Claim OwnershipThe Matter Mentality Podcast
Subscribed: 3Played: 25
Subscribe
© Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
Description
Go deep on performance science, nutrition, and training through personal experiences and unique conversations and stories from Ben Mayfield-Smith and his guests. Nothing is off the table!
With education, motivation and training fascination - come along on the journey and build your Matter Mentality.
With education, motivation and training fascination - come along on the journey and build your Matter Mentality.
78 Episodes
Reverse
Performance isn’t just about what happens under the lights. In this conversation, Ben sits down with Coach Vinny Malts to unpack the mindset shifts that separate good from great. Together, they explore how every daily input matters, why high performance often feels repetitive, and how to protect your cognitive currency to avoid decision fatigue.
You’ll learn why the boring middle is where success is forged, how to make your “B-game” unshakably strong, and why boredom isn’t the enemy; it’s the sign you’re on the right path.
Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or simply someone striving for consistency in your life, this episode delivers the insights to raise your standard and sustain it.
In this episode, Ben sits down with our dear friend Ali Gilbert - widely known as the “Queen of Men’s Health.” Ali has carved out a niche working with high-level executives in the C-suite, where the pressures of leadership demand a very different coaching approach than the average client. They dive into the unique challenges and strategies of optimizing health, performance, and longevity for executives, unpacking the difference between general fitness coaching and tailoring programs for those at the very top of their industries. If you’re curious about how men’s health intersects with leadership, lifestyle, and peak performance, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Find out more about Ali Gilbert here: https://www.instagram.com/thealigilbert/
In this episode, we unpack the uncomfortable but necessary truth: outgrowing old environments, mindsets, and even people.
What do you do when the place, group, or identity you once fit into… no longer aligns with who you're becoming? We explore how to navigate that growth, find new circles that elevate you, and create space for bigger opportunities in your life.
This ones for anyone who’s felt stuck between where they were and where they’re going.
🎧 Listen now and Think Different.
Brought to you by Matter Athletica — where mindset meets performance.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Pat Ivey — former NFL athlete, high-performance expert, and powerhouse in the world of sport psychology and strength & conditioning. With decades of experience coaching elite athletes and cultivating high-performance environments, Pat brings a wealth of insight into what it really means to coach beyond the sets, reps, and tactics.
We go deep into the heart of coaching, how to create purposeful environments, the role of identity and values in performance, and the delicate but essential pursuit of balance for athletes and coaches alike. Pat shares what it takes to lead with impact, coach with intention, and build systems that support both mental and physical growth.
This conversation is for anyone who sees coaching as a craft and wants to better understand the psychology, structure, and soul behind developing high-performing humans.
In this powerhouse episode of the Matter Mentality Podcast, we’re joined by performance coach and BJJ practitioner Josh Settlage to explore the intersection of combat sports, strength programming, and athlete longevity. We dive into:
- The core principles Josh insists on when structuring a strength program and his lessons from his own bodybuilding career🏋️♂️
- His diagnostic approach to fighter health as an affiliate with Marek Health 🔬 - Common recovery mistakes fighters make between bouts — and how to fix them early ⚠️
- The biggest myth about nutrition during fight camp 🍽️
- How mindset shifts between fight prep vs. off-season, and how to coach athletes through it
- The challenge of cutting through social media fads to deliver real, sustainable advice 📱 Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or fan of combat sports, this episode delivers practical, performance-driven insights to elevate how you train, recover, and think. 👇 Like, subscribe, and share if this episode brought value to your corner!
Find more on Josh: https://www.thestrengthmatrix.com/
Find more on Matter Athletica. www.matterathletica.com
In this episode of the Matter Mentality Podcast, we sit down with Aram Grigorian to explore one of the most crucial dynamics in coaching: striking a balance between empathy and accountability.
As coaches, it’s easy to lean too far one way—either becoming overly sympathetic and losing progress, or pushing too hard and missing the emotional cues that matter. Aram shares real-world experience on how to lead with compassion without sacrificing standards, and how to challenge your clients in a way that still makes them feel seen, heard, and supported.
Whether you're a trainer, mentor, or leader, this conversation will deepen your understanding of what it really means to guide someone through lasting change.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
How to build trust while still holding the line
The cost of avoiding tough conversations
Knowing when empathy is enabling
How to coach for both results and retention
🧠 For more on performance, coaching, and the human experience, head to www.matterathletica.com
In this episode, we dive into one of the most confronting—and liberating—ideas you can adopt: radical extreme ownership. We explore why personal ownership and full accountability aren't just buzzwords, but non-negotiables for real growth, self-leadership, and long-term progression.
No more outsourcing responsibility. No more blame. Just the raw truth: the moment you take full ownership of your actions, choices, and mindset, everything changes.
Whether you're trying to evolve as an athlete, coach, leader, or individual, this conversation cuts deep into the uncomfortable—but essential—reality of what it really takes to progress.
🧠 It’s not motivation.
🔥 It’s not hustle.
✅ It’s ownership.
Let’s unpack it.
In this episode, we sit down with professional lacrosse player and coach Jack Posey, whose journey from a finance and business background into elite sport is anything but linear. From being honored as the "Ultimate Teammate" at Penn State with the prestigious #11 jersey, to navigating the mental and physical toll of an ACL injury, Jack opens up about the pivotal moments that reshaped his identity as both an athlete and a coach.
We explore:
The mindset shift from injury to opportunity
What the #11 jersey really means at Penn State
His journey to being drafted by the Carolina Chaos post-injury
Coaching philosophies and redefining performance
Athlete identity beyond sport, and how to evolve when the game ends
This episode is a raw and powerful insight into the highs, lows, and redefining moments of a career in sport—and what remains when the potential arises that it might all get stripped away...
