If pressure freaks you out in games, the answer isn’t “be tougher” — it’s training for pressure before you ever feel it. In this episode, Coach Steve explains how athletes can prepare their minds for big moments the same way they prepare their bodies. Simple, practical ways to make pressure feel familiar instead of scary. Today’s Action Step:  1. Add one pressure rep to any drill. 2. Notice how your body reacts. 3. Repeat it once more next 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.

Fear loves to tell stories. Most of the time? They’re terrible stories that don’t help you at all. In this episode, Coach Steve helps you recognize the “fear script” your brain likes to run… and shows you how to flip it into something that actually supports your performance. Simple, real, and something you can use today. Today’s Action Step:  1. Write down one fear script you’ve noticed lately. 2. Rewrite it into something you actually want to believe. 3. Use the new script in one practice or competition 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.

Fear is normal. Pressure is normal. Big moments make your heart race because they matter. In this episode, Coach Steve breaks down how athletes can understand fear, reframe it, and actually use it as fuel. Simple strategies, real stories, and practical mental skills you can start using today. Today’s Action Step:  1. Write down the fear that shows up most often for you. 2. Reframe it. 3. Add one pressure rep to your next 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.

 In this powerful spiritual wrap-up, Coach Steve shows how the principles from Atomic Habits mirror timeless biblical truths. From “sowing and reaping” to “faith the size of a mustard seed,” you’ll learn how God uses small, consistent actions to produce big transformation. Discover how discipline becomes devotion — and how your habits can strengthen your walk with Christ. Today’s Action Step:  Start small with spiritual reps. Read one verse a day. Say one prayer when you wake up. Do one act of kindness intentionally. Don’t chase perfection — chase presence. Stack your habits with purpose. After brushing your teeth, say one thing you’re grateful to God for. After training, thank Him for the strength to compete. Link the physical and the spiritual. Reflect weekly. Ask yourself: Did my habits bring me closer to God this week? Write it down. Talk with someone. Accountability builds growth. 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.

Greatness doesn’t stop when the whistle blows. In this episode, Coach Steve helps athletes, students, and families apply Atomic Habits principles beyond sports — into school, relationships, and everyday purpose. You’ll learn how the same 1% mindset that builds champions can transform your daily life, character, and confidence. Today’s Action Step:  Pick one everyday arena — school, work, or relationships. Identify one small 1% habit that would make that area better. Maybe it’s reading 10 minutes a night, texting “thanks” after practice, or doing one kind thing daily. Stack it with something you already do. After brushing your teeth, write one sentence in a gratitude journal. After walking in the door, give your family a full minute of undivided attention. Reflect weekly. Ask yourself: Am I building the kind of person I want to become? Don’t focus on results. Focus on the votes you’re casting for your identity. 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 don’t just need to start good habits — you need to stick with them. In this final “athlete-focused” Atomic Habits episode, Coach Steve teaches how to make habits satisfying through progress tracking, instant rewards, and visual proof of growth. Today’s Action Step:  Track progress. Use a notebook, app, or whiteboard. Make success visible. Reward effort immediately. After each training, acknowledge your effort — not just outcome. Never miss twice. Missing once is human. Missing twice starts a new bad habit. 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.

Overthinking kills progress. In this episode, Coach Steve reveals how to make success easier by removing friction, shrinking goals, and embracing the “two-minute rule.” Stop waiting for perfect — and start stacking small, simple wins. Today’s Action Step:  Simplify your setup. Reduce steps between you and your goal. Prep gear, layout, playlist, everything ahead of time. Shrink the goal. If motivation is low, lower the bar. Doing something small beats doing nothing. Automate success. Put reminders in your phone, alarms, or use habit apps. Don’t rely on memory — rely on systems. 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.

 Why do some athletes love training while others dread it? The difference isn’t talent — it’s design. Coach Steve unpacks the second law of behavior change: Make it attractive. You’ll learn how to pair pleasure with performance and turn motivation into momentum. Today’s Action Step:  Pair your habits with pleasure. Music, community, or ritual — make it something you enjoy. Reframe discomfort. That burning leg feeling? That’s not pain — that’s progress. Visualize your reward. Before each session, picture how proud you’ll feel after completing 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.

What if your environment, not your willpower, was the real game-changer? In this episode, Coach Steve teaches athletes how to “make it obvious” — the first law of behavior change from Atomic Habits. Learn how to design your locker, your gear, and your routines so success is automatic. Today’s Action Step:  Visualize your ideal environment. If I walked into your room or locker, could I see your goals? Put cues where they’re visible — journal on your desk, stretching band by your bed, gear by the door. Eliminate confusion. If you want to eat clean, don’t buy junk. If you want to train more, make it easy to start. Stack cues. Attach your habit to an existing one. “After breakfast, I stretch for five minutes.” The more specific your cue, the stronger your consistency. 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.

