Shows
ABCA PodcastZach Sorensen - Mental Performance Coach, Cincinnati RedsJoining us this week on the ABCA Podcast is Zach Sorensen, Mental Performance Coach for the Cincinnati Reds.
A former three-time All-American at Wichita State and second-round MLB Draft pick by the Cleveland Guardians, Sorensen brings a unique perspective shaped by his own professional playing career and his deep passion for helping athletes master the mental game.
After 10 years as a pro player, Sorensen transitioned into medical sales before rediscovering his purpose in performance coaching. He’s since worked with the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and now the Reds, helping athletes train their minds like th...2025-07-211h 28
Unlocking Peak PerformanceCompared To WhatA "compared to what" mentality will help you maintain a positive perspective on a tough situation.
2024-12-1704 minUnlocking Peak PerformancePlayers Only Rain Delay SpeechAn awesome example of a player "taking leadership." You don't have to be at the top of your game to impact others.
2024-12-1306 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceA Good Leader Is Surrounded By Good LeadersYou become the average of the people you spend the most time with. Make sure you surround yourself with good leaders.
2024-12-1203 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceIn Uniform In Front Of The TelevisionIt's as much where you are at as where you see yourself in the future. Vision is real. See yourself doing the things you want to do.
2024-12-1104 minUnlocking Peak PerformancePaint The CeilingThe way I used visualization as a young kid to see myself playing in the big leagues.
2024-12-1005 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceCutting Down The NetsJimmy Valvano had a vision of winning a National Championship at NC State and it all began with cutting down the nets. Don't Let the first time be the first time.
2024-12-0905 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceChris Kirk Discusses LeadershipWhen Chris Kirk talks about leadership, he focuses on two things...
1. Making sure his priorities are in place
2. He is focusing on being his best so that he can be his best for the people he cares the most about.
2024-12-0604 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Right Way and AgainThere are two ways to do things....
The right way,
and
again.
What is your right way?
2024-12-0505 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceRight Place at the Right Time Doing the Right ThingGreat advice from a great coach - You focus is to be at the Right Place at the Right Time Trying To Do The Right Thing.
2024-12-0403 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceCan I Trust Him, Does He Care About Me, Will He Make Me BetterWhat are the three things that individuals need from their leaders?
Can I Trust Him?
Does He Care About Me?
Will He Make Me Better?
You need to be able to answer these questions before your player will have ultimate buy-in. When they can answer yes to these questions, together, you can do uncommon things.
2024-12-0303 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe 6 C's Of LeadershipWhat would you describe as the components of leadership? Here we describe the 6 C's of Leadership.
Connection · Character · Consistency · Communication · Courage · Competence.
2024-12-0205 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceMeasurement Creates MotivationWhen you measure what you're doing, you will see the progress you're making. Progress creates momentum and furthers your momentum.
2024-11-2904 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceAttitude Of GrattitudeSpend time each morning writing down 3 things that you are grateful for and you will see a major transformation in your happiness and performance. What are you grateful for?
2024-11-2804 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceIt's The Start That Stops Most PeopleSet your goal...
Attach a WHY...
Reverse engineer a plan...
Ready, FIRE, and the aim.
2024-11-2704 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceAim Small, Miss SmallNarrow your focus and see that you hit or almost hit your target every time.
2024-11-2605 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceIs It Easier To Commit When Things Are Going Good Or BadInstead of focusing on whether things are good or bad, focus on progress. Stay committed to getting a little better every day.
2024-11-2505 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceBe U MoreFigure out who you want to be. Figure out how to be it . Be it more!
2024-11-2105 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWorking At The Grocery StoreIf you recognize your reason why and it is big enough, your commitment to the why will overpower the way you feel.
2024-11-2005 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Chinese Bamboo TreeLessons learned....
1. It all starts with developing your process.
2. It takes small actions every day
3. It takes persistence, patience, and commitment.
2024-11-1905 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceHow Many Swings Does It TakeIf your commitment is greater than your feelings, you will get results.
