Ep. 135 - Jahmali Waite - The Moment, Not The Save | Mental Toughness Podcast With Dr. Rob Bell

Jahmali Waite is a professional footballer and goalkeeper for both the Jamaican national team and the USL side El Paso Locomotives. Previously, Jahmali played two seasons professionally for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and, at the collegiate level, served as the goalkeeper for both UConn and Fairleigh Dickinson. Join us as we delve into Jahmali's remarkable career, family, faith, and the mental toughness strategies he has employed to perform at the highest level.

04:57 Putting Faith First // Hinge Moment
09:56 Jamaica vs. The Loudest Fans In The World
13:51 “Always start from zero.”
16:10 The Moment, Not The Save
17:59 “You have to love the pressure.”
20:23 Everything 10 Minutes At A Time
24:27 What Professional Preparation Looks Like
27:36 Getting The National Call-Up
31:17 Family, Football, and Jamaica

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Dr. Rob Bell

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[00:00.000 --> 00:24.000] Welcome to Mental Toughness with Dr. Rob Bell. Each week, Dr. Rob sits down with athletes, executives, and expert coaches to talk about mental toughness and their hinge moment. Here's your host, Dr. Rob. [00:30.000 --> 00:49.000] As a keeper, like, what is the type of situation as one of your favorite, like, type of saves? [00:49.000 --> 00:57.000] I mean, I love all saves, but for me, it's a game when it's saved, right? Like, so regardless of what kind of save it is, [00:57.000 --> 01:08.000] if my team is up one nothing, or it's a tight game, and, you know, it's the last play of the game, and they get a great chance and you make a big save, like, that's a big moment, right? [01:08.000 --> 01:14.000] Like, you just, you just, you want to team the game, or you save your team from losing the game. [01:14.000 --> 01:18.000] So I think it's more the moment rather than the same. [01:18.000 --> 01:27.000] This podcast is brought to you by LiveMomentus.com. Leading the way in human performance is Live Momentus. [01:27.000 --> 01:37.000] For listening today, you get a discount at checkout and other code DRB20. That's DRB, the number 20, for 20% off your order. [01:37.000 --> 01:43.000] Live Momentus. Optimize, perform, recover. [01:43.000 --> 01:52.000] So our guest today is professional footballer. He is the goalkeeper for Jamaican national team, and El Paso Locomotos. [01:52.000 --> 01:58.000] Bommos El Paso. He's played two seasons professionally for Pittsburgh Riverhounds. [01:58.000 --> 02:08.000] He attended and was goalkeeper at UConn and Fairleigh Dickinson. Our guest today, I'm excited for this conversation, is Jamali Wait. [02:08.000 --> 02:10.000] Jamali, my man, thanks so much, bud, for taking the time. [02:10.000 --> 02:13.000] Yeah, happy to be here. Thanks for having me. [02:13.000 --> 02:18.000] So a lot of times on these podcasts, we kind of ease into, you know, the conversation. [02:18.000 --> 02:19.000] Yeah. [02:19.000 --> 02:25.000] Because I was going to congratulate you first on your engagement, which is awesome. [02:25.000 --> 02:26.000] Yep. [02:26.000 --> 02:32.000] And what tells us about that? Like, how did that engagement, not the back story with it? [02:32.000 --> 02:36.000] Because I'm going to lead into that. But how did the actual engagement, how did you propose? [02:36.000 --> 02:37.000] How was that set up? [02:37.000 --> 02:43.000] So, you know, I kind of, we went to Jamaica the week, the week after that. [02:43.000 --> 02:50.000] So the plan was to do it in Jamaica, but everyone was kind of expecting it to happen in Jamaica. [02:50.000 --> 02:55.000] So I kind of wanted to, you know, throw a little loophole in it. [02:55.000 --> 03:06.000] And so we had, she, her friend is a photographer. So we had that, her friend wanted to take pictures of us at the Art Museum in DC. [03:06.000 --> 03:09.000] So we had planned that a while back to go there. [03:09.000 --> 03:15.000] So, like a week, a week before, a couple of days before I messaged her friend on Instagram and say, [03:15.000 --> 03:22.000] Hey, you know, I know you didn't plan for this, but I kind of want to propose to Kelsey at the photoshoot. [03:22.000 --> 03:27.000] And yeah, we kind of just, you know, planned on doing it then. [03:27.000 --> 03:31.000] And yeah, she didn't really expect it. So that was the good thing. [03:31.000 --> 03:32.000] Yeah. [03:33.000 --> 03:35.000] Yeah, photographer there is perfect. [03:35.000 --> 03:39.000] That's what I said. If I rooted it in Jamaica, I would have to take my own photos. [03:39.000 --> 03:40.000] Yeah. [03:40.000 --> 03:44.000] So did, like right before you proposed, did you get, did you get nervous at all? [03:44.000 --> 03:48.000] I was, so we had to drive to DC. [03:48.000 --> 03:53.000] So like the whole right there was me, her and her