EP166: Mental Performance Coach Michael Huber on Improving Mental Performance

In this episode, George is joined by Michael Huber to explore how mental performance training can help athletes become more present, resilient, and adaptable under pressure. Michael shares practical strategies for mindfulness, self-talk, visualization, and communication, while also discussing how coaches can build mentally challenging practice environments that better prepare players for real-game adversity. Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Michael Huber and mental performance coaching 02:00 – Defining mental performance and helping athletes apply skills in competition 03:30 – Awareness, mindfulness, and learning to stay present under pressure 05:00 – Using breathing, self-talk, and visualization to regulate emotions in games 06:30 – Why meditation can strengthen focus, awareness, and emotional control 08:00 – Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, and building stillness through daily routines 09:30 – Understanding "anchors" and creating intentional pre-game habits 11:00 – Using notebooks, intentions, and controllable goals before games 12:30 – Helping athletes focus on impact beyond scoring and statistics 14:00 – Why communication and role clarity are critical for coaches and players 15:30 – Lessons from podcast conversations about coaching, transitions, and leadership 17:00 – Preparing athletes mentally for the next level before they arrive there 18:30 – Why practice environments can never fully replicate game pressure 20:00 – Helping athletes balance personal goals with team systems and coaching styles 21:30 – Encouraging players to ask questions and communicate with coaches effectively 23:00 – Designing practices that intentionally build mental resilience and adversity 24:30 – Using constraints, penalties, and game-like challenges to train emotional control 26:00 – Transformative Tip Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball