The climate for developing players is better when competition exists. In this episode, JP and Nate visit with special guest Anson Dorrance, the longtime head coach of the women’s soccer program at the University of North Carolina. He has one of the most successful coaching records in the history of athletics. Under Dorrance's leadership, the Tar Heels have won numerous NCAA Women's Soccer Championships. √ Lessons from UNC coaching legend, Dean Smith √ Design a program you would want to play in √...
Apr 09, 2023•46 min
How do you get better at coaching when you aren't coaching? Similar to our desire as coaches for players to grow out-of-season in various areas of their lives and sport, we too must take ownership of our development beyond the sidelines. In this episode, JP and Nate discuss the harsh realities of problems in programs and where fault falls. They share ways to develop solutions personally and professionally. √ Whose fault is it and does it really matter? √ Psychological safety: A non-negotiable √ ...
Apr 02, 2023•45 min
In this episode (Part 2 of 2), JP and Nate continue the conversation with special guest Ryan Hawk. Ryan was formerly the quarterback at Miami University. After finishing his playing career, he started The Learning Leader Show (Podcast). He is the author of two books - Welcome to Management: How To Grow From Top Performer To Excellent Leader and The Pursuit of Excellence: The Uncommon Behaviors of The World’s Most Productive Achievers . Working his way up from an entry-level salesman, he is now a...
Mar 26, 2023•31 min
In this episode, JP and Nate visit with special guest Ryan Hawk. He was formerly the quarterback at Miami University. After finishing his playing career, he started The Learning Leader Show (Podcast). Ryan is the author of two books - Welcome to Management: How To Grow From Top Performer To Excellent Leader and The Pursuit of Excellence: The Uncommon Behaviors of The World’s Most Productive Achievers . Working his way up from an entry-level salesman, he is now an author, podcast host, and also a...
Mar 19, 2023•35 min
Experience in leadership is both undervalued and overrated. Some things must be experienced to be understood. John Dewey said, “We do not learn from experience... We learn from reflecting on experience.” In this episode, JP and Nate discuss the intentional process that coaches should have as seasons come to an end. √ Prioritize the process of post season evaluations √ Assess the most precious commodity: Time √ Avoid the fringe-case frustration Get Your Copy of JP's Newest Book, The Culture Syste...
Mar 12, 2023•36 min
Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert on performance, well-being, and sustainable success. His most recent book is Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness . In Part 1 of this series, JP, Nate, and Steve discussed the dangers of leading with fear. In this episode (Part 2), JP and Nate visit with Steve about coaches that actually lead out of fear , meaning many coaches are afraid to make decisions or hold players accountable because of how athlet...
Mar 05, 2023•38 min
Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert on performance, well-being, and sustainable success. He is coauthor of the best selling Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox . His most recent work is Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness . Collectively, his books have sold more than half a million copies. In this episode, JP and Nate visit with Steve about his work focusing on increasing performance, understanding mental growth and mindset, as well ...
Feb 26, 2023•44 min
Coaching is challenging. Decisions can be questioned, players can be difficult, and parents can be major disruptors - causing significant issues that seem to steal any joy from the profession. This job takes courage. Choosing the transformational path is not an easy one. In this episode, JP and Nate discuss this topic of courage and openly share from their own personal experiences. √ Transformational coaching prioritizes the experience √ Value the things that are most important to you √ To grow ...
Feb 19, 2023•29 min
Eric Lang is the Head Coach of the American International College Men’s Hockey team. He has had great success at his alma mater not just on the ice, but within his program as a transformational coach. This episode is the 2nd of a 2-part conversation. Eric gives many practical ideas for leadership, practice planning, and ways to propel players to be great. √ Radical transparency of mistake ownership √ Leadership is not a rank and now needs a why √ Motivating and inspiring leadership Guest twitter...
Feb 12, 2023•38 min
In 2016, Eric Lang took over as Head Coach of the American International College Men’s Hockey team. The previous season prior to his arrival, they were ranked 60 of 60 Division I NCAA hockey teams. In three years, they became a Top-25 team, and a nationally recognized program. In this episode, he shares how he has invested in the people under his care, raised his standards, and held his players accountable - the blueprint of a transformational coach. √ Go after ‘and’ players, not ‘but’ players √...
