Podcast Summary

Podcast: Stay Tranquilo
Episode: QB Mentality 101: Fernando Mendoza on Visualization, Routine, and Winning Culture
Date: January 14, 2026
Guest: Fernando Mendoza (Cal quarterback, Miami Columbus High alum)
Host: Stay Tranquilo Network

Overview

This episode delves deep into the mindset and journey of Fernando Mendoza, current starting quarterback at Cal, as he discusses his formative experiences at Miami Columbus, the recruiting rollercoaster through COVID, building a winning locker room culture, and the importance of visualization and routine in high-performance competition. The conversation stays true to the Stay Tranquilo philosophy: stress less, enjoy more, and tackle life’s challenges with the right mentality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. High School Championship and Culture Shift (Columbus High)

[01:32 - 06:59]

• Mendoza recalls the challenges and hype around his high school team, loaded with national prospects, that started their championship season at a disappointing .500 record.
• Senior leaders and coaches enforced new levels of discipline, exemplified by sitting a star player for being late even during pivotal games.
• Quote [03:50]:
  “Anyone that’s late, 1, 2, 3 minutes, even a star—there were repercussions. That was to show: this is discipline, this is the Columbus way. No superstar massage treatment.”
  —Fernando Mendoza
• After the culture shift, the team went undefeated and won the state championship, igniting massive community celebration.
• The sense of brotherhood and alumni network from Columbus played a big role, even in anecdotes like a car accident with an alumni making things easier.

2. The Recruiting Journey & COVID Disruption

[07:09 - 14:20]

• Recruiting described as "subjective"—unlike sports with objective metrics, football recruiting relies on potential, size, and character.
• Pandemic impacted visibility:
  “No one could see me. Coaches couldn't come by… after junior year, with the film, I could actually get recruited, but the big schools already made commitments.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [08:49]
• Initially committed to Yale, only major offer after junior year.
• Funny anecdote about Harvard recruiting slip:
  Mistakenly referred to Yale in a call with a Harvard coach leading to an abrupt end:
  “He was like, ‘That’s the bad side of the river, don’t even talk about that school.’ Never heard from Harvard again.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [11:51]
• Cal comes in at the 11th hour, after a QB decommits. Mendoza visits for two days, signs, and quickly transitions from Miami to the Bay Area.

3. Transition from Miami to the West Coast

[15:03 - 18:35]

• He describes Cal and the Bay Area as “literally Miami flipped upside down”—different culture, food, and social cues.
• Homesickness and culture shock, but ultimately aided by strong support system and adaptability.
• Cuban food at Cal fails to match Miami standards; “No croquetas. The Cuban sandwich… not the same.”

4. Local Recruiting & Missed Miami Opportunity

[18:35 - 20:48]

• FIU’s offer was essentially honorary, with coaches on the way out offering simply to get his name more exposure.
• University of Miami offered him only a potential walk-on spot, despite his resume—a “heartbreaking” moment for the lifelong Canes fan.
• Now, Mendoza will have the chance to play against Miami and FSU as a starter at Cal.

5. The College Football Experience & Earning the QB1 Spot

[21:12 - 27:12]

• Details the wild rise to starting QB at Cal, going from 3rd string to starter after a tumultuous season and a pivotal birthday phone call from the coach:
  “‘You’re starting next week…no matter if you throw 20 million touchdowns or 20 million interceptions, you’re playing the whole game. Prove me right.’”
  —Coach to Fernando, [22:45]
• First start against highly-ranked Oregon State, seven days after getting the call—preparation and nerves, but leads a shootout and locks down the job.
• Describes playing against top programs and NFL talent, culture of Power 5 football, and the difference from high school:
  “It’s wild—two years ago, only Yale. Now facing UCLA for bowl eligibility. It’s surreal.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [26:10]
• Stresses the play-by-play mentality: “Quarterback, you can’t just ride momentum, you have to stay grounded, play by play.” [28:04]

6. Program Culture, ACC Move & Expectations

[29:38 - 34:02]

• Mendoza credits program turnaround to a renewed locker room culture—player accountability, coming together post-defeat.
• Cal’s move from Pac-12 to ACC brings new rivalry and a sense of needing to prove themselves: “Everyone’s like, ‘Some low-level teams coming to the ACC…’ We’re going to win this thing. We have a chip on our shoulder.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [33:28]
• Confident they can compete in the new conference:
  “Our goal is ACC championship. We know if we win the games we need to, we have a real shot.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [32:06]

