PODCAST · health
The Inspired Athlete
by Mike Brilla
Welcome to The Inspired Athlete Podcast—quick, powerful inspiration for athletes and parents, rooted in modern performance insights and ancient wisdom.
Episodes
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Be About It
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 25, we explore why real growth happens in the dark and why loud, attention-seeking discipline is fragile compared to quiet execution . Drawing on wisdom from ancient Stoics like Seneca and Epictetus alongside Jake Thompson's powerful...
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Are Some Kids Built Different?
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, host Mike Brilla tackles one of the most common questions from sports parents: can drive and determination actually be taught, or are some kids just naturally "built different" ? Drawing key insights from Chapter 2 of Jim Afremow's The...
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A Lesson from Parenting
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 23, we kick off the new school year by diving into the powerful lessons our kids teach us about resilience, discomfort, and growth . As an 8th-grade teacher, wrestling coach, and father of two sons, I reflect on back-to-school night...
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Don't Fear Deep Water
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we're tackling one of the biggest hurdles holding athletes and performers back: the fear of failure and the safety net of "Plan B" . Drawing from a profound conversation with my 16-year-old son about going all-in on your passion, along…
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Don't Fear Fear
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Season 3, Episode 20, "Don't Fear Fear," host Mike Brilla opens up about recording outdoors after a long night of septic tank issues and dives deep into how fear and doubt can pull athletes away from their true potential . Drawing from his own struggles...
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Embrace Growth
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we dive into what happens when plans fall apart and how an unexpected early loss at my son's baseball tournament led to a family trip to see the movie The Odyssey . A powerful line from the film sparked a deep reflection on our battle with...
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Stop Saving Them from Losing: Reframing Failure & Anxiety in Youth Sports
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast ! Episode 18, "Stop Saving Them from Losing: Reframing Failure and Anxiety in Youth Sports," was born out of a quiet moment on a back deck in Connecticut while watching my son's 13U travel baseball team navigate the rare sting of defeat . After 21 years of...
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The Most Important Words
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Episode 17, "The Most Important Words," host Mike Brilla breaks down what happens in a young athlete's head right after a high-stakes failure—and why our go-to parental instincts might actually be falling on deaf ears . When an athlete makes a…
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Soon, Everyone Forgets
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we are tackling one of the heaviest burdens our teenage athletes carry: the crushing weight of trying to please everyone around them . Drawing on a powerful (and surprisingly liberating) quote from Marcus Aurelius—"soon you will have...
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Defeating the Off-Season "Mission Creep"
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we're diving deep into the love-hate relationship many of us—especially coaches, teachers, and athletes—have with the summer off-season . Without the daily grind and rigid structure of the school year schedule, it's incredibly easy to fall...
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Identity Beyond Sports
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we tackle that quiet, "now what?" feeling that hits when a competitive season ends or the school year wraps up, and the circus leaves town . It's incredibly easy for athletes and performers to fall into the trap of wrapping their identity…
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Do it for Joy, Not Glory
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we're digging into a truth I've learned over 20 years of coaching wrestling: the greatest athletes aren't just in love with winning; they are in love with the daily act of getting better . We explore why legendary researcher Jim Collins...
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Reframe Struggle
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we are diving deep into the concept of "productive struggle" and why that feeling of frustration isn't a sign that you're failing, but proof that you're on the right path . We often fall into the trap of thinking our "encodings"—what...
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Find Balance
Podcast Summary Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into the "paradox of habits" and exploring when a healthy routine turns into a rigid attachment. Drawing on the wisdom of James Clear and the teachings of Buddhism, I'm getting real about my own struggles…
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Consistency is Key to Growth
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we are diving deep into what it truly takes to sustain greatness when adversity strikes, stripping away the talent and leaving behind the pure grit required to overcome major setbacks. Inspired by a powerful message from the legendary Inky...
