Best Julie Bacon The Q Coach Podcasts (2025)

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#217: Feelings are messing with your Q rate. (Let's fix that - fast!) 30:43

2d ago30:43

30:43

Why do some mistakes stick with us and others roll off our backs? This week, we’re digging into the emotional weight we give our errors - and how that story shapes everything from our confidence to our results. If you’ve ever spiraled after a bobble or feared repeating past failures, this episode will help you break the loop and take back control o…

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#216: Your self-talk is a command (What are you typing in?) 29:09

9d ago29:09

29:09

Your brain is always listening — and whatever you tell it, it runs with. In this episode, we dig into why self talk matters, how it shapes your performance, and what to do when your thoughts are working against you. You’ll learn how to interrupt the spiral, choose better inputs, and get different results. ☕ Enjoying the podcast? Say thanks with a v…

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#215: Coaching yourself through a spiral (Or, when the coach needs a coach) 23:43

16d ago23:43

23:43

Even mindset coaches have mindset spirals. In this episode, I walk you through a real moment of fear and comparison I had before a big event — and how I coached myself through it. You’ll learn the exact tools I used to interrupt the loop, shift back into confidence, and get grounded again. If you've ever felt like you're falling behind or not ready…

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#214: What it means to have a well-rounded mindset (And why you need one) 22:08

23d ago22:08

22:08

Building a strong mindset is about more than just setting goals. In this episode, I break down what it takes to develop a well-rounded mindset—covering everything from emotional regulation to confidence and rituals. Whether you're managing nerves or bouncing back from mistakes, this episode will help you strengthen all the right parts of your minds…

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#213: When your brain won’t shut up at trials (How to quiet the noise) 25:58

30d ago25:58

25:58

Today, we dive into four powerful focus strategies to help you stay calm and focused in the heat of the moment—whether you're in the ring or dealing with trial-day chaos. From pre-run rituals to in-the-moment refocusing techniques, let's maintain mental clarity and regain focus in the ring. ☕ Enjoying the podcast? Say thanks with a virtual coffee (…

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#212: Which handler are you? (The real reasons we struggle with process goals) 16:00

1M ago16:00

16:00

We all know process goals matter — but actually sticking to them? That’s another story. In this episode, I break down the common mindset traps as “handler types” so you can finally see what’s holding you back and how to shift. ☕ Enjoying the podcast? Say thanks with a virtual coffee (or in my case, a slice of pizza! 🍕) → https://www.buymeacoffee.co…

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#211: It’s not just a lucky shirt (It’s a mindset thing) 24:55

1M ago24:55

24:55

We all have our “things” — the socks we always wear, the lucky leash, the warm-up routine. But what’s the difference between a superstition and a routine? Or a ritual and a habit? In this episode, we dig into the psychology behind the things we repeat before our runs and how they can either support or sabotage our mindset. Spoiler: superstition isn…

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#210: Process a bad trial day with me (Along with the solution) 38:47

2M ago38:47

38:47

Bad trial day? We’ve all been there. Instead of letting it ruin my mindset, I used it as a live experiment in bouncing back—fast. In this episode, I break down exactly what went wrong, how I recovered in under an hour, and the mindset tools every handler needs to reset after setbacks. Whether you struggle with ring nerves, frustration, or just a ro…

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#209: The ‘after-Q slump’ is real (And what to do about it) 20:14

2M ago20:14

20:14

Ever feel a little lost after hitting a big milestone? Whether you just earned a title, had an amazing trial weekend, or finally hit a long-time goal, the “After-Q Slump” is real. Even elite athletes experience a mental dip after a major success! If you’ve ever wondered What now? after reaching a goal, this episode is for you! ☕ Enjoying the podcas…

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#208: Confidence Isn’t Magic (But It Sure Feels Like It) 34:43

2M ago34:43

34:43

Confidence isn’t just something you “have” or “don’t have”—it’s something you build (like reps in the gym, but for your brain). In this episode, we’re diving into what really fuels confidence in the ring and why waiting to “feel ready” is a total trap. Plus, I’ll share practical strategies to boost your confidence, even when doubt is creeping in. I…