We hope you enjoy. We would love to hear any feedback or thoughts on the episode!
Thanks for listening
On this episode of the Matter Mentality podcast, Ben is joined by Andrew Coates, a respected coach, writer, and voice of reason in the ever-evolving fitness industry. Together, they dive deep into what’s changing in the world of coaching and what should never be lost.
They unpack the rise of systemised pathways and surface-level solutions, reflecting on a time when finding a great coach meant more than flashy marketing. It meant empathy, lived experience, and a deep love for the craft. Andrew shares his take on how the human touch, real understanding, presence, and connection can’t be replaced, no matter how efficient the systems become.
This conversation is a timely reminder of what coaching was built on, and what it must return to if it’s to remain meaningful in the years ahead.
A must-listen for coaches who care.
In this episode of The Matter Mentality Podcast, Ben sits down with renowned health and performance expert Erik Bustillo to explore how corporate wellness programs can transform not just employee health but overall business efficiency and team performance. They dive into the vital role of leadership buy-in, the science-backed benefits of wellness-first cultures, and how creating a healthier work environment leads to sharper thinking, greater productivity, and better outcomes across the board. Erik and Ben unpack why wellbeing initiatives work best when integrated from the top down, and how they become powerful drivers of long-term success and staff satisfaction. Whether you're a business owner, leader, or team member, this conversation sheds light on how investing in human health is investing in your company’s future.
Welcome to Thinking Different — a series where we train the unseen work. In Episode 1, we start at the foundation: The First Question.
“Am I capable of more?”
It’s the thought that quietly echoes before any real change begins. Before you chase progress, transformation, or performance, this is the moment you face yourself.
In this 10-minute exploration, we break down:
Why this question matters more than motivation
How it initiates ownership, not just action
What it reveals about your current identity
How to respond to it with more than just hype
Whether you're an athlete, a coach, a professional, or someone seeking to level up, this is where your internal reps begin.
Hit play. Ask better questions. Build a stronger foundation. If you are new to Matter Athletica, you can find out more about us via our website: www.matterathletica.com
In this exclusive episode, Ben sits down with Luke Leaman, one of the industry’s most respected minds in performance coaching, biomechanics, and strength education. But this conversation goes beyond just training—it’s a deep dive into business, coaching, relationships, and even their favorite nerd hobbies.
Luke and Ben break down the truth about training, coaching, and what most people get wrong about progression and longevity in the industry. They also explore what it takes to build a coaching career from the ground up, navigate the challenges of business and relationships, and, of course, geek out over their favorite games, history, and various sci-fi universes.
This episode is packed with raw insights, practical takeaways, and plenty of laughs—whether you’re a coach, athlete, or just someone who loves learning from two guys who live and breathe this industry.
On this episode of The Matter Mentality Podcast, we sit down with renowned bodybuilder and coach Austin Stout to dive deep into the realities of longevity in the sport. From recovery strategies and managing stress to the philosophy behind intelligent training and coaching, Austin shares his wealth of experience in both competing and guiding athletes to long-term success. Whether you’re an aspiring competitor or a seasoned lifter, this conversation is packed with insights to help you train smarter, recover better, and stay in the game for the long haul.
What does gym floor experience really teach a coach, and how does it translate to the online space? In this episode, we sit down with Coach Brando to break down the key methods of approach for online coaching, the lessons only in-person training can provide, and where the industry often falls short in bridging the gap between the two. Whether you're a coach looking to refine your process or an athlete curious about what makes quality coaching, this conversation is worth a listen.
On today's episode of the Matter Mentality Podcast, Ben interviews Dr. Umar Nisar who we had the pleasure of meeting in Jersey while on a stop over to see our good friend CJ. Dr. Umar specialises in Performance and Recovery but also creates an environment for the mentalities he works with closely to exist. With names like Nick Walker on his books, he explains the importance of client-centric approaches in business, how he got to where he is now, what trends he sees in the industry, and where many fall down on their way to success. Dr. Umar embraces a philosophy much like our own so to have had the honour to call him a friend from across the pond is truly an honor indeed!
In this episode of the Matter Menality Podcast, Ben interviews Max Waldron, the owner of The Performance Hub Gym. Together they bring their complimenting view of in-person and online coaching styles, and why ethical and humanistic approaches to coaching seem to be rarer than in the olden days when coaches took the time to understand their athletes and clients to understand what makes them tick, what helps them perform, and the times in which an individual requires empathy from their coach. A great listen for athletes and coaches who currently run businesses.
In this episode of the Matter Mentality Podcast, we interview Steven Granzella, better known as "Smokey" which you will learn about in the episode, alongside his strong standing career in Powerlifting, Steven is also the Marketing Director for Marek Health. Marek Health is currently one of the most rapidly expanding and accessible health clinic services in the United States. Bringing extensive testing and making this more accessible to athletes and the individual, alongside endless education and online consultations, they have changed and advanced the medical accessibility game beyond anything we have ever seen before!
In this episode of the Matter Mentality Podcast - Ben interviews one of the greatest leaders in the space of medical TRT for men's health. Dr. Max Draper.
Dr. Max Draper is a leading consultant physician at Alphagenix, a UK-based clinic specializing in testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). With a deep passion for improving men's health, Dr. Draper is recognized for his expertise in diagnosing and treating low testosterone and its impact on mental, physical, and sexual well-being. His approach combines medical precision with lifestyle guidance, aiming to help patients achieve vitality and long-term health.
In today's episode of the Matter Mentality Podcast, Ben interviews one of the most valuable gems known to high performance, Dr. Mike T Nelson. With a qualification list almost the same size as a dictionary, we are honoured to talk with him about his research, teachings, and applications in the realm of high performance.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States