Way of Champions Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#154 Raising Strong, Resilient Girls through Positive Psychology with author and coach Lani Silversides Feb 16, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast we welcome, Lani Silversides. Lani is a former Division I athlete, current high school mathematics teacher, high school varsity and youth coach, sport psychology enthusiast, avid photographer and mother of two. We dive into transitioning from high school to college sports, the importance of understanding sport psychology as a coach, tips on coaching female athletes, and we also spend some time talking about her book, A Strong Girls' Guide to Being: Exercises and Inspiration for Becoming a Braver, Kinder, Healthier You Highlights from the Podcast:

Lani talks about playing multiple sports growing up
What was Lani's biggest challenge when getting to collegiate athletics?
Lani describes her first head coaching position right out of school
How important is psychology education in coaching athletes?
Why it is okay to perform when you are not feeling your best
Lani talks about a life experience that tested her with the mental skills she was teaching
Why is the dropout rate for girls twice as high than for boys and how can we reverse this trend?
What inspired Lani to write her book A Strong Girls' Guide to Being: Exercises and Inspiration for Becoming a Braver, Kinder, Healthier You
What is the contagious of kindness?
Lani shares about SG ("Strong Girls") United Foundation

Lani is a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. She is founder of My Strong is Beautiful and "Strong Girls", an after school program that teaches young girls the fundamental physical skills used in various sports and the life skills learned through athletics. She is also founder of Mindful Performance, LLC, a company with a mission to supply people with tools that promote greater well-being and thriving - in school, on the playing fields, and in their life as a whole. Lani is a member of the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), The International Positive Education Network, and Up2Us Sports. Resources mentioned:

A Strong Girls' Guide to Being: Exercises and Inspiration for Becoming a Braver, Kinder, Healthier You by Lani Silversides
I Changed My Body for My Sport. No Girl Should, by Lauren Fleshman
WOLFPACK: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game by Abby Wambach
Choose to Matter: Being Courageously and Fabulously YOU by Julie Foudy
Every Moment Matters by John O'Sullivan
UNSTOPPABLE: A Mental Training Guide For Fueling Performance by Lani Silversides
My Strong is Beautiful: Empower. Inspire. Play. by Lani Silversides

Connect with Lani Silversides

Announcements 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. 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.

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

#153 How to Help Athletes Transition Out of Sports with former NFL player Phil Costa Feb 09, 2020

Show notes

This week we welcome Phil Costa, former NFL Player for the Dallas Cowboys. We dive into a question every athlete must eventually face when they come to the end of their plying career: "What now?" Phil shares his experience trying to remake himself after football is over, we discuss how sports prepares athletes for life, when the best time for an athlete to network is, and w also spend some time talking about his great book, The Transition Playbook for ATHLETES: How Elite Athletes WIN After Sports

Highlights from the Podcast:

Paul talks about how he came up with his book The Transition Playbook for ATHLETES: How Elite Athletes WIN After Sports
How do sports prepare an athlete for life?
What happens to a professional athlete when the playing days are over?
How did the NFL prepare Paul for life after sports?
When should an athlete start preparing for the transition after sports?
What were the differences in struggling between men and women transitioning out of sports?

Phil played for the Dallas Cowboys, from 2010-2013, and is a graduate of Columbia University with an MBA in 2018. He has won accolades in high school, college, and professional football, including South Jersey Football HOF inductee and best Center in the NFL Week 6 of 2012 Season by ProFootballTalk.com. Phil received his B.A. from the University of Maryland in Social Science, focusing in Criminal Justice. Maryland is a top school for Criminal Justice and ranked #1 in the country. He graduated with honors, maintaining a GPA over 3.0, and was recognized on the ALL-ACC Academic Team in 2007 and 2008. During his Senior Year, Phil was elected Team Captain by his teammates. Resources mentioned:

The Transition Playbook for ATHLETES: How Elite Athletes WIN After Sports Book by Phil Costa
Every Moment Matters Book by John O'Sullivan

Connect with Phil Costa

Email: pcosta6767@gmail.com
Linked in Profile

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.

