Way of Champions Podcast

What if, instead of worrying about winning games, we got our athletes to focus first on 'Winning the Day'? If they focused on their very best, working for the greater good of the team, and getting better every day, what kind of transformation would occur? Bio Hall of Fame head coach Cindy Timchal was named the first women's lacrosse coach at the United States Naval Academy on August 5, 2006, and in short order, has laid the foundation for a Navy program that is moving quickly in its quest to become a NCAA Division I power. Timchal, who is entering her 36th year as a head coach, is the NCAA's all-time leader in career wins (491) division I women's college lacrosse. Additionally, her eight national titles are the eighth most by a coach in a women's sport in NCAA history, and the 26th most in all sports, men and women combined. In her 10 seasons at the helm of the Midshipmen program, Navy has accumulated a terrific 155-43 (.783) record, won five Patriot League Championships and has advanced to five NCAA Tournaments (2010, '11, '12, '13, '17). In 2017, Timchal and the Navy lacrosse team made history as it became the first Service Academy team from a women's sport to advance to the NCAA Final Four. Timchal's coaching career got its start at Northwestern in 1982. During her nine-year tenure with the Wildcats, she compiled a 76-40 record (.655) while leading the program to five NCAA appearances. While at Northwestern, Timchal made it to the quarterfinals, earning appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 1983, '84, '86, '87, and '88. In 1991, she made the move to College Park to revive and renew the strong tradition of the University of Maryland lacrosse program. Prior to her arrival at the storied program, Maryland's last title had come in 1986, but almost immediately the Terrapins restored their reign atop the sport. Timchal's first year saw a 14-3 mark and a trip to the NCAA finals. By 1992, the lacrosse world sensed something special was on the horizon at Maryland. Despite being at a place with a rich history in lacrosse, few could have predicted that a dynasty so powerful was on the horizon. With a 14-1 record, the Terrapins took the 1992 national title – the third in school history. Individually, her athletes have earned countless accolades and awards. Maryland had 21 first team All-Americans in her last nine years, and 13 players took home national offensive, defensive or goalkeeper of the year awards. Jen Adams became the first-ever winner of the Tewaaraton Trophy, which recognizes the top collegiate men's and women's player in the country, and Kelly Coppedge was a finalist in 2004 and 2005. In 1996, Kelly Amonte became the Terps' first four-time All-American, including first-team honors in 1995 and 1996. From Kelly Amonte Hiller to Cathy Reese, Alex Kahoe to Alexis Venechanos, Jen Adams to Kelly Coppedge, the one constant amongst all of the great Maryland players was Timchal. In just five of her 16 seasons at College Park did Timchal lose more than three games in any one season, highlighted by spectacular undefeated runs in 1996 (19-0), 1999 (21-0) and 2001 (23-0). She took Terrapin teams to the NCAA finals in 11 seasons, including an unprecedented stretch of seven straight national championships – the third-longest championship streak in women's NCAA history. In addition, the run puts Timchal in the company of coaching legends like UCLA's John Wooden who won seven straight titles with the UCLA men's basketball program from 1967-73. A total of 53 different student-athletes earned All-America recognition a total of 95 times under Timchal including Kelly Amonte Hiller's four, (1993-96), and three each for Betsy Elder (1992-94), Sarah Forbes (1995-97), Laura Harmon (1993-95), Sascha Newmarch (1996-98), Jen Adams (1999-2001) and Kelly Coppedge (2002-04). In 2005, Acacia Walker earned first team honors, Greta Sommers was named to the second team and Annie Collines was named third team All-America. Adams' third-consecutive selection as Player of the Year in 2000 marked the 10th time one of Timchal's players have earned National Player of the Year honors, including Amonte Hiller, who was named the 1996 NCAA Division I Most Valuable Player. When the ACC's 50th anniversary Women's Lacrosse Team was announced in 2002, Timchal was selected as the head coach of the squad and had coached 22 members of the team. Nationally, 18 of Timchal's players have played on the U.S. Developmental team and five were members of the most recent championship U.S. World Cup team. Seven former Terrapins helped lead Australia to the 2005 World Cup title in Annapolis, including tournament MVP Sarah Forbes. All totaled, 13 Terps represented three countries at the World Cup. Beyond the numbers, though, Timchal has done her part to revolutionize the sport of women's lacrosse. Timchal brought some of the most influential names in the sport through College Park, including former assistant and lacrosse legend Gary Gait, and Terrapin stars Cathy Nel

Dr. Williams is Professor and Chair, Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation at University of Utah. Dr. Williams has previously held senior leadership positions in the UK (Head of Life Sciences, Brunel University London) and Australia (Associate Dean for Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney). His research interests focus on the neural and psychological mechanisms underpinning the acquisition and development of perceptual-cognitive and perceptual-motor skills. He has published almost 180 journal articles in peer-reviewed outlets in numerous fields including exercise and sports science (e.g., Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sports Medicine), experimental psychology (e.g., Acta Psychologica, British Journal of Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Visual Cognition, Journal of Experimental Psychology), neuroscience (Neuroscience Letters, Human Brain Mapping, Neuroimage) and medicine (The Lancet, British Medical Journal, Medical Education). He has written 15 books, almost 80 book chapters, 60 professional articles, 91 journal abstracts, and has delivered almost 200 keynote and invited lectures in over 30 countries. He is Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Sports Science and Executive Editor for the journal Human Movement Science. Also, he sits on the editorial boards of the Scandinavian Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, and Frontiers of Cognition, and Frontiers in Psychology (Performance Science). Moreover, he has acted as a Guest Editor of special issues for prestigious journals such as Journal of Sport Sciences, Journal of Motor Behavior, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 5:45 He was one of first UK graduates in Sport and Exercise Science 8:20 Mark discusses the concepts of reinvestment and paralysis by analysis 17:15 The role of the coach in practices 25:45 Differences between specialization and early engagement 35:35 Coaching is an art form but there's no reason it cannot be informed by science 48:20 Mark's biggest coaching pet peeve Get in Touch Email: [email protected] Join Us at Way of Champions 2018 Take your Coaching to the Next Level with Transformational Coaching If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Does culture matter in individual sports? According to 7x NCAA Tennis Champion Coach, Bob Hansen, it matters most. Bio Hansen is now in his seventh season as the head coach of the Middlebury men's tennis team. He came to Middlebury from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he has served as the head men's coach for 30 years. In his first six seasons, he has continued the post-season tradition with the team advancing into the NCAA Tournament each year. In the spring of 2013, his team finished 20-5 with a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals, while in 2014, Hansen's squad finished with a 21-5 mark, advancing to the NCAA final four. A year later, the Panthers advanced all the way to the national title match with a 22-5 record, tied for the second-most wins in the program's history. In 2016, Middlebury once again advanced to the national championship match and finished the season with 20 victories. During the 2017 season, the Panthers posted a 21-4 record and advanced to the NCAA Semifinals. The creator of the UCSC tennis program, Hansen is regarded as one of the top coaches in the country. Hansen led the team to seven NCAA Championships (1989, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2009),. appearing in the finals 13 of 24 years. Hansen's players have won 10 NCAA doubles titles and five NCAA singles titles. Under Hansen's direction, the UCSC tennis program produced 117 All-Americans. Hansen has been named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Coach of the Year four times and in 2000 was honored as the ITA Coach of the Decade for the 1990s. During that time span, his teams were undefeated against Division III opponents in the regular season going with a 73-0 mark. Hansen has served as an executive board member of the ITA as well as its Division III representative. He also served as the chair of the NCAA Division III Tennis Committee as well as a member of the ITA Rules Committee. As a player, Hansen was Northern California's Open Player of the Year and was ranked in the top eight for five-straight years during the late 1970s. He received an ATP world ranking as well as much valuable coaching experience while playing the international circuit before coming to UC Santa Cruz. He registered wins over many top-100 players including top-10 players Brad Gilbert and Paul McNamee. He won the USTA 40 National Grass Court Championships held in Santa Barbara. During the summers, Hansen directed the NIKE Santa Cruz Tennis Camps where he was a pioneer in the development of the tournament training program for ranked juniors. Hansen is a 1975 graduate of San Jose State University, where he earned a degree in physical education. He later returned to his alma mater and received a Master's degree in the same subject in 1980. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 6:35 How Jerry and Bob got connected 12:35 The vital importance of culture in individual sports 18:15 Bob discusses the need for joy in sports 30:05 Get right with the feeling of success in order to truly enjoy success 36:45 Create an environment that they play because they want to play 42:50 Bob and Jerry on accountability and integrity in sport 51:35 What does Bob look for in a player? Get in Touch Email: [email protected] Join Us at Way of Champions 2018 Take your Coaching to the Next Level with Transformational Coaching If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message! Hosted by John O'Sullivan. Produced by Coach Reed Maltbie

#46 How to Run Better practices with Best Selling Author Doug Lemov Bio Doug Lemov is the author of the international bestseller Teach Like a Champion, and Teach Like a Champion 2..0. He is the coauthor with TLAC team colleagues of Practice Perfect, Reading Reconsidered: A Practical Guide to Rigorous Literacy Instruction, and Teach Like a Champion Field Guide 2.0. In addition to his work studying teachers he is the front man in the nation's foremost Kenny G cover band. His favorite words are "Huzzah" and "Yam." Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 8:00 The genesis of Teach Like a Champion 12:30 How do you teach 'check for understanding' 19:30 What we assume is resistance to change is actually lack of clarity about what to do next 23:50 Blocked vs. random practices and the value of each in sport 29:00 Checking for understanding is so much harder if players are afraid to make mistakes 44:30 Means of participation and creating a culture of intellectual engagement at all times 55:00 The best way to become a better coach is to practice coaching 1:03:15 One of the keys to being a successful coach is loving coaching, and one of the keys to loving coaching is to constantly embrace the challenge of learning for yourself Get in Touch Website: Teach Like a Champion Twitter: @doug_lemov Join Us at Way of Champions 2018 Take your Coaching to the Next Level with Transformational Coaching If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message! Hosted by John O'Sullivan. Produced by Coach Reed Maltbie

A small town in Vermont, with only 3,000 full-time inhabitants has put at least one athlete in the every Olympic games since 1984, including the highest ever finisher in the ski jump from the US. What are they doing to create such elite athletes? The answer has nothing to with facilities or coaches… Bio Karen Crouse is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned a varsity letter in swimming. She started her newspaper career at the Savannah News-Press, where she was the first woman to grace the sports department, and worked at seven other dailies before being hired by the New York Times in 2005. Her first book, on a small Vermont town's secret to raising Olympians who are happy, healthy and productive people and performers, will be published by Simon & Schuster in January of 2018. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 10:45 From the streets of Socchi to the fields of Norwich 21:00 Karen's book becomes one about parenting and not sports 27:00 A cautionary tale of raising Olympians 39:00 Kids don't need adults to organize and make up the rules of sports 49:20 Growing up in a community of mentors and shared values 1:01:45 Kevin Pearce and life beyond the Olympics Get in Touch Order the Book: Norwich: One Tiny Vermont Town's Secret to Happiness and Excellence Twitter: @ByKaren Email: [email protected] Way of Champions Conference Join Us at Way of Champions 2018 Transformational Coaching Course Take your Coaching to the Next Level with Transformational Coaching If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message! Hosted by John O'Sullivan. Produced by Coach Reed Maltbie

