Players, be careful what you value when you compete.

Listen to NFL players, college athletes, and even high school athletes talk about upcoming games. You’ll hear phrases like, “I’m going to show out,” or “It’s time to play big on a big stage.”

High school athletes think the same way, especially when they know college coaches or recruiters might be watching.

This is a dangerous road to go down.
Why? Because the attention shifts away from the task that matters most.

For a pitcher, the job is pitch execution. For a hitter, it’s putting together quality at-bats. For a quarterback, it’s executing the offense and helping his team win.

The great quarterbacks understand this. They don’t care if they throw for 115 yards if their team wins. The goal isn’t to create a highlight reel. It’s to help their team win the game.

Just this past Sunday, Bijan Robinson rushed for only 63 yards on 20 carries, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Not exactly a highlight-reel performance by his standards.

But his Atlanta Falcons beat the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers, 29–20.

Leading up to that game, Robinson said something that speaks directly to this week’s Thrive Notes:

“We’re really just focused on ourselves and what we need to do.”

That’s it. That’s the mindset.

The opponent was undefeated. The stage was big. The attention was there. But the focus was on doing the job.

The Conversations We Have With Athletes Matter
This all starts with the conversations we have with athletes and, more importantly, the conversations they have with themselves.

Imagine arriving at a big national baseball tournament. Nationally ranked teams are there. College coaches might be watching. Everyone is talking about the importance of the weekend.

What’s the job?

Arrive prepared. Prepare your team to win.

Once the game starts, the job becomes even simpler.

Elevate your teammates. Execute your assignment. Hustle on and off the field. Show great body language. Compete with purpose. Help your team win.

These are the conversations athletes need to have with themselves every day, whether they’re competing in practice or playing in front of thousands of people.

The environment might change. The job doesn’t.

Parents and Coaches: Don’t Fan the Flame
Sometimes parents and even coaches unintentionally contribute to the “show out” mentality.

Three days before a tournament, the conversation becomes:

“This is a huge tournament.”

“There are going to be a lot of recruiting eyes watching.”

“These are the best teams in the country.”

“You need to play big this weekend.”

How does any of that help an athlete prepare?

It doesn’t.

The steady approach is the right approach.

It’s a game. The game is the challenge. Prepare for the challenge.

If we’re telling athletes that this tournament is bigger than the last one, we’re encouraging them to assign more value to the attention surrounding the game than to the execution required to play it well.

And that’s a mistake.

Our job as parents and coaches is to help athletes understand what matters and prepare them to do it.

You Can’t Be a Politician and a Warrior at the Same Time
Think about this.

A politician’s job is to attract votes. Gain attention. Build support. Turn that attention into elections won and legislation passed.

A warrior’s job is his job.

He’s not concerned with who is watching. His mission is in front of him.

Athletes need to think more like warriors and less like politicians.

The job is stealing this base. Catching this pass. Running this route. Executing the offense on the basketball court. Throwing this pitch away and down.

Not impressing the people in the stands.

Not creating a moment that someone might post on social media.

Not showing out.

The Job Right Now
That simple way of thinking changes how an athlete approaches practice, how they prepare for competition, and where their attention goes once the game begins.

And attention matters.

Because what we choose to value determines where we place our attention. Where we place our attention influences how we perform.

This Week: Self-Authoring
This Wednesday, we enter the final class of our ten-week program, and we’ll focus on something that connects directly to this conversation: Self-Authoring.

Self-authoring is the process of intentionally writing and developing the thoughts, goals, and beliefs that guide our actions.

Consider the questions we want athletes to answer:

What is practice?
The opportunity to prepare for execution. To build skills, develop habits, and learn how to do our jobs better.

What is the game?
The game is execution. It’s the opportunity to apply what we’ve prepared for.

What is competition?
A challenge that requires us to do our jobs well, elevate our teammates, and pursue a common goal.

These are productive thoughts. They direct attention toward things athletes can control.

And there’s some fascinating research behind self-authoring and structured goal-setting.

Studies involving college students have found improvements in academic performance and retention when students engage in intentional writing and goal-setting exercises. Some of the strongest findings involve students who were struggling academically or were at greater risk of leaving school.

Think about the significance.

Young people who took time to define their goals, examine their future, and write about how they intended to get there were better equipped to stay on track.

They didn’t simply set goals. They developed a clearer understanding of what they were working toward and why.

That’s a lesson that applies just as powerfully to sports as it does to academics.

Join Us Tonight Night
Coach Hammer and I will lead what I believe will be one of the most interesting and productive exercises of our ten-week program.

We’ll walk through self-authoring and show athletes how to begin intentionally shaping the daily thoughts that guide their preparation, performance, and lives.

Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85644389445

Players, continue to self-author productive thoughts, on and off the field.

Know what you value. Know what matters.

And when it’s time to compete, do your job.

On the Adventure,

Greg Moore and Josh Hammer
ThriveWare's Mission

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Not just the final score or the statistics, but how you felt. Your preparation. Your confidence. Your ability to compete freely.

What were you doing well? What helped you perform at your best?

Now think about your last difficult game.

Chances are, you can remember those mistakes in much greater detail.

The strikeout. The missed opportunity. The pitch you wish you could have back.

Why is it that we can replay our mistakes over and over, yet sometimes struggle to recognize the things we’re doing well?

That’s something we can work on.

Last week in THE CLASS, Coach Greg Moore and I encouraged our athletes to take a closer look at the small victories that often go unnoticed.

A quality at bat. A well executed pitch. A great decision. A productive response after making a mistake.

These moments matter, even when the scoreboard doesn’t reflect them.

The more we learn to recognize these moments, the better we can understand the habits, preparation, and decisions that contribute to our success.

Growth isn’t just about correcting mistakes. It’s also about recognizing what’s working, understanding why, and learning how to build on it.

Build On: The Small Victories

Baseball has a funny way of challenging how we evaluate ourselves.

You can hit four balls hard and finish the day without a hit. You can execute a great pitch and still give up a base hit. You can prepare all week, compete with confidence, and still come away disappointed with the result.

But if we only measure our development by the outcome, we risk overlooking the progress happening along the way.

During our recent class, we talked about learning to recognize the behaviors and decisions that contribute to strong performances.

Were you prepared?

Did you stay committed to your approach?

Were you able to respond productively when something didn’t go your way?

These are the things athletes can begin to recognize, evaluate, and improve.

And over time, those small victories become important building blocks for confidence.

Create Your Personal Highlight Reel

One of the exercises Coach Moore introduced was an opportunity for athletes to create their own personal highlight reel.

Not necessarily a recruiting video or something to impress people on social media.

Something for themselves.

Find three video clips and three pictures of yourself competing at your best.

Maybe it’s a double into the gap, a strikeout, a great defensive play, or a moment celebrating with your teammates.

Add your favorite song. Make it your own.

It might be 15 seconds. It might be 45 seconds.

The length isn’t nearly as important as the opportunity to recognize what you’re doing well.

Watch it before practice, in the morning, or whenever you need a reminder of what you’re capable of doing.

But here’s where I encourage athletes to go a little deeper.

Don’t just watch yourself succeed.

Study what made those moments possible.

What did your preparation look like?

Were you relaxed? Decisive? Confident?

How did you respond to the moment?

What habits and decisions contributed to that performance?

The idea is to become more aware of the behaviors that help you perform well, so you can continue developing and repeating them.

You’re not trying to convince yourself that every day will be your best day.

You’re learning to recognize what your best looks like and how to work toward it.

Confidence Is Built Through Evidence

Something I often tell athletes is to think about confidence like a piggy bank.

Every quality repetition, every productive adjustment, and every small victory is another deposit.

Some days you might make a big deposit.

Other days, it might only be a penny.

But those deposits add up.

The important thing is learning to recognize them.

A young hitter might finish a game 0 for 3, but perhaps he worked two excellent counts and drove a ball hard to the opposite field.

A pitcher might surrender a few runs, but perhaps he maintained his tempo, attacked the strike zone, and responded well after an error.

Those moments deserve attention.

Not because we’re trying to make every performance feel positive, but because we’re learning how to evaluate ourselves honestly.

Confidence grows when athletes begin recognizing the connection between their preparation, their decisions, and their performance.

That doesn’t mean confidence will always be there.

There will still be difficult games, frustrating practices, and moments of doubt.

But having a collection of positive experiences to reflect on can provide a useful reminder of what you’ve already demonstrated you’re capable of doing.

From Building On to Working On

Tomorrow, we’re taking our conversation one step further.

Last week, we focused on recognizing the small victories and learning to build on what we’re doing well.

Now, we’re turning our attention to WORK ON: Strategic Development.

How do we identify the areas that need improvement?

How do we turn setbacks into useful feedback?

And, most importantly, how do we create a plan that moves us forward?

Coach Moore has introduced a reflection framework that helps athletes organize their thinking and take ownership of their development.

3 BUILD ONS

What did I do well today?

3 WORK ONS

What did I struggle with today?

3 ACTION PLANS

What specific steps will I take to improve?

This process doesn’t require an elaborate journal or hours of reflection.

Just a few minutes of honest, thoughtful evaluation.

The goal isn’t to overanalyze every mistake or demand perfection.

It’s to become more intentional about your development.

A bad game doesn’t have to become a bad week. A good game doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to learn.

Both provide opportunities to gather feedback, make adjustments, and continue improving.

The difference is what you choose to do with that information.

Your Challenge Before Our Next Class

Take a few minutes to create your personal highlight reel.

Then grab a notebook and reflect on your last game or practice.

Write down three things you did well, three things you want to improve, and three specific actions you can take.

Bring those thoughts to our next conversation.

And parents, here’s something you can try on the ride home from your athlete’s next game.

Before diving into the strikeouts, errors, or missed opportunities, ask:

“What’s something you did today that you’d like to do again?”

Give your athlete an opportunity to recognize something they did well.

Sometimes the most valuable conversation isn’t about what went wrong.

It’s about helping a young person notice the progress they may not yet recognize in themselves.

Because we’re not just trying to develop better baseball players.

We’re helping young people learn how to reflect, take ownership of their development, and move forward with confidence.

Build on what you’re doing well. Work on what needs improvement. Have a plan for both.

And don’t forget to enjoy the game along the way.

Coach Hammer

Watch Last Week’s Class

BUILD ON: The Small Victories

In our latest session, Coach Greg Moore and I explored positive reflection, building confidence through small victories, and how athletes can learn to create productive emotions through their own preparation and actions.

Watch the full episode here:

Join Us Tomorrow for THE CLASS

WORK ON: Strategic Development

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

6:00 PM Pacific | 9:00 PM Eastern

We’ll continue exploring how athletes can turn reflection into meaningful action, identify opportunities for improvement, and become more intentional about their development.

Athletes, parents, and coaches are welcome.

Free to attend.

Join live on Zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85644389445

THE CLASS | Where Performance Skills Meet Life Skills.

