Podcast
Today We Dominate - Daily Podcast
Hosted by Nick Carita · EN
I'm Nick Carita, and I'm a certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach, and I'm here to help you TAKE YOUR PLACE in life! In this (close to) daily podcast, I'll be giving you mental performance and mental toughness tips that elite athletes and performers use to perform their best when it matters most. When you master your now, you'll dominate your future. TODAY. WE. DOMINATE!
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Process Over Outcome Builds Better Performance (Athlete's Ten Commandments)
2w ago00:03:43Tap to summarizeThe moment you obsess over outcomes; you stop dominating the present momentEPISODE SUMMARYA lot of athletes become distracted by championships, rankings, stats, scholarships, and future results instead of focusing on the present moment. In this episode of The Athlete’s Ten Commandments, Nick Carita talks about why elite performers stay devoted to the process and why consistent execution matters more than motivation.KEY TAKEAWAYS• Outcomes can distract athletes from the present moment• Elite performers stay devoted to the process• Process creates stability when motivation disappears• Controlling the controllables reduces distractions• Consistency matters more than feelingsQ&AQ: What happens when athletes obsess over outcomes?A: They become distracted from the present moment and what needs to be done now.Q: What is the process in athletics?A: The process includes the little daily steps needed to reach a goal.Q: Why does process matter?A: The process builds consistency, focus, and daily execution.Q: What should athletes focus on daily?A: Athletes should focus on controllables and present-moment responsibilities.Q: What helps athletes stay focused?A: Daily checklists and clear priorities help remove distractions and noise.MICRO-FAQQ: Should athletes focus only on outcomes?A: No. Athletes need devotion to the process.Q: Does motivation always stay high?A: No. Consistency matters with or without motivation.Q: What creates stability in performance?A: The process creates stability.Q: What helps reduce distractions?A: Focusing on controllables and daily execution.YOUR CHALLENGECreate a daily checklist for the habits that move you toward your goals and execute it for seven straight days.-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →Prepared Athletes Compete Differently Under Pressure (Athlete's Ten Commandments)
3w ago00:01:53Tap to summarizeCONFIDENCE IS BUILT LONG BEFORE THE GAME STARTSEPISODE SUMMARY:Many athletes want confidence when pressure hits, but confidence is built before competition ever begins. In this episode of The Athlete’s Ten Commandments, Nick Carita talks about why preparation, routines, focus, habits, and intentional effort shape how athletes compete when pressure finally arrives.Key Takeaways:• Confidence comes from preparation• Prepared athletes compete differently• Habits show up under pressure• Little details matter during preparation• Preparation builds trust in yourselfQ&A:Q: Where does confidence come from?A: Confidence comes from preparation, habits, routines, and intentional effort.Q: Why do some athletes panic under pressure?A: Many athletes wait until competition to feel ready instead of preparing intentionally beforehand.Q: What helps athletes trust themselves during competition?A: Preparation builds trust in training, habits, and routines.Q: Why do little details matter?A: Small habits and preparation show up when pressure arrives.Q: How do prepared athletes compete?A: Prepared athletes compete differently because they trust their preparation.Micro-FAQ:Q: Does preparation affect confidence?A: Yes. Confidence is built through preparation.Q: What builds trust in yourself?A: Preparation, routines, and focused habits.Q: What shows up under pressure?A: Habits and preparation show up under pressure.Q: Should athletes wait until competition to feel ready?A: No. Preparation happens before pressure arrives.Your Challenge:1) Identify which areas you need to prepare better in2) Create 1-3 goals you can do daily or weekly that will help you be more prepared.-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →How Athletes Practice is How They Compete (Athlete's Ten Commandments)
4w ago00:01:59Tap to summarizeHow you practice is how you compete.EPISODE SUMMARY:Many athletes want confidence during competition, but their habits during practice tell a different story. In this episode of The Athlete’s Ten Commandments, Nick Carita talks about why focus, intensity, energy, and intention during practice matter long before pressure shows up on game day.KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Lazy practice habits show up during competition• The body and mind are always rehearsing• Athletes sink to their level of training• Focused habits become automatic under pressure• Details matter during practiceQ&A:Q: Why do some athletes panic under pressure?A: Many athletes practice without focus, intensity, or intention during the week.Q: What does practice teach athletes?A: Practice teaches athletes how to compete when pressure shows up.Q: Why do details matter in practice?A: Small habits and details become automatic during competition.Q: What should athletes bring into practice?A: Athletes should practice with intensity, focus, purpose, and energy.Q: What happens under pressure?A: Habits and training show up when pressure arrives.Micro-FAQ:Q: Can athletes wait until game day to increase effort?A: No. Athletes sink to their level of training.Q: Does practice affect confidence?A: Yes. Practice habits affect how athletes compete.Q: Why does focus matter in practice?A: Focused habits become automatic under pressure.Q: What should athletes do during drills?A: Lock in and treat every rep like it matters.YOUR CHALLENGE:Practice today the way you want to compete tomorrow.