Testimonials

The Foreword of Harvey’s Book “Breathe. Focus. Excel”

Historically, mental skills in sports are difficult to study and quantify. Breathing, meditation and hot/cold modalities are well researched, however, and proven for performance enhancement, stress reduction, a clearer mindset and a way to build energy or to come down from an adrenaline surge. Breath training has science and research behind it. It’s not top secret, but it’s underutilized as a technique.

Hunting for a mental skills coach is a challenge. And while Harvey isn’t a mental skills coach in the traditional sense, he’s an innovative, fresh perspective type of thinker. In order to be a good coach or staff member in the clubhouse, it’s really helpful to be a good listener. Before Harv is coaching, teaching or sharing information, he’s listening. He listens to athletes and learns what they need in the way of support to be great.

Harv is an evidence-based dude, and evidence is important when it comes to asking athletes to change their routine. They need to know that there is something behind this change, not just “hey, I think this might work.” It’s less trial and error and more research and development-based suggestions for our players.

It’s easy to find good content in baseball and in sports. It’s more difficult to find the vehicle to deliver it, and Harvey has a unique ability to deliver content.

We are really happy we have him.

Gabe Kapler Major League Manager, San Francisco Giants. Major League Manager of the Year (National League)

“If you look at Harvey’s history, it’s one of deep impact. In a world that is increasingly fast and fragile, Harvey has profound insights on the most timely area for humanity. It’s time we re-learn our physiology and Harvey is my chosen teacher.”

Logan Gelbrich Author and Founder of Deuce in Los Angeles, California. Former Professional Baseball Player San Diego Padres (MiLB)

"I was always a bad breather and a mouth breather. I slept terribly and snored loudly. Breathing was the next component that would take me to the next level on the field and give me longevity. It is the one thing that people in general take for granted. As Harvey taught me, breathing is the one thing we both enter and leave life with. I've been very keen towards my breath ever since meeting Harvey. I practice my breath work daily. Furthermore, Harvey helped me conquer my fear of cold and how to use my breathing to conquer this fear. I was able to control my heart rate and breathing. It elevated me to the next level, because I unlocked a fear of mine but realized how important breath work was for not only performance but for life. I'm very calm. I feel like in the past when I was a bad breather, all situations and things that stressed me out would take me to a panic and out of my zone. I'm now able to flow with adversity and I think that has a lot to do with my breath work. I'm very thankful for Harvey and without his involvement I don't think I'd be able to be on this wave I'm on now where I'm able to play year after year and feel great about it."

Marcus Stroman Chicago Cubs Major League Pitcher. World Baseball Classic MVP, Gold Glove Award and All-Star

“We look at athletes in awe because they show us, on a public stage, the max potential of human capability. You may wonder, “How do they do it?” Most athletes will tell you it’s about fundamentals. About doing the simplest things really well and doing them consistently. What is more foundational than our breath? You can use it to achieve peak performance, to find inner peace, to maximize your memory, presence, sleep, recovery, and so on, all by putting extra emphasis on something you already do thousands of times each day. I speak from experience when I say, their is no better teacher at breath than Harvey Martin.”

Jake Butt Denver Broncos National Football League Tight End. First-Team All-American and John Mackey Award Winner “Top Tight End” in College Football at University of Michigan

“Working with Harvey this year was amazing. we go through a lot of ups and downs, stress, flights, time zone changes, lack of sleep, etc. and to just be more aware of my breath and mental energy of when to conserve or continue to add space is an essential tool I wish I had a long time ago. Thanks Harvey for everything, always finish cold.”

Joc Pederson San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball Player (MLB) Two-Time World Series Champion, Two-Time All-Star

“Harvey is one of those generational minds and teachers that shifts the paradigm of high performance in sports, peak performance and recovery. The way he trains and improves our psychology through the physiological stressors of breath, heat, cold, and depth of conversation to the soul level, is what separates Harv from anyone I’ve ever crossed paths with. His value to any one person, team, organization and society in general is rare and incomparable! He’s impacted my life on and off the field, just as he has with anyone he’s breathed alongside!”

Tyler Beede Pittsburg Pirates Major League Pitcher (MLB) 1st Round Draft Pick. College World Series Winner 2014 with Vanderbilt University.

“Harvey and I have formed a bond with the common interest in breathing and it’s importance in our lives. A healthy and happy life is something we all deserve. The tools and systems presented by Harvey will help you reach those deeper levels into yourself and help guide a sustainable lifestyle and performance.”