Want to be a fly on the wall for a conversation between a 36-time NCAA Champion Sport Psychology Consultant and one of the greatest coaches of all time? This is a show you cannot miss! Dr. Jerry Lynch and Anson Dorrance join John this week to talk Dean Smith, John Wooden, Alonzo Stagg, and what it is like to build an unrivaled dynasty through love, connection, and strong character, Bio Anson Dorrance enters his 41st year of service to the University of North Carolina soccer programs in the fall of 2017. Dorrance, a 1974 Tar Heel alumnus, debuted as the Carolina men's soccer coach in September of 1977 and then added duties as head coach and founder of the UNC women's program in September of 1979. A former U.S. Women's National Team head coach and current University of North Carolina head women's soccer coach, Anson Dorrance was named the 2016 winner of the prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award from United States Soccer on January 29, 2016. As U.S. Soccer's highest honor, the Werner Fricker Builder Award is given to an individual or group of individuals who have dedicated at least 20 years of service to the sport, working to establish a lasting legacy in the history and structure of soccer in the United States. The award recognizes those who have developed programs that will outlast their own involvement in the sport. When Dorrance was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on August 2, 2008, it marked one more milestone moment in the career of a man whose coaching prowess became legendary at a young age. Because Dorrance has not yet retired from his coaching career, he was only eligible for election to the Hall of Fame on the "Builders of the Game" ballot, being inducted in his first year of eligibility. Like fine wine — with age — the coaching career of Anson Dorrance only gets better. It was just two years ago in 2015 when Tar Heel soccer stayed in the international news as nine University of North Carolina standouts competed in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Six former UNC players helped the U.S. win its first World Cup title since 1999, including starters Meghan Klingenberg and Tobin Heath. Tar Heel Lucy Bronze led England to its best ever World Cup finish as it gained a bronze medal. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 9:30 The winningest soccer coach in NCAA history was almost a Corporate Lawyer instead 18:45 Jerry describes the "tribe of trust" that Anson creates in his teams 25:25 Anson on "a great team is a collection of small societies" 35:25 April Heinrichs and the value of competing like there's no tomorrow 45:50 The "competitive cauldron"" the importance of training the mentality of your athletes 51:20 Anson shares his "Play for the Seniors" theory 58:00 "Love those you teach" 1:06:00 Anson's advice to young coaches Get in Touch Website: UNC Soccer Get the latest Book: The Man Watching Twitter: @UNCWomensSoccer Twitter: @NCWomensSoccer Instagram: @UNCWomensSoccer Join Us at Way of Champions 2018 Take your Coaching to the Next Level with Transformational Coaching If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message! Hosted by John O'Sullivan. Produced by Coach Reed Maltbie

Your child gets that all important phone call offering a spot on the good select sports team in town. You want your child to sample multiple sports, so you ask about managing a two-sport schedule. The coach says, "we are no longer interested". What would you do? Listen in to find out what Steve Boyle did… Bio Steve Boyle is the Chair of The National Association of Physical Literacy (NAPL) Advisory Board and Principal/Founder of 2-4-1 Sports, a national organization that brings physical literacy using sports sampling to children through camps, clinics. Recently recognized by the Aspen Institute's Sport and Society Program as one of eight model programs in the United States in the original Project Play report, 2-4-1 Sports embodies their motto Life's 2 Short 4 Just 1 Sport™. Steve is widely recognized as the national leader in sport sampling and physical literacy. Steve's philosophy focuses on lifelong wellness by recognizing the mind/body connection and the value of nutrition and mindfulness as it relates to physical literacy. As a former Division 1 athlete born to Irish immigrants, Steve has taught and coached throughout the United States. His diverse background in teaching, working with children with cancer, athletic coaching, college advising, life-coaching and counseling makes him a highly sought after speaker and consultant. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 7:40 The start of 2-4-1 Sports 12:40 All Good Causes Start Grassroots: Just act locally. 16:55 The insanity of early recruiting 20:40 The need to bring sports back into the schools 31:10 "It's 2:41". At 2-4-1 they create Power of Moments at that exact time. 41:25 The National Association of Physical Literacy and the need for Physical Literacy in sport Get in Touch Email: [email protected] Twitter: @SteveBoyle241 @241Sports @NAPLUSA1 241 Website: 241 Sports NAPL Website: National Association of Physical Literacy If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

We asked you all to share with us your favorite podcasts from 2017, and we had so many responses that we have decided to divide it up into multiple episodes. In this episode, we share your favorite podcasts from select coaches: UNC National Champion Lacrosse Coach Jenny Levy, USA Volleyball's John Kessel, World Cup and Olympic Champion Tony DiCicco, Unleash the Athlete's James Leath, and our interview with Dr. Wade Gilbert and Dr. Jerry Lynch. This is a bit longer than most of our podcasts, but it is full of pure gold. In future episodes, we will have advice from athletes, researchers, and some other coaching gems. Thanks all for your feedback and supporting our podcast this past year! Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes John Kessel 5:30 John Kessel on the Need for Peer Mentoring in Sports 8:20 John Kessel on Training Ugly and Learning to Ride a Bike 10:50 John Kessel on Training to Perform in Games NOT Training to Perform in Practice 13:00 John Kessel on Why Some Coaches Should be Sued for Malpractice Jenny Levy 15:10 Jenny Levy on Advice She Got From Roy Williams: "It may mean you may never win". 17:30 Jenny Levy on Recruiting to Fit Your Culture 21:25 Jenny Levy on When Parents Should Intervene Dr. Jerry Lynch and Wade Gilbert 24:50 Dr. Jerry Lynch and Wade Gilbert on the Cornerstone of John Wooden's Coaching Success 27:50 Dr. Jerry Lynch Discusses The Impact Dean Smith had on His Career 31:30 Wade Gilbert on Karch Kiraly and the Magic of Ugly Practices James Leath 35:25 James Leath on the Time He Made ESPN Top Ten 38:30 James Leath on Building Athletes of Character First 43:45 James Leath on Why He Coaches Tony DiCicco 48:15 Tony DiCicco Discusses his 1990s Women's National Team 51:55 Tony DiCicco on multi-sport athletes and what it takes to produce world class athletes 57:35 Tony DiCicco Explains Why Winning Does NOT Equate to Development 59:40 Tony DiCicco Recalls his Rule of One Moments from His Storied Career 1:04:50 Tony DiCicco Shares his Coaching Philosophy If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message! Hosted by John O'Sullivan. Produced by Coach Reed Maltbie

What would it be like to spend 14 years working alongside and learning from one of the greatest coaches of all time – Johan Cruyff? We asked Todd Beane that question and more in our most recent podcast. Download it now. Bio Todd graduated from Dartmouth College in 1986 with a B.A. in English Literature. Upon graduation, he was awarded a Rotary Scholarship to attend the University of Sussex in England. Todd concluded his formal studies at Stanford University where he earned a M.A. in Education and a Secondary Teaching Credential. As an athlete, Todd played NCAA Division I soccer at Dartmouth College before playing professional soccer in the USISL. As a coach, he was awarded a US Soccer Federation "A" License, coaching both collegiately and professionally. He has served on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University as Director of the Native Vision Program and later as Director of the Cloud Forest School in Costa Rica. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 6:15 An American in Spain teaching Dutch Football 12:00 What was it like learning alongside Johan Cruyff? 16:40 When Todd and Johan flipped the organizational chart of Ajax upside down 20:15 The value of values in youth sports 24:55 The birth of TOVO Academy 28:35 With what we know about learning, why do we continue to teach sport the wrong way? 44:45 Coaching clinics should start with the WHY first before we teach the X's and O's 52:00 Without the art of educating and child advocacy, all I know about football would be lost 54:25 Todd discusses all the things that happen before a player can execute a skill 70:00 Todd's book recommendations Get in Touch Website: TOVO Academy Twitter: _ToddBeane Blog: Todd's Blog (This is a great resource) Email: [email protected] If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Chamique Holdsclaw was called the Michael Jordan of Women's Basketball. She dominated the courts winning 3 National Championships and being named the Naismith Player of the Century. She was 4-time All-American, World Champion, Olympic Champion and enjoyed an 11-year professional career, but no one knew the real battle she was waging… Bio Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw is a former professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) most recently under a contract with the San Antonio Silver Stars. She announced her retirement from the Los Angeles Sparks on June 11, 2007, though she eventually came out of retirement to play with the Atlanta Dream for the 2009 WNBA Season. Holdsclaw went to the University of Tennessee from 1995 to 1999, where she played under coach Pat Summit and helped to lead the Lady Vols to the women's NCAA's first ever three consecutive Women's Basketball Championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The 1998 championship was Tennessee's first ever undefeated season at 39–0 and also set an NCAA record for the most wins ever in a season. She also helped lead Tennessee to two SEC regular season titles in 1998 and 1999 and to three SEC tournament championships in 1996, 1998 and 1999. At Tennessee, Holdsclaw was a four-time Kodak All-America, one of only six women's basketball players to earn the honor. Holdsclaw finished her career with 3,025 points and 1,295 rebounds, making her the all-time leading scoring and rebounder at Tennessee in men's or women's history, the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in SEC women's history, and the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in the NCAA tournament women's history with 470 points and 197 rebounds. In 1998, Holdsclaw received the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States. Holdsclaw also won the Naismith trophy for player of the year twice, in 1998 and 1999 and posted a 131–17 win/loss record during her remarkable career as a Lady Vol. In 2000, she was named Naismith's Player of the Century for the 1990s and was also part of an ESPY award given to the Lady Vols as Co-Team of the Decade for the 1990s. In 1996, 1997 and 1998, Holdsclaw was named to the Final Four All Tournament team. Holdsclaw was also a member of the US National team who traveled to Berlin, Germany in July and August 1998 for the FIBA World Championships. The USA team won a close opening game against Japan 95–89, then won their next six games easily. In the quarterfinals, Holdsclaw scored 20 points to help team advance. After trailing late in the final game, the USA held on to win the gold medal 71–65. Holdsclaw averaged 10.9 points per game, third highest on the team. Holdsclaw continued with the National team to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. The USA won all eight games, including the gold medal game against host Australia to win the gold medal. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 8:35 "I remember walking on Nike's campus and everyone had my shirt on…" 10:50 What it was like playing for Pat Sumiit 17:20 The problem with being an introverted sports star: "I'm not rude, just quiet" 22:50 The importance of having a place to feel vulnerable in athletics 26:05 "You had a bad day": Chamique's moment with Pat Summit 34:05 What Chamique is doing today to help the next generation heal and move forward 41:50 Chamique's opinion on participation trophies 49:50 "A closed mouth doesn't get fed": on opening up and sharing your struggles with those who love you Get in Touch Website: Mind Game Film Twitter: @CHold1 The ESPN Story on Chamique: When the Game is Over If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message

