How I Had the Best Season of My Career — And How I Pass It On

In my final year of Division I baseball, everything came together. I finished with a 1.9 ERA on the mound and a 3.8 GPA in the classroom — the best season of my career on and off the field.

But it wasn’t luck. It wasn’t a quick fix. It was the result of learning to integrate mental, physical, and spiritual practices into my daily routine. These weren’t just performance hacks — they became the foundation of how I approached life, competition, and growth.

Today, those same principles are at the heart of What’s Next Athletics. Here’s how they worked for me — and how they can help the next generation of athletes.

🧠 The Mental Game: Clarity and Resilience

Baseball is a game of failure. Even when I was at my best, there were innings that tested me — errors behind me, missed pitches, moments of doubt.

What changed everything was learning to:

• Control the controllables. I stopped obsessing over outcomes and focused on what I could actually manage: breathing, tempo, execution.

• Reframe failure. A bad outing wasn’t the end — it was feedback. I started asking “How can I improve?” instead of “Why did I fail?”

• Use routines for confidence. Pre-game visualization, breathing drills, and a consistent warm-up gave me a sense of control no matter the situation.

This mental resilience turned pressure into an opportunity instead of a threat.

The Physical Game: Training With Purpose

I had always worked hard, but that year, I learned to work with intention. Every lift, every bullpen, every conditioning session had a purpose.

• Glute loading & hip rotation drills to maximize velocity and protect my arm.

• Mobility work to keep my body moving fluidly through a long season.

• Strength training that targeted explosiveness, not just size.

By understanding the science behind movement — something I studied in my Health Sciences degree — I built a body that was durable, efficient, and ready for competition.

The Spiritual Game: Balance and Perspective

The biggest shift might surprise you: it was spiritual.

When I reconnected with gratitude and faith, the game became less about pressure and more about purpose. I stopped tying my worth to a box score. Win or lose, strikeout or shutout, I had peace knowing I gave everything I had and that baseball was part of a bigger journey.

That balance gave me freedom. It allowed me to compete with joy instead of fear. And it’s why I can look back at that season not only proud of the results, but proud of who I became in the process.

Passing It On to the Next Generation

Now, as the founder of What’s Next Athletics, these lessons aren’t just memories — they’re part of the program.

• Mental Training: I teach athletes how to use routines, visualization, and reflection to build confidence and resilience.

• Physical Training: From personalized programs to biomechanics drills, every rep has a purpose rooted in science.

• Spiritual Balance: I remind players that their journey is bigger than the scoreboard. When they play with gratitude and perspective, they play free.

My best season wasn’t an accident — it was the result of aligning my mind, body, and spirit. And that’s the same approach I bring to every athlete I work with.

Final Thought

If your athlete wants to take the next step — on the field, in the classroom, and in life — the path starts with more than just reps. It starts with learning how to integrate the mental, physical, and spiritual sides of the game.

That’s the heart of What’s Next Athletics.

📞 Ready to help your athlete discover what’s next? [Book a free consultation today.]