⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – What high school players should focus on during the season
03:45 – Why competing and helping your team win matters most
07:30 – What to do if you’re not getting the role you expected
11:15 – Why the high school season prepares players for summer recruiting
15:20 – Learning to compete instead of analyzing outcomes
19:30 – The challenge of staying patient early in the season
23:45 – Why players should communicate with their coaches
27:30 – Varsity vs JV: how to think about game reps
31:40 – What college coaches are actually watching in games
36:00 – Why tools and metrics aren’t enough
40:15 – The importance of body language and competing on every pitch
44:30 – In-season development: strength training, reps, and routines
48:00 – Time management and building habits for college baseball
51:00 – Sam’s advice for every high school player: build your process

🧠 SHOW NOTES

In Episode 89, I sit down with Sam Sharf of RPP Recruiting to discuss what high school baseball players should really focus on during the season.

For many athletes, the spring season feels like a constant evaluation. Players worry about statistics, playing time, and whether college coaches are watching.

But Sam explains that the high school season plays a different role in the recruiting process.

Instead of chasing exposure or obsessing over results, players should focus on competing, developing a consistent process, and helping their team win games.

We discuss:

 * Why players should embrace their role — even if it’s not what they expected
 * How the high school season prepares athletes for summer recruiting
 * Why college coaches look closely at competitiveness and body language
 * The difference between tools, metrics, and game performance
 * Why developing strong habits now prepares players for college baseball

Sam also shares practical advice on in-season development, including strength training, getting extra reps, and managing time effectively during the season.

If you’ve ever wondered how much the high school season actually impacts recruiting — or how players can make the most of their opportunities — this episode provides a clear roadmap.

🤝 CONNECT WITH SAM SHARF

🌐 Website:

👉 https://rocklandpeakperformance.com/

📷 Instagram:

@RPP_Recruiting

@RPP_Baseball

@sharfsam_

🤝 CONNECT WITH MICHAEL HUBER

⚾ Spring Training for the Mind

👉 https://tinyurl.com/HuberSpringTraining

📩 Free mental performance insights for athletes, parents, and coaches:
👉 https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

🌐 Website:
👉 https://www.michaelvhuber.com

📷 Instagram:

@michaelvhuber

🤝 CONNECT WITH MICHAEL HUBER

⚾ Spring Training for the Mind

👉 https://tinyurl.com/HuberSpringTraining

📩 Free mental performance insights for athletes, parents, and coaches:
👉 https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

🌐 Website:
👉 https://www.michaelvhuber.com

📷 Instagram:

@michaelvhuber

FFP89: What Separates High School Baseball Players Who Get Recruited?

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction
02:15 – “The job of a pitcher is to get outs”
06:30 – Velocity vs command: what actually matters
10:45 – The turning point in Scott’s professional career
15:30 – Why chasing feelings leads to inconsistency
19:40 – Building a repeatable cue under pressure
24:10 – ADHD, anxiety, and self-awareness on the mound
29:20 – Why pitchers need hobbies outside of baseball
33:45 – The case for multi-sport development
39:30 – Travel ball culture and burnout
44:50 – When should athletes specialize?
48:30 – Why football might be the ideal second sport
53:00 – Scott’s advice for every young pitcher: build your process

🧠 SHOW NOTES

In Episode 89, I sit down with Scott Shuman, Head Pitching Coach at RPP Baseball, to explore a simple but powerful message for pitchers:

Don’t chase feelings. Build your process.

Scott shares how his early success as a hard-throwing prospect eventually exposed a gap in his development — he had velocity, but he didn’t yet have a plan.

That changed when he learned to simplify his approach, attach cues to feelings, and build a repeatable mental process he could rely on when pressure increased.

We discuss:

 * Why analytics without command can be misleading
 * How pitchers can build self-awareness under stress
 * Why bullpen success doesn’t always translate to games
 * The mental cost of year-round baseball
 * Why hobbies and multi-sport play support long-term growth

If you’ve ever watched a pitcher spiral after one bad inning — or wondered why confidence feels fragile in big moments — this episode will give you a practical framework for building something more stable than emotion.

