What does it take to build a champion’s mindset? In this episode of Athlete Builder, I sit down with Briggs Pittman—former 82nd Airborne soldier, national-level jiu-jitsu referee, and elite-level competitor—to break down what separates average athletes from those who win at the highest level. This conversation goes way beyond sports. We dive into: - How elite performers train their minds under pressure - Why discipline beats motivation every time - The difference between being a champion… and having a champion mindset - How to stay calm when everything is falling apart - The role of fun, consistency, and environment in long-term development - Why your past can either fuel you… or destroy you One of the most powerful takeaways: “There’s nothing bad that can happen… if you learn how to shift it into something positive.” ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Guest Background (Briggs Pittman) 01:30 – Winning vs Coaching vs Refereeing at the Highest Level 03:00 – Training Systems: Why Repetition Builds Confidence 07:00 – Military Mindset & Airborne Training Lessons 12:30 – Applying Structure to Fighter Development 16:30 – Coaching Athletes: Balancing Strengths vs Weaknesses 18:30 – Motivation, Discipline & Making Training Fun 21:30 – Using Your Past as Fuel (Not an Excuse) 25:00 – What is a Champion’s Mindset? 29:30 – Core Values: Discipline, Leadership & Protection 34:30 – Humor, Team Culture & Building Community 35:30 – Hunting, Endurance & Mental Toughness 41:00 – Handling Pressure & Fatigue in Extreme Situations 49:00 – Marriage, Energy & Channeling Drive 50:30 – Sleep, Recovery & Mental Reset Strategies 56:00 – Music, Training Tempo & Performance 57:30 – Rapid Fire (Movies, Books, Heroes, Quotes) 01:02:00 – Bucket List & Life Philosophy 01:04:00 – Where to Find Briggs + Closing Thoughts 🔥 Key Lessons for Coaches & Athletes: - Consistency > intensity - Systems remove pressure - Discipline builds everything else - Mindset determines how far you go

Coaches, I was at Ohio State's Coaches Clinic 2026 last week, Head Coach Ryan Day broke leadership down into something simple—and powerful: 👉 The 5 C’s of Leadership - Connection - Character - Competence - Courage - Communication He repeated that leaders must be seen, felt, and heard. I highlight it in this week’s podcast: OSU Coaches Clinic 2026 Here’s the truth: 👉 Most athletes are never actually taught these. They’re told:“Be a leader”“Step up”“Do better” But no system exists to train it. That’s the difference at elite programs. They don’t assume leadership…They develop it intentionally. I build athletes mentally and physically to win now and at life always. JIM WIN THE DAY