

Way of Champions Podcast
John O'Sullivan
The Way of Champions Podcast is hosted by Dr. Jerry Lynch and John O'Sullivan, team culture and performance specialists. Each week we connect you with the top minds in sports, coaching, leadership, and building championship programs so you can take your athletes and teams to the next level.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 10, 2017 • 57min
#17 Lynn Kachmarik, First Female to Coach a Men's NCAA Division I Team Sport, On Protecting Our Children in Sport
Lynn has over 45 years of experience in youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sports. Lynn was an All-American water polo player and swimmer at Slippery Rock University where she received her BS and MS Degrees in Physiology and Education. She was a 12-year member of the United States National Water Polo team, and then served on their Executive Committee. Throughout an 18 year career at Bucknell University, Lynn held various coaching positions, including serving a decade as the head coach for the Men's and Women's Water Polo and Swim teams. Lynn served as the Athletic Director at Saint Mary's College for 10 years, and moved on to become the Vice President and General Manager of the South Bend Silver Hawks Minor League Baseball Team. Most recently, Lynn served as the National Outreach Director for Play Like a Champion Today. Under her guidance, the program was transformed from a small organization focused on educating Catholic youth coaches and parents into one of the top educational programs serving public and private elementary and high schools around the world. Lynn has been inducted into 6 Athletic Halls of Fame, including the United States Water Polo Hall of Fame, Bucknell University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Collegiate Water Polo Coach Hall of Fame. She resides in Mishawaka, IN where she and her husband Scott are the proud parents of 3 college-aged children. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 4:30 It all started with teaching kids how to shake hands and what we can control 8:30 "You better win or you're fired" - the wrong focus can create the wrong culture 11:30 You win, but at what cost? 15:30 On the lack of women in coaching - "we hire what we are comfortable with" 19:30 We need to build the pipeline, not hire based on what someone is 24:30 Kids are less likely to stand up to a bully today than 20 years ago - Why? 27:45 There is a fine line between bad coaching and bullying 32:30 It is not about YOU when you become a leader or coach 37:30 On bullying - what happens when other students intervene? 42:30 Lynn's touching story of why we need to protect our children from abusive coaches 49:30 Lynn's Rule of One Finding Lynn Website - True Brand Sports If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPadLaunch Apple's Podcast app.Tap the Search tab.Enter the name Way of Champions.Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast.Tap the Reviews tab.Tap Write a Review at the bottom.Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Jul 3, 2017 • 56min
WOC #16 Stuart Armstrong, Head of Coaching for Sport England, "Learning Happens in the Ugly Zone"
Stuart Armstrong is the Head of Coaching for Sport England. Prior to Sport England, he was the Player Development Manager for the Rugby Football Union. He is one of the world's top experts on player development pathways and skill acquisition, and has helped thousands of coaches in the UK create better learning environments and develop deeper relationships with their players. His sports coaching experience is in golf, cricket, field hockey, rugby, and soccer. He leverages the knowledge gained from the various sports he has coached to help create multi-sport, player-focused training programs that assist athletes in not only developing sold skill foundations but great off-field skills to help them succeed in life. Show Notes 7:30 Stu's push to create a more diverse coaching force 9:30 What's working in the UK for coaching diversification? Change the definition 15:15 We need to support coaches "where they are coaching" 21:30 There is no magic practice 24:00 Biggest mistake coaches are making - Joystick Coaching 29:15 The cultural catch-22 of "proper coaching" 32:30 "Learning happens in the Ugly Zone" 39:00 What are PCDE's and how do they help develop super champions? 42:30 Stu's advice on LTAD 49:00 LTAD is not something we "have", it's something we "do" Finding Stu Twitter - @stu_arm Website - The Talent Equation If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Jun 26, 2017 • 42min
#15 Julie Foudy, Two-Time World Cup Champion and ESPN Soccer Analyst, on Choosing to Matter