friend, obviously, in the car, I was driving. [03:53.000 --> 03:59.000] So I was kind of like quiet the whole time. And, you know, they were just, they were talking and I was just listening. [04:00.000 --> 04:05.000] But you know, I think the drive there kind of kind of helped a lot like me. [04:05.000 --> 04:09.000] Like I didn't really have to talk, like obviously I'm driving and focusing on that. [04:09.000 --> 04:13.000] But you know, like leading out to it, I was nervous. [04:13.000 --> 04:17.000] But in my, in my heart and my head, I knew she was going to say, yeah. [04:17.000 --> 04:20.000] So, you know, it was just, yeah, I was very happy. [04:20.000 --> 04:21.000] Yeah. [04:21.000 --> 04:22.000] Yeah, that's funny. [04:22.000 --> 04:27.000] Cause we ours got photo as well, but I was an amusement park, man, when I proposed. [04:27.000 --> 04:31.000] So a lot more pressure for you now, man. [04:31.000 --> 04:33.000] That's awesome. And congratulations. [04:33.000 --> 04:34.000] Thank you. [04:34.000 --> 04:39.000] The reason why I say we kind of eased in this conversation, because I was talking with you about hinge moments. [04:39.000 --> 04:45.000] And that is, you know, what is that one moment, one person, one event that makes all the difference in our lives, [04:45.000 --> 04:47.000] it connects who we are with who we become. [04:47.000 --> 04:50.000] And she was a hinge person for you. [04:50.000 --> 04:56.000] Talk about, talk about that moment and, and that relationship and, and how she was a hinge for you. [04:56.000 --> 04:57.000] Yeah. [04:57.000 --> 05:05.000] So I mean, obviously growing up, you know, in Jamaica and all that, I, my mom always made sure I went to church every Sunday. [05:05.000 --> 05:09.000] And, you know, once I came here, I kind of, you know, I still prayed. [05:09.000 --> 05:12.000] I still read my Bible every once in a while. [05:12.000 --> 05:16.000] I read the Bible up on my phone and I never actually had a Bible. [05:16.000 --> 05:25.000] But, you know, once I met her and in meeting her, the first, you know, we, we talked about one of her first questions was she asked what was important to me. [05:25.000 --> 05:30.000] And obviously I said, you know, my career and, you know, all that. [05:30.000 --> 05:33.000] And for her, her thing was the Lord. [05:33.000 --> 05:36.000] That's, that's her, like, most important thing in her life. [05:36.000 --> 05:44.000] And, you know, since I met her, I've kind of, you know, narrowed in more in my faith and she got me a Bible. [05:44.000 --> 05:47.000] She got me a Bible journal. [05:47.000 --> 05:48.000] We went to church. [05:48.000 --> 05:52.000] We go to church every Sunday on Sundays when I have game or something and we can't go to church. [05:52.000 --> 06:04.000] She, you know, we would watch like sermons online and, you know, she kind of like really helped me to focus in more in my faith led me closer to the Lord. [06:04.000 --> 06:08.000] And, you know, in our relationship, everything goes through the Lord. [06:08.000 --> 06:13.000] Like we, we never take a step outside of that. [06:13.000 --> 06:15.000] Like going to the Lord with everything. [06:15.000 --> 06:23.000] And I think, you know, that, that's made me stronger as a person and definitely helped me in my career and getting me to where I am. [06:23.000 --> 06:33.000] So, yeah, like I said, that's, that's probably the biggest hinge moment in my life is meeting her and really, you know, growing closer to the Lord and getting to know him better. [06:33.000 --> 06:34.000] Mm hmm. [06:34.000 --> 06:35.000] I love it, man. [06:35.000 --> 06:42.000] When we, when we talk about hinge moments, like what I'm talking with believers about it and says, just you're not talking. [06:42.000 --> 06:52.000] I would say, like Jesus Christ, you know, the cross was probably the biggest hinge moment of all time because from that moment on, everything's different. [06:52.000 --> 06:53.000] Right. Yeah. [06:53.000 --> 06:57.000] It was different across, you know, it was different for them, but after the cross, everything changed. [06:57.000 --> 06:59.000] Right. [06:59.000 --> 07:09.000] Um, what have you noticed about how your faith has helped professionally in your career and what you do? [07:09.000 --> 07:14.000] I think there's, so there's times where like, you know, things happen in my career. [07:14.000 --> 07:23.000] And before I would, you know, I'll be down, I'll get on myself, but like now it's like, for me, everything happens for a reason. [07:23.000 --> 07:30.000] And, you know, the Lord will never put me through a situation or put me in a situation that I'm not supposed to be in. [07:30.000 --> 07:34.000] So it's everything, it's, it's happening for a reason. [07:34.000 --> 07:35.000] Like the Lord has a plan for me. [07:35.000 --> 07:44.000] This is where he wants me to be. This is, I suppose to happen. And you