Episodes

  • Fueling Champions: The Power of Proper Nutrition - Part 1

    Fueling Champions: The Power of Proper Nutrition - Part 1
    Aug 29 2025
    Game Changers: Athlete Edition – Episode: Brian Parana (Part 1) Show Description In this insightful episode of Game Changers Athlete Edition, hosts Kortney Harmon and Julie Jones welcome sports nutrition expert and high school health coach Brian Parana. Brian, a former competitive runner and triathlete, brings over two decades of experience working with individuals on optimizing health, fitness, and performance—especially for young athletes. In part one of his conversation with the Game Changers team, Brian dishes practical, no-nonsense advice on fueling athletic excellence, demystifying protein intake, nutrient timing, and building food habits that stick for life. Whether you’re a parent, an athlete, or a coach, this episode is packed with relatable stories, actionable nutrition strategies, and a clear-eyed approach to developing a healthy relationship with food. Episode Highlights Meet Brian Parana Family, fitness, and food: Brian shares his background as a husband, father of four active kids, and someone passionate about nutrition and travel. Professional focus: 23+ years of coaching people of all ages and health backgrounds, with an emphasis on lifelong nutrition—not just quick fixes. How Nutrition Fuels Performance Brian and Julie reflect on learning about sports nutrition before it was mainstream, and how nutrition shaped their own athletic journeys. Nutrient timing: The importance of eating carbohydrates before activity for performance and recovery. Misconceptions: Debunking myths like “pizza is always bad before a game,” and emphasizing individualized, context-driven choices. Young Athletes and Common Nutrition Mistakes Distraction and under-preparedness: Today’s young athletes often lack nutritional awareness and a plan for fueling. Impact on performance: Poor food choices or skipping meals affects training intensity, recovery, and long-term results. “Every yes is a no”: Choosing snacks like goldfish and pretzels over balanced meals means missing out on vital recovery and energy. Protein, Carbs, and Building the Athletic Plate Practical rules: Strive for balance—one-third protein, one-third veggies or fruit, one-third starch. Protein demystified: General guideline for high school athletes: 0.8–1.0 grams of protein per pound of body weight, adjusted for sport and goals. Visualize portions: A deck of cards = about 3–4 ounces = ~30 grams protein. Spread intake between 3–4 meals; don’t chase extreme protein supplement routines. Carbohydrates for energy: The more intense your sport and training, the more carbs (think rice, potatoes, pasta) you need to support performance and sleep. Practical Planning & Life Hacks for Busy Athletes Plan to automate: Brian shares automation and routines that help families (and athletes) stay consistent with nutrition, even with busy schedules. Prep over “winging it”: Whether it’s packing lunch the night before or meal prepping on weekends, successful nutrition comes down to forethought, not luck. The power of triggers: Setting alarms, post-it reminders, or family routines ensures food decisions are proactive, not reactive. Mindset and Motivation Tie nutrition to “your why”: When good nutrition is connected to performance goals and personal aspirations, it becomes far more meaningful—and sustainable. Habits, not hacks: Brian emphasizes real behavior change—moving more, eating better, and practicing portion control—over fads, quick fixes, or supplements. Key Takeaways for Athletes and Parents Nutritional awareness is a game-changer: What you eat and when you eat matters for training, recovery, and overall results. Balanced meals trump endless snacking: Prioritize real, whole foods, not convenience snacks. Preparation is a superpower: Set yourself up for success by planning and prepping, not leaving nutrition to chance. Protein and carbs are your friends: Don’t be afraid of either; just get them in the right amounts for your sport and body. Building habits takes intention: Use reminders, routines, and language that empower you to make better choices, not just for a season but for life. Connect food to outcomes: Remind yourself (and your athletes!) that every food decision is either fueling or draining your performance. Quotes from the Episode “Every time you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else.” “I want people saying, ‘Brian taught me how to eat balanced meals, be more prepared with my food, and practice portion control.’” “You have to slow down a little bit to be able to speed back up.” “If you’re saying yes to handfuls of goldfish crackers, you’re saying no to a balanced meal—so which will really help you recover and perform?” Connect & Share Follow us on social media @GameChangersPod Subscribe to Game Changers wherever you listen to podcasts Share this episode with your team, a parent, or anyone who wants to elevate their nutrition ...
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    33 mins
  • From the Yips to Starting Lineup: How One Freshman Overcame Mental Paralysis