Darin Olien American Author, Podcast Host and Co-Host of the Emmy Award Winning Netflix docu-series “Down to Earth” with Zac Efron

“So often we are asked the ways in which we plan to make an impact in our lifetime. We’ll think so broadly — climate change, world peace, equal rights. However, we cannot be positive change makers for society if our engine -- our physiological self — isn’t primed to take on the stressors we’ll face towards a better world. Harvey Martin shares with you how to withstand the pressures & be a game changer for the planet we’re living in by maximizing the way you breathe. Take a deep breath. You’re about to embark on an adventure through the laws of nature & begin to understand that you have all the power in the world to make yourself feel good & perform at your highest level in life – one nasal breath at a time.”

Alyssa Nakken San Francisco Giants Assistant Coach (MLB) First Full-Time Female Coach in Major League Baseball History.

“After deciding that the effects of breath work was something I wanted to pursue, I’ve been able to incorporate it into my routine and have seen great improvements physically and mentally because of this “tool”. Working with Harvey has built a foundation of confidence within my performance, recovery and mindset. I’ve been able to use different protocols in and out of season that have given me an even greater understanding of the benefit of “the breath”. From working on controlling my breath in the sauna, cold tubs or in the weight room I’ve been able to carry all these experiences onto the ice.”

James Van Riemsdyk Philadelphia Flyers National Hockey League. Voted top 100 players in Toronto Maple Leafs History. Former Team USA Hockey Player.

“Traditional mental skills approaches utilize words and thoughts to guide mental processes, Harvey is unique because he has a strong grasp of the physiology that leads to improved mental processes. As a former athlete I would’ve appreciated a process like his because it is more tangible and something that every athlete is very familiar with. His ability to take principles and practices that have been around for centuries and communicate them seamlessly to a modern audience is a work of art.”

Rachel Balkovec New York Yankees (MilB) Manager (Tampa Tarpons). The first female to work as a full-time manager of a major league-affiliated team in baseball history.

“Harvey was somewhat of a mythical human being when I first heard of him. Countless players talked about how much he had helped them in their careers. I was curious of anyone in human performance coaching and making that big of an impact. "What is this guy saying to the athletes?" I would often wonder. After nearly a year of hearing about him I decided to see for myself first hand what he was doing. The two weeks I spent with Harvey opened my eyes to a huge aspect of what I had been reluctant to use in my own practice. We have to be aware of our own human nature first before we can access our mental and physical abilities at the highest level. His art works for people because it taps into the most primal sense of ourselves. It's about who we/athletes are at our core and what we know we need to become.

Adam Bernero Mental Skills Coach with Seattle Mariners, Major League Baseball. Former Major League Baseball Pitcher.

“I first started working with Harvey before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics; he helped me with heat acclimation because the conditions in Japan were brutally hot. I learned several tools that gave me confidence in my first games. The sport of sailing is both mentally and physically demanding so learning how to connect the two via the breath has been key. The heat and cold training and the breath work was not only incredibly helpful to my performance but a great way to add in something new and exciting to my regular training routine. I know I’ve only begun to scratch the surface in this space and can’t wait to tackle cold acclimation and to continue to train the mechanics of my breathing! It has already helped immensely in my overall efficiency in using oxygen, with my recovery between races or between sets in the gym, as well as the way I move on the boat to be able to get more power when needed.”

Lara Dallman Weiss Sailor, Team USA / US Sailing Team (Olympian 2020)

“At 12CG, one of our core values is well-being – I believe that performance in our jobs and lives outside of work are connected to our physical, emotional, and mental balance. I have been working with Harvey for a number of years and his thought leadership in the wellness space has been game-changing for me personally. I was excited to have Harvey spend time with our 12CG team – he broke down the foundations of health and expanded into how we can use tools like nature and breath to perform better as humans. Game changing.”

Josh King CEO, Twelve Consulting Group

“Harv came into my life at a time I was searching for something outside the box of traditional training. As an athlete my body had hit a low point in my career and I was in a place where I didn’t really know how to get back to my optimal self, physically and mentally. The curiosity and openness of Harv was something I didn’t often see in trainers/coaches. He helped me simplify my lifestyle and understanding of how my body and mind works. Coming off of 2 groin surgeries and a back surgery he emphasized the importance of learning how to breathe correctly, which is something I have now realized that I have been doing wrong my entire life. The movements and breath exercises that he taught me enhanced my endurance, mobility and mental clarity. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Harvey and learn from someone who took a lot of time to individualize my training. I continue to practice the exercises he taught me daily and am now in a lot better place as an athlete because of it. I’ve been able to learn so much about health and wellness and how important it is as an athlete to understand your true nature and physiology.”