know, I've kind of just every little thing where they're good or bad. [07:44.000 --> 07:48.000] It's, it's given the Lord thanks because I know that he has a plan. [07:48.000 --> 07:59.000] And, you know, eventually, whether even though sometimes it might not be on the time and I want it to be on, but his timing is more perfect than mine. So, yeah. [08:00.000 --> 08:09.000] Do you feel that that like takes pressure off of you and your performance, because I know your preparation still is great, but does that will talk about that? [08:09.000 --> 08:12.000] How does that take the pressure off of you and your performance and outcome? [08:12.000 --> 08:24.000] Yeah, because I mean, you, you, you kind of really, you don't really focus too much on that because you know that, you know, like I said, everything's happening for a reason, right. [08:25.000 --> 08:42.000] Obviously you want to have all good performances, but if we're realistic, like every athlete, professional athlete in their career that we've all had had bad moments at some point in our career and you know, those are going to happen, whether you like it or not. [08:43.000 --> 08:55.000] So it kind of helps you, you know, you're not really prepared, but when it does happen, you always have that faith base that you can go back to and say, Hey, you know, this happened for a reason. [08:55.000 --> 09:02.000] Like the Lord still has a plan for me. And, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm still on path. I'm still rocking with it. And yeah. [09:02.000 --> 09:04.000] Nice. [09:05.000 --> 09:12.000] One of my quotes, especially when it gets really tough is sometimes a safe faith isn't really faith until it's all you've got. [09:12.000 --> 09:15.000] Oh, yeah. Yeah. [09:15.000 --> 09:28.000] I mean, faith, faith is, is believing in something you can't see or you don't know without them. So, you know, it, it, your faith has got to be challenged for there to be faith. [09:30.000 --> 09:32.000] No, that's awesome, man. [09:32.000 --> 09:41.000] With, with some of the, like the national team experiences that you've had and they're going to have. [09:41.000 --> 09:43.000] I mean, you get to play in Mexico City. [09:43.000 --> 09:44.000] Yeah. [09:44.000 --> 09:52.000] Why don't we start there, man? Why don't you talk about that experience playing in, I mean, you know, especially on this side of the, of the world. [09:52.000 --> 09:55.000] I mean, that is one of the places to play. [09:56.000 --> 10:03.000] Yeah. I mean, it was, it was, you know, kind of something that I didn't really expect. [10:03.000 --> 10:13.000] So obviously, you know, going to camp and there's Andre Blake, but he, he was hurt for that camp and, you know, he didn't, he didn't come. [10:13.000 --> 10:24.000] And, you know, once that happened, I kind of knew that, Hey, this was, was my opportunity to really, you know, showcase myself and show the world what I can do. [10:24.000 --> 10:28.000] Yeah, it was, I mean, it was, all the preparation was good. [10:28.000 --> 10:35.000] But, you know, once you walk out in that field before warmups and you're really looking around and I'm like, wow, like, this is the Azteca. [10:35.000 --> 10:38.000] And that was before, you know, all the fans were in. [10:38.000 --> 10:42.000] I was like, okay, like, yeah, you know, you walk out for warmups. [10:42.000 --> 10:45.000] You were not there and everyone's booing and it's loud. [10:45.000 --> 10:47.000] You can't really hear yourself. [10:48.000 --> 11:07.000] It's, it's, I mean, it was a great experience, but also a nerve wracking experience at the same time, which, you know, I'm really happy with the experience playing in the Azteca and, you know, representing my country because I've known a lot of, a lot of players that, you know, has played at [11:07.000 --> 11:13.000] higher levels than me that probably never had the opportunity to, you know, have an experience like that. [11:13.000 --> 11:17.000] And that's, you know, that's an experience that I'll forever cherish and be grateful for. [11:22.000 --> 11:23.000] Hey, good looking. [11:23.000 --> 11:36.000] If you like this podcast and are already a badass, but it's all way too complicated, then visit our website, DrRobBell.com, and schedule call with us to help capture your very own hinge moment. [11:44.000 --> 11:54.000] So again, most of the people that probably listen to this, again, I mean, they're athletes, but some of the corporate athletes, executive athletes, they don't probably understand the level that that I'm talking about, but playing there. [11:54.000 --> 11:59.000] Talk to us about that environment and even like the nerve wracking experience for you. [11:59.000 --> 12:00.000] Yeah. [12:00.000 --> 12:08.000] No, like I said, like, I, I think like, let's say I'll give you an example. [12:08.000 --> 12:14.000] Like during my warm up, like, you know, the first, like