Solocast: Barton discusses how we can bring our "Authentic Self" to performance

09/09/21 • 16 min

Barton tells stories from his past as an Opera Singer, learning to "let go", and find his authentic voice. he asks the listener to think of times they too showed up big in important moments. Goal: How can we level up our performance in the things we seek to improve on by bringing our authentic self and finding joy.
Backstory about Barton:
Barton lives in Austin, TX with his wife Valerie and their 7 year old son, Jack. Barton's been a personal trainer for 13 years. Barton and his family love outdoor hikes, traveling, and living a healthy lifestyle. His background in the arts, sports, and working in Africa all inform his unique perspective.

Barton hung up his basketball shoes after high school and decided to pursue music; specifically vocal performance. He never sang at Davis High School, but when he arrived in San Diego, CA for college, he went for it! Barton sang in operas like "Marriage of Figaro" and "La Boheme," took acting classes, and performed a solo concert to receive his BA in Music. Before graduation, he spent a year in Aix-en-Provence studying French and traveling Europe and North Africa. Barton's two trips to Morocco instilled in him a curiosity and profound respect for the diverse cultures of West Africa. Once back in the US, he applied for the Peace Corps so he could travel back to Africa and immerse himself in the culture and learn about their way of life. Barton spent two years in Diadjibine, a small village of 2,500 people in Southern Mauritania, West Africa. As a Peace Corp volunteer, he taught English, helped build water pumps, and started a solar-powered computer center. The time in Mauritania shaped Barton's mindset on the importance of community, teamwork, leadership, and supporting hard-working people who don't have the resources Americans have at their fingertips.
After Peace Corps, Barton moved to New York City to pursue singing and acting. He was accepted into the Maggie Flanigan Studio and spent two years studying Meisner technique and writing a one man show about what he learned as a Peace Corps in West Africa. His show opened up new doors for him and he performed it around the country. On one of his trips, he traveled to Austin, TX where he met Valerie. Barton moved to Austin after graduating from the Acting Studio and four months later, they were married.
When Barton moved to Austin in 2007, he became a personal trainer. concurrently, Barton created a voluntourism company taking people to East and West Africa to do volunteer work and enjoying Safaris. He was introduced to Camp Gladiator in 2012 and his love for performing and passion for fitness made Camp Gladiator a perfect fit. He sold his tour company and went all in to his new role with Camp Gladiator.

The Mindset Forge Podcast is Barton's newest passion. Barton hopes the podcast will help people find the tools and inspiration to go after the things in life that matter most to them. He deliberately chooses guests from a variety of athletic and artistic backgrounds to help listeners gain multiple perspective of how they show up big for performance and how we can too.

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Email: [email protected]
Website: http://bartonguybryan.com
Use this link to get a 30 minute discovery call scheduled with Barton regarding the Team Bryan Wellness Concierge Fitness Program
https://calendly.com/bartbryan/conciergecoachingcall
My 3 Top Episodes of the first 100:
7 Essentials to Building Muscle after 40
3x Olympic Gold Medalist Brendan Hansen
MMA Strength and Conditioning Coach Phil Daru

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Join Premium: https://themindsetforge.supercast

Previous Episode

Michael Griffin: Retired NFL Safety with the Titans explains how to develop a Competitive Edge

10 year NFL safety Michael Griffin sits down with Barton to talk fatherhood, cupcakes, and his experience growing up playing football in Austin, TX. He takes the listener on his journey from Bowie High to the Univ. of Texas, and to the NFL. In this episode, Michael explains why aspiring athletes must get up early, do the work in the gym, and be determined to be the best on their team.

Mindset to Stay In the Game

Much of the attention is given to the physical aspect of football since it is a contact sport. However, Michael always thinks of his back against the wall, which is traced back to his high school days. He explains that when he is in that position, he can see the goal and how he can get to it. Michael then questions himself if his goal outweighs the barriers and everything else. He says that it is easy to make every excuse possible on why he could not do it. So what does this have to do with the physical aspect? Well, Michael has to know the difference between hurt and injured. An injury would mean not being able to play, and with that, it gives a window of opportunity to another player to take his spot. Therefore, Michael has developed a sense of durability with the mindset to push himself hard while securing his place in the team. Due to this way of thinking, he played with a dislocated shoulder twice. He learned to adapt quickly instead of getting off the field in order to keep his position as a safety of the team.