What do you think the path to professional sports looks like? 22 year veteran coach at Manchester United, Tom Statham, shares what he has seen and experienced as the path over the last few decades. Spoiler alert…there is no defined path. Listen in for Tom's explanation. Bio This is what Manchester United Academy has to say about Tom. "Tom has been coaching at Manchester United since 1994. He has coached boys from 7-18 years old and has worked with and learnt from great coaches such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Brian Kidd, Eric Harrison, Paul McGuiness, Tony Whelan and René Meulensteen. After achieving a degree in PE and Sports Science at Loughborough University, Tom began a professional career in football playing for Middlesbrough, Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln City. At the end of his professional playing career, Tom was approached by Manchester United and offered a position coaching the young players at the club. In over 23 years at Manchester United, Tom has seen the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Jonny Evans, Danny Welbeck, Michael Keane, Tom Cleverly, Danny Simpson, Danny Drinkwater and many others progress to become top professional players. The Football Association recognized Tom's work with young players when he received the award for Foundation Phase Academy Coach of the Year 2015. In terms of football player development, Tom has great knowledge, experience and an excellent reputation. Aligned to that, he is a kind, caring, reliable and extremely trustworthy human being who loves his football and has a mission to ensure that young players develop a love and passion for football that has sustained him all these years. 23 years service in the Academy at Manchester United is a remarkable achievement. I first met Tom in 1994 when he joined what was then the Centre of Excellence at Manchester United as a part-time coach. Since this time he has made an immense contribution to player development at the club with his football knowledge, experience, work ethic, energy, loyalty and enthusiasm for working with young people. In over 20 years working at the club, Tom has gained a deep awareness of the history, values and culture of this great institution which he embodies in everything he does when coaching young players. Over the years, Tom has helped our youth department to expand and grow in a range of areas including: syllabus and curriculum development, coach education, pastoral care and parent liaison. He was also hugely instrumental in assisting me to drive what has since become a hugely influential project/initiative - our 4 V 4 U9 project in the summer of 2002. His advice, guidance and valued wisdom has seen it become an integral part of the technical development program in the Academy. What a wonderful legacy for any coach to pass on to the next generation! In terms of player development, Tom has a CV par excellence. Aligned to that, is a kind, caring, reliable and extremely trustworthy human being who loves his football, cares about people, and has a mission to ensure that folk young and old develop the love and passion for soccer that has sustained him all these years. 22 years service in the youth department at any football club is a remarkable achievement - at Manchester United - well that really is the stuff of legends - I rest my case! It has been my distinct privilege and honour to have worked closely with him all these years at this truly amazing football club." Tony Whelan - Head of Academy Coaching, Man United Show Notes 6:50 Tom's professional career and start in coaching 13:05 Try not to coach when the ball is rolling 24:40 Learning to accept that each kid is different and we must coach the individuals 36:15 There are qualities that athletes MUST possess 47:00 Tom discusses the importance of play in a team warm-up 58:35 Football is the easy part of coaching… Get in Touch (Tom will be at the United Soccer Coaching 2018 Convention in Philadelphia. Contact him if you would like to meet him there and see his sessions.) Website: http://www.specialistsoccertours.co.uk Facebook: Twitter: @TomS_Soccer (best way to contact Tom) Email: [email protected] If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

We must SHOW athletes how to be leaders, and not just tell them. Bio James founded UTA in 2017 when an unexpected family emergency took him away from his post at IMG Academy as the Head of Leadership Development and landed him in Dallas, TX. Since then, James has continued to work with teams throughout the nation on character development through leadership and mental conditioning curriculum. Leadership lessons consist of communication skills, personal and group leadership, developing an identity, and building team culture. James attended Fresno State University where he received his B.A. in Communication. During college, when he wasn't playing football, he was best known for being the beloved mascot of Fresno State, Time Out. After graduation, James went on to play quarterback for a semi-pro team in Fresno, CA. With over 15 years of coaching experience and an M.A. in Performance Psychology, James is passionate about teaching athletes the tools they need in order to be successful in life and in sport. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 5:45 "I walked on and limped off". How one moment created his learning journey 8:40 The hilarious story of James making ESPN Top Ten 13:30 Lessons from improv comedy: The two things all great teams need 18:30 Using improv for mental conditioning and building athlete mindsets 22:30 How knowing the most popular dance moves gives you credibility 26:00 Does your talent take you places your character cannot sustain? 35:40 The compelling story of why James became a coach 41:00 James' newest chapter in life: Unleash the Athlete 52:15 Teaching the art of communication 56:00 Getting in touch with James Get in Touch Website: www.unleashtheathlete.org Twitter: @jamesleath If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

How powerful is sport for creating an excellent life beyond the game? For Sally Roberts wrestling transported her from the detention cell of juvenile hall to the floor of the United Nations. Now she is on a mission to give the same opportunities to young girls the world over. Join us as we hear Sally's amazing life story and learn about her foundation that is changing the sport of wrestling and the world with it. Donate to Wrestle Like a Girl on Tuesday November 28th and the Gates Foundation will match it: http://www.wrestlelikeagirl.org/donate/ Bio Sally Roberts, a 2x World Bronze Medalist and 3x U.S. National Champion founded Wrestle Like A Girl in 2016. She aspires to empower girls through the sport of wrestling and to provide opportunities to maximize their potential. Sally earned her B.A. in psychology from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, an M.A. in Sport and Performance Psychology from University of the Rockies, and Certification in Nutrition from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Memberships include the United States Youth Sport Development Working Group and the Association of Applied Sport Psychology ("AASP"). She has addressed the United Nations, U.S. Department of State, and the International Olympic Committee on the topics of Sports Diplomacy and Gender Equality. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 6:15 Sally didn't find her sport, it found her…and changed her life 12:15 A great coach will help you fall in love with the sport and with yourself 18:00 Sally's journey with the Army and the best/worst gift she ever gave herself 25:00 If you act like you belong, people believe it 31:15 What is Campaign 44? 40:00 What do I do if your daughter wants to wrestle? 50:00 Sally's advice to coaches about growing the sport for women 51:45 Best way to get in touch with Sally Get in Touch Website: http://www.wrestlelikeagirl.org/ Facebook: Wrestle Like A Girl Instagram: WrestleLikeAGirl Twitter: @WrstleLikeAGirl Email: [email protected] If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

A mere 1 percent of all youth athletes end up playing pro. What is the goal of youth sports for those other 99 percent? In this episode, John Haime discusses the real skills that kids can learn in the locker room and transfer to the board room. Bio John is a world-class Coach in the area of performance and one of the world's leading authorities in Emotional Intelligence as it relates to performance in sport. He personally coaches leading professional and elite amateur athletes, corporate athletes and artists in a variety of performance areas. He is a sought after speaker by sports and corporate groups around the globe. John has competed at the highest levels in sports performance. From 1985 to 1991, John successfully competed on international golf tours in Canada, Australia, Asia, South Africa and the United States. Along with several professional victories, career highlights include a career low 62 in a professional event in Melbourne, Australia. Before turning professional he was one of Canada's top amateur and junior golfers. John has been published in leading business, leadership and sport publications. His highly anticipated first book, You Are a Contender! Build Emotional Muscle to Perform Better and Achieve More … in Business, Sports and Life was released in December 2009 by Morgan James (New York). You are a Contender! became a bestseller in the United States in mid-2010. The 2nd edition of the book was released in February 2016. Through New Edge Performance, John Haime works with some of the world's leading professional and elite amateur athletes on mental/emotional high performance. He regularly works with World Top 50 athletes in a variety of sports. The "New Edge" athlete process (5 stages) (http://johnhaime.com/athletes/) helps athletes build a sustainable, dynamic platform for performance offering growth and independence for the athlete in sport and beyond the game. The robust program has the very best elements from performance psychology, sport psychology, executive coaching, business planning, emotional intelligence and neuroscience. It is the most complete, dynamic program a young athlete can experience. New Edge Performance and John Haime are consulting with athletes and global sport organizations (professional and amateur) in golf, tennis, hockey, basketball, swimming, soccer, track and field, baseball, football, volleyball, squash and equestrian. John has been chosen by a number of leading organizations as the program developer for their mindset modules. The most recent is for the Asian Institute of Sport – Asia's leading elite athlete development organization. John lives in Ottawa, Canada with his wife and son. He is a graduate of Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 9:15 The most important quality of high-performance teams 14:30 John shares an easy athlete self-assessment process 21:15 Performance starts in the mind. This is where coaches should start 26:30 How can someone develop great psychosocial skills in sports? 32:15 Finding balance in the youth sports machine and social media mania 39:00 Why don't athletes build the key skills to succeed in and beyond the game 46:15 Start with why 50:15 Best way to find John Haime 54:00 Closing thoughts Get in Touch 12 Week Athlete Program: 12 Week Athlete Course John's Book: You Are a Contender Download If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Do the principles and beliefs we discuss regarding youth athletes apply to "elite" athletes? How do you approach the process of parenting elite athletes? Dr. Peter Vint, one of the world's top experts on high-performance athletes shares his views on elite athletes, quality coaching, and parenting. Bio Dr. Peter Vint is a former Football Academy Director in the UK. He is considered one of the top experts in the world on high-performance athletes. He spent 10 successful years with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). In his most recent role as Senior Director of Competitive Analysis, Research & Innovation, his work focused on defining and monitoring international competitiveness for Team USA athletes and teams and identifying performance factors contributing to podium success. He also led major, company-wide initiatives to enhance the business intelligence and data analytics capabilities of the USOC and to measure and maximize return on investment of USOC allocated resources as it pertained to medal winning success and other key organizational objectives. From 2009-2012, he served as USOC Director of High Performance, leading a team of sport science and medical professionals in support of five National Governing Bodies, including USA Swimming and USA Track and Field, that won 64 medals during the London Olympic Games. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 4:45 Peter's background in high-performance 9:30 We are taking away all the important pieces of development when we overschedule our kids 15:15 What are the qualities of a good coach? 23:15 Coaching should be more holistic and integrative 30:00 Should Coaching 101 depend on the experience and background of the individual coach? 42:45 Peter's journey as a sport parent 52:30 Peter's advice for parents of athletes Get in Touch Facebook: Peter on Facebook LinkedIn: Peter on LinkedIn If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Everyone has these defining moments in their lives that they vividly recall. Some are extraordinary and some are terrible. As coaches, we do not get to choose which moments our athletes recall, but we do get to choose the moments we create in order to ensure what we leave our athletes with are exceptionally positive moments. Dan Heath discusses how these moments arise and how we can help create them. Bio Dan Heath is a Senior Fellow at Duke University's CASE center, which supports social entrepreneurs. At CASE, he founded the Change Academy, a program designed to boost the impact of social sector leaders. Dan is the co-author, along with his brother Chip, of three New York Times bestsellers: Decisive, Switch, and Made to Stick. Amazon.com's editors named Switch one of the Best Nonfiction Books of the Year, and it spent 47 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list. Made to Stick was named the Best Business Book of the Year and spent 24 months on the BusinessWeek bestseller list. Their books have been translated into over 30 languages. Previously, Dan worked as a researcher and case writer for Harvard Business School. In 1997, Dan co-founded an innovative publishing company called Thinkwell, which continues to produce a radically reinvented line of college textbooks. Dan has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from the Plan II Honors Program from the University of Texas at Austin. One proud geeky moment for Dan was his victory in the 2005 New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest, beating out 13,000 other entrants. He lives in Durham, NC. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 7:25 Dan's new book Power of Moments and how we are all defined by special moments 8:25 "Wise Criticism" when high standards and assurance are used in feedback 14:25 The tightrope of being a mentor/coach who allows players to take risks 18:25 What have you failed at this week? 21:55 The quest to find Peak Moments 24:25 The Magic Castle – An "average" motel with Overwhelming experiences 31:55 Transitions - the importance of the "first day experience" 35:55 The FOUR qualities of defining moments 40:25 The profound obligation of a coach to "get these moments right" 47:10 The Tarantula study 54:25 How do you create more moments of pride in sport? Get in Touch Website: HeathBrothers.com LinkedIn: Dan Heath If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