four volleys, like, I can't catch a ball. [12:14.000 --> 12:18.000] And I'm like, wow, like this, you know, this has never happened to me before. [12:18.000 --> 12:30.000] And, you know, it, it, it's like, I mean, you've probably a lot of people don't know, but Mexican supporters are probably, you know, they'll, yeah. [12:31.000 --> 12:40.000] They'll, they'll let you hear it. Like the passion that the love they have for like soccer and their team, like they'll let you hear it and, you know, they were letting me hear it. [12:40.000 --> 12:51.000] But I think, you know, I've, I've kind of, once I get in my element, I kind of, you know, shot all that out and really focus on my game and focus in on what I do. [12:51.000 --> 12:59.000] So that, that, that trust that I have in myself and my abilities kind of, you know, help with the nerves and all that a bit. [13:00.000 --> 13:06.000] Yeah, it was, it was crazy. At the start, it was crazy. But once I got going, I kind of, you know, settled into it. [13:06.000 --> 13:12.000] Mm hmm. Was that stadium like, did you actually feel that stadium rocking? [13:12.000 --> 13:17.000] Probably. I know. Not that I remember. [13:17.000 --> 13:18.000] Yeah. [13:18.000 --> 13:25.000] Um, so let's talk about mindset then as a keeper. [13:25.000 --> 13:26.000] Yeah. [13:27.000 --> 13:31.000] You can be playing really well and a goal is given up. [13:31.000 --> 13:32.000] Right. [13:32.000 --> 13:38.000] Um, let's talk about the mindset of letting go mistakes and how do you process that and how. [13:38.000 --> 13:44.000] Um, because every goal, it's different than hockey where, you know, be through to, but. [13:44.000 --> 13:49.000] Talk about that mentality of letting go mistakes and how you develop that throughout the years. [13:49.000 --> 13:55.000] Yeah. I mean, it's, it's, it's something that, you know, you kind of had, you have to have naturally. [13:55.000 --> 14:10.000] Um, I've worked with a lot of coaches that, you know, they give you a little tips on, you know, how to, like, one coach would say, hey, like, always start from zero. So no matter what, like, where they go to a bad, like, you know, the next [14:10.000 --> 14:20.000] play, you always start from zero because, you know, you make a good save or something, you're on a high, but you, you don't want to always be on a high like you want to be, you know, level headed. [14:20.000 --> 14:24.000] So regardless of what happened, you always start from zero and then. [14:24.000 --> 14:34.000] Uh, John Bush, which I know you, you know, very well last year, you know, he would tell me that you kind of have to have like a, uh, like a trash can, pretty much. [14:34.000 --> 14:39.000] So when you make a mistake, it's like, okay, like, or I, I use it. [14:39.000 --> 14:40.000] I use the shredder. [14:40.000 --> 14:42.000] So I make a mistake. [14:42.000 --> 14:44.000] So like I put it in the shredder. [14:45.000 --> 14:50.000] Um, and you don't want a mistake to be followed by a mistake. [14:50.000 --> 14:52.000] So that's why you have a shredder, right? You make a mistake. [14:52.000 --> 14:55.000] You okay, put in the shredder, get rid of it as quick as you can. [14:55.000 --> 15:02.000] And then, you know, your next play needs to be good because you don't want to be building on mistakes because that's how you kill your confidence. [15:02.000 --> 15:03.000] Mm hmm. [15:03.000 --> 15:09.000] What happens, like you said, like, were you automatically, like, even growing up? [15:09.000 --> 15:13.000] Did you have a short term memory where you're good at letting go of mistakes? [15:14.000 --> 15:28.000] Not really, to be honest, like earlier in my career, I would always like dwell on, on, on, like, if I can see the goal or something, I would dwell on it because, you know, like there's always something that you can do better to prevent a goal. [15:28.000 --> 15:36.000] So when I was younger and, you know, I'd be in a goalkeeper, like, oh, like I could have done this, like to prevent this goal or, you know what I mean. [15:36.000 --> 15:44.000] And that's something that, you know, I kind of developed over the years, like working with different coaches who's been playing obviously before. [15:44.000 --> 15:53.000] And as I get more experience and, you know, playing a lot more games, like, that's not something that kind of comes with the experience and the knowledge of the game. [15:53.000 --> 15:55.000] Mm hmm. [15:55.000 --> 16:04.000] As a keeper, like, what is the type of situation as one of your favorite, like, type of saves? [16:04.000 --> 16:05.000] You don't mind me asking that. [16:05.000 --> 16:08.000] Is that somebody like shooting from the 18 that's got some curve on it? [16:08.000 --> 16:09.000] Like, what is it? [16:09.000 --> 16:15.000] I think that's, that's kind of hard to talk about. [16:15.000 --> 16:21.000] I think, I mean, I love all saves, but for