Way of Champions Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#164 It's Not a Skill Unless it Holds Up Under Pressure: A Conversation with Ben Freakley, Toronto Blue Jays Head of Mental Performance Apr 26, 2020

Show notes

#163 George Mumford: How to Become a Mindful Coach, and Develop Mindfulness in Your Athletes Apr 19, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast, we welcome George Mumford, author of The Mindful Athlete and Mindfulness & Elite Performance Expert. We dive into why sports are so important in teaching life-lessons, how to get buy-in from players, and the most important lesson to teach athletes for peak-performance. Named Phil Jackson's 'Secret Weapon' to winning eight NBA Championships, George's passion is teaching mindfulness to high profile sports, business and academic teams alike; from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks, to senior global executives and systems. You can connect with George on Twitter or on his website at georgemumford.com. Be sure to check out his great book, The Mindful Athlete or even take his course.

Be sure to listen to the end for a special offer!!! Highlights from the Podcast:

George talks about his transition from athlete to coach
What helped George change his life for the better?
Why are sports so important for learning things about life?
Why does Phil Jackson call George his "Secret Weapon"?
What is the most important lesson George can teach his athletes/coaches?
What is the Readiness Principal?
How do you get buy-in with players?
What did George teach Kobe?
What is George's definition of meditation?
The illusion of separateness

Help Support the Podcast! Become a Podcast Champion! …and get FREE access to ALL of our online courses. 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 the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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 two 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

#162 Chris Armas NY Red Bulls Head Coach: "You Just Can't Tell Them You Care; You Have to Show Them You Care" Apr 12, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast, we welcome Chris Armas, New York Red Bulls Head Coach, and former professional soccer player. Armas made 66 appearances with the US National Team, and was US Soccer's Player of the Year in 2000. He was names to 6 MLS All Star games and five times was named MLS Best XI. He won the 1998 MLS Championship and 4 US Open Cups with the Chicago Fire. John and Chris have known each other over 40 years, so this conversation is an invitation to sit in on a dinner between two long-time friends as they talk about dealing with major disappointment, developing athletes that can solve problems, and building a strong culture. Chris shares some incredible stories of coming back from injury and what he admires about coaches from his playing days. You will want to make sure you have a notepad and something to write with because this episode is packed with a lot of great stuff!

You can connect with Chris Armas on Twitter. Here is a great article to learn more about what else Chris Armas is up to during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights from the Podcast:

How is Chris keeping his team prepared and motivated?
Can you be your best when things get hard?
What was it like to miss two world cups and the Olympic Games due to injury?
Chris discusses why it is so important to be an authentic coach
Former teammates and how they shaped Chris's playing and coaching philosophy
What is our job as a coach?
Chris shares a story of when three 9-year-olds quit the team
What is the first thing Chris will do with practice after COVID-19?
How do you get a team to buy-in to the coach's vision?
Chris shares the best qualities of previous coaches he has had

Downloadable transcripts of the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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 three 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

#161 The Influence of Sleep on Performance with Dr. Meeta Singh Apr 05, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast we welcome Dr. Meeta Singh, a sleep medicine doctor from the Henry Ford Sleep Disorder Center. Dr. Singh specializes in a variety of Sleep Disorders with a focus in Insomnia, Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea, and Sports Medicine. Sleep is perhaps the most important component to peak performance, yet many organizations to not prioritize a solid night's rest. We dive into all-things-sleep, including why sleep matters for elite performance, how much sleep does a child need, and why professional sports teams are just now paying attention to the importance of sleep.

You can follow Dr. Meeta Singh on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Highlights from the Podcast:

What got Dr. Singh get into studying sleep?
Why does sleep matter, especially for athletes?
How does being sleep deprived effect the rate of injury in athletes?
What is the difference between REM and non-REM sleep?
How does a student-athlete benefit from sleeping longer?
Does being sleep-deprived have the same negative benefits of being intoxicated with alcohol?
How much sleep does a child need at different ages?
Why do teenagers tend to be "night-owls"?
How do screens effect our ability to get good sleep?
What are some sleep aides that we can use with athletes?
Why has it taken so long for professional sports to take sleep seriously?
How much do genetics play a role in not getting enough sleep for a professional athlete?
What does a team's time zone have to do with performance?
When does Peak Atheltic Performance happen?
What is a good plan to combat jet lag?
What is a good sleep ritual?

Downloadable transcripts of the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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.

#160 Inside the Mind of a World Cup Referee with Esse Baharmast Mar 29, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast we welcome Esfandiar "Esse" Baharmast, a former referee, player, coach and current instructor who has been involved in more than a dozen World Cup tournaments and Olympic Games, and was named the 2020 winner of U.S. Soccer's prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award. We dive into how great referees prepare for a match, advice on how to clm down an intense in-game situation, and Ease retells the story of 1998 Mens World Cup in France about when he made a very controversial call in a match with Brazil versus Norway.