How do you define a quality coach? Is it number of wins? Are we expert coaches because of the amount of time we have coached the game? Wade Gilbert and Jerry Lynch have a candid conversation with John about what it really means to be a quality coach and the definition is not what we have used all these years. Time spent coaching and number of wins have nothing to do with being a quality coach. Bio Wade Gilbert, PhD, is an award-winning professor in the department of kinesiology at California State University at Fresno. Dr. Gilbert holds degrees in physical education, human kinetics, and education and has taught and studied coaching at the University of Ottawa (Canada), UCLA, and Fresno State. He has more than 20 years of experience in conducting applied research with coaches around the world spanning all competitive levels, from youth leagues to the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. He is widely published and is frequently invited to speak at national and international events. Gilbert is a coach education advisor to USA Football and a regular contributor to coaching seminars for Olympic and national team coaches in the United States and Canada. In addition, Gilbert is editor in chief of the International Sport Coaching Journal, published by Human Kinetics in conjunction with SHAPE America and the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE). As Human Kinetics' coach education advisor, "The Coach Doc" writes articles and conducts webinars on a variety of coaching issues. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 5:45 The path Wade took to be the author of the new USOC Quality Coaching Framework 10:45 What is Quality Coaching? 18:30 Jerry talks about the concept of connection in coaching 24:15 Convince them they have all the answers and provide the environment for it to happen 29:15 John Wooden's reason for his success… 338:45 John's "One thing that I wish my coach knew about me that would help is…" 50:15 Wade discusses Karch Kiraly's ugly practices 63:00 What piece of advice would John, Wade and Jerry give a young coach Get in Touch Fresno State Website: Fresno State Human Kinetics Website: Human Kinetics Twitter: @WadeWGilbert Get His Book: Coaching Better Every Season If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Did you know only 1 in 5 youth coaches are properly trained in motivational techniques and only 1 and 3 are properly trained in skills and tactics? The big reason for this fact is the myth that volunteers can't or don't want to be trained. In this episode, Tom Farrey, of The Aspen Institute's Project Play, discusses how untrained coaches lead to the decline in youth sport participation, how vital this participation is to the viability of our communities, and some simple opportunities to get more trained coaches. Listen in to hear more from Tom. Bio Tom Farrey leads the Sports & Society Program, whose mission is to convene leaders, facilitate dialogue and inspire solutions that help sport serve the public interest. With the support of the Aspen Institute, he founded the program in 2011 and in April 2013 launched Project Play, a multi-year, multi-stage effort that provides the thought leadership for sport to build healthy communities, starting with universal access to an early positive experience in sports. Farrey is also a veteran journalist whose work has been recognized as among the nation’'s best and most innovative. With ESPN, his television stories have won the 2014 Alfred I. duPont/Columbia University Award, 2013 Edward R. Murrow Award, two Emmy Awards. His reports have appeared on Outside the Lines, SportsCenter, E:60, ABC’s World News Tonight, Good Morning America and This Week with George Stephanopolous. He was the first ESPN reporter to conceptualize and deliver cross-platform enterprise reports, and two years before that, in 1996, he joined the editorial team that built the website that later became ESPN.com. At both the Aspen Institute and ESPN, he has explored the connections between sport and the largest themes in society – education, globalization, technology, race, and ethics, among others. He is seen as a thought leader on topics including youth and college sports. He is author of Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children (2008, ESPN Books), an investigation of modern youth sports used as a text on many college campuses. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 5:15 How Project Play was born 9:30 Can sport be managed from the top down 13:45 50% of parents on a soccer sideline feel the emotion of anger 22:00 Is there a community that is "getting it right" in youth sports 25:45 Project Play in your community: Baltimore as a model for increasing sport participation 36:45 The missed opportunity to get more coaches in youth sport Get in Touch Website: www.projectplay.us Twitter: @AspenInstSports @TomFarrey Get the Report: Sport For All Play For Life If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

What can sport coaches learn from a former British Commando? A better way to deliver content, ensure learning has occurred, and empower players to own their learning process. In this episode, Mark explains how coaches can more effectively shape behaviors, which will lead to better learning outcomes. Bio Mark has been training, coaching & mentoring individuals and teams since the early 90s. He joined the British Army in 1983. Mark passed the world famous Commando course in 1990 and while posted with the British Commandos experienced the stresses of operations during the first Iraq Conflict. While serving with 29 Commando Regiment as the senior instructor, running the Commando Training Wing, Mark was the first person to initiate structural change to the way soldiers were trained for the commando course. His work in this field culminated in the design of the Performance Development Systems; a holistic and robust approach to maximize real world performance for organizations, coaches and athletes. Following several years of running, designing and quality controlling "train the trainer" courses for the Military, Mark turned down promotion in order to leave the forces to commit to working on PDS full time. He has spent over 25 years researching and developing effective learning and adherence systems to help coaches and trainers maximize the performance of the individuals and teams they are working with. In 2006 Mark was awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) by her Majesty the Queen for his work in developing the system. Mark believes in a "practitioner" based approach. He soon identified that many theories that may look good on paper or in controlled environments are not so effective in the "real world". PDS is all about providing a positive sustainable performance impact on the "shop floor". Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 6:15 His back story 10:45 Performance is a behavior not an outcome 20:30 Coaching isn't as easy as downloading information like the matrix 22:00 Acceptable, Unacceptable, Exceptional 31:15 A great coach develops self-reliance within the team 34:15 Athlete first, athlete last in communication during training. 44:15 How coaches can "check for learning" 49:00 What is effective communication 55:45 Mark's definition of excellence Get in Touch Website: www.pdscoach.com Twitter: @PDScoach Podcast with Stu Armstrong: A Conversation with My Mentor: The Talent Equation If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Fun. It is the biggest reason kids play sports and it is also the reason why they quit. That is widely known. What is not widely known is the fact kids define fun differently than us adults. In fact, they define fun 81 different ways. You'd be surprised at what they consider fun... In this episode, John talks with Amanda Visek, PhD, the world's leading expert on Fun Integration Theory, about the research she has done in discovering what it takes to make sports fun for athletes of all ages. Bio Amanda J. Visek, PhD, CC-AASP is an Associate Professor at The George Washington University, Department of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, D.C. Her federally funded applied research includes the FUN MAPS – the latest sport science advancement capturing attention from local grassroots communities to national sport organizations. The FUN MAPS are the scientific blueprints for the fun integration theory, the first-ever fully conceptual framework for optimizing youth's positive sport experiences in childhood and through adolescence. Her work has been featured in USA Today, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, CBS Radio, ABC News, NBC News, FOX News and others, and has also been featured in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, Poland, and India. She has authored over 25 peer-reviewed papers, 5 book chapters, and given more than 116 refereed and invited talks. The recipient of early career achievement awards from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and the American Psychological Association's Division 47, she is committed to leveraging children's physical literacy via the most fun sport experiences possible. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 8:15 How do children define fun? 81 different ways 15:00 Fun fallacies and adult errors in defining fun 23:00 USOC research reveals fun is the driving force at all ages and levels of sport 33:25 What are fun determinants of practice? 38:40 The emergence of "Not Fun" maps – 91 things that get in the way of fun 42:40 How parents can help their kids get more fun out of sport 51:25 Finding Amanda online and parting wisdom Get in Touch Fun Maps PDF Download: Amanda Visek Fun Maps Twitter: @AJVisek Email: [email protected] If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

