Demystifying Mental Toughness

In this milestone episode #300 of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David Charlton is joined by former Newcastle United defender and current Assistant Loans Manager Peter Ramage. In the second part of our conversation Peter shares powerful insights into what truly drives progression and resilience in young footballers. Peter discusses the importance of personal responsibility in career development highlighting how top performers take ownership of their learning, habits, and mindset. Through examples such as golfer Matthew Fitzpatrick and Harry Kane, he explains why success is never defined solely by minutes played, but by growth, adaptation, and the ability to fight for a place. A major theme throughout the conversation is the redefinition of success on loan spells. Peter emphasises that adversity, periods of not playing, dealing with pressure, or competing for a spot is often the very challenge that shapes long-term success. He also explores the dangers of external hype, the importance of staying grounded, and the value of breaking performance down into controllable actions. Listeners gain a behind-the-scenes look at loan player support, including emotional wellbeing, communication, and the powerful role of peer-to-peer mentoring. Peter also reinforces that speaking up and asking for help is not weakness, it's a critical part of thriving in football. >> Key Takeaways Success Isn't Linear: Loan spells and tough periods are vital learning experiences, not signs of failure. Take Responsibility: Growth accelerates when players own their development, behaviours, and mindset. Stay Grounded & Speak Up: Managing hype, living in the present, and asking for support are essential parts of sustaining performance. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our previous blogs and podcasts on all things football, mental toughness and player development. For more on all things football or soccer psychology, check out these resources: Ep299: Emotional Flexibility & Adaptability: Inside the Minds of Professional Footballers on Loan with Peter Ramage Ep086: David Charlton - Observations: How to Learn from Setbacks Blog: The Psychology of Loan Moves: How Football Coaches Can Build Mentally Tough & Adaptable Young Players Blog: 5 Reasons Why Being Released from a Football Academy is Difficult Research Review: When the Dream Ends: What Academy Release Really Does to Young Footballers Soccer Psychology and Mental Skills for Football Library of Resources Connect with Peter Ramage · LinkedIn · Instagram Connect with David Charlton · Sign Up To The Mental Edge · Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub · LinkedIn

In this episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, host David Charlton is joined by former professional footballer and coach, and current Assistant Loans Manager at Newcastle United, Peter Ramage, who pulls back the curtain on what it's really like for young players when they go out on loan. We talk about the often-unseen side of the loan pathway: adapting to new environments, dealing with being away from family, handling uncertainty and change, and the social-media comparison trap that many players fall into. Peter provides real world insight from his time at clubs like Newcastle United and Crystal Palace and how versatility and flexibility becomes a mindset, not just a tactical attribute, and how building relationships and trust with teammates and coaches is absolutely key. Whether you're a footballer, coach or parent, this conversation throws light on how mental toughness emerges from more than just performance. It's about mindset, adaptation, presence and communication. We also tie this back to themes we've covered before such as the 4 C's model of mental toughness (control, commitment, challenge, confidence) and creating psychologically safe and growth-focussed environments. >> Key Takeaways Adaptability is everything – Being able to thrive when you're out of your comfort zone (new club, new role) is a super-power. Comparison is the silent pressure – Young players often measure themselves against highlight reels on social media; learning to focus on your journey matters. Relationships build the foundation of success – Trusting teammates, coaches and the environment gives you the mental platform to perform and grow. If you enjoyed this episode, check out our previous blogs and podcasts on all things football, mental toughness and player development. For more on all things football or soccer psychology, check out these resources: Podcast Ep151 - Football Psychology: 50 Ways You Can Improve Your Performance Podcast Ep173 - How To Deal With Other People In Professional Football #BITESIZE Blog: The Psychology of Loan Moves: How Football Coaches Can Build Mentally Tough & Adaptable Young Players Blog: Footballers are People, Like You and Me Blog: Do You Start Matches with a ONE-NIL DOWN Mindset? Book Review: Soccer Tough 1 and 2 with Dan Abrahams Connect with Peter Ramage · LinkedIn · Instagram Connect with David Charlton · Sign Up To The Mental Edge · Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub · LinkedIn

