Episodes

The 11-Time Champion with a Secret: Lisa Bentley’s Unlikely Journey
March 3, 2026

The 11-Time Champion with a Secret: Lisa Bentley’s Unlikely Journey

I am joined by 11-time Ironman champion, Author of An Unlikely Champion, motivational speaker and cystic fibrosis advocate Lisa Bentley to explore what it really means to compete with heart. Lisa walks me through her journey ...
Beyond the X’s and O’s: Michael Huber On Coaching the Human, Not Just the Player
Feb. 17, 2026

Beyond the X’s and O’s: Michael Huber On Coaching the Human, Not Just the Player

In this episode, we are joined by Michael Huber, a mental performance coach specializing in youth sports. The episode provides a deep dive into the mental side of youth athletics, Huber shares his transition from business co...
The Conversations That Shape Team Culture with Dr. Jen Fry
Jan. 27, 2026

The Conversations That Shape Team Culture with Dr. Jen Fry

In this episode of the Mental Approach podcast, host Todd Arkell interviews Dr. Jen Fry, a TEDx speaker and conflict expert, about the role of conflict in sports and organizational dynamics. They discuss how conflict can be a...
Navigating Imposter Syndrome - Dale Curd Provides Insights And Strategies To Move Past It.
Jan. 13, 2026

Navigating Imposter Syndrome - Dale Curd Provides Insights And Strategies To Move Past It.

In this episode of the Mental Approach Podcast, host Todd Arkell and mental health professional Dale Curd delve into the complexities of imposter syndrome. They explore its definition, common misconceptions, and the role of t...
The Truth About Team Culture - Safe Sport Advocate Allison Forsyth provides examples on how to improve
Dec. 31, 2025

The Truth About Team Culture - Safe Sport Advocate Allison Forsyth provides examples on how to improve

What happens when good intentions collide with outdated systems? In this episode, Todd sits down with Allison for an unfiltered conversation about what’s really happening inside youth sport—especially hockey—and why “safe spo...
The Say Nothing Challenge: The Fastest Way to Help Your Athlete
Dec. 16, 2025

The Say Nothing Challenge: The Fastest Way to Help Your Athlete

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Andrew Simpson, founder of Players Fitness and Performance, discussing the importance of mental performance in youth sports. Andrew shares his journey from a fitness enthusiast to ...
Martial Mentality - How Young Athletes Can Learn To Play Offense
Dec. 2, 2025

Martial Mentality - How Young Athletes Can Learn To Play Offense

When your sport background includes, national champion and professional surfer, UCLA collegiate softball player, dirt bike racer and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt multi-world, national, international, and Pan American champi...
Mindset Tip : Eat Like It's Your Job
Nov. 18, 2025

Mindset Tip : Eat Like It's Your Job

Food fuels the brain and in todays high performance culture, food fuels your body to become bigger, stronger and faster. In this episode, Todd Arkell interviews Shannon Mendez, A D1 sports dietitian and sports nutrition speci...
The Noise Is Coming: Leslee Holliday’s Playbook for Sports Parents
Nov. 4, 2025

The Noise Is Coming: Leslee Holliday’s Playbook for Sports Parents

When an MLB broadcast casually criticized her son, Leslee Holliday wasn’t shocked. She’s spent two decades riding the highs and lows of professional baseball with her husband Matt Holliday, and now with their sons Jackson and...
Are You Clutch? The Science Behind Performing When It Counts
Oct. 21, 2025

Are You Clutch? The Science Behind Performing When It Counts

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Dan Connerty, founder of Ntangible, a company focused on enhancing mental performance for athletes through innovative assessment tools. They discuss the importance of measuring men...
Eye on the Prize: Monet Chun's Resilient Rise in Women's Golf
Oct. 7, 2025

Eye on the Prize: Monet Chun's Resilient Rise in Women's Golf

Todd Arkell interviews Canadian golfer Monet Chun, who shares her journey from a young athlete in Richmond Hill Canada to playing at the University Michigan, where she won 2024 Big Ten Golfer of the Year and is a two-time Big...
The Mental Side of Scouting with Toronto Blue Jays Ryan Mittlemen
Sept. 23, 2025

