Boost-Mode Newsletter | Dec. 13, 2024

1. What I’m Reading – 20 Lessons Learned from Elite Sport by Bill Beswick

This week, I’m diving into Lesson #2: Find Your Reason Why – And Choose an “A” Grade Life. This one hit home for me, and I know it’ll resonate with you too. Let me break it down.

When I read about Darren, the athlete who thrived on being challenged, it reminded me of how important it is to dig deep and connect with your "why." Darren wasn’t the most naturally talented player, but he had something even more powerful—an unrelenting drive for continual improvement. That’s what set him apart.

Here’s the key lesson: High performance isn’t about coasting on talent. It’s about making the decision—every single day—to show up, put in the work, and commit to the habits that lead to greatness. Most people settle for a “B” or “C” grade life because it’s comfortable. But the “A” grade life? That takes effort, discipline, and a willingness to make the tough choices.

In winter training, this means every sprint, every drill, every rep matters. You can’t just go through the motions. You’ve got to ask yourself: What do I want? How badly do I want it? And what am I willing to sacrifice to get there?

Darren found his “why,” and it fueled his ability to push through fatigue, frustration, and setbacks. It’s not just about wanting to win—it’s about knowing why you want to win and letting that drive your commitment.

So here’s my challenge to you: Take a moment to reflect. What’s your reason why? Why do you lace up your cleats, hit the gym, or show up for practice? If you want to play at an “A” grade level, you’ve got to commit to “A” grade effort, day in and day out.

Because when the season starts and the pressure is on, you’ll either rise to the level of your preparation or fall to the level of your excuses. Don’t settle. Choose the “A” grade life—and own it.

2. What I’m Watching – The Story of Matt Hendrick

Matt Hendrick’s story is a masterclass in resilience and perspective. After a car accident left him a quadriplegic, Matt didn’t fold—he embraced life with a strength and optimism that’s nothing short of inspiring. He says, “Every day is a gift. The bad stuff is what makes the good stuff good.” That mindset hits hard, especially when you think about how easy it is to get caught up in the little things.

Let’s bring this back to the cage. It’s honestly silly to get upset over a bad swing during winter training. Winter isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning, adjusting, and stepping up for the next rep. If you’re complaining about the privilege of getting to work on your game, it’s time to wake up and think about Matt.

Here’s the truth: There are no cage bomb awards handed out in the winter. Nobody cares if you crush one during BP in December. What matters is how you use those swings to build the foundation for the season ahead. Baseball’s greatest hitters fail 70% of the time at the highest level. So what gives you the arrogance to think every swing should be perfect?

Show up, take your hacks, and embrace the grind. Winter is where you build—not where you prove. Let Matt’s story remind you: stop sweating the small stuff, stop complaining, and start appreciating the opportunity to work. You’re not entitled to success with every swing, but you are responsible for how you respond and grow. So get in the cage, adjust, and go again. That’s how champions are made.

3. What I’m Learning – Patience and Presence in the Game

With the holidays around the corner, I’ve been thinking about how much we’ve been calibrated to expect things instantly—whether it’s Amazon delivering packages in a day or instant feedback from technology. But baseball, like life, doesn’t work that way. It’s not like when we were kids, where you had to thoughtfully wait for Santa or take the time to find the right gift downtown. Some of the seeds we plant take time—sometimes seasons—to sprout, grow, and bear fruit.

In baseball, it’s the same. Winter training is about planting those seeds. The work you’re putting in now—every swing, every sprint, every drill—won’t show immediate results. You’re not going to wake up tomorrow as a five-tool player. But trust that there’s an order and balance to everything. With time and patience, the effort you put in today will bloom when it matters most.

The key is to be present. It’s easy to let your mind wander—worrying about next season, dwelling on past failures, or getting caught up in distractions. But the game rewards those who stay locked into the moment. Just like stepping into the batter’s box, you’re more effective when you inhabit the space you’re in and focus on the task at hand.

So as you grind through winter training, don’t get ahead of yourself or dwell too much on what’s behind you. Stay patient, stay present, and trust the process. The seeds you plant now will grow into something incredible—if you give them time and care. Baseball is a long game, and greatness is built one intentional rep at a time.

4. What I’m Writing – Personalized Training Protocols for Peak PerformanceAs we collect data from Blast Motion sensors and track exit velocity with radar, one thing is clear: every player brings unique strengths—and their own set of challenges. Some need to improve pitch recognition, others need faster reaction times. For some, it’s about movement and mobility, while others might have bat path issues to clean up.

Right now, I’m deep in the trenches, reviewing video and crunching the data to identify exactly what each player needs to take their game to the next level. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Baseball is a game of precision, and winter training is where we dial in those adjustments.

Come the new year, our training will focus on addressing these specific gaps, building on individual strengths, and turning weaknesses into opportunities. This kind of targeted development is what separates good players from great ones—and it’s what ensures that when we hit the field in the spring, we’re not just ready to play—we’re ready to dominate.

Stay locked in, and let’s use this winter to build a foundation for success, one swing, one drill, one protocol at a time. Your hard work now is going to pay off in ways that show up loud and clear when the season starts. Let’s get to it!