The Coaching Lab: Evidence-Based High Performance & Wellbeing

In October, 2023, Dr. Cooper was asked to speak about the evidence and practical application of functional mental toughness (fMT) as part of the international Virtual Applied Sports Psychology conference taking place across Europe. Multiple coaches heard about the event and requested we record a similar presentation applicable to all aspects of life (personal, professional and athletic). This is t...

It seems there’s a constant pull between the DOing side of life – pursuing accomplishments, achieving goals, getting things done… and the BEing side – appreciating the moments, recognizing the beauty in the present, soaking in special opportunities. Most of us tend to lean, usually somewhat strongly, one way or the other. Is it possible to accomplish big things and achieve high level goals… while...

We inherently know conflict is not good for our health and that wellbeing is improved by reducing conflict. But does the evidence back this up? That’s the question on the table today as we welcome licensed marriage and family therapist, Certified family life educator and scientist Dr. Amy Smith to the latest episode of the Catalyst 360 podcast! Not only will we be covering the latest research on c...

Do you believe in magic? I do – the magic of a good sleep. If you were to stop me on the street and I asked for your best 1st step forward to improve your health, wellness & performance without sharing any other details, I’d encourage you to start with sleep, as its impact on EVERY aspect of life is undeniable. Much of my own PhD work looked at the influence of sleep on performance, but I cont...

When we moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2021, a new tradition was created – fireside chats. Sometimes it involves a small group of students from the university nearby. Other times it might be friends, family or others pondering career or life changes. Suzanna & I enjoy the spot to discuss the latest book we’ve read and it’s a fun spot to get a little philosophical with anyone who might be s...

In a world where understanding oneself has become an elusive quest, the Enneagram emerges as a captivating tool of self-discovery. A symbol shrouded in mystery, this ancient system of personality typing invites individuals to explore the intricate layers of their inner psyche. Like a mirror reflecting the complexity of human nature, the Enneagram offers nine distinct archetypes, each representing...

Are you busy with work that matters? Or is your busywork running your life and distracting you from the things that matter most? By the end of our time together today, I think you’ll discover the often missing keys that allow us to turn our attention away from the busywork and toward those things we hold most dear – in both our personal and professional lives. Today we are honored to have Aytekin...

Are you at the end of your rope with some person or situation? Exasperated about the unfairness of a situation or circumstance in your life? Are anger, desperation, sadness or fear constantly invading your thoughts and affecting your health, wellness and even performance? What if there were some specific strategies you could tap into that would minimize those emotions and help turn your focus back...

Welcome back. If this is your first time joining us on the Catalyst 360 podcast, you’ve caught an unusual episode to kick things off. A few months ago, I just opened up my journal and jotted down a few notes of things I’d been reading or thinking about recently, poured a cup of coffee and recorded some random thoughts about a wide range of topics. Based on the downloads, you seemed to find some va...

The television show about Ted Lasso, the college football coach from Kansas who suddenly finds himself coaching a sport he doesn’t understand – the other football – or “Soccer” here in the US – in a country he’s never visited – England – has taken the world by storm the past few years. It became Apple TV’s most popular show ever - by a longshot - and his unique approach to coaching and life has wo...

Data from Gallup tells us almost 60% of us read 5 or less books/year and the overall average is about 1 book/month, with half of those being fiction. To me, books are an opportunity to tap into the wisdom of some of the world’s brightest and most insightful people for little more than a cup of coffee. That’s a pretty good deal, but I also get it that time is an extremely limited resource and if we...

What if you were to learn the key to eliminating bad habits or implementing good habits wasn’t willpower or determination? What if there were relatively simple steps any of us could take – or help our clients take – that would put positive habits on autopilot and eliminate those which drag us down? Welcome to the Catalyst 360 podcast. That’s precisely the focus of today’s discussion w/ Dr. Wendy W...

In the mood for some thought-provoking thoughts and ponderings with Catalyst Coaching 360's CEO, Dr. Brad Cooper? Fill up that favorite coffee cup and join us for an unscripted discussion covering free will (freed will!), why we experience letdowns after big events, how to enhance our creativity, how our interpretation creates a unique world for each one of us, and how two songs with the exac...

