World record holder Van Mathias joins the Mental Toughness Podcast with Dr. Rob Bell to discuss breaking the American record and world record in the 100-meter short course breaststroke on the same day

Van shares how stepping away from competitive swimming transformed his perspective, why he returned to the sport, and how training with Indiana University's elite swimmers helped him reach another level. The conversation explores mental toughness, confidence, coachability, gratitude, finding an identity beyond performance, and the importance of enjoying the journey while pursuing world-class goals.

0:52 Breaking the American Record and World Record on the Same Day

4:29 Doing the Work Nobody Wants to Do

7:09 Finding Areas to Improve Even After Breaking Records

9:30 The Power of Relays and Competing for Teammates

12:52 Building Confidence by Training at Race Speed

15:21 Stepping Away From Swimming and Rediscovering the Joy of Competition

18:59 Gratitude, Perspective, and Always Wanting More

21:09 Developing an Identity Beyond Swimming and Performance

23:15 The Humility of Wearing the Team USA Cap

26:48 Advice to Young Swimmers: Never Lose the Fun

30:23 Coachability and Learning From Great Coaches

37:38 Chasing Bigger Goals Without Losing Perspective

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Matt Sandlin is an endurance athlete and winner of the 2026 Prairie On Fire Backyard Ultra, where he pushed through 43 yards—nearly 180 miles—to become the last runner standing. His remarkable performance is a powerful example of mental toughness, resilience, and faith.

1:06 The Hinge Moment That Altered the Course of His Life

5:07 The 100-Mile Race That Changed Everything

7:50 The Hinge Moment That Changed His Running Career

10:48 Training to “Own the Night”

15:22 Finding God in the Quiet Miles

20:44 The Prayer Before Prairie on Fire

24:04 Experiencing the Holy Spirit During the Race

30:14 Just Get to the Next Tree

36:49 Using Running to Reflect Christ

41:35 Focus Only on the Light in Front of You

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Webb Simpson, 2012 U.S. Open Champion, seven-time PGA TOUR winner, a former Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup competitor, shares insights on faith, mental toughness, hinge moments, and high performance.

2:42 The Origin of the Bible Caddie Podcast and a Friendship Built Through Golf and Faith

7:37 How Studying the Bible Shapes the Mental Approach to Life and Competition

11:39 Titus 3:3–7: A Favorite Bible Passage About Grace, Mercy, and Faith

14:21 How Fatherhood Deepens the Understanding of God’s Love

16:54 Living a Life That Others Are Watching

19:29 The Caddie Relationship That Helped Build Mental Toughness and Belief

23:46 Returning to a Long-Term Mindset Instead of Chasing Short-Term Results

25:12 Why Belief, Fundamentals, and Mental Toughness Have to Work Together

28:13 The Impact of Wake Forest Coach Jerry Haas On and Off the Golf Course

30:40 “Pleased, But Never Satisfied”: The Drive to Keep Getting Better

33:25 HINGE MOMENT: The Question That Changed the Mindset at the 2012 U.S. Open

35:00 Winning the U.S. Open by Focusing on the Process, Not the Leaderboard

39:33 Total Commitment: Why a Decision Means Eliminating Every Other Option

41:41 HINGE MOMENT: The Struggles That Made the 2018 PLAYERS Championship Victory So Meaningful

46:36 Remembering the Feeling of Walking to the 17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass

48:37 Why Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups Create a Different Kind of Pressure

52:28 Fight, Resolve, and the Spirit of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team

57:25 What Makes Scottie Scheffler a Once-in-a-Generation Golfer

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Kim Lewellen is the Head Coach of Women’s Golf at Wake Forest University, where she has built one of the nation’s premier collegiate programs. Since taking over in 2018, she has led the Demon Deacons to the program’s first NCAA National Championship in 2023, multiple ACC Championships, and numerous conference and national honors. She is widely recognized for her leadership, competitive excellence, and ability to develop athletes both on and off the course.

01:03 Living the Dream: Coaching and Connection at Wake Forest

02:52 No One Gets There Alone: Why Relationships Matter

04:38 Leaving 10 Minutes Early Can Change Someone’s Life

08:32 HINGE MOMENT: The 15 Seconds That Changed a Coaching Career

13:07 Mental Toughness: Don’t Overvalue a Bad Shot

14:40 The Power of the Debrief in Coaching and Performance

16:30 How an ACC Loss Helped Fuel a National Championship

23:43 Staying Present When the Pressure Is Highest

25:40 Winning Feels Better Than Having Won

28:08 Build Your Armor When Things Are Going Well

30:49 Two Rules for Building a Championship Culture: Be Kind and Work Hard

33:00 What Separates Elite Performers: Persistence and the Process

35:14 Building Confidence and Keeping Doubt From Taking Over

37:07 Giving Athletes Ownership of Their Development

44:51 When Elite Athletes Start Asking, “Am I Good Enough?”

