The Reformed Sports Project Podcast

Sean Jensen is a former NFL reporter and author of the children's book series Middle School Rules. A fellow youth sports advocate, sought-after speaker, and host of the podcast Winning Is Not Everything, Sean joins Nick discuss the value of teaching children to overcome adversity by learning from others, the importance of redefining what success looks like for young athletes, and why he characterizes winning as becoming a better person.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A top 2023 MLB Draft prospect and University of North Carolina commit, Walker Jenkins is one of the best high school baseball players in the country. The 2021-22 North Carolina Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year also excels in the classroom, maintaining a weighted 4.52 GPA. Walker joins Nick to discuss how he has learned to handle outside pressure from a young age, the benefits of positive self-talk, and how his competitive mindset impacts his performance, both on the field and in the classroom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim Crabbe is a renowned soccer player and coach. A highly-regarded pioneer in the sport, Kim became the first Black woman to play for the US Women's National Team in 1986. Following her time on the National Team, Kim transitioned to mentor, coach, and Outreach Program Director for the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth Football Club. Over the years, Kim has earned several awards for her influential work at the grassroots level, including the 2021 Youth Coach of the Year award by United Soccer Coaches, the 2019 Centennial NAACP Youth Services Award, and the 2018 Black Soccer Coaches Advocacy Group Award of Excellence. Kim joins Nick to discuss the value of grassroots and community-based sports programs, her mission to positively impact one kid every day, and why she takes the time to develop lasting relationships with the children she coaches.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike O'Malley is an Emmy-nominated actor and sought-after writer and producer, well known for his work on hit shows including Yes, Dear, Glee, Shameless, and many others. A youth sports advocate and parent of three, he previously served as a youth coach and administrator of a PONY League in southern California. Mike joins Nick to discuss why coping with failure should be celebrated as much as success, the importance of letting children express their emotions, and why committed parents should seek out leadership positions to help reform the youth sports industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international leader in tennis medicine, Dr. Neeru Jayanthi leads Emory University's Tennis Medicine program, serves as the President of the International Society for Tennis Medicine and Science, volunteers as an ATP physician, and is a medical advisor for the WTA Player Development Panel. Highly-regarded for his research on early sports specialized training and overuse injuries in youth athletes, Dr. Jayanthi joins Nick to discuss how youth sports culture has changed from free play to organized sport, why early specialization often leads only to short-term success, and the importance of letting a child’s passion for sport grow organically.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jedd Fisch is the Head Football Coach at the University of Arizona. Prior to coaching the Wildcats, he served as Quarterbacks Coach for the New England Patriots and was a member of the offensive staff for the Los Angeles Rams. Coach Fisch joins Nick to discuss how he transitioned from competitive tennis player to highly-regarded football coach, why it benefits players to trust their coaches’ decisions, and what he looks for in student athletes when on the recruiting trail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim English is the Head Men's Basketball Coach at George Mason University. Prior to coaching, he was a standout All-Big 12 selection in college and went on to play in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls before finishing his playing career overseas. Kim joins Nick to discuss the value of being honest with athletes during the recruiting process, how he draws on his NBA experience to help prepare his players for big moments, and the importance of developing a deep love for the game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia Mape is the Founder of I Love To Watch You Play, an educational website designed to help parents feel more confident and regain balance and sanity as they navigate the youth sports journey with their children. A former collegiate athlete, four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, experienced sports television Producer, and sports parent, Asia joins Nick to discuss how parents can balance support versus pressure and learn from past mistakes as well as the importance of parents enabling their kids to take agency over their own paths.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Cressey is the Director of Player Health and Performance for the New York Yankees and President and Co-Founder of Cressey Sports Performance. A highly sought after performance coach who specializes in applied kinesiology and biometrics, Eric trains athletes of all levels from youth sports to the professional ranks. Also an accomplished author and world-class powerlifter, Eric joins Nick to discuss how specialization can cause overuse injuries, the appropriate time for kids to start weightlifting, and how parents can help their children learn the value of healthy eating.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former professional soccer player and collegiate All-American goalkeeper, Skye Eddy is the Founder of Soccer Parenting Association and The Sideline Project, two organizations designed to improve the youth sports experience by providing educational resources on parenting and athlete development. A former standout multi-sport athlete, Skye joins Nick to discuss why coaches should proactively set boundaries with parents, how parents can better regulate their emotions before the car ride home, and the importance of mentorship not only for children, but also for adults.