095 - Why You Get Worse Before You Get Better episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 20, 2026 · 34 MIN

095 - Why You Get Worse Before You Get Better

from Captains & Coaches Podcast · host Tex McQuilkin

Ever started working on a skill and suddenly felt like you were performing worse instead of improving? That’s not failure — that’s the learning process doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. In this episode, we break down why performance often drops right after coaching, feedback, or technique changes, and how that frustrating phase is actually the gateway to mastery.You’ll learn the four stages of skill development, why confidence crashes before it climbs, and how elite athletes push through the uncomfortable middle stage where most people quit. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or leader, this episode will help you reframe struggle as progress and give you a mental model you can use to train smarter, stay patient, and build real competence.Key Takeaway: Feeling worse doesn’t mean you’re regressing — it means you’re becoming aware. And awareness is where improvement begins.*NEW* Education - Captains & Coaches course, "Why They're Not Listening - Coaching Today's Athlete": http://listen.captainsandcoaches.com  Training - Old Bull Program - 7 Day Free Trial - https://bit.ly/old-bull-trainC&C Merch - shop.captainsandcoaches.com

Ever started working on a skill and suddenly felt like you were performing worse instead of improving? That's not failure — that's the learning process doing exactly what it's supposed to do. In this episode, we break down why performance often drops right after coaching, feedback, or technique changes, and how that frustrating phase is actually the gateway to mastery. You'll learn the four stages of skill development, why confidence crashes before it climbs, and how elite athletes push through the uncomfortable middle stage where most people quit. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or leader, this episode will help you reframe struggle as progress and give you a mental model you can use to train smarter, stay patient, and build real competence. Key Takeaway: Feeling worse doesn't mean you're regressing — it means you're becoming aware. And awareness is where improvement begins. *NEW* Education - Captains & Coaches course, "Why They're Not Listening - Coaching Today's Athlete": http://listen.captainsandcoaches.com   Training - Old Bull Program - 7 Day Free Trial - https://bit.ly/old-bull-train C&C Merch - shop.captainsandcoaches.com [https://shop.captainsandcoaches.com/]

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095 - Why You Get Worse Before You Get Better

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How long is this episode of Captains & Coaches Podcast?

This episode is 34 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 20, 2026.

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Ever started working on a skill and suddenly felt like you were performing worse instead of improving? That’s not failure — that’s the learning process doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. In this episode, we break down why performance often...

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