Straight talk on the culture of sport, athletic development and sports performance. For athletes, parents coaches, trainers and anyone enthusiastic about the current state of youth, high school and college sports.
Chasing Performance vs. Development: A Guide for Athletes and ParentsIntroductionIn the world of sports, there's a critical distinction between chasing performance and pursuing development. Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into this crucial topic, offering insights that can transform an athlete's approach to their sport.
In a candid podcast discussion, coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen dive deep into the controversial practice of reclassifying 8th-grade students, exploring the potential benefits and drawbacks of this increasingly common approach to athletic development.
In the world of youth sports, parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's athletic experiences. LaShawn Wells, an experienced coach, athletic director, and author, shares profound insights into how parents can positively support their young athletes while avoiding common pitfalls.
In the world of sports training, traditional testing methods have long been the standard for evaluating athletic potential. However, two experienced coaches are challenging this approach, arguing that it's time for a fundamental shift in how we assess athletes.
Athletes often make a critical mistake during their competitive season: they stop training, believing their in-season performance is enough. Coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen dive deep into why continuous training is essential for maintaining peak athletic performance.
In today's competitive sports landscape, the traditional path of playing high school sports is being increasingly questioned. Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into a critical discussion about whether young athletes should commit to high school sports or pursue alternative training strategies.
In the competitive world of team sports, athletes often face challenging moments that test their mental resilience. Coaches Aaron and EJ dive deep into the critical topic of handling team selection, rejection, and personal growth when sports politics come into play.
In the world of sports, success isn't just about talent—it's about ownership. Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into the critical concept of athlete ownership, exploring why taking responsibility for one's athletic career is the key to true success.
Do You Really Believe in Yourself? A Deep Dive into Athletic Self-Confidence In this compelling podcast episode of "Ask Aaron and Ask EJ", Coaches EJ and Aaron explore a critical question facing modern athletes: Do you truly believe in yourself? Their discussion delves into the evolving landscape of athletic self-confidence and the challenges facing today's athletes. Related podcast: Athlete Confidence :https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/JpdHOmE5jQb
In the world of youth sports, terms like "elite," "special," and "select" have become ubiquitous marketing buzzwords. But what do these labels truly mean? Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into the overuse and misrepresentation of these terms in their podcast "Champions are Built
In the rapidly evolving world of collegiate athletics, student athletes must now approach their sports careers with a strategic mindset. The emergence of what coaches are calling the "New Collegiate Free Agency" (NCFA) has transformed traditional recruitment and career development pathways.
In the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, the transfer portal has become a hot-button topic. Coaches EJ and Aaron break down the complex reasons why student-athletes are increasingly choosing to change schools, revealing insights into the modern sports ecosystem.
In a compelling podcast episode of "Champions Built," coaches Chris Bodislaw and Brett Wallace from the University of California Berkeley baseball program shared profound insights into athletic development, recruiting, and the evolving landscape of collegiate sports. Their discussion offers valuable guidance for aspiring athletes, parents, and coaches.
In this insightful podcast discussion, Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into the critical aspects of creating the right environment for athletes. Their conversation explores how various factors contribute to an athlete's success and personal development.
In this revealing podcast episode, veteran strength and conditioning coach Bob Alejo shares his profound insights into athletic performance training, challenging many contemporary misconceptions about sports training and athlete development.
The journey to becoming a Division 1 (D1) collegiate athlete begins much earlier than many realize. Coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen discuss the crucial timeline and benchmarks that aspiring student-athletes should focus on, starting as early as 5th or 6th grade.
In this episode, Coaches EJ and Aaron discuss the concept of the "guru" in the fitness and training industry. They share insights on how to identify legitimate experts versus those who may be more focused on popularity and marketing than actual results.
In the world of youth athletics, it's easy for parents to find themselves caught up in a never-ending cycle of training, tournaments, and travel. The allure of the "next big thing" can lead families down a path of endless commitments, sacrificing time, money, and energy in pursuit of athletic success. However, as Coaches EJ and Aaron discuss, it's crucial to take a step back and evaluate the real cost of this intense training regimen.
In this episode of the "Champions are Built" podcast, hosts Coach EJ and Coach Aaron discuss the importance of having a "Reason for Every Season" when planning an athlete's annual calendar. They provide insights on navigating the complex youth sports landscape, avoiding overspecialization, and developing well-rounded athletes.
In this episode, hosts Coach EJ and Coach Aaron discuss the common pitfalls that can slow down an athlete's development, including the tendency to chase "magic beans" (quick fixes), having too many cooks in the kitchen (too many conflicting voices), and not being "all in" on their chosen path. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness, defining a clear development process, and maintaining discipline and consistency.
In this episode, hosts Coach EJ the Brand and Coach Aaron the Source discuss the growing trend of excessive celebrations in sports and how it is impacting the essence of the games. They explore potential reasons behind this phenomenon, including the influence of social media, the commercialization of sports, and the changing attitudes of younger generations. The hosts also delve into the broader issue of sports becoming more about entertainment than the pure love of the game.
