The Art Of Coaching

If there’s one thing we all know, it’s that our brains work differently.  We think, relate, and communicate in unique ways. That’s why communicating with anyone requires you to be a locksmith of people.  You must know your audience at such an intimate level that you’re able to find the right key to the right door, and adapt your strategy to achieve common comprehension. Communicating with neurodiv...

It’s one thing to be great at giving feedback, but how good are you at receiving it?  For most- hearing what we could’ve done better or where we’ve screwed up is extraordinarily painful. Which is why, instead of admitting we were wrong, we often become masters of delusion and start rationalizing our behavior… But feedback is one of the most useful and powerful tools we have for improvement and it’...

We’ve all heard of the medical professionals who guarantee a cure-all for the ailments they treat – weight loss, hair loss, or pain free joints, you name it – they promise perfection where we know it can’t exist. Today’s conversation was incredibly refreshing because our guest, Dr. Rafael Gonzalez, does the exact opposite.  He talks about a complex subject – regenerative medicine and stem cell the...

In a way, communication is like baseball. If you merely look at the sport, it seems fairly simple and easy - throwing, catching, and hitting a ball.  But knowing how to play the sport and actually doing it are two very different things. It’s the same with effective communication. Many leaders know what needs to be done, yet fail when it comes to the execution part.  In today’s episode, Dr. Lyon sp...

“Leadership isn’t for me.  I’m naturally introverted, quiet, and shy - no one would ever listen to me.” Although this isn’t a direct quote, it’s a common excuse we hear from coaches, leaders, and business owners alike as to why they can’t (or won’t) lead or have the impact they want on those around them.  And to put it bluntly, this topic doesn’t get the amount of discussion it deserves. That’s wh...

Here it is! Our first episode from our brand new 1-acre home in beautiful, sunny (but not humid) Phoenix, AZ! You would think with this being my 15th move that I would have this process down to an art.  But we all know life has a way of throwing curve balls, making this experience anything but a breeze! Whether it was issues with our moving company, the 2 live events we were hosting at the same ti...

Despite the stereotypical notion that having insecurities makes you “weak” or means something’s wrong with you, the fact is- feeling insecure is a universal experience.  It’s not a personality trait, but a state of being; And a very NORMAL part of being human. With that said, in addition to debunking the misconceptions surrounding what it means to be insecure, in today’s episode we also cover why...

Parenting is tough. No doubt about it. But it only gets harder when your child comes home with a story about their coach yelling at them, refusing to let them play or being "mean" to them. Whether you're hearing about this poor behavior secondhand or witnessing it in person, approaching your child's coach can be an intimidating task.  Having been on both sides of this situation, today's episode is...

If anyone tells you you can manage your stress better, they’re lying to you.   Can you manage what’s going on in the stock market, the government, or the fact that sometimes drivers will run a red light and accidentally hit you?  NO!   At the end of the day, there is no such thing as stress management.  But being the adaptation machines that we are as human beings, the good news is that we can bui...

“I don’t have time to relax! There’s just too much to do.” These days, busyness seems to be a status symbol; A measuring stick for productivity and progress. But as with many things, more isn’t always better.  Whether the urge to always be productive or busy is a result of your physiology, the way you were raised, or a part of the culture you find yourself in daily, today’s episode will debunk the...

“Today’s the day!  Time to sit down and hammer out that project I’ve been needing to get done for the last month…    But first, let me get a cup of coffee and pick a playlist to get my mind right.  Ok.  I know I already have this started in excel, but I kinda want to make it in powerpoint instead. Let me transfer that file over. Oh, wow look at all these new effects they added- I wonder what they...

“Human beings under pressure are wonderfully unpredictable. Their nature is a puzzle to us all. When human beings are placed in an arena, and their hopes and fears are exposed in front of 1000s, they're likely to do extraordinary things. This is especially true if somebody has told them, “don't let us down.”  - Pat Moore   When faced with one of life's biggest moments- whether that's giving a spee...