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Goldberg is the Founder of iSport360, a leading sports technology platform designed to enable kids to have more agency in their youth sports experience. A sports parent and coach, Ian joins Nick to discuss his goal to make youth sports more centered on the kids, the importance of empowering kids to take ownership over their athletic experiences, and why he believes playing sports gives kids the opportunity to build life skills.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtney Banghart is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of North Carolina. Prior to taking over the Tar Heel program in 2019, Coach Banghart served as the Head Women’s Coach at Princeton University, leading the Tigers to seven Ivy League titles and eight NCAA Tournament appearances throughout her tenure. In 2015, she was named one of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine after guiding Princeton to a 30-0 regular season record. Coach Banghart joins Nick to discuss how she best supports athletes navigating the transfer portal and NIL, how to reframe fear of failure as opportunity, and why she believes it's crucial to provide her players with memorable, positive experiences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Stillwell is a country music star, former collegiate all-conference baseball player, and dad of two. A high-performing infielder and outfielder for the Western Carolina University Catamounts baseball program, Matt was touted as a soon-to-be Major Leaguer, but ultimately chose to forgo his baseball career to pursue his passion for music. He rose to fame when his 2008 debut single "Shine” reached the top 50 on Billboard's Country Music Charts and continues to tour across the country today. Matt joins Nick to discuss the power of visualization, the value of learning from and moving past failure, and why he believes preparation and confidence go hand in hand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Linda Flanagan is an author, freelance journalist, researcher, and former cross country and track coach. Linda's new book, Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports and Why It Matters, examines how big money and high stakes have transformed youth sports into stressful, all-consuming endeavors. Linda joins Nick to discuss strategies to help parents put their kids' sports into perspective, the importance of being self-aware when raising children, and why parents should feel empowered to reclaim their agency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob Friedman is a highly regarded baseball analyst, entrepreneur, and social media guru, commonly referred to as the Pitching Ninja in the baseball community. Rob currently serves as an analyst for Peacock TV, MLB, NESN, and Fox Sports. As the CEO of both FlatGround Pitching and FlatGround Hitting, Rob helps remove recruiting barriers in the sport by using social media to help showcase talent. Rob joins Nick to discuss the importance of having a growth mentality, the value in teaching kids decision-making skills from a young age, and why he believes the key to long-term success is incremental growth every day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jake Marsh is a Sports Business Reporter for "Pardon My Take" by Barstool Sports, one of the country's most popular sports podcasts. After realizing his dreams of being a professional athlete wouldn’t come to fruition, Jake studied Broadcast and Digital Journalism at Syracuse University with the goal of staying involved in the sport industry as a play-by-play broadcaster. Jake joins Nick to discuss the hard work and sacrifice it takes to get better when no one is watching, how rejection can help fuel you, and the importance of finding balance both personally and professionally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Braxton Harris serves as the Associate Head Coach, Linebackers Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator for the Campbell University Football team. Prior to joining the Campbell program, he led the Howard Payne University Football team as head coach for three seasons. A father of four, Coach Harris joins Nick to discuss how families can navigate the wild world of youths sports together, how multi-sport athletes benefit from competing year-round, and what it means to be a great teammate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most dominant athletes in the world right now, Tamyra Mensah-Stock became the first black woman to win Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling during the 2020 Tokyo Games. Fresh off her commanding World Championship win two weeks ago in Belgrade, Tamyra joins Nick to discuss how bullying and confidence played an integral role in her development in and out of sport, how track & field helped her triumph on the mat, and how adversity powered her Olympic success.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Polymeropoulos is a highly-decorated former CIA Senior Intelligence Officer who specialized in counterterrorism in the Middle East and South Asia. After 26 years at the CIA including multiple field assignments for the U.S. government, Marc has become a sought-after expert on leadership, decision-making, and collaboration. Marc joins Nick to discuss the importance of leadership in building successful teams, how to prepare for high-pressure situations, and what it means to be the “glue guy” or “glue gal.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Mumford is a widely-renowned mindfulness and performance expert, author, and speaker. He has spent three decades teaching mindfulness techniques to some of the biggest names in the history of the NBA as well as a number of corporate executives, artists, and other elite athletes. George joins Nick to discuss how the perception of mindfulness has changed over the years, the importance of shifting how we value our identity, and why we should practice looking at life with a growth mindset. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamey Chadwell is the Head Football Coach at Coastal Carolina University and was named AP Coach of the Year in 2020 after leading the Chanticleers to unprecedented success during the season. Prior to taking over the Coastal Carolina program in 2019, Chadwell was a three-time Big South Coach of the Year during his time as Head Coach at Charleston Southern University. Coach Chadwell joins Nick to discuss finding your "why," how teamwork helps you become your best self, and the importance of empowering vocal leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laurie Henes is the Head Coach of the Women's Cross Country and Track & Field programs at NC State University. Henes led the Wolfpack Cross Country team to an NCAA National Title in 2021 and was named the USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year. Coach Henes joins Nick to discuss how kids can learn to develop intrinsic motivation, how fear of failure often prevents growth, and the importance of teaching athletes to take responsibility for their goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ohio State University Head Coach Tom Ryan led the Buckeyes Wrestling program to their first-ever team NCAA National Championship in 2015 and was named NCAA Wrestling Head Coach of the Year in both 2015 and 2009. Under his tutelage of more than 15 years, the Buckeyes have earned 12 individual titles, 53 All-American honors, and 22 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar selections. Coach Ryan joins Nick to discuss the qualities that stand out in multi-sport athletes, the importance of developing a deep love for the sport, and how suffering is part of the growth process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John O’Sullivan started Changing the Game Project to return youth sports to our children and put the 'play' back in 'play ball.' He is the author of two #1 best-selling books, has been featured on major news outlets such as CNN, ESPN, and NBC Sports, and is a sought-after speaker for coaches, parents, and youth sports organizations. John joins Nick to discuss the origins and mission of Changing the Game Project, why we're running the race to the wrong finish line, and how the word 'fun' often gets misunderstood by adults today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randy Waldrum is the Head Women's Soccer Coach of both the University of Pittsburgh and the Nigerian Women's Senior National Team. Prior to joining Pitt, Waldrum transformed the University of Notre Dame's Women's Soccer program into a consistent national contender, winning two NCAA National Championships in 2004 and 2010. Coach Waldrum joins Nick to discuss the changing landscape of youth soccer today, how parents can better navigate club demands for year-round commitments, and why youth coaches need to reeducate parents on the likelihood of a DI college scholarship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University of Virginia Head Baseball Coach Brian O'Connor was named ACC Coach of the Decade by D1Baseball.com for transforming the Cavaliers baseball program into one of the top programs in the country. He led the team to their first NCAA Championship in 2015 and has been recognized as The National Coach of the Year three times. Coach O'Connor joins Nick to discuss the winning mindset fostered from multi-sport experience, why parents need to let their kids fail, and his perspective on today's recruiting culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Krista Gerlich is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Texas Tech University. A national champion and Red Raider standout as a student-athlete, Coach Gerlich returned to her alma mater in 2020, guiding the women's program to their highest conference finish under a first-year coach in the Big 12 era. During her 15-year coaching career, she’s racked up two TABC Coach of the Year awards, three Conference Coach of the Year honors, and three conference titles. Coach Gerlich joins Nick to discuss the positives and negatives of coaching your kid's team, what she talks to her kids about on the car rides home, and her path from student-athlete to coach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most accomplished collegiate wrestlers in history, Bo Nickal is a three-time NCAA Division I National Champion, 2019 Big Ten Athlete of the Year, 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy winner, and two-time Schalles Award winner. He recently announced his transition to MMA and currently competes in the middleweight division of the UFC. Bo joins Nick to discuss how and when he decided to specialize in wrestling, how failure and competition motivate him to succeed, and how his mental approach of gratitude enables him to handle the big moments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roy Williams is widely considered one of the greatest basketball coaches of all-time. His resume as Head Men’s Basketball Coach spanned more than thirty years between the University of Kansas and the University of North Carolina and boasts three NCAA Division I National Championships, nine Final Four appearances, and over 900 wins, among many other extraordinary accolades. Coach Williams was inducted into both the College Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame more than ten years before he retired in 2021. Coach Williams joins Nick to discuss multi-sport athletes, discipline, and focus. He also shares anecdotes about when he discovered his own competitiveness and the three “most amazing” athletes he’s ever seen - and why he considers them as such.