Way of Champions Podcast

We often talk on this podcast about theory and research, but this week we are talking about application. We have mentioned many times about the importance of getting a coaching mentor or at least a group of coaches to bounce ideas off of, get advice from, and help us raise our game. What does that feel like? Is it hard? What are the obstacles? What happens when you don't agree? What will your staf...

To make real change we need those in a position of influence to support and advance the cause. United Soccer Coaches is the largest coaching membership organization in the world and they have recently committed to changing the coaching culture. Listen to this conversation with Lynn Berling-Manuel.     Show Notes 4:15 The single biggest change in US Soccer since Lynn started her journey 10:45 Whom...

What group has the most influential position and platform to impact the lives of our children? Coaches. What are we doing to ensure that group is prepared to coach with purpose and change lives for the better? This week's guest has an answer for that.   Show Notes 1:45 Ryan's own journey 8:00 The importance of having a group of colleagues and sharing with them 18:30 We need to show up as parents a...

Instead of coaching athletes for today's outcomes, why not coach them in a way that prepares them to succeed in future seasons too? Teach them what they need to evolve as the game does too.  Join Russel Earnshaw and John Fletcher of the Magic Academy to hear more.   Show Notes 4:15 When you treat people well, the positive results naturally arise 11:00 "My job as a coach is not to make the players...

Does weight lifting stunt growth? At what age should my kid start lifting? Mike Boyle is one of the pioneers in strength training and has worked at all ages and stages of sports. He answers these questions and more in this week's episode.   Show Notes 7:00 One of the original strength coaches still learning every year 12:30 You need to understand the sports and athletes you assist if you want to m...

Across the board, youth sports participation rates are dropping and coach retention is extremely low, yet Appleton recreation is seeing an average of 60% increase in participation across its four biggest sports and coach retention is 90%. What are they doing differently?   Show Notes 1:00 Nate's backstory 12:30 If we are in it for the benefit of the kids, most solutions are obvious 16:00 Nate expl...

Have you ever tried to break a bad habit or create a good one and struggled to get the results to stick? James Clear has solved the problem and shares some of the science behind habits in this podcast and his new book. Listen in now.   Show Notes 8:40 How James Clear became Interested in Habits 12:25 Why the title "Atomic Habits" 20:55 We do not rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level...

What do you say to your athlete in the car ride to and from the game? What is the message during games, especially in those tense moments of high pressure? What we say to our children, becomes their inner voice. Listen in for Dr. Jim Taylor's advice on creating successful youth athletes.   Show Notes 8:05 From a nervous athlete to a Sport Psychologist – Jim's beginnings 15:45 How much has sports c...

Great cultures abound as examples of sporting success. The key is to build your own, using the success clues left by others as your guide. In this episode, Damien Hughes outlines the clues left by Barcelona and other great sports cultures so we can begin to develop a culture of success with our teams.   Show Notes 10:15 What lead Damien to explore the Barcelona culture 19:00 Soft versus hard skill...

Sports are as much a learning journey as for us as it is for the athletes we coach. We MUST be willing to learn from those around us and evolve for the sake of those we lead. In this episode, John shares the three greatest lessons he has learned over the last 80 shows.   Show Notes 11:05 Kris Van Der Haegan "Who is in front of me" 39:30 Mark Upton "The value of games-based learning" 1:05:00 Mark B...

What are we saying and doing that can be the inner voice driving athletes to make dangerous decisions regarding nutrition and their bodies? What can we do to recognize and prevent these issues before it's too late? Tune in to this difficult and important discussion now.   Show Notes 10:35 Dr. Bennet's daily work with athletes 16:20 Background and research on eating disorders in athletes 20:20 Eati...

#79 The Power of Influence: A Fireside Chat with John and Jerry about how coaches, parents and teammates can impact their teams in a positive way   What is influence, why is it never neutral, and how can we be more intentional about positively influencing our athletes? Join the Fireside Chat with Jerry and John now to find out more!   Show Notes 11:30 Joy should be the first core value of sports 1...