"When I was a child, the vast majority of my sporting activities were in playgrounds and sandlots. Now, the majority of youth sports activities are organized and administered by adults …. The biggest problem in organized youth sports is very simple to explain — too many adults who want to compete through children." — Bob Bigelow, CNN Sunday Morning Bio A standout at University of Pennsylvania under Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Daly, Bob's talent brought him to play for the NBA's Kansas City Kings, Boston Celtics and San Diego Clippers. Since that time, he has conducted hundreds of talks and hosted thousands of clinics around the country to improve how coaches coach kids, and to develop greater skills in young athletes. Bob co-authored the watershed book, Just Let the Kids Play. Bob's key approaches for a better sports experience for children: Design sports programs that meet children's needs, not adults'. Ensure that every child gets meaningful playing time, up until varsity sports. Make sure that coaches and volunteers are trained and qualified to work with young athletes. Limit the number of games to prevent overuse injuries. Encourage participation in multiple sports to prevent burn-out and enhance overall body development. Avoid identifying "elite" players at young ages at the expense of later-bloomers. Don't over-coach from the sidelines — Let the Kids Play! Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 3:00 What was the impetus for Bob's book Just Let the Kids Play 7:00 Should we evaluate and cut kids at younger ages? 13:00 Bob's opinion on predicting future athletic ability at age 10 15:00 The "soccer creep" phenomenon of the 1980s 20:45 Do you need to overschedule your child in every sport under the sun? 25:30 What are the two pieces missing from the backgrounds of our coaches? 34:00 Bob's mission: remove adult egos from youth sport 41:30 We are not out here to produce better athletes Get in Touch Website: www.bob-bigelow.com Email: [email protected] If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Brett Fischer used to see Tommy John's surgery in 25 to 28 year old athletes. Now he is seeing it in 13 year olds. What has happened to simple joy of the game and playing for fun when we push our athletes so hard they need surgeries at half the age they used to need them? Listen to Brett explain to John what is lacking in youth sports performance, how parents can help young athletes remain healthy and play longer, and how to make it fun and still get the work you need from even the highest-level athletes. Bio Brett is a Licensed Physical Therapist, Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Certified Dry Needling provider. He has worked with the University of Florida, New York Jets, PGA & Senior PGA TOUR and the Chicago Cubs. He has served as a consultant with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers and currently provides sports performance training and rehab to MLB, NFL,NBA,NHL and world ranked tennis players. Brett is also currently the staff Physical Therapist with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. Brett's expertise has led to national speaking engagements, television, internet and radio appearances and he has been mentioned in periodicals such as ESPN the Magazine, Sports Illustrated, USA Today and the New York Times. Brett received the 1997 Training & Conditioning Magazine Professional Athlete's Comeback Player Award/Medical Team for the comeback of future Hall of fame pitcher Randy Johnson. Brett is also the inventor of the most effective and versatile abdominal device sold nationally and internationally, the AB DOLLY. Watch Brett's VIDEO bio. Show Notes 4:30 Are basic movement skills missing in our younger kids? 9:15 30 of 32 first round picks in 2017 NFL draft were multi-sport athletes. 90% of all draftees were. 19:45 Most commons injuries in youth sports that could have prevented 21:45 What can parents be doing with their kids that Brett is doing with his athletes? 27:00 There must be an off season for every sport 35:45 What is missing most in sports performance at all levels? 48:00 The Trick is to have fun with thought behind it Get in Touch Website: FischerInstitute.com Twitter: @Fischer_Inst Instagram: @Fischer_Institute Facebook: @FischerInstituteAZ If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Has your child experienced bullying in sport? This episode is the tough conversation none of us like to have but we must in order to protect our children. Author and anti-bullying expert, Jen Fraser, shares her own experiences with John and outlines a new kind of sport paradigm that could end bullying. Listen in to find out how to recognize bullying, address it, and protect your children.BioAuthor and teacher, Jennifer Fraser has a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Toronto. Her written work ranges from academic studies to plays and novels and she has taught for over twenty years at the university, college and high-school levels. A passionate educator, her new book Teaching Bullies: Zero Tolerance on the Court or in the Classroom explores what happens when the bully is a teacher or coach. Anti-bullying author and advocate, Barbara Coloroso has said "Fraser's focus on teachers and coaches is a new and important contribution to the field." Show Notes8:30 Do some of the school sport eligibility rules put athletes in danger for bullying?12:00 The Story of why she wrote Teaching Bullies16:45 What does it mean to be a bully? 23:00 Is it motivation or is it humiliation?27:00 50 years of research on the damage of bullying34:00 The issue of victim blaming in youth sports38:00 How can parents protect their kids in the case of possible bullying48:00 Blowing the whistle isn't easy, but we have to stand up for kids Get in TouchWebsite: http://jennifer-fraser.comTwitter: @teachingbulliesBook: Teaching BulliesIf you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app.Tap the Search tab.Enter the name Way of Champions.Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast.Tap the Reviews tab.Tap Write a Review at the bottom.Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Would you be willing to trade 10 minutes at the start of practice in order to shorten training by an hour and increase your team's learning and development? Many coaches struggle to keep practices short and on task and fear giving up any time to activities like mindfulness training. What Dr. Lynch has discovered, the last few decades working with some of the top collegiate and professional teams, is that mindfulness rituals actually shorten training time and increase performance. If this is being done by the very best, it can be a weapon for any team. Listen in on Dr. Jerry and John as they discuss the miracle of being mindful in sports and creating an investment season for your athletes to better prepare for the regular season. Bio Dr. Lynch has been recognized as one of the top five in his profession nationwide. He has worked with men's and women's basketball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, golf and other sports at the universities of North Carolina, Duke, Maryland, California, Syracuse, Stanford, Harvard and Middlebury and continues to work with several teams and parent groups nationally. Several of his clients have participated in various summer and winter Olympic Games. Most recently, he has established a consultancy with Steve Kerr, head coach of the World Champion Golden State Warriors. In the past 30 years alone, he has been part of 54 Final Four and 36 National Championship at the collegiate and professional levels. Dr. Lynch is a well known and in-demand public speaker at Leadership, Coaching, athletic and corporate conventions, a national presenter of conferences, clinics and workshops for coaches, sports parents and athletes to college and high school. He is dynamic, entertaining, motivating, provocative, and humorous, presenting topics on Peak Performance and the Way of Champions in a practical, easy-to-apply manner. Some of his presentations include Keynote Talks at the New Zealand National Academy of Sport, Der Deutsche Schmerztog in Germany, the National Field Hockey Coaches convention, the Ironman Sports Medicine Conference in Hawaii, the USA Lacrosse National Conventions and the NIKE/China Leadership Summit in Lanai, Hawaii. Dr. Lynch has had extensive media interview coverage such as being an invited guest on CBS, NBC, and PBS national television, the New York Times, Oprah Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Baltimore Sun, Outside Magazine and over 50 national radio broadcasts, podcasts and webinars. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 5:30 Using an Investment Season To Prepare 14:00 Small Group Accountability and the Why Factor in Teams 17:00 What is Mindfulness and what role does it play in sports? 24:30 "You don't have time to not do mindfulness training" 29:30 Mindfulness can be done at all ages and levels 37:00 Jerry walks us through a simple mindfulness routine for any age athlete 46:30 Mindfulness Rituals are not a punishment. Use them as a tool for success. Get in Touch Website: Way of Champions If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Is the way we coach based upon the latest science, research, and best practices of how children learn? Or is it based upon how we were coached growing up? In this fantastic interview, Dr. Richard Bailey, Head of Research at ICSSPE, separates fact from fiction and discusses some of the common mistakes that he sees coaches of all levels making around the world. He sheds light on what is missing in the coaching profession and the prevailing myths that cause us to approach athletic coaching in the wrong way. He talks about the need for coaching to rely on real science more than it currently does, the fallacy of coach training at the macro level, and what it would take to become a more professional field. He also digs into his research about the dangers of overpraised athletes and the big difference between leaning and training. Hint: it is not about drilling skills, it is about presenting problems. Tune in to hear this smart, humorous, and hard hitting conversation with one of sport's foremost experts. Bio Richard Bailey, the Head of Research at the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, is a former teacher in Primary and Secondary Schools, teacher trainer, coach and coach educator. He has been a full Professor at Canterbury, Roehampton, Birmingham and Liverpool in the UK and has directed studies that have influenced policy and practice both nationally and internationally. In addition to his position as Writer in Residence at the ICSSPE Executive Office he is an author and blogger. Richard has undertaken funded research in every continent of the world. He has worked with UNESCO as Expert Adviser for Physical Education, the World Health Organization, the European Union, and many similar agencies. He has carried out research on behalf of the English and Scottish governments, numerous educational and sports agencies. He was a contributing consultant for both Nike-led Designed to Move and Active Kids Do Better initiatives, and has directed numerous scientific reviews, including the most comprehensive review ever published on the benefits of physical education and sport (BERA, 2007‐2008), the UK's independent review of player development in sport (sportscoach, 2008‐2009), and the IOC-funded study of the contribution made by Sport in Education (IOC, 2004). Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 5:15 Dr. Bailey's research in sport and it's impact 7:30 There are no good reasons for why we do what we do (inertia is powerful but dangerous) 10:45 Nursing magazines are full of information about science, but coaching magazines are full of ads for equipment 17:45 The coach is vital to all the benefits we prescribe to sports, so we need to prepare the coaches 23:00 Children are NOT mini adults 33:00 Is the 10,000 Hour a myth or science? 37:45 Early childhood performance as an indicator of future success? 41:45 The need for a crystallizing experience in sports for athletes to remain long term 46:00 Physique and size is a ridiculous reason for throwing children out of a sport system 47:30 The need to differentiate between practice and learning 54:00 How drills in rugby break the rules and break the strategy 56:15 Don't ever criticize people, because they'll crumble 1:04:00 What should be in a Coaching 101 course? 1:08:00 Finding Dr. Bailey Get in Touch Twitter: @DrDickB Facebook: Coaching Science Website: www.ICSSPE.org If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

What would your team look like if you let them shape and drive the culture, and if you loved them first as people before you ever tried to be coach? Would they be more like the bad news bears instead of Barcelona? If you said the bad news bears, you are dead wrong. In this entertaining and thought provoking interview with Tom Bates, we discover that the world's greatest teams believe in love, connectedness and the human component as the most important factors in building great cultures and winning teams. Tune in to hear Tom's fascinating stories from some of the world's most well-known managers and teams and his own beliefs about what makes a great coach, how to build a great culture, and where the future of sport is headed. Bio Tom Bates is Performance Psychology coach and consultant at West Bromwich Albion FC. Over the last ten years he has worked with youth and senior domestic international athletes, coaches, managers and teams helping them to perform under pressure and be at their best when it matters the most. Starting his career at Cambridge United, he moved to AFC Bournemouth and quickly progressed to Birmingham City FC during their years in the English Premier League and Championship before taking up his current role with the Baggies. Tom's work has extended into other professional sports working with GB Basketball, Swimming, Boxing, Rugby, Golf and Fencing. During the summer Olympic games of 2012 he worked select GB athletes to maximise performance under pressure to engage and apply Peak Performance principles based on the Science of Psychology. Tom has appeared in numerous television and radio features nationwide extending his work in psychology to executive business coaching seminars and workshops around the world. During these highly interactive seminars he acts to stimulate and inspire thought provoking leadership skills through focusing exclusively on the 'management of self'. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 5:00 How he got into performance psychology 8:45 Only the weak need a psychologist" but even the best should be working with one 12:30 You cannot coach in a freezing cold pool 20:30 Tom shares a great practice from La Masia in Barcelona that helps develop their great culture 26:30 Moving from I/You to "We" is a powerful way to deepen the learning and the resiliency of athletes 33:00 Tom's belief in the future of High-Performance Coaching 37:15 The importance of culture in sport 48:30 The very first thing you should do to start a great culture and (maybe the most important) Get in Touch Twitter: @TomBatesCoachng (there is no "I" in coaching) Instagram: @TomBatesCoachng Website: www.tombatescoaching.com His TED Talk: Tom Bates: Imagination: The Power of Creativity If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