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Norvell's football resume reaches almost every corner of college and professional football through his time as player and coach. He is currently the Head Football Coach for Colorado State University and has previously spent time in the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and NFL. Coach Norvell joins Nick to discuss the similarities between coaching and teaching and how early sport specialization can hurt competitiveness and kids' love for the game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seth Pepper is an elite-level sports psychologist, mental performance coach, and former professional athlete. He has developed mental training systems that have helped elite athletes, coaches, business leaders, and art creators. Seth joins Nick to discuss his journey from professional swimming to high-performance mental coaching to youth sports parenting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert of health and human performance. He is the author of The Science of Running, co-author of the best-selling Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox, co-creator of the online performance platform The Growth Equation, and previously served as a Division I Head Cross Country coach. Steve joins Nick to discuss how in today's youth sports culture, the push for athletic success often seems driven by the parents and how early specialization can lead to burnout, overuse injuries, and identity challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Stanec, PhD is one of the world's leading experts on the intersection of movement, sports, psychology, and education. With a Masters of Science with an emphasis in Physical Education and Sport Psychology, and a PhD in Kinesiology, Dr. Stanec has published numerous articles, co-authored several book chapters, and worked with many leading American and Canadian sports organizations. She founded Move Live Learn, which researches, creates, and helps implement physical education, sport health, and wellness programs in schools, sport organizations, and health groups. Dr. Stanec joins Nick to discuss why we need to reform youth sports to better mirror our education system and the importance of understanding age appropriateness and the value of retention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since joining the University of Tennessee’s Baseball program as head coach in 2017, Tony Vitello has transformed the Volunteers into a national powerhouse. He was named 2021 National Coach of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association after the Volunteers earned a spot in the 2021 College World Series, and he also led this year’s squad to an SEC Championship. Coach Vitello joins Nick to discuss how to use the scoreboard as a positive tool in youth sports, the importance of mental health, and how parents can help or hurt the recruiting process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lewis Caralla is Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach for Georgia Tech. Prior to his time with the Yellow Jackets, Coach Caralla led Strength and Conditioning at three other NCAA Division I FBS programs and was named 2018 Strength Coach of the Year by Football Scoop. Coach Caralla joins Nick to discuss the importance of kids learning life lessons on their own during sports and how coaches can become difference-makers in their players' lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Gallucci is the Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Nurosene, an AI-based technology company that supports mental performance and wellness. He is a former professional soccer player, trained functional neurologist, osteopath, and brain researcher who has worked with all ranges of athletes from elite professionals to youth club participants. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Daniel joins Nick to share his insights and expertise on the brain's role in sports and the long term effects of stress and resiliency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cailin Bracken is a collegiate student-athlete who recently received national acclaim for her inspiring and candid article titled "A Letter to College Sports," which implores our society to rethink our current sports culture as it relates to the importance of mental health. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, Cailin joins Nick to share some of her own experiences and perspective with mental health and the conversation covers topics including student-athletes' sense of worthiness, why parents and coaches need to prioritize the person over the athlete, and the importance of curiosity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University of North Carolina Head Baseball Coach Scott Forbes has helped lead the storied Tar Heels baseball program to seven College World Series appearances, seven ACC division titles, and three ACC Tournament titles during his two decades with the program. Coach Forbes joins Nick to discuss his background and philosophy as a coach, the importance of keeping doors open while exploring opportunities in college, and why he prioritizes building relationships with his players.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently named Head Football Coach for the University of Connecticut, Jim Mora brings 31 years of coaching experience in both the college ranks and the NFL to the UConn Huskies program. Coach Mora joins Nick to discuss how to instill a culture of excellence through communication, expectations, and discipline. He also shares why he’s attracted to multi-sport athletes, what he’s learned as a sports parent, and the value he sees in student athletes selecting the right schools based on more than just sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Askren is a wrestling and MMA superhero. One of the most dominant college wrestlers in history, Askren became a folk hero during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, before going on to become a multiple-time MMA champion and one of the sport's biggest stars. He founded the Askren Wrestling Academy, one of the premier wrestling programs in the country that regularly churns out champions at all levels. A Reformed Sports