#152 The Future Coach: Incorporating psychology into every session with EPL and Olympic Sport Psychologist Tom Bates Feb 02, 2020

Show notes

This week we welcome back to the podcast Sport Psychologist Tom Bates. Tom has over 15 years working with youth and senior domestic international athletes, coaches, managers and teams helping them to perform under pressure and be at their best when it matters the most. We discuss implementing sport psychology into daily practice, how to bring values to life on your team, and three questions every team needs to address when trying to improve the culture. We also spend some time talking about his great book, The Future Coach - Creating Tomorrow's Soccer Players Today: 9 Key Principles for Coaches from Sport Psychology

Highlights from the Podcast:

How do we get rid of the stigma of sport psychology?
Jerry discusses how Sport Psychology has changed over the past few decades
How important is buy-in from all the team stakeholders
What three questions does Tom use to help teams create culture?
Tom walks us through the most important things to focus on when changing a culture
Why and how did Tom part down this journey of Teaching Culture?
How do you bring to life the values that you truly believe in?
Is culture important in individual sports?
"Never play safe, dare to be great"
Tom shares insight to how Lionel Messi's experienced early training
Tom's discusses his book The Future Coach
What would Tom do first if working with a new team?

Starting his career at Cambridge United, he moved to AFC Bournemouth and quickly progressed to Birmingham City FC during their years in the English Premier League and Championship before taking up his current role with the Baggies. Tom's work has extended into other professional sports working with GB Basketball, Swimming, Boxing, Rugby, Golf and Fencing. During the summer Olympic games of 2012 he worked select GB athletes to maximize performance under pressure to engage and apply Peak Performance principles based on the Science of Psychology. Tom has appeared in numerous television and radio features nationwide extending his work in psychology to executive business coaching seminars and workshops around the world. During these highly interactive seminars he acts to stimulate and inspire thought provoking leadership skills through focusing exclusively on the 'management of self'. Resources mentioned:

The Future Coach - Creating Tomorrow's Soccer Players Today: 9 Key Principles for Coaches from Sport Psychology book by Tom Bates
WOC #24 Way of Champions Episode w/ Tom Bates Podcast
Tom Bates: Imagination: The Power of Creativity TedTalk by Tom Bates
Introduction to The Future Coach Online Course by Tom Bates
Every Moment Matters Book by John O'Sullivan

Connect with Tom Bates

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomBatesCoachng
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombates2010/
Website: https://tombatescoaching.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChYXyY9Zj-Wp8C8YeAjToEQ

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.

Bonus Episode: "In Search of Greatness" with Film Director Gabe Polsky Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

If you have not yet watched In Search of Greatness, you will want to after this incredible discussion with the movie's director Gabe Polsky. We dive deep into his time with some of the greatest athletes of our time, including Wayne Gretzky, Pelé, & Jerry Rice. The film also features Muhammad Ali, Einstein, David Bowie, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan among others.

During our conversation, Gabe shares his insights about the film and his own observations about the status of youth sports and the journey some people go on to to becoming the greatest of all time. Highlights from the Podcast:

Gabe explains the inspiration for the film
How did Gabe select which athletes to interview?
What comes first, happiness or winning?
How does a guy like Wayne Gretzky not get filtered out of the system?
What are some characteristics of the greatest athletes of all time?
Gabe share his ideas for coaches on how to create an environment for greatness
What should a coach study to be a great coach?

Through the eyes of the greatest athletes of all time, IN SEARCH OF GREATNESS is a cinematic journey into the secrets of genius. Click here to watch the full trailer. Resources mentioned:

In Search of Greatness https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8236398/
30 Second Trailer: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qizotoo0ryixgk7/IN%20SEARCH%20OF%20GREATNESS%20Featurette.mov?dl=0
Link to Full Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-B9CVCcLrM&t=5s
Every Moment Matters, by John O'Sullivan

Connect with Gabe Polsky

Twitter: @gabepolsky
Email: info@polskyfilms.com
Website: https://www.insearchofgreatness.com

Announcements: 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 and become a Podcast Champion …and get FREE access to ALL of our online courses. Check out https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions for more information.

#151 Kevin Kirk: Olympic and Professional Golf Coach and 2019 PGA Teacher of the Year Jan 26, 2020

Show notes

In 2019, Kevin Kirk was voted PGA Coach of the Year. Kevin Kirk is one of the top golf coaches in the world. He is a deep thinker, culture creator, and ll-around great guy. We talk bout how to incorporate mental training to golfers, talking with parents, preparing for the national stage as an athlete…you do not want to miss this one!

