Coaching Culture 417: The Resilient Athlete: Mastering the Nervous System & Mindset for Gen Z | David Durand Part 2
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Aug 31, 2025 In this engaging discussion, David Durand, founder of Real Development and author of 'Bet On It', shares his expertise on coaching modern athletes. He emphasizes the critical link between an athlete's nervous system and their resilience. David challenges traditional views by distinguishing between an athlete's inability and unwillingness to perform, focusing on emotional dysregulation. He advocates for nurturing Gen Z autonomy and offers practical coaching strategies, including effective breathing techniques and supportive communication to foster growth in a safe environment.
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Cookie Fight Reframed As Teaching Moment
- JP described shifting from seeing dysregulation as a problem to seeing it as an opportunity using a parenting cookie example.
- That mindset shift helped him respond with curiosity and teaching rather than anger.
Resilience Lives In The Nervous System
- Resilience is fundamentally a property of the nervous system that returns to a regulated center after stress.
- Coaches should aim to build athletes who can return to connection mode and grow from adversity.
Regulate Before You Challenge
- Help athletes regulate their nervous system before you challenge them to avoid stacking stress.
- Stretch them from a regulated place so coaching expands comfort zones rather than causes shutdown.