Schwarber tracked 1,300 pitches from a pitching machine, a process that helped him recognize breaking balls. He faced live pitching from a Cubs prospect. And then he played in two games. He walked twice, and his only hit was a double, but Epstein said in his second game, on Monday, “he smoked three balls.”
And the next night, he played in a World Series game.
2024-11-1805 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Key To ToughnessAthlete Tough. If I were to ask you what is the key to being mentally tough, what would you say the answer is?
2024-11-1504 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceSomewhere, Someone is PracticingI was always looking for was to give myself extra motivation and extra drive. I couldn't stand the thought that someone out there might be outworking me. It was that thought that pushed me to do more, to stay focused, and remain consistent in my workouts. Find a reason to build your drive and motivation and use it. Even if it is a t-shirt.
2024-11-1405 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceFollow Your PassionWhat is your passion? Can you make your work your passion? Your passion will give you enjoyment in the process. Your passion will give you enjoyment in the struggle.
2024-11-1305 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Power Behind Finding Your WhyListen to Coach Mike Bianco tell us a story about tapping into your why and the power it can bring into your life, drive, and motivation.
2024-11-1204 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWhat Is Your WhyWhy do you do the things you do? What is the reason for doing it? If you can establish an even bigger reason why, that reason why will help you get through the difficult days. Also, it is during your failures that you can lean on your reason why to keep you in the fight and help you get back on track.
2024-11-1106 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceSigns Of SuccessIf you were to hang signs on your wall with a one word focus, a mantra, or an encouraging phrase, what would your sign say?
2024-11-0805 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceAbove The Line BehaviorsWhat are your above the line behaviors that you want to hold yourself accountable each day? Above the line behaviors are positive behaviors that line up with your core values.
2024-11-0704 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWhat Are Your PrinciplesWhat are your core values? What do you stand for? What are the qualities and key characteristics that you want to hold yourself accountable to?
2024-11-0605 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWhat Is Your VisionWhat do you want to accomplish? What are your goals for the upcoming season? It is important to have these targets in front of you to have something to aim for. After you set your targets, it is your system or process that will get you there.
2024-11-0504 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWhat Is Your MissionListen as we teach you about the importance of having a personal MVP process by outlining your MISSION, VISION, and PRINCIPLES. In this episode we talk about your mission, what it is, and how to develop it in order to help you establish goalposts for your daily life.
2024-11-0405 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceYour Infinite Potential"Your infinite potential lies on the other side of your comfort zone."
Sean Casey
2024-11-0104 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Heart Of A Champion"Heart of a champion" is a phrase that refers to the qualities and characteristics that make someone a champion. Lets's focus in what is takes to be a champion and become a champion.
The heart of a champion is not measured by how many titles they've won or by the number of trophies on the wall. The heart of a champion is much deeper than that. It's the ability to rally a team together for a common goal. It's the ability to clearly define a goal and then achieve it.
2024-10-3103 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceMy Favorite Question Is WhyI love to ask the question why. When you understand the why, you can believe in the why. When you believe in the why, you can execute with conviction.
2024-10-3004 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Inside Dirt On Aaron JudgeWhat does Yankees slugger Aaron Judge do in the middle of an at-bat when he is in "RED Light" or mentally compromised? Listen to him describe his red light RELEASE ROUTINE.
2024-10-2804 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Three Steps To OwnershipWhat are the three steps to ownership?
Step 1 - Know it.
Step 2 - Do it.
Step 3 - Own it.
2024-10-2504 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceGood!What is your response when things get difficult? Do you see the negative in everything? Do you feel sorry for yourself? Try flipping the script. Hard times? Good. This may be the adversity that helps you turn the corner. Tough times makes for good opportunities.
2024-10-2406 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceNo BCDNo Blaming.
No Complaining.
No Defending.
Great rules to live by when working in a team environment.
2024-10-2304 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceHow Did You Become So Mentally StrongWhat is your definition of mental toughness? Consider this definition... doing things that you don't want to do.
2024-10-2204 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceBe Where Your Feet AreThe number one strategy I can give you to help you have self-control and discipline is to be where your feet are. Stay in the present moment, focusing on the present moment, right here, right now. When you find yourself getting pulled in another direction, get back to the present moment moment and lock into the now.
