Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC

Husband and father • Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) • Ed.D. Sport and Performance Psychology • Owner of Montana Peak Performance Inc.

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@HiMyNameIsSeton I guess I’m thinking sports in general, but kids are certainly quitting because of pressure. At least ones I talk with are. It’s more complicated than you think. Pressure leads to comparison and less effort when things get difficult. Then they quit.

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@HiMyNameIsSeton But I’m sure there’s a selection criteria. And the purpose is to create elite players. With club teams, parents often have that same purpose, which is obviously not working well.

Specialization=professionalization
Prof=pressure
Pressure=less fun/quitting/smaller talent pool

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@HiMyNameIsSeton @stevemagness What is the purpose of a professional academy?

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@HiMyNameIsSeton @stevemagness That’s not the point. It’s a reason for why the US lags, as opposed to “more programs earlier.”

Take golf. The best players I know hung around the course/range as kids. That’s a complex skill sport, athleticism secondary. They didn’t go take lessons everyday, they fell in love

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@stevemagness @HiMyNameIsSeton I agree. I think the knee-jerk reaction is to say “we need more at younger ages.” Think about the percentage of kids who play “pick-up” soccer in these other countries compared to the US.

Basketball was that way (until recently), which is probably why the US had the best

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

We need to rethink the current system. Doing extra things for all the wrong reasons.

[Jacob Turner @TheJacobTurner]

A PARENT’S JOURNEY THROUGH YOUTH SPORTS:

Age 5: “He’s got a cannon.”
Age 6: “He’s the fastest kid out there. Coach said so.”
Age 7: “Rec ball isn’t challenging him anymore.”
Age 8: “We tried out for select. Obviously made it.”
Age 9: “$2,800 for the season. Plus uniforms. Plus tournaments. Plus hotels.”
Age 10: “Cooperstown is basically a family vacation, right?”
Age 11: “He needs a hitting guy. And a pitching guy. And probably a mental performance coach.”
Age 12: “I’m not a crazy sports parent. The OTHER parents are crazy.”
Age 13: “We changed schools. For academics. (And also baseball.)”
Age 14: “Showcases are a requirement at this age.”
Age 15: “Ya his ranking just ticked up. We’re cooking.”
Age 16: “He just needs to get seen by the right school.”
Age 17: “The D1 schools want him to walk on. He’ll earn a spot by sophomore year.”
Age 18: “Okay, D2 is actually really competitive.”
Age 19: “He’s redshirting. Strategic.”
Age 20: “He’s focusing on school now.”
Age 21: “You know what? He’s so much happier.”

Roughly 7% of high schoolers play in college.

About 1.5% of those get drafted.

Less than half of draftees ever play one day in the big leagues.

The odds of our kids going pro are somewhere between “struck by lightning” and “find a $100 in old shorts.”

I love youth sports (all my kids play a bunch of them) just keep a good perspective my friends. ✌️

[MSUB Women's Basketball @MSUBWBB]

🏆𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐆𝐍𝐀𝐂 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒🏆

#msubsports | #msubwbb | #neverless

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@SportsPSD @JeffinAroundOnX 2006 was a “last minute” gold rush for the playoff game against Furman. Everyone had a different type and color of shirt. Nice job on the collection!

[Brandon Sullivan @BSullytyme]

One last game needs one last montage…

[MSUB Sports @MSUBsports]

🏆2025-26 MSUB Hall of Fame🏆

Congratulations to the 2013-14 women’s basketball team, Dave Coppock, and Jody & Cyndy Desin on making the MSUB Hall of Fame class of 2025-26!

This class will be honored and inducted on February 20th at the Double Tree Hotel.

#msubsports

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@stevemagness https://t.co/kKjvyxArBN

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@stevemagness I think the execution of the policy might surprise you. The issue is seeing only extremes. I see the current model differently. I see some kids being told they work hard enough by adults when they don’t. Then when they get shifted to the next level and find this out, issues occur

[Bhrett McCabe, PhD @DrBhrettMcCabe]

Mindset Flaw

I read quite a bit of mindset related posts, from a lot of “providers”

The flaw is Confirmation Bias

Let me explain

An athlete or team succeeds and share their beliefs, experiences, and values. Often times adversity and how they persevered

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@CDub13 @JimStergar Rigged enough to come down to a last second shot for the Hogs

[Zach Brandon @MVP_Mindset]

Caitlin Clark on the value of working with a sport psychologist and investing in your mental health.

"I was lucky enough to go to a university that really prioritized that and had that as an outlet for us, and obviously at the Fever as well...It's important to talk to somebody."

#MVPMind

[Dr. Danny Desin, CMPC @DannyDesin]

@BSullytyme @montanasports @MSUBobcats_FB @BrodyGrebe @GrebeJason @WieseJanel @GrebeBryce @bvigen So good Brandon. As usual.

[Brandon Sullivan @BSullytyme]

I’ve followed Brody’s exploits for years and always wanted to do some kind of story on him. Never did I think I would have this kind of opportunity.

Brody is the genuine article, and entire family represents and embodies literally everything great about our state. I couldn’t be more grateful for them inviting me into their way of life.

A lot of sleepless nights went into this…I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it all together.

[Apolo Anton Ohno @ApoloOhno]

I don't know who captured this powerful moment but these are the little nuances that I think are most powerful in the @Olympics. A legendary athlete - who has nothing left to prove to anyone on earth, still prepares her mind to achieve superhuman height, form, performance.

I only wish we knew what she was rehearsing, talking about, battling, fending off, or simply finding peace before an explosive performance. @Simone_Biles - you make us all smile and shake our heads in disbelief and admiration. This photo is one of my favorites for some reason!

The calm, the poise, the same socks that I've got on right now ha! The bandage to secure a slight support for the less than 100% calf/achilles. The details!!!! Perfect. @TeamUSA - thank you for this photo.

[Vinnie Souza @VinnieSouza25]

@bvigen @CoachBobbyDaly @MSUBobcats_FB @C_Arbizzani