-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →Why Athletes Lose Focus During Competition (Athlete's Ten Commandments)
4w ago00:01:49Tap to summarizeStop fighting things you can’t change.EPISODE SUMMARYAthletes spend massive amounts of energy fighting weather, officials, opponents, mistakes, and situations they cannot control. In the first episode of our newest series, "The Athlete’s Ten Commandments", Nick Carita breaks down why focus placement directly affects performance and why controllable thoughts and actions matter during competition.KEY TAKEAWAYS• Focus affects performance• Uncontrollables create distraction during competition• Thoughts and actions remain within an athlete’s control• Preparation and routines help athletes compete confidentlyQ&A:Q: What hurts athlete focus during competition?A: Giving attention to uncontrollable things like weather, officials, broken plays, and opponents can create distraction.Q: What can athletes control?A: Athletes can control their thoughts and their actions.Q: How can athletes respond after mistakes?A: Athletes can learn from their last at-bat and adjust for the next opportunity.Q: What helps athletes compete with confidence?A: Preparation, routines, and focusing on controllable actions can help athletes compete more freely.MICRO-FAQ:Q: Can athletes control officiating?A: No. Athletes can only control their response.Q: Can athletes improve timing?A: Yes. Athletes can improve timing on routes through preparation and practice.Q: Why does focus matter?A: Focus affects performance during competition.Q: What creates distraction?A: Focusing on things athletes cannot control creates distraction.YOUR CHALLENGE:Focus on what you CAN control, and take action on it.-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →Adversity in Sports: Athlete Response Under Pressure
Apr 1000:02:30Tap to summarizeWho are you going to be when adversity hits?Episode Summary:Every team hits adversity, but what you do next defines you. In this episode, Nick Carita shares a message given to a baseball team after a rough patch, challenging athletes to face failure, respond with purpose, and decide who they will become when their confidence is shaken.Key Takeaways:• Adversity is guaranteed in sports and life• Your response defines who you are• Confidence will be shaken during tough moments• This moment is your opportunity to growQ&A:Q: What defines you during adversity?A: What you do next defines you when adversity hits.Q: What happens when confidence is shaken?A: Your response in that moment will determine your future.Q: Do even top teams face adversity?A: Yes, every team hits adversity, no matter their talent level.Q: Is adversity a talent issue?A: No, it is a response issue, not a talent issue.Micro-FAQ:Q: Will I face adversity?A: Yes, every team and every athlete faces adversity.Q: What happens when adversity hits?A: You find out exactly who you are.Q: What should I focus on?A: Focus on how you respond when challenges are presented.Q: What does this moment represent?A: This moment is your opportunity to get better and stronger.Your Challenge:So when adversity hits…who are you going to be?Are you going to fold, or are you going to rise?Because this moment right here… this is your opportunity.This is where you get better.This is where you get stronger.This is where you prove to yourself who you really are.-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →Talent vs Character in Athlete Performance
Apr 700:02:14Tap to summarizeTalent gets you in the door. Character keeps you there or sends you out.Episode Summary:Talent might get you noticed, but what you do behind closed doors determines if you stay. This episode breaks down how daily habits, choices, and effort shape whether you rise or get replaced, especially when no one is watching and when things get hard.Key Takeaways:• What you do behind closed doors can make or break your career• Habits like sleep, nutrition, and effort separate who stays from who gets replaced• No one cares what you were given. They care what you do with it.• Talent opens the door, but character is deciding if you belong.Q&A:Q: What determines if you stay in your role?A: What you do behind closed doors and how you handle your habits and effort.Q: Does talent guarantee long-term success?A: No. Talent gets you in the door, but character decides what happens next.Q: What matters when no one is watching?A: Your choices around sleep, food, effort, and preparation.Q: What separates players who stay from those who get replaced?A: The way they practice, prepare, and handle their daily habits.Micro-FAQ:Q: What is more important than talent?A: Character and daily habits.Q: What does character show?A: Who you are when no one is watching or when things get hard.Q: What impacts performance outside the game?A: Sleep, nutrition, and preparation.Q: What should athletes focus on daily?A: Their habits and effort.Your Challenge:ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:What habits do you need to start doing that will help you?What habits do you need to stop doing that are hurting you?What habits do you need to continue doing that are working for you?-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →Why You're Good In Practice But Not In Games
