Asking Better Questions

Wendy Sterling, MS, RD, CSSD, CEDRD-S is a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and Approved Supervisor through the International Eating Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics in the Bay Area in California. She specializes in sports nutrition, eating disorders, and utilizes a non-diet, Health at Every Size® approach in her practice. Wendy maintains a private practice in the Menlo Park and Los Altos. She is now seeing clients virtually throughout the country. Wendy is a co-author of “How to Nourish Your Child Through an Eating Disorder:  A Simple, Plate-by-Plate Approach to Reestablishing a Healthy Relationship with Food.” She and her colleague Casey Crosbie created the innovative approach to refeeding called the “Plate-by-Plate Approach®,” a no-numbers, visual approach, which has been featured in the Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics in an article entitled , “The Use of the Plate-by-Plate Approach for Adolescents Undergoing Family-Based Treatment.”  For tips, support and encouragement on building good plates for nutrition rehabilitation for the treatment of eating disorders, follow on instagram: @platebyplateapproach and @wendy_sterling! She is also the co-author of, “No Weigh! A Teen's Guide to Body Image, Food, and Emotional Wisdom,” a book co-written by an adolescent doctor, therapist, and herself as the dietitian for teens about their changing bodies, hormones, emotions, and tips for improving sleep, body image, and their relationship with food. Her forthcoming book, “Raising Body Positive Teens: A Parent's Guide to Diet-Free Living, Exercise and Body Image,” publishes March 2022.Wendy has been the Team Nutritionist of the Oakland Athletics from 2016 through the 2021 season.  She has consulted for the Golden State Warriors, New York Jets  (2006-2013), NY Islanders, and Hofstra University's. Wendy is part of the United States Olympic Committee Sports Dietitian Registry. She works closely with competitive athletes in order to enhance sports performance and gain a competitive edge.Episode Details:The Plate by Plate ApproachHow is it different?Alternate versionsWhere are the flaws in this concept?Who uses the Plate by Plate ApproachWhat does this solve?What other benefits have you seen come from this approach? Within families? Healing?Eating disorders in professional sports / general popFood fearsAthletes eating on a rest dayOver and underconsumption How eating more can help you reach your goalsRest/Sleep impact of eating habitsWhat society needs to do as a WHOLE Quick points:Helpful snacks - What is a good snack?Minimizing cravings or are you just hungry?GO TO - Supplements 

Dylan Hough, Head Beach Volleyball coach at Jacksonville University is going into his second year as the head coach. He has spent a good amount of time coaching volleyball from the club level all the way up to the professional level in the AVP. He was awarded the AVCA Thirty under 30 award which is given to coaches who are on the rise in the industry.  Topics Discussed:-       Favorite coaching moments-       Coaching in the 2021 Manhattan Open-       Gratitude and the role it plays with his team-       Delivering the kind-hard truth-       Relying on your support sytem-       Being liked vs. being respected-       Going ALL IN-       Beach Volleyball progress as a sportIf you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience. Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson Dylan HoughHead Beach Volleyball Coach, Jacksonville UniveristyInstagram: @jax_volleyball

Jenny is a communication and presentation skills coach, gym owner, personal trainer, and educator. She is obsessed with communication and has dedicated her career to exploring, practicing, and teaching what she knows. Episode Details:Communication and Effectiveness How can fitness professionals and coaches alike be more intentional with their communication?How do we make GREAT first impressions?Presence - Verbal and Non-Verbal SkillsIn person vs. VirtuallyActive ListeningAsking focused and earnest questionsListening in difficult conversationsEmotions and conversation via textsHow does ego play a role within communicationHow do you identify who you are talking to?Rudimentary vs. Intellectual CommunicationFiller WordsWhat If you lose your thought?PausingKnowing what to say but not planning itArticle Referenced: https://betterhumans.pub/how-to-remember-everything-you-want-from-non-fiction-books-df17096d517fTo learn more about Jenny and her coaching, you can find her at https://fit-to-speak.com/ @fit_to_speak

Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Old Dominion University, coach Wayne Adams Joins the show to talk all things performance at the collegiate level. Previous Director at Catawba, previous Associate Director at Sacred Heart, and ALSO one of my first mentors as a young professional in the field. Topics of Discussion:-  Managing a weight room at the collegiate level- Training College Baseball Players- Communicating early and coaching on the fly - The High/Low Model-  Rotational Sports & Rotational training-  Baseball Workload - In-season vs Off-season     - Strength training all year     - Sprints & Plyo's all year     - Pitchers vs. Position PlayersQuick Hitters-  Next frontiers in sports performance-  Advice to a young S&C professional-  One piece of equipment in a weight room-  Favorite hobby