He’s talented. Works hard. Shows up early. Stays late. Does everything a good teammate is supposed to do.

There’s just one problem.

He’s not in the lineup.

And it’s starting to weigh on him.

He’s seen the depth chart. He knows where he stands. He watches teammates compete in games, knowing how badly he wants those same opportunities.

He’s frustrated. And understandably so.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting more. In fact, that competitive drive is something worth developing.

Jake doesn’t want to transfer. He doesn’t want sympathy. And he certainly doesn’t need another reminder to work hard.

He’s already putting in the effort.

What he wants is clarity.

Where do I stand? What can I improve? How can I put myself in a better position to contribute?

Those are important questions. And learning how to ask them is just as valuable as finding the answers.

Because one of the biggest lessons young athletes can learn is that having something important to say and knowing how to communicate it are two different skills.

So what’s Jake’s next move?

Does he approach his coach immediately after a difficult game? Keep his concerns to himself and hope things change? Talk through his frustration with teammates or family?

Or does he take a more intentional approach?

He starts a conversation.

Not to challenge a decision. Not to demand playing time.

But to better understand what he can do next.

The ability to communicate, listen, receive feedback, and respond can create opportunities that extend far beyond the playing field.

Same Question. Different Outcome.

It’s the third inning.

Jake is sitting in the dugout, watching the game unfold. He wants to contribute, and his frustration is beginning to build.

He turns to his coach.

“Coach, what do I have to do to get on the field?”

It’s a fair question.

But is this the right moment to ask it?

His coach is focused on managing the game. His teammates are nearby. And Jake’s emotions may influence how his message is received.

The question itself isn’t the issue.

It’s an opportunity to recognize that when, where, and how we communicate can be just as important as what we say.

Now, let’s change the setting.

Before practice, Jake asks his coach if they can find a few minutes to talk privately.

“Coach, I really want to contribute to this team. I know there are areas where I can continue to improve, and I’d appreciate your feedback. What are two things I can focus on to put myself in a better position to earn opportunities?”

Same athlete. Same competitive drive. Same goal.

A more thoughtful approach.

And here’s an important lesson: Jake may not hear exactly what he hopes to hear.

His coach might identify areas of improvement he hadn’t considered. He might offer a different perspective on Jake’s current role. And that conversation may not immediately lead to more playing time.

But it can lead to something valuable.

Clarity. Direction. Understanding.

Jake now has an opportunity to turn feedback into action.

He’s learning to advocate for himself while remaining open to another person’s perspective.

That’s a skill he’ll use in the classroom, in relationships, throughout his career, and long after his playing days are over.

The goal isn’t to get the answer you want. It’s to develop the confidence to ask, the humility to listen, and the discipline to act on what you learn.

That’s effective communication.

And that’s personal growth.

Remember Three Words: Time. Place. Pace.

You can say almost anything when you understand the right time, place, and pace.

• Time: Is this the right moment for the conversation?

• Place: Is this an environment where both people can communicate openly?

• Pace: Am I approaching this with curiosity and respect, or frustration and emotion?

These three guardrails won’t guarantee Brody a starting spot.

But they give him a better chance of understanding where he stands, what his coach values, and what he can control moving forward.

And sometimes clarity is the first step toward opportunity.

Listen First. Talk Second.

Stephen Covey’s fifth habit is built around a powerful principle:

Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

That’s easier said than done.

Most of us listen while preparing our next response.

We want to explain ourselves. Defend ourselves. Make our case.

But effective communicators start by getting curious.

Why does my coach see things differently?

What does my teacher expect?

What does my teammate need from me?

What am I missing?

Listening doesn’t mean you automatically agree. It means you’re willing to understand another perspective before sharing your own.

And that habit can change relationships.

Your Body Is Talking, Too.

Communication isn’t limited to the words coming out of your mouth.

Your eyes, body language, tone, and even your social media activity send messages.

Think about how you respond when things aren’t going your way.

Do you make eye contact when someone is speaking?

Do you roll your eyes when a coach gives feedback?

Are you genuinely listening, or just waiting for your turn to talk?

Before communicating something difficult, try using a simple three-part filter:

Is it true? Is it useful? Is it good?

Not every thought needs to become a comment.

And not every frustration needs an audience.

The goal isn’t to become someone who never speaks up. It’s to become someone whose words carry weight because they’re thoughtful, respectful, and intentional.

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable.

Here’s another place athletes can develop communication skills:

The classroom.

Raise your hand.

Ask a question.

Volunteer to speak.

You might be wrong. You might stumble. You might even embarrass yourself a little.

That’s okay.

Growth requires taking some risks.

Stanford lecturer Matt Abrahams teaches that effective speaking isn’t about memorizing the perfect script. It’s about learning to think, listen, and respond in the moment.

His presentation, Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques, offers practical exercises for becoming more confident when speaking spontaneously.

And here’s something worth remembering:

Nobody else knows the script you had in your head.

If you lose your place, keep going. If you stumble, recover.

It’s a conversation, not a performance that requires perfection.

The Postgame Interview Challenge

During our recent session of THE CLASS, we decided to make communication a little more entertaining.

We turned our athletes into professional players.

The assignment?

Answer questions in a mock postgame press conference.

Some questions were easy. Others required athletes to think on their feet.

Imagine being asked:

“You went 0-for-4 today. What wasn’t working at the plate?”

Or:

“You’ve spent most of the season on the bench. Are you frustrated with your role?”

There’s a difference between responding emotionally and responding thoughtfully.

We challenged athletes to maintain eye contact, listen to the entire question, organize their thoughts, and respond with confidence.

Not because every athlete is destined for ESPN.

But because someday they’ll have a job interview, a difficult conversation, a college presentation, or a leadership opportunity.

The microphone may change. The skill doesn’t.

And speaking of interviews, sometimes even the best quarterbacks have to deal with a ridiculous question.

For a good laugh, watch Ron Burgundy interview Peyton Manning on SportsCenter.

It’s hilarious, but there’s a useful lesson underneath the comedy: Peyton stays composed, listens, adapts, and handles the unexpected without losing his personality.

That’s a pretty good communication rep.

This Week’s Challenge: Have the Conversation.

You don’t need a microphone, an audience, or a starting position to develop this skill.

Start with one meaningful conversation.

Maybe it’s with your coach about playing time.

Your teacher about a grade.

Your parents about expectations.

Or a teammate about something that’s been bothering you.

Before you begin:

1. Choose the right Time, Place, and Pace.

2. Write out the first two sentences you want to say.

3. Ask a question that invites honest feedback.

4. Listen without interrupting.

5. Identify one action you can take moving forward.

Then practice speaking about something unfamiliar for 30 seconds without stopping.

The goal isn’t perfection.

The goal is progress.

Become an Elevator.

At THE CLASS, we challenge athletes to develop skills that make them better competitors and better people.

Communication is one of those skills.

Use your eyes to show you’re listening.

Let your body language support your message.

Choose words that are true, useful, and good.

And whenever possible, be an elevator. Lift people up rather than tear them down.

Because someday, the season ends. The uniform comes off. The depth chart disappears.

But the ability to connect with people, advocate for yourself, and navigate difficult conversations?

That stays with you.

And for Brody, the next opportunity might begin with six simple words:

“Coach, can I ask you something?”

About THE CLASS

THE CLASS is a free, 10-week virtual learning experience designed to prepare young people for success in sports, school, and life.

Our approach combines three essential areas of development:

• Life Skills: Communication, relationships, leadership, and personal responsibility.

• Mental Skills: Confidence, concentration, preparation, and resilience.

• College Preparation: Developing the habits, independence, and awareness needed for what’s next.

Each week, we bring together experienced teachers, coaches, and guest speakers to give students practical tools they can use immediately.

Join us every Wednesday for a FREE virtual experience where athletes learn practical life skills, mental performance strategies, and tools to prepare for college and beyond.

When: Wednesdays at 6:00 PM Pacific
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: 100% FREE
Who: Athletes, students, parents, and coaches are all welcome!

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85644389445

See you in class!

Josh Hammer

Some of the most important performance decisions happen at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Last week on THE CLASS, Coach Carrie La Cour joined us for a practical conversation about sports nutrition and how athletes can fuel better. Her plan is thought-provoking for young players, and simple for us as parents.

Carrie talked about what to eat before games and practices, hydration, tournament-day fueling, recovery, and simple options that actually work for busy athletes and families.

Her message:

You don’t need to eat perfectly. You need to make good decisions consistently.

Starting at the video’s thirty-minute mark, you’ll find the wisdom of a mom who knows busy schedules, combined with the knowledge of a pro. I hope you enjoy as much as The Class did.

Join Us in THE CLASS Tonight — 10/7

TALK: Communication That Wins

Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85644389445

See you in class!

Josh Hammer

But one of the first things he taught his players every year had nothing to do with offense, defense, or basketball strategy.

He taught them how to put on their socks.

Smooth them out. Make sure there are no wrinkles. Put the shoe on correctly. Tie it the right way.

Why?

A wrinkle could cause a blister. A blister could affect practice. A bad practice could affect performance.

Wooden understood something that I think we sometimes make way too complicated:

Big results are built through small things done well, over and over again.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.

We have more information available to us than at any point in history. A young person can pull out a phone and learn how to throw harder, shoot a puck better, study more effectively, manage pressure, communicate, lead, get stronger, or prepare for a job interview.

The information is everywhere.

But information isn’t development.

Development requires reps.

Learn something. Do something.

Think about how it went. Get feedback from somebody who cares about you. Then do it again.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been fortunate to spend time with some really interesting people in sports, education, technology, and human development. Different conversations keep coming back to the same idea:

What if technology didn’t just give young people more things to consume?

What if technology helped them practice becoming better?

Better students. Better athletes. Better teammates. Better communicators. Better sons and daughters. Better people.

Imagine learning one idea about preparation in the morning, intentionally putting it into practice during the day, reflecting on it that evening, and having a parent, teacher, coach, or mentor able to see the work and encourage you.

Then you wake up and do it again.

Not once a semester.

Every day.

That’s interesting.

I don’t think technology replaces a great teacher, parent, coach, or mentor. I think the real opportunity is exactly the opposite.

Technology can help the right people become more involved in a young person’s development.

It can help connect the lesson to the action, the action to the reflection, and the reflection to a conversation with somebody who cares.

The goal isn’t more screen time.

The goal is more doing.

More reflecting.

More connecting.

More growth.

John Wooden started with socks because he understood that championships were being built long before anyone raised a trophy.

I think developing great young people works the same way.

Find one small thing worth getting better at this week.

Practice it every day.

Pay attention to what happens.

Then do it again.

In Case You Missed It 📌

Last week, Marco Soto joined us and shared the story behind Soto Gloves.

One part really stuck with me.

Marco talked about a point when he nearly quit. Then one Little League game changed his trajectory.

It fits this week’s message pretty well.

Sometimes it isn’t the giant breakthrough that changes things.

