Way of Champions Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#135 Chris Ritter of Ritter Sports Performance talks athlete development, strength training, building culture, and the multi-sport athlete Oct 06, 2019

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast, John talks with Chris Ritter of Ritter Sports Performance. The conversation is full of great topics, including how to effectively motivate young athletes, bully coaching, and how a coach evolves over time. Chris Ritter has been coaching and inspiring others for over a decade. RITTER Sports Performance was created out of his desire to empower others to realize their true potential. With his experience as both a strength coach and swim coach, Chris has helped clients of all abilities and backgrounds achieve success, including Olympic Gold Medalists to grandmothers. His energy is focused on growing the team and reach of RITTER to help empower even more athletes and coaches worldwide. Highlights from the Discussion:

How to talk to an 8-year-old athlete
How John came to create Changing the Game Project
What do John and Chris miss about coaching full-time?
Why do parents let some coaches bully athletes?
The evolution of a coach and the prep that goes into the practice agenda
Allowing players a "mental break" from their primary sport

Connect with Chris Ritter

Website: Ritter Sports Performance
Ritter Sports Performance Podcast

Visit us on:

Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/
iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast

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.

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

#134 Eastern Philosophy Meets Western Athlete Performance: A Discussion with Chungliang Al Huang Sep 29, 2019

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast, John and Jerry talk with Al Huang about how Eastern philosophy meets Western psychology and how it relates to athlete performance. All shares stories about going to work with professional coaches and sports teams, bringing this this message of athleticism and movement and balance. Al and Jerry have written multiple books together, including Thinking Body, Dancing Mind, Spirit of the Dancing Warrior, and The Way of the Champion. We hope you enjoy this episode with Chungliang Al Huang, as we talk about everything from Tai Chi, to movement to philosophy, to East meets West. Highlights from the Discussion:

How Jerry and Al connected
Combining Eastern thought and athletic performance
The story of Thinking Body, Dancing Mind
How can you say "Yes and No" at the same time
The importance of "dancing" as an athlete
How Thi Chi experience helps an athlete perform at a high level
Al shares story about working with Jacksonville Jaguars and other professional teams
Dealing with the resistance of of accepting eastern philosophies in the west
The "Thi Chi Hug"
Al discusses the concept of the 'Circle"
Why Every Coach should read "Thinking Body, Dancing Mind"

Resources Mentioned:

Books by Al Huang
Thinking Body, Dancing Mind by Chungliang Al Huang and Jerry Lynch

Connect with Chungliang Al Huang

Website: livingtao.org
Email: info@livingtao.org

Visit us on:

Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/
iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast

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.

Highlight Episode: John and James break down the most interesting topics raised in recent interviews Sep 22, 2019

Show notes

In this week's episode we are changing it up a little bit. John and James go back a few episodes and discuss some of the major points from each interview. Some of the topics they dive into include what drives kids out of sports, if shaming bd sideline behavior is appropriate, and how to be a great parent/coach. Highlights from the Discussion:

How making mistakes and showing vulnerability are valuable to coaches
John shares a story about driving a child out of sport
James shares a story about teaching a skill before demanding to see it during a game
Why it is important to share with parents what the kids are learning and what to look for during a game
Parents saying no to coaches and setting boundaries around family
Does shaming parents and coaches for bad behavior the best way to curb the insanity that happens on the sidelines?
John shares with things he has learned from Dr. Jerry Lynch
How do activities during practice help an athlete be a better performer and create positive culture?
Some tips on being a parent and a coach

Resources Mentioned: #125 Champions Act Like Champions Before they Become Champions: How to Find Your Hidden Talent with Author and Coach Travis Daugherty #126 "The Only Thing That Will Prevent You From Getting Better is Thinking That You Know it All" 59 High-Performance Lessons from the Best of the Best with Fergus Connolly #127 Mark Pulisic, Father of USMNT Star Christian Pulisic, on Coaching and Raising Highly Motivated Athletes #128 Can We Stop the Officials Shortage by Shaming Parents and Coaches? A Conversation with Referee Brian Barlow #129 Win the Day with sport psychologist and Way of Champions founder Dr. Jerry Lynch #130 What are your coaching "non-negotiables?" A discussion with Sport Consultant JP Nerbun #131 Terry Steiner, Team USA Women's Wrestling Head Coach "You could be the last person with a chance to reach that kid!" #132 Professional Soccer Player Chris Wondolowski on building a Warrior Culture and becoming the all time leading scorer in MLS history When You Attend a Youth Sports Event, Know Your Role! Visit us on:

Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/
iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast

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.

