The recent WPF (Women’s Professional Fastpitch) draft inspired me to talk professional softball today with you; what I LOVE about the WPF and Athletes Unlimited, what MORE I believe needs to happen to really grow the game to where I think it can be, highlighting some of the INCREDIBLE athletes, managers and commissioners in the game right now and how you and I can help it keep growing which will in-turn keep inspiring girls to dream big and play at the highest level - for a living! Rate/review W...
Apr 19, 2023•26 min•Ep. 134
Today’s episode is a little different than most. This short, 10 minute episode is a softball-specific meditation to help athletes be in a more calm and relaxed state before their next big performance, so they can be more in control and confident with what’s about to happen. This includes practices I’ve learned from books like “Mind Gym: An athlete’s guide for inner excellence”, Sports Psychologists and Mental Performance Coaches I’ve learned from and personal experiences that helped me and my su...
Apr 12, 2023•12 min•Ep. 133
BEFORE you go straight to trying to fix your mechanics when things don’t go well early in the season, let’s check in on our timing! MOST hitters think they have to make a mechanical adjustment when it could have EASILY been prevented if we spent just a little more time in each hitting session working on TIMING. Here are a few of my favorite timing drills and mental skills to help you be on time more often come the most important games of the season! Drills referred to in the episode: 3 Plate Dri...
Apr 05, 2023•32 min•Ep. 132
The game of baseball (and softball) is our nation’s past-time for a reason and deserves to be played with FUN and FREEDOM as a top priority. Our game builds character, discipline, teamwork, drive and so much more, and this episode is highlighting how to get the most out of ourselves every time we get to step our cleats on that field. In a world of high performance anxiety, stress, and burnout, tune in to learn how to make our sport FUN again for all of us…parents, players and coaches alike! Foll...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 131
“90% of the game is half mental.” - Yogi Berra. When we start to understand that what separates the good from the GREAT is mastering our mental game, that’s when we truly live up to our potential when we play. In this episode you’ll learn strategies from my FAVORITE book “Mind Gym: An athlete’s guide to inner excellence” on how to stay focused, deal with adversity, stay motivated, avoid distractions and so much more. Check out the Goal-Smasher Confidence Course - https://www.ashleybtraining.com/...
Mar 22, 2023•31 min•Ep. 130
No one knows when their next adversity is going to hit, but we can always be prepared for when it does come! This week on the podcast, Pitching Coach Kally V is here teaching us about adversity and how to overcome it once it arrives, what she wishes more parents knew about their athletes and what they go through, tips about recruiting, what led her to coaching after her traumatic career-ending injury, what it’s like coaching her daughter and so much more! Follow Kally on Instagram - https://www....
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 129
Want to make sure you’re mentally prepared to thrive…ESPECIALLY at your next tryout?! This episode was MADE FOR YOU! From making sure your mind is ready for what’s to come to wearing your FAVE outfit to “look good, feel good, play good”, here are 10 things I wish I would have been able to hear before each and every tryout I ever had…or really before any important performance I was getting ready to play. GOOD LUCK! Check out our ABT merch and use code PODCAST10 for 10% off our empowerment gear - ...
Mar 08, 2023•22 min•Ep. 128
SO MANY have asked that we have a guest on the show who has “made it” from the Midwest and TODAY we get to make it happen! Erin Coffel is an Indiana native and 2x Gatorade Player of the Year currently competing at top-25 ranked Kentucky. She is an All-American, has led the SEC in many offensive categories, and still has two more seasons ahead of her! In this episode, you’ll learn about her unique recruiting process, what it was like training with her dad at home, why she believes her travel team...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 127
If you want to be great at this game a REQUIREMENT is to watch the best do what they do. Today I’m giving you 10 ways to make the MOST out of your watching experience so that players, coaches AND parents can get your mental reps in while also being entertained by some of the very best in the game! Leave your own review on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-the-cleats-come-off/id1525612274 Follow Ashley on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleybtraining/ Facebook -...
Feb 22, 2023•35 min•Ep. 126
A dream of MINE is having Dr. Dot Richardson on the podcast and I’m so excited for her to share a bit about her incredible journey from not being able to play organized sports growing up to being the FIRST Team USA hit in Olympic Softball history! There’s so much more we unpack in this episode from how competitiveness has been at the forefront since childhood, how she’s been able to lead Liberty Softball to a conference title after going 11-46 in her first season, what traits she believes have a...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 125
Kobe was a legend we can learn so much from from not only his playing, but his PRACTICE and his influence on his team and his family. In honor of the recent anniversary of his passing, this is a LIVE recording I did soon after his tragic death in 2020. In this recording, I share a few lessons we can learn from Kobe, from stories about how he always demonstrated leadership and high standards to how WE can be outstanding at whatever we do. I hope you leave this one inspired! Leave your own review ...