About Michael Griffin:

Two-time Pro-Bowler Michael Griffin’s stellar professional football career spanned ten seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and the Carolina Panthers. Since retiring in 2018, Griffin’s focus has shifted to entrepreneurship, opening up a subsidiary bakery under the Gigi’s Cupcakes franchise outside of his hometown of Austin, Texas, with his life-long friends, fellow NFL standout Brian Orakpo and college classmate Bryan Hynson.

Griffin’s magnetic dexterity has served him well throughout the years as a football player, entrepreneur, and most recently, the star of a hit Microsoft commercial with his friend and former Titan teammate Brian Orakpo. Griffin resides in Austin, Texas, with his wife Shantel and their children.

Outline of the Episode:

[01:47] Lessons from sports applied in raising three kids

[07:54] Challenges that arise from communication outside the football field

[11:10] Factors that made Michael go back to Austin to raise his family

[19:21] Family dynamics: parenting strategies in creating a team within their children

[21:52] Humility goes a long way, whether in sports or fatherhood

[23:23] A competitive attitude made use in high school football

[32:48] Michael’s experience having a sports scholarship at the University of Texas

[41:30] The magic behind the team’s success, according to Michael

[45:02] How Michael handled the physical aspects of football and kept himself primed to play

[52:37] Football mindset used to put up the cupcake business

Resources:

IG: @thecupcakeguys

https://thecupcakeguys.com

IG: @Mikegriff33

Michael Griffin’s UT Highlight Reel: https://youtu.be/ynFNxQ3b5-U

2006 R

Next Episode

Bethany Shadburne: The Agony and Ecstasy of becoming one of the top CrossFit Athletes on Earth

Bethany Shadburne explains why she stopped gymnastics and eventually shifted her focus to being an elite CrossFit athlete. In this episode, she shares her journey, and the lessons learned being an athlete going to that level. She also provides nuggets on simple, truthful reasons to stay healthy and effective in sports.

A Combination of Existing Exercises

People often get confused when Bethany mentions CrossFit. She is always mistaken for a bodybuilder or a weightlifter. CrossFit is a combination of exercises that are already existing. It involves lifting barbells, running, swimming, gymnastic movements, and bodyweight movements. Bethany did every activity in the past before she started CrossFit, except the barbell, as she was an athlete, too. She also explains that CrossFit has different levels. At the professional level, they work out for six to seven hours per day. It is divided into parts. First is the monostructural work for cardio which is swimming. The second is the strength portion that is going to the gym to do weightlifting. The third part is the skill portion that comprises gymnastics, pushups, handstands, and other basic exercises. Lastly, there is the accessory portion which is a little bit of bodybuilding. CrossFit is an all-around sport designed for every part of the body, and it depends on what level the person can handle.

About Bethany Shadburne:

Bethany Shadburne is a top women’s CrossFit competitor who placed 9th (individual) at the 2019 CrossFit Games, her best performance. Shadburne also finished 16th in 2018 and 22nd in 2017, so she’s no stranger to the sport.

But before she was a CrossFit athlete, Shadburne was involved in gymnastics, bodybuilding, triathlons, and other similar activities. Then, in 2015, she found her love in CrossFit by participating in local contests, and in 2016, things started to look promising for her. Then in 2017, she won two competitions, ended up top 20 in the world, and finished 22nd at the CrossFit Games.

Outline of the Episode:

[02:07] A general idea about the sport, CrossFit

[05:23] Bethany’s childhood back in Austin and how she got into gymnastics

[08:41] What it is like as a gymnast performing on the floor

[11:49] How Bethany dealt with injury and her transition to CrossFit

[16:45] What markers Bethany sees when planning her workout for the next six months

[19:37] The move to Las Vegas to train with a CrossFit coach

[23:35] Team aspect of the training applied to the individual aspect of the sport

[27:14] Preparation for the West Coast Semifinals and Bethany’s insights on her performance

[31:07] Understand the balance of training and recovery from injury

[33:57] Mindset around the sport, morning habits, and rituals to get through the day

[39:51] Family and entrepreneurship, among other things besides sports