12 Seasons: A Major League Player's Story of Resilience and Redemption with Jamie Westbrook

Get ready for an inspiring story of what happens when you don't give up on your big dream. In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Westbrook, a.k.a. "The Barrel Man," who spent over 11 seasons in the minors before reaching the big leagues. Jamie shares advice on managing performance pressures, staying focused during tough times, and why resilience is key to long-term success. We explore how to build a strong mental approach, turn setbacks like injuries into growth opportunities, and how parents and players develop the right mindset to thrive through the ups and downs of a season. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Meet Jamie Westbrook, a.k.a. The Barrel Man. 05:30 Strategies to stand out if you're an undersized player. 13:30 How to keep moving forward when things don't go as planned. 15:00 The mindset to help your kids develop for competition. 16:30 What do parents and athletes need to know to navigate the college recruiting process? 25:00 How the energy in lower-level vs. higher-level teams impact a player's experience. 33:15 Jamie's top advice after spending multiple seasons in Double-A. 37:45 Tips to maintain a strong mindset despite setbacks. 46:15 How playing in the Olympics freed Jamie from the pressures of minor league expectations. 50:30 What was the transition like returning to minor league baseball after the Olympics? 53:45 How analytics refine your baseball approach. 01:02:15 Lessons on bouncing back from family challenges. 01:05:15 How does your life outside of baseball impact your performance? 01:08:30 Tips for young athletes to deal with setbacks constructively. 01:10:15 The best support parents can provide without adding pressure. RESOURCES + LINKS Learn more at aligndsports.com Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE FOLLOW Jamie Westbrooke: @jwesunderscore4 Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford