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Game Changers - Athlete Edition

Game Changers - Athlete Edition

By: Game Changers - Athletes
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 Game Changers: Athlete Edition is the ultimate mindset and performance podcast bridging the gap between elite athletics and lifelong achievement. Hosted by Kortney Harmon, a former D1 softball pitcher turned high-performance business coach, and Julie Jones, a Hall of Fame coach and mental performance specialist, this show delivers powerful insights that transform athletes into champions both on and off the field. Each episode combines decades of elite coaching experience with real-world success strategies, featuring captivating interviews with accomplished coaches and athletes who share their journeys, challenges, and breakthrough moments. Whether you’re a current athlete looking to level up your game, a coach seeking fresh perspectives, or someone eager to harness the athlete mindset for success in any arena, this podcast delivers actionable strategies and motivation to help you break through barriers and reach your full potential. From mental toughness and resilience to leadership and post-athletic career success, Game Changers: Athlete Edition equips you with the tools and mindset needed to excel in all aspects of life. Join Kortney and Julie weekly as they share proven techniques, inspiring stories, and practical wisdom that will help you become the game changer you’re meant to be. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @GameChangersPod on social media for daily motivation and exclusive content. DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and Game Changers - Athlete Edition podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Episodes
  • Choose to Lead: Building Tomorrow's Leaders Through Youth Sports - Part 1

    Choose to Lead: Building Tomorrow's Leaders Through Youth Sports - Part 1
    Jul 4 2025
    Episode Overview In this powerful conversation, Dr. Jason Roani shares his expertise on leadership development for athletes at every level. The discussion focuses on how true leadership isn't about titles, but about influence, and provides practical tools that athletes can implement immediately - whether they're team captains or not. Hosts: Kortney Harmon - Former Division 1 College Softball Pitcher turned high-performance business coachJulie Jones - Hall of Fame coach with over 20 years of D1 softball coaching experience and certified mental performance specialist Guest: Dr. Jason Roani - Expert in athlete leadership development and author of "Endless Teachable Moments" Key Topics & Timestamps Leadership Philosophy & Foundation (00:00 - 10:00) Dr. Roani's comprehensive leadership philosophy from his doctorate programThe most important word in leadership: "CHOOSE"Breaking down complex leadership concepts for youth athletesThe "Two Beasts" concept: Growth-oriented vs. Poison beast The Mountain Climbing Metaphor (10:00 - 15:00) Leadership as climbing a mountain toward "competitive greatness"Choosing conscientiousness and working hard dailyBuilding habits of overcoming obstaclesThe importance of "figuring it out" and applying self-knowledge Age-Appropriate Leadership Development (15:00 - 20:00) Why young athletes shouldn't be pressured to be "leaders" immediatelyStarting with being a "good helper" and taking personal responsibilityBuilding standards of behavior, communication, and body languageThe progression from helper → great teammate → positive influencer → leader The Six E's Framework (20:00 - 30:00) Effort: Complete focus and articulation of concentrationEnergy: Positive body language that shows readinessEnthusiasm: Excitement for the success of othersEncouragement: Having courage to give and receive feedbackExecution: Conscientiousness in all actions and movementsElimination: Removing DEBTS (Distraction, Embarrassment, Taunting, Sarcasm, Self-pity) The Value of Failure & Teachable Moments (30:00 - 40:00) Why high achievers often struggle more with failureThe endless teachable moments available through sportsHow team sports create opportunities to overcome both success and failureBuilding habits of resilience through athletic experiences Embracing Failure & Building Toughness (40:00 - 45:00) Painting realistic pictures of what will happen in sportsThe two core values: Poise (proactive mindset) and Toughness (reactive habits)Preparing athletes mentally for inevitable mistakes and adversityBuilding trust through consistent responses to failure Modern Challenges: Social Media & External Pressures (45:00 - End) Navigating increased distractions and external pressuresHelping athletes develop personal core valuesStrategies for dealing with social media negativityThe importance of focusing on internal standards vs. external opinions Key Quotes "Great leaders are honest, competent, inspiring, forward looking individuals and choose to be poised, growth oriented, conscientious competitors who positively impact people and organizations in order to achieve mission driven results that exceed expectations." "The most important word in leadership is 'choose' - we choose our core values, our standards of behavior, our standards of body language, and our standards of communication." "Leadership is just a constant growth and awareness process in which you aim to be positive and an empowering influence on others through your habits, values, words, skills and actions." "We have this window of time in which children can extract the most amount of values and positive experiences and failure along the way in a really safe setting." Actionable Takeaways For Young Athletes: Start with personal responsibility - Get your equipment ready, be organizedFocus on being a good helper before trying to be a leaderPractice the Six E's daily in training and competitionEmbrace mistakes as learning opportunities, not failuresDevelop your own core values as you mature For Parents: Don't pressure young children to be leaders - let them develop graduallyCreate environments where mistakes are learning processesFocus on growth-oriented mindsets over outcomesHelp children navigate external pressures and social mediaModel the standards of behavior you want to see For Coaches: Establish clear standards of behavior, body language, and communicationUse rubrics and evaluations around character developmentCreate "no fear, no embarrassment" environmentsFocus on process over outcomes in youth sportsProvide endless teachable moments through sports experiences Resources Mentioned "Endless Teachable Moments" by Dr. Jason RoaniThe Leadership Challenge study (five-decade research on admired leader characteristics)Coach K's "no fear, no embarrassment" policyPatrick Murphy's "mutita" concept from University of Alabama Next Episode Preview Tune in 2 weeks from now for Part 2 of this conversation! DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and ...
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    44 mins
  • How Parents Shape Athletic Culture and Support Their Child’s Sports Journey

    How Parents Shape Athletic Culture and Support Their Child’s Sports Journey
    Jun 20 2025

    On this episode of Game Changers – Athlete Edition, co-hosts Julie Jones and Courtney Harmon are joined by JP Nerbun, renowned author of "The Sport Parent Solution," to dive deep into the crucial but often overlooked role parents play in their athletes' sports experiences.