Sometimes it’s one conversation. One coach sending an encouraging short clip. One person who believes in you. One small win that gives you enough momentum to keep going.

Learn more about Marco and Soto Gloves:

https://sotogloves.com/

If you missed last week’s Class, watch it here:

_

Join Us for The Class | Wednesday at 6 p.m. Pacific 🎯

This week in The Class, we’re going to talk about separation.

Not separating yourself from other people.

The ability to separate one task from the next.

A bad test doesn’t have to follow you into practice. A mistake at practice doesn’t have to come home with you. A difficult conversation doesn’t have to control the next one.

The ability to finish one thing, reset, and fully engage in what comes next is a skill.

And like everything else we’re talking about this week, it can be practiced.

We’re also excited to welcome Coach Carrie La Cour for a special conversation on sports nutrition for the student-athlete. We’ll dive into practical nutrition and fueling habits for baseball players, including how proper fueling and hydration can support performance, recovery, and overall health.

Coach Carrie provides customized nutritional coaching focused on intuitive eating, sustainable habit building, and sports nutrition for student-athletes, and we’re excited for our athletes to learn from her.

Join us Wednesday at 6 p.m. Pacific.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85644389445

Smooth your socks, fuel your body, and join us. 🧦⚾

On the Adventure,
Greg Moore

“In Japan, we take care of our instruments, our bats and our gloves,” Ichiro Suzuki once said. “We take care of them well because these things are very important.”

During a 1999 game in Japan, Ichiro struck out and broke his handmade bat in frustration. He regretted it so deeply that he wrote a letter apologizing to the craftsman who had shaped it from tamo wood.

Ichiro understood that his bat was more than a piece of equipment. It represented someone else’s care, skill, and effort.

Years later, he explained his philosophy simply:

“You never see a great carpenter throw his best hammer.”

Respecting the instrument meant respecting the hands that made it.

That brings us to this week’s guest: Marco Soto, owner of Soto Custom Gloves.

A Lesson in Leather
I learned Marco’s story after I ran across one of his custom gloves by chance. As I picked it up and began tugging on it, the obvious quality and leather smell were better than brands I had handled before. When I called to ask about stock, Marco answered. I bought one for my son and then learned that long before Soto Gloves was in Southern California, there was a craftsman.

The story begins in Mexico with his grandfather, Anselmo Soto, a leather craftsman who made saddles and whips. In 1964, a wealthy gentleman asked Anselmo to make his twins gloves, saying, “I’ll pay you whatever it takes.” He went home to tell his wife that he didn’t know how. She encouraged him to try. Those two gloves began it.

When Marco was a boy, his grandfather made him his first baseball glove by hand. It took about three days.

Years later, Marco brought that glove with him to the United States. While attending Long Beach Poly High School, teammates noticed something unusual about it.

The label says Soto.

They wanted to know where it came from. “My grandfather made it,” he said.

That family craft eventually became the calling. Marco started essentially from zero in the United States and built the business around the same principle his grandfather taught him — Make something with care.

That care is on my kitchen table.

Today, Soto is far more than a small hobby glove company. When ABC7 profiled the company in 2024, Marco’s team was was working through 1,800 custom glove orders.

But here’s something else. When you call, he picks up the phone. It’s not because they don’t have enough business. It’s because Soto is a family business, and families take care of each other. Marco still wants to talk with the player, parent, or coach on the other end of the phone.

There’s something our kids can learn from that, too.

Every Stitch Counts
We’re in Week Four of The Class, and our performance theme is LOCK—building focus. So we’re going to learn intention from someone who practices it for a living.

Marco will talk our students through the roughly six-hour process of making a handmade Soto glove. They’ll learn that:

Someone built it.

Someone finished it.

And somebody cared enough to make the stitches count.

That’s a baseball lesson.

But it’s also a life lesson.

Things arrive at our doorstep with one click. It’s easy for our kids—and for us—to forget about the people behind the things we use every day.

The farmer who grew it.

The teacher who prepared it.

The parent who paid for it.

The craftsman who made it.

Gratitude begins when we recognize the work somebody else did on our behalf.

Ichiro understood that.

Marco Soto lives it.

And Wednesday, our boys get to learn it.

Wednesday, September 23rd
6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET
Week #4 — LOCK: Build Intention

Zoom Link

In Case You Missed It
Last week, Gio Blanchette joined The Class and brought tremendous enthusiasm for the career he has built after baseball as a financial advisor. Joe Fangman shared the power of Roberto Clemente’s legacy — a great teammate.

It was another reminder that life after baseball brings the skills, habits and values shaped by the game.

Join us this week to add a stitch.

On the Adventure,
Greg Moore and Josh Hammer

About ThriveWare

ThriveWare transforms athletes, students and employees through whole-person training and technology.

Whether serving athletes, students, educators, coaches or professionals, our platform delivers short, meaningful daily learning experiences designed to create long-term transformation.

Grounded in behavioral science and more than 1.5 million learning interactions, ThriveWare is proving that small daily decisions can produce remarkable long-term outcomes.

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Our Mission

Why the mental game is trained one rep at a time.

A player goes 0-for-4.

He gets in the car and plays the game again.

The fastball he was late on.

The breaking ball he chased.

The pitch he should have crushed.

By the time he goes to sleep, four bad at-bats have become 40 mental reps.

Then he wakes up the next morning wondering where his confidence went.

This week in The Class, Blake McDonald gave us a better way to handle it:

Edit the film.

Change the Next Rep

The at-bat happened.

Learn from it.

But over the next 24 hours, don’t keep practicing the failure in your head.

Go back through the at-bat.

See the pitch.

See yourself recognize it.

See yourself on time.

See the barrel get there.

Change the ending.

The goal isn’t to pretend the failure never happened.

It’s to decide what gets the next mental rep.

The at-bat is over. The training isn’t.

▶️ Watch the Full Class with Blake McDonald

Can You Be Confident at .220?

Blake knows the feeling.

During one season, he was playing every day and hitting around .220.

There wasn’t much evidence in the box score suggesting a breakthrough was coming.

But he believed he was going to hit.

Not hoped.

Believed.

That led to one of the best questions from Week 3:

Can you be confident without needing results to make you confident?

Going 3-for-4 makes confidence easy.

Hitting .220 tests something different.

Can the belief remain before the results provide the proof?

Confidence Is a Dimmer Switch

Maybe we’ve been thinking about confidence the wrong way.

It’s not a light switch.

ON: Three hits.

OFF: Three strikeouts.

Confidence works more like a dimmer switch.

A bad game can turn it down.

A mistake can turn it down.

A slump can turn it down.

But one bad day doesn’t make the room go dark.

And the most important part of the analogy:

Your hand is on the dial.

Preparation turns it up.

Keeping promises to yourself turns it up.

Visualization turns it up.

Positive self-talk turns it up.

Doing something uncomfortable turns it up.

Responding well to failure turns it up.

Each becomes another small piece of evidence:

We’ve been here before. We can handle this.

You don’t need enough light to see the entire staircase.

Just enough to see the next step.

Take it.

Then the next one gets a little clearer.

That’s how confidence gets built.

One rep at a time.

Mind Over Talent

At Arizona, Blake played alongside another catcher he described as one of the most naturally gifted players he’d ever seen.

Yet Blake was playing ahead of him.

The separator wasn’t physical.

It was mental.

Blake had learned how to manage his mind.

The other catcher eventually developed that part of his game too and went on to be drafted in the fifth round.

Talent matters.

Strength matters.

Speed matters.

Skill matters.

But those tools become harder to access when the mind gets in the way.

The mental game doesn’t replace talent.

It helps unlock it.

Your 14U Batting Average Isn’t Going With You

One bad at-bat can feel enormous at 14.

So can a batting average.

A tournament.

Playing time.

An error.

But ask a college player to remember his batting average from a random 14U tournament.

He probably can’t.

That’s perspective.

The result matters enough to learn from.

It doesn’t matter enough to become your identity.

Reflect.

Adjust.

Move forward.

We’re preparing players for the next pitch, but we’re also preparing them for everything that comes after baseball.

Learning to separate what happened from who you are is a skill worth training early.

Sometimes, Start With a Smile

Want to turn the dimmer up before the next at-bat?

Try something simple.

Smile walking to the plate.

Change the body language.

Walk differently.

Breathe differently.

Create an alter ego if it helps.

Picture the most confident version of yourself.

How does that player walk to the box?

What does he look at?

What does he tell himself?

How does he respond after striking out?

Then become that player for the next pitch.

Sometimes the feeling doesn’t create the behavior.

The behavior creates the feeling.

Own the Training

This brings us back to the theme we’ve been building throughout The Class.

There’s a difference between attendance and ownership.

Showing up isn’t the same as developing.

Intentional training begins with three questions:

Who am I becoming?

Where am I going?

How will I work?

Then remove the negotiation.

Sets.

Reps.

Schedule.

When it’s time to work, work.

Eliminate distractions.

Keep the intent high.

Then reflect.

Did the work match the intent?

Did we embody the mantra?

What’s the next adjustment?

That’s ownership.

And it doesn’t end when a player makes varsity, commits to college or gets drafted.

Intentional training is a lifelong pursuit.

Train Like You’ve Never Won. Compete Like You’ve Never Lost.

Olympic champion freestyle skier Eileen Gu has shared a line that captures the balance we’re trying to develop:

“I train like I’ve never won, and I compete like I’ve never lost.”

Think about the two halves.

Train like you’ve never won.

Stay hungry.

Stay curious.

Don’t let yesterday’s success excuse today’s preparation.

There is another rep to take, another adjustment to make and another level to reach.

Then it’s time to compete.

Compete like you’ve never lost.

Trust the work.

Walk to the plate believing you belong there.

Stop carrying yesterday’s strikeouts into today’s box.

Preparation and confidence aren’t opposites.

Preparation builds confidence.

Do the work when nobody is watching.

Then trust it when everybody is.

And when the light gets a little dim?

Don’t panic.

Don’t let one result become an identity.

Put your hand back on the dial.

Turn it up one rep at a time.

Blake’s Mental Game Bookshelf

Blake also shared the books that have helped shape his approach to the mental game.

Becoming Supernatural — Joe Dispenza
The Inner Game of Tennis — W. Timothy Gallwey
Getting to Neutral — Trevor Moawad
The Mental Game of Baseball — H.A. Dorfman
The Art of Impossible — Steven Kotler
Think Again — Adam Grant
The Power of Now — Eckhart Tolle
The Talent Code — Daniel Coyle
Can’t Hurt Me — David Goggins
Areté — Brian Johnson

Have some fun.

Pick one.

Read.

Find one idea.

Put it to work.

That’s another rep.

Connect with Blake McDonald

Want to learn more from Blake or continue the conversation? Reach out and follow him here:

• X: https://x.com/thebaseballmonk

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebaseballmonk/

• Mental Beast: https://www.mentalbeast.net/

Next in The Class: Give Reps

Week 4 • September 16

Next week, we’re moving from the reps we take to the reps we give.

