Ep. 123 - McKenna Haase - The Hinge Moment of a Race Car Driver

[00:00:00] Welcome to Mental Toughness with Dr. Rob Bell.

[00:00:13] Each week, Dr. Rob sits down with athletes, executives, and expert coaches to talk about

[00:00:18] mental toughness and their hinge moment.

[00:00:21] Here's your host, Dr.com. Leading the way in human performance is Live Momentous. For listening today, you get a discount at checkout. End of the code DRB20. That's DRB the number 20 for 20% off your order. Live Momentous. Optimize, perform, recover.

[00:01:40] So our guest today on the Mental Tuffins podcast is a champion race car driver. She's quote was a dirt bike and then I had a four-wheeler and so I would just kind of make my own tracks in the yard and you know just kind of run imaginary races all day long and originally you know I had seen my cousin race when he was younger and I was about probably like 10 or 11 you know when he started so that was kind of my first exposure to youth

[00:03:02] racing so it wasn't something that I was necessary like all the time when I was younger

[00:04:03] Moments, events, people that make all the difference in our lives. And sometimes when I might not know they happen until weeks, years later.

[00:04:07] But you kind of alluded to it, but you had a moment with Casey Kane, talk to us about

[00:04:13] how that transpired and even kind of what he did in that moment.

[00:04:17] But talk to us about that because I love that story.

[00:04:20] Yep.

[00:04:21] So basically we were on vacation, my family and I were my parents thought it was just something that you know would kind of last for a few months and then I'd move on to something else but instead like I remained passionate about it. Obviously my entire life and then Casey ended up retiring from NASCAR to race sprint cars and so now we race each other weekend and week out which is kind of cool.

[00:05:40] Wow that is cool. Let's come full circle huh?

[00:05:42] Yeah for sure. Nice. Did you and I, you know, it wasn't that big of a video or whatever, but it was a big deal because really like so many things in my life stemmed from that because like what's crazy about it in some ways too is we met him and the grandal opera shopping mall in Nashville.

[00:07:00] Well, my sister went on to live in Nashville yeah, I think definitely one of the most, uh, like instrumental moments in my life. So I got to witness you speak at an event and that's how we came to know each other, which you did again, fantastic job. I know I probably told you about three times, but I see a lot of speakers and what struck me about you, obviously, was you're talking to a lot of entrepreneurs, a lot of business

[00:08:23] owners and what they resonated with and I guarantee it is not even for that opportunity, but just for kind of, you know, something along those lines. And so I decided just to get on this one way flight to Indianapolis and not come back until I had something else. So that's what I did. I came here and kind of just, you know, couch opt for a little while looking for opportunities

[00:09:40] and then basically slowly just, it was like all these crazy God stories from finding the

[00:09:46] house that, you know, I was basically starting to panic with like within the last 30 minutes of that flight. And part of that was just because I wasn't just coming here for like nothing. Like I did have some things lined up and some people I was going to be seeing and let's just say those.

[00:11:00] It was kind of a bull move on my part.

[00:11:01] And then also those situations were kind of nerve-wracking.

[00:11:04] And so there was this guy next to me on the plane and number that I didn't know and I answered. And the voice said, you're not going to know who this is, but I saw it next to you on a plane to Indianapolis three years ago and I was wondering what ever happened to you. And I laughed and I was like, well, I'm still here. And he's like, no kidding. And I was like, yeah. And he said, he's like, well, when I sat next to you on the plane, I was going there

[00:12:22] for a work trip.

[00:12:24] But he's like, since then I became I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. Hey, good looking. If you like this podcast and are already a badass, but it's all way too complicated, then visit our website, drrobbell.com,

[00:13:43] and schedule call with us to help capture your very own hinge moment. Show up and like at some point you'll get an opportunity. I don't know. I always thought that was kind of weird like I Was like no way when I just walk into somebody's shop and just sit there, you know But the only way it worked out for me was like I went into one of the team's shops because they own a park store And so they sell parts and so it's like well that gives you a reason to go in there And so I would just go in and sit there they sell racing seats and the lobby so I just sit in one and

[00:16:05] like, yeah, it's just like not like any of those situations are super warm and inviting, but you've kind of just got to like push through that.

[00:16:08] And especially at that time, I didn't know a whole lot.

