This week on the Way of Champions Podcast, we have a discussion with Lindsey Wilson from Positive Performance Training about the importance of the mental game for athletes of all ages. Lindsey works with athletes and coaches to unlock player and team potential through mental performance training. As an athlete, Lindsey had the privilege to play on many successful teams and collect an impressive athletic resume along the way. As a mental training coach, Lindsey has developed mental performance tr...
Apr 28, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Dr. Joe Baker is one of our favorite people in talent development, sport specialization, and long term athlete development, and our conversation this week does not disappoint. We talk about David Epstein's new book Range, discuss sport specialization, as well as the relative age effect, what great coaching looks like, how poor the evidence shows we are at talent ID, our broken talent ID system, and so much more. This is one you are going to want to take some notes on! Baker is a Professor and th...
Apr 21, 2019•1 hr 17 min
Ian Goldberg is a sports dad, coach and Founder of iSport360, a SportsTech company that is helping coaches, kids and parents set goals, share player feedback and track player progress. His informative and frequently-funny youth sports newsletter has 70,000 subscribers, earning Ian a place on the Advisory Council of the National Alliance for Youth Sports. https://isport360.com/ Connect with Ian Goldberg Blog: https://isport360.com/blog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/isport360 Facebook: https://www...
Apr 15, 2019•56 min
With over 25 years of experience in player development and a long history as a coach with USA Hockey, Ken Martel was named technical director of USA Hockey's American Development Model in May 2009. He is charged with helping provide a framework for associations nationwide to follow for optimal athlete development. From 2006-08 at USA Hockey's national office in Colorado Springs, Colo., Martel worked on coaching education and player development initiatives. For his efforts using science to advanc...
Apr 08, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Celia Slater brings nearly 30 years of unmatched experience in college athletics as both an organizational head and a collegiate basketball coach, most recently serving as co-founder and executive director of both the NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA) and The Alliance of Women Coaches (The Alliance). The WCA started as a professional development program and, due largely to Celia's efforts, soon exploded into a network of women coaches with an ever-growing grant to aid in expansion. On the court, ...
Mar 31, 2019•1 hr 9 min
Jon's professional career began with the Buffalo Bills as assistant strength and conditioning coach. For 14 years he worked as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Indianapolis Colts where he was the youngest to be hired in this role. His responsibilities were many and are proud to have worked on a fully integrated team with a shared vision. This culminated with a world championship in Super Bowl XLI. Jon believes in supporting people that want to participate and thrive in activities...
Mar 24, 2019•1 hr 28 min
Global School Play Day is an ad-hoc leadership team of educators inspired by Dr. Peter Gray's research on the decline of play and the adverse psychological, emotional and physical effects this has had on children. They continue to be a shoestring operation, promoting almost entirely through Twitter, Facebook and occasional spots on educational podcasts. No fees are collected and GSPD is entirely free. In 2015 there were over 60K children who participated on six continents - this past year the nu...
Mar 17, 2019•1 hr 2 min
Dr. Roberta V. Kraus is currently featured as an expert in a new video series launched by TrueSport, an educational program powered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that inspires athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators to change the culture of youth sport through active engagement based on cornerstone lessons of sportsmanship, character-building, and clean and healthy performance. Outside of her work with TrueSport, Roberta is President of the Center for Sports Psychology in Colorado Spring...
Mar 10, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Dr Martin Toms is a senior lecturer in Sports Coaching in the School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences. Dr Toms has been involved in sport coaching and development for a number of years, and has experience of teaching in schools, as well as coaching (Professionally) prior to undertaking posts at University. He has researched, presented and published in the area of the sports experiences of young people, and talent and participant development. As a sport...
Mar 03, 2019•1 hr 11 min
Join us as we talk toJohn Luetkemeyer about how a youth sports organization went from a local disaster to national recognition based on volunteers changing how we trained players! It is an incredible conversation filled with nuggets of wisdom. John has been coaching since 2005 and have four of his own sons go through the program he shares with us. Quick Announcements: Way of Champions Conference will be in Denver, CO on August 2-4. Visit https://changingthegameproject.com/wocconference for more ...
Feb 25, 2019•1 hr 23 min
Kristen Dieffenbach is an associate professor of Athletic Coaching Education and the director of the Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Science at West Virginia University. She earned her PhD in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in sport and exercise psychology and is an Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) certified mental skills consultant (CMPC). Kristen is currently the president of the United States Center for Coaching Excellence and is the director of coaching for WV...