Angie Asche is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics. She realized her passion for sports nutrition and working with athletes early on in her career, which led her to launch her private practice, Eleat Sports Nutrition. Since founding her company, she has worked with hundreds of high school, college, and professional athletes nationwide. She is also the author of the book Fuel Your Body, which was just released on May 11th.   During this episode Angie dives into many topics ranging from:  -       Dietician vs. Nutritionist-       Biases and putting the athlete first-       Fad diets -       Simplifying the complex nature of nutrition-       Dietician and nutritional coaching on a virtual platform-       Thoughts on:        o   Weight Watchers, v. low calorie diets, mass gainers-       Carnivore diet and the media-       Orthorexia with “dieting”-       Supplements and their importance  If you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience.  Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson Angie Asche MS, RD, CSSDEleat Sports Nutrition, LLC www.eleatnutrition.com angie@eleatnutrition.comTwitter/Instagram: @eleatnutrition 

Jason Pryor is an American épée fencer. He earned two individual bronze medals and a team gold medal at the Pan American Fencing Championships in 2014 and 2015, as well as an individual bronze medal and a team silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. He represented the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.Jason's first sport was soccer. He took up fencing when he was 11 after hearing about the sport from a friend. He was taught by coach Bill Reith at the Alcazar Fencing Club. He was later recruited by the Ohio State University, winning a team title in his junior year and earning twice All-American honors.  During this episode Jason dives into many topics ranging from:  -       The road to the Olympics-       Fencing in college: Ohio State University-       Making the world team-       Competing in the World Cup-       The unglamorous full-time fencing “job”-       Fencing in college: Ohio State University-       The decision: Train full time v. join the real world-       Dealing with failure and setbacks and learning resilience-       Finding your “win condition”-       What makes you your best self?-       Athlete turned coach-       Life lessons from fencing  If you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience.  Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson Reach out to Jason PryorVia Instagram: @pryorsixty8

Shelton Stevens has over 13 years of coaching experience and currently serves as a Human Performance Specialist for the United States Special Operations Command. Prior to his position with our United States Military he has worked with several Division I institutions as a strength and conditioning specialist. Some of his stops include Florida State University, Louisiana State University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Southern Mississippi, Mercer University, Arkansas State University and Liberty University. During his career he has trained several male and female Olympic Sports teams which has bred countless professional athletes. Stevens played collegiate baseball at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL. After suffering a career ending injury, Stevens found his passion in the field of human performance.  Coach Stevens also has a goal to provide elite performance programs for individuals who strive to reach their full maximal potential outside of his direct realm in USSOC. He does this through his own company, 13Bar Performance.   During this episode Shelton dives into many topics ranging from:  -       Training the country’s top operators -       Collegiate vs. Military strength and conditioning-       The cultural bond within a collegiate weight room-       Hanging out in the locker room-       Creating the space necessary for high performance-       Best operators – worst in S&C performance: What do you do?-       KPI’s for Army Special Operators-       Most military training is WRONG – What you should be doing-       The life of an US Special Operations Strength and Conditioning Coach-       Entrepreneurship – 13Bar Performance-       How you can really blossom as a coach  If you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience.  Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson Reach out to Shelton StevensVia Instagram: @13barstrong & @sheltongstevensVia Website: https://13barperformance.com

Matt Ibrahim leans in this week to give us a better understanding of what it is like to be a great coach that communicates well. Matthew’s background lies in performance coaching and also in the rehab sector. He has been mentored by and worked with some amazing coaches in the Boston area including Mike Boyle and Tim DiFrancesco (formerly LA Lakers). Currently, he's finishing his PhD with a focus on hamstring injury reduction & deceleration training; working as a professor creating the curriculum for 5 undergrad Ex Sci / Coaching classes; helping to build Science for Sport - Coach Academy; and has his own online training business.  Matthew has his hands in a lot of different areas and is at the top of his game. Throughout this episode he:-       Explains his story failing out of school to PhD-       Coaching -       Meeting patients and clients where they are at-       Why changing your tone, pitch, and eye contact for different clients is a priority-       Entrepreneurship and Burnout-       The fear of failure-       The importance of a speaking coach-       Mastering social awareness and emotional intelligence (EQ)  If you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience.  Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson Reach out to Matthew IbrahimVia Instagram: @ MatthewIbrahim_

Do you want to create an environment that values questions? Is your team honest with you? Do your employees give you and the organization honest feedback?  How can we create an environment where asking the difficult questions and  giving transparent answers is the norm. Winning teams and successful organizations do a few things in common. In this episode we go into the 4 key ways in which you can start to create environment that values questions.  Establishing this environment is NOT easy and can be super uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable is a small price you may pay to bring out the best in your team. Join me during this quick episode to learn how to bring out the best in your team! Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson If you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience.

