Freddy Sandoval - Mentally Strong: 7 Steps to Becoming the Best Version of Yourself

Mentally Strong
2020 by Freddy C. Sandoval

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN (Print): 978-1-09833-361-4
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-09833-362-1

To Kaleb and Micah:

So you know that

if you believe and turn your

thoughts into action,

you can achieve anything!

Endorsements

I have known Freddy since we were both kids playing baseball in Tijuana, and I know he has always been a person that analyzes and takes the mental part of the game of baseball and puts it into play. Having worked with him during my professional career I know and understand how important it is to work on your mentality, not just in the game of baseball but in life. Freddy does an incredible job on this book taking his work and vision, and providing everyone with a very simple way to exercise the mind. The principles and steps of Mentally Strong will strengthen anyones mind and will lead anyone who reads it to individual success in sports and in life. This book is a difference-maker. Freddy congratulations, I am so proud of you and I know this book will help a lot of people when they read it. It will not only transform peoples mentalities, but also their lives.

Adrian Gonzalez , 15-year MLB career, 3-year LMP career

We all need first responders; a person with specialized training who is amongst the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency. At the lowest point of my life and professional career, that person became Freddy Sandoval. He arrived at my scene and explained how to apply the principles of this book. The principles that would change the outcome of my life. I experienced success both on and off the field overcoming my fears, anxiety, and discovering my self-worth. The principles which are now written in this book helped me overcome a third possible career-ending surgery and as a result leading me to have one of the best years as a pitcher in the Major Leagues. If you find yourself in need of a responder, I encourage you to read Mentally Strong. Its life changing principles will enable you to live a life with meaning and fulfillment.

Jaime Garcia , Author and 10-year MLB career

Ive been blessed to call Freddy my Mental Coach, but above all he is an incredible human being with an intense desire to impact as many peoples lives as possible. From the first day I met him, this book was a burning goal within his heart. As I read the book, I was so proud, because I knew it was the culmination of so many years of his personal journey, education, and passion to help others. As someone who has completed many steps of Freddys training on a personal level, I loved the accessibility and simplicity of the steps laid out in this book. Thank you, Freddy, for this amazing labor of love.

Amy Thomas , Client and Hydrocephalus patient/advocate

Being in Professional baseball for over 30 years, I have experienced the mental challenges to be able to perform at a high level on a daily basis. I believe that building the mind is crucial to success. In Mentally Strong, Freddy provides mental training tools that are not only helpful to athletes, but for anyone who wants to improve in every area of life.

Bobby Magallanes , Bench Coach for the Atlanta Braves

After reading Mentally Strong, I am now more convinced that the mental side of life and sports is fundamental to success. This book is a well-defined manual that gives you the step by step instruction and tools to find perfect balance between the mind and the body. Freddy has gotten to the highest level as an athlete and as a mental coach and this book is a unique piece. If you are a person looking to turn your goals into reality and to turn your life around, this is the perfect book for you. I highly recommend Mentally Strong to anyone, in any stage of life to help you reach your goals, transform your mindset and prolong your well-being.

Jorge Campillo , 5 year MLB career

Contents

Introduction

Ever since I can remember, I knew I wanted to become a professional baseball player. Growing up in Mexico, I wanted to play at the Major-League level in the United States, an accomplishment that very few Mexican players had achieved. To achieve this unique and crazy goal, I knew that I needed to have dedication, commitment, drive, and passion. And I knew I was going to sacrifice a lot of other things, such as family time and relationships with friends. However, for some time, my life and actions did not match up with my goals, and early in my career, my dream was derailed. It took a friend and an honest conversation for me to get back on track and finally start doing what I needed to do without excuses.

I owe a lot to this person because with a single conversation, he opened my eyes, and my life completely changed for the better. One conversation led me to start making better decisions and it was because I took action that I can now live the life I always wanted.

Ive known Adrian Gonzalez since we were little kids. We met when we were only 4-5 years old, playing baseball in the fields of Liga Municipal de Tijuana. Although we were never teammates, we got to play together on some all-star teams through the years. Since then, we have been good friends, but I never realized how good of a friend he really was until one night in January of 2007.

I was drafted out of the University of San Diego by the Anaheim Angels in the 8th round of the 2004 First Year Major League Baseball draft. I was the 233rd pick overall, however, my professional career didnt start that year. I was drafted in 2004 but didnt play a single inning that year.

In 2004, the sport of baseball had restrictions as to how many visas each team could have for international players, and I didnt have a working visa that year. That same season, the Venados of Mazatln selected me first overall in the Mexican Pacific League draft, but I ended up not joining the team the first year. Even though I had achieved the first step towards my goal of professional baseball, I had not yet played at all that first season.

Baseball has a unique system in which players who get drafted or who sign free-agent contracts go through the minor leagues to start their careers. It is in the minor leagues that players develop and hone their skills with the dream of making it to the big leagues. The system consists of different levels, where based on your talent and ability, you play with the hopes of playing at a high level while staying healthy. Most players start at the rookie-level, which can either be in the Dominican Republic, Arizona, or Florida, where the minor-league complexes are. There is no timeline as to how long you will play in each level because the organizations management is the one making decisions on your career. Based on your performance, they can either move you up to a different level, drop you down, or ultimately release you. The rookie level consists of two levels: rookie and advanced rookie. Next, is class single A, which also consists of two levels: class A and class A advanced. Then, if you are still healthy and performing well according to managements standards, you can be promoted to double-A. Lastly, triple-A is the last level before reaching the big leagues. As I mentioned before, there is no rule of thumb as to how you advance through the system. Many players have skipped levels and reached higher grounds sooner than expected while other players careers have ended sooner than anticipated.