Michigan softball NFCA All-America Second Team All-American Lauren Putz joins the Max Out Mindset Podcast to share the mental skills that have helped her perform at one of the highest levels in college athletics. In this honest and insightful conversation, Lauren opens up about overcoming negative self-talk, learning to stay present under pressure, and why confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you build through consistent work.

Lauren discusses the routines and mindset shifts that helped transform her game, including simplifying her approach with "see ball, hit ball," embracing pressure as a privilege, and discovering that athletes perform their best when they are both fun and focused. She also shares how mindset training has impacted not only her performance on the field but her growth as a person.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, this episode offers practical lessons on confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and competing with freedom when the stakes are highest. It's a powerful reminder that the best athletes aren't the ones who never struggle—they're the ones who learn how to respond when challenges come.

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Five-time Nebraska Class A State champion volleyball coach Katie Tarman returns to the Max Out Mindset Podcast for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a championship culture. Katie shares how vulnerability, role acceptance, consistent communication, and genuine relationships have become the foundation of one of the nation's most successful high school volleyball programs. She explains why great cultures aren't built during the playoffs, but through months of intentional conversations, trust, and player ownership. The discussion also explores the realities of balancing motherhood with coaching, leading with both empathy and accountability, creating psychological safety, and helping athletes become leaders who elevate everyone around them. Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or leader, this episode is filled with practical insights on building teams that compete fearlessly, stay connected through adversity, and create an environment where players never want to take off the jersey.

In this episode of the Max Out Mindset Podcast, Dr. Larry Widman and Coach Jess sit down once again with the number one beach volleyball team in the world, Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss Cruz, for an honest conversation about growth, pressure, and the mental work behind elite performance.

This is the third time Taryn and Kristen have joined the show, and their journey has evolved in powerful ways. After the emotional highs and lows surrounding the Olympic experience, they reflect on what it truly means to grow as athletes and teammates.

The conversation dives deep into how elite performers navigate disappointment, rebuild belief, and continue to push forward. Taryn shares the internal work that helped her develop confidence and self-trust, while Kristen talks about the mindset shifts that allowed them to keep improving even while competing at the highest level in the world.

You'll hear powerful insights on communication between teammates, handling pressure on the biggest stages, and why vulnerability and honesty are essential for teams that want to sustain success.

Taryn also shares how journaling became a critical tool for managing thoughts, building belief, and improving sleep and recovery during tournaments. Together, they explain how the mental side of the game helped them transform setbacks into one of the most successful seasons of their careers.

This episode is packed with practical insight for athletes, coaches, and leaders who want to:

• Build real confidence through preparation and self-talk
• Communicate honestly with teammates during high-pressure moments
• Turn setbacks into growth instead of self-doubt
• Train mindset habits like journaling and awareness
• Develop trust and resilience within a team

Whether you're an athlete chasing your potential, a coach developing a culture, or a leader working through challenges with others, this conversation offers a powerful reminder:

Elite performance isn't just about talent. It's about the mindset you bring to the journey.

Max Out Mindset for Volleyball Book

Max out Mindset for Volleyball book and services here.

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