We’re excited to welcome Giovanni Blanchette to The Class: Elite Mindset Training to share his journey from college baseball into financial services and the lessons in discipline, mindset and preparation that carried with him.

The bigger question: What are you doing with what you’ve learned?

That’s Give Reps.

1/3 Life Skills. 1/3 Mental Skills. 1/3 College Prep every Wednesday!

Join us live Wednesdays 6pmPDT / 9pm EDT:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85644389445

Bring a friend. Bring a notebook. Bring a question. Come hang with us and get better together.

On the Adventure,

The Thrive Notes Team
Josh Hammer & Greg Moore

Two weeks down. Eight to go.

The Class is a free 10 week virtual program built around one belief: Performance Skills Meet Life Skills. We work on the parts of development that do not always show up in the box score: focus, preparation, learning, response, communication and ownership.

Those skills are trainable. Over time, they help build present, resilient players who can handle pressure, adjust and keep moving forward.

Missed the first two weeks? Jump in.

Week 3 Is Tomorrow: TRAIN

Wednesday, September 9
6 PM PDT / 9 PM EDT

This week we’re joined by Blake McDonald, Founder of Mental Beast and a former Division I baseball player and coach.

Our topic:

TRAIN: Owning Your Training

There is a difference between being at practice and actually training.

Showing up matters.

But showing up is the minimum.

Do you understand why you are doing the drill?

Do you know what you are trying to improve?

Can you identify what you need beyond the work your coach already gives you?

Can you create a plan and follow through on it?

That’s where ownership starts.

And that’s what we’ll dig into Wednesday night.

Missed Weeks 1 & 2? Start Here.

Week 1: Own Your Development

We started The Class with a challenge:

Become a hungry learner.

Don’t wait for development to happen to you.

Study successful people.

Ask questions.

Take notes.

Pay attention to what works.

Then figure out what you can use.

One of the ideas we introduced was the Learning Loop:

WATCH → THINK → WRITE → TEACH

Don’t just consume something impressive.

Study it.

What did you notice?

Why did it work?

How does it apply to you?

What can you put into action?

Who could you teach it to?

That’s how information starts becoming development.

We also talked about routines, focal points and learning how to bring your attention back to the present moment.

Because your mind is going to wander.

The game is going to speed up.

You’re going to make mistakes.

The skill is learning how to return.

Week 2: READ — Feed the Mind

Last week we moved into our first weekly skill:

READ

And READ doesn’t just mean picking up a book.

It means:

What are you feeding your mind?

A book can teach you.

So can a coach.

A podcast.

A mentor.

A conversation.

A video.

Studying a great player. By studying the maps of great players you learn their process while discovering one that works for you.

Asking a better question.

The challenge is to become more intentional about what you put into your mind and what you do with it.

We worked on concentration.

We talked about quieting the mind.

We talked about breathing as something you practice, not something you suddenly remember to use when everything starts going wrong.

Mental skills need reps too.

Our guest, longtime MLB scout and former professional player Brandon Mozley, gave us another simple lesson around goals:

WRITE IT DOWN. READ IT. REPEAT IT.

He also reminded us that every athlete may have a different routine, but some foundations don’t change:

Sleep.

Hydration.

Recovery.

Preparation.

And becoming the kind of player your coaches can trust.

16 Minutes Before Week 3

Four short videos. About 16 minutes total.

Watch with a notebook and ask one question:

What do Longoria, Bryant, Lincoln and Jaeger do that I can use?

Evan Longoria — Focus + Reset
11 min

Kobe Bryant — Coachability
1 min

Abraham Lincoln — Learning + Focus

Alan Jaeger — Getting Quiet
4:44

Take one idea. Write it down. Try it.

Tomorrow Night: TRAIN

THE CLASS — WEEK 3
Owning Your Training

Wednesday, September 9
6 PM PDT / 9 PM EDT

Bring a notebook. Bring a question. Bring a friend.

Parents and coaches are welcome too.

Missed Weeks 1 or 2? No problem. Jump in.

Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85644389445

See you in class.

On the Adventure,
Greg Moore & Josh Hammer

This week, The Washington Post reported on a quiet shift happening in middle and high school classrooms: students reading for fun has fallen to a 40-year low.

That caught my attention because it lands directly on Week #2 of The Class, and with our special guest’s message.

Feed the Mind

Last Wednesday, we kicked off our 10-week training of the mind like we train the game. The premise is simple: the skills that help an athlete perform—preparation, reflection, communication and ownership—transfer well beyond the field.

We talked about Evan Longoria using routines to bring himself back to the present. Shohei Ohtani playing the game in front of him instead of getting lost in the history around him. Derek Jeter breaking pressure into small, controllable pieces.

But maybe my favorite idea was even simpler: Become a hungry learner.

Study successful people. Ask questions. Steal the things that work. Then put them into action.

This Week: READ

Reading is training.

In a world engineered to click and move on every few seconds, sitting with a good book—or a thoughtful article—is a competitive advantage.

The challenge is to learn deliberately. Wrestle with ideas. Write something down. Figure out how it applies to your life. Then teach it to somebody else.

That is what we’ll work on Wednesday night.

Special Guest: Brandon Mozley

We’ll be joined by Brandon Mozley, a former professional baseball player and longtime Major League scout with the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs.

Brandon has spent a career doing something that fits perfectly with READ: Feed the Mind—studying people. Think about what a great scout actually does.

He studies. He takes notes. He asks questions. He looks for patterns. And eventually, he has to separate what matters from what doesn’t.

That gives us a fun question for tonight:

How do you learn to see things other people miss?

We’ll talk with Brandon about evaluating players and people, and what years spent studying high performers have taught him.

We’ll also talk about how he turns information into something useful, and why becoming a hungry learner matters long after somebody stops grading your homework.

Tonight, September 2
6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET
Week #2 — READ: Feed the Mind

Bring a question for “Moz.” See how he helps players key on what matters, as he does in this video on makeup. Bring something you’ve read, watched or studied this week that made your mind a little better. That’s the assignment from Week #1 anyway.

The Class Zoom Link

Join us as we explore how to feed the mind on purpose.

On the Adventure,
Greg Moore

About ThriveWare

ThriveWare transforms athletes, students and employees through whole-person training and technology.

We are building what the world needs: a new category of technology focused on human development.

Instead of creating apps that compete for attention, we build systems that help people think more clearly, develop better habits and grow over time.

Whether serving athletes, students, educators, coaches or professionals, our platform delivers short, meaningful daily learning experiences designed to create long-term transformation.

Our technology powers a growing family of learning platforms—including Trosky 365, Crossbar 365, Just Start 365, True Mindsets 365 and Four AB’s 365. Each is built on the same enterprise platform, allowing world-class experts to coach, teach and inspire their communities every day.

Grounded in behavioral science and more than 1.5 million learning interactions, ThriveWare is proving that small daily decisions can produce remarkable long-term outcomes.

Less scrolling. More living.

Our Mission

Abraham Lincoln had less than one year of formal schooling. He walked miles through the woods to borrow—and return—the books he devoured. Lincoln loved to learn.

One Bay Area school is borrowing videos, not books. The clips are the hook to build core abilities. From there, the real learning begins:

Research.
Critical thinking.
Writing.
Reflection.
Public speaking.

The video is not the lesson. It is the beginning of the lesson.

Self-Learning Builds Power and Creativity

Captured attention opens the door.

Students watch a short clip. They think critically about its meaning. They research the person or moment. They connect the lesson to their own lives, put their ideas into writing and share what they learned with others.

Students become participants in learning and walk the woods themselves.

The Short Clips One School Is Borrowing

The collection includes short videos designed to tap into student passion while teaching:

• Leadership

• Mental toughness

• Work ethic

• Character

• Perspective

No feature-length movies. No passive screen time.

Each clip becomes the starting point for deeper learning and practical action.

How to Use the Collection

During downtime:

1. Watch one clip.

2. Research the person or moment when additional context is needed.

3. Write a one-page reflection using the four prompts below.

4. Turn the reflection into a three-minute presentation.

5. Teach the lesson to a family member, teammate or classmate.

When young people teach what they have learned, they organize their thinking, strengthen their communication and drive the lesson deeper.

They stop being consumers. They become engaged learners—and teachers.

Subscribe now

The Four Reflection Prompts

1. Who am I learning from?

Introduce the person, team or moment.

2. What is their significance?

Explain why the person or event matters. This may require research.

3. What was the message?

Identify and explain the central lesson.

4. How do I apply this to my life?

Connect the lesson to specific actions as a student, athlete, teammate and person.

Expand your thinking. Write in your voice. Discover meaning in the seemingly mundane.

20 Clips. Pick One.

Success, Adversity and Perspective

1. John Wooden — Definition of Success
   Character over results |
   ▶ Watch clip

2. Michael Jordan — Failure
   Use failure as fuel |
   ▶ Watch clip

3. Kobe Bryant — Job’s Not Finished
   Stay hungry after success |
   ▶ Watch clip

4. Nick Saban — The Process
   Focus on today’s job |
   ▶ Watch clip

5. Derek Redmond — 1992 Olympics
   Finish what you start |
   ▶ Watch clip

6. Jim Valvano — ESPYs Speech
   Perspective and gratitude |
   ▶ Watch clip

7. Jackie Robinson — Historical Interviews
   Courage and composure |
   ▶ Watch clip

Baseball Intelligence and Preparation

8. Cal Ripken Jr. — Work Ethic
   Consistency and showing up |
   ▶ Watch clip

9. Tony Gwynn — Hitting Approach
   Preparation and discipline |
   ▶ Watch clip

10. Ted Williams — Hitting Instruction
    Master the fundamentals |
    ▶ Watch clip

Standards, Practice and Mental Toughness

11. Kobe Bryant — Mamba Mentality
    Love the work |
    ▶ Watch clip

12. Michael Jordan — Practice
    Take practice seriously |
    ▶ Watch clip

13. Tom Brady — Preparation
    Details matter |
    ▶ Watch clip

14. Stephen Curry — Training
    Repetition creates confidence |
    ▶ Watch clip

15. Tim Duncan — Leadership
    Team first |
    ▶ Watch clip

Mastering the Craft

16. Tony Gwynn — Batting Practice
    Quality over quantity |
    ▶ Watch clip

17. Barry Bonds — Hitting Preparation
    Routine and repetition |
    ▶ Watch clip

18. Ken Griffey Jr. — Swing and Approach
    Athleticism plus fundamentals |
    ▶ Watch clip

19. Ichiro Suzuki — Practice
    Precision and discipline |
    ▶ Watch clip

20. Shohei Ohtani — Daily Routine
    Consistency and preparation |
    ▶ Watch clip

    Share

The Final Step: Become the Teacher

The one-page reflection becomes the outline for a three-minute presentation.

