Way of Champions Podcast

Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, a leading expert in youth sports and former medical director at Loyola, discusses the dangers of early sport specialization and its link to injuries. He emphasizes the importance of multi-movement experiences for young athletes and how diverse training can prevent overuse injuries. Jayanthi also highlights the need for supportive environments for kids, where emphasis is on fun rather than winning. He shares insights on growth spurts in youth, the role of physical literacy, and the potential shift towards community-based, multi-sport clubs in youth sports.

Becky Burleigh, a former NCAA champion soccer coach and co-founder of What Drives Winning, shares her coaching journey starting at just 21. She discusses the importance of building trust through innovative team exercises and how vulnerability can enhance leadership. Becky also highlights her unique question-based approach to coaching, fostering player autonomy. With insights on supporting women coaches and the future of U.S. women's soccer, she inspires listeners to find their inner confidence and trust in their coaching journey.

Emma Doyle, a Professional Certified Coach and former D1 tennis player, shares her insights on coaching and empowering female athletes. She highlights the significance of curiosity as a leadership tool and discusses pivotal coaching moments that shape careers. Emma emphasizes the importance of tailored communication and how player-voted values can enhance team culture. She also delves into coaching strategies that promote decision-making and individual growth, all while reflecting on her passion for fostering female potential and listening-first leadership.

Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu, seasoned basketball coaches and co-authors of Guiding Your Child's Athletic Journey, share invaluable insights on parenting young athletes. They discuss how their own journeys as fathers reshaped their coaching methods, emphasizing empathy and relationship-building. Kevin recounts a critical lesson learned from pushing his son too hard in sports. The duo highlights the importance of aligning family values with athletic goals and prioritizing a child’s autonomy, aiming to ensure that passion for sports doesn't become a burden.

Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach, an expert in athletic coaching education and director at West Virginia University, shares her insights on the crucial differences between coaching boys and girls. She discusses cultural influences and research that shape athlete identities. Dieffenbach highlights key coaching techniques to enhance confidence and cohesion in teams, drawing on practical examples like Anson Dorrance's five-on-five story. Her expertise emphasizes the importance of tailored approaches for middle schoolers and community coaches, aiming to improve youth sports experience.

Geoff Carlston, a former collegiate volleyball coach with over 400 wins, discusses the balance of fostering love-based versus fear-based environments in coaching. He shares insights into the importance of personal connections and effective communication, which can transform athlete experiences. Geoff emphasizes the concept of 'heart equity' over financial incentives, advocating for genuine relationships to cultivate trust and belonging. He also highlights the necessity of emotional support for coaches and instills the value of teaching leadership skills in youth sports.

Tom Renney, a seasoned former NHL head coach and Hockey Canada CEO, now champions grassroots youth hockey. He shares insights on coaching with values, emphasizing the importance of building resilient, confident athletes. The discussion highlights fostering relationships, mentorship, and emotional wellbeing in sports. Renney advocates for gratitude within teams to enhance community and mental health. He also explores the evolving nature of coaching, promoting humility and continuous learning as keys to long-term success.

Living in Bend, Oregon, our host John O'Sullivan has gotten to know some extraordinary young athletes, none more so than our two guests today, Slater de Brun and Campbell McKean. He has know both boys since elementary school, and had the privilege of coaching Slater for 5 years in soccer before he went full time into baseball. Slater was recently the 37th overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft, and signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Campbell is the US National Champion in the 50 and 100 meter butterfly, and recently won a bronze medal in the World Championships in Singapore. He will be swimming for the University of Texas in Fall 2025. Both boys, only age 18, have already achieved so much for their age, and it is worth exploring as there is so much misinformation out there regarding what it takes to be a truly elite youth athlete, not just a kid with the word "elite" on their uniform. How was their childhood different from peers? How did their parents support their dreams and their journey? What did they give up to get to the top? How do they approach practice and competition? How do they tune out the outside noise? How it's not all glitz and glamor on the path of excellence. What is their best piece of advice for young athletes who are driven to reach the top of their sport? And so much more. Parents always talk about how their kid has all this ability, and so many love to throw around the word elite, but as you will learn from two truly high achieving 18 year olds, ability might get you in the door, but it takes so much more to be a truly elite youth athlete. Connect with Campbell: https://www.instagram.com/campbell.mckean Connect wth Slater: https://www.instagram.com/slaterdebrun/ BOOK A SPEAKER: Interested in having John or one of our speaking team come to your school, club or coaching event? We are booking November and December 2025 and Winter/Spring 2026 events, please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com to set up an introductory call. PUT IN YOUR BULK BOOK ORDERS FOR OUR BESTSELLING BOOKS, AND JOIN 2025 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS FROM SYRACUSE MENS LAX, UNC AND NAVY WOMENS LAX, AND MCLAREN F1! These are just the most recent championship teams using THE CHAMPION TEAMMATE book with their athletes and support teams. Many of these coaches are also getting THE CHAMPION SPORTS PARENT so their team parents can be part of a successful culture. Schools and clubs are using EVERY MOMENT MATTERS for staff development and book clubs. Are you?  We have been fulfilling numerous bulk orders for some of the top high school and collegiate sports programs in the country, will your team be next? Click here to visit John’s author page on Amazon Click here to visit Jerry’s author page on Amazon Please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com if you want discounted pricing on 10 or more books on any of our books. Thanks everyone. This week’s podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports.  Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs.  Yeah, there are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams. Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs.  So if you’ve been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG. BECOME A PREMIUM MEMBER OF CHANGING THE GAME PROJECT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST If you or your club/school is looking for all of our best content, from online courses to blog posts to interviews organized for coaches, parents and athletes, then become a premium member of Changing the Game Project today. For over a decade we have been creating materials to help change the game. and it has become a bit overwhelming to find old podcasts, blog posts and more. Now, we have organized it all for you, with areas for coaches, parents and even athletes to find materials to help compete better, and put some more play back in playing ball. Clubs please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com for pricing.  Become a Podcast Champion! This weeks podcast is also sponsored by our Patreon Podcast Champions. Help Support the Podcast and get FREE access to our Premium Membership, with well over $1000 of courses and materials. 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 be granted a Premium Changing the Game Project Membership, where you will have access to every course, interview and blog post we have created organized by topic from coaches to parents to athletes. Thank you for all your support these past eight 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

Join Dr. Nick Holton, an expert in human flourishing, and Dr. Adam Wright, a high-performance coach for elite athletes, as they dive into the transformative concept of anti-fragility. They discuss how resilience can be cultivated in young athletes and the critical role of mental health in sports. With insights on embracing failure and fostering supportive environments, they explore the necessity of psychological safety and personal connections in coaching. Uncover strategies that empower athletes, emphasizing growth through adversity and the importance of self-awareness.

Joining the discussion are Matt Booth, an experienced Athletics Dean and Strength Coach from Canterbury School, along with coaches John O'Sullivan and Jerry Lynch. They delve into the transformative impact of the Way of Champions philosophy on both athletes and coaches. Topics include bridging the gap for high school athletes to professional levels, the importance of relationships in coaching, and cultivating a champion's mindset focused on personal growth. Their insights highlight the necessity of community and mental wellness for fostering competitive success.