Episode 129

It Takes An Army -- w/ Alabama's Montana Fouts

Published on: 3rd September, 2021

Have you ever watched the World Series (college softball of course) and thought, “That player is super-human” Like there’s no way the rest of us or my girls could ever do that.

We put players like today’s guest on a pedestal for good reason, because they are amazing competitors!

But really? They got there with a specific skill set. Certain tools in their toolbox that allowed them to bounce back faster, stay confident and perform consistently even against the toughest opponents.

That skill set is the mental game.

I know you know that since you’re listening to this podcast!

But do you know what it actually looks like? When you pull back the curtain and see the day to day commitment… the tough times pushing through adversity and that voice in your head telling you you can’t?

Today’s guest is going to tell you how she has overcome adversity and worked her mental game to help her become one of the elite pitchers of our time

And if you like what she has to say… you’re going to want to check out our upcoming Next Level Bootcamp! 

This virtual, 5-day team workshop will give your players the foundation they need to become the confident, mentally tough player you know they can be!

To learn more, head to mss.com/teambootcamp.

Now, let’s get to the show!

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About the Podcast

Signed & Ready
College Recruiting + Mental Game Mastery for Softball Athletes and Families
Signed & Ready is the go-to podcast for softball athletes and families navigating the college recruiting process—and preparing to thrive once they get there.

Hosted by Alicia Smith, head coach, recruiting mentor, and mental performance expert, this show pulls back the curtain on what really moves the needle in college recruiting: leadership, composure, and confidence under pressure.

If you're a parent wondering how to support your daughter without overstepping—or an athlete who wants to feel ready, not just look ready—you're in the right place.

Each episode delivers practical strategies, real talk, and coach-level insights on:

Standing out in the recruiting process (beyond the stats)

Building confidence that actually shows up on game day

Leading yourself through high-pressure moments

Thriving in college athletics with a strong mental game

This isn’t just about getting signed.
It’s about becoming the kind of athlete coaches can’t ignore—and the kind of leader who’s ready for the next level.

👉 New episodes weekly. Subscribe now and start building your mental edge—from the inside out.

About your host

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Melanie Rushing

If you're the type of coach who believes team culture is key, mental training is a secret weapon, and we can make the biggest impact when we coach the whole person, this podcast is for you!

Hey! We're Melanie Rushing & Alicia Smith - just a couple of softball coaches like you, who want to share our passion for building team culture & mentally tough players.

New episodes are released on Mondays and are typically about 30 minutes long. Just enough time to drive the field or give it a good drag.

We share what we've learned in our 30+ combined years of on-field experience (influenced by our Sport Psych, Coaching Sport Performance & Leadership education)

PLUS we bring on guests from the top softball teams, field of sport psychology and those who specialize in sport performance!

SO if you want to learn actionable tips and strategies to help your team win more games and have more fun head to your podcast player of choice & subscribe!

Talk to you soon!