Julie Foudy is a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. She played for the United States women's national soccer team from 1987–2004. Foudy finished her international career with 271 caps and served as the team's captain from 2000–2004 as well as the co-captain from 1991–2000. In 1997, she was the first American and first woman to receive the FIFA Fair Play Award. From 2000–2002, Foudy served as president of the Women's Sports Foundation. In 2006, she co-founded the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy, an organization focused on developing leadership skills in teenage girls. In 2007, she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame with her teammate, Mia Hamm. She is currently an analyst, reporter and the primary color commentator for women's soccer telecasts on ESPN.Foudy is the author of Choose to Matter: Being Courageously and Fabulously YOU and appeared in the HBO documentary Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 6:15 What she has noticed about even the most confident woman 9:00 Leadership isn't Positional it is Personal 14:45 When did Joy and Winning become mutually exclusive 20:00 Julie's qualities of the best coaches 23:45 On Anson Dorrance - Loyalty is gained through love, not fear 31:15 Greatness doesn't happen overnight - "don't get stuck in your junk" 34:30 What Julie discovered about herself after writing her book 37:15 Julie's final thoughts for parents, coaches, athletes Finding Julie Twitter @JulieFoudy Facebook @JulieFoudy Website - www.juliefoudyleadership.com Julie's Book - Choose to Matter on Amazon If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPadLaunch Apple's Podcast app.Tap the Search tab.Enter the name Way of Champions.Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast.Tap the Reviews tab.Tap Write a Review at the bottom.Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Jun 19, 2017 • 45min
#14 Mark Upton, International Skill Acquisition and Coaching Education Expert, on What Makes Quality Coaching
As co-creator of social enterprise 'myfastestmile' and with a role in the UK Olympic sport system, much of Mark's work revolves around understanding learning & expert performance in order to facilitate the development of sport participants, coaches and leaders. He is passionate about creating dynamic environments for people at all levels of sport to be their best, blending his own and others experiential knowledge of sport with principles from the emerging field of Complexity Science. Prior to arriving in the UK early in 2014, Mark spent 12 years working with a professional Australian Rules Football club in his home town of Adelaide in South Australia. Subscribe to the Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Finding Mark Website - www.myfastestmile.com Twitter - @Uppy01 Show Notes 6:15 Does the general coaching practice lag 20 years behind the research? 9:45 On patience as a virtue when instituting something new in your coaching. 11:30 Random training versus blocked training sessions. Which works best? 16:45 Did Messi get good at beating defenders by dribbling around cones? 19:45 On starting backwards - start with the game and work toward the skills needed. 22:45 Most common issue influencing Grassroots coaching 28:15 Where should our most expert coaches be placed in the pyramid? 33:30 How perceptions of leadership affect coaching styles 37:45 What does Mark wish he knew when he started? 41:45 How to get in touch with Mark If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Jun 12, 2017 • 51min
#13 Nicole LaVoi, Co-Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport
Author of Women in Sports Coaching, Nicole M. LaVoi, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in the area of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota where she is also the Co-Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, and the co-founder of the Minnesota Youth Sport Research Consortium. She received MA ('96) and doctoral degrees ('02) in Kinesiology with an emphasis in sport psychology/sociology from the University of Minnesota. After completing her graduate work, Dr. LaVoi was a Research & Program Associate in the Mendelson Center for Sport & Character at the University of Notre Dame (2002-'05) where she helped launch the Play Like a Champion character education through sport series, and was also an instructor in the Psychology Department. LaVoi was an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and the Head Women's Tennis Coach at Wellesley College (1994-'98), and the Assistant Women's Tennis Coach at Carleton College (1991-'93). Show Notes 5:00 When she became interested in issues for Women in Sport Leadership? 8:00 Why is there a decline in women in sport leadership? 15:00 What would it take to get more women coaching sports? 21:00 Why does Nicole think kids are quitting sport? 28:00 Nicole explains "background anger" and how it affects children 35:00 What is Kid Speak? 48:00 Winning and Character Development are not mutually exclusive Get in Touch with Dr. LaVoi On Twitter: @DrSportPsych @TuckerCenter Her Website: The Tucker Center Her book - Women In Sports Coaching If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

Jun 5, 2017 • 51min
#12 Jay Fiedler, Former NFL Quarterback, on Pursuing your Passion
