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The Grow Zone

The Grow Zone

By Ben

The Grow Zone is a place for us to further our learning. Specifically, it features short interviews with student-athletes and other performers at a high school that integrates sport and performance psychology into a variety of areas. Occasionally there will be solo episodes about concepts or elements of the job. If you're a young person, come learn with your peers. If you're an adult, come learn from young people just like the ones you teach and coach. Join us in The Grow Zone.
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Currently playing episode

Episode 5: Erica Zippel, Tennis and Soccer Player

The Grow ZoneJan 20, 2020

00:00
22:47
Episode 6: Bonus Clip with Paddy Orr, Soccer Player

Episode 6: Bonus Clip with Paddy Orr, Soccer Player

This is a continuation of Coach Ehrlich's conversation with Paddy Orr. On this bonus clip Paddy discusses the transition from thinking he would play soccer in college to realizing he wasn't going to during his senior year. He gives great insight that can be really helpful for players, parents, and coaches alike in helping others make a similar transition. Paddy's message is important, and we hope you benefit from it.
Jan 24, 202005:05
Episode 5: Erica Zippel, Tennis and Soccer Player

Episode 5: Erica Zippel, Tennis and Soccer Player

Our Episode 5 guest is Erica Zippel. Erica played both tennis and soccer at a really high level at Blythewood High School. She was all region in both sports and was a North-South all star in tennis. Erica also won a variety of awards as a high level student and was a founding member of our school's Captain Class student-athlete leadership group.
In this episode Coach Ehrlich and Erica discuss:
*How playing multiple sports helped her as an athlete
*Being competitive
*The best part of playing high school sports
*Her investment in the mental side
*Being a leader
and more.
Thanks for joining Erica and Coach Ehrlich in The Grow Zone!
Jan 20, 202022:47
Episode 4: Be You

Episode 4: Be You

In this episode Coach Ehrlich gives a little bit more background about what The Grow Zone will be and gives a short dive into the Be You performance model that drives everything we do at Blythewood High School in mental performance.  It includes three different areas:  Know You, Show You, and Grow You.  Find out about a quality that 95% of people think they have but only 10-15% actually do and how we're hoping our young people at Blythewood are in that smaller percentage.  Thanks for joining us in The Grow Zone!

Jan 17, 202006:48
Episode 3: Leadership with Paddy Orr, Soccer Player

Episode 3: Leadership with Paddy Orr, Soccer Player

Paddy was a four-year member of the soccer team at Blythewood High School and served as a team captain for his final two seasons. He was named Region Player of the Year, All State, and a member of the South Carolina team in the Carolinas Clash all star game. Paddy also finished his career as the school's all time points leader. He also was a member of our school's Captain Class for two years. Did we mention Paddy was also the Class of 2019's valedictorian.
In this episode Paddy and Coach Ehrlich discuss leadership. You'll hear about the intrinsic value Paddy found in soccer and his continual willingness to learn about the sport and leading others. You will also gain an appreciation for the player-driven culture of Blythewood's soccer program. Have your favorite note-taking device ready for this one. You can also follow Paddy on Twitter @paddyo51.
Thanks again for joining us in The Grow Zone.
Jan 11, 202018:16
Episode 2: Less About What, More About Why

Episode 2: Less About What, More About Why

As a high school mental performance coach, I get asked a lot, "So what do you actually do?" Although a legitimate one, this episode discusses an alternative question that gets to the root of being a high school mental performance coach on a deeper level.
Jan 11, 202007:51
The Grow Zone Episode 1: Leadership with Colleen Finney, Volleyball Player

The Grow Zone Episode 1: Leadership with Colleen Finney, Volleyball Player

Colleen is a four-year letter winner at Blythewood High School and has served as a team captain for the last two years. She’s also been named all state and region player of the year for the last two years, In addition, Collen was a 2017 USA volleyball girls youth A1 National team selection and 2018 USA volleyball youth national training team selection. Colleen will be going to Clemson University in January as an early enrollee. She was a two-year member of our Captain Class student-athlete leadership group, and Coach Ehrlich has had the great pleasure to get to have her in class and work with her for four years.
In this podcast, Colleen and Coach Ehrlich talk about:
*What leadership is
*What makes a great leader
*Lessons learned, "a-ha moments" as a young leader
*Challenges of leading your friends *Developing as a young leader
*Advice for other young leaders
You can find Colleen on Twitter at @colleen_finney
Dec 21, 201922:07