One post. One bad decision. One moment of poor judgment frozen in time and saved for eternity on social media. That is all it takes to alter your future trajectory as a youth athlete. In this episode Scott Fitch shares stories of athletes who should have "paused before they posted" and much more.   Show Notes 1:15 Scott's development journey as a late bloomer and finding the right fit for you 7:30...

What would it look like if all your athletes were able to acknowledge, resolve, and let go of emotions and feelings during games? If they could choose the right behaviors, even in moments of high pressure because they were able to understand and forgive their own feelings and thoughts and not get stuck in negative patterns? Dr. Amy Saltzman shares with us the concept of mindfulness so we can help...

This is a first for WOC! Coaching Expert Mark Bennett returns to expound on his Rule of 3 and teach us how to develop independent, self-aware, and accountable athletes at all levels of the game. Queue this one up and listen on your way to work today!   Other Interviews with Mark – Mark's First Appearance on Way of Champions: Episode 31: Listen to Episode 31 here Another Great Interview with Mark o...

People talk about "old school" when it comes to coaching and athlete performance. The problem is most of us have the wrong perspective. "Old school" is not strength and conditioning in a vacuum with no functional movement. "Old School" is not running laps until you puke. "Old School", as defined by Joe, Tony, and Rick, has to do with how wellness was treated in the beginning: holistic, all-encompa...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to coach the likes of Christian Pulisic when he was a youngster, or to take a team of 16-year-olds to South America to play in adverse conditions? Have you thought about how life-changing it would be to coach War Heroes at the World Paralympic Games? Don't miss this episode where Anthony shares the stories of his coaching legacy.   Enjoy the show!   Sho...

Some coaches may win a few games or even a championship using bullying tactics without creating any kind of connection or caring environment with the players. If they'd followed the R.I.V.E.R. effect could they have won more? Could they have impacted lives beyond the game? John and Jerry discuss the acronym RIVER and its vital importance for developing championship teams and people who are empower...

What was Sir Alex Ferguson like as a person when the cameras weren't on him? What was it like to be a part of one of the world's most famous youth academies and win a Treble of Championships with one of the most storied and powerful sports brands? Listen to this episode with former Manchester United Player, Mark Wilson, to hear his amazing stories and his outlook on developing the next generation....

There is a sport out there that has grown 17% every year for the last 6 years. In addition, 54% of participants say it helps them connect with their friends, 67% of parents get to play it with their children, and 71% of parents say it has had a positive influence. Those statistics sound fantastic. Can you guess which sport? In this latest podcast, Kirk Anderson tells us what sport this is and what...

"We are too busy looking for the silver bullet--the single finger to put in the dam regarding the injury epidemics happening in youth sports today--that we are missing the fact the dam is overflowing. " Join Dr. Tommy John in this eye-opening, and frightening discussion about the youth sports injury epidemic and his mission to stop the madness.     Show Notes 6:50 How a shoulder infection was the...

What if there was a simple solution to getting better academic performance, reducing discipline problems, and greater engagement of our children at school? There is a simple solution, and instead of adding more of it, we've been eliminating it from schools altogether! Paul Zientarski shares how he has transformed school districts by simply adding more PE and recess to the daily schedule.   Enjoy t...

What will it take for US Soccer to become a World Soccer Power? How can we continue to grow the game at the youth levels while helping to improve at the highest too? This episode, we sit down with Sam Snow to talk about his role with US Youth Soccer and the plan for getting to the next level.   Enjoy the show!   Show Notes 6:15 The Soccer Boom of the 70s thanks to the NASL 10:15 Positive changes i...

What if youth sport had a much greater purpose than winning, fitness, socialization, or development? What if sports could break down barriers, change societal obstructions, create opportunities for the better, and even save lives? In this dually heart-warming and heart-breaking episode Nick Gates, Founder of Coaches Across Continents, shares how his company has been serving that higher purpose for...

The vast majority of youth sports are suffering from catastrophic attrition rates and governing bodies, clubs, and teams are scrambling to keep kids in the game. US Lacrosse is growing by leaps and bounds in comparison. What is the secret formula to engaging and keeping kids have they discovered? Listen to the full podcast to hear the very simple solution to youth sport attrition rates.   Enjoy th...