After a record setting career as a quarterback at Dartmouth College, Jay Fiedler went on to play for 10 years in the NFL. He was tutored by some of the top names in the world of offensive football, playing under coaches such as Tom Coughlin, Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, Norv Turner, Chan Gailey, Marc Trestman, and Bobby Petrino. Since 1999, he has been passing along his knowledge to football players of all ages and skill levels through the PrimeTime Football camps and clinics. He has distinguished himself as one of the top instructors in the game, mentoring and coaching numerous young athletes who have gone on to success at all levels of the game, from youth players all the way to the NFL. Since starting up his off-season passing clinics in Long Island, Fiedler has been instrumental in developing some of the top area players. He has coached numerous All-Long Island QBs and WRs with few of them earning county awards as the top players overall and at their positions. Players who have worked with Jay have gone on to play in the SEC, ACC, Ivy League, Big Ten, Patriot League, as well as many D2 and D3 programs. In addition, Jay has worked with pro prospects getting them ready for their careers in the NFL. His knowledge, passion and experience make Jay the best football instructor you can find in the Northeast. Show Notes 3:30 The Neverending Season 8:00 Why is it more difficult to play multiple sports now? 13:00 Jay's path to the NFL 21:30 Who was the one teammate who gave way more than he took? 28:45 Jay's Rule of One moments 35:30 How he passes the legacy of great coaching to the next generation 38:00 On how great coaches will evaluate their own communication skills 41:30 Single best piece of advice to athletes or coaches: Pursue Your Passion Subscribe to Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Finding Jay Twitter @JayFiedler @BrookwoodCamps Prime time Camps https://primetimecamps.com Brookwood Camps http://brookwoodcamps.com If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

May 29, 2017 • 41min
#11 Jon Gordon, Best Selling Author and Leadership Expert, on the Power of Positivity
Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of 17 books including 5 best-sellers: The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, Training Camp, You Win in the Locker Room First and The Power of Positive Leadership. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, The Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Los Angeles Dodgers, The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Dell, Publix, Southwest Airlines, LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Pittsburgh Pirates, BB&T Bank, Clemson Football, Northwestern Mutual, Bayer, West Point Academy and more. Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams. Finding Jon Jon on Twitter Jon on Facebook Jon on Instagram Jon's Website Jon's Books on Amazon: Jon's Amazon Page Subscribe to Way of Champions Podcast on iTunes Show Notes 7:00 Jon's Transformation Through Positivity 9:00 The Energy Bus 12:30 The Story Behind The Hard Hat 16:00 You Win in the Locker Room First 21:00 Why Positvity Changes the World 24:45 Dabo's Safe Seat 31:30 How to Create a More Positive Team Environment 36:45 Final Thoughts and How to Find Jon Gordon If you are enjoying our podcast, please help us out and leave a review on iTunes. How to leave an iTunes rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter the name Way of Champions. Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the album art for the Way of Champions podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Thanks so much, every review helps us to spread this message!

May 22, 2017 • 53min
#10 Angela Hucles: 2X Olympic Gold Medalist on Why We Need Introverted Leadershiip
Founder and CEO of Empowerment Through Sport, Angela Hucles is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist for US Soccer, two-time World Cup Bronze Medalist, former professional soccer player of the Boston Breakers and the US Soccer Foundation's 2009 Humanitarian of the Year. Angela led the U.S. team in scoring with 4 goals in the 2008 Olympics; 2 of these goals came in the U.S. victory over Japan. With a passion for helping others achieve their goals and dreams and over 30 years experience in the sports industry, she founded the Leadership Series in 2012, an event focused on discovering sports leadership skills and athlete transitions that translate to life success. Angela has become a regular speaker on topics of sports leadership, equality, inclusion & safe spaces, anti-bullying, and the power of sport and its impact on personal growth and development. After her retirement from professional soccer, Angela was a sports broadcaster and analyst for the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics (NBC) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup (FOX). Angela is a TEDx speaker and served as the Women's Sports Foundation President, founded by Billie Jean King. Finding Angela: Her Website: AngelaHucles.com Twitter: @AngelaHucles Instagram: @AngelaHucles Ceres Platinum Group: http://ceresplatinumgroup.com/ Her TED Talk: Angela Hucles TED Talk Show Notes: 8:00 Who Were Her Great Teammates and Why 12:30 Leaders is About Relationships 14:00 Embrace Your Role, Prepare For New Roles 18:00 Angela on Getting Back to the Joy 27:00 Introverted Leadership and Allowing "Space" for Intoverts 34:30 Learn to Lead from Your Strengths 39:00 The Social Impact of Sports - Paving the Path for Women in Sports