    From the Yips to Starting Lineup: How One Freshman Overcame Mental Paralysis
    Aug 15 2025
    Game Changers: Athlete Edition - Episode with Josie Owen-Kren (Part 2) Show Description In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Michigan soccer player Josie Owen-Kren, hosts Julie Jones and Kortney Harmon dive deeper into the mental challenges of college athletics. From overcoming "the yips" to learning how to communicate with different coaching styles, Josie shares how she transformed from a tentative freshman into a confident starter. This episode explores the crucial skills of adaptation, communication, and finding your voice while still being coachable - lessons that extend far beyond the soccer field. Episode Highlights The Mental Game: Overcoming "The Yips" Josie opens up about experiencing what she calls "the yips" - a period where she couldn't connect a simple pass for four straight days. This happened because she was so focused on not making mistakes that she actually made everything worse. The Pressure Cooker: "I have four days to prove that I can play. So I didn't want to do anything wrong. So now I'm trying not to do everything wrong and I'm actually doing everything wrong because I'm trying not to do it wrong." The Breaking Point: Even simple decisions like playing the ball backward to her center backs or goalkeeper became impossible. She was so mentally locked up that she would only play forward - directly to the opposing team. The Power of Letting Go The turning point came when Josie made a controversial decision that actually saved her mental game: she temporarily stopped listening to her coaches. Finding Her Game Again: "I kind of stopped listening to my coaches for a minute... I was like, I'm just gonna play my game. I started doing that and started enjoying soccer again." This wasn't rebellion - it was about quieting the mental noise and getting back to her natural instincts before slowly incorporating coaching feedback. Translating Coach Speak into Player Action Working with Julie, Josie learned how to take coaching instructions and translate them into her own language and movement patterns, rather than trying to completely change her game. The Key Insight: "It was more of, like, almost taking what she says and turning it into, what am I good at? And how do I apply it to what I'm already good at?" Communication Across Different Coaching Styles Josie had to learn to communicate with Brian, a male assistant coach whose harsh, direct style was completely different from what she was used to. The lesson? Coaches won't change their communication style for you - you have to figure out how to work with them. The Reality Check: "Any time he said something, it was hard for me to take it in because I didn't quite understand what he was saying. The way he said it wasn't how I would have received it." The Spring Turnaround: From Uncertainty to Starting Despite feeling confident going into spring meetings, Josie received lukewarm feedback from coaches who still weren't sure about her abilities. But instead of getting discouraged, she used this as motivation. The Meeting That Stung: Her coaches said her confidence was up but she was still indecisive, and they needed to "see how the games go." The Breakthrough Moment: In her second spring game against Notre Dame, Josie not only started but received Player of the Game honors from her captains. She started every game after that. Coach's Surprise: "You know, like, I kind of just threw you in there to see how you would react. And you hung with everyone. Like, you played great. Like, nobody was expecting it." Rediscovering the Joy of Playing A crucial element in Josie's transformation was remembering why she loved soccer in the first place. Back to Basics: When they did 1v1 defending drills (something she loved from her club days), Josie found her zone again: "I just loved it. So there was like a few practices where we do 1v1. So I was just like in my zone. I was loving it." Julie's Insight: "When fun goes away, it's work. And you didn't go there to work soccer. You went there to play soccer." Key Takeaways for Athletes Mental Performance Lessons: Overthinking kills performance - Sometimes you need to quiet the mental chatter and trust your instinctsIt's okay to step back temporarily - Taking a break from trying to please everyone can help you find yourself againRediscover your love for the game - When pressure mounts, remember why you started playing Communication Skills: Coaches won't change for you - Learn to adapt to different communication stylesTranslate feedback into your language - Don't try to completely change who you are as a playerBuild relationships gradually - Understanding different personalities takes time Resilience Building: Prepare for things to go wrong - Even successful freshmen face unexpected challengesEveryone struggles - You're not alone in questioning yourself during freshman yearAcademic preparation matters - Strong study habits from club/high school will serve you well The Academic Success Factor Josie shares how her club...
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    28 mins
  • The Brutal Truth About Freshman Year: What No One Tells You Before College Sports