Highlights from the Podcast:

Kevin talks about the idea of "Kaizen" and how it effects his coaching
How important is it for a coach to know the story of each of their athletes?
What role does "trust" play in a coach-athlete relationship?
Keven remembers his first Way of Champions Conference
How does a coach in an individual sport create a great culture?
Kevin offers some insight on how Tiger has been so successful over the years
Changing the word "fear" to "excitement" to help an athlete manage energy levels
Kevin explains why coaching is really teaching awareness
How important is playing golf in the business world?
How can we intentionally create a space for elite athlete performance?
How can we use storytelling in our coaching?

#150 How to Develop Thinking Players with 10x NCAA Champ and Lacrosse Legend Gary Gait Jan 19, 2020

Show notes

How do you get buy-in from athletes? Why is it important to not try and fit players into a system? How can being a creative thinker make you a better coach? Join us as we answer these questions and much more of Gary Gait, considered by many as the greatest lacrosse player of all-time.

Gary is currently the head coach of the women's lacrosse team at Syracuse University. Gary has won championships as a collegiate and professional coach. When Gary was playing, he was a 4-time All-American at Syracuse and has been inducted into the United States Lacrosse National Hall of Fame, as well as the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame. Highlights from the Podcast:

Gary tells the story of how him and Jerry met
Growing up in British Columbia and finding Lacrosse
How can a coach create buy-in for learning sports psychology techniques?
Gary talks about the lessons learned by losing 4-consecutive championships
The idea of "never stand still" as a coach
Why is it important to help players be great problem solvers?
Howdy you balance being a parent and a coach?
What are some important qualities for an assistant coach?
What are some differences between coaching women and men?
Gary describes characteristics of great coaches

Gary Gait was a four-time All-American for the Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse team from 1987-90 (including first-team honors from 1988 to 1990), and was on three NCAA championship-winning teams. He twice won the Lt. Raymond Enners Award, given to the most outstanding college lacrosse player, in 1988 and 1990. Gait holds the Syracuse career goals record at 192 and the single-season goals record at 70, an NCAA record until 2008. In 1997, the NCAA Lacrosse Committee named Gait, along with his twin brother and Syracuse teammate, Paul, to the 25th Anniversary Lacrosse team. Resources mentioned:

"Air Gait" video of Gary jumping over the net to score
Championship Productions Becoming A Champion Lacrosse Player with Gary Gait: Shooting Techniques and Drills DVD
Thinking Body, Dancing Mind: Taosports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life, by Jerry Lynch
Every Moment Matters, by John O'Sullivan

Connect with Gary Gait

Twitter: @garygait

#149 US Soccer Legend Landon Donovan and Carrie Taylor: Breaking New Ground in Professional Soccer with SD Loyal Jan 12, 2020

Show notes

We are super excited to have USMNT Legend and current SD Loyal Head Coach Landon Donovan on the podcast, joined by his assistant coach Carrie Taylor. Many of you know Donovan, the all time leading scorer for US Soccer, 6x MLS Champion, and the namesake of the Major League Soccer MVP award. Taylor is the only woman currently coaching professional soccer in the US, and is highly experienced on all levels of the game. In this great podcast, we cover a variety of topics. Highlights from the Podcast:

How to create a positive environment for a productive tryout
Why do some athletically gifted athletes succeed and others do not?
How does a coach prepare themself to coach at the highest level?
Landon describes what it is going to feel like to be part of this team.
Carrie shares with what they look for in an athlete
Landon describes how to show up mentally prepared to perform at a high level
How and why to be vulnerable and authentic with coaching staff and players
How did Landon's parents help him become a confident, independent player?
What makes Carrie the most upset about coaching?
Carrie and Landon discuss when they feel pressure
How Carrie and Landon will define success this season

Resources mentioned:

Legacy, by James Kerr
The Inner Game of Tennis, by W. Timothy Gallwey
Why Landon Donovan made Carrie Taylor his first assistant, and what it could mean for women coaching men's soccer, article link
Every Moment Matters, by John O'Sullivan

Connect with Our Guests

Landon: @LandonDonovanSD
Carrie: @CT_SDLoyal

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.