May 15, 2017 • 1h 9min
#9 Jay Demerit English Premier League and World Cup Soccer Player: It's Time to Rise and Shine
English Premier League and World Cup Soccer player Jay DeMerit has one of the most unique stories to success the sport of soccer has ever seen. An MLS reject that backpacked to Europe and climbed the English soccer pyramid from the 12th tier to become the captain of Watford FC in the English Premier League. He also represented the US Mens National Team for five years, playing every minute of his teams games in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In 2011 he became the first ever signing & captain for the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS. He finished his career in 2014, after captaining the Vancouver Whitecaps for four seasons. Using his vast experience in professional soccer, Jay will share the highs and the lows he's endured along his journey through his 10-year professional career. Highlights are the season of 2006-07, where Jay and his underdog Watford FC team were promoted to the English Premier League, the biggest soccer league in the world, as well as his experiences in playing a major role in the World Cup in 2010. Defining leadership traits, dealing with adversities, identifying commonality between diverse personalities, creating culture, and role management are just a few things Jay will touch on, as well as how he learned to lead from others through mentorship, and then grow into captain himself. Jay has taken the stage at Tedx Vancouver, spoken at a wide variety of national conferences, and has even been the keynote speaker on "Grit" at the US Soccer Federation's annual symposium. His story was the subject of "Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story" a documentary released in 2011 after a successful kickstarter campaign, where the passionate soccer community raised $223,000 to turn this important story into a feature film. Changing the Game is also excited to announce that Jay is our newest member of our stellar lineup of world class speakers. He has a very compelling story, a tremendous amount of wisdom for young players and coaches, and is an excellent speaker that captivates his audiences. We are excited to have him on board. Find Jay and his documentary: Rise and Shine: Watch the Trailer Buy the DVD: Rise and Shine on Amazon His Website: http://JAYDEMERITSTORY.COM His TEDx Talk: Watch it here On Twitter: @d6Merit Find Jay and his documentary: Rise and Shine: Watch the Trailer Buy the DVD: Rise and Shine on Amazon His Website: http://JAYDEMERITSTORY.COM His TEDx Talk: Watch it here On Twitter: @d6Merit Show Notes: 7:00 When Jay became a soccer player 12:30 On Learning to adapt to the opportunities 18:00 Why choosing life experiences made the difference 22:00 On being a pub league sub 29:45 Be ready when the big break knocks on the door 36:30 What it means to be a team player 44:00 The world's most expensive game 51:00 Coming home was the toughest thing 56:30 One of Jay's greatest accomplishments 59:15 Jay's advice to young players Join us for the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017

May 10, 2017 • 59min
#8 Tony DiCicco Olympic and World Champion Soccer Coach: Catch Them Being Good
Tony DiCicco is the former Head Coach of the US Women's National and Olympic Soccer Teams and the Head Coach of the US U20 Women's National Team. In 2008, in his return to international soccer, he coached the US to the FIFA U20 World Cup Championship in Chile. He had previously lead the Full National Team to the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Championship, the largest women's sporting event in history. And in 1996, he coached the US Women's Olympic Team to the first ever Gold Medal in Women's Soccer. Tony DiCicco is also the President, Founder and Technical Director of SoccerPlus Goalkeeper School and SoccerPlus FieldPlayer Academy. You can get his book, Catch Them Being Good, here - Buy it on Amazon How to find Tony: His website: https://www.soccerplus.org His email: Tony@soccerplus.org His Twitter: @tonysocc Show Notes: 5:30 How (and when) Tony got into coaching 9:15 Tony explains how to get athlete buy-in 16:15 What really makes Mia Hamm so special 20:00 Can you cut a player and help her career? 27:15 What must the US do to produce high quality players 32:15 Winning does not equal development 40:00 Every kid has a path 46:00 Did Tony coach his own children? 48:00 Tony's Rule of One Moments 54:30 Tonys Coaching Philosophy Join us for the Way of Champions Coaching Conference June 2-4 2017 Sign up here!


