The Grit Code Podcast

Training Camp PTSD

Episode Notes

Welcome to the first episode of The Grit Code—where the stories get real and the lessons get practical. Donte Whitner, Patrick Willis, and Rod Brooks crack open the truth about NFL training camp: the adrenaline, the anxiety, the cut-down day call, and the mental scars that can follow you long after the pads come off. 

What you’ll hear:

• The intensity shift from OTAs → camp → preseason → Week 1 
• The “make the team” mind games & how vets really handle it 
• Harbaugh-era practice stories, walk-throughs that weren’t walk-throughs 
• The empty-locker-room moment: identity, finances, and what’s next 
• Free Game: tools to manage stress, protect focus, and build an identity that doesn’t crack under pressure