me, it's, it's, it's a game went and saved, right? [16:21.000 --> 16:28.000] Like, so regardless of what kind of save it is, if my team is up one nothing, or it's a tied game. [16:28.000 --> 16:34.000] And, you know, it's the last play of the game and they get a great chance and you make a big save. [16:34.000 --> 16:37.000] Like, that's, you kind of, that's a big moment, right? [16:37.000 --> 16:44.000] Like, you just, you just, you want to team the game or you, you know, you saved your team from losing the game. [16:44.000 --> 16:47.000] So I think it's more the moment rather than the save. [16:47.000 --> 16:52.000] I would say that, you know, kind of brings that up. [16:52.000 --> 16:58.000] I think you might have just titled the podcast there, man, the moment of the save, but that's good. [16:58.000 --> 17:00.000] Yeah. [17:00.000 --> 17:07.000] Did you have that type of moment when Pittsburgh played Columbus crew this year? [17:07.000 --> 17:13.000] Yeah, I mean, they, they, we, so in Pittsburgh, we don't really give up a lot of, you know, chances. [17:14.000 --> 17:19.000] But I remember it, like, the second half were up one, nothing, they had a corner. [17:19.000 --> 17:26.000] And, you know, kind of chopped to the guy top of the box and he kind of hit a shot to the crowd and I, I made a save and I was like, [17:26.000 --> 17:28.000] okay, yeah, now we're in the game. [17:28.000 --> 17:32.000] And then I think in the 90 something minute they were coming on us. [17:32.000 --> 17:38.000] They were, you know, putting in crosses in the box and I went up for like two or three crosses and they didn't get a chance from them. [17:38.000 --> 17:41.000] And, you know, those are, those are moments too, right? [17:41.000 --> 17:42.000] It doesn't have to be a save. [17:42.000 --> 17:46.000] Like those are the action that prevents you from even having to make a save. [17:46.000 --> 17:52.000] So, yeah, there were a couple moments in there where like, yeah, you know, you get, you get a high from those. [17:52.000 --> 17:53.000] Yeah. [17:53.000 --> 17:58.000] What is your favorite or of being a keeper out there? [17:58.000 --> 18:06.000] I think, you know, as a keeper, you kind of have to love like being in that, that pressure situation, you know, [18:06.000 --> 18:11.000] because that's a position where you win or you lose the game for your team. [18:11.000 --> 18:13.000] Like there's no like going around that. [18:13.000 --> 18:19.000] And, you know, I think dealing with that pressure and, you know, helping your team win games. [18:19.000 --> 18:22.000] That's, that's something that I cherish as a goalkeeper. [18:22.000 --> 18:29.000] Can you talk about, because you're the only position that gets to see the whole field. [18:29.000 --> 18:35.000] Can you talk about like your role and how you develop like as a leader in communication? [18:36.000 --> 18:37.000] Yeah. [18:37.000 --> 18:38.000] Okay. [18:38.000 --> 18:39.000] Yeah. [18:39.000 --> 18:44.000] I mean, that's, so I always say like to, to, you know, anyone asked about me and what I think about myself. [18:44.000 --> 18:50.000] I always say that for me, like, I kind of have to be a natural leader on the field, right? [18:50.000 --> 18:53.000] Because you're, like you said, you're, you're the quarterback. [18:53.000 --> 18:54.000] Like you see everything. [18:54.000 --> 18:59.000] Like so you joystick players where you want them to be within your system. [18:59.000 --> 19:09.000] Like so leadership and communications are, you know, two key qualities that you have to have as a goalkeeper because you're seeing everything. [19:09.000 --> 19:11.000] You can prevent things from happening, right? [19:11.000 --> 19:21.000] Like if I see something's going to happen and I'm just quiet, then, you know, that's, that just makes my job twice as hard as, you know, I could have just communicated and prevent that. [19:21.000 --> 19:28.000] So I think leadership and communications are two key qualities that, you know, you need to have in, in that position being a goalkeeper. [19:28.000 --> 19:29.000] Yeah. [19:29.000 --> 19:38.000] Do you notice anything about when, like, if you make a mistake, is it harder to still communicate at that time or do you communicate even more? [19:38.000 --> 19:46.000] Yeah, that's so it's, it's, it's definitely, you know, harder to, to communicate after a mistake. [19:46.000 --> 19:56.000] But at the same time, that's when you, you know, you need to be communicated more, right? Like, because you need to find a way to keep yourself in the game. [19:57.000 --> 20:08.000] Which obviously it's easier said than done, but, you know, in, in those moments, you kind of had to try to remind yourself, you know, keep talking, keep communicating and, you know, just keep yourself in the game. [20:08.000 --> 20:09.000] Mm hmm. [20:13.000 --> 20:23.000] In terms of like the mental game and where