Feb 05, 2023•37 min
True change starts on the inside and these internal changes have a significant external impact. After reading Yung Pueblo’s book, Clarity & Connection , JP connected these truths to the journey of a coach. In this conversation between JP and Nate, they share stories from past experiences and how those memories can trigger anxious feelings if they are not replaced with assurances and affirmations in a new, stable situation. √ Pattern recognition can bring positive change √ Affirmation from ad...
Jan 29, 2023•37 min
Being able to process the criticism that comes from the job is a key component to the coaching profession. People are emotionally invested into your team - regardless of the level of coaching. In December of 2020, Sports Illustrated released an article criticizing our guest’s leadership role with the Houston Texans. Within the article, there was not one cited source or individual. When criticism attacks an individual’s character, it tends to dehumanize coaches that have invested so much into the...
Jan 22, 2023•35 min
Many years ago, a strength and conditioning coach was unheard of and now it’s certainly become the norm. In the last decade, coaches that specialize in leadership and team culture have seen a spike in desirability for programs. Moving forward, this type of coaching position is going to continue to grow in demand. One of the most experienced character and culture coaches in the world, Jack Easterby, joins the podcast for a 2-part conversation. Starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and then movi...
Jan 15, 2023•53 min
One of the most frustrating things in the culture of coaching is the notion that all coaches have to grind all day, every day to be successful. Our return guest on this episode is Cody Royle and he says, “The constant grind of coaching is actually grinding coaches into the ground.” JP and Nate seek answers for the question: How and when do we leave coaching? √ Get out of fear-based situations ASAP √ It isn’t about you, yet it’s all about you √ You are a performer, not an endless giver Guest webs...
Jan 08, 2023•26 min
“Good coaches are quitting, preferring to walk away than put themselves and their families through the lifestyle.” This quote on social media by our (return) guest on the podcast, Cody Royle, is the topic of this episode. Most recently, he released his book: The Tough Stuff . In this episode, JP and Nate discuss even more of 'the tough stuff' that coaching requires. √ Understanding the cause of the exodus √ The Player Empowerment Movement √ Fear still exists, but the table has turned Guest websi...
Jan 01, 2023•31 min
The end of the year and the end of the season bring a lot of reflection. Most, if not all, coaches vow to be better before each season or year begins. Yet, we oftentimes find ourselves in the same ruts with the same burnt-out thoughts tempted to blame or shame our players and spend more and more time at the office by the time mid-season frustrations set in. In this episode, JP and Nate discuss personal values and the obstacles that keep us from prioritizing those said values. √ When you can’t do...
Dec 25, 2022•35 min
The COO of marine canvas company SewLong, Clint Halladay, continues the conversation with JP and Nate on this episode - Part 2. In 2020, Clint reached out to JP about the mentorship program - intended for his youth soccer team. Since then, he and JP have consistently had discussion, which led to Clint’s story also being featured in Chapter 4 (Personal Disciplines) of JP’s newest book - The Culture System. In this 2nd part of the conversation, Clint shares about his experience coaching youth leve...
Dec 18, 2022•25 min
The COO of marine canvas company SewLong, Clint Halladay, joins JP and Nate on this episode. In 2020, Clint reached out to JP about the mentorship program - intended for his youth soccer team. Since then, he and JP have consistently had discussion, which led to Clint’s story also being featured in Chapter 4 (Personal Disciplines) of JP’s newest book - The Culture System. Clint shares many experiences that have led him to the personal and professional life he lives now and the growth experienced ...
Dec 11, 2022•32 min
Playing time. It is without a doubt the most common confrontational issue at all levels in all sports. Players, and even parents, are often irrational and biased about what they or their kid(s) deserve when it comes to playing time. Coaches must make a point to communicate roles and set the expectations as honest and upfront as possible. This strategy is not bulletproof, but it is beneficial in many ways. Join JP and Nate as they discuss ideas that have proven successful again and again. √ Make ...
Dec 04, 2022•38 min
From one of the greatest sports clubs of all time - the New Zealand All Blacks, guest Sean Fitzpatrick ( @SFitzpatrick92 ) joins the podcast for Part 2 of our conversation. He is one of the greatest rugby players to ever do it. The All Blacks have an extraordinary record but even more impressive is the value they place on character! In this episode, Sean shares more about his role as a team captain and how it impacted his life after his playing days were over. √ The inception of ‘The Black Book’...
