[ENG] What Mental Training Really Looks Like in the NBA & MLB | Mike Franco

Описание: In this episode of the Focus Freedom & Flow Podcast, we sit down with former NBA and MLB performance coach Mike Franco to explore how professional sports organizations incorporate mental training into their daily environment.

Mike has worked with elite organizations such as the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, and Texas Rangers, helping athletes and coaches build identity, routines, leadership, and resilience under pressure.

This conversation goes beyond hype and motivation. We explore presence, team culture, leadership, and the simple systems that help athletes show up consistently — even when the stakes are high.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or leader, you’ll find practical insights to bring more clarity, resilience, and intention into your own performance journey.

🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode:
• How mental training is implemented inside NBA & MLB organizations
• Why identity and daily systems matter more than motivation
• How elite athletes define “how they show up”
• The role of mindfulness and presence in high performance
• Supporting individuals while building strong team culture

⏱ Podcast Timeline
01:30 – Who is Mike Franco, and how did you get into performance coaching?
04:25 – The books that shaped your thinking
05:15 – First impressions joining the Dallas Mavericks
07:05 – What was expected when arriving in Dallas
09:20 – Why trust is everything in professional sports
10:00 – The biggest early challenge with the Mavericks
11:38 – How Mike’s role evolved across the Mavericks, Rangers & Magic
15:20 – The most important mental skills for pro athletes
17:43 – The systems and routines elite players rely on
20:20 – How NBA players choose how they show up daily
23:00 – Aligning with a head coach’s vision
26:55 – Working with the Orlando Magic staff
29:30 – How coaches can manage pressure
33:00 – Integrating mental skills without adding to a full schedule
37:00 – Teaching mindfulness to an entire team
37:50 – Evaluating mindset during the draft process
42:30 – Why some top draft picks don’t pan out
44:25 – The pressure of Game 7 and preparation
47:07 – Handling doubt at the highest level
48:40 – What makes Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Dončić truly great
50:25 – One thing people misunderstand about mental training
51:55 – Do all professional athletes train their minds?
52:45 – Final thoughts
56:00 – Is psychology the next frontier in sports performance?
57:00 – Where to learn more about Mike’s work

🎙️ Focus Freedom & Flow is a podcast exploring mental training, mindfulness, and performance through honest conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders who want to grow — on and off the field.

Thank you for being part of this journey.
If this resonates with you, subscribing is one of the simplest ways to support the work we share here.

🤝 Connect with Mike Franco
Stay Locked In Crash Course: https://mikefrancocoaching.kit.com
Mike’s website: https://mikefrancocoaching.com/
Mike’s LinkedIn:   / mfranco-coach  

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