🤝 CONNECT WITH SCOTT SHUMAN

@RPP_Baseball

@ShumanPerformance

💬 CONNECT WITH MICHAEL HUBER

⚾ Spring Training for the Mind

A free mental preparation guide for baseball families who want to build confidence before the pressure shows up.
👉 https://tinyurl.com/HuberSpringTraining

📩 Free mental performance insights for athletes, parents, and coaches:
👉 https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

🌐 Website:
👉 https://www.michaelvhuber.com

FFP88: Are pitchers chasing the wrong thing?

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – The intersection of mechanics and mindset
06:00 – Why chasing fixes leads to short-term change
10:00 – Finding the “core” instead of treating surface problems
14:00 – The “watermelon patch” approach to sustainable growth
18:00 – How honesty builds trust between coach and athlete
23:00 – Cam’s story: from failure to freedom
31:00 – Why coaches can only take players as deep as they’ve gone
36:00 – Building bridges between mechanics, neuroscience, and belief
42:00 – The role of parents in creating a healthy environment
50:00 – What true confidence and self-belief look like
56:00 – Why doubt can actually fuel growth
1:03:00 – How bravery transforms performance — and life

🧠 SHOW NOTES

In Episode 87, I sat down with Cameron Ginger, a hitting instructor and founder of Mental Meets Mechanics, to explore how true performance change starts from the inside out.

Cam explains why most athletes and coaches focus on the wrong layer of the system — chasing surface-level fixes instead of addressing the deeper beliefs that drive behavior. We explore the difference between thinking different and thinking differently, what happens when the brain’s survival system hijacks performance, and how patience, honesty, and trust create lasting change.

He also shares personal stories about hitting rock bottom, rebuilding his identity, and learning how to help athletes do the same — not through force or mechanics alone, but through compassion and self-awareness.

If you’ve ever wondered how mental and mechanical skills truly meet, this episode will give you a blueprint for developing confidence that lasts far beyond the cage.

🤝 CONNECT WITH CAMERON GINGER
Instagram: @propelhitting [https://www.instagram.com/propelhitting?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==]

Website: https://www.propelhitting.co/

🤝 CONNECT WITH MICHAEL HUBER
Email: michael@ftbcoaching.com

Website: https://www.michaelvhuber.com
Newsletter: https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelvhuber/

FFP87: What If the REAL Problem Isn't Your Swing?

Free mental performance tips for young athletes, parents, and coaches:
👉 https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

Work with me:
👉https://calendly.com/michaelvhuber/mike-huber-15-minute-meeting-clone

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – Why insecurity is part of every athlete’s experience
06:00 – How coaches and parents unknowingly reinforce doubt
10:00 – The problem with “just relax” and other empty advice
14:00 – Why bravery matters more than fearlessness
18:00 – The “3 B’s”: body, breath, and brain as anchors under pressure
22:30 – How Callum’s tennis journey shaped his work with athletes
27:00 – Preparing for failure: why athletes need to expect adversity
31:00 – The role of acceptance in emotional control and performance
36:00 – Why environment and culture fuel insecurity
40:30 – What “Liquid Sports Psychology” really means
44:30 – Callum’s advice for every young athlete: “You’re not alone.”

🧠 SHOW NOTES

In Episode 86, I sit down with Callum Gowling, founder of Liquid Sports Psychology in the U.K., to explore why confidence doesn’t come from fighting insecurity — it comes from accepting it.

We discuss the false promise of “mental toughness,” why advice like “just relax” can do more harm than good, and how athletes can learn to manage their body, breath, and brain when pressure hits.

Callum also shares how his own tennis career and personal insecurities shaped his mission to normalize the emotional side of sport — reminding athletes, coaches, and parents that everyone feels fear and doubt.

If you’ve ever wondered how acceptance can actually enhance performance, this episode will challenge how you think about confidence.

🤝 CONNECT WITH CALLUM GOWLING

Instagram: @liquidsportspsychology [https://www.instagram.com/liquidsportspsychology]
Website: (Add when available)

💬 CONNECT WITH MICHAEL HUBER

Website: https://www.michaelvhuber.com
Newsletter: https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter
HS to College Transition Preparation: https://michaelvhuber.com/course
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelvhuber
X: https://x.com/mhubercmpc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefreshmanfoundation

FFP 86: What Happens When Young Athletes Stop Fighting Their Insecurities?

Free mental performance tips for young athletes, parents, and coaches: https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

Work with me: https://calendly.com/michaelvhuber/mike-huber-15-minute-meeting-clone [https://calendly.com/michaelvhuber/mike-huber-15-minute-meeting-clone?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Why body language is a quarterback’s hidden weapon

05:30 – Leadership lessons: how QBs can rally teammates after mistakes

08:45 – Visualization and preparation: mental reps that build real confidence

13:25 – The progression of quarterback training from youth football to high school

19:45 – Why understanding a coach’s expectations is just as important as physical talent

22:30 – Good misses vs. bad misses: decision-making under pressure

24:45 – Situational awareness: training quarterbacks to handle adversity

28:00 – Coaching very young quarterbacks and planting long-term mental skills

34:15 – The difference between playing quarterback and being a quarterback

40:00 – Evaluating potential: honesty with athletes and parents about the QB journey

42:30 – Lessons from Brock Purdy, Drew Brees, and quarterbacks who maximize intangibles

47:15 – Helping athletes identify strengths and reduce weaknesses

53:00 – Greg’s biggest piece of advice for parents of young quarterbacks

SHOW NOTES:

We explore the mental side of quarterback development, including:

 * Why body language and emotional control matter as much as throwing mechanics.
 * How quarterbacks can lead teammates through adversity and build trust in the huddle.
 * The role of visualization, preparation, and mental rehearsal in developing confidence.
 * Why some quarterbacks with average physical tools — like Drew Brees and Brock Purdy — thrive because of their mindset, decision-making, and resilience.
 * How parents and coaches can best support young quarterbacks as they grow from youth football into high school and beyond.

CONNECT WITH GREG HOLCOMB

Website: https://www.nxtlevelatx.com/\ [https://www.nxtlevelatx.com/]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlevelatx [https://www.instagram.com/nxtlevelatx/]

X: https://x.com/QBCoachHolc

CONNECT WITH GREG HOLCOMB

Website: https://michaelvhuber.com [https://michaelvhuber.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Newsletter: https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter [https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

HS to College Transition Preparation: https://michaelvhuber.com/course [https://michaelvhuber.com/course?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelvhuber [https://www.instagram.com/michaelvhuber?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

X: https://x.com/mhubercmpc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefreshmanfoundation

Is Your Mental Game the Key to Being QB1?

Free mental performance tips for young athletes, parents, and coaches: https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

Work with me: https://calendly.com/michaelvhuber/mike-huber-15-minute-meeting-clone

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:45 – Biggest challenges ADHD athletes face: time management, organization, working memory, hyperfocus/hypofocus, and motivation

05:38 – Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) and its impact on performance and relationships

10:50 – Turning mistakes into problem-solving opportunities

12:29 – Corie’s personal experience as an ADHD athlete and how coaching styles impacted her

16:09 – Coaching athletes to be “coach-proof”

18:58 – Goal-setting strategies for ADHD athletes and the importance of “falter plans”

23:54 – Building motivation through novelty, interest, urgency, and challenge

28:53 – Leveraging visual learning and verbal processing effectively in coaching sessions

34:26 – ADHD as a superpower: hyperfocus, resilience, and strengths-based coaching

35:22 – The role of mindfulness and self-compassion in performance and life

45:43 – Emotional regulation as a core ADHD challenge and strategies to improve it

51:27 – Harnessing emotional intensity for better performance

56:48 – Key takeaway for parents of ADHD athletes

🔗 Connect with Corie Wightlin:

Website: https://wightlincoachingservices.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wightlincoachingservices/

🔗 Connect with Michael Huber:

Website: https://michaelvhuber.com

Newsletter: https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

HS to College Transition Preparation: https://michaelvhuber.com/course

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelvhuber

How Can ADHD Be a Superpower for Young Athletes?

In this episode, Nick breaks down:

Why carbs aren’t the enemy.

