Performance Level Podcast

In this special episode, I am interviewed by Coach Yas for his podcast 'The Coaches Network'.

Get to know my journey from across the pond, learning my trade and gaining experience in the U.S as a young, hungry coach.

We also jump in to some great rabbit holes, such as looking at the current system of the pay to play model, we discuss parent education and the right way to approach parents in youth soccer and the current state of coach education in both the UK and the USA.

Welcome to "Performance Level podcast" where we are dedicated to helping you reach your full potential. In this episode, we're joined by Patricia Daley, a nutritional therapist, to explore the fascinating world of optimal nutrition and performance enhancement. Today, she dives into the following areas;

Fueling Excellence: Delve into the critical role of nutrition in unlocking your full potential. Learn how the food you consume can supercharge your energy levels, sharpen your focus, and elevate your overall performance.

Reviving through Nutrition: Discover the essential relationship between nutrition and recovery. Uncover the strategies for post-workout revitalization and injury prevention. Explore the significance of hydration and gain valuable insights into effective hydration techniques for peak performance.

Mindset Matters: Understand the profound influence of your mental state on your dietary choices. Explore how a positive mindset can drive healthier eating habits and elevate your performance. Dive into the power of accountability and support in maintaining a nourishing diet that also nurtures your mental well-being.

Cracking the Nutritional Code: Embark on a scientific journey through the impact of sugar and caffeine on your body. Decode the mysteries of sugary sports drinks and their implications for athletic performance. Learn about caffeine alternatives that can boost your energy and focus more healthily.

Unlocking Dietary Excellence: Gain a comprehensive understanding of popular diet trends, such as keto and paleo. Patricia shares her expert insights on the most effective diets for peak performance and why they work. Explore the role of meal planning and preparation in maintaining a balanced diet that fuels your journey to excellence.

Have a listen to the episode and uncover the keys to optimizing your nutrition for peak performance in every facet of your life.

Keep track of Patricia's work at www.thedaleybeet.com.

In part 2 of this two part episode, we're taking you a little deeper into the heart and mind of peak performance. In the episode, we're diving into the extraordinary world of neuroscience with the brilliant Joyce Kootker (Lecturer at the Applied University of Amsterdam) and Beorn Nijenhuis (Lecturer at the Conservatory of Amsterdam).

In part 1 we took a look at the complex state of the brain and body connection, the impact of stress on the brain including the need for balance and stress for optimal performance.

In part 2, we go deeper and focused on a number of other topics;

Fueling Your Brain for Success: Your diet directly impacts your brain functionality. Uncover the foods and nutrients that turbocharge your cognitive abilities and help you conquer those performance plateaus.

Sleep: The Athlete's Secret Weapon: Explore the brain's profound connection with sleep and learn the science-backed strategies for optimizing your slumber to supercharge your performance.

The Goldilocks Zone of Learning: Explore ideas on how to prime your nervous system by up-regulating with stress during practice and down-regulating with relaxation to find an optimal level of performance.

Social Interaction: The human need for human interaction in person and how the brain is impacted with the new world of social media and 'Zoom'.

Tune in and get ready to unleash the full potential of your mind and muscle in ways you never thought possible.

In part 1 of this two part episode, we're taking you beyond the surface and deep into the heart and mind of peak performance. In this episode, we're diving into the extraordinary world of neuroscience with the brilliant Joyce Kootker (Lecturer at the Applied University of Amsterdam) and Beorn Nijenhuis (Lecturer at the Conservatory of Amsterdam).

Unveil Your Performance Potential: Ever wonder what's happening inside your brain when you need to focus under pressure? Or how to harness confidence and positivity for superior performance? Join us as we unveil the secrets of neuroscience that can empower your mind and muscle.

Mindfulness: The Performance Game-Changer: Discover the science behind mindfulness and breathwork. These transformative practices can amplify your focus, productivity, and mental resilience. Learn when, how, and why you should incorporate them into your daily routine.

Fueling Your Brain for Success: Your diet directly impacts your brain functionality. Uncover the foods and nutrients that turbocharge your cognitive abilities and help you conquer those performance plateaus.

Tune in and get ready to unleash the full potential of your mind and muscle in ways you never thought possible.