So you want to be a Strength & Conditioning coach?  The road to working in collegiate or professional athletics is always a glamorous one. There are times where you are dead set on what you want, how it is going to happen, and when it is going to happen. I am here to tell you. It won’t go as planned. You may have to momentarily take a step off your path to be able to realign back on the path. Coach Ed is a prime example of taking the opportunity that is in front of him and making the absolute most out of it.  In this episode coach Ed Smith, Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Lynchburg hops on to talk about what is like being a coach at the collegiate level. Ed gives us detail on: -       his journey through coaching -       what it takes to break through in this field -       acting as a resource for athletes-       the mentors he grew with-       how he was tested as a young coach -       landing a director position at a young age-       coaching 500 athletes/week alone-       the mantra: 1% better everyday-       being a strength coach dad Ed gives us some actionable steps for people that are chasing down the dream of working in college athletics. He is a class act that loves to give back to the strength and conditioning community. PLEASE feel free to reach out to him with any questions you have!   If you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience. Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson Reach out to Ed SmithVia email: smith_er1@lynchburg.eduVia Instagram: @esmith52

We are built to compete. Some more so than others but it is in our nature to compete against each other and within ourselves. Being active in sports brings this competition out of us in positive and negative ways. BUT sports will always have a humbling aspect to the game. No matter the game. If you competed in sport long enough, you know exactly what I am talking about. That moment when you were competing at your highest level but maybe came up short or didn’t yield the results you would have liked. Sports teach us a lot about life. Cody Allen has come on the show to talk with us about how he has taken his mentality from his competitive football career and used that within his business, training, and coaching. Cody is a former collegiate athlete turned entrepreneur that has excelled in the fitness space for years now.I've has spent time working with fitness professionals helping them turn their brands into businesses. From organizing fitness events to holding fitness business development seminars, I've become an authority in this space. As a performance athlete, I've spent years resistance training, endurance training, and much more. Cody’s  digital marketing and branding agency has done a ton of work with companies to help them gain clients and efficiently run their businesses. Within this episode, Cody dives deep into:-       Sports and life lessons-       The importance of role models-       Creating an online presence-       Authentic branding – Who are you speaking to?-       Becoming your biggest and best selfIf you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience. Reach out to CodyVia Instagram: @thecodyallenVia Website: https://thecodyallen.com Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson

The most important attribute for a leader is their time and energy. What consumes most of your time? If you were to log your time for an entire week, would you be surprised where you are putting your energy?  As a leader I want you to understand that your attention matters and that your impact is directly correlated to your focus. For us to have the most focused work and most focused leadership we need to be intentional about how we spend our time.There are 3 ways in which I think we can have more focused work and leadership:1.     Define and Measure Wins2.     Distance Distractions3.     Obsess Over the Process As leaders, fathers/mothers, husbands/wives, we get pulled in multiple different directions but if we can prioritize these three things we will set ourselves up for more success.  REMEMBER, your life is too valuable and your calling is too great to waste time on distractions. It is usually not a lack of time, yet a lack of focus and prioritization. Increase your work capacity and have your most focused work starting today.  Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson

How many of you have ever been in need of a personal trainer? A fitness instructor? Somebody to tell you what to do when you go to the gym? Us humans are busy people. The last thing we want to do after we get off work, pick the kids up from school, drop them off at practice, prepare dinner…. is think about going to the gym. And when you make it to the gym, what will you do? You want to lift weights but nobody has ever taught you how, you don’t want to look dumb, so you get on the treadmill for 15 minutes until boredom succumbs. Back to your life of hurry. What if I said there was easier better way. I way in which you wouldn’t have to break the bank to afford the trainer at your gym but a way where your trainer would be at your finger-tips every day. The future of health, wellness, and fitness is within the app called Future.  One of the most highly regarded performance coaches in America and the VP of Performance at Future, Josh Bonhotal, joins the show to chat all things Future. Previously, Josh was the Director of Sports Performance for Purdue Men’s Basketball, where he oversaw training and nutrition for a program that perennially ranked in the Top 25, earned two Sweet Sixteen appearances, and had multiple All-American selections during his tenure.Before that, Josh worked for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. As a part of the Bulls’ Strength & Conditioning staff, he coached Derrick Rose – while Rose won Rookie of the Year (2009) and MVP (2011) – and contributed to the team’s 62-win season in 2011-2012. Josh has been featured in ESPN, The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, and Women’s Health. Josh’s experience within the performance world is nothing short of some of the best in the country. Topics discussed:-       The American health epidemic-       Start up company, Future, solving a problem-       The Future of health and fitness-       How technology can bring you health, wellness, and happiness-       Creating relationships virtually -       The importance of client experience and habit loops-       Collecting and connecting dots with your clients-       Educating employees while keep creativity highIf you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience. Reach out to JoshVia Twitter: @jbonhotalVia Instagram: @jbonhotalVia email: josh@future.co Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson

Have you ever been in a position where you needed to start from the ground up? You needed to do a total transformation from the inside out? When put in situations like this, it takes deep courage and a lot of searching within. If you are ever planning to build something from the ground up, starting something new, or rebuilding a culture, your first step should be understanding yourself. Before you begin to think about the mission, the purpose, or the people within, you need to have a deep understanding of where your heart is. What are your motives? What are your biases? What do I need to do to become hyper confident in my abilities to start this project? Before you can begin to fix other people or other cultures, you need to have a deep understanding of who you are. Coach Ryan Davis, Director Football Strength and Conditioning at the University of Maryland, rebuilt a culture from the ground up. He took a program that was shredded with grief, despair, fear, and created an environment that was built on trust. An environment built on humility and perseverance. Ryan is at the top of his field, he has coached all over the country, and has even won a championship with the University of Alabama football program.  Topics discussed:-       Coaching all over the country-       Learning opportunities:  Taking nuggets from every experience-       Steps in the rebuilding phase: Where do you begin?-       How to gain trust with a broken team: Where do you start?-       Where the S&C field failed it’s colleagues and how to rebuild it-       Coaches bashing coaches: Why do we do this?-       Progressing the field and giving back-       Progress doesn’t pour from an empty cup: How to stay sharpIf you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience. Reach out to RyanVia Instagram: @coachryandavisVia email: rwdavis@umd.edu Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website ➡️ HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson

This week we were lucky enough to have the crew from The Built To Last Podcast come on the show! This crew involves Charlie Rhea, Justin Bentivegna, and Andrew Slay. Built to Last is a sports performance coaching community founded on the principles: encourage, equip, and empower. They are coaches who enjoy talking shop with other coaches so that they can maximize their impact for eternity. Charlie Rhea is the director of Olympic Athletic Performance at Houston Baptist University, Justin Bentivegna is the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Hofstra University, and Andrew Slay is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Lee University. Together they work to create a space where athletes, coaches, and more can learn about the love of God. Topics discussed:- The Built To Last Podcast- What it means to Encourage, Empower, & Equip- Ministry within your career- Consistency – Values matching your actions- The dichotomy bw Grace and Firmness- Why we are all in full time ministry- How to be a light in a world of darkness- The power of influence: 1 soul can = 1,000sIf you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience.Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of our guests this week! They would love to hear from you! Reach out to Charlie RheaVia email: crhea@hbu.edu Reach out to Justin BentivegnaVia email: justin.bentivegna@hofstra.edu Reach out to Andrew SlayVia email: aslay@leeuniversity.edu Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson

Luka is an entrepreneur, business man, and most importantly, a coach. Crediting a lot of his success to the adversity he pushed through at a young age, he started this life in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he credits basketball, fitness and coaching for taking him from a path of crime to success. Following his professional playing career, Luka pursued his passion of training. As the founder and co-owner of Vigor Ground gym in Ljubljana, Slovenia and owner of Vigor Ground Fitness and Performance in Seattle, WA, Luka has coached over 3,000 elite athletes (in the NBA, NFL, UFC, MLB, college and high school), rehab patients and clients from every walk of life. Luka is also the creator of Vigor Ground Fitness and Business Summit, an educational event for coaches and gym owners.Luka and Vigor Ground Fitness and Performance have been featured in Men’s Health, Stack Magazine, Onnit Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, HBO Real Sports, Precision Nutrition, as well as CBS, FOX, USA Today, ABC and KING5 New Day NW as Seattle’s top fitness expert.Topics discussed:- How your past can shape your future- Looking at adversity- Insecurities and seeking significance- Internal voids and habit formation- Why we seek external validation- Learning how to Make NEW Mistakes- Key habits to being a high achiever- Finding your sense of belongingIf you LOVED this episode, I encourage you to leave a review and tell me why. If you HATED it, leave a review and tell why! We encourage feedback and want to improve your listening experience. Reach out to LukaVia website: https://vigorgroundfitness.comVia Instagram: @lukahocevar Reach out to Connor DerricksonCDPerformance Website HEREVia email: contact@cdperformance.org Via Instagram: @connorderrickson

How do you handle feelings of extreme self doubt?Despite the notable successes within your life and your overall competency within your given field, you still feel this way?Don't panic. You aren't alone. Almost 2/3 of the world feels this way. Check out this episode to hear- What is Imposter Syndrome- Who is impacted? Why?- Finding your blindspots- Common archetypes- Winning the war in your mindWe really appreciate any and all ratings and reviews that your are willing to give! If you are reading this I encourage you to leave us a review. If you enjoyed the episode, tell us why. If you hated it, tell me why. I want to improve your experience! Lastly,A friend and a mentor of mine, Brett Bartholomew, has some GREAT resources on this topic. Check him our at:Podcast: The Art of CoachingWebsite: artofcoaching.comInstagram: @coach_brettbFollow me on Social Media:Instagram: @connnorderrickson

