Power of Positive

Aja Evans, who won Olympic bronze in 2014 in bobsled and finished fifth at the 2018 Olympic games, joins PCA's Power of Positive podcast, powered by Tipevo. **On PCA’s new Power of Positive podcast, powered by Tipevo ([@TipevoHQ](https://twitter.com/TipevoHQ)) PCA connects with athletes, coaches, and business leaders within the PCA community to discuss topics in youth and high school sports, leadership development, culture and of course...the Power of Positive!** This Power of Positive Podcast interview features Aja Evans ([@Ajalevans](https://twitter.com/ajalevans)). Aja won Olympic bronze in 2014 in bobsled, and finished fifth at the 2018 Olympic games. Growing up on Chicago's south side, Aja started organized sports in high school before going on to compete in track & field at the University in Illinois. In 2012, she was introduced to the sport of bobsled for the first time. Jason Sacks ([@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), Executive Vice President of Business Development and Philanthropy for PCA ([@PositiveCoachUS](https://twitter.com/positivecoachus)), speaks with Aja about... - Her youth sports experience, coming from a family of athletes - How she got introduced to bobsled while a collegiate track and field athlete - Her impact on the Olympic movement for women of color - The lessons she learned in sports and how she is carrying those over to her life after sports. [Tipevo](https://www.tipevo.com/?utm_source=PCA&utm_medium=email_banner&utm_campaign=pca) is America's Youth Sports Directory® using advanced processes to automatically discover, standardize, and list youth sports organizations across 20+sports nationwide. Tipevo is the trusted source for players, parents and coaches to find information, share their experience and connect with their favorite youth sports programs. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2).

PCA recently hosted Glenn Sugiyama, a PCA Advisory Board Member and Managing Partner and Global Sports Practice Leader for DHR International, primarily focused on executive searches in college athletics and professional sports. **On PCA’s new Power of Positive podcast, powered by Tipevo ([@TipevoHQ](https://twitter.com/TipevoHQ)) PCA connects with athletes, coaches, and business leaders within the PCA community to discuss topics in youth and high school sports, leadership development, culture and of course...the Power of Positive!** This Power of Positive Podcast interview features Glenn Sugiyama, a college football headhunter who serves on PCA's National Advisory Board. Glenn speaks with PCA about lessons learned from Leo Burnett Ad agency and how he uses them in his current job. Jason Sacks ([@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), Executive Vice President of Business Development and Philanthropy for PCA ([@PositiveCoachUS](https://twitter.com/positivecoachus)), speaks with Glenn ([@DHRintl](https://twitter.com/dhrintl)) about the executive search world of college and professional athletics. Forbes referred to Glenn as one of the most influential individuals in college athletics, and Glenn shared some of his thoughts about: - Culture change within athletic departments when making new hires - What he looks for in individuals when he is hiring coaches, athletic directors - The importance of diversity in hiring practices - The changing landscape of college athletics and what that means for youth and high school sports. [Tipevo](https://www.tipevo.com/?utm_source=PCA&utm_medium=email_banner&utm_campaign=pca) is America's Youth Sports Directory® using advanced processes to automatically discover, standardize, and list youth sports organizations across 20+sports nationwide. Tipevo is the trusted source for players, parents and coaches to find information, share their experience and connect with their favorite youth sports programs.

PCA recently hosted Northwestern Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald on the Power of Positive Podcast, powered by Tipevo. **On PCA’s new Power of Positive podcast, powered by Tipevo ([@TipevoHQ](https://twitter.com/TipevoHQ)) PCA connects with athletes, coaches, and business leaders within the PCA community to discuss topics in youth and high school sports, leadership development, culture and of course...the Power of Positive!** This Power of Positive Podcast interview features Pat Fitzgerald ([@coachfitz51](https://twitter.com/coachfitz51)), Head Football Coach for Northwestern University’s Football Team and PCA National Advisory Board Member. Jason Sacks [(@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), EVP of Business Development and Philanthropy for PCA, speaks with Fitzgerald about all things culture, youth football, and being a sports parent. More insights from this podcast include: - Fitzgerald's continued evolution and eye towards improvement as a coach. - How to reset, re-energize, and re-focus on the sidelines during the game. - Recruiting in college football and advice for parents and student-athletes on that process. - What the power of positive means for Coach Fitz — being positive is a cornerstone of the Northwestern Football program. *To hear from Fitzgerald, listen to our podcast below!* Are you or your kids interested in youth sports near you but don't know where to begin? [Tipevo](https://www.tipevo.com/?utm_source=PCA&utm_medium=email_banner&utm_campaign=pca) helps parents, players, and coaches discover, connect with, and review nearby youth sports programs. Thanks to Tipevo, vital information lives in one spot and makes the often-confusing youth sports world easier to navigate. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2).

