We Trained the Body.
We Mastered the Playbook.
But We Forgot the Mind.
We had the most talented team in school history—and still lost the state championship.
That failure didn’t come from a lack of strength, skill, or preparation. It came from neglecting the most important part: the mind.
Now, we’re on a mission to make sure that never happens again.
Where It All Started
The Mental Training Plan was born out of real coaching failure—and the determination to never let it happen again.
Ben Carnes, a long-time coach and former athlete, watched one of the most talented teams in school history fall short in their biggest moment—not because they weren’t physically ready, but because they weren’t trained mentally. That game changed everything.
He dove deep into neuroscience, sports psychology, cognitive science, and educational leadership…
…and built a system athletes and coaches could actually use.
One rooted in science. Proven on the field. Simple enough to teach at scale.
Now that system is used across the country—from youth programs to the pros.
OUR MISSION
Helping people perform at their best when it matters the most.
OUR VISION
A world where every athlete has access to the systems and support necessary to thrive under pressure—at every level of competition.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Proven over Popular: Trendy doesn't win. Repeatable does.
We don’t chase trends. We build on research, experience, and real-world results.
Systems Build Freedom: Have a plan. Put it to work.
Just like in the weight room, mental training needs structure. Our tools are repeatable and customizable.
Confidence Without Ego: Arrogance repels. Humility connects.
It’s about knowing you’ve put in the work, and trusting your training while performing at your best.
Love + Standards: If they know you care, they'll let you coach them.
We believe in high care and high expectations. Not either—or. When someone knows you care about them you can demand excellence.
WHO'S BEHIND MTP?
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Ben Carnes
Founder & MTP Coach
M.Ed. in Coaching
Ben is a coach first—always has been. With over 15 years of experience, he’s helped teams win championships, athletes earn scholarships, and individuals exceed expectations.
After watching one of the most talented teams in school history collapse under pressure, he realized what was missing: a real system for mental performance.
Armed with a Master’s in Education with an emphasis in coaching, Ben built the Mental Training Plan from the ground up with his original goal being to help his own team improve.
Things went so well that word quickly spread.
His coaching background gives him a rare ability to translate complex neuroscience and sports psychology into tools that actually work—on the field, in the locker room, and in the heat of competition.
Dr. Carmen Carnes
Director of Curriculum & Implementation
Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership
Carmen brings the structure. With over 15 years in curriculum leadership and a doctorate in instructional design, she ensures everything MTP teaches is developmentally appropriate, scientifically sound, and easy to implement—for both athletes and coaches.
She’s an expert in analyzing learning data, building content systems, and refining instruction to make sure athletes don’t just hear the material—they grow from it.
Carmen oversees all program design, curriculum updates, and outcome tracking. She ensures our certification process trains coaches in alignment with best practices—so they’re not just sharing the right information, they’re delivering it in the most effective, research-backed way possible.
If Ben builds the playbook, Carmen makes sure it’s teachable, scalable, and constantly improving.
PROTECTING THE SYSTEM
We don’t just deliver content—we deliver a trusted system.
Certified MTP coaches follow a proven structure, using tools like the Focus Cycle and Prime Five to deliver consistent, high-level results.
That’s why elite programs trust us—and why high-performing athletes train with us.
WHY WE DO THIS
We know what it feels like to be stuck in a big moment—frozen, overwhelmed, and unsure how to respond.
It’s helpless. It’s hopeless.
And it doesn’t have to be that way.
Mental Training Plan exists to give athletes the tools to take back control of their mind and body—so they can perform at their best when it matters most.
We’re here to stop the unraveling.To build athletes who don’t just survive pressure—but thrive in it.
Because this isn’t just about sports.
These are tools for life.