There is a lot of talk about building and creating a system when it comes to having a centralized approach to an organization. With many companies and organizations, you have principles in which you want to follow. These are your basic guidelines that drive all of your decision making. Without these principles and standards, it is easy to just start throwing

Olympic Sports Performance Coach for the University of Tennessee, Coach Greg Adamson sat down with us to give the big picture about leadership, the myth about servant leadership, and his journey through faith and how that has impacted his leadership. Greg has been coaching for over 10 years, is a wonderful person, and absolutely loves adding value to others. In this episode Greg discusses:- His journey in the National Guard- Defining Servant Based Leadership – Good or Bad?- Situational Leadership- Codependent athletes and employees- Loving Tough- Faith based leadership- How faith and the bible shaped his mentoring Greg was awesome to have on the show and gave us a lot to chew on throughout the episode. We say this every week, but if want to reach out to myself or Greg, PLEASE feel free to use the contact information below. We look always look forward to hearing from our audience and getting feedback. If this episode was enjoyable to you, we always appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Join along in our community and post this episode to your story! Reach out to Greg AdamsonVia Instagram: @utcoachgreg Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

MLB Hitting Coach for the Boston Red Sox, Pete Fatse comes on to chat about some of his experiences and concepts that he has learned within his time coaching and leading. Fatse played baseball at UCONN before he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. After bouncing around in the minor leagues, Fatse played independent ball before hanging up the cleats. Pete then started coaching and later opened up his own baseball training facility. He has been coaching hitters for many years and has coached people from the age of 8-35. In this episode Fatse discusses:- What successful integration looks like- How to create organic conversations- The relationship process o Kids to Big leaguers- Changes in Communication o How to approach communication in the private setting o Approach at a higher level- How to study hitters and their mentality- Driving creative thinking- Staying competitive during training- Current resources and material Fatse is growing in I hope you enjoy this episode! Fatse is extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk to, if you have any questions for either of us, feel reach to reach out to us with the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out to Pete FatseVia Instagram: fatse_baseball Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Founder and CEO of Athelo Group, Andrew Stallings joins the show to educate us on the idea of a brand. In the very short, Athelo Group is a sports agency but they go way deeper than the surface of just an agency. Within Athelo, they pride themselves on their relationships with athletes and their partnerships with companies. If you are familiar with the professional sports world, you understand that most agencies strive for the big names within the “big 4” sports; baseball, basketball, football, hockey. Stallings leads Athelo Group towards the more niche sports including; volleyball, surfing, NASCAR, E Sports, and many more. On the daily Andrew manages partnerships, creates brand strategies for each individual athlete, oversees player marketing and promotional strategies for personal brand development with goal of growing social following and enhancing fan engagement creatively. In this episode, Andrew discusses: - What a brand is and how to find yours- Establishing your personal brand- The importance of relationships- COMMUNITY/CURRENCY- Marketing your company- How to run your socials to your benefit- Action steps for a new business- Core beliefs as a success leader Andrew was a blessing to have on the show and brought A LOT to the table. If you are interested in growing yourself, your brand, and increasing your impact, this is a must listen! If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out with the information below! If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out Andrew StallingsVia LinkedIn: Andrew StallingsInstagram: @athelogroupWebsite: www.athelogroup.com Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

USA Beach Volleyball sports performance coach, Christian Hartford goes in on the nitty gritty of how to be successful as a coach. As I have said before, I use coach as a synonym for mentor, leader, and influencer. Christian gives examples and application methods for improving your soft skills to be a better communicator in the weight room, the office, or in your home. We both believe that these skills are learned behavior and CAN be taught. Soft skills, feel, or emotional intelligence is a skill that can be learned with diligence, self-awareness, and some of the tactics that Christian explains. Other topics discussed: - Mentoring young professionals- The need for more than just entry level knowledge- Building curriculum formality around the “Art of Coaching”- Bettering the world of Sports Performance- How Authentic Leadership played a role in his career- Proactive growth methods: Personal & Professional- The effects of gratitude If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out! Give it a listen and if you aren’t disappointed, leave a rating, review, and/or share. Reach out to Christian HartfordEmail: hartfordperformance@gmail.comInstagram: @hartford_sp Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Leading Up & The Leader:Follower FightQuick episode about something that has been on my mind for some time now and a situation I know a lot of us have been in or currently are in right now. Often times when get caught wondering what we need to do to make an impact when you don’t have a leadership title or you aren’t the one with the final say in the organization.We battle whether we need to try and lead and stand out or if we should follow and take orders.I believe that there are 3 main points here:✅ Stay ProactiveDo the more despite the possibility of it getting shut down✅ Be Authentic It’s better to be Real and Wrong then Fake and Right✅ Be ConsistentAlways come through when neededIf this is you and you are struggling to lead up within your team or organization give it a listen and feel free to contact me questions or concerns. Subscribe, rate, and share where ever you consume the podcast!