PCA recently hosted DePaul Women's Soccer Coach Erin Chastain on the Power of Positive Podcast, powered by Tipevo. **On PCA’s new Power of Positive podcast, powered by Tipevo ([@TipevoHQ](https://twitter.com/TipevoHQ)) PCA connects with athletes, coaches, and business leaders within the PCA community to discuss topics in youth and high school sports, leadership development, culture and of course...the Power of Positive!** This Power of Positive Podcast interview features Erin Chastain ([@ErinChastain](https://twitter.com/ErinChastain)), Head Coach for DePaul University’s Women’s Soccer Team. Prior to this role, she was an assistant women’s soccer coach at Santa Clara and Northwestern and played soccer at the University of Minnesota from 1993-1997. Jason Sacks [(@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), EVP of Business Development and Philanthropy for PCA, speaks with Erin Chastain about her coaching career and parent advice to keep things in perspective. She also discusses her responsibility as a female to allow women to stay in the game to set the example for both her team and younger girls. More insights from this podcast include: - Women’s World Cup and the USWNT serving as role models - Using “Short Term Memory” on the playing field - Tips for Coaches coaching in blowout games - Establishing a culture at the collegiate level *To hear from Chastain, listen to our podcast below!* Are you or your kids interested in youth sports near you but don't know where to begin? [Tipevo](https://www.tipevo.com/?utm_source=PCA&utm_medium=email_banner&utm_campaign=pca) helps parents, players, and coaches discover, connect with, and review nearby youth sports programs. Thanks to Tipevo, vital information lives in one spot and makes the often-confusing youth sports world easier to navigate. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2).

PCA recently hosted Founder of We Coach, Megan Bartlett, on the Power of Positive Podcast, powered by Tipevo. **On PCA’s new Power of Positive podcast, powered by Tipevo ([@TipevoHQ](https://twitter.com/TipevoHQ)) PCA connects with athletes, coaches, and business leaders within the PCA community to discuss topics in youth and high school sports, leadership development, culture and of course...the Power of Positive!** This Power of Positive Podcast interview features Megan Bartlett ([@meganabartlett](https://twitter.com/meganabartlett)), founder of We Coach. Megan has spent most of her career working in, designing, and advocating for programs that use sports to promote youth development and positively impact communities. Jason Sacks ([@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), Vice President of Business Development and Philanthropy for PCA ([@PositiveCoachUS](https://twitter.com/positivecoachus)), speaks with Megan about how coaches can work with kids who have experienced trauma- in other words, trauma-informed coaching. Kids with a traumatic past have been wired in a way that makes their stress response overactive, but at We Coach, Bartlett has identified ways to help use sport to combat that, such as: - Structure, predictability, consistency - Competence/skill building (chances to get better at something) *To learn more about Trauma-Informed programming, listen to our podcast!* [Tipevo](https://www.tipevo.com/?utm_source=PCA&utm_medium=email_banner&utm_campaign=pca) is America's Youth Sports Directory® using advanced processes to automatically discover, standardize, and list youth sports organizations across 20+sports nationwide. Tipevo is the trusted source for players, parents and coaches to find information, share their experience and connect with their favorite youth sports programs. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2).

