Todd Stottlemyre: Learning to Let Go

On Pro Mindset^® Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Todd Stottlemyre—a three-time World Series Champion and someone who truly understands what it means to rewrite your story when life knocks you down.

Todd's journey isn't just about baseball success. It's about confronting the deepest kind of pain and finding a way to transform it into purpose. At 15 years old, Todd donated his bone marrow to his little brother, hoping to save his life. When his brother died, Todd carried a devastating belief for 12 years that he was responsible for his death.

This is the power of the Pocket Voice™—that inner dialogue that can either fuel your greatness or sabotage your dreams.

For Todd, that voice whispered lies of guilt and shame, creating an identity built on tragedy rather than truth. He became emotionally volatile, exploding at anything he couldn't control. Sound familiar? How many of us carry stories that limit who we think we can become?

The breakthrough came when Todd met Harvey Dorfman, who asked him one life-changing question, "Would you do it again?" When Todd said yes—that he'd give that bone marrow every day if it meant a chance to save his brother—Harvey told him something profound, "Then it's time to forgive yourself and let it go."

This is what I call cutting loose the training parachute.

Just like sprinters use resistance parachutes in training but drop them before the race, we must release the mental weight that holds us back from performing at our highest level. Todd learned that every time he got angry, he was focused on something he couldn't control—robbing himself of greatness in the present moment.

Harvey taught him the 180-degree mindset: if you don't like your thought, change the channel. We have the power to shift our focus, our emotions, and our story. Todd went from being an average pitcher on great teams to becoming a difference-maker, transforming not just his performance but his entire approach to life.

Here's what Todd's story teaches us about Pro Mindset:

Your past doesn't define your potential. The stories you tell yourself either limit you or liberate you. When you're focused on what you can't control, you're stealing energy from what you can control—your effort, your preparation, and your response to the next moment.

Todd's journey reminds us that greatness isn't about being perfect. It's about being present, letting go of what's already happened, and showing up fully for what's in front of you.

👉 What story are you telling yourself that's keeping you from your breakthrough? 🤔 It might be time to change the channel. 🌟

📖 Todd learned that your biggest opponent isn't across from you—it's between your ears, and in Pro Mindset^®: Be Your Best In Your Biggest Moments, Craig Domann reveals the battle tested mental framework used by elite NFL athletes to build an invincible Performance Bubble™, let go of the past, and dominate under pressure. Stop letting your story hold you back.

👉 Order now at craigdomann.com/book

📢 Todd Stottlemyre's transformation from carrying crushing guilt to becoming a World Series champion wasn't magic—it was mindset work, and Craig Domann's Pro Mindset^® Coaching Program gives you the exact same framework to reprogram your Pocket Voice™, cut loose your mental weight, and perform at your peak when it matters most. Ready to rewrite your story and unlock your breakthrough?

👉 Learn more at craigdomann.com/Coaching

To hear more from Todd Stottlemyre’s Pro Mindset Podcast, click here or search on your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Craig Domann, Pro Mindset Podcast, Sports, NFL agent, Mindset coaching, Sports psychology, Mental toughness training, Athletic mindset, Peak performance mindset, Visualization techniques, Self-belief training, Mental resilience, Pro Mindset, Performance mindset, Athlete mental training, Sports mindset coaching, Mental performance coach, Identity gap, Rewrite your story, Performance bubble, How to develop mental toughness like NFL players, Pro Mindset training for athletes, Craig Domann mindset coaching, NFL mindset training techniques, How to build unshakeable confidence, Mental training for college athletes, Sports psychology for peak performance, Visualization & Mental Training, Visualization for athletes, Mental rehearsal techniques, Sports visualization training, Pre-game mental preparation, Mental imagery for performance, Building athletic confidence, Overcoming self-doubt in sports, Confident athlete mindset, Self-belief training methods, Mental confidence building, Overcoming sports adversity, Resilience training for athletes, Comeback mindset, Mental toughness after injury, Athletic resilience building, Performing under pressure, Clutch performance mindset, Pressure situations in sports, Big moment preparation, Competition anxiety management, College athlete mindset, Professional athlete psychology, Young athlete mental training, Student athlete performance, Elite athlete mindset, Youth sports psychology, Coaching mental toughness, Parent athlete support, Sports parent guidance, Athletic development mindset, Executive mindset training, High performance psychology, Business athlete mindset, Leadership mental toughness, Professional peak performance, Mindset podcast, Sports psychology podcast, Mental training tips, Mindset coaching techniques, Athletic success stories, Performance improvement strategies, NFL mindset training, Professional sports psychology, Elite, Toronto, Toronto Blue Jays, Blue Jays, baseball, MLB, World Series, World Series Champion.