you're at, talk about what are some of those mental pieces that become even more important than the physical part of your role. [20:24.000 --> 20:34.000] I mean, I think your, your mindset, obviously, you know, you've got to, you've got to have a different mindset than most players. [20:34.000 --> 20:39.000] Like, I always say, like, goalkeepers, you got to be, you know, a little bit, a little bit crazy. [20:39.000 --> 20:41.000] Like, it's just natural. [20:41.000 --> 20:49.000] I actually, I've, I've read an article the other day that someone did in England, like, you know, studying goalkeepers. [20:49.000 --> 20:58.000] And it's actually like your, your brain, how it works, is completely different from, you know, regular players, which I'm like, you know, make sense for the position. [20:58.000 --> 21:06.000] But I think you got to, you got to be a little bit crazy, but also you got to have like, you got to have a steady mindset, right? [21:06.000 --> 21:17.000] Because the game is, it's a game of moments, there's going to be ups and downs, but, you know, you need to be on that steady level, regardless of, you know, the situation. [21:17.000 --> 21:31.000] And so what it's picking yourself up or like bringing your back yourself back down after a big play, you know, you got to, you got to find ways to kind of keep you at that steady level. [21:31.000 --> 21:44.000] Um, in terms of like training and preparing, I always say practice more than we actually play, right? And you're preparing for to prevent situations sometimes and just the actual save itself. [21:44.000 --> 21:53.000] But talk about the training mindset and preparation mindset. And then the difference between actually playing mindset, if you can. [21:53.000 --> 22:04.000] Uh, yeah, I think, you know, the, the training mindset, you kind of, you kind of always try your best to, you know, like train. [22:05.000 --> 22:15.000] Train like a game pretty much. So you know, you try to make it as game like as possible. Obviously, that's, that's hard to do because every situation is different. [22:15.000 --> 22:33.000] You know, and, but I think that, you know, you got to just train with the, the mindset that, hey, you're preparing for a game pretty much because most of the times like the actions you see in a game are stuff that, you know, you would probably prepare for and training the week before or, you know, [22:33.000 --> 22:39.000] so it's, it's, they all kind of tie in together, the training mindset and the game mindset. [22:39.000 --> 22:58.000] But then I think obviously training, it's going to be more physical than, than anything else. Whereas in a game, it's, it's more mental, right? Because you're not really going to see that much action in a game. So it's, like I said, communicating that keeps you in the game. [22:59.000 --> 23:13.000] And then when, when the play does come, like if you're communicating, if you're engaged in the game, then, you know, you'll, it'll be easier to make that save or that played because, you know, like, hey, I'm here, like, I'm engaged in the game. [23:13.000 --> 23:26.000] But also something that I try to do in the game to kind of help with that is, you know, I take it 10 minutes at a time, right? Like, so, okay, 10 minutes, you might have one or two place to make. [23:26.000 --> 23:36.000] So it's kind of, instead of just thinking 90 minutes, you think 10 minutes at a time, right? Like, how can I be my best this next 10 minutes, this next 10 minutes, until you get to 90 minutes? [23:36.000 --> 23:40.000] Yeah, segment for sure, man. Yeah. [23:40.000 --> 23:43.000] No, I love it. [23:43.000 --> 23:52.000] You know, with that said, and I don't want to talk about too much because he'll just say this podcast all about him, but you mentioned John Bush, right? [23:52.000 --> 23:53.000] Yeah. [23:53.000 --> 24:06.000] And I always felt one of his superpowers, you know, because he has six, six, no, I skip because he's five, but his, he always would approach practice like it was a World Cup. [24:06.000 --> 24:13.000] You know, every practice was so important. And he'd approach the games, you know, and he would be really down in his routine. [24:14.000 --> 24:27.000] Have you noticed similar traits among those because you played a lot of great players, like, what have you noticed to be a similarity between some of the great out there in any position in terms of how to prepare? [24:27.000 --> 24:42.000] Yeah, I think it's, it's like, you know, obviously playing at the highest level, those players know that, you know, you got to, you got to train how you play, like I said, right? Because if, if, if the training is easy, then the game's going to be hard. [24:42.000 --> 24:49.000] But if, if you train harder than, you know, the game, then the game becomes that much easier. [24:49.000 --> 25:05.000] So it kind of, you know, you got to, you got to have the