In the second part of our conversation David Charlton speaks with endurance athlete, coach, and world record holder Pierce Showe, who completed 153 consecutive half marathons to raise awareness about health and nutrition. Together, they explore what it really means to run your race in sport, business, and life. Pierce shares his philosophy of focusing on your own journey, avoiding the comparison trap, and finding strength through faith and purpose. He also talks about how goal setting and discipline form the foundation for consistent growth and long-term success, lessons that resonate far beyond running. If you've ever struggled with comparison, motivation, or the post-goal "what's next?" feeling, this conversation will inspire you to stay consistent, stay grounded, and stay faithful to your process. >> Key Takeaways Run your race – Focus on being better than you were yesterday, not on others' achievements. You're capable of more than you think – True growth comes through daily discipline and consistency. Faith and purpose fuel resilience – When your identity isn't tied to performance, you find freedom and deeper motivation. Listeners and Viewers to the full conversation will receive inspiring lessons on endurance, focus, and belief. Feel Free to Tune In! For more on this topic, check out these resources: Ep297: Pierce Showe - How Endurance Challenges Build Mental Toughness Ep002: Steve Judge - How to Deal with Adversity Blog: Developing Mental Toughness in Young Athletes: Coaching Lessons from Ultra Running Blog: Run Your Race: Coaching Young Athletes to Build Mental Toughness, Faith, and Consistency Book Review: Chasing Excellence – Lessons for Young Athletes on Building a Winning Mindset Documentary Review: Running for Good: Lessons from Fiona Oakes for Young Athletes Connect with Pierce Showe · Instagram · Website Connect with David Charlton · Sign Up To The Mental Edge · Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub · LinkedIn

In this powerful episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David sits down with endurance athlete, coach, and world record holder, Pierce Showe. From a lacrosse player to completing gruelling 200-mile ultra marathons, Pierce shares his journey of developing resilience, faith, and belief through extreme endurance. Pierce opens up about how early life challenges shaped his hunger for growth, the defining moment that unlocked his belief system, and why mental toughness isn't something you're born with and it's built through hardship, practice, and reflection. He and David also explore the psychology of endurance, how to manage setbacks mid-race, and how techniques like segmentation and staying present can help athletes, business professionals, and anyone facing adversity stay composed under pressure. >> Key Takeaways Mental Toughness is Built, Not Born: It grows through consistent exposure to challenge and reflection. Segment the Impossible: Break big goals into smaller, achievable chunks, focusing only on the next step. Reset and Reframe: When things fall apart, rest, refuel, and reset your mindset. This can change everything. Listeners and Viewers to the full conversation will receive inspiring lessons on endurance, mindset, and belief. Enjoy Tuning In! For more on this topic, check out these resources: Ep215: Fenwick Ridley - How Ice Swimming And Cold Immersion Can Help You Take Control Of Your Destiny Ep214: Ellen McDermott – How To Create Helpful Eating Habits To Benefit Your Sport Performance Blog: Developing Mental Toughness in Young Athletes: Coaching Lessons from Ultra Running Blog: Coach Development – Helping Athletes Overcome Fear of Failure Conversations With Kids – Grit and Determination Connect with Pierce Showe · Instagram · Website Connect with David Charlton · Sign Up To The Mental Edge · Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub · LinkedIn

In the second part of our conversation, David Charlton talks with anxiety and fear coach Matt Young about why emotional control and emotional mastery is the key to lasting confidence and calmness under pressure. Matt challenges the common idea that we can only manage our emotions. Instead, he explains how emotions like anxiety, fear, or procrastination are learned traits that serve a purpose. By understanding why they appear, athletes and coaches can start to take ownership and use their emotions intentionally rather than reactively. Drawing parallels between sport and everyday life, Matt and David explore how to create a personal emotional playbook, a structured process for handling stress, setbacks, and performance pressure. From dealing with being dropped from a team to managing social comparison and jealousy, Matt outlines a practical roadmap built on three pillars: >> Key Takeaways – The 3 Pillars Take Ownership: True change starts with personal ownership, looking inward instead of blaming others helps you regain control and create emotional stability, regardless of circumstances. Develop Emotional Control: Move beyond "managing" emotions to mastering them. Learn to enhance confidence, calm, and self-connection so emotions serve you rather than control you. Shape Your Environment: Surround yourself with growth-minded people and positive influences. The right environment accelerates emotional mastery and supports sustained mental resilience. Listeners and Viewers will come away with a different lens on mental toughness, one rooted in emotional mastery, self-awareness, and daily process habits that promote confidence and resilience. Enjoy Tuning In! For more on this topic, check out these resources: Blog - Why Emotional Control Matters in Youth Sport Blog - Why You Should Meditate To Improve Your Sport Performance? Ep295: Matt Young - How Emotional Control Builds Resilience and Freedom in Sport Ep099: Trevor Jones – How to Deal with Overthinking on the Golf Course Conversations With Kids - Emotional Control in Sport Conversations With Kids - Helping Young Athletes Thrive Under Pressure Connect with Matt Young · LinkedIn · Website Connect with David Charlton · Sign Up To The Mental Edge · Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub · LinkedIn