Today Matters Podcast With Steve Pinkston

Fear screams. Purpose whispers. But that whisper? It’s powerful. In this episode, Coach Steve helps athletes reconnect with their “why” — the deeper reason they compete. When your purpose gets stronger, fear gets quieter.
Today’s Action Step: 
1. Write your “why” in one sentence.
2. Put it somewhere you’ll see it every day.
3. Say it before your next game.
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Big moments get scary when your brain zooms out too far. In this episode, Coach Steve explains how to “shrink” pressure situations so you can actually perform instead of panic. You’ll learn how to stay present, simplify, and trust your training — one moment at a time.
Today’s Action Step: 
1. Think of one moment that feels “big” for you.
2. Break that moment into two or three tiny pieces.
3. Pick one cue you’ll use next time.
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

If pressure freaks you out in games, the answer isn’t “be tougher” — it’s training for pressure before you ever feel it. In this episode, Coach Steve explains how athletes can prepare their minds for big moments the same way they prepare their bodies. Simple, practical ways to make pressure feel familiar instead of scary.
Today’s Action Step: 
1. Add one pressure rep to any drill.
2. Notice how your body reacts.
3. Repeat it once more next week.
 
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Fear loves to tell stories. Most of the time? They’re terrible stories that don’t help you at all. In this episode, Coach Steve helps you recognize the “fear script” your brain likes to run… and shows you how to flip it into something that actually supports your performance. Simple, real, and something you can use today.
Today’s Action Step: 
1. Write down one fear script you’ve noticed lately.
2. Rewrite it into something you actually want to believe.
3. Use the new script in one practice or competition this week.
 
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Fear is normal. Pressure is normal. Big moments make your heart race because they matter. In this episode, Coach Steve breaks down how athletes can understand fear, reframe it, and actually use it as fuel. Simple strategies, real stories, and practical mental skills you can start using today.
Today’s Action Step: 
1. Write down the fear that shows up most often for you.
2. Reframe it.
3. Add one pressure rep to your next practice.
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 In this powerful spiritual wrap-up, Coach Steve shows how the principles from Atomic Habits mirror timeless biblical truths. From “sowing and reaping” to “faith the size of a mustard seed,” you’ll learn how God uses small, consistent actions to produce big transformation. Discover how discipline becomes devotion — and how your habits can strengthen your walk with Christ.
Today’s Action Step: 
Start small with spiritual reps. Read one verse a day. Say one prayer when you wake up. Do one act of kindness intentionally. Don’t chase perfection — chase presence.
Stack your habits with purpose. After brushing your teeth, say one thing you’re grateful to God for. After training, thank Him for the strength to compete. Link the physical and the spiritual.
Reflect weekly. Ask yourself: Did my habits bring me closer to God this week? Write it down. Talk with someone. Accountability builds growth.
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Greatness doesn’t stop when the whistle blows. In this episode, Coach Steve helps athletes, students, and families apply Atomic Habits principles beyond sports — into school, relationships, and everyday purpose. You’ll learn how the same 1% mindset that builds champions can transform your daily life, character, and confidence.
Today’s Action Step: 
Pick one everyday arena — school, work, or relationships. Identify one small 1% habit that would make that area better. Maybe it’s reading 10 minutes a night, texting “thanks” after practice, or doing one kind thing daily.
Stack it with something you already do. After brushing your teeth, write one sentence in a gratitude journal. After walking in the door, give your family a full minute of undivided attention.
Reflect weekly. Ask yourself: Am I building the kind of person I want to become? Don’t focus on results. Focus on the votes you’re casting for your identity.
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 You don’t just need to start good habits — you need to stick with them. In this final “athlete-focused” Atomic Habits episode, Coach Steve teaches how to make habits satisfying through progress tracking, instant rewards, and visual proof of growth.
Today’s Action Step: 
Track progress. Use a notebook, app, or whiteboard. Make success visible.
Reward effort immediately. After each training, acknowledge your effort — not just outcome.
Never miss twice. Missing once is human. Missing twice starts a new bad habit.
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

Overthinking kills progress. In this episode, Coach Steve reveals how to make success easier by removing friction, shrinking goals, and embracing the “two-minute rule.” Stop waiting for perfect — and start stacking small, simple wins.
Today’s Action Step: 
Simplify your setup. Reduce steps between you and your goal. Prep gear, layout, playlist, everything ahead of time.
Shrink the goal. If motivation is low, lower the bar. Doing something small beats doing nothing.
Automate success. Put reminders in your phone, alarms, or use habit apps. Don’t rely on memory — rely on systems.
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.

 Why do some athletes love training while others dread it? The difference isn’t talent — it’s design. Coach Steve unpacks the second law of behavior change: Make it attractive. You’ll learn how to pair pleasure with performance and turn motivation into momentum.
Today’s Action Step: 
Pair your habits with pleasure. Music, community, or ritual — make it something you enjoy.
Reframe discomfort. That burning leg feeling? That’s not pain — that’s progress.
Visualize your reward. Before each session, picture how proud you’ll feel after completing it.
About Today Matters Today Matters is your 2–4 minute daily boost of motivation for athletes, parents, and coaches. Hosted by Coach Steve Pinkston, each episode delivers a simple mental performance strategy to help you win the day.
Learn More & Work with Coach Pinkston 👉 CoachPinkston.com for strategies, skills, and drills to improve your mental performance.
1-on-1 Coaching Programs
Team Consulting
Leadership Development
Sign up for the Trust The Process Newsletter, so you can wake up every Monday morning to a message that will motivate you all week.
Stay Connected Instagram: @Mental.Strength.Coach X: @CoachPinkston Facebook: Steve Pinkston
Enjoying the Show? Share this episode with someone who needs a lift today. And don’t forget to hit Follow so you never miss your daily motivation.