 Big goals don’t make champions — small, consistent wins do. In this episode, Coach Steve breaks down the “1% Rule” from Atomic Habits by James Clear and shows athletes how microscopic improvements lead to massive transformation over time. If you’ve ever felt stuck or impatient with progress, this one will reignite your belief in consistency and process. Today’s Action Step:  Identify one skill to improve — not ten. Just one. It might be your first-step speed, your composure under pressure, or your recovery habits. Track it daily. Write it down. Visual progress builds momentum. Celebrate consistency, not perfection. You’re not chasing huge breakthroughs — you’re stacking small wins. 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.

 Coach Steve closes the Lead to Serve series with the ultimate example of servant leadership — Jesus Christ. Discover what it means to lead with humility, courage, and love, using timeless lessons from Scripture and stories of faith-driven athletes who live this principle every day. Today’s Action Step:  Start your day with this prayer: “Lord, show me someone I can serve today.” Do one act of kindness in secret. No credit, no announcement — just serve. Reflect at night: Where did I reflect Christ’s love through my actions today? Where can I do better tomorrow? 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 bridge episode, Coach Steve connects the principles of service leadership from the locker room to everyday life — at school, at work, and at home. Learn how the same habits that make you a great teammate also make you a better friend, student, and family member. Today’s Action Step:  Choose one arena outside of sport  “How can I serve here this week?” Practice “listen-first” leadership. For one day, speak last in every conversation. Let others feel heard. End your day with gratitude. Write one sentence: “Today I made someone’s life a little better by…” 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.

 What do you do when the season’s tough, leadership feels lonely, and you’re tempted to pull back? Coach Steve shares how to stay grounded in service when the pressure’s on — because that’s when leadership matters most. Today’s Action Step:  When adversity hits, pause and ask: “What does my team need from me right now?” Replace self-pity with selfless action — a word of encouragement, a hard rep, a calm voice. Reflect after every challenge: “Did I serve or shrink today?” 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.

 Coach Steve breaks down how culture isn’t built in meetings or mission statements — it’s built in daily acts of service. Discover how small, consistent serving behaviours compound into unstoppable trust and performance. Today’s Action Step:  Identify one serving behavior that defines your team — do it every day until it becomes culture. Start a “servant shout-out” routine — highlight acts of service after each practice. Ask yourself nightly: “Did my actions lift the team today?” 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.

 This episode flips leadership upside down — Coach Steve explains why learning to follow well is the first step toward leading well. Every champion team starts with great followers. Today’s Action Step:  Defer intentionally. Let someone else take the spotlight and celebrate them. Practice active listening this week — hear to understand, not to respond. Reflect: How does following build trust and prepare me to lead later? 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.

Coach Steve dives into one of the biggest killers of team chemistry — ego. Discover how unchecked pride destroys trust and how true confidence comes from serving others, not proving yourself. Today’s Action Step:  Write down one way your ego shows up under pressure.  Maybe it’s frustration, needing praise, or withdrawing when you’re not the star. Replace that moment with one small act of service — cheer louder, give more effort, lift a teammate’s energy. Ask a teammate or coach for honest feedback: “Do I lead to help or to impress?” 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 kickoff episode, Coach Steve breaks down the hidden strength of serving others in sport. Discover why the greatest teams — from college championships to Olympic rosters — are led by athletes who care more about “we” than “me.” Learn how real leaders win by lifting others first. Today’s Action Step:  Do one invisible act of service every day for a teammate. Something no one will post on Instagram. Ask this question once a day: “What can I do to help you today?” Reflect nightly: Who did I lift today — and what did I learn about myself in the process? 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 final episode, Coach Steve shares how your One Word connects to faith. Using biblical stories and verses, he shows how God often gives us a single word — a calling — for the season we’re in. Today’s Action Step:  Pray or reflect: “God, what word are You giving me this year?” Write it down and keep it where you’ll see it daily. Live it as worship — not performance 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.

 Sports end, but the lessons don’t. In this episode, Coach Steve bridges the One Word principle from athletics to real life — in school, relationships, and personal growth. Today’s Action Step:  Translate your word. How does it apply outside your sport? Share it. With family or friends — let them know what it means to you. Live it. Consistently, not just when you’re winning. 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.

 Your word is more than a slogan — it’s your anchor when the season gets hard. Coach Steve breaks down how to use your One Word during adversity, competition, and pressure moments. Today’s Action Step:  Anchor it: Use your word as your pre-performance cue. Speak it: When adversity hits, repeat it — quietly, confidently. Reflect it: After games, ask “Did I live my word today?” 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.