Episode 2 dives into one of the defining traits of mentally tough athletes — self-control. Coach Steve shares how elite competitors master their emotions and decisions under pressure, and tells a story of an athlete who learned to channel frustration into focus. Today’s Reflection Prompt What emotion tends to take over your game? What’s your reset routine going to be? How will you practice composure this week?  About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 In this powerful episode, Mental Performance Coach Steve Pinkston breaks down one of the core secrets of elite athletes — living by principle, not preference. You’ll learn how champions train their mindset to act from values, not moods, and how coaches and parents can build consistency, trust, and leadership from the inside out. Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or sport parent, this episode will challenge you to define your non-negotiables and live them daily. Today’s Coaching Reflection Prompt Take a few minutes and write these down today: What’s one principle that defines who you are as a competitor, coach, or parent? What’s one area where preference has been calling the shots? How can you live that principle more consistently this week?  About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 True transformation isn’t just physical or mental—it’s spiritual. As athletes and as people, lasting change comes when we renew our minds and align our actions with God’s truth. In this episode, Coach Pinkston brings a biblical perspective to the principles of change. You’ll learn how Scripture teaches growth through renewal (Romans 12:2), perseverance through trials (James 1:2–4), and the power of community (Proverbs 27:17). You’ll hear how stories like David facing Goliath and Paul pressing on toward the goal point us toward confidence, courage, and persistence rooted in faith. This isn’t just about becoming a better athlete—it’s about becoming more like Christ. If you’ve struggled to change on your own, this episode will remind you that God equips you with strength, wisdom, and grace for transformation that lasts forever. Today’s Action Step:  Renew daily. Pray through the process. Walk with others. About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Athletes don’t just face obstacles in training—they face them in school, work, and relationships too. The same principles that help you change on the field apply off it. In this episode, Coach Pinkston bridges the gap between sport and life. You’ll discover how to use the same tools—confidence, cues, accountability, and environment design—to improve your grades, strengthen your relationships, and reach personal goals. Change doesn’t stop when practice ends. Whether you’re tackling procrastination in school, forgetfulness in family responsibilities, or impulsivity in your daily choices, the formula is the same: identify the obstacle, apply the right tool, and test until it sticks. If you’ve ever wondered how to transfer the lessons of sport into everyday life, this episode will show you how. Change isn’t just for the game—it’s for the person you’re becoming. Today’s Action Step:  Identify your off-field obstacle. Borrow the tool. Transfer the lesson. About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Sometimes the reason you don’t hit your goals isn’t lack of effort—it’s simply forgetting. You meant to hydrate, but practice ended and you walked right past the water bottle. You meant to stretch, but something else distracted you. Forgetfulness sounds small, but for athletes, it creates missed reps, missed recovery, and missed opportunities. In this episode, Coach Pinkston reveals how to fight forgetfulness with smart systems. You’ll learn the power of cues, routines, and “when-then” planning that builds consistency even when life gets busy. Forgetting isn’t weakness—it’s human. But champions don’t leave memory to chance. They design cues that pull them back on track, even on the toughest days. If you’ve ever said, “Oh, I just forgot,” this episode will show you how to never miss the habits that build greatness. Today’s Action Step:  Add visual cues.Set alarms. Use when–then routines. About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

“I’ll do it tomorrow.” Famous last words. Procrastination steals your progress one delay at a time. And as athletes, those delays compound—until the season ends, and we realize we left potential on the table. In this episode, Coach Pinkston unpacks why procrastination is so dangerous and why “future you” can’t be trusted without systems. You’ll learn how to use commitment devices, accountability, and deadlines to stop pushing important work down the road. This isn’t about guilt—it’s about building a structure where procrastination has no chance to win. If you’ve ever delayed recovery, skipped film, or told yourself you’ll “start next week,” this episode will give you the practical tools to act now. The game isn’t won tomorrow—it’s won today. Today’s Action Step:  Pick one goal.Get accountability.Close the exit door. About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

You want to eat better, study film, and train harder. But then… “right now” wins. The cookies on the counter, the video game after practice, the temptation to scroll on your phone instead of stretching. Impulsivity kills long-term goals. In this episode, Coach Pinkston shows you why willpower alone won’t save you—and how to outsmart your impulses by designing your environment. You’ll learn about temptation bundling, removing cues, and making the right choice the easy choice. Athletes succeed not because they’re robots with perfect discipline, but because they shape their surroundings for success. If “present you” keeps beating “future you,” this episode will give you the tools to flip the script. Stop losing to “right now”—and start setting yourself up for wins that last beyond the moment.   Today’s Action Step:  Remove the cue.Bundle temptation Make good the default. About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