The Mental Side of Scouting with Toronto Blue Jays Ryan Mittlemen

Ryan Mittleman, Vice President of Pro Scouting for the Toronto Blue Jays, discussed his journey from hockey to baseball, highlighting his role in player acquisition and scouting. He detailed the differences between amateur an...
The Future
Sept. 9, 2025

The Future

In this episode of The Mental Approach, host Todd Arkell engages with mental performance coach Travis Rogers and young athletes Jalen Jacob and Korbin Greaves in preparation for their participation in the 2025 Prep Baseball F...
From Tragedy to Triumph: One mans story of Hockey, Healing, and Mental Health
Aug. 26, 2025

From Tragedy to Triumph: One mans story of Hockey, Healing, and Mental Health

In this powerful episode of The Mental Approach Podcast, host Todd Arkell sits down with Bob Wilkie — former professional hockey player, author, founder of I Got Mind, and mental health advocate. Bob’s journey through the highs of junior and professional hockey and the deep lows of trauma, loss, an…
From the Mound To The Mind
Aug. 12, 2025

From the Mound To The Mind

In this episode of The Mental Approach Podcast , host Todd Arkell sits down with former Canadian baseball player and current mental health professional Graham Tebbit . Graham shares his journey from growing up in Canadian bas...
Playing The Long Game
July 30, 2025

Playing The Long Game

In this weeks episode, host Todd Arkell talks with Ryan Long current hitting coach Witherspoon the Toronto Blue Jays AAA affiliate the Buffalo Bisons. The two chat about the difference in culture and mindset between North Ame...
Impact Over Dollars - Jeremy Booth
July 22, 2025

Impact Over Dollars - Jeremy Booth

This episode features an insightful conversation with Jeremy Booth, visionary Founder and CEO of Program 15, President of Baseball Operations for the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series, former MLB scout, and accomplished baseball analyst and author.
Understanding Spheres Of Control - Libby Triolo
July 8, 2025

Understanding Spheres Of Control - Libby Triolo

In this episode of The Mental Approach, host Todd Arkell sits down with Libby Triolo, a mental performance coach and licensed professional counselor based in Colorado. Livy, a former competitive soccer player and current bill...
Embrace Change or Stay Stuck
June 24, 2025

Embrace Change or Stay Stuck

In this episode of the Mental Approach podcast, Todd Arkell interviews Dr. Colt Olson, a mental skills coordinator for the Colorado Rockies. They discuss the challenges of being a student-athlete, the journey into sports psyc...
I owe everything to baseball - Life beyond the game
June 10, 2025

I owe everything to baseball - Life beyond the game

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Cooper Davis, a former collegiate baseball player at Vanderbilt University, discussing his journey from youth sports in Mississauga, Canada to playing at a prestigious college. The...
Today’s Menu….Grilled Cheese
May 27, 2025

Today’s Menu….Grilled Cheese

In this episode of the Mental Approach Podcast, host Todd Arkell speaks with former MLB pitcher Jason Grilli about resilience, mental preparation, and the emotional challenges faced by athletes. Grilli shares insights from hi...
If you are always trying to fix them... They're always going to feel broke
May 14, 2025

If you are always trying to fix them... They're always going to feel broke

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Chase Lambin about the mental approach to youth sports and coaching. Chase has been the bench coach for the Texas Rangers AAA affiliate the Round Rock Express for the past 5 season...
I’ve Failed, So You Don't Have To
April 30, 2025

I’ve Failed, So You Don't Have To

The discussion follows Ian's journey through numerous injuries, the mental resilience required to overcome them, and the importance of hard work and dedication in youth sports. Ian shares his philosophy on training and the impact of social media on young athletes
The Mind Is The Engine Of The Car
April 15, 2025

The Mind Is The Engine Of The Car

In this conversation, Todd Arkell interviews Alan Jaeger, a pioneer in the sporting world known for his contributions to arm care and mental training in youth sports. They discuss the importance of mental health awareness, the challenges faced by young athletes, and the need for a balanced approach…