2024-10-2104 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceHow Do You Create MomentumIt is the start that stops most people. Movement will always begin the building of momentum. Have a narrow focus with a goal of winning one play at a time. It is the stacking victories that will lead to the momentum that will help you to be unstoppable.
2024-10-1806 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceHow Do You Stop Their MomentumHow Do You Stop Their Momentum? Focus on yourself. Stay in the present moment, control what you can control, and win one play at at time.
2024-10-1705 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWhat Is Momentum All AboutHow do yo gain momentum? How do you find yourself controlling the perceived momentum in the game. How can you stop the momentum of the other team?
2024-10-1606 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceIt's Easy To Stay Disciplined When You Are StrugglingMost of my athletes come to me looking for help when they are struggling. As long as they are unsatisfied with their performance, they will continue to work the mental game. When things start to go good, often they forget the mental game and neglect to train it. Stay disciplined work the mental game, when things are going good as well. Make it who you are.
2024-10-1504 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceDon't Count The Days, Make The Days CountStay locked in on the current day. Stay focused on the present moment. Don't look to the finish line, but instead, work on making every day and every moment count.
2024-10-1403 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceMissile Attacks Must Be PersistentThe goal is to stay consistent with your efforts. To compete from the first pitch to the last, first play to the final whistle, one play at a time. Stay locked in with a laser focus on pitch by pitch execution.
2024-10-1103 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceA Missile Attack Needs To Be PreciseNarrow your focus. Aim small, miss small. Be precise with your actions, focused on your task at hand, in the present moment.
2024-10-1004 minUnlocking Peak PerformancePlan Your Missile AttackHow and when will you attack your opponent? What is your game plan? What is your strategy? Without a strategy, you will just be using hope and hope is not a plan or a strategy.
2024-10-0904 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceA Missile Is PowerfulWhen you compete, you need to do so in a powerful way. We want to be know as powerful competitors, who bring a powerful presence to the playing field. Listen to this episode to learn how to become more powerful in your competitive spirit.
2024-10-0804 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceA Missile Is PurposefulWhen you go to battle, you need to understand your purpose. What is your why? What is your motive? What is your purpose? When things get tough or difficult, you can call upon or lean into your purpose to help you get through the tough times.
2024-10-0705 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceHow Michael Cuddyer Stays FocusedWhat do you do to hold yourself accountable? What do you do to maintain your self-control and discipline? Listen to what Michael Cuddyer used to do to remind him to stay locked in each and every game.
2024-10-0405 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceFlip The Switch Like KobeWhat do you do to flip the switch to get yourself into compete mode? Use a physical action to remind yourself that it's "go time."
2024-10-0304 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceHow You Feel Doesn't Dictate How You PerformSo often we look to how we feel to lead us to believe how we are going to perform. Remember - feelings aren't facts. Act differently than you feel. If you commitment is greater than your feelings, you will get results.
2024-10-0204 minUnlocking Peak PerformancePrepare Compete ProgressThere are three phases of mental performance mastery. The PREPARE phase takes place before the competition. The COMPETE phase is the game, match, or competition. The PROGRESS phase takes place after the game, and it is where an athlete assesses asks what he/she did well, what they need to do better, and how they plan to do it.
2024-10-0104 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Habit Loop Leads To DisciplineThere are 3 Stages in the Habit Loop:
1. The Trigger
2. The Habit or Routine
3. The Reward
When you follow the steps of the Habit Loop, you will live a life of self-control and discipline.
2024-09-3005 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceBarefoot MeditationUse this message as a guided grounding session to help you gather your thoughts and get you locked in on the present moment.
2024-09-2708 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceTake A WalkIn this episode, we teach you about the meditative practice known as grounding or earthing. Learn about the benefits of taking your shoes off and walking.
2024-09-2505 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceBALL MeditationHere is a meditation exercise known as BALL meditation.