If you don’t believe you can do it, you’ll never take the first step. Confidence isn’t just “feeling good about yourself”—it’s the foundation for every rep, every practice, every performance. In this episode, Coach Pinkston unpacks why athletes often sabotage themselves before they even begin. You’ll learn how confidence is built through action, not hype, and how small wins can create momentum. You’ll also hear strategies to replace negative self-talk with a growth mindset that reframes failure as feedback. Whether you’re trying to earn a starting spot, bounce back from injury, or finally trust your preparation, this episode will help you unlock unshakable belief in yourself. Because the truth is, confidence isn’t something you wait to have—it’s something you create, one rep at a time. Today’s Action Step:  Step One: Stack small wins.Step Two: Reframe failure.Step Three: Act first. About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 Every athlete knows the cycle: you try to change a habit, a routine, or a mindset… and you fail. Then the self-talk kicks in: “I must not want it enough. I’m not tough enough. I don’t have enough discipline.” Sound familiar? You’re not broken, and you’re not weak. The truth is, real change isn’t about willpower—it’s about strategy. In this episode, Coach Pinkston unpacks why cookie-cutter approaches like “just do it” or “want it more” don’t work, and reveals a better way forward. You’ll learn how to identify the real obstacles holding you back, how to match the right tool to the right challenge, and how to stop beating yourself up when change feels impossible. Whether you’re in the gym, on the field, or chasing consistency in life, this episode will help you finally create lasting transformation. Today’s Action Step:  Step 1: Identify the Block. Step 2: Match the Tool.Step 3: Run a Test. About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 True confidence begins where fear ends — in trust, not ego. In this episode, we explore the spiritual foundation of confidence through Bible stories, verses, and practical coaching insights for athletes seeking faith-based strength.   Today’s Action Step:  Anchor in faith:  Visualize God-guided execution: Reflect on trust: About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

The confidence you train in sport isn’t confined to the court, field, or track. This episode bridges athletic confidence to life, education, and relationships — showing you how to show up, lead, and grow in every area of life. Today’s Action Step:  Identify a non-sport challenge: Apply your routine: Reflect:  About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 High-pressure moments are where confidence shows up or disappears. This episode teaches athletes how to move from fear to flow, using presence, composure, and preparation to dominate when it matters most. Today’s Action Step:  Pre-performance routine: Mini pressure drills:  Reset practice: About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

The loudest voice you hear all day isn’t the crowd — it’s your own. In this episode, learn how to harness self-talk, reframe fear, and turn internal doubt into unstoppable drive. Perfect for athletes looking to dominate mentally as well as physically. Today’s Action Step:  Notice the self-talk: Flip the script: Anchor the feeling: About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 Confidence isn’t built in the spotlight — it’s forged in the shadows. In this episode, discover how private discipline, unseen micro-wins, and daily accountability build unstoppable confidence for athletes in every sport. Today’s Action Step:  Micro-reps: Accountability:  Mental reinforcement:    About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Confidence is a loop: preparation breeds belief, belief fuels performance, performance reinforces preparation. In this episode, learn the neuroscience behind confidence, real athlete examples, and actionable ways to create your own confidence loop. Today’s Action Step:  Pick your core skill Deliberate practice Mental log About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s a skill you train every single day. In this episode, we break down the science of confidence, real athlete stories, and actionable steps to help you build belief in yourself on and off the field. Perfect for athletes of all sports looking to dominate through mental strength. Today’s Action Step:  Micro-wins:  Mental rehearsal:  Track progress: About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Success isn’t just mental—it’s spiritual. This episode ties the Four Aces to biblical wisdom, showing how faith fuels mental and spiritual excellence. Today’s Action Step:  Pray with awareness: Guard your attitude:  Take one bold action of faith  About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

The Four Aces aren’t just for athletes. This episode bridges sports to everyday life—school, business, and relationships. Today’s Action Step:  Apply one ace to your relationships today.  Bring game-day energy Do one action at home— About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Acting, awareness, attitude, and action—together, these Four Aces give you the ultimate hand in performance and life. Today’s Action Step:  Pick your weakest ace.  Create a 7-day challenge: Review your hand daily:  About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 Dreams without action are just wishes. This episode shows why the difference between potential and progress is one simple word: action. Today’s Action Step:  Identify one small step. Set a daily standard:  Track it: About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day. Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance. 1-on-1 Coaching Programs Team Consulting Leadership Development Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week. Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.