:03 The Birth of a Podcast: Conversations and Connections
15:09 Exploring the World: Travel Experiences and Personal Growth
21:01 Who is Taylor? A Journey Through Youth and Sports
29:34 Ego and Vulnerability in Sports
36:04 The Importance of Self-Discovery in Competition
42:06 The Power of Fun in Performance
49:04 The Art of Connecting with Players
57:08 Understanding Different Player Dynamics
01:08:21 The Purpose of Coaching and Player Development
01:15:47 Managing Player Struggles and Maintaining Composure
01:23:35 Self-Care for Coaches: Leading by Example
01:30:11 The Dynamics of Leadership and Team Success
01:45:10 The Dynamics of Leadership and Hiring
01:47:35 The Art of Conversation in Coaching
01:54:01 Living the Message: Authenticity in Coaching
02:08:48 Navigating Coaching Dynamics
02:15:54 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
02:34:34 Exploring New Horizons
02:43:17 Podcast Outro

Chris Martin is the head strength and conditioning coach for LSU Baseball. Before LSU, he was the strength and conditioning coordinator for the Houston Astros.

00:00 Intro
03:04 Engagement Story and Celebrations
06:04 The Unique Tiger Experience
09:13 College vs. Pro Baseball Dynamics
12:06 Balancing Winning and Player Development
16:01 Nutrition and Weight Management in Season
21:11 Chris's Baseball Journey and Early Influences
29:14 From Football to Baseball: A Journey of Choices
38:13 Navigating Injuries and College Aspirations
49:32 The Path to Strength and Conditioning
58:50 Building Trust with Athletes: The Key to Success
01:04:49 Building Trust and Communication in Coaching
01:07:53 Navigating the Rehab Process with Athletes
01:09:44 The Art of Coaching: Methods vs. Principles
01:13:25 Creating a Fun and Engaging Training Environment
01:17:17 The Importance of Playfulness in Training
01:19:27 Adapting Coaching Styles to Different Situations
01:23:41 Learning from Experience: The Evolution of a Coach
01:28:45 Building Relationships and Earning Trust
01:33:08 Looking Ahead: Reflections and Future Goals
01:40:38 Podcast Outro