Sports Mastery

DON'T LET YOUR INJURY DEFINE YOU... And yet so many people from the general public and athletes allow this to happen. What causes an individual to continue to be hampered and slowed down by injuries that are long gone?  Dr. Carl Baird enlightens us during the episode. What stops most people from recovering after an initial injury are fear and self-doubt. Dr. Baird explains that avoiding activity due to fear of re-aggravation keeps us in the pain/injury cycle. Research has shown that movement and pain get mapped along similar pathways in the brain. This means that following an injury your brain will remember the movements that caused you pain. In short, avoiding a movement because we fear it will be painful actually increases the amount of pain we experience, regardless of actual tissue irritation. DOUBT - Individuals who believe an activity will be painful have been shown to have reduced performance abilities. When we convince ourselves we have a bad knee, back, shoulder we set ourselves up for failure. Fear

You need to listen to this episode!   Jonathan Boland was a star quarterback at Parkrose High School in Portland, Oregon. His success there led to a full-ride scholarship to Portland State, but a series of concussions forced him to leave football. This began a downward spiral into depression, substance abuse and eventually a series of robberies.    Those are the facts of what happened, but today is about the why.   As he accepts responsibility and holds himself accountable this interview documents a discovery moment. A moment where you find out who you really are, the mistakes and setbacks to overcome and the better person you will become.   This is Jon Boland’s story in his own words… his feeling, his insight, his change.   Everyone needs to listen to this episode! All parents, student-athletes, and coaches will get something out of this.   For more information on how to reach out to Jon visit http://sportsmastery.com/57.

The word "leadership" gets thrown around a lot. Recruiters, parents, and coaches rant about leadership and how the Student-Athlete needs to be a leader. What many do not understand, is that leadership is something that must be learned and developed. Yes, leadership is incredibly important in a Student-Athlete, but it is not something that happens overnight.   Dr. Benjamin Wax is a strategic leadership specialist with the John Maxwell Team and winner of several powerlifting and bodybuilding titles. Dr. Wax understands the proven principles that create a great leader who is exemplified through their words and actions. Dr. Wax's academic background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi and Masters from Mississippi State University.  He has conducted extensive research studies, published numerous scholarly works and spoken at numerous regional and national events.   Listen and learn why leadership is so closely linked with influence. You’ll also discover the immense impact of leadership, the levels

An elite Student-Athlete will need to overcome adversity in order to be successful. Adversity comes in many shapes and sizes for a Student-Athlete. Some examples include injury, socio-economic status, hardship, trauma, depression, peer pressure, etc. So what does it take to overcome these obstacles? It takes a mental shift. Yes, you may have heard this before, but don’t roll your eyes just yet. This mental shift encapsulates multiple areas: recovery, nutrition, avoiding distraction, goals, success, cross-training, and recruiting. If your Student-Athlete wants to get a scholarship, go pro, or make an impact on the world, they need this mental shift to happen NOW! Julianne Soviero discusses priorities, goals, optimal performance and perseverance. She exemplifies the ability to overcome injury and lead a successful athletic career. Now she teaches countless award-winning athletes as a pitching coach. Julianne speaks truth to what it takes to be a four-time academic All-American (Division I) athlete and the minds

What the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz didn’t know was that his abundance of fear sabotaged his courage. After listening to this episode, you’ll understand that same lesson, how to eliminate this fear and how to help you Student-Athlete grow in the process.   RJ Hodges is a best-selling author, speaker, coach and empowerment entrepreneur who’s list of titles include: Mission Unstoppable, You Can’t Practice At The Game, The Art of Mastering You Volume One and an audio book series called Winner Status.   RJ reminds us that fear, life-balance, self-confidence, organization, and planning, weave a delicate web among the lives of the successful Student-Athletes. To make it work you’ll need to learn how to take control of your life so that your life doesn’t control you. This calls for strategies, appreciation, and understanding.   Want to be able to help your Student-Athlete get rid of their anger and emotional mood swings? Have them listen to this episode with you. Their expanding mind can overcome fear, increa

The best athletes move from a state of intuitiveness as they tap into nonverbal communication and instinct. It may surprise some, that this set of talents comes from energy that female athletes have more naturally. When this "feminine" energy is balanced with "masculine" energy it makes for a dominant athlete.   We can learn a great deal from female athletes and their own set of unique challenges and strengths. Their body chemistry, development, emotionality and social dynamics need to be taken into account when preparing to be an elite athlete. Nell Daly, a highly trained psychotherapist and journalist, is an expert on the uniquely female aspects of a student-athlete's experience. This includes the effects of birth control and anti-depressants on the female athlete.   That being said, this episode isn’t just for female athletes and their support team. As we learned in episode 41, mental health issues are very prevalent among young people. Nell skillfully shares cutting edge mental health protocols and the ef

