Built in Winter: Where Champions Are Made

It’s the first Wednesday of November — and we’ve officially entered the winter workout months of November, December and January.

This is the Season of Engagement.
The Season of Practice.
The Season of Habits.

Winter isn’t when you “get ready.”
Winter is when you become.

Why Winter Matters

These next 90 days are where champions are built — quietly, consistently and intentionally.

Talent = what you do well
Habits = what you do well repeatedly without thinking
Skills = what you do well repeatedly without thought while under stress

Winter is about habits.
Spring is about skills.

Because when February, March and April arrive and the real season begins — travel ball, high school ball, college ball and Major League Baseball — you don’t rise to the occasion.

You rise to your habits.

Everyone Trains the Body — Few Train the Soul

Most young athletes spend:

95% of their time on the body
The leftover 5% split — accidentally — between the mind and soul

They lift. They hit. They throw. They run.
And all of that matters.

But here’s the truth most don’t hear enough:

The body performs.
The mind directs.
The soul fuels.

A scout can see your talent.
A coach can see your mechanics.

But only your soul can be felt.

And there is no radar gun, no stopwatch, no technology for that.

Check My Heart

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said it perfectly heading into the NFL Draft: “It’s an EKG that will tell you everything you need to know about me.”

They can measure his physical heart — but the spiritual heart, the soul, cannot be scanned.

That’s passion.
And passion means to suffer — literally.
The Latin root of the word passion means suffering.

If you haven’t suffered deeply for the game,
you must be seeking something deeply through the game.

You can’t fake love.
You can’t fake purpose.
You can’t fake soul.

Scouts and coaches feel it before they see it.

The Most Under-Coached Tool: Mindset

Elite players don’t just train their swing — they train their standard.

This winter isn’t just about reps in the cage and hours in the weight room.
It’s about building the mind and soul big enough to handle your talent.

Top 10 Practical Ways to Build an Elite Mindset This Winter

Choose disciplined rest over easy laziness
Journal daily — sharpen self-awareness
Visualize before every rep — see it before you do it
Do something uncomfortable every day
Practice gratitude — entitlement kills greatness
Compete in silence — no excuses, no noise
Study champions — steal habits, not highlights
Seek feedback — not praise
Do reps when no one is watching
Serve others weekly — humility keeps talent safe

Greatness doesn’t shout.
Greatness echoes.

Mind. Body. Soul.

The body gives you strength.
The mind gives you strategy.
The soul gives you something others can feel when you walk in the room or step on the field.

Your talent will open the door.

Your work will prepare you.
Your soul will keep you there.

This winter — don’t just build a player.
Build a presence.
Build a purpose.
Build a soul that can’t be ignored.

Because champions aren’t made in the spring — They are revealed in the spring and built in the winter.

Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.

For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today.

If you found this inspiring and thought-provoking, or if you have any questions, comments or concerns, add me on Discord and let’s go deeper.

C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 22 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and a track record of success that can work for you.