Dr. Rob Bell Interviews experts as they share about mental toughness and their "Hinge" moment. Every one of us is getting ready for that one moment, person or event that will connect who we are with who we become! Will you be ready?
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11-06-2026
World record holder Van Mathias joins the Mental Toughness Podcast with Dr. Rob Bell to discuss breaking the American record and world record in the 100-meter short course breaststroke on the same day
Van shares how stepping away from competitive swimming transformed his perspective, why he returned to the sport, and how training with Indiana University's elite swimmers helped him reach another level. The conversation explores mental toughness, confidence, coachability, gratitude, finding an identity beyond performance, and the importance of enjoying the journey while pursuing world-class goals.
0:52 Breaking the American Record and World Record on the Same Day
4:29 Doing the Work Nobody Wants to Do
7:09 Finding Areas to Improve Even After Breaking Records
9:30 The Power of Relays and Competing for Teammates
12:52 Building Confidence by Training at Race Speed
15:21 Stepping Away From Swimming and Rediscovering the Joy of Competition
18:59 Gratitude, Perspective, and Always Wanting More
21:09 Developing an Identity Beyond Swimming and Performance
23:15 The Humility of Wearing the Team USA Cap
26:48 Advice to Young Swimmers: Never Lose the Fun
30:23 Coachability and Learning From Great Coaches
37:38 Chasing Bigger Goals Without Losing Perspective
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Morton Brown Family Wealth is the Presenting Partner of The Mental Toughness Podcast with Dr. Rob Bell. Sponsorship of this podcast does not imply endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services expressed by individual guests.10-09-2026
Matt Sandlin is an endurance athlete and winner of the 2026 Prairie On Fire Backyard Ultra, where he pushed through 43 yards—nearly 180 miles—to become the last runner standing. His remarkable performance is a powerful example of mental toughness, resilience, and faith.
1:06 The Hinge Moment That Altered the Course of His Life
5:07 The 100-Mile Race That Changed Everything
7:50 The Hinge Moment That Changed His Running Career
10:48 Training to “Own the Night”
15:22 Finding God in the Quiet Miles
20:44 The Prayer Before Prairie on Fire
24:04 Experiencing the Holy Spirit During the Race
30:14 Just Get to the Next Tree
36:49 Using Running to Reflect Christ
41:35 Focus Only on the Light in Front of You
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Dr. Rob Bell
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Morton Brown Family Wealth
Morton Brown Family Wealth is the Presenting Partner of The Mental Toughness Podcast with Dr. Rob Bell. Sponsorship of this podcast does not imply endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services expressed by individual guests.09-25-2026
Webb Simpson, 2012 U.S. Open Champion, seven-time PGA TOUR winner, a former Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup competitor, shares insights on faith, mental toughness, hinge moments, and high performance.
2:42 The Origin of the Bible Caddie Podcast and a Friendship Built Through Golf and Faith
7:37 How Studying the Bible Shapes the Mental Approach to Life and Competition
11:39 Titus 3:3–7: A Favorite Bible Passage About Grace, Mercy, and Faith
14:21 How Fatherhood Deepens the Understanding of God’s Love
16:54 Living a Life That Others Are Watching
19:29 The Caddie Relationship That Helped Build Mental Toughness and Belief
23:46 Returning to a Long-Term Mindset Instead of Chasing Short-Term Results
25:12 Why Belief, Fundamentals, and Mental Toughness Have to Work Together
28:13 The Impact of Wake Forest Coach Jerry Haas On and Off the Golf Course
30:40 “Pleased, But Never Satisfied”: The Drive to Keep Getting Better
33:25 HINGE MOMENT: The Question That Changed the Mindset at the 2012 U.S. Open
35:00 Winning the U.S. Open by Focusing on the Process, Not the Leaderboard
39:33 Total Commitment: Why a Decision Means Eliminating Every Other Option
41:41 HINGE MOMENT: The Struggles That Made the 2018 PLAYERS Championship Victory So Meaningful
46:36 Remembering the Feeling of Walking to the 17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass
48:37 Why Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups Create a Different Kind of Pressure
52:28 Fight, Resolve, and the Spirit of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team
57:25 What Makes Scottie Scheffler a Once-in-a-Generation Golfer
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If you enjoyed this episode on Mental Toughness, please subscribe and leave a review!