Mar 3100:06:22Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary:You feel loose and confident in practice, but everything changes when the game starts. This episode breaks down what might be happening when pressure shows up and how your mental game plays a role in your performance when it matters most.Key Takeaways:• Why practice and game performance feel different• How pressure changes your mindset and focus• What role your mental game plays in performance• How simple routines can impact how you show upQ&A:Q: Why am I good in practice but not in games?A: Practice and games feel different because of pressure, consequences, and what’s at stake.Q: What changes mentally during a game?A: Pressure increases, your mind speeds up, and your focus shifts to outcomes and mistakes.Q: How can I stay more consistent?A: Training your mental game helps you stay focused and respond better under pressure.Q: What should I focus on during competition?A: Staying present and focused on the moment instead of outcomes or mistakes.Micro-FAQ:Q: What is the mental game?A: It’s how you think, focus, and respond under pressure.Q: Why does pressure affect performance?A: It creates fear of mistakes and shifts your mindset.Q: Can I train my mental game?A: Yes, just like physical skills, it can be trained over time.Q: What happens after mistakes?A: If you hold onto them, they affect the next play.Your Challenge:Before your next practice or game, pick one of these three. Just one.Either build a simple pre-game routine, use your breath when pressure hits, or create a quick reset after mistakes.Don’t try to do all three. Pick one and actually use it.Then pay attention. Did you feel more in control? Did you stay more present? Did you respond better after a mistake?Because this isn’t about knowing what to do. It’s about training it until it shows up when it matters.Start with one… and build from there-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn't Work
Mar 2700:08:24Tap to summarizeHARD WORK BEATS TALENT WHEN TALENT DOESN'T WORKEpisode Summary:Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work. In this episode, Nick Carita shares real examples of athletes who wasted elite talent and others who built success through discipline, effort, and response. This episode challenges you to stop focusing on talent and start focusing on what you do next.Key Takeaways:• Hard work can separate you from people with more talent• Talent alone cannot sustain success• Your response matters more than what you were given• Discipline and effort show up in daily decisions• You don’t need more talent, you need a decisionQ&A:Q: Can someone with less talent outperform someone more talented?A: Yes, someone who is working hard, doing the right things, and taking care of themselves can be better than a naturally talented player who isn’t working.Q: Why do talented players fail?A: Talent can only get you so far. Lack of work ethic, poor attitude, and not doing the right things can lead to failure.Q: What separates successful players from unsuccessful ones?A: The difference is in their response, their work ethic, and their discipline over time.Q: What should I focus on instead of talent?A: Focus on what you do next, how you prepare, how you compete, and how you respond.Q: What is the real question I should be asking myself?A: The real question is am I willing to work harder than everyone else around me?Micro-FAQ:Q: Is talent enough to succeed?A: No, talent can open the door but it cannot keep you there.Q: What matters more than talent?A: Your response and your work ethic matter more than talent.Q: Can hard work overcome being undersized or overlooked?A: Yes, players who were undersized and overlooked built success through discipline and effort.Q: What does discipline lead to?A: Discipline leads to consistent progress and long-term success.Q: What decision do I need to make?A: You need to decide to out-work everyone else.Your Challenge:Build your awareness of where you fall short and where you’re strong. Make sure you’re owning your preparation for the work ahead. Stay focused and calm while you’re competing or working. Make sure you’re using the right energy for yourself and your teammates. Look at what you’re doing and make sure it’s working for you.-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →Foundations of Peak Performance - HOW ELITE PERFORMERS IMPROVE EVERY DAY