The student stands before others and teaches the central lesson, explains its significance and describes how it can be applied.

Teaching requires students to clarify thinking, organize ideas and communicate with confidence.

It transforms a short video from something consumed into something understood and usable.

Watch. Think. Write. Apply. Teach to make short clips deep learning.

The Class Begins Wednesday

A free weekly class to help student-athletes win in college—and life.

This Wednesday, we kick off The Class, a 10-week experience built around a simple idea:

The skills that help you become a better athlete are the same skills that help you become better in life.

Each week, we will bring together high performers to explore mindset, preparation, leadership, and personal development.

Week 1: A Fresh Approach to Learning

Our first special guest has built his career at the intersection of baseball and education.

Jon Norfolk is a former D1 catcher and college coach. Entering his 10th year at De La Salle High School, he combines his experience as an educator and certified mental performance coach to stimulate growth on the field, in the classroom and beyond.

Tomorrow night, we will talk about how student-athletes take ownership of their development.

Wednesday, August 26
6:00 p.m. PT | 9:00 p.m. ET

Players, parents and coaches are welcome.

The Class is free and open to everyone. Come learn with us.

Register for The Class

Less scrolling. More living.

On the Adventure,
Greg Moore

About ThriveWare

ThriveWare transforms athletes, students and employees through whole-person training and technology.

We are building what the world needs: a new category of technology focused on human development.

Instead of creating apps that compete for attention, we build systems that help people think more clearly, develop better habits and grow over time.

Whether serving athletes, students, educators, coaches or professionals, our platform delivers short, meaningful daily learning experiences designed to create long-term transformation.

Our technology powers a growing family of learning platforms—including Trosky 365, Crossbar 365, Just Start 365, True Mindsets 365 and Four AB’s 365. Each is built on the same enterprise platform, allowing world-class experts to coach, teach and inspire their communities every day.

Grounded in behavioral science and more than 1.5 million learning interactions, ThriveWare is proving that small daily decisions can produce remarkable long-term outcomes.

Less scrolling. More living.

Our Mission

I understand that confidence is not a feeling.
Confidence is something I earn every single day.
I earn confidence by the things I do—and by the things I choose not to do. Every positive action I take builds my confidence.

Say it out loud.

These words are part of an audio created by Skip La Cour, a world-renowned bodybuilder and trainer who reaches nearly 600,000 followers. By day he guides adults from around the world. As a passion Skip teaches young athletes the simple things that make a big difference.

Skip is a six-time national champion drug-free bodybuilder. At 63, he helps busy executives improve their fitness, mindset, and performance. He has spent more than 35 years coaching successful men to become even more successful—inside and outside the gym.

His life’s work has been building systems and then teaching those systems to build people.

That is his gift.

Like only someone who values “this rep” can, Skip turns complicated ideas into simple to remember practical actions.

Using AI, he created a confidence-building affirmation with three goals:

Efficient.
Personal.
Powerful.

The result is a series of reminders for athletes that reach far beyond sports.

Before practice, look your coaches in the eye and say hello.

After practice, say thank you and goodbye.

When the game becomes difficult, make your body language big.

When the action slows down, create the energy for your team.

When something goes wrong, separate from it and move to the next task.

These are not tricks.

They are disciplines.

They are small actions repeated until they become part of who the athlete is.

This audio crosses between sports. Some of it is football-related. Much of it is about life. All of it reminds us that championship-level people are built through the reps between practices and plays.

More Than an Affirmation

Most affirmations are quick and pithy.

Skip’s creation is different. It is relentless and rhythmic.

Consider it one part affirmation and one part neuro-linguistic meditation.

Listen with your athlete. Say the words out loud. Use the audio before practice, during a drive, or at night after a demanding day.

Best of all, it speaks truth into action in a kid’s voice, making it relatable for athletes learning the principles.

A powerful listen before bed—today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Back In Time

Cue Huey Lewis.

The always creative La Cour trains dads who’ve been coaching kids and chasing the daily schedule — Dads who say, “It’s time to get back in shape.”

We want the cheat code — A clear plan for the right work and nutrition.

Skip has spent decades helping people go back to 1985, or close. For his approach, join La Cour's Facebook Community. Hear Skip’s unique motivational style below—in his voice.

“The Class” Begins August 26th

This fall, the same kind of intentional mindset training for student-athletes and families is coming to Thrive Notes.

The Class is a free, 10-week virtual college success program built around the important skills that are rarely taught in school.

Each Wednesday night, students train perspective like they train the game.

August 26 — Introduction
September 2 — Read
September 9 — Train
September 16 — Give
September 23 — Lock
September 30 — Block
October 7 — Talk
October 14 — Build-On
October 21 — Work-On
October 28 — Self-Authoring

Sign Up for The Class

Heroes are not always found on a stadium wall or television screen.

Sometimes they live down the street.

They have spent decades doing the work and learning lessons worth sharing. So, we introduce our kids to them—and then put those lessons to work.

Take 16 minutes this week. Listen together. Live the words.

Thank you, Skip!

On the Adventure,
Greg Moore

Share

Our Team

ThriveWare Inc. transforms athletes, students, and employees through whole-person training and technology.

At ThriveWare, we’re building what the world needs: a new category of technology focused on human development.

Instead of creating apps that compete for attention, we build systems that help people think more clearly, build better habits, and grow over time. Whether serving athletes, students, educators, coaches, or professionals, our platform delivers short, meaningful daily learning experiences that lead to long-term transformation.

Our technology powers a growing family of learning platforms—including Trosky 365, Crossbar 365, Just Start 365, True Mindsets 365, and Four AB’s 365—all built on the same enterprise platform that allows world-class experts to coach and inspire their communities every day.

Grounded in behavioral science and over 1.5 million learning interactions, ThriveWare is proving that small daily decisions produce remarkable long-term outcomes.

Less scrolling. More living.

Learn about our mission. Let’s impact a generation together.

Thriveware.ai

A kid’s wisdom found what was most obvious about Ryan Ellis. He loves being on a baseball field with his teammates. My son gave him the highest compliment a 10-year-old can offer:

“He’s always smiling.”

“He’s grateful to be on a baseball field,” I told him. “That’s why he hasn’t stopped.”

Success in college baseball can be difficult to define. Sometimes it’s having your number retired by the summer collegiate team you returned to year after year.

On Sunday, Ryan was that college senior.

Three schools and as many leg surgeries have left him able to DH only. Still, he kept playing. He kept smiling. And he kept returning for another summer with the Walnut Creek Crawdads and head coach Brant Cummings.

Coach Cummings is part John McGraw and part Mike K — the legendary Duke University men’s basketball coach —baseball to the bone, high behavioral standards, and leading with heart. He led the charge in retiring #2.

As parents, we can hope for two things: that our children leave each place better than they found it, and that they have examples like Coach Cummings.

This is success.

Ryan is headed back to Sacramento State, where he will do great things again this year and long after baseball ends. He is a happy warrior—and he happens to hold nearly every offensive record in Crawdads history.

We’re preparing our kids for more than the next season.

What Sports Prepare Us For

The lessons taught through baseball—and sports in general—become the foundation for how we lead teams, solve problems, build relationships, and eventually build careers.

This week’s final 3 Nights in July conversation featured former student-athletes Grant Cleghorn and Matt French, who now lead teams, companies, and people in the professional world.

Their message was simple:

The habits that make great athletes often become the habits that make great leaders.

As school gets ready to begin, here are nine ideas worth sharing with your children and discussing around the dinner table.

1. Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems

“I want to empower that employee to come with three ideas to get the job done.”
— Grant Cleghorn

Conversation starter:
When you encounter a problem this week, can you bring one or two possible solutions before asking someone else to solve it?

2. Sports Teach More Than Sports

“I’d get dozens of resumes. I go straight to the bottom and ask, ‘What has this person done outside of business?’ I’m looking to see if they’ve competed. Athletes usually know how to prioritize and work.”
— Matt French

Conversation starter:
What has your sport taught you that will help you long after your playing days are over?

3. Character Gets Hired

“In hiring, I ask if they’re hungry. Are they driven? Do they take pride in what they’ve accomplished? I flip the résumé. It’s about making connections and understanding the person.”
— Grant Cleghorn

Conversation starter:
If someone met you today, what would they say about your attitude, effort, and character?

4. Coaches Love Growth. Employers Do Too.

“Finding that growth-minded athlete saves time in hiring.”
— Grant Cleghorn

Conversation starter:
Where have you shown growth this summer—not just improvement, but a willingness to listen, learn, and adjust?

5. Great Teammates Do More Than Their Job

“Job descriptions don’t define your job all the time. Sometimes it’s about stepping outside your role to help. The best business teams have teammates who step up to do the hard things.”
— Matt French

Conversation starter:
Where can you help your family, class, or team this week without being asked?

6. Learn Fast. Adjust Faster.

“There’s a term in the corporate world called ‘fail fast.’ Do your homework. Move quickly. Learn a lot. Adjust until you master it.”
— Matt French

Conversation starter:
What is one mistake you made recently that actually helped you get better?

7. Keep Your Priorities in Order

“As athletes, we can become so myopic. I had to redshirt my freshman year at Colorado because of grades. Finding balance made me more driven in every area of my life.”
— Grant Cleghorn

Conversation starter:
Are you investing enough energy in the parts of your life that matter beyond your sport?

8. Redefine Success

“Success is fulfilling your potential while serving others.”
— Grant Cleghorn

Conversation starter:
Who did you help this week?

9. The Hardest Person to Lead Is Yourself

“Look in the mirror. Do you like what you’re doing? Evaluate honestly what can be better.”
— Matt French

Conversation starter:
If you were coaching yourself, what would be the first thing you would work on?

More Than the Next Season

Together, Grant and Matt reminded us that athletics is about far more than wins and losses.

Every teammate prepares you to work with others.

Every challenge becomes preparation for the career, family, and life you may someday build.

The scoreboard changes.

The lessons don’t.

Ryan Ellis kept returning because he loved the field, valued his teammates, and remained grateful for another day to play. In the end, that may be one of the most important lessons sports can teach.

Keep showing up.

Keep smiling.

Leave the place better than you found it.

Make Time for the Full Three-Hour Course

Over three Wednesday nights in July, Danielle Martin, Jordyn Shapiro, Grant Cleghorn, and Matt French helped us build a three-hour life-skills course for students and families.

The series moves from mindset and emotional control to executive function, personal leadership, teamwork, and career preparation. Together, the three conversations form something more valuable than three separate webinars.

They create a practical course for life.

As school approaches, I hope families will watch the full series together. Pause the recordings. Ask the questions. Let your children disagree, think out loud, and connect the lessons to their own lives.

Three hours is a small investment in the habits, perspective, and skills they will carry into school, sports, college, work, and adulthood.

If you know a parent, coach, or student preparing for the school year, please share it.

