In this episode of the Fast & Free Podcast, Elaina flips the script and puts Brant Stachel in the hot seat to unpack a big milestone: his newly released book on mental performance for endurance athletes.
Brant shares how the idea took shape, what surprised him most about the writing and self-publishing process, and why he chose a practical, narrative style over a textbook approach. They dive into the real mental battles athletes face—pressure, nerves, confidence swings, and the story we tell ourselves when things get hard. You’ll hear Brant’s definition of mental toughness (and why it’s trainable), how to separate feelings from facts when anxiety spikes, and the “annoying salesman” analogy that helps athletes stop letting negative thoughts hijack their race day.
They also get into one of the most powerful chapters in the book: competitive identity—who you choose to be when it matters most. If you’ve ever felt “not ready” right before a race, spiraled after one bad workout, or tied your self-worth to performance, this one will give you tools you can use immediately.
Relevant Links
Get coached by Brant – https://teamrunrun.com/coach/brant-stachel-kingston-ontario-running-coach/
Get coached by Elaina – https://teamrunrun.com/coach/elaina-raponi-kingston-ontario-running-coach/
Learn more about Team RunRun – https://teamrunrun.com
Get the best fuel for your runs – https://fuelgoods.com/?ref=Brant
About the Fast and Free Podcast
The Fast and Free Podcast with Brant Stachel explores the intersection of endurance training and mental performance. Each week, Brant—an endurance coach, Registered Psychotherapist, and mental performance specialist—dives into conversations with Olympians, elites, and everyday athletes chasing their goals. From running strategies to psychology tools, every episode delivers practical insights to help you train smarter, think stronger, and perform at your best.
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Website: runfastandfree.com
