Focus, Faith, and Fueling: The Winning Edge Podcast

Former Florida State softball player and coach Bianca Cruz shares how a lifelong love of the game led her from pitching lessons at 16 to a fulfilling career developing the next generation of athletes. She and Lindsay discuss resilience, motivation, finding the right path in softball, and why success is about more than awards and accolades. Bianca also offers practical encouragement for athletes an...

Former LSU All-American and professional baseball veteran Ryan Patterson joins  The Winning Edge  to share his journey from elite college hitter to pro ball, player representation, and coaching the next generation of athletes. Ryan reflects on the discipline, mindset, and consistency required to compete at LSU, navigate the grind of seven seasons in professional baseball, and thrive through both s...

In this episode of Focus, Faith & Fueling , we sit down with professional baseball coach Fabian Castorena to explore a powerful journey rooted in purpose, resilience, and servant leadership. From humble beginnings in West Texas to coaching within the Boston Red Sox organization, Fabian shares how faith, hard work, and a commitment to serving others shaped both his career and his coaching philo...

In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Evan Willsmore, Director of Player Personnel for the Vegas Nighthawks, for an inspiring conversation about football, faith, resilience, and the power of relationships. Evan shares how his love for the game began in middle school, how education and work ethic shaped his path, and how networking opened the door to his career in professional football. He also o...

In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Titus Miller for a powerful conversation about the importance of networking, mentorship, and preparing for life beyond sports. Titus shares insights from his journey through athletics, coaching, and sports consulting, including how real-world experience and education work hand in hand. He breaks down why every interaction matters, why social media is part of...

This episode features varsity captain and nationally recognized center back Britain Floyd, who shares the mindset, discipline, and sacrifices behind her success on and off the field. She discusses her leadership style, mental resilience in high-pressure moments, and the importance of communication, accountability, and growth. Britain also opens up about the demands of elite training, balancing aca...

What does it take to go from starring on the court to shaping the next generation of players from the sideline? In this episode, former high school basketball standout turned college coach Ginny Boggess pulls back the curtain on the world of college basketball — the recruiting grind, the pressure of athlete development, and how the game itself is changing faster than ever. Whether you're a pla...

GLP-1 medications have changed the conversation aroundweight loss — but the shot is only the beginning. In this episode, Dr. James Hill, one of the world's leading obesity researchers with over 40 years in the field, breaks down why weight management is far more complex than calories in,calories out. Dr. Hill unpacks how biology actively works against weightloss — from metabolic set points to...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mandy Tyler, a sports dietitian for the San Antonio Spurs and co-author of the 7th edition of the renowned Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook, to tackle one of the most under-discussed yet critical issues in youth sports — eating disorders. As the pressure to perform, look a certain way, and "make weight" continues to rise, young athle...

In this episode host Stacy Bates sits down with guest Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof, RD, PhD, host of the Nutrition Communications Podcast, to unpack how our understanding of protein is changing across all life stages. They break down the new Dietary Guidelines for protein, what “protein quality” really means, and why getting enough—at the right times—matters for muscle maintenance, recovery, and healthy...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked challenges in youth sports— Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) —and its impact on health, growth, and performance. Our hosts break down how energy imbalance occurs when young athletes don’t fuel enough to match their training demands, leading to hormonal disruption, fatigue, and reduced performance. Listeners will learn how to recog...

In this insightful episode, host Stacy Bates welcomes Mike Lee, a renowned expert in food innovation and sustainability, to discuss the transformative trends shaping the future of nutrition and agriculture. Mike Lee, known for his work in trend forecasting and sustainable food systems, shares his expertise on how "food as medicine" is gaining traction and why biodiversity is crucial for a healthie...

In this episode of Focus, Faith & Fueling: The Winning Edge, Dr. Kevin Maki joins SPAN Athletics to unpack what omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids really mean for clinicians, coaches, parents, and athletes who want science-based guidance instead of social media soundbites. We explore how to think about the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, the strongest evidence for cardiometabolic benefits of omega-3s,...