Share

🇺🇸

On the adventure,
Greg Moore
greg@thriveware.ai

Our Team

ThriveWare Inc. transforms athletes, students, and employees through whole-person training and technology.

At ThriveWare, we’re building what the world needs: a new category of technology focused on human development.

Instead of creating apps that compete for attention, we build systems that help people think more clearly, build better habits, and grow over time. Whether serving athletes, students, educators, coaches, or professionals, our platform delivers short, meaningful daily learning experiences that lead to long-term transformation.

Our technology powers a growing family of learning platforms—including Trosky 365, Crossbar 365, Just Start 365, True Mindsets 365, and Four AB’s 365—all built on the same enterprise platform that allows world-class experts to coach and inspire their communities every day.

Grounded in behavioral science and over one million learning interactions, ThriveWare is proving that small daily decisions can produce remarkable long-term outcomes.

Less scrolling. More living.

Learn more about our mission and platform at ThriveWare.ai

Let’s impact a generation together.

“Clear the rubber like a big leaguer.”

The pitch will take care of itself.

The simple commitment to one controllable task—clearing every bit of loose dirt from the rubber EVERY time—often improved execution.

It wasn’t about the dirt.

It was about doing one small thing exceptionally well. Breakthroughs nearly always begin with disciplined attention to the next controllable task.

While big goals belong on paper, and look good there……

The mundane work of achieving them is what elevates performance.

This week, we continue our Three Nights in July series by looking at one of the most overlooked skills in human performance: Executive Function.

Systems Beat Motivation

We often think success comes from motivation.

It rarely does.

More often, it comes from systems.

Organization. Time management. Self-control. The ability to finish what you start.

These invisible skills quietly shape the trajectory of students, athletes, leaders, and teams.

This week, host Josh Hammer is joined by education leader and Just Start LA Founder & CEO Jordyn Shapiro to explore how Executive Function helps student-athletes perform consistently—in the classroom, on the field, and eventually in life.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build Executive Function through simple daily habits.

• Turn goals into visible tasks.

• Celebrate small wins that create momentum.

• Stack micro-goals into meaningful progress.

These aren’t complicated ideas.

They’re repeatable ones.

Just Start

The challenge is built right into the name.

Just Start.

Founder Jordyn Shapiro believes independent thinking isn’t developed through one life-changing moment. It’s built through hundreds of intentional acts.

During this practical (and fun) 45-minute conversation, she shares systems students can begin using immediately—at school, at home, and on the field.

You can follow the Just Start team on Instagram for inspiration, ideas, and reps of the task before the breakthrough.

Too Good Not to Share Again

One of my favorite moments from Week One came from Danielle Martin. She reminded us that mental performance isn’t something athletes are born with.

It’s something they build.

Confidence. Awareness. Resilience.

These aren’t personality traits.

They’re skills.

If you missed the conversation—or simply want to watch it again, I’ve included it below.

One More Week

Next week we’ll complete the series and publish all three conversations together as a single resource for athletes, parents, coaches, and educators.

We finish with an important question:

What does sport actually prepare you for?

Former student-athletes Grant Cleghorn and Matt French explore how athletics develops far more than physical ability.

They’ll discuss the transferable habits that separate great teammates, trusted employees, and effective leaders—and why showing up with three thoughtful solutions instead of one complaint changes careers.

Athletics eventually ends. Leadership doesn’t.

Invite Someone Along

If Thrive Notes has helped sharpen your perspective, consider sharing it with someone else. Parents. Coaches. Teachers. Business leaders. Students.

Share

As evident by the dynamic pros who are willing to share, this is a human performance community, with over 125,000 members.

Almost to the day, in 1921, Babe Ruth broke Roger Connor’s all-time Major League home run record with his 139th home run.

More than a century later, over 17 players have surpassed that mark in three seasons or fewer.

Every generation redefines what’s possible.

Make your breakthrough in the task before the blast.

On the adventure,

Greg Moore
greg@thriveware.ai
🇺🇸

Our Team

ThriveWare Inc. transforms athletes, students, and employees through whole-person training and technology.

At ThriveWare, we’re building what the world needs: a new category of technology focused on human development.

Instead of creating apps that compete for attention, we build systems that help people think more clearly, build better habits, and grow over time. Whether serving athletes, students, educators, coaches, or professionals, our platform delivers short, meaningful daily learning experiences that lead to long-term transformation.

Our technology powers a growing family of learning platforms—including Trosky 365, Crossbar 365, Just Start 365, True Mindsets 365, and Four AB’s 365—all built on the same enterprise platform that allows world-class experts to coach and inspire their communities every day.

Grounded in behavioral science and over one million learning interactions, ThriveWare is proving that small daily decisions can produce remarkable long-term outcomes.

Less scrolling. More living.

Learn more about our mission and platform at ThriveWare.ai

Let’s impact a generation together.

Danielle was absolutely outstanding. Her perspective on the mental side of the game was powerful, practical, and exactly what these athletes need to hear.
— 16U Parent, Sacramento

An Hour of Martial Mentality
Enjoy the full session on YouTube.

Danielle’s book, Martial Mentality: The Game Plan for Playing All-In from the Inside Out, guides parents and players to consistency and resilience.

3 Nights Continues
Jordyn Shapiro, Founder & CEO, of Just Start LA joins for a conversation about executive functioning, habits, and the life skills to succeed beyond school. We’ll also explore how AI and modern learning tools can become an advantage when they’re used the right way.

Join Live
Be there for another interactive class. Josh Hammer—the only host you’ll find who has taught both Arm Care and Corinthians—leads Wednesday night’s conversation. Through a series of engaging clips, he’ll guide a discussion around Jordyn’s principles and building habits that last.

If you can’t make a session live, every webinar will be recorded and shared later through Thrive Notes. Jordy’s full session will also be live on YouTube at 7pm Wednesday.

Three Nights in July Series
Wednesday, July 15
7:00 PM PDT
Join Zoom Meeting

Invite a friend, coach, or athlete.

Share

Whether it’s one night or all three, think of this series as a mid-summer sharpening before the next level—wherever that next level may be.

On the adventure,
— Greg Moore
greg@thriveware.ai

Our Team

ThriveWare Inc. transforms athletes, students, and employees through whole-person training and technology. Our mission: impact a generation.

Coming Up

July 22 – Leadership in the Professional World
Former Student-Athletes, Grant Cleghorn, Josh Palacios, and Matt French talk strategy, leadership, and building organizations that last. Insights from the business and financial world, along with Matt French’s take on human performance technology, AI, and where the future is headed. Together, they will discuss how families can prepare students not just for the next season, but for the next decade.

One player, now an MLB outfielder, later called it one of the best days of his life. It was a chance to re-center and a reminder to put first things first. As the Fourth of July weekend comes to a close, I’d like to share something unique to help sharpen perspective before the return to school.

Athletes don’t always need another lesson, workout, or tournament. Sometimes framing what’s important — time, team and distance – does the most good. While baseball, school and technology are changing, the opportunities to continue learning outside the lines have lasting advantages. The vehicle is a great conversation.

Three Nights in July is a three-part webinar series featuring people I deeply respect, each bringing a different perspective on what it takes to thrive.

We’ve done this every summer to help students sharpen perspective midway through the break before school and sports ramp back up. This year, I hope parents will join us too.

Tuesday, July 8 – Danielle Martin
One of the top mental performance coaches in sport kicks things off with practical ways to build confidence, resilience, and consistency. Her intriguing new book on the topic – Martial Mentality: The Game Plan for Playing All-In from the Inside Out guides parents and players in making decisions simple and actionable.

July 15 – Jordyn Shapiro
The Founder & CEO of Just Start LA joins for a conversation about executive functioning, organization, habits, and the life skills students need to succeed in school and beyond. We’ll also explore how AI and modern learning tools can become an advantage when they’re used the right way.

July 22 – Leadership in the Professional World
Former Student-Athletes, Grant Cleghorn, Josh Palacios, and Matt French bring perspective on strategy, leadership, and building organizations that last. Insights from the business and financial world, along with Matt French’s take on human performance technology, AI, and where the future is headed. Together, they will discuss how families can prepare students not just for the next season, but for the next decade.

Thrive Notes Believes
Human performance isn’t built by consuming more content. It’s built through intentional learning, reflection, and conversations that help us think differently.

Whether you’re a parent supporting, a coach investing, or an athlete preparing, you’ll leave each night with ideas for immediate action.

Jump In
Join Josh Hammer, the only host with experience teaching theology in the classroom and the double-play turn on the field. If you can’t make a session live, every webinar will be recorded and shared later through Thrive Notes.

Three Nights in July Series
Wednesdays: July 8, July 15 & July 22
7:00 PM PDT
Join Zoom Meeting

Whether it’s one night—or all three—it’s a mid-summer sharpening for the next level, whatever that might be.

On the adventure,
— Greg Moore
greg@thriveware.ai

Our Team

ThriveWare Inc. transforms athletes, students, and employees through whole-person training and technology. Our mission: impact a generation.

I once asked him what made La Russa special. His answer surprised me.

“ABC. Tony believed he should always be coaching.”

He explained that La Russa was constantly walking the field, getting to know players, standing behind the cage evaluating with intense focus. Sometimes he said nothing for an hour. But he was always teaching—or preparing to teach.

That’s the same belief behind Trosky 365, the most comprehensive daily training system available. When the pupil is ready, the coach is in your pocket.

And the reps? They’re added every day.

Strength Reps: Arm Care for the Long Season

This week’s Strength Reps prepare the arm for the marathon of a season.

Velocity gets you noticed.

Arm care keeps you playing.

“Arm care isn’t something you do when you’re hurt. It’s something you do every day so you don’t get hurt.”
— Justin Verlander

Old-School Arm Care: The Program

As Opening Day approaches, light dumbbells—and learning to isolate small muscles—keep players durable and available. Setup doesn’t need to be fancy. It can be as simple as a can of beans.

Choose your load:

• Newbies: No weight. Master the movement.

• Rookies: 15-oz can of Bush’s Baked Beans.

• Arm-Care Vets: Up to 2.5 lbs.

Frequency:
Begin 3–4 days per week. After a few consistent weeks, progress to 5–6 days.

Set & rep guideline:
For each exercise below, perform 3 sets of 12 controlled reps.

Throwing is explosive. Earn that explosiveness by building the base first.

Staying healthy starts with the boring stuff. These six exercises work just as well in the weight room as they do in the living room.

Exercise #1 — Cross Raise

Builds stability in the shoulder and upper back. Controlled movement and muscle isolation allow light weights to fire muscles that rarely get targeted.

Exercise #2 — Shoulder Press

Each controlled rep builds coordination. Small muscles develop the same way big ones do—slowly.

Think progression:

Stability → Strength → Power

Pinch the scapulae lightly before beginning.

Exercise #3 — Reverse Goalposts

Arm speed works only if you have the brakes to slow it down. This exercise builds the decelerators—the most commonly neglected part of the shoulder.