Feb 08, 2023•18 min•Ep. 124
Here, we go! College softball is almost back in action and I have none other than one of the best college softball reporters in the game, Justin McLeod, here to share some of his predictions of the 2023 season, big match-ups we should be on the lookout for this year, HOW you can watch and track college softball all season long and some “behind the scenes” of some of your favorite college players and coaches! Follow Justin’s work on Extra Innings Softball - https://extrainningsoftball.com/categor...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 123
It’s my birthday week and, you guessed it, I turn 30! I want to celebrate this milestone by sharing a few short pieces of advice I needed to hear when I was younger Ash trying to figure out this crazy game and life! I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved creating it for you! Leave your own review on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-the-cleats-come-off/id1525612274 Follow Ashley on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleybtraining/ Follow Ashley on Facebook - https:...
Jan 25, 2023•51 min•Ep. 122
You’ve met my middle sis, but now it’s time to meet the THIRD Burkhardt child, volleyball star Anna Burkhardt! In this episode you’ll learn how it’s better to go with your gut than what everyone else is doing, how to br GREAT at your sport while also killing it in the classroom, how to be a more vocal leader and so much more! Follow Anna on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_annaburk https://www.ashleybtraining.com/ Similar episodes from When the Cleats Come Off: Ben-Marvin Egel: A few thing...
Jan 18, 2023•46 min•Ep. 121
Having a dream or goal is the easy part, but making them happen sometimes requires some guidance. In this episode you’ll learn the importance of having a goal, how to stay accountable and motivated to achieve it, the importance of being uncomfortable OFTEN and how to track your progress on your way there! Learn more about the 14-day Goal-Smasher Confidence course - https://www.ashleybtraining.com/offers/GTbUzZdm/checkout Follow Ashley on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleybtraining/ Fol...
Jan 11, 2023•39 min•Ep. 120
Who better to learn from than someone who has done it ALL in our game?! We’re honored to have yet another Olympian, 3x Gold Medalist Leah Amico, join us on the podcast talking about her experience playing and representing her country on “The Dream Team”, lessons the game has taught her beyond the white lines, the power of goal-setting, the traits she believes every Olympian has and so much more! Learn more about Leah and her podcast - https://www.leahamico.com/ Follow Leah on Instagram - https:/...
Jan 04, 2023•42 min•Ep. 119
This is SUCH a treat! Today on the podcast, you’re getting a snippet of a Zoom call that parents of my Virtual Hitting Academy members received from one of our game’s finest, 11x National Champion, Sue Enquist earlier this year. She is sharing a few pillars or timeless “truths” that, when applied, will help your athletes find the ultimate success they’re looking for in the game and in life. *I recommend you have a notebook ready for this one!* Sign up for the Virtual Hitting Academy Waitlist - h...
Dec 28, 2022•36 min•Ep. 118
ZERO roads to the same destination are exactly the same in this game and it’s time to start owning yours instead of comparing it to others. Listen in to learn HOW you can take your game to the places you want to be no matter what side of the country you live on! Sign up for the Virtual Hitting Academy Waitlist - https://www.ashleybtraining.com/waitlist Review the podcast on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-the-cleats-come-off/id1525612274 or Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/s...
Dec 21, 2022•36 min•Ep. 117
Do I believe everyone should strive to be better leaders by example? I DO! My sis is back on the podcast this week sharing some of the qualities she was taught to be a selfless leader on and off the field along with experiences she’s had that have helped her be vocal in the right moments, recover from failure quicker and especially be the leader her team needed her to be. Follow Kristina on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kristina_burkhardt/ Kristina Burkhardt: Her last dance in college so...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 116
Great coaching is hard to find sometimes. Here are 10 qualities I’ve learned the BEST coaches in ANY sport have in common and why I think we should be playing for them! Review the podcast on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-the-cleats-come-off/id1525612274 or Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2ix6LNCDOAVmeTUVqym264?si=d681bca5aedb418b Follow Ashley on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleybtraining/ Follow Ashley on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AshleyBurkhard...