How to simplify fueling without obsessing over calories, and what role parents play in the process. 

How to get buy-in from athletes who are picky eaters or resistant to change.

Why breakfast might be the most important decision an athlete makes all day.

🔗 Connect with Nick Lemke

https://clutchperformancenutrition.fit/linktree
https://www.instagram.com/nicklemkerd

🔗 Connect with Mike

https://michaelvhuber.com [https://clutchperformancenutrition.fit/linktree]
https://www.instagram.com/michaelvhuber.com [https://www.instagram.com/nicklemkerd]

💬 Like this episode?

Rate, review, and share it with a parent or coach who needs help supporting a young athlete’s performance through better nutrition.

How Can Proper Nutrition Help Young Athletes Come Through In The Clutch?

Connect with Mike Huber

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: https://michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACHING CONSULTATION (30 minutes): https://calendly.com/michaelvhuber/mike-huber-30-minute-meeting

QUESTIONS FOR MIKE (15 minutes): https://calendly.com/michaelvhuber/the-freshman-foundation-exploratory-discussion

Timestamps & Topics

00:00 – Reintroduction to Erica: Michael welcomes his first-ever returning guest and explains why this conversation is personal.

01:20 – Why Parents Matter More Than They Think: Erica breaks down how parents can be part of the athlete’s “team”—especially with nutrition, rest, and recovery.

06:00 – The Problem with Misaligned Messaging: When coaches, parents, and specialists aren’t on the same page, the athlete suffers.

07:30 – A Smarter Way to Create Behavior Change: Erica shares how she gets buy-in from athletes and parents without pushing supplements or rules.

10:00 – Visual Learning and the Gen Z Athlete: Why showing — not telling — goes farther with today’s young athletes.

12:30 – The Long Game of Nutrition and Growth: Erica and Michael share their own experiences navigating nutrition and behavior change over years, not months.

15:30 – When the Feedback Hits Hard: Michael shares a story about his daughter’s speed limitation—and how she wasn’t ready to address it yet.

17:00 – What Proper Speed Training Really Looks Like: Erica explains how most soccer players train speed incorrectly—and what actually works.

20:15 – Why Consistency is the Secret to Progress: Like mental training, speed and strength gains come with regular effort over time—not quick fixes.

22:00 – Competing Against Yourself: Erica encourages athletes to track personal bests instead of comparing themselves to teammates.

25:00 – The Role of Decision-Making in Speed: True speed isn’t just physical—it's cognitive. Reaction time, anticipation, and awareness matter.

29:00 – What College Coaches Actually Want: It's more than just speed. Erica shares what college and club coaches look for beyond athleticism.

34:00 – ACL Injury Risk: What Can Be Done?: Erica outlines practical ways to reduce injury risk, including strength training, sprinting, and nutrition.

39:30 – The Fitness Test Trap: Obsessing over fitness tests can lead to overtraining and underperformance. Erica recommends training for the game, not the test.

42:55 – “What Should I Do as a Dad?”: Erica offers one piece of advice to Michael—and every parent—on how to support their athlete daughter the right way.

FFP82: What’s Really Holding Young Female Athletes Back?

Takeaways

 * Cam started boxing to gain confidence and avoid bullying.
 * He learned the importance of hard work over natural talent.
 * Self-belief and positive self-talk were crucial to his success.
 * Cam faced significant setbacks, including being kicked off the Olympic team.
 * He reinvented himself as an entertainer after his boxing career.
 * Finding joy in life is essential, even beyond sports.
 * Cam emphasizes the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges.
 * He encourages young athletes to surround themselves with positive influences.
 * The concept of athlete privilege can be leveraged for long-term success.
 * Cam's journey highlights the importance of personal growth and self-acceptance.

