Why Most Athletes Don’t Last (Lessons From a 17-Year MLB Career) with Charlie Culberson

Why do most athletes fall short… while a few find ways to last? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with Charlie Culberson, a former MLB player who spent 17 seasons in professional baseball with organizations like the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and Atlanta Braves. Charlie wasn’t the biggest or the most recruited. But he built a career that most athletes never reach. This episode breaks down what it really takes to survive and succeed at the highest level, including: • How to stand out when you’re overlooked • The mindset needed to push through failure • Why most athletes struggle in the minor leagues • How to embrace your role and stay valuable • What it takes to handle injuries and setbacks From early struggles to clutch moments in the big leagues, this is a blueprint for athletes who want to last. If you're serious about developing as an athlete and creating real opportunities in sports, this episode is a must-listen. Follow Charlie Culberson https://www.instagram.com/charlieculberson/ Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Elevate 2 Great with Charlie Culberson 01:20 Growing Up Around Baseball in Georgia 03:10 Why Playing Multiple Sports Matters for Young Athletes 05:00 Lessons Charlie Learned From His Dad 09:15 Being an Undersized Athlete and Outworking Everyone 11:40 Charlie Culberson’s Recruiting and MLB Draft Journey 18:10 The Reality of Minor League Baseball and Early Failure 23:10 Getting the Call to the MLB and Debuting With the Giants 25:30 Charlie’s Legendary Walk-Off Home Run With the Dodgers 30:15 Is the “Clutch Gene” Real in Baseball? 36:25 Overcoming Injury and Returning After Getting Hit in the Face 46:45 Life After MLB, Broadcasting, and Giving Back to Youth Baseball