Dec 07, 2022•38 min•Ep. 115
“Start following your plan instead of your mood.” This is one of my FAVORITE quotes from today’s episode with former pro baseball player and great friend/mentor of mine in the game, Chris Vasami. This week we talk about all things off-season and how you should be training to make the absolute most of it! Follow Chris on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisvasami/ Check out Chris’ website - https://www.vasamitraining.com/ Get discounts (podcast10 & podship) on Empowerment Gear - https:...
Nov 30, 2022•55 min•Ep. 114
Just like your swing, your defense and your pitching, confidence is a SKILL! The more we work on it the better we’ll get at it and today I’m giving you three practices you can start doing TODAY to help build your confidence! Learn more about the 14-day Goal-Smasher Confidence course - https://www.ashleybtraining.com/offers/GTbUzZdm/checkout Follow Ashley on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleybtraining/ Similar Episodes of When the Cleats Come Off: DO NOT do these 5 things with your athl...
Nov 23, 2022•42 min•Ep. 113
Today I’m sharing a simple practice that will help boost your confidence, remind yourself of how great you are, and hopefully be one that you come back to OFTEN because it makes you feel AMAZING once you do it! It’s called building a STRENGTHS LIST! Learn more about the 14-day Goal-Smasher Confidence course - https://www.ashleybtraining.com/offers/GTbUzZdm/checkout Follow Ashley on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleybtraining/ Follow Ashley on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AshleyB...
Nov 16, 2022•15 min•Ep. 112
Olympian and 2x All-American, Tori Vidales is BACK on the show to talk about her love for first base, drills and things to think about to become GREAT at that position along with how she has become one of the most dominant hitters in the professional game! Follow Tori on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vidalestori/ Follow Ashley B Training on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleybtraining/ Check out our NEW WTCCO Apparel! - https://ashley-b-training.myshopify.com/ Help us grow the p...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 111
Balancing student-athlete life can be MESSY, but it doesn’t have to be! Today I’m sharing 5 ideas to start implementing into your routine that I PROMISE will help make your weeks less stressful and more manageable for the whole fam…because you deserve it. Check out the AG 365 Student-Athlete Planner - https://alwaysgrind365.com/products/ag-student-athlete-planner Follow Ashley on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleybtraining/ Similar Episodes of When the Cleats Come Off: 4 Qualities of G...
Nov 02, 2022•31 min•Ep. 110
This week 3x All-Big 12 Honoree, NPF All-Star and Championship MVP, Nicole Trimboli, is sharing some of her favorite ways to communicate and get the most out of her players, a few techniques to help athletes grow their mental toughness, how to take practices into games and so much more! This 12 year college coach also shares ways players have stood out to her on the recruiting road and also how she teaches her current athletes how to set themselves apart from the rest! NT Athletic Development We...
Oct 26, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 109
If you’re looking to learn some softball hacks from those who have “been there” to make you and your daughter’s experience in the game better THIS IS YOUR EPISODE! From cleaning those dirty white uniforms, what to NEVER forget on a road trip and how to stay warm on those cold weekends! Products mentioned in the episode: Fels Naptha cleaning bar - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J4YW43E/?ref=idea_lv_dp_ov_d Heated outdoor chairs - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4K14C38/?ref=idea_dp_ Weather pod - http...
Oct 19, 2022•40 min•Ep. 108
I’m so so excited to share with you one of the real-est humans in the game as she shares a lot about her journey from growing up in Texas to being a 2x All-American at A&M followed by pursuing a career in pro softball and living out her dream (and a lot of our dreams) at the Olympics for Team Mexico in 2021. She has so many great insights about the recruiting process, overcoming self-doubt, getting in the habit of asking questions and learning from your teammates and what it truly takes to b...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 107
The question we alllll have asked ourselves: “How do I make sure I don’t get injured?” Well, we can’t know when it will BUT we can learn and apply techniques in our routines to make these unhappy circumstances LESS likely to happen! This week, we get to learn from exercise physiologist, Jennifer Schwartz, how to take better care of our bodies in the form of active recovery, sleep, hydration, flexibility, injury prevention and injury management techniques and more! Hope you brought your notebook ...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 106
My friend Liv was looking for some insight about her swing earlier this year, and I decided to record the conversation! We talk about her stance, posture, hand placement on the bat and a few more interesting topics regarding drills and how she can grow her game from home. Find more drills on our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/AshleyBurkhardtTraining Peek at some ABT Empowerment Gear and use code PODCAST10 for 10% off! - https://ashley-b-training.myshopify.com/ Watch the full convers...
Sep 28, 2022•35 min•Ep. 105