Nick Bjugstad Arizona Coyotes National Hockey League. First Round Draft Pick Florida Panthers 2010. Minnesota Mr. Hockey (‘09) and Team USA Hockey Player.

“Harvey creates buy-in. Period. Whether it’s the classroom, sauna or ice tub - it’s real. Our athletes at Ohio State gained new perspective and quite frankly a confidence boost from either; overcoming fears or being able to regulate in stressful moments during competition. Harv did a masterful job at gaining our players trust and kept them engaged to the point where they wanted more of what Harvey was preaching.”

Brad Goldberg Current Pitching Coach Cleveland Guardians (MLB) and former Major League Baseball Pitcher Chicago White Sox.

“Working with Harvey was one of the best leadership decisions I’ve made. I’ve seen firsthand how relentlessly dedicated he is to helping others perform and live better. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or in life in general, Harvey influences and motivates while educating. He’s been pivotal in my growth as a person, father, and coach.”

Keith Bateman Head Baseball Coach, Augsburg University 

“Our session with Harvey was inspiring, educational, and impactful. Being a part of the high-performing sales team, we are constantly tasked with executing business deals in high-stress, high-pressure environments. Harvey’s teachings on utilizing the breath to manage stress and to help our bodies and mind perform at their maximum capabilities have helped myself and my sales team immensely.” 

Steven Kish Sales Manager, Salesforce.com

“Training the breath with Harvey Martin has been a major component of my growth the last couple of years. Understanding more of what the breath does to our biology has opened many doors and helped me to continue tapping into my humanistic potential. The most exciting part is that I feel I am just getting started.”

Nate Orf Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball Player. Attended Baylor University.

“To become the best athlete you can possibly be you need to be the best human being you can possibly be. Training specifically for your sport will take you so far, but in order to reach the peak you need to train the edges. With Harvey, you train aspects of performance that are often left out or forgotten in other training programs. It is much more than athletic performance training, it is human performance training at its finest. I have learned that and much more from Harvey.”

Tuffy Gosewisch Milwaukee Brewers Major League Baseball Player. Semi-Finalist Johnny Bench Award (Top Division 1 NCAA Catcher)

“Harvey has helped us answer questions we’ve had in regards to implementing mental skills practice. Most coaches read mental skills literature to their players and have very little practice for mental game development. Harvey has helped us build tangible practice for intangible development!”

Ryan Gipson Assistant Coach - Oregon State Baseball (NCAA)

“A lot of people say athletes make great sales people, and it is true to a degree! The piece missing is, do sales people really “train” to be better like athletes? I do! Harvey has been instrumental to my sales success through providing me with tools and techniques specific to my sales role. Putting together a program inclusive of breathing tips to help during presentations, meditation methods to help during stressful sales quarters, and biweekly conversations to help me open my creativity. Big time stuff coming from Harvey!!”

Nick Addison Account Executive at Bleacher Report

“The ability to discover what we are capable of lies within our own mind. Harv really tries to get the most out of each individual. In my experience working with Harv, he has challenged me and really helped me to rethink how I think and how I go about my routines and training systems. Our potential is up to us. What we do in our everyday lives to develop those routines and systems ultimately leads to who you are as an athlete and as a human.”

Dietrich Enns Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball Pitcher. Current Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball Japan.

“As a teammate Harvey’s communication skills were effortless, his passion for making others better is unwavering. I’d strongly recommend Harvey Martin to anyone who is in hope of taking their game to the next level or consistently maintain a high performance at the level they are at!”

Matt Magers Head Baseball Coach MSU, Mankato (NCAA). One of the Winningest Coaches in NCAA Division II. National Coach of the Year 2012.

“Over the past year working with Harvey my abilities to manage stress, manage my breath, access flow state, maximize sleep, and move better have improved drastically.  Harvey is as knowledgeable and committed as it gets when it comes to teaching the art of human performance.  His unique ability to build protocols and daily practices that foster awareness and enhance everyday experiences is what makes him so special at what he does.  Simply put, Harvey teaches the lifestyle and habits that all individuals should be aware of when embarking on a path of sustained peak performance.”

Daniel Bakst Boston Red Sox (MiLB) / Current Musician. Attended Stanford University. Former Team USA Baseball Player.

“Harvey Martin’s program is a deeper look into how the mind is the most power muscle in the human body and how it can be trained to be the most powerful! Harvey’s Diamond Series takes a holistic approach to creating the reasons why an athlete pursues the daily grind and develop the edge to be great. A strong mind is the foundation that will help you develop your core beliefs and principles. Any team or organization can benefit from Harvey’s program and enhance the most under developed tool that everyone has… the brain!”