right attitude and mindset to go into training and know that, hey, you know, I'm going to work hard today and, you know, I might, I might be tired or like, you know, something thick stuff might be going on outside of your life. [25:05.000 --> 25:16.000] But, you know, once you get on that field, it's, it's, it's kind of like you forget everything. Like, you know, I'm here to train. I'm here to work hard and prepare for the weekend or midweek or whenever the game is. [25:16.000 --> 25:17.000] Mm hmm. [25:17.000 --> 25:28.000] And so, like the role that you're at and where you are right now, I mean, you'll be playing, you know, MLS at some point or Premier League. I got no doubt about that. [25:28.000 --> 25:34.000] Like, where do you see the next level of your development? Where do you see it taking place? [25:35.000 --> 25:54.000] That's, that's, I mean, it's a tough question, but for me right now, I think, you know, it's, it's obviously I'm still young in my career. I'm only 25 but it's getting more playing time, like more games, and then keep progressing to the next level, right? [25:54.000 --> 26:13.000] So, like you said, like MLS, like, what do I need to do in my game? That's going to get me to that next level, right? And, you know, every, every day and training are, if it's a game, like those are the things that I'm focusing on developing in order to get me to that next level. [26:14.000 --> 26:23.000] Um, how about routines? Do routines come really important to you as a keeper with either pregame routine or in the game? [26:23.000 --> 26:39.000] Yeah, I mean, you kind of, uh, I pregame routine not so much, right? Because I think that, you know, based on the day or based on how I'm feeling, like, I'll, I'll need, like, different things, right? [26:39.000 --> 26:57.000] Like, or like, let's say in terms of music, like, sometimes I'm feeling like really hyped up where I just need, you know, chill music to kind of like, you know, bring that back down or like, sometimes I might need a little more, you know, heavier music or, you know, something like that to kind of, you know, get me pumped up. [26:58.000 --> 27:11.000] But I think for, you know, in terms of warm up and stuff like that during the game, like, I kind of try to keep that kind of stuff the same, you know, throughout because, you know, consistency is something that you want to build. [27:11.000 --> 27:26.000] So, you know, the warm ups to pre games, all that you keep the same, but in terms of, you know, stuff leading up to the game, you know, that, that kind of varies based on, you know, how I'm feeling and what I think I need. [27:27.000 --> 27:36.000] And then, at what point growing up to, man, were you like, you made the decision that, hey, this is going to be something I want to do. [27:37.000 --> 27:43.000] Uh, so that, that decision was kind of made for me, right? [27:43.000 --> 27:53.000] So, like, growing up in Jamaica, like, I played, I played a lot of sports, like basketball, cricket, like, you know, I ran track for a bit. [27:54.000 --> 28:09.000] But once I went to high school and then I got called up for U 17 Jamaica camp from a, so like Chelsea and Valencia and those clubs, they would always have, like, camps in Jamaica. [28:10.000 --> 28:19.000] So I went to Chelsea camp and, you know, the U 17 national team coach was there and, you know, I kind of got called up for U 17 camp. [28:20.000 --> 28:28.000] And that was the moment that I was like, okay, like, you know, I kind of got to focus now and just doing this, right? [28:28.000 --> 28:34.000] Because, you know, it's just, I mean, U 17, but playing for your country at any level is, you know, great. [28:34.000 --> 28:45.000] So once that opportunity came, I kind of, you know, focused on, okay, now soccer is the thing I'm going to do. And, you know, yeah, that's how it happened. [28:45.000 --> 28:48.000] Do you remember how you ended up getting that call? [28:49.000 --> 28:53.000] So we, like I said, we're at a, like a Chelsea camp. [28:54.000 --> 28:55.000] Okay. [28:55.000 --> 29:01.000] Uh, in Jamaica, right? And the camp was at the, were the national team trains. [29:01.000 --> 29:02.000] Okay. [29:02.000 --> 29:06.000] Yeah. So the, the U 17 coach, you was watching the camp. [29:06.000 --> 29:14.000] And he came up to me, you know, after the camp and say, Hey, like, what's your name? What's your age? All that stuff? And, you know, he took my number down. [29:14.000 --> 29:27.000] And I mean, I didn't really think much of it. I was like, okay, like, but, you know, once the, the camp came and I got the call up, then I was like, okay, yeah, like, this is actually happening. So, yeah. [29:28.000 --> 29:32.000] And that Chelsea camp, like, did you just have an amazing camp or was it kind of like? [29:32.000 --> 29:37.000] I felt like I was just, I mean, I don't know. Like I must have. [29:37.000 --> 29:54.000] Yeah. For