"...and it may mean you may never win." What if one of the best basketball coaches in the world told you that doing what you think is best for the culture and the program is more important than winning an NCAA title? Would you be willing to let go of the fallacy of winning for creating a culture that matters? This is exactly what Roy Williams told Jenny Levy in 2012. Jenny took what Roy told her to heart and changed her focus from chasing championships to a culture of connection. Two NCAA Championships later, Jenny my have discovered the real "Way of Champions". Listen in to hear her amazing story and the lessons she learned from some of the greatest coaches of our time. Bio Jenny Levy is third in NCAA Division I history in career wins, a two-time national champion and a two-time National Coach of the Year. She enters 2018 with a career record of 312-109, including 66-30 in ACC play, in 22 seasons. She has led the Tar Heels to nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament semifinals, including six in the last nine years. Her 30 NCAA Tournament wins are fourth in NCAA history. Levy is the fourth coach in women's lacrosse history to win an NCAA championship as a player (with Virginia in 1991) and as a head coach. She is the eighth coach to win multiple NCAA titles. The only head coach in UNC women's lacrosse history and among the collegiate game's most noted figures, Levy built the Tar Heel program from scratch. Levy has guided Carolina to 19 NCAA Tournament bids, nine NCAA Tournament semifinal appearances, three Atlantic Coast Conference titles and the 2013 and 2016 NCAA titles in her 21 seasons. She has been a mainstay on various NCAA, IWLCA and US Lacrosse national committees. She also is a four-time ACC Coach of the Year. She is a 1992 graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in rhetoric and communications and was a member of the U.S. National Team in 1992-93 and again in 1995. Levy (then known as Jenny Slingluff) played at UVa from 1988-1992. She led the Cavaliers to the 1991 NCAA championship, scoring three goals in the title game and five in the semifinal, leading to her selection as the tournament's Most Outstanding Attacker. A two-time first-team All-America, Levy was named the 1992 NCAA Attacker of the Year. In 2002, she was named one of the top 50 players in ACC history. She married Dan Levy of Baltimore, Md., in June 1998. Dan is a 1993 UNC graduate who played lacrosse at Carolina for four years, starring on the 1991 NCAA championship team. The couple has three children - Ryan (born in Jan. 2002), Alec (born in Sept. 2003) and Kathryn (born in July 2006). Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 6:00 Jen's Journey began with realizing the curse of knowledge 13:30 "Sustainable Success" happens with family – It isn't the winning, it's the atmosphere 19:00 How "Living up the the History" plays a role in building a champion culture 24:45 You need to recruit people who fit your culture not change to be like the people you recruit 29:30 Jen explains when parents should "step in" with their child's coach 38:45 Creating a champion culture is personal, a process, and takes time 43:30 "You have to be okay doing what is best for the program and it may mean you may NEVER win" 48:00 Jen's advice to young coaches – do this first to transform your career 55:15 Jen explains what will force her to stop coaching… Get in Touch Twitter: @UNCWLAX Instagram: @UNCWLAX Website: www.goheels.com Camps: CarolinaLacrosseCamps.com If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Neurosurgeons say if they practiced the way they did 18 months ago, they'd be sued for malpractice. Heart surgeons believe if they practiced the way they did 5 years ago, they'd be sued for malpractice. Yet, in youth sport coaching we still practice the way we did when we were kids. John Kessel believes we should all be sued for malpractice because we have not evolved the game to meet the times. Do you agree? Listen in on this thought provoking, information packed podcast as John shares an amazing amount of knowledge and has myriad quotable quotes in a short hour long podcast. Get your notebook out for this one! Bio Since 1985 John has been working for the National Governing Body of the sport, USA Volleyball (USAV), now as Director of Sport Development. He currently serves as the staff liaison for Disabled Programs, USA Deaflympic Teams, Starlings USA, National Parks and Recreation Assoc., the YMCA and over 30 other Affiliated Organizations working with USAV. He is Secretary of the NORCECA Technical and Coaches Commission, and Director of Development for World ParaVolley. He was Team Leader for the 2000 USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Teams in Sydney, which brought home one gold medal, and for the 2004 USA Paralympic Women's Sitting Volleyball Team in Athens, which came home with the bronze medal. In 1995, Volleyball Magazine's special Centennial issue named him one of the 50 most important people in the sport in the past 100 years. In 2013 the American Volleyball Coaches Association inducted him as their 60th member of the AVCA Coaches Hall of Fame. John has been coaching since 1971 at the collegiate level or above, including Women's U.S. Open titles in 1986 & 1987. A sought after international lecturer, he has conducted seminars in all 50 states, and in over 50 nations, including China, Denmark, Bolivia, Thailand, Qatar, United Arab Emerits, Cook Islands, Barbados, France, Germany, Egypt, England, Italy, Argentina, Lithuania, Japan, Iceland, Puerto Rico, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Canada, Guatemala, Venezuela, Greece, Israel, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand, Holland, England, Belize, Trinidad Tobago, Ireland, Tonga, Belgium, Haiti, Vanuatu, Costa Rica, Fiji, Poland, Nicaragua, British Virgin Islands, Vietnam, and El Salvador. He is also a busy author, with over half a dozen USAV books, including the IMPACT coaching manual, the Jr. Olympic Volleyball Program Guide, and most recently Minivolley 4 Youth, the Youth Coloring Book, and countless articles. His blog called "Growing the Game Together" is the second most popular blog of the hundreds found on the US Olympic Committee's Team USA website and he promotes the "Grassroots" Button on the USAV website with material, videos, posters, and information for clubs, schools, coaches, parents, players, and officials. He has received many other awards, including USA Volleyball's Honorable Mention in 1978 and 1986, the Harry Wilson Distinguished International Service in 2004, the George Fisher Leader in Volleyball in 2006 and in 2007 was named a Sport Ethics Fellow by the Institute for International Sport. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 2:45 "That which you teach, you learn" Why we should have more peer mentoring in sport 10:45 The game trains the brain – Kids need to play more 18:25 Did your parents hire a "bike riding coach"? How'd you learn to ride a bike? 21:00 If a surgeon practiced they way she did 5 years ago, she'd be sued… 27:00 For this to work, Coaches have to show their own failure, vulnerability, willingness to learn 35:00 To get in the best physical shape to play volleyball, you should play volleyball… 38:00 Every time these hands touch the ball, they are going in the end zone. That's how I play. 46:00 Do we practice to look good in practice or do we practice to perform in games? 53:00 Don't, Try, and But are words coaches should eliminate from their vocabulary 59:00 If you are always working on the personal "re", you will be happy and succeed Get in Touch Twitter: @johnkesselUSAV Email: [email protected] "The Backwards Bicycle": Smarter Every Day Ep 133 Richard Schmidt's Book: Motor Learning and Performance, From Principles to Practice Damian Farrow's Book: Developing Sport Expertise If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

If an athlete's inner dialogue is made up of the voices they hear most often and most intensely in their daily lives, what are we as parents and coaches saying that can form a champion's mind? Join us as we talk to Two-time Iowa High School State Basketball Championship winning coach, Nate Sanderson, to discuss how better engagement with parents leads to on court success and off course success for players. He will share how he engages the parents, how important it is to implant a championship dialogue in players, and how the power of positivity won a State Championship. Bio In the summer of 2017, Nate became the varsity girls basketball coach at Linn-Mar High School in Marion, Iowa. Prior to that he built one of the top basketball programs in the state at Springville High School. During his tenure at Springville his teams had a record of 112-59 (.665) including 74-7 during his last three seasons. Springville won back-to-back state titles in 2016 & 2017 and was state runner-up in 2015. Nate is also the Director of Product Development at Breakthrough Basketball. Sanderson has received numerous regional and statewide coaching awards. His program has been recognized by Character Counts of Iowa for their commitment to community service and character development. In his seven years at Springville, his basketball program has raised over $30,000 for various local and international charities. Nate is a frequent speaker at coaching clinics around the country specializing in building championship culture, leadership development, and using a games-based approach to practice. His mission is to challenge athletes and coaches alike to create an experience for young people that is deeply meaningful beyond the game. Nate graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Social Studies Education. He was a high school social studies teacher before joining Breakthrough Basketball. Nate has a masters degree from Gonzaga University in Organizational Leadership. His research emphasis was on the application of servant leadership to sports – a philosophy that forms the foundation of his approach to coaching. He has been married for 12 years and two young daughters. With the help of his basketball team, he built a wiffle ball field in his yard where the host tournaments for charity. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 5:30 How Nate got into coaching 12:45 When something came easy for you, it is sometimes tough to teach it those who don't get it 23:45 Culture always exists and we must be intentional in shaping it properly 34:15 How Nate engages parents to be contributors to the culture 44:15 How the parents created the greatest post-game reception ever 58:15 If your voice is implanted in the mind of a player, what do you want them to hear? Get in Touch Twitter: @SpringvilleGBB Websites: Breakthrough Basketball Working with Parents: Coaches, It's Time to Stop Dealing with Parents Breakthrough Basketball "Positivity": Video Link If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

What if there was a single component you could add to your coaching that would get total commitment from your players, create better relationships with your parents, and possibly help you win more games? Jim Thompson shares this component and more in the newest Way of Champions Podcast. He also discusses the knowledge, strategies, and advice he has learned from some of the world's greatest coaches in his 20 year journey of "Developing Better Athletes, Better People". Listen in to hear more. Bio Jim Thompson, founder and CEO of Positive Coaching Alliance, started PCA in 1998 to transform the culture of youth sports into a Development Zone™ with the goal to develop Better Athletes, Better People. PCA's vision of youth sports as a Development Zone has attracted the support and involvement of many elite coaches, athletes, academics and business leaders in this country. Jim received an MBA from Stanford where he was Director of the Public Management Program, named during his tenure as the nation's top non-profit business management program. He has written nine books on youth sports including: Positive Coaching, The Double-Goal Coach, Shooting in the Dark, Elevating Your Game and Developing Better Athletes, Better People. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 4:15 Relentless Positivity – How Jim got started on this journey 11:15 We are not 1 or 2 smart people away from solving the problem 15:15 Where did it all go wrong in youth sports? 22:15 "It's your job to look out for your kid, it's my job to make her a champion" 29:15 Is Positive Coaching Alliance making a difference in youth sports? 35:15 The Continuum of Coaches: Some don't belong and the rest we need to move to greatness 45:00 Jim's Rule of One moment 48:00 The tremendous influence of Phil Jackson on youth sports 56:30 The value of a caring climate on team performance Get in Touch Twitter: @JimThompson18 Websites: Positive Coach and The Development Zone Email: [email protected] Books - Amazon Page If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