Professional Beach Volleyball Athlete and Wholistic Health Coach, Kim Hildreth sits down to discuss with us about Health Coaching and being a professional athlete. Kim is consistently playing at a high level and in order to do so, she has to put her health at the top of her priorities. She is a wonderful person that seeks to give value to other people through her coaching and volleyball. In this episode Kim discusses: - The benefit of Health Coaching- Why EVERYBODY needs a coach - Being a Professional Beach Volleyball Player – What it takes- Mentality going into a weekend of play- Giving back to her community and growing beach volleyball- Coaching & Connecting I hope you enjoy this episode! Kim has a lot of experience at building strong and resilient human beings on the beach and within their lifestyle. If you have any questions for either of us, feel reach to reach out to us with the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares via Apple Podcasts. Reach out to Kim Hildreth:Instagram: @kim_hildrethWebsite: healthcoachingwithkim.com Reach out to Connor DerricksonEmail: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comInstagram: @connorderrickson

Current Director of Sports Performance at Elon University, Nick DiMarco joins the show to talk about what it is like being a director, a coach, and leader within the athletic environment. Prior to Elon, Nick spent three years with Iowa Hawkeyes football strength and conditioning program. DiMarco played collegiate and professional football before starting his sports performance career. Nick is a great coach that has learned from some of the best mentor in the profession. In this episode Nick discusses: - Previous learning and growth situations- Transition: D1 Assistant to Mid/Major Director- Relationship building as Director- Internship curriculum - Growth promoting questions- How to land a leadership postion If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out! If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out to Nick DiMarcoEmail: ndimarco@elon.edu Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Denver Nuggets Strength and Conditioning Coach, Claus Souza comes on the show to talk with us about his experiences within the NBA and what he learned along the way. Before landing with the Nuggets, Claus was a strength and conditioning coach at Tulsa, in the WNBA, and most recently with University of Auburn Women’s Basketball Team. Claus is an extremely down to earth human being and was a pleasure to have on the show. In this episode Claus discusses: - Transitioning from Collegiate Women’s Hoops to the NBA- The coaching difference in the NBA- Communication lines at the professional level- Authentic Leadership- How previous situations prepared him for the NBA- First moves coming into a new position Give Claus a listen! He has a lot of experience and is extremely easy to chat with. If you have any questions for either of us, feel reach to reach out to us with the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out to Claus SouzaVia Instagram: @clausantunes Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Professional Beach Volleyball Athlete, Casey Patterson comes on the show to hang out and chat about his career and lessons that he has learned over the years. Cassey is a veteran athlete that has competed on multiple stages within the AVP and FIVB and has compiled multiple awards. He is a very well rounded individual, as you will see in the episode, he has done way more than just play in the Olympics. Olympic Experience2016 Olympic Games (tied for 19th with Jake Gibb)World Championship Experience 2017 World Championships (tied for 17th with Theo Brunner)2015 World Championships (tied for 5th with Jake Gibb)2013 World Championships (4th place with Jake Gibb)Other Notable’sFinished fifth at the 2015 Beach World Championships with Jake Gibb. Duo was eliminated in the quarterfinals by BrazilWith Gibb, named USA Volleyball’s Beach Team of the Year for 2013 and AVP’s 2014 men’s Team of Year In this episode Casey discusses: - The difference b/w beach volleyball and other team sports- Making a living as a Professional Beach Volleyball Athlete- Brand Creation and Self Promotion- Olympic Experience – Rio 2016- Coaching & Connecting with your athletes I hope you enjoy this episode! Casey is extremely knowledgeable and awesome to listen to, if you have any questions for either of us, feel reach to reach out to us with the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out to Casey PattersonVia Instagram: @caseypatt Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Jaimie Rubin, Psy.D. (she/her/hers) is a Postdoctoral Fellow specializing in Counseling and Sport Psychology. She takes a holistic and individualized approach aimed at providing a space for individuals to develop an understanding of self, increase awareness, and establish the mental skills and mindset necessary for readiness to consistently perform at their optimal level in both athletic and life endeavors. Dr. Rubin is an LGBTQ affirmative counselor and sports psychologist. In this episode, Jaime discusses: - Leadership from a Sport Psychology lens- Gaining Situation Awareness & Emotional Intelligence- COVID Related Staleness o Creating Positive Influential Routines- Mental Illness in Sport Dr. Rubin was an exceptional guest on our show and we were so excited to learn from and her expertise. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to use the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out Jaime RubinVia email jrubin@premiersportpsychology.comWebsite: www.premiersportpsychology.com Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance at Fresno State University, Ron McKeefery sits down with the crew to talk shop about some key factors that have impacted his career. Ron is renowned speaker who is a 2x Strength Coach of The Year, 2x Best Selling Author, and a top podcaster. In this episode, Ron discusses: - How to market yourself in an oversaturated field- Coach Mac’s non-negotiables- Bringing value to others- Authentic leadership- Faith within leadership- Advice for aspiring leaders and coaches We are extremely fortunate to have Ron come on the show. Despite being one of the legends within strength and conditioning, he has always been on the front lines helping young coaches. If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out! If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out Ron McKeeferyVia email: mckeefery@scufresno.eduVia Twitter: @RMcKeeferyWebsite: www.ronmckeefery.com Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Current Athletic Development Coordinator of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Eric Yavarone joins the show to discuss how to create trust at all levels of Major League Baseball. Eric has spent time at Cressey Sports Performance, Ranfrone Training Systems, and has been with the Dodgers for 5 years. He is great communicator and coach that has a record for creating quality relationships with his athletes. In this episode Eric discusses:- Earning trust w/ Athletes, Clients, and Colleagues- Communication - Timing, Delivery, and Context- Why One Size Fits All Communication Doesn’t Work- Relating “Feel” to Coaching- Advice For Young Leaders and Coaches Eric was a phenomenal guest on the show, we really hope that you enjoy it! He is a great coach, mentor, and leader within his department. If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out! If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out to Eric YavaroneVia email: ericy@ladodgers.com Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