Join us in an inspiring podcast episode as we delve into the remarkable journey of Paul Jennison, the Head of Goalkeeping at IMG Academy. 🥅

Discover the power of authenticity in coaching - from an optimist mentality to the individualization of education. Paul shares how improvisation within structure, the strength of vulnerability in leadership, and solution-based feedback empower young athletes to take control of their destiny and unlock boundless potential. 🚀

Paul's background as a high school teacher enriches his coaching philosophy, creating a unique blend of academic and athletic excellence. Learn how he balanced the demands of high-performing student-athletes at Northwestern University and now at IMG Academy, nurturing holistic athletes who excel both on and off the field. 📚⚽

Get ready for captivating stories of athlete transformation and personal growth, as Paul discusses real-life success stories and the challenges he's faced along the way. 🌟

Don't miss this opportunity to explore the profound intersection of sports and personal development with an incredible coach and educator. Get ready to unleash your full potential! 💪 #CoachPaulJennison #UnlockYourPotential #authenticleadership

Prepare to be captivated by Suzanne Byrne, co-author of the book, "Inconvenient Sleep." 💤

In this illuminating podcast, we explore the hidden power of sleep in unlocking your peak athletic performance. Suzanne shares invaluable insights into how a good night's rest can elevate athletes to new heights, and why prioritizing sleep is no longer an option but a necessity. 🚀

Dive deep into the science of sleep, from understanding sleep latency to debunking common sleep myths. Suzanne's practical advice will transform the way athletes and coaches approach rest and recovery, ensuring they're always at their best. 🌟

But that's not all! Suzanne unveils real-world success stories where athletes and teams have harnessed the power of sleep to achieve remarkable improvements. Plus, she provides you with practical strategies to manage your sleep routines, even in the midst of demanding training schedules and travel. 🌏

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to discover the ultimate performance enhancer - sleep. Suzanne's wisdom will change the way you think about rest, recovery, and peak performance. 💪💤 #SleepToWin

Join us on an extraordinary journey with Duncan Simpson, the Head of Personal Development at IMG Academy. 🌟

In this captivating podcast, we delve into the Performance Foundations that truly define success in sports and life. 🏆

Discover the mental prowess behind elite athletes. Learn the art of building confidence through goal setting, visualization, and performance planning. Gain insights into mastering focus with pre-performance routines and empowering self-talk. Embrace commitment as a driving force, and uncover strategies to handle the intense pressure of the game. Plus, find out the secrets of developing unbreakable resilience through a growth mindset and a failure resume. 🧠

But that's not all! Duncan takes us on a holistic journey that touches on the critical pillars of achievement. From the significance of nutrition in fueling performance to the profound impact of leadership and character development. We explore the social impact of athletes and the purpose they find beyond the game. Dive into the realm of wellness covering meditation, exercise, diet, and sleep. And get ready for the future with valuable insights on future readiness, from building your resume to financial literacy, networking, and mastering interview skills. 💪

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to unlock your potential, both on and off the field. Duncan's wisdom is your key to greatness! 🚀🎙️ #UnlockPotentia

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Crafting Excellence." In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Scott Mackenzie, the newly appointed Head Coach of the USL League One team, Chattanooga Red Wolves.

Scott brings a wealth of experience and a vision that extends beyond the soccer pitch. He shares his journey of transitioning into the professional game while maintaining the consistency of his coaching process and message.

Scott dives deep into the art of building a winning culture within a team that may be lacking confidence. He reveals his secrets on how to enforce your own values and standards into coaching on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that every player and staff member is aligned with the vision.

Moreover, Scott's insights extend beyond soccer. He discusses the importance of preparing yourself for future opportunities by maintaining a standard of excellence in your current role.

Whether you're a soccer enthusiast, a coach looking to build a winning culture, or someone seeking to elevate their game in any field, this conversation with Scott Mackenzie is packed with wisdom and inspiration.

Join us as we explore the intricacies of crafting excellence both on and off the field with Scott Mackenzie.

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Join us for a captivating episode from the "Life's a Coach" podcast, one of our partner podcast's here at PLA. The mission of "Life's a Coach" is to amplify the impact of coaching by inspiring individuals to take action, discover their purpose, and enhance their performance through engaging discussions and valuable tools.