Chapters

00:00 From Bullying to Boxing: The Early Years

04:50 Building Confidence Through Hard Work

07:48 The Shift: From Self-Doubt to Self-Belief

10:51 The Journey to the Olympics: Trials and Triumphs

13:44 Facing Setbacks: The Olympic Team Incident

16:43 Reinventing Identity: Beyond the Athlete

19:31 Leveraging Athlete Privilege for Longevity

22:39 Navigating Criticism and Staying True to Self

24:06 The Importance of Rest and Recovery

24:54 Trusting Your Instincts Over External Pressure

26:17 The Challenge of Making Your Own Decisions

27:41 The Connection Between Boxing and Entrepreneurship

28:48 Learning from Failure and Resilience

31:22 Living Life on Your Own Terms

33:15 The Struggles of Van Life and Pursuing Dreams

35:29 Overcoming the Fear of Judgment

37:08 Reinventing Yourself: The Birth of Cam F. Awesome

39:35 Transitioning from Schools to Corporate Speaking

41:33 Finding Joy in Your Work

44:44 The Top Five Influences for Athletes

FFP81: What If Failure Was Your First Step to Being Awesome?

Key Topics & Estimated Timestamps:

(0:00) Introduction by Mike Huber

(2:10) Diamyn’s life-changing football injury at 14 and early adversity

(9:20) Transitioning from football to basketball to baseball—and adapting mentally

(16:40) Discovery of mental performance tools: Heads-Up Baseball and John Maxwell’s leadership lessons

(22:10) The role of mental toughness in elite sports performance

(26:00) Building systems for mental skills and leadership development at the college level

(30:30) "Relax to Get Results" – Key principle in mental skills training

(37:20) How to dominate the time between pitches in baseball

(42:00) Shohei Ohtani's goal-setting sheet: Preparation secrets of the elite

(47:30) Preparation and reflection: The habits that differentiate Hall of Famers

(52:00) Visualization and why it's a superpower for athletes (Mookie Betts' example)

(59:00) Convincing young athletes to invest in mental training

(1:03:40) Motivation: Internal vs. external drive at high school, college, and pro levels

(1:09:00) The importance of creating challenging and supportive environments

(1:14:00) Role acceptance, trust, and communication in team culture

(1:21:00) The importance of player-coach communication and meeting athletes where they are

(1:28:00) Self-coaching: Why mastering your inner voice is critical to success

(1:34:00) Awareness, reflection loops, and continuous self-improvement

(1:39:00) Closing thoughts: Watering your own "grass" and building the habits of champions

Resources Mentioned:

Heads-Up Baseball by Ken Ravizza and Tom Hanson

360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell

Relentless by Tim Grover

Body Mind Mastery by Dan Millman

Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Shohei Ohtani’s Goal Setting Sheet [https://youtu.be/Lflx4k32Kz4?si=juSn67ZWwKnWwLXd]

Calm App (LeBron James)

Connect with Diamyn Hall:

Follow on Instagram @diamynhall

https://www.instagram.com/diamynhall/

Connect with Michael Huber:

Subscribe to The Freshman Foundation Newsletter: michaelvhuber.com/newsletter

Follow on Instagram @michaelvhuber.

https://www.instagram.com/michaelvhuber/

FFP80: What's the Secret to Overcoming Adversity Like a Pro?

The Freshman Foundation Podcast: Preparing young athletes for every next step in sport and life. The Freshman Foundation Podcast is the creation of Mike Huber, who has a deep curiosity about the transition from high school to college athletics and the impact of life transitions in general. This interest is based on his experiences working with high school athletes, as well as his own life experiences. Mike talks to an array of successful athletes, respected coaches, and mental performance experts to discuss their perspectives on the very big leap to college athletics. The primary goal of the podcast is to help aspiring college athletes and their families to understand what it takes to survive and thrive in college amidst the many mental, emotional, social, and academic challenges facing incoming freshmen. Through his conversations, Mike hopes to identify the skills and attributes that the most successful student-athletes demonstrate upon arriving on campus. Mike is Founder and CEO of Follow The Ball LLC and Follow The Freshman LLC mental performance consultancies based in Fair Haven, New Jersey. Mike has earned the prestigious Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)® designation awarded by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Earning CMPC designation is the “gold standard” in the mental performance coaching field.. Mike’s mental performance coaching practice is focused on helping young athletes to achieve their potential by teaching them mental, emotional, and life skills to thrive in high school, college, and beyond. You can download free mental performance coaching resources at https://michaelvhuber.com.

Michael Huber

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