We often forget the importance of loss or even failure. We don’t discuss how important it is to learn from, and how vital this skill is for a Student-Athlete’s future success. Jeron Mastrud’s ability to learn from defeat is one of the reasons for his launch to the NFL.    Jeron says it best, "There is another day, there is another opportunity. There is something you can learn from this and move forward from this. So instead of being devastated by the loss, figure out why you lost and make sure that doesn't happen again."   Jeron shares his journey from Southridge High School in Beaverton, OR to 2 time All-American at Kansas State University and starting Tight End for the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins. He expounds and elaborates on: - Smack talk - Developing a mindset for stiff competition - Strategies to overcome adversity - How to bounce back after injury   Overcoming obstacles can range from loss, injury or other forms of adversity. Listen and learn why the journey to success includes the ability to

There is nothing quite like Olympic Lifting when improving the performance of an athlete. Most likely you’ve heard that Olympic Lifting can help an athlete develop greater force, but it does so much more than that. In this episode, Sam Johnson and I discuss the many reasons why Olympic Lifting is such a powerful tool for athletes.   Sam Johnson has devoted his life to athletic performance. It began as a young successful athlete, transferred to his time in the United States Air Force, and continues today at his training facility, StrengthFarm, in Portland, Oregon. Sam is a champion weightlifter with the experience and knowledge to know the amazing gains Olympic Lifting produces. The list of benefits we discuss includes: - Increased Mobility - Improved Neuromuscular Coordination - Increased Force Production - Improved Lateral Stability - More Linear Power - Increased Overhead Strength - Improved body awareness - Fewer injuries Listen and learn why your Student-Athlete needs Olympic Lifting in their exercise r

A good youth sports performance coach understands the need for a foundation built on basic relative strength. A GREAT youth sports performance coach, like Cory Gilday, builds off of this foundation with expert level sport specific strength and conditioning.   Cory’s 14 years of experience training hundreds of athletes from youth to professionals like Shaquille O'Neal, Shaun Bodiford, and Slade Norris has led to his success on a local and national level. He specializes in movement training, injury prevention, linear and lateral speed development, foot speed and agility, explosive power development, proper strength training techniques, sport specific conditioning and recovery strategies. In my conversation with Cory Gilday you’ll learn:   - The differences between a sport coach and a performance coach... and how they can best work together - Why proper tissue quality is vital - The importance of in-season strength and conditioning - Why the goal of long-term athletic development determines the type of training

Self-mastery begins with the mind and develops into a strength that is unstoppable. Successful mental strength coach, Gregg Swanson, explains the powerful need for mental strength training in this statement: “Every compartment of your mind is to be programmed by you. If you don’t take rightful responsibility to program your own mind the world will program it for you.”   Mental strength training is imperative not only for self-mastery in sport but also to be a successful human being. Its practice should be embraced and includes 5 key areas of focus.   Gregg Swanson's practical mental strategies are language specific because a poor choice in vocabulary can mislead a Student-Athlete and provide negative consequences.   These 5 mental strength training actions can be downloaded and added to the daily practice of your Student-Athlete. Listen, learn and get them here: http://sportsmastery.com/49  

  You've likely heard of IMG Academy. It’s a boarding school and sports training destination in Bradenton, Florida that delivers training in both academics and athletics. Since 1978 it has trained thousands of Olympic, collegiate, and professional athletes. The IMG complex currently sits on 450 acres and includes a talented multidisciplinary staff to support its Student-Athlete. Dr. Duncan Simpson is one of these skilled trainers. He is IMG Academy’s Assistant Head of Mental Conditioning. Originally from England, Dr. Simpson has a Ph.D in Sport Psychology and is a Certified Consultant with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. His in-depth knowledge is vast and important for every parent, coach and mentor to hear.   Today, Dr. Simpson shares 4 important values used in the mental conditioning at IMG… 1) different sport = different demands, 2) emotional regulation, 3) overcoming setbacks (including injury), and 4) integrating mental and physical training.   Listen and learn how to apply the successful s

It takes a special individual to be a Student-Athlete. Their journey through physical and mental challenges calls for specialized training and practice. Goals are set, like getting a college scholarship, and the everyday work is put in. However, success is not guaranteed and the road it fraught with challenges… But there is hope! Many amazing Student-Athletes have gone before and can help guide us to an easier way to success. Maneuvering past the typical obstacles and having strategies to conquer those the Student-Athlete will face.    Keith Sconiers is one of these incredibly insightful people. His progression from Basketball at Portland State to owning 2 businesses has been an exploration in learning about self and progress.   Keith draws on his Student-Athlete experience as he shares the 6 crucial principles that have led to his continued success. From basketball to businessman Keith expresses his struggles along the way and how he overcame them. Listen and learn Keith’s 6 crucial principles... or download

Does your Student-Athlete need to be trained in running or sprinting? To walk us through what the answer entails is running expert Dr. Jason Karp.   Dr. Karp has spent his life devoted to running. “I really believe that running is the best expression of our physicality as human beings,” he said in our interview. His dedication to running has led to extensive education and experience. His 3 degrees in exercise science (PhD in exercise science, Master’s degree in Kinesiology and Bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science), over 400 published articles, and 8 books provide examples of his immense expertise.   The key to a running regimen is to know what you want to get out of it. Whether it's to be a better runner, to psychologically challenge yourself, or running to lose weight. Every coach and parent needs to understand the importance of running specifically for their Student-Athlete's training.   Listen and discover 1) the training differences of runners and sprinters, 2) the mental preparation an elite