Elbows stay just below shoulder height. Arms stop near parallel to the ground. Movements are controlled, with a light scap pinch before each set.

Exercise #4 — Rows

With your chosen weight, isolate the scapulae independently. By working one arm at a time, row through a full range of motion.

Before you “pinch the scaps” to make a long throw, build stability and strength in the part of your back that keeps the shoulder in place—the scapulae.

Exercise #5 — Full Cans

Stand tall with strong posture. Palms face the quads as both arms raise slowly.

Pause and breathe between reps to avoid recruiting the deltoids and reinforce smooth range of motion.

Exercise #6 — Empty Cans

Pinkies up. Thumbs down. Stop short of shoulder height.

With this final exercise, review and set your plan. These movements are in your Journey this week inside the Trosky 365 daily training app.

Balanced and stable plays longer. Old-school simple; Bush’s Beans practical.

The Virtual Coach

Trosky 365 supports complete development—physical, mental, and personal. Created to deliver daily training and prompts, here’s what’s coming this week:

Character Reps

Breathe into your goals with the godfather of baseball’s mental game.

In Heads-Up Baseball (1995), Dr. Ken Ravizza laid the foundation for modern mental training. One core habit: breathing.

“The breath helps you shift from consciously thinking to just doing. Let go of the thinking and move to the doing. Breathing is a powerful tool because it represents so much. It brings oxygen to the brain.

When you need to relax a little bit, focus on the exhalation.

When you need energy, focus on the inhalation.”

Make-Your-Bed Mantra

Control the controllables—starting every morning.

Watch the mantra twice, then ask:

What’s one small win I can get today?

Examples:

1. Make your bed

2. Clean your room

3. Organize your backpack or folders

4. Pick up trash at school

Fill this in: “My make-my-bed moment will be when I __________”

Baseball Development

Infield Mastery #1 — Field Through (IF Back)

For the next five days, we’re setting the highest on-field standard: do it like a big leaguer.

This is a visualization exercise that takes less than one minute but builds elite habits through repetition.

No matter your position, see yourself as an MLB shortstop. Watch the Infield Mastery video again. Then close your eyes and make the play—clean field, strong footwork, decisive throw.

After the out is made, answer one question to sharpen the visualization:

What do you turn and tell your outfielders?

Monday through Friday, one new play each day to challenge the visualization muscle:

• Monday: IF Mastery #1 – Field Through (IF Back)

• Tuesday: IF Mastery #2 – Drop-Step, Get in Front

• Wednesday: IF Mastery #3 – Sweeping Backhand

• Thursday: IF Mastery #4 – Routine

• Friday: IF Mastery #5 – Lateral Left, Get in Front

Short reps. Clear intent. Big-league standards—every day.

365 Daily Training

Weekly Player Development Meetings

Last week, Hammer and I discussed choosing one primary mental skill for 2026. (YouTube link here.)

This Monday, we’ll focus on how Trosky 365 prepares players in short, powerful bursts. That conversation will be posted next Tuesday.

Sign Up for The Class

Or, join directly any Monday night at 5pm PT:

Join Live with Zoom Link

Have a great week!

On the adventure,
—Greg Moore
greg@troskyedtech.com
TroskyBaseball.com

Our Team

Trosky EdTech Inc. is dedicated to transforming education and amateur sports.

Our mission is to fulfill Nate Trosky’s vision of impacting a generation. Our team — a blend of baseball and business leaders — is united in changing academics and athletics forever. Our regional academies combine school + baseball, backed by groundbreaking whole-person training tech.

Meet the Team

Help us reach 1 million players and families by sharing the GYMR Newsletter.
Together, we elevate a generation.

Share

The senior season is not the time to complicate things. It’s the time to simplify.

One Word. One Season.

The LA Rams, Boston Celtics, and Clemson Football, among others, lean on Jon Gordon for performance and life skills. His book One Word introduces a powerful, simple concept: choose one word to guide a year or season.

That single word shapes decisions, habits, and goals.
Instead of overthinking and clutter, focus creates momentum.

The impact spills everywhere—mind, body, relationships, faith, academics.
The right word drives better choices.

Now take it one step further.

From Word → Skill

Spring is the most exciting time of year—for both the 5-year-old and the 2026 grad.

But January is where things often fall apart.

Too many goals. Too much noise.
By mid-month, as Alan Jaeger puts it, we’re “trying to tame chaos.”

This is your reminder to turn anticipation into commitment.

Choose one pillar skill to work on from now until the final pitch.

Surprisingly, everything else improves too:

• Written goals sharpen adjustments

• A mantra becomes a reset when the game speeds up

• Visualization improves on-deck prep

• Small habits compound into confidence

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
—Bruce Lee

14 Choices — Own One

“Ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert in anything.”
—Daniel Levitin, Neurologist

Exercises for each of the skills below live inside the Trosky 365 Training App.
These are just the tip of the developmental iceberg.

Pick one.
Commit for 90 days.
Go one rep at a time.

1) Memorize a Mantra

Say it out loud. Lock it in.
A simple phrase clears the mind in moments of pressure.
Benefit: Consistency of thought
📍365 App Location: Programs

2) Set Written Goals

Write weekly goals for body, tools, and makeup.
Benefit: Mental clarity
📍365 App Location: Daily Reps

(Yes—these are the now-famous Ohtani goal scribbles.)

3) Devour Productive Reels

Replace scrolling with learning.
Each reel is a rep toward growth.
Benefit: Time well spent
📍365 App Location: Programs

4) Extra Strength Before Bed

Short nightly work adds up fast.
Example: 3 sets of 12 bodyweight squats, every night = 13,140 reps per year
Benefit: Power through consistency
📍365 App Location: Daily Reps

5) Practice Breathing

Two-minute centering techniques you can use on and off the field.
Benefit: Calm in high-pressure moments
📍365 App Location: Mind Gym

6) Use “The Script”

Play the game in your mind before you play it on the field.
Mental rehearsal sharpens communication, anticipation, and awareness.
Benefit: Preparation
📍365 App Location: Programs

7) Set a Pre-Throw Program

Seven extra intentional minutes per day = healthier arms months later.
Works on throw days and rest days.
Benefit: Arm maintenance
📍365 App Location: Programs

8) Develop Speed & Quickness

Add 10 focused minutes after practice or at home.
Benefit: Explosiveness
📍365 App Location: Programs

9) Post-Practice or Post-Game Journaling

Process beats results.
Mission beats mood.
Benefit: Growth planning
📍365 App Location: Mind Gym → Performance Journal

10) Have Real Conversations

At dinner, have better conversations, like:
What did you learn today?
Growth happens beyond the box score.
Benefit: Maturity
📍Location: The Dinner Table

11) Hit Different

Train eye-hand coordination like Dominican street players.
Bottle caps. Sticks. Freedom. Fun.
Benefit: Creativity + coordination
📍365 App Location: Programs → Vitilla Throw Routine

12) Write Nightly Reflections

Grade yourself in five scout-based areas.
You’re the player and the evaluator.
Benefit: Self-awareness
📍365 App Location: Daily Reps → Nightly Reflection

13) Build-Ons & Work-Ons

After practice, workouts, or school, ask yourself:

1. What went well?

2. What challenged me?

3. What’s tomorrow’s plan for improvement?

Benefit: Directing your own development
📍365 App Location: Mind Gym → Performance Journal

14) Nighttime Visualization

Watch elite examples. Close your eyes.
See yourself making the play on the biggest stage.
Benefit: Confidence through clarity
📍365 App Location: Programs → Major League Footwork Mastery

Your Pillar

Ten focused minutes a day builds a pillar that carries into Spring.
Body. Mind. Makeup.

No tricks in 2026.
Just honest work on the one that matters most to you.

Coach Trosky’s Message

“This winter, remember to work on your athletic throws. Be creative—use a baseball, tennis ball, and Vitilla. It will pay off in the spring.”
— Coach Nate Trosky

#BetterEveryday
6TN🌎GYMR

From the Field

365 Live Recording

With infectious energy, Luke Cherry and Bob Saunders broke down how to train young infielders to play beyond their years—guided by Coach Hammer in a lively one-hour discussion.

For instruction snippets, follow Trosky Academy’s Instagram.

For full training programs, explore the Trosky 365 App.

Trosky 365 Daily Development

To the Class of 2026

Enjoy the senior-year marathon.
One word. One skill. One rep at a time.

Growth is coming.

On the adventure,
—Greg Moore
greg@troskyedtech.com
TroskyBaseball.com

Our Team

At Trosky EdTech Inc., we’re transforming education and amateur sports through whole-person training and technology.

Our mission is simple: impact a generation.

Meet the Team

Help us reach 1 million players and families by sharing the GYMR Newsletter.

Together, we elevate a generation.

Share

In Horseheads, New York, President Jim Russ and the Finger Lakes Falcons built the baseball version of that vision.

Passion. Purpose. Development.

For players as young as nine.

In a Jerry Maguire moment, Jim said, “I’m doing it.” And the fish came with him.

In less than two months, a small nonprofit in a town of 18,500 paired big ideas with world-class instruction. With planning support from Nate Trosky, baseball — and the power of “penny decisions” — began to level up fast.

The approach was clear:

Give players structured progressions.

Make small daily choices matter.

Work Meets World-Class Training

Once a department store on Chambers Road, the Falcons’ facility is now a fully immersive, visually guided growth environment — part classroom, part practice lab, part IKEA walkthrough for development.

• Mental primers line the walls

• Step-by-step breathing cues center players before work

• Warm-up progressions hang where players loosen up

• Quotes from the game’s best reinforce standards and mindset

Nothing is random.

The Falcons don’t guess.

They see the plan, commit to it, and do the work.

“Out of the gate, my son had more purpose. He does his L-shuffle, center-secure work, and posture checks at home. It gives him a reason to keep working.”
— Jeremy, 11U Parent

Layered Learning

What lives on the walls doesn’t stop there — it flows directly into the 365 App, reinforcing habits in three key ways:

Daily

Players log reps, drills, and reflections through 365.

With more than 1,000 reels and drills, players build concentration, clarity, and consistency — one rep at a time.

Journaling prompts support both baseball and academic growth. Bonus: they spark great dinner-table conversations.

“We use the app every day — the whole thing, top to bottom.”
— Kevin Doane, parent of a high school player

Weekly

More than 50 unique Tuesday-night classes (live and recorded) cover everything from elite field training to the recruiting landscape. Players, coaches, and parents learn together — and stay aligned.

Facility Integration

In-person group training and detailed practice plans rival the structure of college programs. Coaches get better as they learn, and practices improve as a result.