What to Expect from Focus, Faith & Fueling: The Winning Edge Podcast .... If you’re searching for youth sports nutrition, game-day fueling, recovery strategies, mental toughness training, or Christian athlete motivation, you’re in the right place. Each episode dives into evidence-based sports nutrition, practical fueling plans, confidence and mindset tools, and Christ-centered motivation so yo...

This week, USDA and HHS released the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines, branded publicly with a simple message: “Eat real food.” The guidelines introduce an inverted food pyramid and emphasize whole, nutrient‑dense foods; proteins, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats, while calling for strict limits on added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and “highly processed” packaged, prepared, ready‑to‑eat...

🏅 SEASON 2 RECAP IS LIVE! 🏅 From building culture and fueling confidence to leading with faith — Season 2 of *Focus, Faith & Fueling: The Winning Edge Podcast* brought *A Coach’s POV* straight to athletes, parents, and teams everywhere. 🎧 Catch highlights from every conversation — featuring stories of mentorship, mindset, and mission from some of the best in the game. If you believe sport i...

Learn how to coach young athletes with ADHD using structure, music, nutrition, and mental toughness strategies to boost focus, confidence, and academic success. This episode dives into practical strategies for parents and coaches to build skills, confidence, and mental toughness while honoring each child’s unique wiring. In this conversation, Stacy & Lindsay unpack what it really takes to coac...

Keywords: coaching, parenting, youth sports, athlete development, teamwork, communication, success, resilience, accountability, sportsmanship Summary: In this conversation, Kurt Kristynik shares insights on the vital relationship between coaches and parents in youth sports. He emphasizes the importance of supporting the whole athlete, recognizing individual differences among children, and the comm...

Keywords: select baseball, youth sports, athlete development, parental support, nutrition, burnout, resilience, early specialization, youth athletics, coaching Summary: In this episode, the hosts discuss the competitive world of select baseball, focusing on the culture, the impact of early specialization, and the crucial role of parents in supporting young athletes. They explore the importance of...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Brooke Brittain, a powerhouse of discipline and resilience. From her time as a Sergeant First Class in the Army Reserves to her role as a head basketball coach, Brooke shares her journey of leadership and grit. Discover how her military experiences shaped her coaching philosophy and learn about her unique approach to building a winning culture both on an...

In this inspiring episode, Coach Donald Lawrence delves deep into the process of turning life's challenges into powerful opportunities for personal growth and transformation. Drawing from his coaching experiences, Coach Lawrence emphasizes that adversity is not the end of the road but rather the beginning of self-discovery and resilience. The conversation is woven with stories and practical ad...

In today's dynamic world of sports coaching, SPAN Athletics brings together Coach Lindsay Patrick and Athletic Director Taryn Floyd from Fort Dorchester, South Carolina, for a deep dive into the realities and rewards of coaching modern athletes. This episode, “Coaching Through Change: Leading with Adaptability and Balance,” explores key challenges faced by sports coaches—including evolving ath...

Episode Overview Join hosts Stacy and Lindsay and they sit down with Christopher Ortiz—educator, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach, and advocate for youth development. In this insightful episode, they dive deep into how compassion and character are just as critical as achievement in both schools and sports. Ortiz explains how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can act as a powerful habit to nurture resilience, creative...

Description: In this episode of The Winning Edge Podcast, Stacy and Lindsay sit down with youth hockey coach Nick Giondfriddo to talk about what it really takes to lead young athletes. From building trust and accountability to setting unshakable standards, Coach Giondfriddo shares his approach to developing not just skilled players—but confident, resilient leaders for life. Nick opens up about how...

This episode of the SPAN Athletics Coaches POV PodcastSeries features a heartfelt conversation with Lauren Reid, a passionate mom, wife, and celebrated softball coach who has impacted generations of girls in her rural Texas hometown. Host Lindsay explores Lauren’s coaching milestones, her commitment to community, and how faith, tradition, and resilience shape both her career and the student-athlet...