Coach Your Brains Out COACHING THE 99% with John Kessel (1 of 2)
Aug 7, 2025
John Kessel, a passionate volleyball coach and advocate, dives into his work with the Let's Keep the Ball Flying Foundation, emphasizing its mission to uplift volleyball in developing nations. He shares his experiences at a healing retreat for veterans, highlighting the therapeutic impact it had. Kessel passionately discusses nurturing joy in youth coaching, focusing on fun and foundational skills. He also uses the gardening metaphor to illustrate the importance of fostering individual growth in players, steering away from blame and towards supportive coaching.
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Healing Lodge For Veterans
- John Kessel bought and built a lodge that hosts veterans and first responders for healing retreats with comfortable cabins and activities.
- He described being inspired watching vets and first responders recover while using the property for therapy and recreation.
Growing Volleyball Globally
- Kessel described the Let's Keep the Ball Flying Foundation that helps grow volleyball in underdeveloped nations.
- He explained filming and turning coaching materials into a free mobile app to reach coaches without computers.
Who The 99.9% Are
- 'The 99.9%' are recreational players, not elites, and deserve coaching designed for beginners.
- Focusing on beginners keeps more people joyful in the game and builds a broader volleyball base.