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It's About Your Focus
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! Today, I'm getting real about my own fitness journey—from the frustrating yo-yo dieting days to chasing heavy lifting goals at 44 years old. We're diving deep into the power of focus and why Epictetus was right when he said you become what you set your…
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The Car Ride Home
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, I'm diving deep into the "sacred" space of the car ride home and why we need to stop letting "monsters" of future anxiety take up a seat in our vehicles . As sports parents, it's so easy to slip into coaching mode or let our own…
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Confidence Isn't Only Built by Winning
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we're tackling the "biggest misconception" in sports: the idea that confidence comes from winning. I open up about the "hardest part" of being a coach and parent—watching an athlete struggle when you know they have the talent, but...
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Explore Your Quiet Mind
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we're breaking down why some athletes are absolute "gamers" while others struggle to bring their practice-room energy to the big stage. Drawing on Stoic wisdom and the fascinating concept of the "Quiet Eye," we explore the idea that we...
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We are All Time Travelers
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, I share how a late-night TikTok scroll led me to the band Tucked In, who quickly became the soundtrack for my son and me while he navigated a long, difficult recovery from a freak baseball injury . Beyond just the music, the kindness and...
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Life's Great Lie
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete Podcast! In this episode, I reflect on a powerful moment during the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and a message from Ed Mylett in a conversation with Jay Shetty that completely reframed a tough setback for one of my wrestlers. After falling short of his...
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Your Thoughts Do Matter
Welcome to The Inspired Athlete Podcast! In this episode, we dig into a powerful idea about performance: while thoughts matter, they don't get the final say—identity does. Drawing on an insight from Mike Travisano's Refuge in Small Things, we explore the loop between belief, thoughts, emotions,...
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Embrace Struggle
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete Podcast! This episode is a reflection on one unforgettable weekend filled with highs, heartbreaks, growth, and powerful reminders about what sport is really teaching us. From watching my son compete at his state tournament, to coaching athletes chasing…
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It's About Identity
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! Today we're diving into a powerful truth that can completely change the way you compete: your thoughts and feelings are real—but they don't get the final say in your performance. Identity does. We've all been told to "just think positive," but what happens...
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Just Stop Worrying
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, Just Stop Worrying, I lean on the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius in Meditations to remind us of something we all need to hear—far more of our mental energy is spent on things that are completely outside our control. Whether it's the...
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A Change is Coming
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this very personal episode, I look back on nearly four years and 273 episodes of hitting "record," sharing ideas, and growing alongside educators across the U.S. and Canada. I talk about why I started the show back in 2022, what I'm most proud of, and…
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Remember, You Float
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! It's been a while, and in this episode, I talk about why I'm back behind the mic and how this podcast still fits into my life right now. I share my love for that quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year's—a rare bit of downtime to slow down, read, and...
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Stop Seeking Comfort
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, I'm talking about something I think we all wrestle with—our tendency to chase comfort and try to avoid anything that feels tough or unpredictable. The truth is, life's never going to be smooth sailing, and as Marcus Aurelius reminds us,...
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Dont Be Self-Centered
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! This week, I'm coming to you from Cary, North Carolina, just a few days before the school year kicks off. I'm here with my two sons for a big baseball tournament—one competing on the field, the other supporting from the stands while still rehabbing an…
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It's the Small Things
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In today's episode, I talk about starting restorative practices at our school and the powerful reminder that it's not the big, flashy events that build relationships—it's the small, intentional moments we share with our students, our colleagues, and even...
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The Real Medals
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, I reflect on a question my son Gray asked me about what separates the most successful wrestlers I've coached from the rest. After more than 20 years in the wrestling room, I've had the privilege of coaching some incredible athletes—state...
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A Conversation with Bryon Carpenter
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I talk with Bryon Carpenter—a fellow educator, podcaster and lifelong learner who's all about showing up, reflecting, and growing a little bit every day. We dive into why paying attention to your experiences matters, how consistency (even…
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Calm is a Skill
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode comes to you from the beach—one of the few places where I consistently feel calm and grounded. But wouldn't it be great if we could find that kind of peace everywhere? Inspired by a powerful reply from Dr. Nate Fulton to a quote from Yung...