**On PCA’s new Power of Positive podcast, powered by Tipevo ([@TipevoHQ](https://twitter.com/TipevoHQ)) PCA connects with athletes, coaches, and business leaders within the PCA community to discuss topics in youth and high school sports, leadership development, culture and of course...the Power of Positive!** Our Power of Positive Podcast interview features Danielle Slaton ([@daniellevslaton](https://twitter.com/daniellevslaton)), former USWNT player and Santa Clara University Hall of Fame Soccer player. Currently, she is a soccer analyst and will broadcast at this summer’s Women’s World Cup in France. Jason Sacks ([@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), Vice President of Business Development and Philanthropy for PCA ([@PositiveCoachUS](https://twitter.com/positivecoachus)), speaks with Danielle Slaton about her sports journey and why she decided to specialize in soccer in high school. She shares her thoughts on youth sports including early specialization and advice on how to keep joy in the game. She also adds how women’s soccer has become a platform for change for other women’s fields. More insights from this podcast include: - Career switch from coaching to broadcasting - The leadership qualities she learned and gained from Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, and Mia Hamm - What to look forward to at the 2019 Women’s World Cup [Tipevo](https://www.tipevo.com/?utm_source=PCA&utm_medium=email_banner&utm_campaign=pca) is America's Youth Sports Directory® using advanced processes to automatically discover, standardize, and list youth sports organizations across 20+sports nationwide. Tipevo is the trusted source for players, parents and coaches to find information, share their experience and connect with their favorite youth sports programs. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

Our Power of Positive Podcast interview features Jeremy Goldberg ([@jeremygoldberg](https://twitter.com/jeremygoldberg)), President of LeagueApps ([@leagueapps](https://twitter.com/leagueapps)), a platform for sports organizations to operate seamlessly. He oversees the LeagueApps marketing, business development, and people operations functions and also is an operating partner at 212MEDIA where LeagueApps developed. Jason Sacks ([@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), Vice President of Business Development and Philanthropy for PCA ([@PositiveCoachUS](https://twitter.com/positivecoachus)), speaks with Jeremy Goldberg about his mission behind LeagueApps and how this platform thrived from defining their culture and spreading that mission unto their customers. Ultimately, Goldberg designed this software to make the youth sports experience more easier and enjoyable for the coaches and the parents. For more information, visit www.leagueapps.com. More insights from this podcast to look forward to include: - Purpose behind LeagueApps & its business model - Youth sports then vs. now (Youth Sports Ecosystem) - How PCA efforts coincide with the LeagueApps mission - Establishing the culture at LeagueApps - Advice to a sports league President and team on maintaining a consistent culture The Power of Positive Podcast is powered by [Tipevo](https://www.tipevo.com/?utm_source=PCA&utm_medium=email_banner&utm_campaign=pca). Tipevo is America's Youth Sports Directory® using advanced processes to automatically discover, standardize, and list youth sports organizations across 20+sports nationwide. Tipevo is the trusted source for players, parents and coaches to find information, share their experience and connect with their favorite youth sports programs. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

On PCA’s new Power of Positive podcast, powered by Tipevo ([@TipevoHQ](https://twitter.com/TipevoHQ)) PCA connects with athletes, coaches, and business leaders within the PCA community to discuss topics in youth and high school sports, leadership development, culture and of course...the Power of Positive! Our inaugural Power of Positive Podcast interview features Brian McBride, a former USMNT soccer player who played in 3 Fifa World Cups and Co-Founder of PCA’s Partner, Tipevo. As a professional athlete, coach, and parent, he discusses his soccer career and provides more information on Tipevo, a youth sports directory. Jason Sacks ([@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), Vice President of Business Development and Philanthropy for PCA ([@PositiveCoachUS](https://twitter.com/positivecoachus)), speaks with Brian McBride about his sports journey from his youth days to USMNT to now as a parent and coach. His sports timeline leads to the purpose behind Tipevo where parents can learn more information about youth clubs and organizations. To join or for more information, go to tipevo.com. More insights from this podcast to look forward to include: - Advantages of Being a Multi-Sport Athlete - McBride’s setbacks and comebacks throughout his soccer journey - Working with sports parents - Specific advice for how youth soccer coaches - Tipevo's purpose and information about the new platform. [Tipevo](https://www.tipevo.com/?utm_source=PCA&utm_medium=email_banner&utm_campaign=pca) is America's Youth Sports Directory® using advanced processes to automatically discover, standardize, and list youth sports organizations across 20+sports nationwide. Tipevo is the trusted source for players, parents and coaches to find information, share their experience and connect with their favorite youth sports programs. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2).

*Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives, and other major sports figures and academics who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.* This 1-on-1 interview features Lisa Mitzel ([@heymitz](https://twitter.com/heymitz)), a former NCAA Gymnast from the University of Utah, NCAA Gymnast Coach, and Author of *Focused And Inspired: Keeping Our Athletes Safe in a Win-At-All-Costs World*. As an author, speaker, and mental training coach, she focuses on growth mindset and how a coach and/or parent can acknowledge and train their athlete to deliver their best both mentally and physically. Jim Thompson ([@JimThompson18](https://twitter.com/JimThompson18)), Founder of PCA, speaks with Lisa Mitzel about her inspiration behind mental training, and her latest book, *Focused And Inspired: Keeping Our Athletes Safe in a Win-At-All-Costs World*. She begins by sharing how her former coach Greg Marsden and sports psychologists stimulated her mental training as an athlete, and later on, as a coach and parent. This foundation transitions into her discussion about Focused and Inspired while diving deeper into the key themes about vulnerability and safety. More insights from this podcast to look forward to include: - Authentic Human Connection - how coaches connect with their athletes - Aspiring to be an “Elevater” - “Sports is Messy” - how to demonstrate vulnerability and deal with the distractions and struggles of performing as an athlete - Her inspiration from Michael Phelps’ videos on mental training and visualization - Safety - Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Awareness Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

**Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives, and other major sports figures and academics who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.** This 1-on-1 interview features Ron Katz, Co-Founder of the Institute of Sports Law and Ethics (ISLE) at University of the Pacific. He is a sports lawyer who is of counsel at GCA Law Partners in Mountain View, CA. He has recently co-authored the book *Sport, Ethics and Leadership* with fellow PCA Supporter Jack Bowen and an article for the Stanford Law & Policy Review entitled "Changing Sex/Gender Roles and Sport." Ron also serves on PCA's Leadership Council. In this podcast interview with Former PCA President Tina Syer ([@tinasyer4](https://twitter.com/tinasyer4)) talks to Katz about his early involvement in many sports, his passion for representing the "underdog" throughout his legal career, and his involvement with the Institute of Sports Law and Ethics. Highlights of the podcast include: - The importance of ethics in sports and the mission of the Institute of Sports Law and Ethics - The prevalence and history of sexual stereotyping in sports - What coaches and parents can do to combat others stereotyping their athlete - How coaches and leaders can emphasize inclusion in sports. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

**Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives and other major sports figures who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.** This 1-on-1 interview features Jeffrey Marx ([@JeffreyMarx25](https://twitter.com/jeffreymarx25)), author of New York Times bestseller *Season of Life*, and the youngest-ever winner of the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. As an author and keynote speaker, Marx has written six books and his most requested presentation is – "This Thing We Call Success" – which focuses on the major themes in *Season of Life*: building healthy relationships, building community, and building leaders. David Jacobson ([@CoachDaveJake](https://twitter.com/CoachDaveJake)), who led PCA's marketing communications efforts for over 12 years, talks to Marx about the influence of *Season of Life*, and how coaches and teams all over the country have adapted the main themes of *Season of Life* to fit the needs of their program. Both Marx's book and this podcast dive deeper into key themes of *Season of Life*, such as relationships and working for a cause greater than oneself, and how youth sports reinforces and teaches those values to kids. Other highlights of the podcast include: - The power of the sports platform to change relationships and the world for better. - The powerful role of coaches, and how PCA National Advisory Board Member Joe Ehrmann redefined coaching as "taking athletes from where they are to where they want to be going," regardless of results on the scoreboard. - How it's a myth that "sports build character": sports, according to Marx, *can* build character if the coach is intentional about teaching character through sports. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

**Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives and other major sports figures who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.** This 1-on-1 interview features William (Bill) Damon, the Director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence. Damon is the author of Greater Expectations and is a professor of education at Stanford University ([@Stanford](https://twitter.com/Stanford)). His research, teaching and publications focus on moral development and education, and Damon is a key figure in the growth of positive psychology. Jim Thompson ([@JimThompson18](https://twitter.com/JimThompson18)), PCA Founder, talks to Damon about how youth sports can be a vehicle for helping youth find their purpose, and Damon's latest book, *The Path to Purpose*. The main theme of the podcast delves into why purpose matters so much for people and why youth sports can provide purpose for kids. Other highlights of the podcast include: - Purpose stabilizes people's lives through dedication and gives people sustained motivation - A purpose driven life makes people resilient - 20% of high school students feel like they have a well-developed sense of purpose - How to make sure teachers and coaches don't miss the purpose of learning or competing - How coaches can help athletes find purpose as 'elevaters' regardless of talent level. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

**Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives and other major sports figures who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.** This 1-on-1 interview features Chris Collins ([@coach_collins](https://twitter.com/coach_collins)), the Head Basketball Coach at Northwestern University. Collins most recently led Northwestern to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. Before arriving, Collins spent 13 years as an assistant coach for Duke University, where he had starred as a player. He also worked closely with the USA Men's Basketball teams that won Olympic Gold Medals in 2008 and 2012. Jason Sacks ([@jrsacks22](https://twitter.com/jrsacks22)), PCA's National Director of Business Development, talks to Collins about how he transformed Northwestern from a perennial loser to a successful team, his first tournament experience as a coach, taking the pressure off athletes, and keeping the fun in basketball by celebrating big successes as a team. Other highlights of the podcast include: - The relationship Coach Collins has with Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald, a fellow PCA National Advisory Board Member - What it meant to grow up as the son of a coach (Doug Collins) - Collins' recruiting philosophy in identifying players that align with his values - Building a team culture the "right way" and building a team identity. - Learning "leadership demeanor" from other great coaches like Coach K, Joe Maddon, and others. - The power of belief in accomplishing feats that have never been accomplished before - Taking the next step after achieving greatness. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

**Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives and other major sports figures who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.** This 1-on-1 interview features Greg Dale, Ph.D, a Professor of Sport Psychology and Sport Ethics at Duke University ([@DukeU](https://twitter.com/DukeU)) and PCA National Advisory Board Member. Dale is also Director of the Sport Psychology and Leadership Programs for Duke Athletics. In addition to his work with Duke athletes and coaches, Greg consults with numerous college and professional athletes and provides interactive and engaging workshops for coaches, parents and student-athletes at the youth, middle and high school levels. Jim Thompson ([@JimThompson18](https://twitter.com/JimThompson18)), PCA Founder, talks to Dale about his book *The 7 Secrets of Successful Coaches* and the role of credibility. Dale focuses on how coaches can get athlete buy-in by being servant leaders for their athletes, using words like "our team" or "we" rather than making it about themselves. Other highlights of the podcast include: - When kids know it's about them, they're more likely to work hard and buy into the message. - The difference between an intense coach and emotional, reactionary coach. - Coaches can build credibility with athletes by taking ownership of mistakes and being vulnerable when appropriate. *Just think how awful it would be to play for a coach or work for a boss who never admitted they were wrong!* - The best coaches take the blame when things go wrong, and give athletes credit when things go right. - The importance of coaches being authentic ("unless they're a jerk") Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

**Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives and other major sports figures who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.** This 1-on-1 interview features Ken Ravizza ([@RavizzaQuotes](https://twitter.com/RavizzaQuotes)) PCA National Advisory Board Member and one of the leading peak performance consultants in the world, working most recently with the Chicago Cubs. He has worked with some of the best athletes and coaches in the world, and he helped develop the concept of a Triple-Impact Competitor®. Positive Coaching Alliance utilizes this model in its workshops to teach athletes to contribute positively on three levels: Personal Mastery, Leadership, and Honoring the Game. Jim Thompson ([@JimThompson18](https://twitter.com/JimThompson18)), PCA Founder, talks to Ravizza about what's changed in sports over the last 20 years, how to keep fun in sports, and how process matters more than outcome, and how athletes can focus on one thing at a time. Ravizza also acknowledges that athletes will have bad days, and discusses how athletes can be their best even on those bad days. Other highlights of the podcast include: - How peak performance is not just about you, but how you can make your teammates better (being a team player is a learned mental skill). - How parents can acknowledge and understand that it takes courage for their athletes to perform. - How athletes don't think about mechanics in the heat of competition. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

**Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives, and other major sports figures and academics who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.** This 1-on-1 interview features Alana Nichols ([@alananichols21](https://twitter.com/alananichols21)), the first American female to win gold medals at both Summer (Wheelchair Basketball) and Winter (Alpine Ski Racing) Olympic/Paralympic Games. From a young age, her passion for sports and adventure has driven her and no matter what obstacle life throws her way, she takes a challenge head on. After suffering a spinal cord injury at age 17 while attempting a back flip on her snowboard, Alana quickly transitioned to adaptive sports. In the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Paralympic Games, Alana took on a new athletic challenge in Sprint Kayaking and will continue to inspire and attract fans around the world. In this podcast interview with Former PCA President Tina Syer ([@tinasyer4](https://twitter.com/tinasyer4)), Nichols discusses her journey growing up as a young athlete falling in love with sports, her life changing snowboarding accident, how she reacted to being told she would never walk again as a passionate athlete, her first experience with wheelchair basketball, and how parents and athletes can find adaptive sports opportunities post-injury. Here are some key insights from the podcast: - Her constant desire to improve in every sport she played growing up - Nichols' definition of a great athlete and excellence as doing the best you can with what you have - How she learns so many different sports so quickly - How and why she avoids comparison to other athletes. Like what you hear? To subscribe to our podcast in iTunes, [click here](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pca-development-zone/id952838976?mt=2)

This PCA 1-on-1 interview features Amanda Visek ([@ajvisek](https://twitter.com/ajvisek)). Amanda Visek is a trained sport scientist-practitioner with active status on the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology and Mental Training Registry. As a sport scientist and Associate Professor at George Washington University, her research focus and applied practice has been making scientific advancements in our understanding of determinants of and barriers to children’s positive, fun sport experiences - the FUN MAPS. The FUN MAPS are scientific blueprints for promoting a culture of fun for children participating in organized athletics. In this interview, Visek explains to Former PCA President Tina Syer ([@tinasyer4](https://twitter.com/tinasyer4)) how coaches can prioritize fun, the reason kids drop out of sports, misconceptions about fun in sports, and how fun is defined in her research. Highlights of the podcast include: - The #1 determinant for kids dropping out of sports is not having fun. - Fun is not only an important factor in youth sports, but it also continues to be in high school. - Fun not only keeps kids in sports, but enhances athletic performance and personal development. - Visek's definition of fun is identified by parents, coaches, and kids in the community. (There are over 80 fun "determinants", such as winning, trying hard, certain positive coaching techniques). These determinants make up the FUN MAPS. - Those FUN MAPS show 11 most common factors of fun: Games & Practices, Learning & Improving, Trying Hard, Positive Team Dynamics, Team Friendship, Team Ritual, Gametime support, Positive Coaching, and "swag" - The three items that make the biggest difference in fun according to kids were Trying Hard, Positive Team Dynamics, and Positive Coaching. - How youth coaches can ensure a fun experience. If you're interested in viewing Visek's full research on fun, [click here](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201634/).