A Student-Athlete’s diet can have an immense impact on their energy level, health, and focus. Making smart nutritional choices comes with a long list of positives: it improves strength & endurance, boosts metabolism, enhances electrolyte balance, amps up cardiovascular health, maintains good stamina, and improves coordination & mental focus.   Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Iris Briand, explains how to achieve these amazing nutritional benefits for the Student-Athlete. These nutritional must-haves are backed by digestive science and natural body needs.   You’ll also discover how to decrease those pesky junk food cravings every Student-Athlete faces. This expert advice develops a healthy appetite for food that nourishes the body and mind. Download my nutrition cheat sheet and discover how your Student-Athlete can achieve all 6 nutritional must-haves: http://sportsmastery.com/45.   To learn more about Iris visit: http://solfoodnutrition.com/

The list of steroid benefits is long. It includes increased muscle mass, greater fat loss, tissue repair, increased physical performance, improved bone density, increased sprint speed... and on and on it goes. The word "steroid" may make you think of Anadrol and Testo-max... but these are a big NO! So what legal steroids are available? What can your Student-Athlete take to get such drastic benefits? In this episode, I prescribe to you a legal 5 steroid regimen that is able to provide all the same amazing benefits as the Deca-Duro and Trenorols of the world. Discover the 5 best legal steroids to get your Student-Athlete to the next level. Download the prescription here: http://sportsmastery.com/44

Finding the RIGHT high school for your Student-Athlete enables them to experience enjoyment, to thrive socially, academically and athletically, and to achieve postgraduate opportunities. This decision can be pressure filled, especially with colleges receiving a record number of qualified applications each year. The success of your Student-Athlete in high school is essential to opening postgraduate doors.   The right high school needs to be able to do more than just provide athletic wins. In fact, many factors may out way the high school's winning percentage. You are your Student-Athlete's best and sometimes only advocate. Your due diligence in researching and finding the right high school now can save you many headaches and possibly a transfer down the road.   A thorough investigation of the following 10 factors will paint the full picture of a high school’s fit for your Student-Athlete. These 10 things need to be weighed and considered specifically for the unique young person your Student-Athlete is. Listen

Orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist, Dr. David Geier, is just as passionate about injury prevention as he is about treating injuries. Dr. Geier writes a regular newspaper column, produce a weekly sports medicine podcast (The Dr. David Geier Show), and writes for his own blog and other numerous publications. All of this while he maintains his own busy practice in Charleston, South Carolina. His practice is particularly focused on knee and shoulder injuries and the arthroscopic surgeries used to treat them.   With his vast experience and knowledge, Dr. Geier realizes the importance of preventing youth sports injuries and has developed a passion for sharing this message. In this conversation we tap into his immense expertise and discuss: - How & why playing one sport year-round can do more harm to your kid than good - Why we should focus more on fun and less on winning in youth sports - Steps parents and coaches can take to prevent ACL and other injuries in young athletes - What parents shou

Being the Parent of a Student-Athlete brings its own set of unique challenges. Thankfully, with these obstacles come amazing rewards as you aid in the growth of your Student-Athlete. Your job is complex as you provide the Student-Athlete with support, structure, guidance, love and often times coaching. Today, I share with you the 3 biggest problems that Parents and their Student-Athlete face together… pay attention to that together part. This is a family effort. These challenges can't be overcome without consistent and honest dialogue between you and the Student-Athlete. I break these complex obstacles down and provide you with the strategies to navigate these situations for the best possible outcome.   Being the Parent of a Student-Athlete is an opportunity to help them grow on and off the field. Listen and discover the 3 biggest problems Parents face with their Student-Athlete and how you can maneuver to success. Don’t forget to download this episode’s PDF as a reminder of the strategies you can use now! Vi

Being a top student-athlete means constantly growing and reinventing yourself. It's a journey comprised of ups, downs, successes, and failures. This is the story of Julius Shellmire and our work together. Throughout this narrative, you’ll discover the reasons for Julius’s success and the training regimen that took his hard work into real results. This narrative includes his transition from Southern Oregon University to the University of Oregon, the experience of believing in yourself, the importance of goal setting, and why keeping a positive mental attitude is necessary throughout the journey. Julius is currently preparing for the NCAA D-1 Track and Field finals that begin tomorrow. His 4x100 team has already broken 3 school records and is hungry for the championship. Lastly, I’ll leave you with this: Success is about mindset, not facilities. View Julius’s journey through videos, photos and an amazing graphic timeline here: http://sportsmastery.com/40

Stress has a PR problem. We try and avoid stress at all costs, when in reality the proper dose of stress brings opportunity for growth. If we label stress as bad, we're doing more harm than good. A Student-Athlete needs exposure to the right type of stress and competition in order to improve, become a better teammate, and learn the value of hard work. Listen and learn why its important to calm the stress response instead of trying to eliminate it completely.