Coach & Counselor

For Coach Aaron Graves, winning starts long before the scoreboard. A 12-year coaching veteran across travel, college, and high school baseball, including a remarkable 97–5 stretch at Riverdale Baptist High School, Aaron has built a reputation for developing not just talent, but toughness. But his perspective on resilience didn’t start in the dugout. As a young athlete, Aaron battled cancer — a fig...

Coaching has always been about more than wins and losses; it’s about influence, development, and the impact we have on people long after the game is over. In this episode of the Coach & Counselor Podcast , Phil O’Grady joins us for a meaningful conversation on leadership, mentorship, and player development in today’s baseball landscape. We explore what great coaching looks like right now, how...

What does the real player pathway actually look like, from high school potential to college opportunity to professional baseball? This week, we’re joined by Will Craig , former first-round MLB Draft pick and current Duke Baseball recruiting coordinator , for a wide-ranging conversation on recruiting, development, and the realities of the game at the highest levels. Will shares insight from every s...

In this episode, former professional baseball player and coach Greg Golson shares what it truly takes to succeed in baseball — from navigating the pro baseball grind to developing players at the youth and high school levels. Greg offers honest insight into baseball coaching, player development, and the mindset needed to grow athletes both on and off the field. This conversation is especially valua...

In this episode of Coach & Counselor , we sit down with Eric Dillinger to discuss what it truly means to be a responsible coach in today’s youth sports landscape. With over 15 years of coaching experience from youth baseball through the college level, Eric brings a deep understanding of athlete development, leadership, and team culture. He has coached nationally with organizations such as the...

In this episode of Coach & Counselor , we’re joined by Jeff Quillin to talk about the long game of youth sports — especially baseball — and the lessons that last far beyond the scoreboard. Jeff shares his perspective on athlete development, pressure in youth sports, and the role parents and coaches play in shaping confidence, resilience, and enjoyment of the game. We discuss how recruiting fit...

Sports are always teaching — even when we don’t realize it. In this episode of Coach & Counselor , we’re joined by Gary Russo , a former Miami (OH) baseball standout who now works in athlete development, contract negotiation, and marketing at the Bledsoe Agency . Gary reflects on the quiet lessons sports instill over time — shaping identity, resilience, leadership, and perspective long after t...

Sam Bauer, Assistant Linebackers Coach at Madonna University and Co-Defensive/Special Teams Coordinator for their JV program, joins us to break down the coaching mindsets and modern football techniques shaping today’s athletes. In this episode, we dive into player development, safe tackling fundamentals, athlete confidence, and how coaches can build resilient teams in a changing game. A former mul...

Step inside the locker room with Coach Greg Branch — a 300-win baseball coach, veteran educator, author, and one of the most influential mindset voices in youth sports today. Recorded right from the space where his team prepares and grows, this episode takes you behind the scenes of what truly shapes athletes. Coach Branch breaks down the standards, discipline, and belief systems that guide his pl...

Former UFC fighter Eliot Marshall joins us to break down the fight every athlete faces: the battle happening inside your own mind. A four-time Pan-American jiu-jitsu champion, World Championship medalist, six-time UFC veteran, third-degree black belt, and co-owner of Easton Training Center, Eliot has lived every version of pressure, adversity, and performance. Today, he coaches the next generation...

In this episode, we sit down with Walker Martin — a professional shortstop in the San Francisco Giants organization and one of the most decorated high school hitters to come out of Colorado. He breaks down his journey from Eaton to pro ball, the mindset behind his rise, and the coaching that shaped his identity as a player. This episode matters because Walker’s story is a blueprint for any athlete...

Riley Hnatyshyn is a Division I golfer at Louisiana Tech University and one of the brightest young leaders in collegiate golf. A former Louisiana Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year and state champion, Riley has built his game — and his life — around discipline, composure, and perspective. In this conversation, he opens up about the mental side of competition: how athletes can manage pressure, see...

For Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Luke Goodgion, baseball wasn’t just a game — it was his identity. Then came the injuries, the surgeries, and the silence that tests every athlete’s resolve. In this episode, Luke shares how he rebuilt through resilience, redefined success beyond stats, and found purpose in mentoring others to do the same.