Have you ever found yourself struggling to know how to build trust with a decision maker who’s limiting your autonomy and control?   If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated and not sure what to do in these situations, we have you covered.  In today’s episode, we’ll dive deep into the fascinating world of what it takes to build trust in an authentic and adaptable way, all while providing you with pra...

“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask… for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” - Albert Einstein  A good question might just be the most powerful tool you have in your communication arsenal. Why? Well to start, questions are the vehicle t...

What it means to be fit and healthy has been distorted for far too long. So many of us know that feeling of confusion and hopelessness as we try to sort through the endless black hole of fitness trends, tricks and hacks making impossible promises. The truth is that we need more straightforward and realistic solutions to our questions - Which diet will actually work?  What type of exercise is right...

After weeks of failed attempts, and 20 hours in to the final 26 hour piece of the climb, Jacqueline realizes that she’s FINALLY going to reach the top of Mt. Aconcagua.  Tears of joy start welling up in her eyes as she thinks of what she’s about to overcome. Then, in an instant, chaos hits and circumstances change. In her quest to achieve “The Explorer’s Grand Slam” - when somebody reaches the Nor...

There's no such thing as finding your voice.  Why? Because it's impossible to have just ONE. As leaders, educators, coaches, etc. our ability to adapt to our audience, context and even ourselves is what allows us to be most effective.  Today’s episode explores the misconception that we should try to fit into a universal mold, and give a step-by-step process of how to find your unique and genuine v...

What happens when you walk into a situation and quickly realize it isn’t what you expect?  How do you respond and learn to adapt?   How do you know where you need to change and where to stand firm? Currently Head of Performance with US Soccer, Darcy found himself asking these questions after he and his family moved overseas, to a country where they couldn’t speak the language and they were largely...

Early in his career, Matt Morrison - Integrated Logistics Support Manager at Lockheed Martin - was given the best leadership advice he’s ever received:  “You LEAD people and you MANAGE money and processes.” And lead he has.  In addition to his role at one of the world’s largest organizations, Matt has a military background and plenty of experience navigating the intersection between systems and pe...

The leadership world has run rampant with the misconstrued idea that self care, thinking more sustainably, or fighting for yourself as hard as you fight for others is selfish. I’m here to tell you - IT’S A MYTH. And from relationships and work outcomes to mental health, the consequences of this kind of thinking can be devastating.   So while today’s episode doesn’t give you any mind-blowing or gro...

Think back to your very first job - whether it was a full time 9-5, a nights and weekends cash based gig, or the daily chores you had as a child.  What lessons did you learn or habits did you develop in that job that contribute to your current role? For Don, working in his family’s catering business as a child taught him the value of hard work, social adaptability, and a “do what it takes to get t...

Imagine this: You’ve just finished a meeting with your boss.  It wasn’t as much of a conversation or discussion as much as it was a sharing of information.  They’ve made a decision, and whether you agree with it or not, that’s what’s gonna happen.  And if you don’t agree to go along with it, you’ll be let go.   You exit the room and walk back to your office in a state of confusion, shock, and disg...

What do you think of when you hear the term “non-verbal communication?”   The first things that usually come to mind are body language, facial expressions, posture, and the like.  But the reality is that it’s not that simple.  Communication is a complex and inclusive process, and goes far beyond a smile or frown, crossed arms and slumped shoulders.   Today’s episode is all about the true science b...

DONE. You’ve finally finished the big project you’ve been agonizing over. But as you prepare to hit send, print, submit - whatever - all you feel is doubt.  Despite the preparation and time you’ve put in, you can’t help but think about all the ways this “finished product” isn’t good enough. This is just one example of how perfectionism can manifest in our day-to-day lives; how it can hold us back,...

We’ve all had times we’ve needed to be blunt with someone. But it doesn’t matter if it was with your boss, a peer, subordinate or loved one- it’s never easy.  Either way, this is a skill that cannot be avoided.  Whether you’re managing messaging across your team, problem-solving, or making decisions, striking a balance between being blunt and respectful must be mastered because effective communica...