#148 Bo Eason, NFL All Pro, Broadway star, and author of There is No Plan B for Your A Game" Jan 05, 2020

Show notes

From the football field, to the stage, to becoming a best-selling, author Bo Eason joins us on the Way of Champions Podcast to discuss peaking in youth sports, competing against difficult opponents, and the mentality it takes to be the best in the world. Highlights from the Podcast:

Bo shares a defining moment in his life when he was told he was too small to play football
Why most people are lousy at selecting future talent in young athletes
Why don't most high school stars go on to be professionals?
What happens when NBA players reach their peak at 15-years-old and why is this happening?
How important is it for young athletes to compete against difficult opponents?
At what point should an athlete peak?
What do you say to a child who's friends are "playing small" and look at wanting to be a success as being conceited?
What did Bo learn the most from being in the NFL?
What was it like competing against one of the fastest men in the world?
How important is it to be a "5-Star" athlete?
What was the most important lesson Bo learned by playing with Jerry Rice?
How did Bo end up in acting and getting mentored by Al Pacino?
What is the BEST advice Bo wants EVERYONE to know and do?

Bo Eason started his career in the NFL as a top pick for the Houston Oilers. Continuing on with the San Francisco 49ers, during his 5-year career Bo competed beside and against some of the greatest players of his generation. After his football career ended, he branched out into acting and wrote a one-man play called Runt of the Litter that had an extended off-Broadway and 50- city national run. Now in his third act, as a speaker and leadership coach, he trains some of the most successful people in the world— athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, C-suite execs—on how to communicate for maximum impact and success. He has consulted for clients like Advisors Excel, Morgan Stanley, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Mass Mutual, Guardian, Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. Resources mentioned:

There's No Plan B for Your A-Game: Be the Best in the World at What You Do, by Bo Eason
Every Moment Matters, by John O'Sullivan
Super Bowl 49: Not one starter was a 5-star recruit out of high school, by Igor Mello
The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle
Book Extras: https://boeasonbook.com

Connect with Bo Eason

Twitter: https://twitter.com/boeason
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boeason21
Website: https://boeason.com

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.

#147 Dr. Bob Weil, Sports Podiatrist, on Building a Foundation of Athletic Excellence Dec 29, 2019

Show notes

If the shoe fits, performance improves! That is the message our guest this week is so passionate about sharing. Dr. Bob Weil is a sports Podiatrist & host of "The Sports Doctor", bbsradio.com/thesportsdoctor, a live weekly hour show featuring guests from all aspects of sports medicine, fitness & Wellness. We discuss Highlights from the Podcast:

How does the way a shoe fits improve performance?
What three things does Dr. Bob recommend when it comes to shoes?
- Chose the shoe that is designed for the sport.
- Be fitted properly.
- If there are constant concerns, consult a podiatrist.
What role does genetics play in foot problems?
If kids need over-the-counter drugs to participate in sports, maybe we should re-evaluate the situation.
What are the two best exercises to strengthen feet?
How do you know when a child rally wants to play only one sport?
Dr. Bob shares a checklist of things to look for with problems stemming from foot problems

Dr. Bob has treated & worked with some of the world's great athletes in all sports at all ages. He was recently inducted into the prestigious National Fitness Hall of Fame & has Co-authored "#HeySportsParents - A Guide for any Parent with a Child in Sports". Resources mentioned:

Every Moment Matters, book by John O'Sullivan Link
#heysportsparents, book by Dr. Bob Well Link

#146 Dr. Jay Martin, All-Time Winningest Men's Collegiate Soccer Coach Dec 22, 2019

Show notes

Dr. Jay Martin, Head Men's Soccer Coach for Ohio Wesleyan for the past 42 years is the winningest coach in college men's soccer history. We talk with Coach Martin about the importance of making practice fun, how kids have changed in the past 43 years of coaching, and how to use player ideas to improv practice. Highlights from the Podcast:

What brings Coach Martin back coaching after 4-+ years and two national championships?
How have things changed in collegiate sports over the past 40+ years?
The importance of creating an enticing practice.
How does Coach Martin handle sport/academic conflicts?
How have kids changed in 43 years, and if so, how?
What is the difference between a coach and a trainer?
Coach Martin discusses how to engage players to improve practice
How do you prepare an athlete to sit the bench for the first or second year?

Under Martin's guidance, Ohio Wesleyan was the winningest men's soccer team in the NCAA — regardless of division — during the 1980s, compiling a winning percentage of .815 to top such programs as Indiana, UNC-Greensboro and UCLA. The Battling Bishops bettered that during the 1990s, compiling a winning percentage of .825, and improved upon that during the 2000s, with a winning percentage of .827. Resources mentioned:

Every Moment Matters, John O'Sullivan Link

Connect with Dr.Jay Martin Twitter: Ohio Wesleyan Soccer Instagram: Website: http://drjaymartin.com 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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