Grit and Growth

Brian Smith—Division I runner turned coach, chaplain, and author of The Christian Athlete—joins Grit and Growth to explore how athletes rediscover joy in sport. In Part One, he digs into why so many young players feel pressure instead of freedom, and how identity, faith, and “front-end grace” can change the way we coach and parent. A practical, hope-filled listen for athletes, coaches, and families.

World-record adventurer and leadership expert Jason Caldwell returns for Part Two of an unforgettable conversation. He dives into rebuilding after failure, choosing the right people over the best ones, and how fatherhood reshaped his view of purpose, courage, and leadership. A powerful close to this two-part story about growth, responsibility, and the heart of adventure.

World-record adventurer and leadership expert Jason Caldwell joins Grit and Growth to unpack what it really means to fail, lead, and belong. From losing Olympic dreams to crossing oceans, he shares raw lessons on ego, humility, and what it takes to be the kind of teammate who makes the boat move faster. This is Part One of an unforgettable conversation about purpose, fear, and finding strength in vulnerability.

In Part Two, Geoff Glasspell expands on purpose-driven coaching—how competition builds character, why significance matters more than success, and how trust and integrity shape lasting impact. This episode is a reminder that the best coaching creates transformation—not just wins.

In Part One with Geoff Glasspell—coach, educator, and founder of Masterpiece Basketball—we unpack “purpose-driven coaching”: commitment + integrity → excellence, and why he chases significance over success. Geoff shares his “look-in-the-mirror” pivot, how a simple word-of-the-day shapes practices, and the leadership habits that help kids thrive on and off the court.

In Part Two with Jamie Gilbert, a penalty shootout and a locker room in heartbreak become lessons in courage, trust, and growth.Don’t miss this conversation as he unpacks his “compete, don’t compare” philosophy and how situation crafting helps young athletes truly learn and lead.

In Part One of Two, Jamie Gilbert—coach, educator, and Burn Your Goals co-author—explores what it really means to compete without comparison and how true greatness begins with service. Join us for a grounded, heart-first conversation about purpose, growth, and becoming who you’re meant to be.

“From a farm in Saskatchewan to the CHL spotlight, new Head Coach of the WHL Calgary Hitmen, Dustin Friesen has built his journey on hard work and consistency. He opens up about culture, standards, and developing players who value the team over the stat line. Honest, practical, and relentlessly focused, Dustin shares what drives him to coach every day.”

In Part Two, Mano Watsa goes deeper into the principles that make coaching truly transformational. He reveals how PGC empowers athletes by meeting them where they are, raising their own standards, and moving beyond fear-based tactics to a culture of encouragement and growth. This conversation will inspire you to rethink how you coach, parent, or lead—and remind you that real change begins with choice..

In Part One of our conversation with Mano Watsa, President and Owner of Point Guard College, he shares powerful wisdom on leadership, humility, and the power of choosing who you want to become. From launching backyard camps at 15 to now reaching more than 20,000 athletes each year, Mano’s journey shows how vision and character can shape lives. You’ll come away energized with a fresh perspective on sport, coaching, and life itself.