What does it mean to lead from behind the plate – and in life? In this episode on The Coaching Podcast, Ryan Lavarnway, World Series Champion, Olympian, and resilience coach, shares hard-earned lessons from baseball and beyond. From catching knuckleballs to catching life’s curveballs, Ryan explores how resilience is a skill you build before you need it, why inaction is the real enemy, and how great coaches create cultures where players lead themselves. He unpacks his powerful WHY NOT framework and offers practical wisdom for anyone striving to lead with purpose, trust, and grit.

About Ryan Lavarnway – Keynote Speaker | Resilience Coach | World Series Champion
Ryan Lavarnway is a former Major League Baseball catcher, Olympian, and World Series Champion known for his grit, adaptability, and leadership behind the plate. Over his professional career, he earned a reputation for catching some of the game’s toughest pitches – including the elusive knuckleball – and delivering under pressure. Ryan is a two-time published author, Ironman finisher, and proud Girl Dad. Today, he brings his passion for peak performance, resilience, and team culture to stages and boardrooms as a keynote speaker and resilience coach. Fueled by purpose (and perfectly timed caffeine), Ryan inspires audiences to lean into possibility and lead like a catcher – ready, responsive, and resilient.

Connect with Ryan:

Website: https://ryanlavarnway.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-lavarnway/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/rlavarnway/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Not-Journal-Ryan-Lavarnway/dp/B0F3XYNWWN