This [Ultimate Sports Parent Radio](http://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth-sports-podcast/) podcast, hosted by parenting writer and sports mom [Lisa Cohn](http://www.youthsportspsychology.com/youth-sports-experts/), features PCA trainer [Samantha Salvia](http://positivecoach.org/team/salvia-samantha/) and PCA Portland Executive Director [Ben Dudley](http://positivecoach.org/team/dudley-ben/) discussing why girls drop out of sports at a higher rate than boys. Highlights of the podcast include: - Discussion of the factors contributing to the higher drop out rate for girls, including: lack of role models, cost, access, media coverage, lack of parental support, and societal messages about gender and sports. - How the youth sports pay-to-play culture disproportionately impacts girls. - About 15% of youth coaches are women. How the lack of female role models and female coaches may contribute to the higher drop out rate for girls. Challenges for women in coaching and how one AYSO in Santa Monica helped combat gender stereotypes about female coaches by printing coaching shirts that read “This is what a coach looks like!” - Exploring gender stereotypes about coaching boys and girls and how they can be detrimental to both boys and girls. - 80-90% of media coverage is mens’ sports; when women are covered it’s often highly sexualized. What parents can do to counter the lack of media coverage of female athletes and society’s messages about female athletes Here's where you'll find Sam, Ben, and Lisa talking about the featured topic most specifically: - **Focus on gender stereotypes**- 22:52

This PCA 1-on-1 interview features Candace Hogue ([@cmhogue](https://twitter.com/cmhogue)), a doctoral candidate in the Health Education & Psychology of Physical Activity Program at the University of Kansas. Hogue's mentor is PCA National Advisory Board Member Mary Fry ([@maryfry10](https://twitter.com/maryfry10)). Candace conducts both research and applied work in the field of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Specifically, Candace examines how caring, task-involving (mastery) climates vs. ego-involving (performance) climates impact stress and motivation. In this interview, Hogue explains to Former PCA President Tina Syer ([@tinasyer4](https://twitter.com/tinasyer4)) that it was truly the life lessons she learned throughout her athletic career that continue to influence her passion for helping kids through her research today. Primarily, this interview dives deep into Hogue's research on a caring climate and give tips and tools for parents and coaches on creating this climate. Highlights of the podcast include: - How ego-involving environments result in higher stress levels than collaborative, supportive ones. - How ultra-competitive (ego-involving) environments result in higher levels of physiological stress (physical reactions to stress). This includes mental and physical well-being, weight gain, the ability to recover from injury, etc. - Physical stress levels (cortisol levels) decrease in collaborative, supportive environments at any performance level (youth through college). - In supportive and collaborative environments, athletes are willing to put more effort in and try new techniques and skills. They also have higher enjoyment levels, are more self-confident, and have less anxiety. - Hogue advises parents to ask coaches about their coaching philosophy to determine the environment before joining a team. - If a kid is put into a stressful athletic environment, parents can combat that by giving their kid the support system they need.

**Listen in as Positive Coaching Alliance goes 1-on-1 in interviews with top pro and college players, coaches, executives, and other major sports figures and academics who provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for youth and high school sports coaches, parents and student-athletes.** This 1-on-1 interview features Brian O'Connor ([@UVACoachOConnor](https://twitter.com/UVACoachOConnor)), who enters his 14th season as Head Coach of University of Virginia Baseball after guiding Virginia to 13 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Virginia is one of just five programs in the nation to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament in each of the last 13 seasons. O'Connor's tenure as head coach is highlighted by the Cavaliers’ national championship in 2015, and interestingly, by his team's public recognition from the NCAA for its multi-year Academic Progress Rate scores. PCA Founder Jim Thompson ([@JimThompson18](https://twitter.com/JimThompson18)) and O'Connor discuss how to build team culture and what it takes to have prolonged success at the collegiate level. O'Connor also shares thoughts on the leading role that players must take in creating team culture, how coaches can be educational rather than confrontational in teaching accountability, and how teaching sacrifice matters for team dynamics. Other highlights of the podcast include: - O'Connor often puts players in a situation to fail in practice, so they can learn how to positively handle failure in games. O'Connor's methods even include a focus on body language, and how players can use appropriate body language when responding to failure. To O'Connor, players are judged not by failure, but by their ability to respond to it. - To O'Connor, the best coaches must have a growth mindset. According to O'Connor, "When you think you have the answer, you're going to get passed by." O'Connor explains how the game is always changing, and encourages coaches to continue adapting at all times.