    The Brutal Truth About Freshman Year: What No One Tells You Before College Sports
    Aug 1 2025
    Game Changers: Athlete Edition - Episode with Josie Owen-Kren Show Description Join hosts Julie Jones and Kortney Harmon as they dive deep into the realities of freshman year with Michigan soccer player Josie Owen-Kren. This honest conversation explores the gap between expectations and reality, mental wake-up calls, and the challenges that shape young athletes today. From preparation strategies to managing new life demands, this episode equips you with insights to navigate your own athletic journey, especially if you're heading into your freshman year. Episode Highlights The Reality Check: When Expectations Meet College Athletics Josie shares her vivid memory of feeling "like a chicken with my head cut off" during her first possession drill at Michigan. Despite playing at elite club levels and feeling confident during captain's practices, everything changed once coaches arrived and competition intensified. Key Insight: "In preseason, before we were with the coaches, we were playing 77... I felt great. We get into season with the coaches, all of a sudden everybody goes from like the 75% that I thought was 100% in preseason to like 110% the first day." The Talent Level Jump: Club vs. College Coming from International Soccer Club (the same program as previous guest Katie Scott), Josie explains the dramatic difference between even elite club soccer and Division 1 college athletics. The Two Game-Changers: Fitness Level - The physical demands are exponentially higherDecision-Making Speed - Not just physical speed, but how fast you can think and react "Once you get to college, the talent from top to bottom is just like, it's pretty much all the same. It just ends up being who's more fit and who's faster at decision making speed." Preparation Advice: What Josie Wishes She'd Done Differently The biggest piece of advice for incoming college athletes? Start running and learn to embrace uncomfortable workouts early. Josie emphasizes finding ways to enjoy fitness while you're younger (sophomore/junior year of high school) so it's not a burden when you reach college. She credits this realization to stories her Marine father told her about improving his running times - advice she initially dismissed but now fully understands. The Social Challenge: Finding Your Place Not everyone immediately clicks with their team, and Josie's experience highlights an often-overlooked aspect of the college transition. While many of her former International teammates found their groups quickly, she struggled with social connections during her first semester. The Self-Isolation Trap: When things don't go as planned athletically, it's natural to withdraw socially - but this makes everything harder. The Turnaround: Second semester brought better relationships as Josie learned to put herself out there more, despite being naturally introverted. Navigating the Red Shirt Reality One of the most challenging aspects of Josie's freshman year was realizing she would be red-shirted. The turning point came through advice from a junior who had been in the same situation. The Game-Changing Conversation: After not traveling to away games and uncertainty about her status, Josie requested a sit-down with her coach. The key was asking for clarity so she could focus on her role rather than constantly wondering about her playing time. Coach's Response: "I don't want to waste your eligibility" - which Josie appreciated, having seen other players burn eligibility for minimal minutes. The Mental Shift: Once she knew her role as a red-shirt, Josie became the team's biggest cheerleader and could focus on being the best teammate possible. The Power of Direct Communication Both hosts emphasize a crucial lesson: As a freshman, you'll need your coach more than you'll ever ask for help. The gap widens when you're not getting what you want, but that's exactly when communication becomes most vital. Julie's Coaching Insight: "As a freshman, you can't get them in your office. As a sophomore, you can't get them out." The comfort level changes dramatically once players realize coaches are there to help, not just withhold opportunities. Key Takeaways for Athletes For Current High School Athletes: Start fitness training early - Learn to embrace uncomfortable workouts while you have time to develop the habitPrepare mentally for the jump - Even elite club players face significant adjustmentsUnderstand the competition level - Everyone was the best player on their previous team For Current Freshmen: Give yourself grace - The transition affects everything, including your athletic performanceDon't self-isolate - Put yourself out there socially, even if it feels uncomfortableCommunicate with coaches - Seek clarity about your role rather than living in uncertaintyFocus on your role - Once you know where you stand, embrace it fully The Social Connection Factor Research from Harvard shows that social connection, not test scores or intellect, determines success in college. This ...
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    31 mins
  • The Secret to Youth Sports Leadership: Why Helping Others Beats Winning Every Time - Part 2