7. NIL (Name, Image, Likeness): The NCAA’s “Wild West”

[34:33 - 44:23]

• Mendoza explains his personal NIL experience: a charity burrito raising money for the National MS Society, a cause close to his heart.
• Observations on NIL:
  Rules and enforcement are unclear and rapidly evolving. Some programs are ultra-cautious, others aggressive—creates disparity.
• Money and locker room culture:
  “Suddenly we’re being valued… you’re worth 100K, I’m only worth 20K. Money changes the politics of the locker room.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [38:21]
• Lack of parity and new tensions—walk-ons pay out of pocket, transfer portal moves are leveraged for higher NIL deals.
• Mendoza notes that focus is drifting away from football as some players focus more on branding/social media than their on-field craft.
• “If you grind now, you can actually get ahead, because guys are so distracted with everything else.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [45:25]

8. Visualization, Routine & Leadership Focus

[48:47 - 55:54]

• Pre-game prep: visualization and mental routine over hype music.
• “As a quarterback, the work is done in the offseason. During the week, it’s all about mental study—prepping for every possible situation.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [51:19]
• Play-by-play, staying “grounded,” never letting emotions spike too high or low.
• Adopts the mindset of greats like Tom Brady and Kirk Cousins: preparation, visualization, controlling the mental game.
• Quote [53:55]:
  “Visualization is key… in those pressure moments, all the adrenaline, you recognize it so it doesn’t affect you. Take the energy and put it into the fight.”
  —Fernando Mendoza

Notable Quotes

• On Locker Room Standards:
  “No superstar massage treatment. At Columbus, we’re playing the best players and being disciplined.”
  —Fernando Mendoza [03:50]

• On Recruiting during COVID:
  “No one could see me… after junior year, with the film, I could actually get recruited, but the big schools already made commitments.”
  [08:49]

• On Cal’s Surprise Interest:
  “I was sweating bullets—do I got Cal with Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff, or do I go Ivy League?”
  [13:56]

• On Being Thrown into the Fire:
  “‘You’re starting next week…no matter if you throw 20 million touchdowns or 20 million interceptions, you’re playing the whole game. Prove me right.’”
  [22:45]

• On Program Culture:
  “It all starts internally… players rally, got to keep everyone focused on what the end goal is.”
  [32:23]

• On NIL Tension:
  “Money changes the politics of the locker room… now we’re being valued side by side, which changes dynamics.”
  [38:35]

• On Visualization:
  “Visualization is key. In those pressure moments, all the adrenaline, you recognize it and take all the energy and put it into the fight.”
  [53:55]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Columbus Championship and Culture: 01:32 – 06:59
• Recruiting Rollercoaster & COVID: 07:09 – 14:20
• Miami to Cal Transition: 15:03 – 18:35
• Missed Miami Offers: 18:35 – 20:48
• Earning QB1 – The Oregon State Start: 21:12 – 27:12
• ACC Move and Expectations: 29:38 – 34:02
• NIL: The New Wild West: 34:33 – 44:23
• Preparation, Routine & Visualization: 48:47 – 55:54

Memorable Moments

• Recounting the time he mixed up recruiting calls and inadvertently ended his Harvard shot by saying “Go Bulldogs” (Yale’s mascot) to a Harvard coach. [11:51]
• The first “game day” as starter at Cal: “First two throws in the dirt. I was nervous. 50,000 in the stands is a lot different than 200 at Tropical Park.” [24:39]
• Describing the discipline shock at Columbus: star player benched for being two minutes late—even in playoffs. [03:50]
• NIL “burrito campaign” funds going to MS Society—inspired by his mom’s journey and unconditional support. [35:11]

Tone, Flow & Final Thoughts

The episode is both lighthearted and sincere, blending competitive anecdotes with honest reflections and a positive, brotherly vibe. Mendoza comes across grounded, grateful, and focused—embodying the Stay Tranquilo mindset, taking adversity in stride and emphasizing how success is built through culture, discipline, mental preparation, and their values.

For listeners: This episode is a blueprint for high-level athletic pursuit and personal growth, with insights relevant to anyone navigating transitions, adversity, or team dynamics. Mendoza’s stories will resonate with athletes, fans, and anyone looking for inspiration on resilience and staying tranquilo—on and off the field.