Way of Champions Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#298 How to End Abusive Coaching: A Discussion with Dr Amy Saltzman, Dr Jennifer Fraser and Mitch Lyons Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

This week on the podcast we take a deep dive into what exactly is abusive coaching and how parents and coaches can take steps to stop it. To do so we gathered three experts in the field of bullying and coaching abuse to join John and Jerry for a fascinating discussion.

Dr. Amy Saltzman a holistic physician, mindfulness coach, long-time athlete, and a member of the US Soccer Participant Safety Taskforce. She's had the privilege of being recognized by her peers as a visionary and pioneer in the fields of holistic medicine and mindfulness for athletes, coaches, and other high performers, kids, teens, parents, teachers, therapists, and allied professionals. We had her on episode 77 talking about her book A Still Quiet Place for Athletes and now her new organization is Spot a Spider, which teaches children, teens, and young adults how to protect themselves and others from all types of abuse: sneaky (covert) emotional abuse (also known as grooming), and obvious (overt) emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Check it out at www.spotaspider.com.

Jennifer Fraser is the Founder of www.TheBulliedBrain.com. Jennifer earned her PhD from University of Toronto in Comparative Literature. Be A Good Soldier: Children's Grief in Modernist English Novels looks at pedagogical beliefs about children and the ways in which they fuel aggression and war. Her third book Teaching Bullies takes lived experience with an abuse crisis and puts it into the context of psychology, psychiatry, education, law, and neuroscience. What's being discovered in neuroscientific labs across the world has the power to change how we understand our brains and lives. This empowering research infuses her latest book The Bullied Brain: Heal Your Scars and Restore Your Health. Has been on WOC Podcast before Episode #275 and #27.

Mitch Lyons is one of the funders of www.EndAbusiveCoaching.org and is a retired lawyer. He is the founder of GetPsychedSports.org (GPS) in 2002 and the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for Massachusetts in 2011, both of which are tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) educational advocacy organizations. GPS remains the only educational organization promoting athletic reforms that address the fundamental problems of using a 19th century team model in a 21st century world. SEL4MA was the first grassroots educational advocacy group promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) and is now being replicated in twenty-one states under the banner of www.SEL4US.org. Mitch is a former collegiate basketball player and long time youth coach.

This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports. Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs. There are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams.

Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs. So if you've been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG.

Become a Podcast Champion! This weeks podcast is also sponsored by our Patreon Podcast Champions. Help Support the Podcast and get FREE access to our most popular online courses, a $300 value. If you love the podcast, we would love for you to become a Podcast Champion, (https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions) for as little as a cup of coffee per month (OK, its a Venti Mocha), to help us up the ante and provide even better interviews, better sound, and an overall enhanced experience. Plus, as a $10 per month Podcast Super-Champion, you will have access to never before released and bonus material, including:

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

Thank you for all your support these past four years, and a special big thank you to all of you who become part of our inner circle, our patrons, who will enable us to take our podcast to the next level. https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions

#297 Grete Eliassen, Pro Skier and 6x X Games Medalist, on Overcoming Fear, Confidence, and Finding Your Passion Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Grete Eliassen (@grete.ski) is a Red Bull sponsored professional skier, 6x Winter X Games Medalist, and world record holding half pipe and free skier. She started out as a national team ski racer from Norway, winning the GS in the World Junior Championships, before pursuing her free skiing passion. She won multiple US Opens, Dew Tour events, and has appeared in numerous Warren Miller ski films. In 2006 and 2007 she won X Games gold medals in the half pipe. She also served as the President of the Women's Sports Foundation for two years before resuming her professional skiing career. Check out her podcast "What's Your Line with Grete" for some amazing interviews.

In our discussion today we discuss how Grete balances courage and fear when attempting difficult tricks, jumps and dangerous ski descents, where confidence comes from, how to find your passion, and so much more. Get inside he mind of a world class athlete.

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

#297 Grete Eliassen, Pro Skier and 6x X Games Medalist, on Overcoming Fear, Confidence, and Finding Your Passion Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

#295 Ryan Bernacchi, Fmr. Navy Captain, TOP GUN Instructor, and Commander of the Blue Angels on Character, Leadership, Team Building, and the Importance of Visualization to High Performance Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

Captain Ryan Bernacchi, USN (Ret.) is a retired naval officer who possesses a unique background in aviation, leadership, high performance teamwork, and organizational culture. During his distinguished 25-year career in the Navy his notable positions include the Commanding Officer and Flight Leader of the Blue Angels, command of a fleet Super Hornet squadron, and TOPGUN Instructor, with worldwide deployments aboard aircraft carriers, including major combat operations. In academia, Ryan has complemented his operational expertise with the study of strategy, cyber, culture, leadership and ethics. Ryan served as the Director of Leadership and Character Development and an ethics professor at the United States Naval Academy. He was twice selected to serve in strategic roles as a Director Fellow for the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group, and as the Navy's Federal Executive Fellow at MIT. Ryan received a B.A. Degree from the University of California in Cultural Anthropology and is a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Naval War College with a M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies. Ryan is a recognized expert with compelling vision in high performance leadership, character, teamwork, and organizational culture.