Dr. Rob Bell
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Morton Brown Family Wealth
Morton Brown Family Wealth is the Presenting Partner of The Mental Toughness Podcast with Dr. Rob Bell. Sponsorship of this podcast does not imply endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services expressed by individual guests.09-04-2026
Kim Lewellen is the Head Coach of Women’s Golf at Wake Forest University, where she has built one of the nation’s premier collegiate programs. Since taking over in 2018, she has led the Demon Deacons to the program’s first NCAA National Championship in 2023, multiple ACC Championships, and numerous conference and national honors. She is widely recognized for her leadership, competitive excellence, and ability to develop athletes both on and off the course.
01:03 Living the Dream: Coaching and Connection at Wake Forest
02:52 No One Gets There Alone: Why Relationships Matter
04:38 Leaving 10 Minutes Early Can Change Someone’s Life
08:32 HINGE MOMENT: The 15 Seconds That Changed a Coaching Career
13:07 Mental Toughness: Don’t Overvalue a Bad Shot
14:40 The Power of the Debrief in Coaching and Performance
16:30 How an ACC Loss Helped Fuel a National Championship
23:43 Staying Present When the Pressure Is Highest
25:40 Winning Feels Better Than Having Won
28:08 Build Your Armor When Things Are Going Well
30:49 Two Rules for Building a Championship Culture: Be Kind and Work Hard
33:00 What Separates Elite Performers: Persistence and the Process
35:14 Building Confidence and Keeping Doubt From Taking Over
37:07 Giving Athletes Ownership of Their Development
44:51 When Elite Athletes Start Asking, “Am I Good Enough?”
49:37 The “Just One More” Mental Toughness Mindset
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5 Mental Toughness Advantages for Financial Advisors:
If you enjoyed this episode on Mental Toughness, please subscribe and leave a review!
Dr. Rob Bell
Exclusive Podcast Partner:
Morton Brown Family Wealth
Morton Brown Family Wealth is the Presenting Partner of The Mental Toughness Podcast with Dr. Rob Bell. Sponsorship of this podcast does not imply endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services expressed by individual guests.08-21-2026
Eric Ciano is the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now entering his 17th NFL season, he previously spent 15 years with the Buffalo Bills, where he was named the NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2020. He was also while strength and conditioning leadership roles at Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech.
0:58 The Hinge Moment That Led to an NFL Strength & Conditioning Career
2:43 Winning a National Championship and Building Championship Culture
3:27 Leadership Lessons from Legendary Strength Coach Johnny Long
4:19 Building Mental Toughness Through Accountability and Standards
5:37 Daily Habits That Create High-Performance Athletes
6:38 How Mental Toughness Is Built Every Single Day
8:03 Building Confidence During an 0–8 NFL Season
9:10 Creating a Winning Team Culture with the Buffalo Bills
10:49 The "13 Seconds" Game and Recovering from Heartbreak
13:47 Leadership, Recognition, and Bringing Out the Best in People
15:33 Using Competition to Build Mental Toughness and Accountability
19:24 Why Talent Without Discipline Never Creates Champions
21:37 Getting Fired After 15 Years in the NFL and Moving Forward
24:21 Mental Toughness When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan
25:54 Leadership Lessons from Nearly Two Decades in the NFL
27:41 Why Passion Still Separates Great Athletes from Good Ones
28:43 What's Wrong with Youth Sports and Athlete Development Today
30:14 Calvin Johnson and the Habits of Elite Performers
33:02 Daily Training, Longevity, and Performing at a High Level
35:08 Purpose, and Life Beyond Football
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5 Mental Toughness Advantages for Financial Advisors:
If you enjoyed this episode on Mental Toughness, please subscribe and leave a review!
Dr. Rob Bell
Exclusive Podcast Sponsor:
Morton Brown Family Wealth
Morton Brown Family Wealth is the Presenting Partner of The Mental Toughness Podcast with Dr. Rob Bell. Sponsorship of this podcast does not imply endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services expressed by individual guests.