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#207: Revise that run before you file it. (Or, how to better deal with mistakes.) 23:43

2M ago23:43

23:43

Sure, mistakes are “sticky” because there are emotions attached to them, but they are also sticky because of how we treat them. When we replay a mistake over and over again in our minds, a neural pathway is formed - and it’s not a pathway that serves us. By using “revision” we can alter that mistake before we file it away in our memory bank. Suppor…

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#206: Trusting in process goals. (Even when you don’t yet believe.) 29:59

3M ago29:59

29:59

Process goals sound great in theory, but let’s be honest—most handlers struggle to truly embrace them until they experience that aha moment. So how do you trust the process before you actually believe in it? In this episode, we’re unpacking why handlers resist process goals, what finally makes them click, and (most importantly) how to lean into the…

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#205: Why mistakes are tough to get over. (And what we can do about that.) 28:42

3M ago28:42

28:42

Mistakes are part of all sports so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that we can’t escape them completely. The best handlers are able to alchemize their mistakes into something useful while letting go of the emotions that come with them. Mistakes are sticky because we care - that’s a good thing - but we need reliable tools to reset. Support this podc…

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#204: Your ring nerves are not the problem. (Hot take: they’re actually the result.) 24:21

3M ago24:21

24:21

Recently in my 1:1 coaching work, I figured out a better angle when it comes to helping handlers work through their ring nerves. And like all of us who teach, sometimes we just find a better way to explain something so that it lands - this was a bit of that for me. Your ring nerves are not actually your issue, and I’m going to tell you why. Support…

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#203: Why Overwhelm Happens (And Why It’s NOT Your Fault) 24:35

3M ago24:35

24:35

Ever felt so overwhelmed by training, competing, or goal-setting that you just… shut down? Or maybe you avoid, overthink, or try to push through but end up more frustrated. In this episode, we’re breaking down why overwhelm happens (hint: it’s not because you’re lazy!) and how to recognize your unique stress response. Whether you freeze, fight, fli…

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#202: The dangerous thoughts you're having (and how to tame them.) 38:05

3M ago38:05

38:05

If you’ve ever walked into the ring certain of your imminent failure, then you know how powerful a limiting belief can be. Our brains are designed to make what we believe true, so it’s no wonder that our own thoughts can make us nervous about the outcome. But we’re done arguing for our limiting beliefs!! So let’s figure out how to tame them! Suppor…

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#201: Comparison isn’t going anywhere. (So it’s time to get good at dealing.) 25:45

4M ago25:45

25:45

We’ve all been there—watching another handler crush it in the ring while we struggle, scrolling through endless Q-ribbons on social media, and suddenly feeling like we’re falling behind. In this episode, we’re tackling the Comparison Trap—why we do it, how it holds us back, and what we can do instead. If you’ve ever felt like “everyone else is ahea…

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#200: Feeling stuck? (You could be burned out or even bored.) 29:03

4M ago29:03

29:03

Feeling stuck? You’re not alone. If you’re questioning your goals, your motivation, or even why you’re doing this sport at all, this episode is for you. We’re breaking down the difference between burnout and boredom—and more importantly, what to do about it. Whether you need a total reset or just a fresh challenge, I’ve got you covered. Tune in and…

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#199: Got creative goals? (Going beyond the outcome.) 37:28

4M ago37:28

37:28

Feeling stuck with your 2025 goals? Let’s shake things up! In this episode, we’re talking about how to set creative, exciting goals that go beyond just what your dog can accomplish—and focus on you as a handler. Get ready to dream big and think differently about what’s possible for you and your team! Support this podcast by saying thanks with a “vi…

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#198: But do you trust you? (The impact of trust in our ability to perform.) 32:46

4M ago32:46

32:46

Trust is the often-overlooked ingredient that can make or break your performance in the ring. In this episode, we explore how to build trust in yourself as a handler, strengthen your bond with your dog, and repair trust when it wavers. You’ll walk away with practical tips and insights to turn trust into your greatest competitive asset, so you and y…