During his time at the Naval Academy, Ryan served as the Officer Representative to the Women's lacrosse team and Head Coach Cindy Timchal. In our podcast today we discuss Cindy and her amazing team, as well as vulnerability, team culture, confidence vs. ego, how people learn difficult tasks, and more. We also have a fascinating talk about visualization, and how the world's best pilots fly every flight in their head before they fly it in real life. This one will require many pages to take notes.

This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports. Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs. Yeah, there are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams.

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

#296 John and Jerry Ask Us Anything Episode: Using Exercise as Punishment, Do We Need a National Sports Ministry, When is is the Right Time to Quit My Coaching Job, and More Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

This week on the podcast, Jerry Lynch and John O'Sullivan answer some questions sent to us by our Patreon Podcast Champions. These are our biggest supporters, and we gave them the chance to ask us anything. The most popular type of questions revolved around some recent topics, including:

using physical exercise as punishment
do we need a national sports governing body in the US?
If my club or school does not align with my values when I am coaching, should I leave?
How do we improve grassroots coaching, and what should we teach them first?

We had a great time answering these questions and plan to do another one in the near future, so please become a podcast champion and send them our way for our next go.

One special note: this week we surpassed 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS of this podcast which is amazing, and that is thanks to all of you incredible listeners who take the time each week to listen and share our work. We are even more fired up than ever to keep bringing you amazing guests and topics in the future, but we couldn't do it without all of you. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thanks!!

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

#296 John and Jerry Ask Us Anything Episode: Using Exercise as Punishment, Do We Need a National Sports Ministry, When is is the Right Time to Quit My Coaching Job, and More Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

using physical exercise as punishment
do we need a national sports governing body in the US?
If my club or school does not align with my values when I am coaching, should I leave?
How do we improve grassroots coaching, and what should we teach them first?

We had a great time answering these questions and plan to do another one in the near future, so please become a podcast champion and send them our way for our next go.

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

Show notes

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

#294 Raymond Verheijen, 4x World Cup and EURO's Coach, on the Importance of Fitness Training Within Sport Context, Overuse Injuries, Periodization of Training, and Managing Load When Athletes Play up an Age Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

Raymond Verheijen (@raymondverheije) is a world renowned fitness coach and has been involved as an assistant in 4 World Cups and 4 EURO's working under Legendary Dutch coach Gus Hiddink, as well as working with several European top clubs like FC Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City. As a youth player Verheijen was part of the famous Dutch Youth Academy structure. Unfortunately, his dream of a professional career ended as a chronic injury forced him to retire at the young age of 18. This disadvantage became an advantage as Verheijen started his coaching career at the age of 19.

He studied Exercise Physiology and Sport Psychology at the Free University Amsterdam and completed his Masters Degrees in 1995. In 1995, Verheijen developed his Masters thesis into the book 'Conditioning for Soccer' which became the coach education book of the Dutch FA (KNVB) in 1997. Verheijen became a pro-license instructor at the Dutch FA in 1998.

In 2014, Verheijen published the best-selling book 'Football Periodisation'. More than 30,000 copies have been sold worldwide. His latest books are 'Football Coaching Theory' (2020) and 'Tactical Principles' (2022). In our discussion today, we talk about the importance of understanding fitness as the number of game actions a player can complete in a minute, not mindless running. Fitness must be focused on the ability to repeat game actions, not simply run without the ball. We also discuss injuries, how the US develops slow players because of our tournament model, how playing up must be managed better, and so much more.

Learn more about Raymond and grab his books at www.fcevolution.com.

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

#293 Linda Flanagan: How Money and Mania Have Ruined Kids Sports, Why it Matters, and How to Take Back the Game Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

Linda Flanagan is a freelance journalist, researcher, and former cross-country and track coach. A founding board member of the NYC chapter of the Positive Coaching Alliance and 2020-21 Advisory Group member for the Aspen Institute's Reimagining Sports initiative, her writing on sports has appeared in The Atlantic, Runner's World, and NPR's education site Mind/Shift, where she is a regular contributor. Previously Flanagan was a national security analyst at the National Security Program, Harvard University. She is also a mother of three and lifelong athlete.

Linda and John discuss her new book Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports, and Why it Matters. We cover how sport has become a business, how much pressure is on parents to do more and more at younger ages, how the fact that sports help kids get into and pay for college is driving much of the mania, and so much more. She has compiled the latest research on the economic and social impacts of sport, as well as research post-COVID. It is a really fun conversation.

You can grab Take Back the game here.

You can connect with Linda @LindaFlanagan2

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

#293 Linda Flanagan: How Money and Mania Have Ruined Kids Sports, Why it Matters, and How to Take Back the Game Oct 07, 2022

Show notes

You can grab Take Back the game here.

You can connect with Linda @LindaFlanagan2

Downloadable transcripts of our best podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, plus four other courses worth over $100, all yours for free for becoming a patron.
Other special bonus opportunities that come up time to time
Access to an online community of coaches like you who are dedicated listeners of the podcast, and will be able to answer your questions and share their coaching experiences.

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