Professional Soccer Player Chris Wondolowski on building a warrior culture and becoming the all time leading scorer in MLS history Sep 15, 2019

Show notes

This week on the Way of Champions Podcast, John and Jerry talk with San Jose Earthquakes' Chris Wondolowski on building a warrior culture and becoming the all time leading scorer in MLS history. It is a great episode you are not going to want to miss! Highlights from the Discussion:

Jerry and Chris discuss how quickly things improved over the past year
How Chris accepted different roles at different parts of his professional career
How the team turned around by becoming "La Familia"
What needed to happen for the coaching staff to keep the team bought in to the new culture?
How do the Earthquakes welcome new players into the culture?
What are the qualities Chris believes he brings to his team?
What are the qualities of a successful coach?
Why Chris chose to wear #8 and what does he want to be remembered for?

Connect with Chris Wondolowski

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chriswondo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswondo8/

Visit us on:

Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/
iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast

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.

#131 Terry Steiner, Team USA Women's Wrestling Head Coach "You could be the last person with a chance to reach that kid!" Sep 08, 2019

Show notes

"What is the difference between an artist and a coach? At the end of the day, an artist can throw their work away, but a coach cannot." You do not want to miss this interview with Women's National Wrestling Team Head Coach Terry Steiner. We discuss the difference between coaching men and women, how important culture and direct communication is to performance, and how to make a positive influence everyday on every athlete. Under Coach Steiner, Team USA has won 36 Sr Level World Medals, 7 Senior World Champions, 5 Olympic Medalists, and 1 has Olympic Champion. Highlights from the Discussion:

"Every day has to be a gold medal day."
What is the difference between an artist and a coach? At the end of the day, an artist can throw away their work.
Why the ultimate reason kids should play sports I not for the fame and glory, but for the lessons learned in defeat
Why are coaches rarely fired because of "lack of Xs and Os"?
Coach Steiner talks about what it was like choosing a university under a coach that made it a point to not promise anything!
Why Coach Steiner decided to coach women's wrestling
How important is "direct" communication?

Connect with Terry Steiner

Website: https://steinerwrestling.com/terry-steiner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-steiner-44558112/

Visit us on:

Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/
iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast

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.

#130 What are your coaching "non-negotiables?" A discussion with Sport Consultant JP Nurbun Sep 01, 2019

Show notes

This week's podcast guest is J.P. Nerbun, mentor, writer, coach, and sports consultant. We dive into the difference between transformational coaching and transactional coaching, why labeling an athlete as "uncoachable" is more of a reflection on the coach than the athlete, and why every coach should be intentional about their "non-negotiables." JP has coached basketball in Ireland, Lithuania, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. While in Ireland, JP coached 30 teams in five years! That is a lot of time to learn a lot of lessons in coaching. Highlights from the Discussion:

A discussion on parents wanting transformation, but expecting transactional coaching
How did JP develop his coaching style?
The importance of coaches asking themself, "What can I do better?" and "What are my blind spots?"
A discussion on the "uncoachable" athlete
How does JP advise coaches on how to shape behavior?
Every coach should have their "non-negotiables"
JP explains why he wrote Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership

In 2017, JP started Thrive On Challenge as a blog, and it grew into a sports consulting business. He has served coaches, athletes, and parents across the world, at every level and in every sport you can name. He is most passionate about walking with coaches on their journeys to becoming better leaders and build a transformational culture. Connect with JP Nurbun

Website: https://thriveonchallenge.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JpNerbun
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpnerbun/

References Mentioned

Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership by JP Nurbun
Coaching Culture Podcast
InSideOut Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives by Joe Ehrmann
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath
Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio

Visit us on:

Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/
iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast

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.

#129 Win the Day with sport psychologist and Way of Champions founder Dr. Jerry Lynch Aug 25, 2019

Show notes

How does picking values make us better coaches? What are ways coaches can increase influence? How do we find life balance as a coach? All this and so much more as we welcome back sports psychologist Dr. Jerry Lynch fresh from the 4th annual Way of Champions conference. Jerry has a new book out, culminating five decades of work into one of the bet best on coaching you will ever read. Highlights from the Discussion:

Wrap up of the Way of Champions Conference in Denver, CO
Why Jerry wrote "Win the Day"
What Pete Carrol taught Steve Kerr about values
Jerry talks about creating a culture inspired by your values
The power of the circle (and where Jerry came up with teaching it)
What are ways coaches can bring more influence to their practice?
How Jerry came up with the name "Win the Day"
The importance of finding balance in coaching and life

Dr. Lynch has been recognized as one of the top five in his profession nationwide. He has worked with men's and women's basketball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, golf and other sports at the universities of North Carolina, Duke, Maryland, California, Syracuse, Stanford, Harvard and Middlebury and continues to work with several teams and parent groups nationally. Several of his clients have participated in various summer and winter Olympic Games. Most recently, he has established a consultancy with Steve Kerr, head coach of the World Champion Golden State Warriors. In the past 30 years alone, he has been part of 54 Final Four and 36 National Championship at the collegiate and professional levels. Connect with Dr. Jerry Lynch

Website: http://www.wayofchampions.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WayofChampions1
Email: docj@wayofchampions.com

References Mentioned

Check out Dr. Jerry Lynch's Amazon Page
Order "Win the Day" on Amazon / Coaches Choice

Previous Podcasts with Dr. Jerry Lynch

Visit us on:

Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/
iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast

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.