This is what the entire show is all about, Asking Better Questions. Too many times in leadership and decision making, we rely on our own understanding instead of increasing our impact by asking focused questions to the people around us. We can become better leaders, mentors, and coaches by asking questions. Questions, in the purest form, is merely communication, speaking, or dialect. To whom we speak to, how we word these questions, and the time is which these are spoken potentially create an atmosphere for growth or stagnation. All this to say, what you speak matters, what you ask matters, and what you don’t ask, MATTERS. How to ask better questions: 1. You only get answers to the questions you aska. “It is better to look uninformed than to be uninformed”b. Earnest and timely questions 2. Questions will unlock doorsa. Earnest questions help you learn and understandb. Successful leaders relentlessly ask questions and have an incurable desire to pick the brains of the people they have met 3. Connecting with peoplea. Before communication you need commonalityb. Ask about family, dreams, goals, sport, hobbies 4. Questions help co-createa. “The key to shared thinking is asking the right questions to the right people” 5. Questions give you perspectivea. Before you make things right, make sure you see things rightb. Helps prevent miscommunicationc. What would you change? - Prevents stagnation By the end of today's episode you will have been given the tools to ask some better questions within your marriage, at work, with your family, and your community. I hope that you can take some of these examples and apply them to your everyday life. Two things if you enjoyed the episode: 1. Help us out and go on Apple podcasts and rate/review the show. 2. Give me a shout and lets talk shop. There is nothing better than chatting with other like minded individuals that are striving to learn more. Reach out with the info below.Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Pastor Josh Hall of Southwest Florida’s, Ocean Church - Cape Coral Campus, joins the show to discuss how he leads within his church, community, and family. Josh is a wonderful leader that bleeds encouragement yet candor. In this episode Pastor Josh discusses:- Positive and negative feedback- Dealing with toxic employees/volunteers/members- Sharpening your communication skills- Leadership within a marriage- Times of crisis: How to get unstuck I hope you enjoy the episode! Pastor Josh is not only a great preacher but a phenomenal mentor to many people. If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out to us with the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares.

