Off the Mats Podcast #297- Mental Performance for Grapplers and Coaches feat. Tom Smalley

Off the Mats Podcast #297- Mental Performance for Grapplers and Coaches feat. Tom Smalley

In this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I’m joined by Tom Smalley, MS, CMPC, CSCS, for a grounded conversation about mental performance, anxiety in athletes, and identity beyond competition. Tom’s work sits at the intersection of strength culture and mental health, and we talk openly about what that actually looks like in practice, especially in environments like jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and strength sports where toughness is often valued over honesty.

We discuss Tom’s athletic background, his experience living with OCD, and how anxiety shows up for athletes who appear “put together” on the outside. From there, we unpack the difference between mental performance and mental health, the risks of pushing through everything, and how coaches can respond when athletes open up instead of shutting down. We also explore strength culture’s complicated relationship with vulnerability, what healthy toughness really means, and how athletes can begin separating self-worth from performance.

This episode is for grapplers, coaches, parents, and athletes navigating pressure, on the mats and off them, who want practical tools, clearer language, and a more sustainable approach to resilience.

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Episoder(300)

Off the Mats Podcast #324- The Family That Trains Together... feat. Renee R., Joshua, and Annalena

Off the Mats Podcast #324- The Family That Trains Together... feat. Renee R., Joshua, and Annalena

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Off the Mats podcast #323- Everybody Starts Somewhere feat. Brian Garcia

Off the Mats podcast #323- Everybody Starts Somewhere feat. Brian Garcia

In this episode of the Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with my Crazy 88 MMA teammate Brian Garcia to talk about what it's like to start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a brand-new white belt. Brian has been t...

10 Aug 1h 6min

Off the Mats Podcast #322- Still Growing On and Off the Mats feat. Mark Rollamas

Off the Mats Podcast #322- Still Growing On and Off the Mats feat. Mark Rollamas

Off the Mats Podcast celebrates another anniversary with Episode #322 and the return of friend to the podcast, Mark Rollamas, from Crazy 88 MMA. Mark was the guest on the very first episode of Off the...

3 Aug 2h 29min

Off the Mats Nerdcast #20- I Want the Stars feat. Maryland Phil

Off the Mats Nerdcast #20- I Want the Stars feat. Maryland Phil

Episode 20 of the Off the Mats Nerdcast is here, and Maryland Phil is back to catch up on everything happening across nerd culture. This week, we break down the latest Marvel Legends reveals from San ...

27 Jul 2h 19min

Off the Mats Podcast #321- The Art of Calm feat. Ms. Melly

Off the Mats Podcast #321- The Art of Calm feat. Ms. Melly

Melly returns to the Off the Mats Podcast for a conversation about creativity, anxiety, and her evolving relationship with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Since her last appearance, Melly has stepped away from t...

20 Jul 1h 3min

Off the Mats Podcast #320- An Unfinished Fight: Reviewing UFC 329 feat. Moe Brown

Off the Mats Podcast #320- An Unfinished Fight: Reviewing UFC 329 feat. Moe Brown

BJJ brown belt Moe Brown returns to Off the Mats Podcast to help break down UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2. We discuss Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return, the unfortunate knee injury that brought ...

13 Jul 1h 18min

Off the Mats Podcast #319- A Different Kind of Strength feat. Ben Kerslake

Off the Mats Podcast #319- A Different Kind of Strength feat. Ben Kerslake

On this episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Ben Kerslake, a BJJ brown belt whose life recently changed after undergoing surgery that resulted in an ileostomy. Ben shares the story behind ...

6 Jul 1h 21min

Off the Mats podcast #318- Brotherhood Beyond the Mats feat. Brandon Timmins

Off the Mats podcast #318- Brotherhood Beyond the Mats feat. Brandon Timmins

In this deeply personal episode of Off the Mats Podcast, I sit down with Crazy 88 MMA blue belt Brandon Timmins to remember his younger brother, Justin Timmins, a fellow grappler and valued member of ...

29 Jun 1h 16min

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