Feb 17, 2019•1 hr 19 min
John Patrick "Jack" Perconte (born August 31, 1954) is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1980 to 1986. In addition to his Major League baseball career, Perconte has authored three books: "Creating a Season to Remember: The New Youth Sports Coaching Leadership Handbook "The Making of a Hitter- A Proven and Practical Step-by-Step Baseball Guide" "Raising an Athlete- How to Instill Confidence, Build Skills and Inspire a Love of Sport" Jack turned to writing to further...
Feb 10, 2019•58 min
This podcast would not exist, the Changing the Game Project would not exist, if it were not for Joe Ehrmann. Many years ago, I read his incredible book InSideOut Coaching , and it changed my life forever. It validated for me that there was more to coaching than Xs and Os, and that I wanted to be a "transformational coach, and not a transactional one." Thus, to celebrate our 100th episode of The Way of Champions Podcast, we bring you Joe Ehrmann and Jody Redman, founders of The InSideOut Initiati...
Feb 04, 2019•1 hr 2 min
Do your athletes struggle with the right frame of mind for the "big game"? Does the pressure of a "must win" have an effect on their pre-game mindset? Tune in to hear about some strategies for keeping a cool head win it is all "on the line". Getting in Touch: Jerry: wayofchampions@gmail.com John: john@changingthegameproject.com Show Notes 3:00 Show up to win the day instead of win the game 17:30 What is spiritual talent? 27:30 When the massive underdog wins because they believed more 43:30 Playi...
Jan 28, 2019•1 hr 8 min
He was not always the best player in the group, he didn't play soccer year-round, and he didn't have access to see the game being played by the best. He did work harder than anyone else and always kept the mindset there was room to be better. Because he chose work ethic as his guide, Brian Ching succeeded in soccer. Hear his story. Getting in Touch: Email: bkching@houstondynamo.com Twitter: @BrianChing About You can add Brian Ching to the growing list of players that have risen to USMNT caliber ...
Jan 21, 2019•1 hr 2 min
You can take courses, read a bunch of books, listen to a thousand podcasts on what you should be doing to be a champion. Dana Cavalea hs been there too, but he had a front row seat to Champion Habits as the Strength and Conditioning Coach of the New York Yankees, and he knows exactly what Champions do to be Champions. Getting in Touch: Website: danacavalea.com Email: dana@danacavalea.com Twitter: @danacavalea Book Link: Habits of a Champion About Dana Cavalea spent 12 years with the New York Yan...
Jan 14, 2019•1 hr 2 min
It's not what the greatest performers do in the moment of competition that makes them the greatest. It is what they did in the "unseen" moments long before they take to the arena that matter. Success never happens in the moment. It is honed, crafted, practiced painstakingly in days, months, years prior. Choose to be successful now. Don't wait for a lucky moment…Hear more insight from Alan in our latest episode. Getting in Touch: Book Website RaiseYourGameBook.com Website: AlanSteinJr.com Twitter...
Jan 07, 2019•1 hr 13 min
We present a lot of theory on the Way of Champions podcast, but putting that theory into practice is what matters most. In this episode, we talk with veteran basketball coach, Greg Garrison, about 5 practical methods you can use with any team, in any sport, to begin a culture of winning tomorrow. Enjoy the Show! Getting in Touch: ggarrison@asij.ac.jp Last chance to join us at the Future of Coaching Conference! Future of Coaching Conference Registration Page About Greg Garrison is currently coach...
Dec 30, 2018•55 min
We all want our players to be creative. We structure the way they train to promote creativity. We talk to them about embracing creativity. However, because we structure it, are we prohibiting the potential for creativity to arise? Is the macro-culture of youth sports holding back creativity? James Vaughan, who did a PhD in studying the cultural significance of creativity in sports, weighs in on this topic. Enjoy the Show Getting in Touch: Twitter: @JimiVaughn Player Development Project: www.play...
Dec 23, 2018•1 hr 21 min
He didn't specialize early. In fact, he didn't play until high school and scouts were not lining up to sign him for college football, and yet Matt Birk forged a great career and became one of the best Lineman in the NFL? Do you really need to focus on one sport early in your childhood? Matt Birk is proof you don't. In this episode, Matt also discusses our infatuation with early talent, the lack of values in sports, and how parents should let kids get out of the game what they want to get out of ...