Mar 1100:06:27Tap to summarizeElite performers don't just show up and hope for improvement. They reflect and grow,Episode Summary:Elite performers reflect on their performance every day. They look at what went well and what needs work. Learn three frameworks for daily reflection: PM JournalWell/Better/HowStart/Stop/Continue. These help you see progress, build momentum, and get 1% better every single day.Key Takeaways:Learn what elite performers do differently after every performanceDiscover three frameworks for reflecting on your daily performanceLearn what identifying great effort does for your brainKnow how to see your progress and build momentum going into the next dayQ&A:Q: What do average people do after their performance?A: Average people will come out of their performance and accept what happened. But they won't take time to learn what went wrong and how it can be fixed or managed.Q: What do elite performers do differently?A: Elite performers will reflect on their day, look at what went well and what needs work, and purposely learn from both.Q: What do these reflection frameworks help you do?A: They help you put your day into perspective, see that you made progress, build momentum going into the next day, and get 1% better every single day.Q: Why does identifying great effort matter?A: It activates your dopamine and reinforces your behavior.Q: What happens if you don't reflect on your performance?A: You're going to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.Micro-FAQ:Q: How many frameworks are taught in this episode?A: Three frameworks for daily reflection.Q: What does seeing progress do?A: It helps you build momentum going into the next day.Q: Should you use all three frameworks?A: Pick one and start with that. You can add others later.Q: How do you get 1% better every day?A: Take the time to look at what you did well, what needs work, and how you'll get better.Q: When should you use these frameworks?A: After practice, a game, or at the end of your work day.Your Challenge:Pick one of these frameworks and use it after practice, a game, or at the end of your work day. Just start with one.-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
Transcribe →Foundations of Peak Performance - HOW YOUR ENERGY AFFECTS YOUR TEAM PERFORMANCE
Mar 1000:04:12Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary:Your energy is contagious. When you mope or snap at coaches, it spreads and kills team focus. Elite teammates support their team, handle feedback like fuel, and bring consistent energy every day. Learn how to show up for your team and make everyone better.Key Takeaways:Understand how your energy affects your team's performanceLearn three ways to be the best teammate you can beDiscover how to handle coaching feedback that builds team unityQ&A:Q: How does your energy affect your team?A: Your energy is contagious. If you're moping around, not only will you play or practice worse, but your energy could permeate and cause your team to not play well.Q: What happens when you snap back at a coach?A: If you're angry, your coach gives you feedback, and you snap back at them, it will cause your coaches to become angry, and the rest of your team will be walking on eggshells. This causes your team to lose focus, and the practice will not be as effective as it could be.Q: What does it mean to support your team?A: A loud dugout is a winning dugout. If your team is performing well, let them know. If your pitcher is coming off the mound from a bad performance, be out there to give him some encouragement. If your teammate is in a slump, remind them to focus on one pitch at a time. Be the teammate that always does what the team needs.Q: How should you respond when a coach gives you feedback?A: When a coach gives you feedback, don't get angry. Don't mope. They're there to help you. Not only does how you react show an example for the rest of your team, but your reaction affects your growth as well.Q: What does it mean to bring your energy every day?A: If you're winning, losing, starting, sitting, show up with the same energy each and every day. As Brian Cain loves to say, "if you're juice-full, you're useful! If you're juiceless, you're useless!" Your team needs to know what they'll get from you every single time.Micro-FAQ:Q: Why does your energy matter?A: Your energy is contagious. Your energy matters.Q: What is a loud dugout?A: A loud dugout is a winning dugout.Q: Why are coaches giving you feedback?A: They're there to help you.Q: How does your reaction to feedback affect team unity?A: How you interact with your coaches and teammates can make or break team unity.Q: What does Brian Cain say about energy?A: "If you're juice-full, you're useful! If you're juiceless, you're useless!"Your Challenge:This week, I want you to pay attention to the energy you're bringing to your team. Are you juice-full? Are you making your team better? Support them, handle feedback well, and bring your energy every single day! Your team is counting on you.-----------------------------------------------------------🚦 Download the Signal Lights Worksheet mentioned in this episode.🖥️ Go to my website and book a free 30-min call!
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