Breathing
Affirmations
Look Back
Look Forward
2024-09-2511 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Four Step Mental Imagery And Meditation ExerciseUse this meditation and mental imagery exercise to get yourself into a relaxed state, build your belief system and master your self-talk, re-visit some of your best performances in your career, and then see yourself dominating a future performance. Listen to this Imagery on a daily basis, on game day, or on the day of your start, to get you locked in mentally and ready for your performance. See yourself being your best.
2024-09-2405 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceFour Reasons Every Athlete Should MeditateMeditation is a practice that every athlete should be doing to calm the mind and get into the present moment. Listen to this episode to hear the 4 Reasons Why Every Athlete Should Meditate.
2024-09-2306 minUnlocking Peak Performance54321 Body ScanAdd the 54321 body scan when you are looking for a total body relaxation. This guided meditation will help you focus on different parts of your body and help you bring focused relaxation to these specific parts. Uses this mediation to help you wind down or get you into a meditative state any time during the day.
2024-09-2006 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceFive By Five Box BreathingUse this five by five box breathing technique to help you stay focused on your breath and meditative practice. While you focus on your breathing, visualize the shape of a square, inhale for a count of five, hold for 5, exhale for a count of 5, and the hold for another 5. Repeat this sequence for a series of breaths to gain a relaxed and focused state.
2024-09-1904 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceSix Two Eight Breathing ExerciseIn for six, hold for two, out for eight. One breath at a time. The 6-2-8 breathing technique will allow you to relax and focus as well as serve as the gateway to the present moment. Use this technique while meditating in the morning to start your day, or just before bed to set your mind at ease, reduce anxiety, and calm your thoughts and worries.
2024-09-1806 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThree Breathing Techniques To Keep You In The Present MomentWhat are you doing to help control your anxiety? What are you doing to slow down the game and get into the present moment? What strategy are you using to play the game one play at a time? In this episode, we will teach you three breathing techniques to practice to help you relax, focus, and live in the present moment.
2024-09-1707 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Breath Helps You Relax And FocusWhat does the breath do for you? It allows you to relax and focus. It is the gateway to the present moment. It will release all the tension in your body. You should be taking a deep breath before every pitch, before every shot, before every down. Get relaxed and focused by taking a deep breath.
2024-09-1605 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWhat Is Your One Word FocusWhat is the number one thing you need to work on in the upcoming month? Make it your one word focus. Bring attention to this one word focus, put a plan in place, and then attack it. You will be amazed at the progress you will make by bringing attention to your one word focus.
2024-09-1302 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceGive One Hundred Percent Of What You've Got To Win The Next PitchListen to Brian Cain teach us the lesson he learned from Dr Ken Ravizza about the importance of focusing on staying present and playing the game one play at a time.
2024-09-1203 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceSo What, Next DownWe need to be different. Everybody has the same goal. We need a different goal - a narrow goal. While everybody is focusing on winning championships, we will focus on what it takes to win championships. To win championships, focus on winning one play at a time, one play at a time.
2024-09-1105 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWinners Focus On WinningWinners Focus On Winning, Losers Focus On Winners. Let's spend more time focusing on what it takes to win than on comparing ourselves to others. Comparison is the thief of all joy.
2024-09-1004 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceFind A Focal PointWhat is a spot at your field that you can focus on that can help bring you back to the present moment? It will help bring you back to neutral, slow the game down, and help you regain control of your focus and awareness.
2024-09-0904 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceCircle Of FocusCan you create your own circle of focus so that you can help yourself lock in when you need it most? Step in to focus and then step out. Step in, and then out.
2024-09-0604 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Next Two Hundred FeetWhen you are driving in a car on the highway at night, your headlights shine 200 feet. You can only see and focus on the next 200 feet. Then the next 200 feet. Then the next 200 feet. We sould focus the same in our own journey. Keep it small and focus on the present moment.
2024-09-0503 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceOne Mile Twenty-Six TimesYou aren't running 26 miles, you are running 1 mile, 26 times. Narrow your focus. Focus on small tasks or victories. Create small wins. Little by little, a little becomes a lot.
2024-09-0405 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceWhat Separates High School College And Professional Baseball PlayersWhat Separates High School College And Professional Baseball Players? It is consistency. How do you become more consistent? You do it by having more pitch by pitch execution. How do you do that? You narrow your focus and win the small victories.