What do the Collingwood Magpies, the New Zealand All Blacks, Barcelona Football Club and the New York Yankees have in common? They're all members of author Sam Walker's list of the 16 greatest sports teams ever. It's not the talent, the coach, or the strategy that made these teams great - it was the Captain. Syd Coventry, Richie McCaw, Yogi Bera, and Carles Puyol led these teams to eternal greatness, and what made them great captains is not what you think… Sam Walker is The Wall Street Journal's deputy editor for enterprise, the unit that directs the paper's in-depth page-one features and investigative reporting projects. A former reporter, sports columnist, and sports editor, Walker founded the Journal's prizewinning daily sports coverage in 2009. In addition to The Captain Class, he is the author of Fantasyland, a bestselling account of his attempt to win America's top fantasy baseball expert competition (of which he is a two-time champion). Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 9:00 How Sam came up with his list of the World's Greatest Teams 14:45 The Captain with the unconventional skill set 22:00 Why the best player is not the best candidate for captain 24:05 Who is the most important player on Barcelona according to Sam 30:00 Many times we bypass the "water carriers" for great players and miss the boat 39:30 Which "club" had two teams that made the top 16 greatest of all time? 46:00 The goal is Sustained Excellence not Winning Championships 48:30 Sam's advice to coaches- Look for the charismatic connector 51:45 Sam's advice to athletes - It's all behavior. Study leader behaviors 58:00 Finding Sam Finding Ryan Website - By Sam Walker Twitter - @SamWalkers His Book on Amazon - The Captain Class If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Ryan Holiday is a strategist, speaker, and best-selling author. He dropped out of college at nineteen to apprentice under Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, and later served as the director of marketing for American Apparel. His company, Brass Check, has advised clients like Google, TASER, and Complex, as well as many prominent bestselling authors. Holiday has written five books including Ego is the Enemy, The Obstacle is the Way, and Trust Me I'm Lying. His most recent, The Obstacle Is the Way, has been translated into seventeen languages and has a cult following among NFL coaches, world-class athletes, TV personalities, political leaders, and others around the world. He lives on a small ranch outside Austin, Texas. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 6:15 What inspired Ryan to write The Obstacle is the Way? 10:45 Do we incorrectly define adversity in the US? 17:45 Athletes naturally face adversity, Coaches don't need to create it 21:45 Your job is to keep athletes on the path when they face obstacles 29:45 Perception, Action, and Will to deal with obstacles in your path 34:45 Ryan's two tattoos - both are his truisms 40:45 What's the most dangerous lesson you can learn? 44:45 Ryan's final thoughts and advice Finding Ryan Website - RyanHoliday.net Twitter - @RyanHoliay His Books on Amazon - Ryan on Amazon If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Lynn has over 45 years of experience in youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sports. Lynn was an All-American water polo player and swimmer at Slippery Rock University where she received her BS and MS Degrees in Physiology and Education. She was a 12-year member of the United States National Water Polo team, and then served on their Executive Committee. Throughout an 18 year career at Bucknell University, Lynn held various coaching positions, including serving a decade as the head coach for the Men's and Women's Water Polo and Swim teams. Lynn served as the Athletic Director at Saint Mary's College for 10 years, and moved on to become the Vice President and General Manager of the South Bend Silver Hawks Minor League Baseball Team. Most recently, Lynn served as the National Outreach Director for Play Like a Champion Today. Under her guidance, the program was transformed from a small organization focused on educating Catholic youth coaches and parents into one of the top educational programs serving public and private elementary and high schools around the world. Lynn has been inducted into 6 Athletic Halls of Fame, including the United States Water Polo Hall of Fame, Bucknell University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Collegiate Water Polo Coach Hall of Fame. She resides in Mishawaka, IN where she and her husband Scott are the proud parents of 3 college-aged children. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 4:30 It all started with teaching kids how to shake hands and what we can control 8:30 "You better win or you're fired" - the wrong focus can create the wrong culture 11:30 You win, but at what cost? 15:30 On the lack of women in coaching - "we hire what we are comfortable with" 19:30 We need to build the pipeline, not hire based on what someone is 24:30 Kids are less likely to stand up to a bully today than 20 years ago - Why? 27:45 There is a fine line between bad coaching and bullying 32:30 It is not about YOU when you become a leader or coach 37:30 On bullying - what happens when other students intervene? 42:30 Lynn's touching story of why we need to protect our children from abusive coaches 49:30 Lynn's Rule of One Finding Lynn Website - True Brand Sports If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPadLaunch Apple's Podcast app.Tap the Search tab.Enter the name Way of Champions.Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast.Tap the Reviews tab.Tap Write a Review at the bottom.Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Stuart Armstrong is the Head of Coaching for Sport England. Prior to Sport England, he was the Player Development Manager for the Rugby Football Union. He is one of the world's top experts on player development pathways and skill acquisition, and has helped thousands of coaches in the UK create better learning environments and develop deeper relationships with their players. His sports coaching experience is in golf, cricket, field hockey, rugby, and soccer. He leverages the knowledge gained from the various sports he has coached to help create multi-sport, player-focused training programs that assist athletes in not only developing sold skill foundations but great off-field skills to help them succeed in life. Show Notes 7:30 Stu's push to create a more diverse coaching force 9:30 What's working in the UK for coaching diversification? Change the definition 15:15 We need to support coaches "where they are coaching" 21:30 There is no magic practice 24:00 Biggest mistake coaches are making - Joystick Coaching 29:15 The cultural catch-22 of "proper coaching" 32:30 "Learning happens in the Ugly Zone" 39:00 What are PCDE's and how do they help develop super champions? 42:30 Stu's advice on LTAD 49:00 LTAD is not something we "have", it's something we "do" Finding Stu Twitter - @stu_arm Website - The Talent Equation If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Julie Foudy is a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. She played for the United States women's national soccer team from 1987–2004. Foudy finished her international career with 271 caps and served as the team's captain from 2000–2004 as well as the co-captain from 1991–2000. In 1997, she was the first American and first woman to receive the FIFA Fair Play Award. From 2000–2002, Foudy served as president of the Women's Sports Foundation. In 2006, she co-founded the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy, an organization focused on developing leadership skills in teenage girls. In 2007, she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame with her teammate, Mia Hamm. She is currently an analyst, reporter and the primary color commentator for women's soccer telecasts on ESPN.Foudy is the author of Choose to Matter: Being Courageously and Fabulously YOU and appeared in the HBO documentary Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 6:15 What she has noticed about even the most confident woman 9:00 Leadership isn't Positional it is Personal 14:45 When did Joy and Winning become mutually exclusive 20:00 Julie's qualities of the best coaches 23:45 On Anson Dorrance - Loyalty is gained through love, not fear 31:15 Greatness doesn't happen overnight - "don't get stuck in your junk" 34:30 What Julie discovered about herself after writing her book 37:15 Julie's final thoughts for parents, coaches, athletes Finding Julie Twitter @JulieFoudy Facebook @JulieFoudy Website - www.juliefoudyleadership.com Julie's Book - Choose to Matter on Amazon If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPadLaunch Apple's Podcast app.Tap the Search tab.Enter the name Way of Champions.Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast.Tap the Reviews tab.Tap Write a Review at the bottom.Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

As co-creator of social enterprise 'myfastestmile' and with a role in the UK Olympic sport system, much of Mark's work revolves around understanding learning & expert performance in order to facilitate the development of sport participants, coaches and leaders. He is passionate about creating dynamic environments for people at all levels of sport to be their best, blending his own and others experiential knowledge of sport with principles from the emerging field of Complexity Science. Prior to arriving in the UK early in 2014, Mark spent 12 years working with a professional Australian Rules Football club in his home town of Adelaide in South Australia. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Finding Mark Website - www.myfastestmile.com Twitter - @Uppy01 Show Notes 6:15 Does the general coaching practice lag 20 years behind the research? 9:45 On patience as a virtue when instituting something new in your coaching. 11:30 Random training versus blocked training sessions. Which works best? 16:45 Did Messi get good at beating defenders by dribbling around cones? 19:45 On starting backwards - start with the game and work toward the skills needed. 22:45 Most common issue influencing Grassroots coaching 28:15 Where should our most expert coaches be placed in the pyramid? 33:30 How perceptions of leadership affect coaching styles 37:45 What does Mark wish he knew when he started? 41:45 How to get in touch with Mark If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Author of Women in Sports Coaching, Nicole M. LaVoi, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in the area of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota where she is also the Co-Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, and the co-founder of the Minnesota Youth Sport Research Consortium. She received MA ('96) and doctoral degrees ('02) in Kinesiology with an emphasis in sport psychology/sociology from the University of Minnesota. After completing her graduate work, Dr. LaVoi was a Research & Program Associate in the Mendelson Center for Sport & Character at the University of Notre Dame (2002-'05) where she helped launch the Play Like a Champion character education through sport series, and was also an instructor in the Psychology Department. LaVoi was an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and the Head Women's Tennis Coach at Wellesley College (1994-'98), and the Assistant Women's Tennis Coach at Carleton College (1991-'93). Show Notes 5:00 When she became interested in issues for Women in Sport Leadership? 8:00 Why is there a decline in women in sport leadership? 15:00 What would it take to get more women coaching sports? 21:00 Why does Nicole think kids are quitting sport? 28:00 Nicole explains "background anger" and how it affects children 35:00 What is Kid Speak? 48:00 Winning and Character Development are not mutually exclusive Get in Touch with Dr. LaVoi On Twitter: @DrSportPsych @TuckerCenter Her Website: The Tucker Center Her book - Women In Sports Coaching If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

After a record setting career as a quarterback at Dartmouth College, Jay Fiedler went on to play for 10 years in the NFL. He was tutored by some of the top names in the world of offensive football, playing under coaches such as Tom Coughlin, Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, Norv Turner, Chan Gailey, Marc Trestman, and Bobby Petrino. Since 1999, he has been passing along his knowledge to football players of all ages and skill levels through the PrimeTime Football camps and clinics. He has distinguished himself as one of the top instructors in the game, mentoring and coaching numerous young athletes who have gone on to success at all levels of the game, from youth players all the way to the NFL. Since starting up his off-season passing clinics in Long Island, Fiedler has been instrumental in developing some of the top area players. He has coached numerous All-Long Island QBs and WRs with few of them earning county awards as the top players overall and at their positions. Players who have worked with Jay have gone on to play in the SEC, ACC, Ivy League, Big Ten, Patriot League, as well as many D2 and D3 programs. In addition, Jay has worked with pro prospects getting them ready for their careers in the NFL. His knowledge, passion and experience make Jay the best football instructor you can find in the Northeast. Show Notes 3:30 The Neverending Season 8:00 Why is it more difficult to play multiple sports now? 13:00 Jay's path to the NFL 21:30 Who was the one teammate who gave way more than he took? 28:45 Jay's Rule of One moments 35:30 How he passes the legacy of great coaching to the next generation 38:00 On how great coaches will evaluate their own communication skills 41:30 Single best piece of advice to athletes or coaches: Pursue Your Passion Subscribe to Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Finding Jay Twitter @JayFiedler @BrookwoodCamps Prime time Camps https://primetimecamps.com Brookwood Camps http://brookwoodcamps.com If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of 17 books including 5 best-sellers: The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, Training Camp, You Win in the Locker Room First and The Power of Positive Leadership. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, The Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Los Angeles Dodgers, The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Dell, Publix, Southwest Airlines, LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Pittsburgh Pirates, BB&T Bank, Clemson Football, Northwestern Mutual, Bayer, West Point Academy and more. Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams. Finding Jon Jon on Twitter Jon on Facebook Jon on Instagram Jon's Website Jon's Books on Amazon: Jon's Amazon Page Subscribe to Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 7:00 Jon's Transformation Through Positivity 9:00 The Energy Bus 12:30 The Story Behind The Hard Hat 16:00 You Win in the Locker Room First 21:00 Why Positvity Changes the World 24:45 Dabo's Safe Seat 31:30 How to Create a More Positive Team Environment 36:45 Final Thoughts and How to Find Jon Gordon If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Founder and CEO of Empowerment Through Sport, Angela Hucles is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist for US Soccer, two-time World Cup Bronze Medalist, former professional soccer player of the Boston Breakers and the US Soccer Foundation's 2009 Humanitarian of the Year. Angela led the U.S. team in scoring with 4 goals in the 2008 Olympics; 2 of these goals came in the U.S. victory over Japan. With a passion for helping others achieve their goals and dreams and over 30 years experience in the sports industry, she founded the Leadership Series in 2012, an event focused on discovering sports leadership skills and athlete transitions that translate to life success. Angela has become a regular speaker on topics of sports leadership, equality, inclusion & safe spaces, anti-bullying, and the power of sport and its impact on personal growth and development. After her retirement from professional soccer, Angela was a sports broadcaster and analyst for the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics (NBC) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup (FOX). Angela is a TEDx speaker and served as the Women's Sports Foundation President, founded by Billie Jean King. Finding Angela: Her Website: AngelaHucles.com Twitter: @AngelaHucles Instagram: @AngelaHucles Ceres Platinum Group: http://ceresplatinumgroup.com/ Her TED Talk: Angela Hucles TED Talk Show Notes: 8:00 Who Were Her Great Teammates and Why 12:30 Leaders is About Relationships 14:00 Embrace Your Role, Prepare For New Roles 18:00 Angela on Getting Back to the Joy 27:00 Introverted Leadership and Allowing "Space" for Intoverts 34:30 Learn to Lead from Your Strengths 39:00 The Social Impact of Sports - Paving the Path for Women in Sports