Project Advisory Board Member, Askren joins Nick to discuss his academy's unconventional approach to developing young athletes, how competitors lock in mentally, and why he prioritizes effort over performance in youth sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Jackson is the Head Baseball Coach at Liberty University. Named the 2021 ASUN Coach of the Year, Coach Jackson has led his team to set several school records, mentored numerous draft picks, and won multiple championships in his five years in Lynchburg. Coach Jackson joins Nick to discuss why parents should stay out of practice, how youth coaches can encourage kids to keep playing, and why his program champions "keeping your house in order" by prioritizing habits, routines, and consistency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head Women's Basketball Coach at Whitman College since 2001, Michelle Ferenz has transformed Whitman Women's Basketball into an elite DIII program. She has been named Northwest Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year three times and has led the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a second place finish in 2014. Coach Ferenz joins Nick to discuss the unique benefits for student athletes who chose to play at DIII schools, the value in growing from failure, and how parents can best support their kids' athletic journeys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Carlisle is the Managing Director of Olympics & Action Sports for Octagon. With more than 25 years of experience as an athlete agent, marketer, and advocate, Carlisle has guided Octagon's Olympics & Action Sports division into an industry powerhouse that includes clients such as Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and Aly Raisman. A Reformed Sports Project Advisory Board Member, Carlisle joins Nick to discuss his goals as an executive producer for HBO's Sports EMMY®-nominated film The Weight of Gold, the importance of prioritizing mental health in young athletes, and how to empower parents to make informed decisions regarding youth sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Partin is widely considered one of the nation's leading figures in travel and showcase baseball. In the early 2000s, Partin founded Impact Baseball and Dirtbag Baseball to provide high school players more exposure opportunities to help them play at the collegiate level. He has pioneered the Dirtbags into one of the top and most recognizable baseball programs in the country. Partin joins Nick to discuss his passion for helping high school athletes play at the next level, dispel misconceptions about travel programs, and share how to balance school and travel sports to avoid overuse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head Men's Basketball Coach at Clemson University Brad Brownell currently holds the most wins for a head coach in program history, racking up more than 200 wins over his 11 seasons leading the Tigers. Coach Brownell joins Nick to discuss why he recruits multi-sport athletes, the importance of kids and their parents focusing on "running their own races," and how passionate perseverance is key to long term success. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

J’den Cox is one of the most successful wrestlers of our time. He’s a two-time World Champion, Olympic bronze medalist, and three-time NCAA Division I National Champion. Cox joins Nick to discuss how mental health has played an integral role in his wrestling career and highlight why it’s crucial that athletes separate their identities from their sports. He also explains how intrinsic love creates motivation and why he believes society should reframe losing as learning, especially in youth sports. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Manya Puppione is heading into her second season as Head Women's Soccer Coach for George Mason University after leading the Marymount University program and assisting at the University of Maryland. She also saw tremendous success as a player for the U.S. National Team at a variety of age groups from 2002-2008 including winning the 2002 FIFA U-19 World Cup. A Reformed Sports Project Advisory Board Member, Coach Puppione joins Nick to discuss her experience coaching at the DI, DII, and DIII levels, how she encourages her players to self-motivate by determining their "why," and why she values character above all else in recruiting. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Johnson recently won his debut game as Head Coach for the LSU Tigers' powerhouse baseball program. Prior to joining LSU, he earned Pac-12 Baseball Coach of the Year honors while leading the Arizona Wildcats to the Pac-12 Championship and a College World Series berth in 2021. Coach Johnson joins Nick to discuss the value of sequential learning, how he teaches his players to be good teammates, and the importance of recognizing and overcoming distractions. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head Coach of the Duke Blue Devil's Wrestling program since 2012, Glen Lanham has led at least two wrestlers to qualify for NCAA Championships in seven of his nine seasons. His program's wrestlers have seen success in the classroom as well, earning numerous NWCA Scholar All-America and All-ACC Academic honors in addition to multiple finishes in the top 25 nationally for team GPA. Coach Lanham joins Nick to discuss specialization, adversity, and the lifetime value of good coaching. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cori Close is currently in her 11th season as the UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach. She holds the highest winning percentage among the program's coaches with more than 200 wins, and she's led the Bruins to six NCAA Tournament appearances. Coach Close joins Nick to discuss today's misconceptions about discipline, how mental health plays an integral role in sports, and why coaches should focus on building relationships with their players. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.