Travis Hergert Pitching Coordinator Philadelphia Phillies (MLB). Former Head Coach Northern Iowa Area Community College.

“By training through environmental stressors of the sauna and ice, I have physically been able to recover quicker and much more efficiently. Mentally, the toll heat and ice puts on the mind which cannot be replicated any other way. Controlling one’s mind during this time of stress is crucial… which in turn prepares myself for stressful times on the mound.  Also, performing breath work with Harvey has mentally and physically taxed my body in ways that it hasn’t been before.  Through this, I have gained a better understanding of my body’s limits and how I can train to push the limits further.  The breath work also gives me an outlet in times of stress.. “When all else fails, turn to the breath.” – Coach Mart. By simply focusing on the breath, I am able to adjust away from the task at hand and calm the mind. Overall, being able to perform at one’s highest day in and day out is imperative in any profession. Chasing the edges of training in environmental stressors and breath work has not only allowed me to perform at my highest as a pitcher, but also be an overall better performing human.

Kevin Folman Chicago White Sox (MiLB). Former North Dakota State Pitcher.

"Harvey brought energy, passion and expertise to our team and helped them think through stress and key tactics they can use to manage it. What I love about Harvey’s message is that it's universally applicable in business, sports, or life in general. You have to know you’re going to face stress and you have to know how to handle it. My team has been implementing breathing exercises to start our weekly meetings and they’re still talking about his presentation weeks on. I highly recommend!"

Tyler Quinn CEO, Alchemy 365

“I can’t thank Harvey enough for what I’ve learned about breathing and the impact it has on my life.  I’ve developed physically, mentally, and spiritually in ways I didn’t think were possible.”

Michael Kapla New Jersey Devils (NHL) / European Professional Hockey - Sweden

“Harvey has helped me tap into new ways of thinking and expand my horizon through connecting the mind, body, and soul. Breath has now become a way to center myself. It has also taken my aerobic conditioning to another level on the ice.”

Jordan Schmaltz St. Louis Blues (NHL) . First Round Draft Pick. Current European Professional Hockey - Switzerland

“When I joined the United States Air Force I showed up on the first day, they shaved my head, took away my name and told me to get ready for hell on earth for the next six weeks. During the next six weeks I faced weeks where I would be lucky to get 4 hours of sleep a night. And was demanded to perform physical punishment for hours everyday without regard for my personal wellness. Throughout this process, I realized that I couldn’t control almost everything that was going on around me. But the one thing I could always control was my breath. Thanks to the lessons that I learned from Harvey Martin through the years, I learned that there were really only two things that I could control: my breath and my attitude. When others began giving up and quitting I began to lead among my peers. Through breath work I was able to go without sleep and still feel energized and attentive throughout the day. After getting teargassed when other cadets were on the ground grasping for air, I was able to stand tall and regain my breath and heart rate almost instantly.”

Duke Benge United States Air Force Baseball (NCAA)

“We created a culture in financial services like none other. Our clients care more, our team has grown 100% simply by people being attracted to our business model and attracted to our company. It is because we have clearly defined our Diamond Series with our purpose, standards, process and vision. Through the Diamond Series, it has been an absolute game changer. Anyone involved in business, public speaking or sports. It does not matter where you come from, I would absolutely peel back the layers from the Diamond Series. The results you will see from it will not only create a higher bottom line, but you will be able to go to work with a higher sense of purpose. Thank you Diamond Series and Harvey Martin”

David Barkholtz Transmerica Financial Advisor

“Thanks to Harvey I feel like I am more present and in control of my life on and off the field than before.”

Sam Carlson Seattle Mariners (MiLB) - 1st Round Draft Pick.

“I always enjoy working with Harvey and Dave at The MindStrong Project. My own strong purpose, standards, systems, and vision helped me build a successful company, and I recommend anyone looking to strengthen their own reach out to these guys. Their constant pursuit of growth as well as their ability to pass on their knowledge is a winning combination.”

Devan Kline CEO Burn Bootcamp

(Company Founded by Harvey Martin- The MindStrong Project)

“The MindStrong Project has been a huge part of our mental & performance training within our Ohio State pitching staff. A large part of the game of baseball is the mental side, and the breathing concepts we were introduced to dramatically improved our performance on the field. The Fire & Ice training is a personal favorite of mine that you need to experience to fully understand. It helps to form an understanding of how powerful our body and minds are, especially under stress. I believe every athlete should internally understand themselves and how to maximize their individual performance. The MindStrong Project does an unbelievable job of unpacking this.”

Dan DeLucia Ohio State Baseball Pitching Coach (NCAA), Current Player Development Coach Boston Red Sox