What can we learn from the world of sport psychology that could be applied to the maternity journey? What if a top sport psychologist – and mother – was able to effectively bring the two worlds together in ways that would benefit the mother, child and family? That is exactly the focus of today’s discussion, as chartered sport & exercise psychologist, associate professor and author of the new b...

This is our 285th episode of the Catalyst 360 podcast, kicking off our 6th year without missing a single week, thanks to your support and encouragement. Guests have ranged from world class researchers and best-selling authors to some of the world’s greatest athletes and coaches. Today’s guest may be among the most inspiring – and informative – of all those who have come before her. In fact – she’s...

Are you confused by all the claims about the “best” diets, what foods to avoid, and the never-ending list of nutritional fads highlighted in books and headlines? We are too. And in today’s episode, we’re going to do something about it. Welcome to the Catalyst 360 Podcast. Today’s guest is Dr. Mario Kratz, the founder and director of Nourished by Science, an evidence-based resource I have a feeling...

What if you could sit down over coffee w/ Dr. Cooper and tap into what he's been learning, pondering, trying and hearing? In this special episode, that's exactly what happens, as Brad hits record and starts sharing, script-free, about life/work thoughts, the meaning and integration of Kairos, how to break the code on Twitter and following true north! We're playing around with idea o...

How’d we all get so doggone serious? If you’re a regular listener of the Catalyst 360 podcast, you’re likely a high performer, making the most of each day and each opportunity. Yet sometimes in the midst of doing so, we lose our playful self. We’re good at work – at getting things done. Play? That’s for later – unfortunately that “later” can continue to be pushed back indefinitely and our lives tu...

Behavior change is at the heart of health, wellness & performance, the driving force toward Better Than Yesterday, the fuel for making the most of this thing called life. So why does it have to be so difficult and are there any evidence-based strategies that can help us, our team members and our clients move forward more effectively? Today’s guest, professor Martin Hagger has spent a lifetime...

Work less but get more done. Sounds like the dream, right? Seriously – less hours – better results. I don’t know about you – but I’m all in – and that’s exactly what we’ll be discussing on this hidden gem w/ the man whose name has become synonymous w/ optimizing productivity by working less - Dr. Alex Pang.  Welcome to Catalyst 360 Podcast - I’m your host, Dr. Brad Cooper of Catalyst Coaching 360...

Are you ready for a life-changing journey? Join me as I share seven incredible lessons learned from the extraordinary guests who have graced the Catalyst 360 podcast over the past five years. From reframing our financial goals with Morgan Housel , to unlocking the power of a diverse gut microbiome with Dr. Christopher Lowry , these insights have made a lasting impact on my life and could do the sa...

Sweat – one of our seemingly oddest biological functions while simultaneously being one of the most vital and least understood – until now. Why is sweat salty? Why does stress produce sweat to the point the phrase “don’t sweat it” has become commonplace? Why do some of us produce colorful or odd smelling sweat? And – as our wearable trackers continue to advance – should we be concerned about the a...

What if you could go back in time and walk the path of one of the most popular sporting activities in the world through the eyes of someone who’s spent an entire lifetime in the proverbial eye of that sport’s needle? Today we will taking that journey through time with Amby Burfoot, the man whose name is synonymous with the world of running – so much so that a few years after winning the Boston Mar...

Motivational Interviewing. If you’re a coach, leader, parent, spouse, instructor, or any role involving helping individuals move forward in their personal, professional or athletic pursuits, it’s an approach you cannot afford to miss. Rather than simply “telling” someone what to do or trying to use YOUR motivational skills to move the dial, Motivational Interviewing – or MI – takes a more effectiv...

Struggling to catch those elusive Z's despite following all the latest sleep guidance? What if the secret to a rejuvenating sleep lies in the power of savoring? Join us as we talk to Professor Dana McMakin, an expert in clinical science and cognitive neuroscience, who shares her journey of battling insomnia and reveals the missing link to better sleep. Discover how sleep, anxiety, and mental...