#128 Can We Stop the Officials Shortage by Shaming Parents and Coaches? A Conversation with Referee Brian Barlow Aug 17, 2019

Show notes

This week's podcast guest is Brian Barlow, Oklahoma father and soccer referee Brian Barlow. On his facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/youreoffside/, Barlow calls out parents who are caught on tape displaying poor sportsmanship and offers $100 to people who submit the videos to bring attention to the pervasive problem of parents acting badly at youth sport games. Whether you agree with the shaming of this behavior or not, we can all agree that sideline behavior of fans is a big problem and is the leading cause to the shortage of refs in all sports. Other Highlights from the Discussion:

The percentages of first year refs not coming back for the second year is dropping rapidly
Kids who ref are terrified of the parents and that is not helpful
Brian discusses why he started https://www.facebook.com/youreoffside/
How far have some fans actually taken a perceived bad call?
Is shaming parents the best way to help the situation? If not, is there a better way?
Why are clubs so afraid of holding fans and parents accountable?
How can we help first year officials?
What is the dark side of posting photos of parents acting badly?
Should a parent pull a player or a coach call a game for safety issues?
Can a coach celebrate another team's victory?
What would a conversation between a parent and a child about behavior in the stands look like?

Connect with Brian

References Mentioned

When You Attend a Youth Sports Event, Know Your Role!, by John O'Sullivan [Article]

Visit us on: Web: https://changingthegameproject.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctgprojecthq Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/ iTunes: http://bit.ly/wocpodcast 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, plus others including 'Transformational Coaching," "Respect the Kids," and "Warriors, Not Winners."
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.

#127 Mark Pulisic, Father of USMNT Star Christian Pulisic, on Coaching and Raising Highly Motivated Athletes Aug 11, 2019

Show notes

This weekend, US men's national team star Christian Pulisic began his EPL career with Chelsea after his $73 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund to London. In today's podcast, we speak with his father Mark, a former collegiate and professional player and coach, about a variety of topics, including what it was like to raise Christian, how many times they said no to great opportunities, how they limited his competitive team practices to 2 sessions per week, dealing with pressure, Christians goodbye in Dortmund, and so much more. We trace Mark's professional career and his short stint coaching in Germany and what were the major differences with coaching youth players in the US. His answer might surprise you. This is a great conversation with some terrific insight into the childhood and early sports career of one of world soccer's brightest stars.In this week's podcast we welcome Other Highlights from the Discussion:

How important is it to allow kids to develop their own passion for the sport?
How do you know if your kid REALLY loves the sport?
Is there a way to increase accuracy without losing creativity in children?
Parents need to be able to say "No" to coaches.
Does the tournament culture create "slow" players?
What is missing here in the US, where and when do our kids fall behind?

Connect with Mark Pulisic

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.

#126 "The Only Thing that Will Prevent You From Getting Better is Thinking that you Know it All:" 59 High-Performance Lessons with Fergus Connolly, NFL and EPL Sport Performance Coach Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

In this week's podcast we welcome Dr. Fergus Connolly, one of the world's foremost human performance thought leaders and influencers. Dr. Connolly has applied performance science with leading sports, military, and business teams. He is the only coach to have full times roles in every major sport, including soccer (Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers), professional and college football (San Francisco 49s and University of Michigan) and rugby (Welsh national team). We talk about the three types of coaches he has seen in the world and how the one thing we can control is our response, and how powerful it is when we respond appropriately. Other Highlights from the Discussion:

The importance of self-formal education
"Running down rabbits and forgetting to grab the rabbit."
Ben Johnson story about analyzing running and the importance of being selective about what you change in an athlete
Can we build models within sport that can help predict team success?
3 Types of coaches Fergus has worked with
"Take the right guy, not the best guy."
How to build a solid culture in any organization
Leading a team of people, not an organization
Choosing the right coach to lead a team
Doing more, or doing it better?
What is the one thing that holds back coaches?

Connect with Fergus Connolly Website Twitter Resources Mentioned

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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