Highlights from the Podcast:

What does it take to referee at the highest level?
How important is physical preparation for a referee?
What gives one referee an advantage over another referee?
What happens after the match?
How does a referee control the safety of a game?
How does a referee connect with a player and calm the situation?
1998 Mens World Cup in France…Esse explains the Brazil v Norway penalty call
How has VAR changed the game?
How can we retain more first year referees?
What happens when a parent or coach is fined for bad behavior?

5th Annual Way of Champions Conference We will be in Colorado Springs, CO June June 26-28. Click here for more information. Help Support the Podcast! Become a Podcast Champion! …and get FREE access to ALL of our online courses. We are now offering you the ability to contribute as 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 the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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.

#159 How to Support Your Athletes During COVID-19 Mar 22, 2020

Show notes

John O'Sullivan and James Leath get together and do a free webinar about how to support your kids and your athletes during these uncertain times. First, John shares practical advice about what you should do to help kids cope with what is going on, including defining success, being careful not to rupture any relationships, and do whatever you can to build a sense of purpose and responsibility. Then, James shares from a previous webinar about how to create a virtual practice session with your athletes, from creating a group chat, to choosing a video platform, to organizing the session. To watch the replay and download the handout, visit https://bit.ly/2J0y4ZO Here are some other people quoted during the webinar: "Under the right circumstances, children will develop in optimal ways" – Madeline Levine "If you're on a crowded plane and one person is freaking out about turbulence, the panic will eventually peter out. If, on the other hand, six people are freaking out, it's entirely possible that it will spread and overtake the rest of the plane. Panic needs multiple nodes to spread." Seth Goden Help Support the Podcast! Become a Podcast Champion! …and get FREE access to ALL of our online courses. We are now offering you the ability to contribute as 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 the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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.

#158 Quin Snyder: NBA Head Coach, philosopher, and Master of the Relationship Game Mar 15, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast we welcome NBA Head Coach of the Utah Jazz, Quin Snyder. We discuss Coach Quin's journey of going from a player to a coach and how coaching overseas overseas helped him create his coaching philosophy. Coach Snyder is not like a lot of coaches, in that he is a super deep thinker, pulling from his his experience getting a degree in philosophy and completing a law degree. Coach Quin my also be the only NBA coach with an MBA. Join John, Jerry, and Coach Snyder as they discuss leadership, building culture, and the power of being vulnerable.

Highlights from the Podcast:

How important is relationship in coaching and how did Coach Quin come cross his coaching style?
Who were Coach Snyder's early influences for coaching?
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the coach will win the relationship game.
What are the pillars, aka core values of Coach Snyder's coaching philosophy?
What does it mean to be "obviously unselfish"?
How have recent tough times helped Coach Snyder's become a better coach?
How do you make all players feel valued?

Help Support the Podcast! Become a Podcast Champion! …and get FREE access to ALL of our online courses. We are now offering you the ability to contribute as 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 the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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.

#157 How to be a Great Coach with Martin Rooney, author and NFL, MMA and Special Forces Trainer Mar 08, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast we welcome Martin Rooney, author and trainer for the NFL, MMA, Special Forces Trainer…and high school kids! Martin doesn't just talk the talk, but he is in the trenches daily training people to perform at their peak level. There is so much goodness in this episode! Martin has been educating coaches at conferences for over a decade and is not shy about sharing what he has learned. We talk about how a coach can increase performance by focusing on the positive, where the word "coach" came from, and why the greatest coaches in the world are the ones will will never hear about. We also dive in to his book Coach to Coach: An Empowering Story About How to Be a Great Leader. Get one, Give one Special: If you order the book, send the receipt and martin@coachinggreatness.com, Martin will send you some special bonus items!

Martin is the founder of Training For Warriors. An internationally recognized trainer, speaker, author and pioneer of strength and conditioning, Martin holds a Master of Health Science and Bachelor of Physical Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from Furman University. Highlights from the Podcast:

Martin talks about how he got into coaching and coaching education
"The evolution of a coach" and the importance of learning from coaching mistakes
"The greatest hunger for every person is to know they are appreciated"
How can a coach increase performance without focusing on the negative?
Can a coach transition from destruction to construction?
If a kid becomes the best they can be, then a coach did their job!
You have to coach who is front of you, not who you wish you were coaching!
"The greatest coaches in the world are the ones will will never hear about."
Martin discusses his new book Coach to Coach: An Empowering Story About How to Be a Great Leader
Defining the word "COACH"
Remembering not everyone WANTS to get better!
Rebranding the WOC Podcast to "How we can screw up so you don't have to" podcast
The importance of building confidence in athletes
"Your athletes are a reflection of your coaching"

Resources mentioned:

Coach to Coach: An Empowering Story About How to Be a Great Leader Martin Rooney
Coaching Greatness: https://www.coachinggreatness.com

Connect with Martin Rooney

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinrooney/
Twitter https://twitter.com/martinrooney1
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themartinrooney/
Youtube Channel

5th Annual Way of Champions Conference registration is open! We will be in Colorado Springs, CO June June 26-28. Click here for more information. Help Support the Podcast! Become a Podcast Champion! …and get FREE access to ALL of our online courses. We are now offering you the ability to contribute as 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 the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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.