[00:16:10] And so that was embarrassing too, like when you feel like you can't contribute as much

[00:16:13] as you'd like, you know, and so, but I learned a ton, I ended up getting a driving opportunity

[00:16:17] there as well.

[00:16:18] And just it kind of transformed my whole entire journey here just because even as a team owner

[00:16:23] now I ended up breaking off like kind of restart such a circus. And it's so much fun. Like, most days are not technically that much fun. But when I look back on it, I feel like I mostly remember the fun parts, which is a good thing. But I think as far as like the female thing goes, like, I think that can maybe not get you into the in crowd, but at the same time, like it's the best decision, right? And so for me, that's kind of helped me at least, like I feel like that's helped me, you know, gel and like fit in because I feel like in that situation, like I was there to work, like I was there to race and like, um, and I feel like,

[00:19:05] you know, you'll always have, you a better job of that actually. Um, because I think some of the hardest, one of the hardest things for me and racing has always been like, I've had to fight so, so hard just to get to the track. Sometimes by the time you actually get there, it's like, now you got to keep fighting, you know what I mean?

[00:20:20] Whereas, you know, I'm not saying this or that or we ran out of time Like it's in those moments where you're like you like they're gonna drop that green flag like you better be ready to fight Like you better be ready to just like You know like let it rip and hope the thing sticks and like And sometimes I think you race better that way like I feel like when you're too comfortable

[00:21:42] You know, then I feel like it really, really helped me in the race car be fit and be in shape, but it wasn't like too overbearing. Like when I moved to Indianapolis and I was training for American Ninja Warrior, I felt like it was probably a little bit too much to where when I did get in the car, I was like, you know, I trained way too hard leading up to that.

[00:23:03] And then also just like life, if I remember pay like I think about it all the time when I'm on a racetrack I'm like I would pay so much money for people to feel this because I Like our races are not super long. And so in sprint kari saying it's just like there's nowhere for error. Everything happens so fast. And you have to think so fast and make decisions so fast. And like it's, it's easy to have regrets when you make the wrong decision.

[00:25:42] And when you have success, it almost happened so fast. You this year we were just more prepared, just in case, knock on wood, we were to tear one up. We have a second one built and ready to go. So that's kind of what you do mainly over the off season. And then when you go to the track and race, I don't have any full-time mechanics right now, but I do have at least one that goes to all the races.

[00:27:03] And so it's just, that summer races though,

[00:27:05] is just the two of us, which is a lot of work

[00:27:08] for two people, because we race on dirt and so that takes a while because you don't want dirt left on anything. Then everything has to be blown dry, wiped down, put back in the shop and then from there, like you kind of have to go through everything and so like

[00:28:24] kind of front to back like we have torsion bars that get taken out and cleaned.

[00:29:21] every single race. So it's a lot of work and there's definitely a reason

[00:29:23] some people do this for a living.

[00:29:25] So, but that's our team, does it?

[00:29:28] Do you think that, like even just that skill set there,

[00:29:30] is that gonna help you when you are on NASCAR running crew

[00:29:36] or even racing there?

[00:29:39] Well, NASCAR is kind of its own separate thing.

[00:29:41] Like it's, you know,

[00:29:44] sprint car drivers often get asked like,

[00:29:45] well, what level are you trying to make it to? I'd like to do a little bit more. I've driven asphalt, like I've raised stock cars and stuff. I would like to do a little bit more of that at some point in my life as a driver. And then like my very long term goal when I'm older would be to work on the leadership side like as a team owner in NASCAR. Okay. Yeah. So I wasn't too far off there, McKenna.

[00:31:01] I mean, I'm all the things that you're trying to, whether it's in spring racing or a NASCAR or whatever, like if you're trying to work at a

[00:32:20] higher level, I feel like there are a million percent traits that are going to pay off in like

[00:32:24] healthy habits that people are going to want to take advantage of. leaning on all the best drivers at a young age asking them for every ounce of advice I could get, which back then they gave it all to me because, you know, like I wasn't a competitor or like a threat or anything like that. And so I learned a ton from like some of the best drivers in that place. And then also like the track prep crew, I mean, we, we race on dirt. And so the actual dirt changes depending on like what state you're in and what track you're at, like the actual

[00:33:43] kind of dirt. And so like Knoxville's dirt's kind of might not be much more that you can do. So the best that you can do is to try to just get through, you know, that phase that you're in of like, okay, this is like, we're giving our best right now and I have confidence that we can get like better trajectory in the future.