“We’re building the most comprehensive training system.”
— Jim Russ, President

Players and Coaches Say It Best

“As a coach, it gives me a chance to focus on fundamentals. I’m learning 4-5 days a week — ‘center-center’, being on time, being gritty. Then, I can help the kids focus on their fundamentals.”
— Coach Pirozollo, 12U Falcons

“Now that I’ve shortened my arm stroke, I make the play every time. It’s also helped me get more flexible.”
— Ely, 12U Falcons

“Every day I look at the daily starter. I use the baseball skills and body reps to help me get stronger. I love the release point versatility program and 36 plays to follow.”
— Beckett Doane, high school player

“Coach Russ and the Falcons are the model. Whole person growth for the academic and baseball journey — I haven’t seen this in 30 years observing amateur baseball.”
— Matt French, Trosky EdTech Cofounder & CTO

The players win. Period.

Trosky Trained

This isn’t quite a Christmas miracle — but it’s close.

A few “heroes down the street” put a gift under the tree that 12-year-old Ely has opened every day since November.

His review?

“I just love it.”

Development is work. Research shows that people who work just 10% more can earn 40% more over time. In Horseheads, baseball has become a thoughtfully designed vehicle for everyday improvement.

If you want to follow the Falcons’ model, Trosky Trained is just a paint job and posters away.

Trosky Trained

Coach Trosky’s Message

Functional strength has nothing to do with lifting weights — and everything to do with repeating a specific task, daily.

A guitarist develops strong fingers by playing.

A tennis player builds strong legs by moving.

A quarterback builds an arm by throwing.

Here’s Lyam and his friends jumping rope on rocks — yes, rocks.

Why are their feet so strong?

Because every day after school, they play barefoot: walking, running, jumping on the reef.

Action to take:

Identify what you want to be strong at — and do it every day.

That’s functional strength at its best.

#BetterEveryday
6TN🌎GYMR
— Coach Nate Trosky

From the Field

365 Live Recording

Coach Trosky and Head of Strength Kyle Harris broke down small-space training and off-season power development in a 50-minute session — with plenty of Coach Hammer humor along the way.

🎄 Reminder: No meeting tonight —
For daily instruction snippets, follow Trosky Academy’s Instagram.

For full training programs, explore the Trosky 365 App.

Trosky 365 Daily Development

Happy New Year from all of us!

We hope you enjoy this season with family and friends.

On the adventure,
— Greg Moore
greg@troskyedtech.com
TroskyBaseball.com

Our Team

At Trosky EdTech Inc., we’re transforming education and amateur sports through whole-person training and technology. Our mission is simple: impact a generation.

Meet the Team

Help us reach 1 million players and families by sharing the GYMR Newsletter.

Together, we elevate a generation. 💪

Share

Below are 11 smart options for productive couch time—resources that inspire the mind while giving the body a needed break.

4 Sports Documentaries

The Last Dance made it feel like Michael Jordan was at the house for dinner. The right documentary inspires, informs, and offers a productive way to rest. Think of it as cross-training for the mind.

The Last Dance (2020)
Appeal: Leadership through standards. Competitive edge. Accountability.
Quote: “Winning has a price, and leadership has a price.”
Note: Contains strong language in parts.

The Last Dance and the three documentaries below share one thing in common: the central figure sets the tone for everyone around them through habits, standards, and commitment.

The 2008 U.S. Olympic basketball team needed Kobe Bryant’s example. The NBA’s biggest personalities lined up behind him once they realized one thing—he was more committed than they were.

LeBron James said:

“At 5:30 a.m., Kobe is already drenched in sweat. He’s different.”

Carlos Boozer remembered:

“The next thing you know, it goes from just Kobe at 5:30 in the morning to LeBron and D-Wade. By the end of the week, the whole team was getting up every morning. We were on Kobe’s schedule.”

That Netflix special is called The Redeem Team. If you think the name gives away the ending, trust your instincts.

The Redeem Team (2022)
Appeal: Team chemistry. Defining roles.
Quote: “We had to figure out how to become a great team.”
Note: Frequent strong language.

Bye Bye Barry (2023)
Appeal: Humility. Simplicity. Father–son relationship.
Quote: “He just wanted to play football.”
Note: Some strong language.

Evan Longoria’s Mental Maturity (2015)
Appeal: A player’s perspective on the mental game.
Quote: “The most important thing that changed was his mental maturation.”
Note: Clean. Full 11-minute segment below.

7 Good Books

Courtesy of our friend Joe Fangmann, with notes.

The Mental Game of Baseball, by Harvey Dorfman
He wrote a series, but this one still hits. At age 47, the players and examples remain relevant.

Mind Gym, by Gary Mack
Similar themes to The Mental Game of Baseball. A practical guide to inner excellence.

The Rise of Superman, by Steven Kotler
A fascinating look at the science of peak human performance. Bonus: excellent audiobook narration.

The Baseball Playbook, by Ron Polk
A nerdy classic on practice planning and program organization. Covers everything from field management to washing uniforms. A great reference tool.

Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
Not baseball-specific, but full of valuable lessons. As an accountant, I’ve always appreciated this mindset. My uncle introduced me to investing at 12—he’s my “Rich Dad” in many ways.

For the 12U Hungry Learner

The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison, by Raymond Arroyo
A powerful reminder that there are many paths to greatness. Especially meaningful for kids who struggle in traditional classrooms.

Win the Next Pitch, by Dr. Curt Ickes
Part of a great series. Essential mental-game skills for young baseball players.

A Winter Challenge for High Schoolers

Two simple ways to sharpen training when no one is watching. This applies to high school players—and serious middle schoolers—who want to win the day.

1. Set a plan: Make calls in advance to line up workout partners.

2. Create a schedule: Each Sunday, write a 7-day script for the upcoming week.

The more detailed the plan, the better the map. Be specific down to 30-minute blocks (or smaller). Include time to eat, read, and rest.

The question isn’t if I’m going to lift, run, or throw—it’s when, with whom, and for how long. Writing it down builds ownership.

Sharpen the schedule each week by:

1. Adjusting and resetting goals

2. Signing the bottom (a weekly contract with yourself)

3. Keeping your performance journal visible

Any $3 notebook becomes a performance journal. As you write, the pages gain value. Consistency plus sweat builds confidence.

Walk a little taller as school and practice begin in 2026.

Player Development Is Personal Development

The best app I’ve ever seen in any training/sport — maybe even self-development included!
— Happy Parent

Fifteen minutes a day changes mindset.

More than that changes your game.

Training + Engagement = Growth

“I wake up different because of 365.”
— Marc Warner, Charlotte, NC

What's Inside 365

Join us Tuesday night—the best info for the people who make the impact: you.

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Have a great week! See you tonight.

On the adventure,
—Greg Moore
greg@troskyedtech.com
TroskyBaseball.com

Our Team

At Trosky EdTech Inc., we’re dedicated to transforming education and amateur sports.

Our mission is to fulfill Nate Trosky’s vision of impacting a generation. Our team — a blend of baseball and business leaders — is united in changing academics and athletics forever. Our regional academies combine school + baseball, backed by groundbreaking whole-person training tech.

Meet the Team

Help us reach 1 million players and families by sharing the GYMR Newsletter.

Together, we elevate a generation.

Share

Tuesday night’s talk with Mike Murphy and Pete LaForest was exactly that — profound and practical — plus, it was genuinely fun!

Robin Roberts once said of Greg Maddux, “The hallmark of genius is simplicity.”

Pete and Mike brought that same spirit. They shared high-level concepts in a way that connected for everyone — pitching coaches, Little Leaguers, and yes, even my 12-year-old, who listened as part of his homework.

More than once I caught myself thinking: “This might be the most magnetic hitting conversation I’ve heard.”

Humble & Effective

Mike and Pete talk with each other for the players.

They’re a rare mix: thousands of at-bats between them and thousands of hours teaching hitters how to become consistent. They understand the theory, but they prioritize the “how-to.”

Their focus on productive batter’s box habits — approach + swing — sticks because they present it like two happy warriors swapping wisdom. The fun they had is contagious.

“Some hitters go 0-for-7 on a weekend and ask what they’re doing wrong. You have to remember you’re still doing a lot of things right.”

— Coach LaForest

“The Last Command Rule keeps the focus on the approach and the barrel, not the body.”

— Coach Murphy

The audio from Tuesday is shared above in a new format so you can listen while driving or winding down at the end of the day. Wish us luck as we test out Substack’s podcasting tools. Enjoy the 50 minutes — I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

Join Us Each Tuesday Night

Coach Trosky’s Message — Enjoy the Game

Sometimes players get consumed by stats, goals, and outcomes.

They forget to “ETG” — Enjoy The Game!

When you enjoy it, you play better. Simple as that.

— Coach Trosky

Tonight’s Academy Session

Learn what makes Trosky Academy a unique educational experience.

Modern students are often overwhelmed by noise and distraction and lack passion-driven intent. Trosky Academy flips that script — fanning passion for baseball and channeling it into a college-prep style curriculum that prepares students for success on the field and far beyond it.

Academics

• NCAA-approved track

• Optional progression into college-level courses

• Life-skills + executive function training

Baseball Development

• Skill, strength, and speed training

• High-rep, age-specific development at every position

• Measurables that drive goal-setting, work, and reflection

It’s Different at the Academy

Tonight, we’re introducing a new partnership coming Fall 2026: Just Start LA, a dynamic executive function coaching team teaching “what school doesn’t.”

Jordyn Shapiro’s group will help students build the same traits elite players rely on — focus, preparation, reflection, confidence.

Game nerves and test nerves? Nearly identical. This program tackles both.

Follow their excellent micro-lessons on Instagram for a taste of what’s on the way.

Join us — Dec. 9th, 6 p.m. PT — Virtual

Tonight's Academy Session

30 Years of Training. One Quiet Place.

“The best app I’ve ever seen in any training/sport — maybe even self-development included!”

— Happy Parent

Coach Trosky and tech architect Matt French built a platform that distills 30 years of aligned training into a daily development tool — available this winter for less than $20 per month.

Fifteen minutes a day changes mindset. More than that changes your game.

• Training: On-field development + championship mindset

• Engagement: Players “talk” with the program through goal-setting, session planning, and reflection

“I wake up different because of 365.”

— Marc Warner, Charlotte, NC

What's Inside 365

Thank you for the positive notes on this GYMR Newsletter. Because of your sharing, this community has grown to 120,000 strong. If there’s a topic you want us to cover, send an email. We borrow the best ideas from friends and deliver them to the people who make the biggest impact — you.

As Mike and Pete showed Tuesday night, great teachers deliver happily for their players. Dive into the podcast and have a great week!

See you tonight.

On the adventure,
—Greg Moore
greg@troskyedtech.com
TroskyBaseball.com

Our Team

At Trosky EdTech Inc., we’re dedicated to transforming education and amateur sports.

Our mission is to fulfill Nate Trosky’s vision of impacting a generation. Our team — a blend of baseball and business leaders — is united in changing academics and athletics forever. Our regional academies combine school + baseball, backed by groundbreaking whole-person training tech.

Meet the Team

Help us reach 1 million players and families by sharing the GYMR Newsletter.

Together, we elevate a generation.

Share