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#197: Your inner critic lies. (Befriending those negative thoughts.) 23:11

5M ago23:11

23:11

Your inner critic is that voice that tries to keep you safe - safe from failing, from embarrassment, from potential disaster. The problem is, our inner critic can also keep us from growing, from new experiences, from potential awesomeness. But since our inner critic isn’t going anywhere, we need to learn to live alongside this meanie. Support this …

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#196: Why you need to get uncomfortable. (Level-up by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.) 28:24

5M ago28:24

28:24

While you’re in the mode of setting goals for the year ahead, I have one more for you: push yourself out of your comfort zone. Today, I’ll convince you that all the growth, skills acquisition, and real change happens when we allow ourselves to be uncomfortable and push ourselves beyond what we think is possible. Get ready to grow this year! Support…

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#195: REMIX: Handlers are just built differently (Even in their fitness journey.) 44:37

5M ago44:37

44:37

We kicked off Season FOUR (wow!) and 2024 with a bit of a common resolution: fitness. But as always, we have our own hot take on handler fitness so I brought in Liz Joyce whose Canine Handler Fitness has been helping handlers get stronger and faster. Good news! It’s not about weight! It’s about having the speed, strength and stamina to do what we d…

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#194: REMIX: Your crate-to-gate needs a refresh. (Cara Armour and I tell you why.) 1:05:47

5M ago1:05:47

1:05:47

I talk a LOT about the importance of rituals, and within those are your “crate-to-gate” routines. Who better than Cara Armour of Startline Pod to break down the components to help you create the ultimate routine? Cara and I break down why getting these routines right will set you up to perform at your best - no matter the venue. Support this podcas…

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#193: REMIX: She’s singing our mindset song! (Interview with Cynthia Horner!) 55:56

6M ago55:56

55:56

I knew it would be a great conversation, but I had no idea that multiple-Westminster-winning, and podium-loving Cynthia Horner is such a devotee of the importance of a strong mental game! She had me at process goals. Fan-girling aside, listen to what Cynthia has to share about the importance of mindset when it comes to major competitions and why sh…

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#192: REMIX: Grief. It’s a b*tch. (Interview with Cara Armour) 1:11:58

6M ago1:11:58

1:11:58

Cara and I both lost dogs this year and it rocked us as grief can. We both believe that as a community we don’t always talk about grief, and if we do, we don’t do it so well. So today we face grief head on and give all of us permission to walk through our unique grief journeys in whatever way we need to. Want more of Cara? Her podcast is Startline …

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#191: Don’t drag the past into your future. (A clean slate for 2025.) 30:11

6M ago30:11

30:11

I’m already in goal-setting mode for 2025, anxious to tackle big things next year with hope and optimism! But before we leave 2024 in the rearview, there are some things we need to process. Today I’m giving you homework and several exercises to help you process this last year and walk into ‘25 like a boss! Support this podcast by saying thanks with…

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#190: Turns out, we need a decompression habit. (Or at least a post-trial ritual.) 29:07

6M ago29:07

29:07

A great suggestion from a listener brings this topic of decompressing after a trial. We need to not only process the quality of our runs, but also the emotions of the trial. Our dogs need to decompress too - they’re just better at finding balance. Let’s create some new habits. Support this podcast by saying thanks with a “virtual” coffee (or in my …

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#189: Must be present to win. (Or Q, or get a title … you get the point) 27:03

7M ago27:03

27:03

On one hand, we know that the present moment is the only moment we have any control over. On the other hand, we have a REALLY hard time staying there! Why? Let’s break down why it’s so hard along with some tangible steps you can take to improve your “get present” skills. Support this podcast by saying thanks with a “virtual” coffee (or in my case, …

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#188: Confidence is a skill. (It’s also a kick-butt persona that you can adopt!) 31:05

7M ago31:05

31:05

We tend to think we need to be confident before we do something, but it’s just the opposite. We become confident as we hone our skills and gain experience. We can accelerate our confidence by picking up and applying some simple skills, and perhaps by embodying someone really cool. Let’s break it down. Support this podcast by saying thanks with a “v…