English Premier League and World Cup Soccer player Jay DeMerit has one of the most unique stories to success the sport of soccer has ever seen. An MLS reject that backpacked to Europe and climbed the English soccer pyramid from the 12th tier to become the captain of Watford FC in the English Premier League. He also represented the US Mens National Team for five years, playing every minute of his teams games in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In 2011 he became the first ever signing & captain for the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS. He finished his career in 2014, after captaining the Vancouver Whitecaps for four seasons. Using his vast experience in professional soccer, Jay will share the highs and the lows he's endured along his journey through his 10-year professional career. Highlights are the season of 2006-07, where Jay and his underdog Watford FC team were promoted to the English Premier League, the biggest soccer league in the world, as well as his experiences in playing a major role in the World Cup in 2010. Defining leadership traits, dealing with adversities, identifying commonality between diverse personalities, creating culture, and role management are just a few things Jay will touch on, as well as how he learned to lead from others through mentorship, and then grow into captain himself. Jay has taken the stage at Tedx Vancouver, spoken at a wide variety of national conferences, and has even been the keynote speaker on "Grit" at the US Soccer Federation's annual symposium. His story was the subject of "Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story" a documentary released in 2011 after a successful kickstarter campaign, where the passionate soccer community raised $223,000 to turn this important story into a feature film. Changing the Game is also excited to announce that Jay is our newest member of our stellar lineup of world class speakers. He has a very compelling story, a tremendous amount of wisdom for young players and coaches, and is an excellent speaker that captivates his audiences. We are excited to have him on board. Find Jay and his documentary: Rise and Shine: Watch the Trailer Buy the DVD: Rise and Shine on Amazon His Website: http://JAYDEMERITSTORY.COM His TEDx Talk: Watch it here On Twitter: @d6Merit Find Jay and his documentary: Rise and Shine: Watch the Trailer Buy the DVD: Rise and Shine on Amazon His Website: http://JAYDEMERITSTORY.COM His TEDx Talk: Watch it here On Twitter: @d6Merit Show Notes: 7:00 When Jay became a soccer player 12:30 On Learning to adapt to the opportunities 18:00 Why choosing life experiences made the difference 22:00 On being a pub league sub 29:45 Be ready when the big break knocks on the door 36:30 What it means to be a team player 44:00 The world's most expensive game 51:00 Coming home was the toughest thing 56:30 One of Jay's greatest accomplishments 59:15 Jay's advice to young players Join us for the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017

Tony DiCicco is the former Head Coach of the US Women's National and Olympic Soccer Teams and the Head Coach of the US U20 Women's National Team. In 2008, in his return to international soccer, he coached the US to the FIFA U20 World Cup Championship in Chile. He had previously lead the Full National Team to the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Championship, the largest women's sporting event in history. And in 1996, he coached the US Women's Olympic Team to the first ever Gold Medal in Women's Soccer. Tony DiCicco is also the President, Founder and Technical Director of SoccerPlus Goalkeeper School and SoccerPlus FieldPlayer Academy. You can get his book, Catch Them Being Good, here - Buy it on Amazon How to find Tony: His website: https://www.soccerplus.org His email: [email protected] His Twitter: @tonysocc Show Notes: 5:30 How (and when) Tony got into coaching 9:15 Tony explains how to get athlete buy-in 16:15 What really makes Mia Hamm so special 20:00 Can you cut a player and help her career? 27:15 What must the US do to produce high quality players 32:15 Winning does not equal development 40:00 Every kid has a path 46:00 Did Tony coach his own children? 48:00 Tony's Rule of One Moments 54:30 Tonys Coaching Philosophy Join us for the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017 Sign up here!

Maureen Monte builds winning teams by harnessing the untapped talent in the locker room or the conference room and aligning it with success. Her approach has been honed with over ten years of experience in large companies, tech startups, and sports teams – from San Francisco to Singapore. She believes there are three universal truths about teams: All teams struggle There is untapped talent on every team Most teams haven't defined what success looks like Those teams and companies that leverage every ounce of talent to overcome the struggle and align with success will win. That is where she comes in. Education & Experience BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering MS in Leadership & Business Ethics Gallup Certified StrengthsFinder and Entrepreneurial Profile Coach Certified Emotional and Social Competency Coach (Emotional Intelligence) 20+ years of success in Fortune 500 companies Finding Maureen Monte: Her website - http://maureenmonte.com Her book - Buy Destination Unstoppable On Twitter - Maureen on Twitter On Facebook - Maureen on Facebook Email Maureen - [email protected] Show Notes: 4:45 How to use the StrengthsFinder tool for leading teams 9:15 Beyond Moneyball - What StrengthsFinder really measures for athletes 12:30 The 3 things Maureen believes about teams 16:30 The unlikely hero of her book - Destination Unstoppable 25:00 How much of a role the coach plays in her process 30:00 Maureen gives an example of a Culture of Responsibility 32:30 Are men and women athletic profiles the same? 38:45 Single best piece of advice about StrengthsFinder 43:30 Maureen talks about what the Way Of Champions Conference did for her Come see Maureen at the Way of Champions Conference!

Chris Snyder is the Director for Coaching Education in the Sport Performance Division of the United States Olympic Committee. His responsibilities include discovering and providing resources to better benefit sport culture and the National Governing Bodies that service sport in our great nation. In addition, Chris is focused on supporting both the Sport Performance Department and Team USA coaches as they strive to be the best they can be. Chris has coached for over ten years at both the collegiate and high school ranks, and is currently an assistant coach at Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, Co. How to reach Chris: Chris.Snyder(at)usoc.org - Email Chris to get on their Coaching Newsletter www.teamusa.org/adm - Check out their Athlete Development Model Show Notes: 2:00 - On going from "worst coach ever" to USOC Director of Coaching 10:00 - The big difference between veteran coaches and rookie coaches 14:50 - "We teach coaches X's and O's AND we teach them coaching" 19:00 - What Coaching Educators can learn from London Cab Drivers 24:30 - How preaching the "soft values" matters for Olympic Sports 30:00 - What FUN is (and is not) to Olympians 35:00 - On The USOC Quality Coaching Framework 44:00 - Chris' advice to coaches wanting to change the system 48:30 - What Chris would tell his younger self ----- Join us for the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017 Sign up before May 1 to receive a discount!

Ashton Eaton is a retired American decathlete and two-time Olympic champion, who holds the world record in both the decathlon and indoor heptathlon events. Ashton competed for the University of Oregon, where he was a five-time NCAA champion, and won The Bowerman award in 2010. In 2011, he won the first international medal of his career, a silver, in the decathlon at the 2011 World Championships. The following year, Eaton broke his own world record in the heptathlon at the 2012 World Indoor Championships, and then broke the world record in the decathlon at the Olympic Trials. After setting the world record, Eaton won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He successfully defended his Olympic title in Rio 2016 by winning the decathlon gold medal and tying the Olympic record. Eaton is only the third Olympian (Bob Mathias of the US and Britain's Daley Thompson being the other two.) to achieve back-to-back gold medals in the decathlon. How to find Ashton: Website: Ashton and Brianne's Website Twitter: @weareeaton @ashtonjeaton Ashton's First Pole Vault: Ashton's First Pole Vault Show Notes 5:00 - On single sport vs. multi sport athletes 8:00 - On "why you shouldn't eat the same thing every day" 12:00 - When Ashton started the Decathlon - It was later than you think! 18:40 - Ashton's "Rule of One Moment" in his early career 21:00 - On parents of elite athletes - Pushy Parents vs. Supportive Parents 23:00 - Is It About Winning? 29:00 - On "what you need to know before you need to know it" 36:50 - "It's not easy to improve when you suck & don't celebrate mediocrity" 39:00 - On what makes Harry Marra a great coach 46:00 - On "the mental weight room" 52:30 - On "having the keys to the building" 54:30 - How to find Ashton and Brianne Join us for the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017 Way of Champions Registration

Professional Soccer Coach Lisa Cole discusses her amazing coaching journey as a longtime college assistant and head coach, Head Coach of the Boston Breakers in the NWSL, and international coach with Papua New Guinea Women's Soccer during the 2016 U20 Women's World Cup. She discusses some of the qualities of the best athletes and coaches she has worked with and tells us about her experience the past 18 months working with PNG and their amazing ride through the World Cup. The story is an incredible example of the power and impact of sport and will give you goosebumps. You can find Lisa on Twitter at @LCole22 and here: Centre Soccer Association Join Changing the Game for the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017: Sign up here!

Dr. Jerry Lynch has won 36 International and NCAA titles ass a consultant to some of the top teams in American Sports. DR. LYNCH HAS BEEN A SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTANT for the past 33 years TO OVER 36 INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS at the professional and NCAA collegiate levels. In one survey,he has been recognized as one of the top five in his profession nationwide.He is the former Sports Psychologist for men's and women's Basketball, Lacrosse and Soccer teams at the universities of North Carolina,Duke, Maryland, California and Stanford and continues to work with several teams nationally. He has been involved with athletes at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado, helping them to overcome fears, blocks and slumps, and to perform up to their potential. Several of his clients have participated in various summer and winter Olympic games. Aside from sports, Dr. Lynch has worked with performing artists and corporate executives. You can find Dr. Lynch at: http://www.wayofchampions.com Join John and Dr. Lynch at the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017: Sign up here!

Dan Abrahams- English Premier League and PGA Tour Sport Psychology Expert - talks about the mind of a champion. Dan Abrahams is a global sport psychologist, working alongside leading players, teams, coaches and organisations across the world. He is known for his passion and ability to de-mystify sport psychology, as well as his talent for creating simple to use techniques and performance philosophies, and he is the author of several sport psychology books as well as the founder of the Dan Abrahams Soccer Academy. Find Dr. Abrahams on Twittter: @DanAbrahams77 @AbrahamsGolf For the special WOC discount, go to Dan's website, click on the Academy and check out his products: Dan Abrahams Website -- then email him at [email protected] and mention Way of Champions Podcast. Join Changing the Game at the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017: Sign up here!

David Epstein - International best selling author - discusses his book The Sports Gene. David is a relentless researcher who is more concerned with doing things the way research says instead of how we've always been doing it. To that end, he sets himself apart from others by seeking what science says about extraordinary athletic performance and pushing for it to be tailored to the individual. David Epstein writes about sports science and medicine, Olympic sports, and is an investigative reporter. The Sports Gene is his first book. It was a top 10 New York Times best seller, and was chosen as a best non-fiction book of 2013 by The Washington Post and Publisher's Weekly. Runner's World chose The Sports Gene as its book of the year, and the book was a finalist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, the PEN/ESPN Literary Sports Writing Award, and the National Academy of Sciences Communication Award. It has been translated into sixteen languages. You can buy the Sports Gene here: The Sports Gene on Amazon You can find David on Twitter and his website: The Sports Gene Website @DavidEpstein Time is running out: Join us for the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017 Way of Champions Conference - Sign up before May 1st