Establishing a Strategic Social Media Approach for Student-Athletes As the world of sports recruitment evolves, an athlete's online presence has become a crucial component of the process. In this podcast, we'll explore the optimal timing and best practices for student-athletes to establish their digital footprint and leverage social media as a tool for connecting with coaches and showcasing their talents.
The Dangers of Gamifying Athletic TrainingPrioritizing Numbers Over Substance in Youth Sports In the world of youth sports, there has been a concerning trend towards the "gamification" of training, where the focus has shifted from developing well-rounded athletes to chasing arbitrary numbers and statistics. This shift, as discussed by coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen, is having a detrimental effect on the competitive spirit and long-term development of young athletes.
Unlocking the Art of Sports: Embracing Intuition, Awareness and Flow Exploring the Intersection of Science and Art in Sports In this insightful conversation, renowned sports performance expert Alan Jaeger shares his unique perspective on the importance of blending the scientific and artistic aspects of athletic development. Related Podcast- Playing Free https://youtu.be/vqmHnIqR_hY #mentalpracticeplans #alanjaeger #thriveonthrowing #norcalbaseball #robbruno #SportsPsychology #AthleteMindset #collegebaseball #elitebaseball #youthbaseball #youthsports #highschoolsports #d1ncaacollegebaseball #d1collegebaseballbaseball #d1football #transferportal #littleleaguebaseball #littleleague #championsarebuilt --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
In this podcast episode of "Champions are Built," Coach EJ and Aaron discuss the importance of confidence in athletes, why some lack confidence, and how to nurture and develop confidence in players. They delve into the significance of creating an environment that fosters honest confidence, the role of communication in building confidence, and the impact of competition on an athlete's mindset. The conversation emphasizes the need for honest assessments, feedback that builds up rather than breaks down, and setting realistic expectations to help athletes thrive. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
The Changing Landscape of Performance Training Aaron & EJ reflect on the evolution of performance training over the past three decades. They note how the once-specialized and premium nature of this training has become increasingly commercialized and commonplace. This shift has led to a "mass mentality" where athletes and parents often treat performance training like a gym membership, lacking the necessary commitment and engagement for it to be truly effective. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
Protecting Young Arms: The Pitch Count Dilemma in Baseball Navigating the Risks of Overuse Injuries in Youth and Professional Baseball In the ever-evolving world of baseball, the debate surrounding pitch count and arm health has taken center stage. As coaches, trainers, and athletes grapple with the delicate balance between performance and injury prevention, it's crucial to understand the nuances of this pressing issue. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
From Island to the Gridiron: The Inspiring Journey of Eteva Mauga Clements Overcoming Obstacles, Chasing NFL Dreams Etiva Mauga Clements, better known as "Va," has had an extraordinary journey from his small island home in American Samoa to the collegiate football fields of the United States. In this insightful interview, Va shares his story of perseverance, determination, and the unwavering drive that has carried him towards his aspirations of playing professional football. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
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In a recent podcast episode of "Champions Are Built," hosts Coach Eric Johnson (EJ) and Coach Aaron Thigpen had a thought-provoking conversation with Greg Tella, the President of Sports Social Network and former strength and conditioning coach for the San Jose Earthquakes. The discussion delved into various aspects of youth sports, the importance of competitiveness, and the challenges faced by young athletes in today's sports environment. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
A conversation with hometown athlete Isiaiah Foskey and his journey to the NFL. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
 In this podcast episode, Coach Eric Johnson and his co-host discuss the topic of being cut from a sports team and how athletes can turn this experience into an opportunity for growth and improvement. They share a story of a player who used being cut as motivation to work harder and eventually earn a scholarship. The hosts emphasize the importance of learning from being cut, reinventing oneself, using the time to improve skills, and developing a competitive mindset. They discuss the concept of earning opportunities in sports and the need for continuous improvement --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
In this podcast episode, Coach Eric Johnson and Aaron discuss what to do after making the baseball team and how to earn playing time. They emphasize the importance of hard work, mindset, and consistency throughout the season to secure a spot on the field. The conversation touches on topics such as understanding roles, making a good impression, staying patient, and adding value to the team. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
A conversation on the great chase for pitching velocity --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
Athletes, it's not just about mechanics, it's about inner reflection. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
Mastery is more than a number... its a mindset --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
Training smarter versus training harder has many different meanings. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
Coping with the inevitability of failure in sports. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
Want success? Discipline should permeate all facets of your life. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
What are your off season plans for spring success? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
We talk the state of girls fastpich softball. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
Im seeing more kids who play sports who aren't athletic, what's up with that? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
With the new normal , when do you take steps towards college development. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
What are the Five Tools in baseball? what do they mean? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
What's in a title, not much when it comes to youth sports --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
Are you vested for the long run? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
What to do when your school changes it's mind --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
What, when, where on the recruiting calendar --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aaron-thigpen/message
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