Cole Hamels on Playing Big, Living Well, and Avoiding Burnout
What does success look like to you?
For many, it’s about being the best and reaching the top, and sure, that’s part of it. But lasting success is what happens when the pressure is on and when failure strikes.
Someone who knows this very well is our guest – World Series MVP and MLB legend Cole Hamels.
Cole spent nearly two decades competing at the highest level of baseball. But he’s here to talk about the inner game.
Laura and Mike sit down with Cole to explore what it really takes to sustain excellence over time. He opens up about how failure shaped him, why perfectionism nearly cost him, and how he protects his mental health without losing his edge.
Cole also shares his journey of reinventing himself after retirement, and why staying open to new challenges has kept him growing.
This episode is for anyone who wants to perform at a high level without losing themselves in the process.
Failure Is the Best Teacher
For Cole, failure wasn’t something to fear; it was a necessity.
Failure is one of the best lessons, and he had to embrace it if he was to succeed in his career.
He explains that the most successful people aren’t the ones who avoid failure but the ones who risk more, fail more, and never give up. Failure, Cole says, is what shapes resilience, sharpens decision-making, and pushes you closer to your goals.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Early in his career, Cole suffered a devastating arm injury. A specialist told him flat out: “Nobody’s ever come back from this injury.”
For a moment, those words could have ended everything. Instead, Cole made it a challenge. He knew if he could get through this moment, he could be the first to ever do it.
That mindset shift, from despair to determination, transformed the setback into fuel for further progress. It taught him that obstacles can be invitations to redefine what’s possible.
Mental Health and the “One Pitch Away” Mindset
Baseball may be a three-hour game, but for Cole, success often boiled down to one pitch.
“You’re always one pitch away from getting yourself out of trouble.”
This mantra helped him simplify overwhelming situations, quiet the noise, and focus on what he could control. Beyond the field, Cole leaned on mentors, books, and a trusted circle to strengthen his mental game—reminding us all that resilience isn’t a solo effort.
The Double-Edged Sword of Perfectionism
Cole admits that perfectionism fueled his work ethic but nearly became his downfall.
Striving for excellence is important, but expecting total control can hold you back. True strength is knowing when to let go, adapt, and lead your team through imperfections toward success.
In both sports and business, success depends on the collective effort of a team. For Cole, learning to let go of control and focus on lifting others up was a turning point. By helping teammates rise to his level, he created stronger outcomes without carrying the entire weight himself.
Burnout and the Power of Rest
Even champions face burnout. Cole admits there were moments when he felt drained, but the key was not feeling guilty about stepping back.
He reminds us that rest isn’t quitting; it’s a strategic move that allows for greater longevity and renewed strength.
When Cole retired, he faced new anxiety: what comes next? Instead of resisting change, he leaned into it. He said yes to opportunities in broadcasting, coaching, and mentorship, approaching each with curiosity. His advice to anyone in transition: try things, stay open, and let your strengths carry you through the unknown.
Final Thoughts
Cole Hamels’ story is about more than baseball. His lessons on failure, perfectionism, mental health, and resilience are reminders that sustained success requires more than talent and effort. It requires balance, perspective, and the courage to be human.
If you’ve ever struggled with pressure, expectations, or burnout, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what success really means and how to achieve it without losing yourself in the process.
We discuss all of this in more detail in this episode, so make sure to tune in if you want to catch the whole conversation!
