About the Episode
In this edition of the Sport Fuels Life Mental Performance Series, Michael Urban, Director of Mental Performance for the Los Angeles Clippers, shares insights on leadership, communication, and creating environments where athletes can grow, compete, and perform at their best.
Urban reflected on his journey from student basketball manager to working across collegiate and professional sports, including stops at IMG Academy, University of California, Berkeley, and Clemson University.
Throughout the conversation, Urban emphasized that some of the best coaches are not necessarily the ones with the loudest voices or all the answers. Often, they are the ones willing to listen, ask meaningful questions, and create environments where athletes feel seen, heard, and supported.
For coaches, athletes, and parents alike, the episode serves as a powerful reminder that communication, relationships, and curiosity are often at the center of growth and performance.
Top 5 Takeaways
- Great coaches ask better questions.
“What were you feeling in that moment?”
“What were you proud of today?”Questions like these can lead to deeper learning than technique instruction alone. - Mental performance is proactive, not reactive.
In the past, athletes were often encouraged to seek mental skills coaching only after something went wrong. Today, the best programs treat mental performance the same way they treat strength training or nutrition — as an ongoing tool for improvement. - Values drives consistency.
Urban described what he called the “TEA” model:- Thoughts drive emotions
- Emotions drive actions
- Relationships shape performance.
“Let’s not avoid it. Let’s talk about it.”Instead of ignoring tension, ego, or communication issues, teams can proactively address challenges before they grow into larger problems. - Athletes need to feel heard.
Too often, coaches focus only on delivering information rather than understanding the athlete’s perspective.When coaches listen, ask questions, and genuinely seek input, athletes become more engaged, motivated, and confident. The relationship becomes collaborative rather than transactional.
Mindset Shift
Instead of defining coaching by how much information is delivered, Urban encouraged coaches to think about how effectively they create conversations.
That shift is significant.
The coaches who make the biggest impact are often the ones who create trust first.
The best environments are not built entirely on instruction. They are built on connection, curiosity, and collaboration.
For many coaches, that may be the mindset shift that changes everything.
Going Deeper
One of the most valuable parts of the conversation centered around emotional consistency and identity in sports.
Urban explained that athletes often allow emotions to completely dictate their behavior and performance. A bad call, a missed shot, or a frustrating moment can quickly spiral into negativity.
But emotions themselves are not the problem.
The key is learning how to stay grounded in values and behaviors regardless of emotional fluctuations.
This is especially important for young athletes who are still developing emotional awareness and confidence.
Urban encouraged coaches and parents to pay attention not only to results, but also to behaviors.
For athletes, coaches, and parents, learning to communicate better, listen more intentionally, and lead with curiosity may be one of the most powerful competitive advantages available today.
Connect with Michael Urban
Linkedin: Michael Urban, M.S., CMPC | LinkedIn