In this spotlight episode, we explore some of the most intriguing topics that you won't want to miss:

• What a life coach is not: Explore and address common misconceptions surrounding life coaching, clarifying what coaching truly entails
• Coaching and Parenting: Discover the intersections between coaching principles and parenting, revealing how coaching can enhance family dynamics)
• Starting the Life Coaching Process: Uncover the initial steps in beginning a life coaching process, including what to expect and how a life coach guides personal growth
• Fear of Judgement vs. Authentic Self: Explore the theme of authenticity, discussing the balance between fearing judgment and embracing one's true self

These areas capture some of the most engaging and insightful topics discussed in the episode, offering valuable takeaways for listeners interested in life coaching and personal growth.

Tune in to this captivating episode of "The PLA Podcast" where we bring you the highlights and insights from "Life's a Coach." Prepare to be inspired, informed, and ready to embark on your own transformative journey.

In this podcast snippet, key topics include clarifying misconceptions about life coaching, exploring the connection between coaching and parenting, addressing common coaching myths, understanding the life coaching process, emphasizing personal responsibility in coaching, delving into clients' value and authenticity, navigating the fear of judgment, promoting authenticity, offering advice to aspiring life coaches, and the efficacy of journaling as a self-coaching tool.

Welcome to another captivating episode of the PLA Podcast. In this enlightening conversation, we're joined by a true visionary and a leading force in the world of soccer coaching, Jeremy Hurdle, the U15 MLS Next Head Coach of the Houston Dynamo.

Jeremy takes us on a journey of self-discovery, sharing his path to identifying his purpose and finding his footing in the world of soccer. He emphasizes the profound importance of crafting your own philosophy on development and offers insights into how you can explore and clarify your life's vision.

But it doesn't stop there. Jeremy's wisdom goes beyond the soccer field. He discusses the transformative power of reflection during challenging times and the need to be intentional with every decision we make. Drawing from his prestigious experience in the Elite Formation Coaching License, he offers a unique perspective on developing individuals within a team environment and the holistic growth required for lasting success.

Whether you're a coach, an athlete, or simply someone seeking to level up in life, Jeremy's words of wisdom will ignite your passion and inspire you to unleash your full potential.

Join us for a conversation that explores purpose, development philosophy, and holistic growth with one of the brightest minds in the coaching world. Get ready to be inspired!

In this enlightening episode of "The Coaches Voice," we're joined by the remarkable Sean Geoghegan, a true embodiment of our core values: empowerment, self-development, and transformation. Sean's journey as a highly qualified sports coach and manager spans continents, each step marked by his unwavering passion for nurturing young talents.

Our conversation explores the transformative power of coaching and leadership, aligning seamlessly with our mission to empower individuals to unlock their full potential. Sean's role as the Commercial Sport Manager at South East Technological University serves as a vivid illustration of these values in action. From overseeing high-performance gyms and team testing to coordinating commercial activities, Sean creates an environment where athletes and performers have the tools and support to excel. Moreover, his impressive educational background, including a Master's in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, underscores the importance of continuous self-development as a catalyst for both personal and professional growth.

Sean's coaching philosophy is a testament to the core values we hold dear. He emphasizes empowerment, growth mindset, and the unwavering belief that every individual can achieve greatness. By focusing on holistic player development and nurturing character off the field, Sean exemplifies the transformative potential of coaching. His insights leave us with a profound message: empowerment starts from within, and with authenticity and a commitment to lifelong learning, each of us can embark on a journey of personal and professional transformation.

In our latest episode of the PLA podcast, we dive deep into the realm of authentic leadership with the incredible Bryan Alcantara. With a vision to empower leaders and performers to unleash their full potential, Bryan's journey and experiences are truly inspiring.

🔥 Join us as we explore Bryan's extensive background, from his role as a young Director of Coaching to his impactful contributions with organizations like New York Red Bulls, New York Cosmos, and his new venture with Track 160. Bryan's mission is clear; he envisions a world where everyone has the guidance and support needed to embark on a transformative journey towards success and fulfillment.

💡 Discover Bryan's insights into empowering leaders, creating lasting impact through coaching and mentorship, and the importance of embracing transformation for personal and professional growth. Get ready to hear about strategies for reframing imposter syndrome, adopting learner-centered coaching methodologies, and navigating transformative journeys.