    From dinner table conversations to sideline reactions, the trio unpacks how parental beliefs and actions shape team culture, impact athletes’ mindsets, and even influence how coaches approach communication. JP shares practical questions parents can ask themselves to keep their focus on growth, effort, and values instead of outcomes and playing time. Julie and Kortney open up about the challenges and joys of being both coaches and sports parents, and invite listeners to reflect on how their support can make sports a truly positive and transformative journey for their kids.

    You’ll walk away with powerful insights on building resilience, fostering gratitude, teaching accountability, and promoting a lifelong love for sports—all while keeping perspective and having fun along the way. Whether you’re a parent in the stands, a coach, or an athlete, this conversation is full of actionable takeaways and real talk that will help elevate your game—on and off the field.

    Be sure to check out the show notes for JP’s book links, essential reflection questions, and more resources for supporting the athletes in your life!

    — If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share with another sports parent or coach, and follow us on social media for more inspiration and exclusive content.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • JP Nerbun’s books: The Culture System https://a.co/d/5WZFmR9

    • JP Nerbun’s books: The Sport Parents Solution. https://www.amazon.com/Sports-Parent-Solution-Strategies-Transforming/dp/B0CT6GQHND

    • The Coaching Culture Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/336Hs8udk8s0yXuK3BzSOq?si=4a528e075de54ecf DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional coaching or mental health advice. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining advice from qualified professionals because of something you may have heard in an episode of Game Changers: Athlete Edition. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional coaching, mental performance, or medical advice. Please consult with qualified professionals for proper evaluation and guidance specific to your situation. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions. Neither the Game Changers: Athlete Edition hosts nor any company providing support endorses or opposes any particular training, coaching, or treatment methods discussed in the episodes. They are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The strategies, tips, and information shared in this podcast are based on the hosts' experiences and professional expertise, but results may vary. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.
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    43 mins
  • Building Extraordinary Team Cultures: Insights from JP Nerbun for Athletes and Coaches

    Building Extraordinary Team Cultures: Insights from JP Nerbun for Athletes and Coaches
    May 30 2025

    Welcome back to another powerful episode of Game Changers – Athlete Edition! This week, co-hosts Kortney Harmon and Julie Jones sit down with JP Nerbun—bestselling author, leadership coach, founder of TOC Culture Consulting, and renowned expert in sports culture and leadership.

    JP dives into the nuances of building winning team cultures, offering practical wisdom for athletes, coaches, and parents. He explains why cultivating culture isn’t about tearing everything down and starting over—instead, it’s more like tending a garden: nurturing what’s good, pulling out the weeds, and helping everyone thrive.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • The athlete’s vital role in shaping and sustaining positive team culture.

    • How to lead by example, especially when things get tough.

    • The power of reframing setbacks and fostering an outward, giving mindset.

    • Concrete strategies for managing negativity within teams, including the toxic effects of unchecked complaining.

    • JP’s top three culture-building mistakes—and how to avoid them.

    • Key traditions and everyday actions that drive lasting transformation, plus why “little” efforts (like post-practice tea and chats) can create big shifts.

    • The value of identifying your personal non-negotiables and clarifying what it takes to be successful as an athlete or teammate.

    • Why embracing every individual, from star players to janitors and groundskeepers, shapes team identity and unity.

    JP also shares insights from his books, Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership and The Culture System, making this episode a must-listen for anyone eager to elevate their team’s environment, whether you’re an athlete, coach, or sports parent.

    Stay tuned for next episode: JP returns to discuss the parent’s impact on team culture, sharing actionable advice for turning parents into valuable allies.

    Connect with Us If you found today’s episode helpful, share it with your team, your coach, or anyone who could use a boost of inspiration. Don’t forget to subscribe for more mindset strategies, leadership lessons, and success stories from game changers around the world.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • JP Nerbun’s books: The Culture System https://a.co/d/5WZFmR9

    • JP Nerbun’s books: The Sport Parents Solution. https://www.amazon.com/Sports-Parent-Solution-Strategies-Transforming/dp/B0CT6GQHND

    • The Coaching Culture Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/336Hs8udk8s0yXuK3BzSOq?si=4a528e075de54ecf DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional coaching or mental health advice. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining advice from qualified professionals because of something you may have heard in an episode of Game Changers: Athlete Edition. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional coaching, mental performance, or medical advice. Please consult with qualified professionals for proper evaluation and guidance specific to your situation. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions. Neither the Game Changers: Athlete Edition hosts nor any company providing support endorses or opposes any particular training, coaching, or treatment methods discussed in the episodes. They are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The strategies, tips, and information shared in this podcast are based on the hosts' experiences and professional expertise, but results may vary. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

    Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social for daily motivation and exclusive content!
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    40 mins

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