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The EduPodfather: Chris Nesi is Here!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode is a special one—an honest, heartfelt, and wide-ranging conversation with Chris Nesi, the "EduPodfather" himself. Chris opens up about his journey in education and podcasting, the importance of showing up with integrity, and how being a…
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Be Like Dan...Ish
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, we look at the story of General Dan Sickles at Gettysburg—a leader who made a bold move that helped slow down the enemy, but came at a huge cost to his own men. Was it brave or reckless? We dig into that question and connect it to a…
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Jake is Here!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I'm beyond excited to share this episode with you—it's the first-ever interview on the show! After over a year of planning, I finally sat down with none other than Jake Miller of Educational Duct Tape. We talk about everything from shared friendships and...
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Components of Excellence
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Last week, we talked about Admiral William McRaven's advice to take things one step at a time—and this week, we're building on that by asking an important question: what are we actually growing toward? Growth without direction isn't just unproductive—it…
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One at a Time
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, I share a powerful lesson from Admiral William McRaven's Navy SEAL training that can transform how we handle the tough days in teaching. When my son faced a challenging injury, I found myself caught up in the anxiety of "what if" thinking…
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Words are Important
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! I'm so glad you're here. In today's episode, we're diving into the power of language in a conversation I'm calling "Words Are Important." This topic was sparked by a recent training I attended on Restorative Practices, where we spent a lot of time…
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It's About Awareness
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! This week's episode is a real-life reflection on those long, draining May days when exhaustion runs deeper than just being tired—it comes from how we react to the daily challenges of teaching. I share a recent moment when I found myself overwhelmed by...
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Don't Be a Know It All
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! You know that person who always has the best story, knows the best restaurant, and never misses a chance to prove they know more than you? Yeah... don't be that person. In this episode, we're digging into the power of intellectual humility—why admitting "I...
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A Few Minutes for a Possible Big Change
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I'm diving into my winding journey with journaling—from Ryan Holiday's Daily Stoic Journal to blank Moleskines and even a couple rounds with Permission to Pause. While I've loved parts of each, I often find myself craving something new....
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Just Be
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today, I want to be honest about something I think a lot of us struggle with—this constant drive to grow, improve, and be "better." It sounds noble, right? But if you're anything like me, that mindset can sometimes become exhausting. I've always been an...
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You Bring the Dignity
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode starts with a confession—I used to hate lunch duty. Even worse, I was asked to help clean up afterward, and I'll admit it: I was kind of a jerk about it. I was annoyed, even angry, and felt like it was beneath me. But here's the thing—what...
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Nothing is Permanent
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Lately, the weather here in southeastern Pennsylvania has been just about perfect, and I've been making a point to enjoy it—with no earbuds, no distractions, just fresh air. It's been good for the soul, but it also got me thinking about how easy it is to…
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It's Always About Time
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today, I'm reflecting on how my relationship with time has changed—from lingering in hallways with friends to rushing through the day just to get home. Inspired by Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, I explore the idea that...
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Who's Talking?
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I'm sharing a moment from right before spring break when I had a big plan for a Socratic Seminar… and then totally bailed on it. But here's the thing—I've got an awesome grade-level team, and one of our newer members keeps pushing us to…
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You're Not Alone
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Last time, we talked about how important it is to surround yourself with the right people—but today, I want to flip that around a little. What about when you feel like the one bringing the bad vibes? I'm pulling from James Sturtevant's book Teaching in...
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We Are All Mashup
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, I share a powerful reminder of why teaching is such a gift: getting to witness our students grow into the people they're meant to be—and sometimes, if we're lucky, cheering them on from the sidelines long after they leave our…
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One Simple Trick With AI
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into an exciting and practical way to bring AI into your classroom—by turning it into a powerful, personalized tutor for your students. Inspired by a recent blog post from Edutopia, I'll walk you through an assignment I'm...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Inspired Athlete have?
The Inspired Athlete currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Inspired Athlete about?
Welcome to The Inspired Athlete Podcast—quick, powerful inspiration for athletes and parents, rooted in modern performance insights and ancient wisdom.
How often does The Inspired Athlete release new episodes?
The Inspired Athlete has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Inspired Athlete?
You can listen to The Inspired Athlete on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Inspired Athlete?
The Inspired Athlete is created and hosted by Mike Brilla.
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