Exiting the MLB and Finding Joy Again with Mental Performance Coach Adam Bernero
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This former MLB pitcher discovered that he has more meaning and impact behind the scenes of sports than when standing on the mound himself.
Adam Bernero works in the field of sport psychology and is currently a mental performance coach with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.
Adam started his pro career as a pitcher with the Detroit Tigers in 1999 and played in the major leagues until 2006. After leaving the big leagues due to injury, Adam was a fishing guide in Alaska for six summers among odd jobs and time for self-reflection. Now, he’s enjoying life more than ever helping other athletes fulfill their dreams.
Content note: from minute 29:20-30:55, Adam alludes to suicide ideation.
We talk about...
How Adam unexpectedly found himself pitching for pro baseball
Moving from college to the minor leagues to the MLB in a year
The feeling of standing on the field in your first pro game
Meeting a coach who believed Adam could go pro
Signing his first contract on a napkin with the Detroit Tigers
The realization that when you’re pro, there’s a lot of money and hype involved
Not having a strong sense of self-identity as a 23 year old pro baseball player
The intense shift in lifestyle after exiting the MLB
How much Adam struggled after he had to quit pitching in the MLB due to injury
From $2,000/day to $7.25/hour and having to scrape together odd jobs at 31
Sinking into a depression and struggling to find happiness post-MLB
Picking up fishing guide work in Alaska to distract him from depression
Briefly considering what it would be like to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge before realizing he didn’t want to end his life
How that moment shifted his mindset and made him want to live a rad, happy life
How Adam began to find happiness after depression
A moment with a doctor that made Adam realize his feelings were normal
Life isn’t supposed to be constant dopamine– boredom is good for you
True success comes from doing the unsexy, small things every day
Finding worthwhile lessons in being uncomfortable
Helping pro athletes as a mental performance coach with the Seattle Mariners
How Adam is “triage for the mind” for players on the Seattle Mariners
There’s no money in professional sports organizations to help athletes transition careers
Many athletes aren’t actually having a great time at the top of their game
Current struggles for pro athletes, like social media and on-field confidence
Today’s athletes have more willingness to talk about mental health
Tools Adam shares with his athletes: mindset, focus, breathwork, and mind-body connection for nervous system regulation
The impact of Adam’s current work in his life
How Adam’s sweet spot is guiding athletes behind the scenes, rather than standing on the mound himself
The importance of identifying and aligning values in life for athletes
The trade-offs of being on the road for sports: inconsistency in relationships, the desire to have a dog, and how summers don’t exist
PSST! If you like this episode, you’ll love these two:
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How Dancing Transformed Nika Kermani's Mental Health After Depression
How to connect with Jeni and Angie:
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Music: The Kind of Sandwich Island by Shut-ins
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