[00:35:00] So what are some of the things you do when you're doing the best you can, but the results

[00:35:05] aren't aren't there? not listen to the critics or to drown some of that out, like the negativity, even if it's not something that's being said directly to you, just knowing how people in our sport think, just knowing how they tend to react. And like, I think that's the biggest challenge is like when you don't have good results, like we have this motto when you win, say nothing and when you boo say less.

[00:36:20] But like, that's hard because especially this season,

[00:36:22] like if we go out and let's just say we run 15th,

[00:36:25] like you don't good job of that, of blocking out, you know, negativity from other people? I wouldn't say that I, you know, I don't know if I do the best job of that. I think part of it, like I just,

[00:37:41] I'm a people person in general, I would say,

[00:37:44] and I, you know, I've always,

[00:37:48] when I was younger, I'm sure in general can be like that. And I just, I just think it's so unfortunate because I think when I look at

[00:39:00] some of that stuff, I just want to say to those people, clearly you're passionate

[00:39:06] about this sport. Why don't you apply that to something more positive?

[00:40:08] I mean, being a faith-based race and team, how do you incorporate faith into your path and your life and what you're doing?

[00:40:10] I think the biggest thing for me is been just focusing on my own relationship with God and

[00:40:17] letting that just exude itself.

[00:40:20] And I think scripture talks about the fruits of the spirit and what that is.

[00:40:24] And when people have genuinely accepted Christ in their own, your own emotion aside and just be like, I may have had a bad night in my mind, but for these families that came out and spent their hard-earned money on a ticket and waited all night late to come down here and meet us, like it is 100% a privilege to give them

[00:41:43] all the time in the world

[00:41:45] and to show open to that. Like I'm totally, I think sometimes people are like afraid to share like why they don't believe in something or why they believe what they believe. But like for me, like I'm open to whatever people believe because there's a reason probably that they feel that way. But for me, like I said, my life has just been undeniable, right? Like I don't have, like for me it's more than just like a belief in something like I've

[00:43:02] seen it, like I've fully believe I've seen glimpses of heaven, you know, like I've

[00:43:05] no doubt without a shadow doubt.

[00:43:07] I know where I'm going when I die. was because it was genuinely coming from like where my heart was at. And I think the further you get to your career, and especially when you're in like a rough season, like kind of what we've had this year, it's a good reminder for me of like how important it is to keep investing in like your, yourself, like your own relationship with God, because you can't just put that on your stuff without like,

[00:44:21] to me it should come from your heart.

[00:44:23] And I think somebody once told me, it's a challenge because sometimes you don't always feel the impact, you know, like you just have to trust that it's there, I guess. And for me, there's a lot of people in my life who sometimes like question how I give that, you know,

[00:45:42] they're always like, you need how can we continue this on and McKenna's on? And I'm thankful that I laid the groundwork now. And so it challenges me though, because it is a lot of time. It's a lot of investment. And you don't always feel appreciated, honestly. And you don't always feel like people care. But that's part of like sacrificial love. And I mean, scripture talks about like, if you love the people that are easy to love, like even sinners

[00:47:03] can do that, right? Like even people like, and, and I think it's like a good wake up call to be like, music, but you're sick of all the commercial interruptions and negative news today. Tune into kuco radio dot com music for your mindset. We're a commercial free online radio station. Play nothing but hits are free iOS and Android apps are available for download at kuco radio dot in an Indianapolis and kind of getting to live, you know, the life that I feel like God's had planned for me and also the life that I've dreamed of living, even though it's, you know, maybe not everybody's dream life, but it's challenging. But I think when I just look back on my career as like a whole and look back on the beginning

[00:49:42] in Knoxville and leaving Knoxville, like what can you learn from that and so I think you know one thing that like I learned from that is just like the importance of getting to kind of to like stay true to yourself and to not let others like you know speak for you or or standing up for things that like you might not believe in but you don't hurt

[00:51:02] somebody else's feelings like those kinds of things I think are things that I love it. McKenna, we're going to put the links on there for all your sites, but man, just really appreciate you taking the time and joining us and just sharing everything that you've had to share. It's just really fantastic and thank you so much for the time. Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for having me and I really appreciate it.

[00:52:21] I'm super grateful to have met you and that was just like the best event ever.

[00:52:24] I had a blast and so I'm really grateful for all the relationships that came from her.