State champion. Record holder. Division I softball standout at BYU and Louisiana Tech. 💪 Alexis Gilio knows the pressure, the grind, and the growth that come with competing at the highest level — especially as a woman in sports. In this episode, she shares the secret every great athlete knows (but nobody talks about): mindset is everything. From confidence to composure, Alexis reveals how emotion...

Former pro basketball player and record-setting Fresno Pacific standout Jordan Wild joins Coach & Counselor to unpack what it truly means to compete — not just to win, but to lead with character. From battling on the court to mentoring the next generation, Jordan shares lessons on mindset, emotional control, and transforming intensity into impact. 🎧 Coach & Counselor — where mindset meets...

Former Division I player Krystal Anthony brings a powerful mix of coaching insight, recruiting knowledge, and real talk about the mental side of the game. From guiding travel teams to mentoring the next generation of athletes, Krystal shares lessons on leadership, mindset, and keeping softball’s true spirit alive. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player — this one’s packed with perspectives you...

Is youth baseball losing its way? Dayton Classics Director & Recruiting Coordinator Gregg Beemer shares his powerful perspective on how rising costs, tournament culture, and shifting priorities are impacting the game—and what it takes to bring baseball back to its roots. 👉 Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of the sport! 🎙️ Full episode out now on the Coach & Counselor Podcast. ⚾...

This week on the Coach & Counselor podcast, we sit down with Ava Kuszak , a multi-sport athlete best known for her impact on the diamond as a Division I softball player at the University of Nebraska. Ava shares her journey through softball and soccer, how she’s embraced the mental side of the game, and why her love for sports continues to fuel her competitive spirit. Tune in as host Tony Gilio...

Randy Gale — veteran softball coach, instructor, and Commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Fast Pitch League — has dedicated over 20 years to shaping athletes and programs across Colorado. Known for his passion, integrity, and commitment, Randy’s influence extends far beyond the wins and losses. In this episode, he shares his perspective on leadership, mentorship, and the lasting impact coaches can h...

Dan Medina — often called “Mr. Denver” in the Colorado baseball and softball world — joins Coach & Counselor to share his passion for developing players into leaders. With decades of experience across high school, club, and collegiate programs, Dan’s impact extends far beyond wins and losses. In this episode, he opens up about mentorship, culture, and the responsibility coaches have in shaping...

What does it take to lead at the highest level? 🏉 Dave Hodges — USA Rugby Hall of Famer, longtime captain of the Eagles, and professional player in Wales — joins the Coach & Counselor Podcast to break down the connection between grit, leadership, and rugby . From captaining the U.S. Men’s National Team 28 times to mentoring athletes across multiple sports, Hodges shares lessons on toughness,...

Jon Karcich’s journey through baseball has come full circle — from standout player to respected coach and mentor. After years of competing at a high level, he’s carried those lessons into the dugout, guiding the next generation of athletes with the same discipline, grit, and love for the game that fueled his own career. In this episode, Jon shares how his experiences on the field shaped his coachi...

Brendan Strait grew up playing sports in Colorado, but instead of chasing a roster spot, he chased the story. 📸 Trading in a jersey for a camera, Brendan carved out a career in sports videography — capturing raw emotion, unforgettable moments, and the real side of athletics. In this episode, he takes us behind the lens: working with CU Boulder, filming alongside NFL stars like Travis Hunter, and...

From standing on an MLB mound to competing in the Olympics, Jon Moscot has lived the pressure, mastered the presence, and gained the perspective that only comes from years in the game. In this episode of Coach & Counselor , the former Cincinnati Reds pitcher and 10-year D1 coach shares his journey—from high-pressure moments under stadium lights to mentoring athletes on confidence, resilience,...

In this episode of Coach & Counselor , we’re joined by Tegan Seyring —former D1 college volleyball player, volleyball coach mentor, and current Success Coach at Operation Player Assist. Tegan brings a powerful blend of experience and insight to the table, sharing what it really looks like to support today’s athletes on and off the court. We dive into the emotional side of sports—balancing pres...