Yesterday, I shared more about Katlyn Slone, a 35-year-old mom of two toddlers and a full-time director and grant writer for a non-profit. She was heading into Day 4 of the World Series of Poker Main Event, just 15 players from the money.
She did more than cross that line. She cashed.
And through every high and low, Katlyn went out of her way to keep her rail updated.
She recorded real-time videos on Facebook, sharing her mindset, her fears, her moments of celebration, and the shifts that kept her grounded.
Katlyn’s Official Rail
As I write this, Katlyn is somewhere in the air, flying home.
We haven’t done her After-Action Review yet. She needed sleep. She needed space. She earned both.
Last night, before she packed up to leave Vegas, she said something I haven’t let go of.
“I couldn’t have done this without you.”
I haven’t run this by her yet, but I know she would want you to feel the process, because that’s who she is.
She cares deeply. About the game. About her family. About her friends. And yes, even about her co-competitors.
If anything, part of my job was helping Katlyn remember that when she sits at the table, she’s not there to please. She’s there to compete.
And that’s why I’m sharing this now.
After four days of high-stakes play, she walked away from her first Main Event with $15,000 and a heart full of lessons.
And that’s where the real work begins.
What Comes After the Cash
I’m writing this down now, while the feeling of her experience is still fresh in my mind.
After-Action Reviews are moments rich in story, emotion, and learning. I remind myself how to engage with clients so they get the most out of the experience. And I become better at what I do.
Why I Write It Down Before the Review
Writing this process down keeps it alive. It becomes a living entity with defined boundaries.
Yes, that might sound a little woo. But the written word has always held power. It anchors meaning. It sets things in motion.
Now, back to why this structure matters.
The Framework I Use with Private Clients
I’ve refined it over the decades. Beyond supporting my clients, it holds me to a higher standard every time.
Here’s the framework I use to guide After-Action Reviews.
Feel free to borrow it. Use it. Make it your own.
Most won’t. That’s okay.
But for those who do, this is where transformation starts to take root.
The military has been doing something like this since the 1970s. They call it an After Action Review or AAR.
When I first heard that, I smiled. I half expected to see one of them in my training.
After-Action Review with Katlyn: WSOP Main Event 2025
1. Set the Stage
Be warm and human.
“Before we dive in, take a breath. You did it. You played in the Main Event. You made Day 4. You cashed.”
“How are you feeling right now? Not the polished version. The real one?”
2. The Final Hand
Not just the mechanics. The moment.
“Walk us through that final hand.”
“What were you thinking?”
“What did you feel right before you acted?”
Anchor the moment before the move. That’s where the real MindShift lives.
3. What Surprised You Most?
About yourself
About other players
About the emotional ride
4. Pocket Coaching Moments
What did she apply from our sessions?
“What mindset tools came in handy during your toughest moments?”
“Was there a moment when you paused, shifted, and it changed the outcome?”
5. Biggest Growth
Frame this as legacy, not just results.
“What part of you came out stronger?”
“What story were you living before the WSOP, and how has it changed?”
6. Looking Ahead
“You said at the start that this was about playing with courage. Now that you’ve walked through the fire, what does courage look like from here?”
“What would you say to the version of you who almost didn’t play?”
7. For the Next Woman
This is gold for future players and future clients.
“What would you say to another woman thinking of taking a shot at the Main Event?”
“What myth or fear would you love to bust for her?”
Katlyn even got a little sunshine before heading home.
Proof of life outside the poker room.
And a Final Reminder to Myself
I am not the interviewer. I am the reflector. The amplifier.
Let her take space. Silence after my question is power.
If she gets emotional, I hold the pause.
That silence is sacred.
The Phrase That Finally Fits
A quiet nod to my accountability buddy, Brad Did, who’s been witness to this work behind the scenes for the past year.
He’s the one who helped me name what I had been doing for years, but hadn’t put into words. He’s seen it in action. He’s experienced it himself.
Brad brings the precision of a geologist and the presence of a deep listener.
He sees the patterns most people miss, then helps high performers reconnect with what matters most.
What Brad helped me name, Katlyn helped me prove.
You’ll hear the name in just a moment.
Your Invitation
If you’re preparing for your own deep run, whether at the table or in life, and you want someone in your corner who sees the inner game as clearly as the cards, reach out.
I call it Pocket Performance Coaching.
It’s what I’ve been doing for years, even before it had a name. Because the right shift, at the right time, changes everything.
Stay on the rail for free.
Go deeper for less than a Starbucks a month.
When you’re ready to pull up a front-row seat and join my inner circle, become a Founding Member.
You’ll get monthly group access and one private session with me each year.
However you choose to show up, I’m delighted you’re here.
Share this post