that to happen. But, you know, in, in the moment, like I said, like, I wasn't really thinking about it like that because, you know, I think, like Phil wedding from Philly said to me once, like, you always want to be like your best self. [29:54.000 --> 30:08.000] Because you never know, like, who's watching, right? And like at that camp, I had no idea that, that coach was watching. But, you know, I must have been obviously being my best self for me to have gotten that opportunity. [30:10.000 --> 30:12.000] But that's a good quote, man. Yeah. [30:13.000 --> 30:17.000] That's, that's something I took with me and, you know, kind of kept it. [30:17.000 --> 30:34.000] Yeah. I remember, like, Jordan would talk about that. Michael Jordan would talk about, um, and maybe it was like Kobe as well, but same thing, like playing at an away game. That might be the only time that that eight year old ever gets to watch it. [30:34.000 --> 30:35.000] Right. Yeah. [30:35.000 --> 30:40.000] I really say, I don't want this kid to see a Michael Jordan, not at his best. Right. [30:40.000 --> 30:46.000] And I always thought that was, that was a really great take, you know, because you, again, never know who's going to be watching. [30:46.000 --> 30:49.000] It might be the only time ever to see him, you know. Right. For sure. [30:49.000 --> 30:50.000] Yeah. [30:50.000 --> 30:55.000] Want to listen to your favorite music, but you're sick of all the commercial interruptions and negative news today. [30:55.000 --> 31:00.000] Tune in to kucoradio.com music for your mindset. [31:00.000 --> 31:12.000] We're a commercial free online radio station. Play nothing but hits. Our free iOS and Android apps are available for download at kucoradio.com. [31:12.000 --> 31:17.000] Uh, Jamal, what, what question should I be asking that, that I'm not asking? [31:17.000 --> 31:28.000] I don't know. I mean, you, you, you kind of touch, touch based on, you know, most of the stuff, the mental stuff, obviously. [31:28.000 --> 31:34.000] For most people, there's a, there's a change in factor in, in your life, which you know, you've touched on that. [31:34.000 --> 31:38.000] I mean, I don't know. You're the expert here. [31:38.000 --> 31:43.000] That's why I kind of give you the mic and say, Hey, what am I missing? What else do you want to mention here? [31:43.000 --> 31:46.000] There's something I should be asking that I haven't asked. [31:46.000 --> 31:50.000] Uh, no, I don't think so. [31:50.000 --> 31:55.000] Okay. Nothing about your making culture growing up. Anything. [31:55.000 --> 32:12.000] I mean, it's, it's growing up in Jamaica. It was kind of like, I spent most of my time really like playing in the streets with my friends. Like, so like, you go to school and you come home and, you know, like, that's, that's the first thing you go to really [32:12.000 --> 32:17.000] not homework. You go, you go play outside with your friends. [32:17.000 --> 32:31.000] But yeah, the culture, it's, it was good. I think, you know, growing up in that environment, you kind of really, you really cherish the little things right in life, like being, being with your friends, you know, enjoying those moments together. [32:31.000 --> 32:46.000] I grew up in a living with, with most of my family show all my cousins and aunts and all of us like we live together. So, you know, I grew up really in a family based environment, which I think, you know, that was, that was good for me growing up. [32:47.000 --> 32:50.000] Well, how many people are under under one roof? [32:50.000 --> 33:03.000] So it's, it's, it's one big like yard like land space. But then like, there's different like houses like in the, you know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [33:03.000 --> 33:15.000] Yeah. So we, so like me, me, my mom, my siblings, like we lived in a house and then the next house was my aunts and, you know, they're, they're children and then so forth and so forth. [33:15.000 --> 33:17.000] So forth and so forth and so on. [33:17.000 --> 33:20.000] Okay. Love it, man. Yeah. [33:20.000 --> 33:31.000] Um, to all my men, I really appreciate you taking the time and sharing your wisdom, experience and strength and man when it comes to this and obviously what you invest in. [33:31.000 --> 33:34.000] Thank you so much, man. Thank you, man. Thanks for having me. [33:34.000 --> 33:39.000] Thanks for listening to Mental Toughness with Dr. Rob Bell. [33:39.000 --> 33:55.000] To find out more about Dr. Rob, visit his website at drrobbell.com or follow him on Twitter at Dr. Rob Bell and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform to get the next episode of Mental Toughness as soon as it's available. [33:55.000 --> 33:58.000] Thanks for listening and we'll see you next time. [34:09.000 --> 34:12.000] Bye. Transcription results written to '/home/forge/transcribe2.sonicengage.com/releases/20240210005726' directory