2024-09-0305 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceCan You Beat Them On Just This One PitchIf I were to give you one piece of advice, it would be this: stay in the present moment. Just focus on this moment. Win this moment. And then do it again.
2024-09-0205 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceMichael Jordans Secret To SuccessAccording to many of the people interviewed in the Last Dance, Michael Jordan's secret to success is his ability to be in the present moment. What do you do to stay in the present moment? What is your routine to get back into the present moment after you lose focus? Let's do all we can to train to BE LIKE MIKE!
2024-08-3006 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceKnow Your RoleWhat is your role on your team? How can you push yourself to carry out your role to your very best. Do you have the respect of your teammates to challenge them to carry out their role?
2024-08-2905 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceYou Must Hold Yourself AccountableWhen you aren't satisfied with the outcome, what are you going to do about it? No blaming, no accusing, just personal accountability. Ask yourself what didn't work, why it didn't work, and then put your head down and get to work.
2024-08-2804 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceFind Your MotivationHow do you sustain and maintain your drive for excellence? What is your motivation to keep on pushing. Where do you look to find that motivation? Let's learn from Michael Jordan and his daily drive for motivation.
2024-08-2704 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Game Within The GameListen to learn how Michael Jordan creates a game within the game to drive motivation, focus, and energy to get the most out of his performance.
2024-08-2606 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceSelf-Confidence LetterWrite a self-confidence letter to yourself to read when things are going tough. Make it a brag sheet. Include your goals, aspirations, and your why. Remind yourself of your very best performances, and what you did to get yourself into the zone.
2024-08-2305 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceYou Are Not Lacking It You Are Blocking ItIt is the start that stops most people. Usually the stop comes in the form of negative self talk that starts with "I can't," or "I'm not good enough." Flip the script, get moving, and trust yourself by unblocking your mind and releasing your confidence.
2024-08-2203 minUnlocking Peak PerformanceThe Confidence ConfusionListen to Brian Cain listen to what he calls the confidence confusion. Confidence is not a feeling - it is an action. Confidence is a choice.
2024-08-2104 min
Coaching DNA PodcastRepost- Zach Sorensen (Pt. 2), Mental Performance Coach, Atlanta BravesThis is a repost from an earlier conversation I had with Zach Sorensen2023-12-0745 min
614 HeadsetsPeak Performance ft. Zach Sorensen"The 90% of the game that we do less than 10% of the time." ~The Hard 90...On this episode the crew is joined by Zach Sorensen, Head of the Mental Performance Team for the Atlanta Braves. Zach shares his expertise on how to win in life and the game in the mental arena. He details strategies such as having a process over outcome mentality, establishing routines, developing emotional control, Good-Better-Best, control what you can control, embracing failure, and mastering mental imagery and self-talk. This episode is packed full of actionable strategies to shift your perspective and to start winning the mental...2023-07-061h 13
Built 2 Media PodcastS2 Ep.72 A New Era Ft. Dustin SorensenSend us a textBlake and Gunner sit down with the new driver of the #28 Late Model for MB Customs and Mars Race Cars, Dustin Sorensen. A sort of flash back, as the two of them go into Dustin's career so far, where he is headed and get some new 2 minute questions! A fun, light hearted chat and much more!Support the show2023-03-021h 35
BenchmarkedZach Sorensen - Author of The Hard 90 and Mental Performance Coach for the Atlanta BravesFresh off helping the Atlanta Braves win the World Series, Zach Sorensen author of "The Hard 90" book and podcast joins us to share his journey and mental performance tips. Zach has been instrumental in helping so many athletes achieve a higher level of performance through taking care of the mental game. He wants everyone to achieve real world results by empowering athletes to develop an elite mindset through learning how to PREPARE, COMPETE and PROGRESS in the Mental Game. Connect with Zach:https://www.amazon.ca/HARD-90-Prepare-Compete-Progress-ebook/dp/B08JKXB1BJhttps://podcasts.apple.c...2022-04-191h 24