Nov 27, 2022•33 min
From one of the greatest sports clubs of all time - the New Zealand All Blacks, guest Sean Fitzpatrick (@SFitzpatrick92) joins the podcast. He is one of the greatest rugby players to ever do it. He set a world record with 63 consecutive appearances for New Zealand before retiring in 1997 after 11 years. The All Blacks have an extraordinary record but even more impressive is the value they place on character! In this episode, Sean shares the part he has gotten to play in rebuilding the team and s...
Nov 20, 2022•27 min
Most coaches know that an extraordinary culture is the secret to an extraordinary team, but how do you create a strong team culture when the culture itself is so complex and always evolving? The good news is the process of creating a culture can be simple and almost effortless when you take a systematic approach. Extraordinary team cultures don't just come together by chance. They are intentionally created by leaders, using a system of strategies to establish, support, and enforce the culture. F...
Nov 13, 2022•26 min
JP and Nate discuss the issue that every coach will face sooner or later - the player that is rude, resistant, or rebellious. Navigating these situations starts with a better understanding; a mindset shift. The three-pronged approach shared in this episode is certain to improve the player-coach relationship, as well as the overall health of your program. √ Start with a better understanding √ Find ways to support √ Standards vs culture-killing behaviors Get Your Copy of JP's Newest Book, The Cult...
Nov 06, 2022•34 min
Jason Caldwell is an American world-class athlete, a leadership and high-performance coach, and keynote speaker. Previously a Div-I baseball player groomed for greatness from an early age, Jason was derailed by injury and unexpectedly recruited to the collegiate rowing team. Most recently, the movie documentary Chasing , has brought to life Jason’s passion for something greater. His crew rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 35 days, setting a world record for “The World's Toughest Row....
Oct 30, 2022•30 min
Jason Caldwell is an American world-class athlete, a leadership and high-performance coach, and keynote speaker. Previously a Div-I baseball player groomed for greatness from an early age, Jason was derailed by injury and unexpectedly recruited to the collegiate rowing team. Most recently, the movie documentary Chasing , has brought to life Jason’s passion for something greater. His crew rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 35 days, setting a world record for “The World's Toughest Row....
Oct 23, 2022•39 min
Jason Caldwell is an American world-class athlete, a leadership and high-performance coach, and keynote speaker. Previously a Div-I baseball player groomed for greatness from an early age, Jason was derailed by injury and unexpectedly recruited to the collegiate rowing team. Most recently, the movie documentary Chasing , has brought to life Jason’s passion for something greater. His crew rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 35 days, setting a world record for “The World's Toughest Row....
Oct 16, 2022•32 min
A player’s confidence is fragile and is often thought to be in the coach’s hands. If you’ve coached long enough, you have likely been accused of killing a player’s confidence. Coaches may get defensive when facing the blame for a player's crisis in confidence, but it's worth examining the coach's role in helping to build and maintain a player's faith in themselves. At the same time, we would all likely agree that a player should ultimately be responsible for how they think about their game. In t...
Oct 09, 2022•34 min
Stress can help us rise to a challenge, connect with others, and learn and grow. Everybody has various stress habits that are strengths, often relying on them when we need them. But in order to get stress to work for us, there are other coping strategies that don’t come naturally for us and that is what our guest, Kelly McGonigal - the author of the book The Upside of Stress , discusses in this episode. √ Stress Habits and Coping Strategies √ The Joy of Movement √ Team Sports offer more than exe...
Oct 02, 2022•26 min
Stress affects all of us in some capacity. Dr. Kelly McGonigal’s book, The Upside of Stress , talks about how stress can work for us and not against us with the right mindset. Kelly is a former professor at Stanford University and the author of three books. Listen in as JP and Nate visit with her during the 1st half of a 2-part conversation. √ Accept stress and perform better √ Our mindset makes a difference √ Stress isn’t saying something is wrong Guest website: KellyMcGonigal.com Get Your Copy...
Sep 25, 2022•31 min
Comfort is not the answer. It is discomfort. In his book, The Comfort Crisis , Michael Easter discusses that our sheltered, sterile, temperature-controlled, overfed, underchallenged, lives are the leading cause of many of our most urgent physical and mental health issues. Since reading Easter’s book, JP has pursued discomfort - which led him to running 120 miles across Ireland in under 40 hours in The Kerry Way ultra-marathon. JP shares his journey from inspiration to perspiration as he explores...
Sep 18, 2022•42 min