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#187: Are you measuring by your outcomes? (Hint: You should be measuring against those process goals.) 25:04

7M ago25:04

25:04

Lately, it’s a theme with my coaching clients - they are focused on their process goals when they walk into the ring, but they are measuring their success by the outcome when they walk out of the ring. Whoops! When we do that we negate the progress we are making and can cut down our own confidence - yikes! Let’s fix that! Support this podcast by sa…

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#186: Switching leashes, switching mindsets. (Resetting for different dogs.) 27:31

7M ago27:31

27:31

Many of us run multiple dogs at shows and it’s not the easiest thing to switch our mindsets when we trade-out dogs. Sometimes we carry over what just happened in the ring to the next dog which doesn’t always work. Or sometimes we are just really thrown by how different the dogs are. You know I like to unpack things, so let’s get started! Support th…

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#185: Top 5 mindset themes. (Or where to focus your efforts.) 27:51

8M ago27:51

27:51

We talk about sooo many topics related to developing a strong mindset, yet most can be sorted into these 5 buckets. A strong mindset is the sum of very learnable skills, all of which can improve your confidence and consistency over time. Mindset is a handling skill - time to treat it as such! Support this podcast by saying thanks with a “virtual” c…

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#184: Your crate-to-gate needs a refresh. (Cara Armour and I tell you why.) 1:05:16

8M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

I talk a LOT about the importance of rituals, and within those are your “crate-to-gate” routines. Who better than Cara Armour of Startline Pod to break down the components to help you create the ultimate routine? Cara and I break down why getting these routines right will set you up to perform at your best - no matter the venue. Support this podcas…

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#183: Pedestal problems. (Are you making yourself feel less-than?) 25:44

8M ago25:44

25:44

When we make other things, events, people, dogs … better than ourselves, we make ourselves less-than. Obviously, that’s not good for our confidence, imposter syndrome, or ring nerves (just to name a few!). I get it, big events ARE big deals - but we deserve to be there. And yes, there are other better handlers out there, but they’re not judging you…

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#182: I totally ditched my young dog. (Disconnection takes a lot of forms.) 27:46

8M ago27:46

27:46

Recently I entered a conformation show which also hosted CGC and Trick evaluations. While we came home with all the right ribbons, my day could not have felt more disconnected from my young dog. I was so in my head and worried about my own handling that I completely ditched her (energetically that is). Learn from my mistakes!! Really like this epis…

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#181: Are you using your dog as a shield? (And other weird things we do to protect ourselves.) 27:14

8M ago27:14

27:14

As humans we want to feel safe - protected from failure or vulnerable experiences or other scary stuff. Being the creative species we are, we come up with some interestings ways to protect ourselves, including using our dogs to shield us from the scary stuff. Don’t worry, I’ll explain (and it’s pretty common!). Really like this episode? Say thanks …

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#180: Honeymoon phase is over. (Working through the frustrating times.) 25:20

9M ago25:20

25:20

Puppies have their honeymoon phase too - when they are perfect, can do no wrong, and the sky’s the limit! And then it ends, and the frustration begins. No, this is not a doom-and-gloom session, just reminding us that training a dog is hard and we need the right mindset to get through the tough times. Support our sponsor, Saint Rocco AND score yummy…

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#179: Getting the most from a seminar (Yes, there’s mental management involved!) 29:29

9M ago29:29

29:29

Seminars are their own type of animal - they can make us feel like superstars or convince us we haven’t done enough. While there is the ever-present comparison trap, there are other aspects of preparing for seminars that can help you get the most out of them both during and after the event. Want more on seminars? Check out episode #36 from the firs…

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#178: It’s a stressful world (And we’ve got to get a handle on it!) 27:56

9M ago27:56

27:56

Stress is part of everyday life to the point it has become some twisted badge of honor. But taking our stress into the ring will not get us the results we crave! Get a preview of our “month of stress” when we dive into the causes and remedies whether you’re experiencing fleeting ring nerves or lasting anxiety. Ready to take the stress quiz? https:/…