Current Athletic Director of William Penn University, Nik Rule sits down with us to discuss how young leaders can achieve their goals within the athletic world. Before being an AD, Nik was the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations as well as the WPU’s Women’s Golf coach for 8 years. Rule has a diverse background giving him outstanding insight on leading and impacting people. In this episode Nik discusses:- Transformational Leadership and uncommon habits- Risk taking and leaving your comfort zone- 3 Levels of Leadership- Smart Cuts vs. Short Cuts- The art of self-leadership Nik was one of our favorite guests on the show, we really hope that you enjoy it! He is a great Athletic Director, coach, and leader within his department. If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out! If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out to Nik RuleVia email: rulen@wmpenn.edu Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Owner of a 13x Connie Award winning, 4x #1 Hampton Inn & Suites in the country, and an admirable leader within his community, Tom Derrickson joins the show to discuss a few keys that led him to his success within the hospitality business. In this episode Tom discusses:- Getting started within the business world- Major keys in a successful small business- Retention of employees within in a tough market- Creating a culture of caring and serving- How he stays sharp as a leader I hope you enjoy the episode! Tom is a leader and general manager that has impacted many everyday people within his years. If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out to us with the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out to Tom DerricksonVia email: Thomas.derrickson@hilton.com Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Toronto Blue Jays MiLB Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Stephen Rassel joins the show to discuss how to be a people centered leader focusing on relationships and influence within the workplace and more. In this episode Rassel discusses:- The battle between pride and humility- How to start earning trust from athletes and staff- Leadership as influence and responsibility- How to find the right mentor and learning from every situation- Living in the world of Hurry: The dichotomy of Work and Rest I hope you enjoy the episode! Coach Raz is a great mentor, coach, and leader that has helped many coaches and athletes within his years. If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out to us with the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Books Referenced:- Garden City - The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day - Range - Team of Teams - The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F Reach out to Stephen RasselVia email: stephenrassel@gmail.com Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

High-Performance Strategist, Dr. Brandon Marcello sits down with us to discuss all things behavioral change and leadership. Dr. Marcello has a PhD in Sports Nutrition, served as the Director of Sports Performance at Stanford University, Director of Performance for USA Softball, helped create EXOS (formerly Athletes Performance), and spent time at the International Performance Institute also known as IMG Academy. Dr. Marcello is a well-oiled machine within the sports performance world. He is currently a self-employed High-Performance Strategist where he engulfs himself directly into organizations to find solutions to their problems. In this episode Brandon discusses:- The major differences between high performing teams and mediocrity- Types of leaders who have the greatest influence on behavioral change- How to manage different attitudes and ego’s- How interpersonal skills differ person-to-person I hope you enjoy this episode! Brandon is extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk to, if you have any questions for either of us, feel reach to reach out to us with the contact information below. If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate ratings, reviews, and shares. Reach out to Dr. Brandon MarcelloVia website: brandonmarcellophd.comVia Twitter: @bmarcello13 Reach out to Connor DerricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

"Ideas without communication will not be effective", how can you become a better communicator for each person's individual needs? Lead Pastor of Chincoteague Church of God sits down to discuss how he creates a message of hope fueled by his passion to be in full time ministry. Pastor Kevin explains how he strives to communicate a message that can bring life change and to help people leave better than when they came in. Some key points Pastor Kevin hits in this epidsode:- Whatever you are bringing to the table as a leader or coach, your focus of inward change must be first- How to understand failure better to help you thrive in your role as a mentor- How getting involved in your community increases your impact- How to create an environment of connection with your staff, athletes, or peopleGet out of your comfort zone and give this one a listen. If you happen to enjoy the show, subscribe and let us know what you think! We really appreciate any reviews and shares you are willing to give!Reach out to Kevin Stanley:Via email: kevin@churchbythebeach.orgVia website: https://churchbythebeach.orgReach out to Connor Derrickson:Via email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia instagram: @connorderrickson

Head of Strength and Conditioning for IMG Academy, Jon Haugen sits down to discuss some of his "non-negotiables", how to create good conflict, and how to give autonomy to your staff. Haugen really dives deep into culture; how to create standards and principles for your staff. A few principles to live by:Practice, Promote, & PermitPractice - What are you practicing on a daily basis? Are your values lining up with your standards? Promote - What message are you instilling within your staff and athletes? Permit - "Whatever you walk by, is your standard." What do you allow and what do you let slide? We hope you enjoy the show! Give it a listen, subscribe, and let us know what you think! If you happened to enjoy this episode we really appreciate reviews and shares. Reach out to Jon Haugen:Via email: jonathan.haugen@img.comVia Instagram: @haugenj1Reach out to Connor Derrickson:Via email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.comVia Instagram: @connorderrickson

Director of Sports Performance at Salisbury University and 2018 NSCA Coach of the Year, Matt Nein sits down and discusses THE EDGE; the place where natural ability takes you, but will not keep you, nor will it make you better. He gives us examples of The Edge, how to embrace it, and become elite. Coach Matt also discuss how how to create a successful atmosphere within any organization, how to build dynamic relationships, and what he sees in all successful coaches. Coach Nein realizes the importance of commitment and autonomy, he discusses how he tracks his athletes commitment having them decide the standards. Give it a listen! If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on Apple podcast, give us a rating, and share the episode. Reach out to Matt Nein:Via email: manein@salisbury.eduVia Instagram: @matthewneinReach your host Connor Derrickson:Via Instagram: @connorderricksonVia email: connorderrickson@twinsbaseball.com