    The Secret to Youth Sports Leadership: Why Helping Others Beats Winning Every Time - Part 2
    Jul 18 2025
    Game Changers: Athlete Edition - Episode Show Notes The Secret to Youth Sports Leadership: Why Helping Others Beats Winning Every Time - Part 2 Hosts: Kortney Harmon & Julie Jones Guest: Dr. Jason Ronai Episode Type: Part 2 of Leadership Discussion Episode Overview In this powerful continuation of our leadership conversation, Dr. Jason Ronai joins hosts Kortney Harmon and Julie Jones to dive deep into what real leadership looks like in youth sports. This isn't your typical leadership discussion - it's a research-backed exploration of how helping others becomes the foundation of authentic leadership development. Key Topics Discussed The Environment Effect on Youth Athletes Dr. Ronai shares a fascinating story from the Navy Baseball Leadership CampHow parental presence in the stands dramatically changed player behaviorThe impact of external voices on young athletes' decision-makingCreating growth-oriented environments free from distractions The Truth About Why Kids Play Sports Research reveals children choose sports for fun and friends - not opinion, but factWhat "fun" actually means to youth athletes (spoiler: winning was ranked 48th)The top 6 reasons kids find sports fun: Feeling of trying your bestCoach treats players with respectGetting playing timePlaying well as a teamGetting along with teammatesBeing active The Youth Sports Crisis 70% of youth athletes drop out by age 13 because it's "no longer fun"The $40 billion youth sports industry and what it's breakingHow exclusionary travel sports impact community leaguesThe importance of sport sampling vs. early specialization Redefining Leadership for Young Athletes Leadership isn't about titles or being the starThe power of helping others as the foundation of leadershipHow helping prevents negative behaviors like tantrums and self-pityBuilding relationships that lead to superior team performance Research-Backed Benefits Children with higher ACE scores (adverse childhood experiences) show better mental health outcomes when playing team sportsMulti-sport participation leads to longer athletic careersThe physical and mental benefits of diverse athletic experiences Practical Parenting Strategies Developing family core values around sports participationFighting against external validation cultureCreating intrinsic motivation rather than outcome-focused thinkingSimple mantras: "I'm safe, I'm empowered, I'm loved, I can do hard things" The Real Numbers Game What parents focus on: Winning (48th), Tournaments (63rd), Private instruction (66th)What kids actually want: Fun, friends, respect, playing time, teamwork96-98% of youth athletes won't receive college scholarships Notable 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." - Dr. Jason Ronai "It's impossible to help and be a jerk at the same time." - Dr. Jason Ronai "We don't play to win because if we played to win, I would have quit coaching immediately." - Julie Jones Guest Information Dr. Jason Ronai is a district athletic director for 17 high schools in Chicago, overseeing approximately 400 coaches. He's a former Division 1 baseball and basketball player with professional baseball experience. Dr. Ronai is the author of "Endless Teachable Moments: An Expression of the Art and Education of Sport," which combines essays and poetry to capture the transformative power of athletics. Resources Mentioned Book: "Endless Teachable Moments: An Expression of the Art and Education of Sport" by Dr. Jason RonaiAvailable on Amazon and other book retailersInternational Journal of Coaching Science research on youth motivationACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) test research Key Takeaways for Parents and Coaches Focus on helping others - This is the foundation of real leadershipEstablish family values around sports participation earlyPrioritize fun and friendship - these are the real reasons kids playSupport multi-sport participation as long as possibleCreate environments where kids can fail and learn without judgmentFight against external validation cultureRemember the statistics - most kids won't get scholarships, so focus on life lessons Call to Action Reflect on your family's core values around sports participationConsider how you can help young athletes focus on helping othersSupport local community leagues and inclusive sports programsShare this episode with other parents and coaches who could benefit 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 ...
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    43 mins
  • 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 Ronai 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 Ronai - Expert in athlete leadership development and author of "Endless Teachable Moments" Key Topics & Timestamps Leadership Philosophy & Foundation (00:00 - 10:00) Dr. Ronai'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 RonaiThe 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
  • From NFL to Bobsled: Michael Blair on Confidence, Coaching, and Building Winners

    From NFL to Bobsled: Michael Blair on Confidence, Coaching, and Building Winners
    May 16 2025

    In this powerful episode of Game Changers - Athlete Edition, hosts Kortney Harmon, Julie Jones, and Courtney Harmon sit down with Michael Blair—former NFL player, bobsledder, actor, keynote speaker, coach, founder of 9010 Sports Bobsled Team, and recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Community Service Award. Michael shares his extraordinary journey through professional football, the icy tracks of bobsled, and his current work shaping the next generation of athletes through his innovative sports and vocational academy.

    Listeners will learn:

    • Why coaching is less about telling and more about listening—and how that fosters true development

    • The “90 mental, 10 physical” philosophy and why focusing on the mind is key for young athletes

    • The importance of community, shared experiences, and intellectual skills over solitary training

    • Michael’s honest account of conquering self-doubt when transitioning from football to bobsledding in his 40s

    • The small but profound milestones that build confidence and competitive spirit in kids

    • How coaches—whether parents or professionals—can better support, communicate, and lead athletes in today’s sports culture

    Whether you’re a parent, coach, or current athlete, Michael’s insights on resilience, staying present, and redefining success will inspire you to embrace every challenge, nurture competence over comparison, and focus on lifelong growth—not just on the scoreboard.

    Tune in for practical tips, inspiring stories, and a reminder that champions aren’t born—they’re built with the right mindset, perseverance, and a lot of heart.

    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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    1 hr and 8 mins