49:37 The “Just One More” Mental Toughness Mindset

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Dr. Rob Bell

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Eric Ciano is the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now entering his 17th NFL season, he previously spent 15 years with the Buffalo Bills, where he was named the NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2020. He was also while strength and conditioning leadership roles at Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech.

0:58 The Hinge Moment That Led to an NFL Strength & Conditioning Career

2:43 Winning a National Championship and Building Championship Culture

3:27 Leadership Lessons from Legendary Strength Coach Johnny Long

4:19 Building Mental Toughness Through Accountability and Standards

5:37 Daily Habits That Create High-Performance Athletes

6:38 How Mental Toughness Is Built Every Single Day

8:03 Building Confidence During an 0–8 NFL Season

9:10 Creating a Winning Team Culture with the Buffalo Bills

10:49 The "13 Seconds" Game and Recovering from Heartbreak

13:47 Leadership, Recognition, and Bringing Out the Best in People

15:33 Using Competition to Build Mental Toughness and Accountability

19:24 Why Talent Without Discipline Never Creates Champions

21:37 Getting Fired After 15 Years in the NFL and Moving Forward

24:21 Mental Toughness When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan

25:54 Leadership Lessons from Nearly Two Decades in the NFL

27:41 Why Passion Still Separates Great Athletes from Good Ones

28:43 What's Wrong with Youth Sports and Athlete Development Today

30:14 Calvin Johnson and the Habits of Elite Performers

33:02 Daily Training, Longevity, and Performing at a High Level

35:08 Purpose, and Life Beyond Football

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Sam Hawley is the owner of Zero Gravity Media, a brain cancer survivor, and an accomplished Spartan Race athlete. He shares how resilience, faith, and mental toughness helped him overcome life's greatest challenge while building a thriving creative business.

02:07 The Stage 4 Brain Cancer Diagnosis That Changed Everything

06:53 Preparing for Brain Surgery at Duke University

13:43 Recovery, Walking Again & Mental Resilience

19:10 Faith, Family & Finding Hope Through Adversity

24:35 Signs, Purpose & Life After Cancer

30:24 Sobriety, Addiction & Personal Transformation

37:14 Gratitude, Faith & Living as a Warrior

43:32 Mental Toughness Lessons from Surviving Cancer

46:45 Final Advice: Embrace Adversity & Live with Purpose

Don't forget you can also follow Dr. Rob Bell on Twitter or Instagram!

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Casey Weade is the founder of Howard Bailey Financial, dedicated to helping people retire with confidence and purpose. A nationally recognized retirement planning expert, podcast host, and speaker, Casey specializes in retirement income, tax-efficient strategies, and financial independence, empowering clients to build lasting wealth and live with intention.

3:01 Golf, Mental Toughness, and Handling Adversity

6:29 Goal Setting, Vision, and Wealth Management Success

8:35 Family, Purpose, and Creating a Life Worth Living

12:55 Financial Independence in Your 20s and Redefining Success

18:17 Remembering What Is True Instead of Chasing More

20:03 Lessons from Nearly 600 Podcast Episodes

23:08 The Story Behind Howard Bailey Financial

26:29 Leadership, Culture, and Scaling a Growing Firm

33:55 Accountability, Expectations, and Conscious Leadership

46:55 Casey's Definition of Mental Toughness

52:10 The Emotional Side of Retirement and Identity

54:24 Why There Is No Finish Line with Howard Bailey Financial

57:58 Final Thoughts on Purpose, Growth, and Living Fully

Don't forget you can also follow Dr. Rob Bell on Twitter or Instagram!

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Dr. Rob Bell

Mike Bisaro is the President and CEO of StraightLine⁠, an independent fiduciary wealth management and retirement planning firm. An Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), Mike has spent more than two decades helping individuals, families, and organizations build long-term financial confidence. He is a nationally recognized speaker on retirement planning, investment management, and financial leadership.

1:05 Golf as the Foundation for a Career in Advice

7:24 What Financial Advisors Can Learn from Great Caddies

10:07 Buying the Firm and Navigating Succession

14:31 The Hinge Moments That Changed Everything

19:29 Leading a Team While Still Serving Clients

24:02 Why Trust Is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

28:49 The Easiest Financial Decision Is the Hardest Mental Decision

35:08 Staying Steady When Markets Get Volatile

48:30 How AI Will Impact Financial Advisors

55:55 The Future of Wealth Management and Human Connection

1:01:04 Books, Learning, and Continuous Growth

1:03:25 The Meaning Behind Puke & Rally

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Dr. Rob Bell