🚀 Tune in to this dynamic conversation as we uncover how Bryan Alcantara's values of empowerment, transformation, and impact align perfectly with the essence of "The Coaches Voice" podcast. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, be inspired, and unleash your own potential!

#PLA Podcast #authentic leadership #UnleashPotential #igniteperformance #PodcastEpisode

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Join us for a captivating cameo from the "Life's a Coach" podcast, one of our partner podcast's here at PLA. The mission of "Life's a Coach" is to amplify the impact of coaching by inspiring individuals to take action, discover their purpose, and enhance their performance through engaging discussions and valuable tools.

In this spotlight episode, we explore some of the most intriguing topics that you won't want to miss:

1. What a life coach is not: Explore and address common misconceptions surrounding life coaching, clarifying what coaching truly entails.

2. Coaching and Parenting: Discover the intersections between coaching principles and parenting, revealing how coaching can enhance family dynamics.

3. Starting the Life Coaching Process: Uncover the initial steps in beginning a life coaching process, including what to expect and how a life coach guides personal growth

   4. Fear of Judgement vs. Authentic Self: Explore the theme of authenticity, discussing the balance between fearing judgment and embracing one's true self.

These areas capture some of the most engaging and insightful topics discussed in the episode, offering valuable takeaways for listeners interested in life coaching and personal growth.

Tune in to this captivating episode of "The PLA Podcast" where we bring you the highlights and insights from "Life's a Coach." Prepare to be inspired, informed, and ready to embark on your own transformative journey.

Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Jaclyn Ellis, a highly esteemed Performance Psychologist at Peak Performance Sports. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of mental performance coaching and its profound importance for athletes of all levels.

We begin our conversation by exploring why mental performance coaching is essential for athletes. Jaclyn sheds light on the unique challenges athletes face and the crucial role that mental skills play in optimizing performance.

Moving beyond the realm of sports, we explore how mental skills training can be applied to support personal growth and development in various areas of life. Jaclyn shares strategies and techniques to help athletes manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. We also emphasize the role of self-awareness in optimizing performance and achieving long-term success, discussing how it can be cultivated among athletes.

Furthermore, we delve into the integration of goal-setting and action planning within mental performance coaching. Jaclyn reveals how these tools help athletes achieve their desired outcomes and maintain motivation on their journey towards success. We touch upon the power of visualization and the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to restructure thinking patterns, allowing athletes to push beyond their comfort zones and experience personal growth.

As we reach the closing segment, Jaclyn shares success stories of athletes who have undergone significant personal growth through mental performance coaching. She highlights the key factors that contributed to their transformation and provides valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and anyone seeking to unlock their potential.

Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation filled with practical strategies and inspiring anecdotes. It's time to unlock the power of mental performance coaching and unleash your full potential

Felicity Day joins us on this week's podcast! Felicity is the current Vice President of the Steel Experience and a coach developer at Steel Sports, as well as a coach educator for the United Soccer Coaches. Felicity is an ex professional player and holder of the Master Coach certificate, as well as having recently received the prestigious Mike Berticelli, Excellence in Coaching Education Award. Felicity discusses the changing landscape of women's soccer, her purpose to inspire and open doors for young women to get involved in the game and the initiatives she has helped introduce with the 'Women of Steel' to empower and advocate for female players, coaches and employees.

Sha Hagiel joins us on this episode of the podcast as he talks about his journey from South Florida all the way to the academy of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. A true student of the game, Sha talks about his own journey from coaching small group sessions and high school for 14 hours a day to eventually getting an opportunity in college soccer and then betting on himself in Israel and getting a salary at Maccabi Tel Aviv, one of the powerhouses of Israeli football. Sha talks about his non negotiables for a successful training session and gives some golden nuggets on the qualities of a modern goalkeeper. Last but definitely not least, Sha gives some insight to a relatively new role within first and second teams- that of the set piece specialist, another area that Sha focuses on within the club. This one is not to be missed!!

This interview with Justin Flack focuses specifically on a project he took on with his old club, Fusion Soccer Club where he developed a Player Development tracking tool to track their performance over time in 4 key principles. Justin talks with us about his motivation for this project and the disconnect there was between what club's preached about their environments vs. the reality. Justin also delves into his own needs based philosophy and how he engages parents to improve understanding of the development process.

Fernando Alva delves into the world of video analysis and talks about his plethora of experiences in this area. Fernando talks about his experience developing his very own video analysis department at the US Development Academy club (and now MLS Next) Boca United/ South Florida Football Academy. Fernando then goes into his development as a coach and video analyst through an internship at DC United and then at roles with RGVFC (USL Championship) and the NY Red Bulls (MLS). This episode will be insightful for any coach looking to incorporate video more into their own coaching and also gives some tips on how to develop as a video analyst and the future of the role in the professional game.

Matt Gordon joins us in this episode of the Coach Ed podcast to discuss all things coaching education and coach development. Matt discusses his experience going through the coaching license process and how it has evolved since that time. We jumped into a great conversation around the use of methodology in coaching and how coaching can use and develop their own coaching toolkit during the process of developing as a coach. What really stuck out to me in this episode, was the deliberate nature that Matt uses in his own coaching and within the coach education process. For anyone going through their coaching licenses with U.S Soccer, we have some golden nuggets about the future of coach education too!

This podcast was another one recorded back in mid 2021, where I sat down with Anthony Latronica. Anthony goes into his past experiences in coaching that led him from coaching at Harvard University to Oregon State and then entering the well documented US Soccer Youth residency program as an assistant coach for the U17 National Team. Anthony talks about his background as a coach, as a youth national team scout and as a recruiter at the collegiate level. Not one to be missed, 'My Legacy is your legacy' delves into the art of coach and player development and the work ethic it takes to make it in the competitive world of soccer.

This episode was recorded back in June 2021, when Ewan Sharp had just moved to MLS first team, Toronto FC. Ewan talked about his journey from Stirling, Scotland getting a scholarship to play at Mercyhurst University and then his experiences which led into video analysis and coaching at the collegiate level and now the professional game. Since the interview, Ewan has moved to even bigger and better things, having worked with Lokomotiv Moscow and then moving to Manchester United as part of Ralf Rangnick's staff in his brief stint at Old Trafford. Now at Leeds United with Jesse Marsch, this interview sheds light on the commitment and confidence Ewan needed to pursue a career in coaching. We will be keeping track of Ewan's progress and hope to get a Part 2 set up with him in the future! Keep track of Ewan's progress by following him on Twitter @EwanSharp.

Scott McKenzie talks about his journey of development in coaching and delves into his experience as a youth coach, Academy Director, coach educator and USL Head Coach. Scott talks about how he has had to constantly adapt to new roles during his career, most recently while taking the leap from youth soccer to the innovative Academy set up at Park City Red Wolves with their relationship with the Chattanooga Red Wolves. Scott talk about his growth mindset and the ability to stay open to learning and having a culture of open communication within his role at the club. Tons of golden nuggets in this one that you'll take away! 

In this episode, assistant coach at the University of South Florida, Jeremy Hurdle talks about the potential changes of the College game and how it might affect player development in the pre professional phase in the future. He gives some great advice for coaches looking to get into the College game, as well as some golden nuggets for players looking to get recruited. Last, but not least, Jeremy goes into the process of creating a culture of ownership in college. Follow Jeremy at @jeremyhurdle and USF Mens Soccer @USFMSOC. 

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Liam O' Connell to talk about the current landscape of youth soccer in the United States. Liam goes into the plans of USL; we share some background on USL's new league structure and how they seek to revolutionize youth soccer in the United States. For anyone interested in the future of youth soccer in this country, coaches wanting to know more about club development, developing a youth network or providing real vertical integration within a club, this is one is not one to be missed!

During this episode, Marcelo delves into the world of futsal and his book, Soccer Powered by Futsal. Marcelo gives us an insight into his methodology which focuses on transferring futsal concepts to the world of football. Marcelo aims to debunk some myths of futsal and also breaks down some useful techniques to get coaches started off in implementing futsal principles into their practices.  Don't miss out on this one!

In this episode, we talk to Chris Williams, U15, U17 and USL League Two Head Coach for the North Carolina Fusion. Chris gives us insight into how he instills a culture of ownership and personal responsibility and the challenges of coaching the individual player with the current Gen X. With snippets on his own leadership techniques, Chris also touches on the grueling interview process of getting the role at NC Fusion and the constant self development that goes hand in hand with being a coach in today's world.