Dec 17, 2018•1 hr 4 min
Become a fly on the wall and listen in as the experts behind the Future Coaching Conference plan out the sessions, discuss what it means to be a great coach, differentiate between resilience, grit, and mental toughness, and much more. Stuart Armstrong hosts from his car while driving the M6, and John, Mark, and Juan join him for an informal yet meaningful chat. Getting in Touch: Twitter: John - @CTGProjectHQ Stuart - @Stu_Arm Mark - @PDSCoach Juan - @SudCoaching To get school credit and get disc...
Dec 12, 2018•1 hr 11 min
It is important the people coaching our children have all the qualities and skills necessary to develop success beyond the game. Who "coaches" our children's coaches? This week, we continue with this theme of coach development to discuss how vital it is to have someone "coaching the coaches". Bill Beswick is widely considered one of the best coach trainers in the world and he joins us to share his philosophies and methods. Bill is recognised as a leader in the field of applied sports psychology ...
Dec 10, 2018•1 hr 2 min
We often talk on this podcast about theory and research, but this week we are talking about application. We have mentioned many times about the importance of getting a coaching mentor or at least a group of coaches to bounce ideas off of, get advice from, and help us raise our game. What does that feel like? Is it hard? What are the obstacles? What happens when you don't agree? What will your staff say when an outsider steps in? This week, we talk about all of that, and more, with Alan Keane (@C...
Dec 03, 2018•1 hr 21 min
To make real change we need those in a position of influence to support and advance the cause. United Soccer Coaches is the largest coaching membership organization in the world and they have recently committed to changing the coaching culture. Listen to this conversation with Lynn Berling-Manuel. Show Notes 4:15 The single biggest change in US Soccer since Lynn started her journey 10:45 Whom do we serve in the game? 23:15 Pay to Play and the professionalization of youth sports 26:45 The develop...
Nov 26, 2018•1 hr 3 min
What group has the most influential position and platform to impact the lives of our children? Coaches. What are we doing to ensure that group is prepared to coach with purpose and change lives for the better? This week's guest has an answer for that. Show Notes 1:45 Ryan's own journey 8:00 The importance of having a group of colleagues and sharing with them 18:30 We need to show up as parents at our kids' games, not as fans 29:00 Learning to say you are sorry 45:00 Why do we care so much about ...
Nov 19, 2018•1 hr 11 min
Instead of coaching athletes for today's outcomes, why not coach them in a way that prepares them to succeed in future seasons too? Teach them what they need to evolve as the game does too. Join Russel Earnshaw and John Fletcher of the Magic Academy to hear more. Show Notes 4:15 When you treat people well, the positive results naturally arise 11:00 "My job as a coach is not to make the players hate me" 22:45 The C.A.R.D.S. approach to coaching 34:30 The Magic Academy Card System 56:15 When are t...
Nov 12, 2018•1 hr 21 min
Does weight lifting stunt growth? At what age should my kid start lifting? Mike Boyle is one of the pioneers in strength training and has worked at all ages and stages of sports. He answers these questions and more in this week's episode. Show Notes 7:00 One of the original strength coaches still learning every year 12:30 You need to understand the sports and athletes you assist if you want to make a difference 19:15 Is it worth driving three hours for 30 seconds of actual ball contact? 31:30 Do...
Nov 05, 2018•1 hr 10 min
Across the board, youth sports participation rates are dropping and coach retention is extremely low, yet Appleton recreation is seeing an average of 60% increase in participation across its four biggest sports and coach retention is 90%. What are they doing differently? Show Notes 1:00 Nate's backstory 12:30 If we are in it for the benefit of the kids, most solutions are obvious 16:00 Nate explains how the cultural change came out of the consistent core values 23:00 Appleton's Core Value #1: In...
Oct 29, 2018•1 hr 9 min
Have you ever tried to break a bad habit or create a good one and struggled to get the results to stick? James Clear has solved the problem and shares some of the science behind habits in this podcast and his new book. Listen in now. Show Notes 8:40 How James Clear became Interested in Habits 12:25 Why the title "Atomic Habits" 20:55 We do not rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our systems 26:10 The Four Stages of Habits and the Four Laws 45:55 Behaviors that get rewarded ge...
Oct 22, 2018•1 hr 1 min
What do you say to your athlete in the car ride to and from the game? What is the message during games, especially in those tense moments of high pressure? What we say to our children, becomes their inner voice. Listen in for Dr. Jim Taylor's advice on creating successful youth athletes. Show Notes 8:05 From a nervous athlete to a Sport Psychologist – Jim's beginnings 15:45 How much has sports changed over the years? 23:15 For all those athletes that make it, so many more were left behind on the...
Oct 15, 2018•1 hr 2 min