#156 "Don't End Up a Flat Squirrel" with sport psychologist Dr. Tiff Jones Mar 01, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast we welcome Dr. Tiffany (Tiff) Jones, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) who is on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Sport Psychology Registry. With over 15 years of consulting experience, Dr. Tiff is the Founder of X-Factor Performance Consulting, specializing in mental skills training for athletes, teams, coaches, and corporations who are interested in reaching their excellence. Dr. Jones shares many great tips on how to be a better sports parent, why it is important to focus on relationship in coaching, and the number one hurdle athletes need to jump in order be successful. Highlights from the Podcast:

What is the biggest obstacle that holds athletes back?
How long does it take to learn a new mental skill?
What is mental toughness?
What are the best qualities a coach can develop to be better and more influential?
How important is relationship in coaching?
Why is athlete awareness so important?
How can taking an assessment help a team perform at a higher level?
Are kids looking for reasons why to get off their phone?
Dr. Jones explains a few sport psychology strategies
"The road of life is paved with flat squirrels that couldn't make a decision."
Know your role, Parents.

Dr. Tiff was the consultant for the U20 USA Women's National Soccer team in 2008 (World Cup Champions) and 2010. She also was the mental skills consultant in 2010 for the Women's Professional Soccer League. Dr. Tiff has worked with D1, D2, D3 Universities and Colleges across the country including but not limited to North Carolina State University (NC State), Louisiana State University (LSU), Kennesaw State University, Penn State Women's Soccer, and Lynchburg University. She was the primary consultant for Greg Norman's Championship Golf Academy and for several New England Prep Schools. Currently Dr. Tiff consults with USA Ice Hockey, USA Swimming, University of Florida (Go Gators), University of Southern California (USC) Women's Tennis, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, William Smith Athletics, Skidmore Athletics, Stevenson University, Meghan Klingenberg Soccer Camps, and True North Sports. Along with the National Programs and Universities, Dr. Tiff works with several professional athletes in a variety of sports and has become a consistent guest on CNN World Sports. Dr. Tiff is a former College soccer player, playing for the Hall of Fame Coach Alice Ann Wilber. She attended Springfield College receiving her Master's and Doctorate, specializing in sport and performance psychology. Resources mentioned:

Athlete Assessments https://athleteassessments.com
Equilibria in Sports https://www.equilibriainsports.com
Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance, by Alex Hutchinson

Connect with Dr. Tiff Jones

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tiffany-r-jones-a827566/
Twitter https://twitter.com/DrTiffJones

Downloadable transcripts of the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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.

#155 How to Coach Your Own Child: An Excerpt from Every Moment Matters Feb 23, 2020

Show notes

This week, John will be reading a chapter from his new book Every Moment Matters on "How to Coach Your Own Child." It is estimated that over 80% of coaches at one time or another coach their own child, yet this unique dynamic is never discussed in coaching education classes, and rarely mentioned by Park and Recreation and Coachign Directors when they send their army of volunteer parents out to coach every season. Yet understanding the dynamic, and some essential do's and don't, can be critical to making sure that you have a successful season when coaching your own kids. After the chapter, John interviews Tara Bilanski, a former NCAA DI women's soccer at the University of Oregon and Portland State. Tara currently lives in Bend and coaches her own 13 year old daughter, and John and Tara discuss some of their own stories from the trenches of coaching their own children. As an FYI, we do plan to turn Every Moment Matters into an audio book soon, so stay tuned for the full book. We are also exploring whether to create a small booklet for park and recreation programs to distribute to their parent coaches so that they can learn about this unique dynamic. Highlights from the podcast:

How to be specific about what "hat" the parent-coach is wearing
What happens when we are overly-cautious about praising our child when they are on our team
How do we understand what our kid's goals are in sport?
What should you say to your kid that wants to do something that you as a parent know is not a smart path?
How important is it for parent coaches to understand that their kid will most likely face problems at school from other teammates?
How do you "just be a parent" when on the sideline and something negative happens?

Listen on, iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher Help Support the Podcast! Become a Podcast Champion! …and get FREE access to ALL of our online courses. We are now offering you the ability to contribute as 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 the podcasts, so you don't have to crash your car trying to take notes!
A monthly discussion with John, James, Jerry, and other special guests talking about the previous month's episodes and answering some of the FAQs we received that month
A code to get free access to our online course called "Coaching Mastery," usually a $97 course, but yours for free for becoming a patron.
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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