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#177: Ambition or patience? (Hint: you need both.) 30:20

9M ago30:20

30:20

We joke about our personal patience, yet we know we need patience when it comes to dog training and even our own mindset development - it takes time. Contrast that with our ambition - all the goals, hopes, and dreams we have for ourselves and our dogs. We want what we want and we want it now! How do we balance patience and ambition? And is patience…

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#176: Are your goals on a pedestal? (You might be losing sight of fun.) 24:34

10M ago24:34

24:34

Are your goals driving you forward or holding you back? In our latest episode, we explore the dangers of putting your goals on a pedestal, from the trap of perfectionism to losing sight of the journey. Discover how to maintain a healthy perspective and enjoy the process while pursuing your dreams. Support our sponsor, Saint Rocco AND score yummy tr…

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#175: Are you getting too much input? (Some signs and what to do about it.) 23:19

10M ago23:19

23:19

If you’re hungry to learn and level up your handling, you’re likely seeking out various instructors and experts to learn from. Seminars, online courses, group classes, private lessons, and even podcasts could be helping you OR making your brain swim in overwhelm. Being a total nerd myself, I will always advocate for the opportunity to learn, but th…

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#174: My personal mindset hacks. (5 +1 things I always do.) 21:32

10M ago21:32

21:32

While there are a bunch of mindset skills in my proverbial toolbox, some are more often used than others. These are my five (plus one) go-to mindset skills which have become habits at this point. I absolutely use all of these at every single trial. LMK which ones resonate for you!! Really like this episode? Say thanks with a coffee or slice of pizz…

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#173: 5 Ways to become more adaptable. (We all could use to be a little more flexible.) 24:11

10M ago24:11

24:11

Let’s face it, things rarely go as we plan them. In these moments we can either have a complete meltdown or shrug it off and move to plan B (or C). While our responses are likely somewhere in the middle, we could all use to be a little more adaptable and accepting of the many variables in our trial environments. Here are five ways to get you starte…

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#172: Are you proofing your mindset? (Yes! We can set up scenarios to proof!) 24:56

11M ago24:56

24:56

While so much of our performance mindset can be practiced without our dogs, sometimes we need the real thing - or as close as we can get. Finding ways to mimic the trial environment not only helps us, it also helps our dogs, AND it helps us understand how to respond to our dogs. In this episode I’ll share several ways you can mimic the trial enviro…

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#171: So you think you’re chasing a goal. (Spoiler alert: you’re not.) 28:26

11M ago28:26

28:26

It turns out that going after a feeling is more powerful than pursuing an outcome (blame the researchers). We want a new van not because the seats fold flat but because of how it makes us feel - secure and safe, for example. This is true for our outcome goals, too - we want the title because of how we will feel when we get it. There’s also a “predi…

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#170: 7 Olympic-level mindset habits. (Yes, I’m fan-girling over the Olympic trials.) 23:46

11M ago23:46

23:46

I love watching elite athletes be elite. Regardless of the sport, watching people be amazing will never get old for me. The Olympic trials have been playing out across multiple sports and in addition to terrific performances, I am obsessed with their mindset habits. So obsessed, that I’ve made a list of seven habits I’ve observed that we can all ad…

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#169: What’s comparison telling you? (Define success for yourself.) 23:18

11M ago23:18

23:18

We fall into the comparison trap for all sorts of reasons. My latest opinion is that sometimes we compare ourselves to others because we require feedback - we want to see how we’re doing. Are we ahead? Behind? Should we be working harder? Dog sports can be lonely and lacking in feedback and comparison can fill that void - just not very well! Really…

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#168: Afraid? Do it anyway! (Or don’t - it’s your fear!) 26:25

11M ago26:25

26:25

I saw a post that reminded readers to “do it anyway,” and I knew I had to unpack that old adage. In short, I think this adage is skipping a lot of important details - after all we don’t just walk up to a cliff and jump without a parachute! No, there is much more to “doing it anyway” so let’s unpack that today. Really like this episode? Say thanks w…

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Julie Bacon The Q Coach Podcasts

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