Training The Complete Athlete

Today we talk about why active listening is so important not just for the athlete or even the coach but for the parents as well. Active listening is for everyone in a relationship. Without active listening performance, trust and teams suffer. Listen for the why today with Coach Kos and get real-time tips. About Our Guest: Coach Kos. I am a combination of mental health counselor and a sports coach. I have coached softball at all levels from 12u-Division 1. Through my experience as a coach, I came to see that athletes need to put as much focus on their mental health as they do their physical training. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling while serving as an Assistant Athletic Director of Student Welfare and Development. I was able to take this education and experience and help student-athletes develop the social, emotional, and leadership skills to complement their physical skills in an effort to help them become successful both on and off the field. Ways To Connect:

Some people step up to life's incomparable challenges. Josh Brewer grew up in Sub Saharan Africa in a single-parent home. After losing his father, and leaving his mother's home, he lost three of his limbs in a train accident. After being adopted and moving to the states a chance meeting led Josh to wheelchair basketball. This became his passion and has led him to the Olympics in Rio and to finishing his college education at one of the top wheelchair basketball programs in the US. Josh shows us that optimism and internal drive can lead to amazing success even after overwhelming hardship. No Limits. The Josh Brewer Story. A Paralympian. About Our Guest: Brewer is a triple amputee who was run over by a train while living in the streets of Ethiopia as a child. He spent months in a hospital after losing both legs from below the knees and his right arm from below the elbow…Son of Laura Brewer…Has one brother, Josiah…Has lived in three countries, Ethiopia, Australia, and the U.S… Enjoys fishing, basketball, and relaxing. Paralympic Experience Rio Paralympic Games One-time Paralympian (2016); One-time medalist (1 silver) 2016 Canada Cup

Taking On The Struggles Of Being Uncomfortable. It seems like humanity is doing everything it can to not be uncomfortable.  We avoid, finger point, and give up all not to face being uncomfortable. Coach Kos dissects how our obsession with being comfortable gets in the way of our utmost (or peak) performance, quality connection to others, and growing in confidence. This episode will challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone onto the path of growth and encourage you to start building mental toughness.  

Many athletes are coached by a parent at one point in their careers.  It can be both a blessing and a curse.  Today in our “Tips On Coaching Your Own Kids In Sports”, Coach Matt Gruhler shows how it can be done, even at the varsity level, and still reach great success as a coach and father. About Our Guest: Matt Gruhler Matt Gruhler is the Head Boys Basketball Coach and School Counselor at Skyview HS in Vancouver, WA. Coach Gruhler begins his ninth season as the Skyview basketball Head Coach this season. The 2021-22 season marks Gruhler's 17th year as a coach at the high school level and his eighth year as a school counselor at Skyview.  Before coaching at Skyview, he was the Varsity Head Coach at Hockinson HS for three years. He has also been a Varsity Assistant Coach at Tumwater HS and Fort Vancouver HS in his career. Coach Gruhler and his wife, Sarah, live in the Skyview boundaries of the Vancouver School District. They have three children, Kyle (SHS ‘20 graduate), Callie (11) and Jonah (8).  Coach Gruhler grew up in Portland, OR and played basketball for Central Catholic High School. At CCHS, he played for legendary coach, Steve Halligan, where he learned the love of impacting lives through coaching. After high school, Gruhler played college basketball at Division II Saint Martin’s University, playing for Head Coaches Bob Grisham and Keith Cooper. Contact Coach Gruhler: Matt.Gruhler@vansd.org

Sports is more than an avenue to compete. It gives an individual a place to grow within themselves. That growth, fuels bigger risks that leads to life-long success and relationships. Today we talk with Skyler Kamaka (Miss Hawaii 2012) about her story of starting from humble beginnings to competing as a collegiate athlete to moving to Hawaii to take on huge challenges, where she would grow in a life of service to her community and later on, to her country.  This is a great example of never doubting the chance of failing and grinding out what is needed to get to the bigger dream. About Our Guest: Skyler Kamaka (Miss Hawaii 2012) College Volleyball Player at Concordia University  2008-2012 Started Hawaiian Club and hosted first Luau 2009 Competed and won Miss Hawaii-2012 Competed in Miss America 2012 Started hosting TV show promoting the culture and life of Hawaii- 2012 Athletic Director and Teacher 2012-2014 Joined the Hawaii Air National Guard

Today we dive in with special guest Lisa Hashimoto Hall about how too often kids with special needs don’t get involved in the world of sports. We talk about avenues that both parents and coaches can pursue to help make them feel welcome and step outside of their comfort zone to help them not only build relationships but also mental and emotional strength. About Our Guest Lisa Hashimoto Hall My name is Lisa Hashimoto Hall and I’m from Perry, UT. I went to Box Elder High School in Brigham City, UT where I was a multi-sport athlete. I excelled in softball while at Box Elder and was a two-time state champion, three-time High School All-American, and the MVP of the 4A division in softball my junior year. I was able to gain a softball scholarship to the University of Utah where I was a 4-year starter. While at Utah I was awarded to be on the WAC All-Tournament team my junior year. I’m also a career holder in stolen bases and sacrifice hits. I met my husband at the University of Utah and was married in 1999. I’ve coached off and on since my playing career ended in 2000. I had an amazing opportunity right out of college to be an assistant coach at Utah State University close to my hometown. I coached there for a few years and then hung up my coach’s shoes to start a family. I had my first son in 2003 and became pregnant soon after with my second son in 2005. After a few years of raising my boys, I decided to go back to coaching at my local high school and try my hand as a head coach. I was able to coach at my alma mater, Box Elder High school, and win a state championship. It was around this time that my 2nd son received an autism diagnosis and my world turned upside down. I decided to try coaching a few more years and do my best to provide early intervention for my son but had to put my coaching career on hold again when I became pregnant with my daughter. For the next 9 years, I spent my time raising my children and providing the best education for my son. It felt like a constant battle with a lot of highs and lows doing my best to raise a child with special needs. Looking back now I can’t believe how far he’s come and the progress he’s made. He is now 16 years old and doing very well in school and is on track to graduate. I’m back into coaching my daughter’s travel softball team and enjoy watching my oldest son play baseball for the local high school. Head to our website for more information about Coach Kos, Traning The Complete Athlete.

Guest: Trina Comerford. Officials play a role in every game, learn how players, coaches, and athletes can grow through working within the games officials, and rules to create a better person with our guest Trina Comerford. Trina has been an umpire since 2003. A lifetime softball player she made the switch from softball parent to umpire in 2003. In three short seasons, she went from being an official for 10U to working fall ball in the Pac 12 in 2006. She primarily works Pac 12, WAC, Big West, and Mountain West conferences currently. She still will return to her routes of small college and travel ball throughout the competitive season. A mother of 10 she finds the lessons she learns on the field to integrate into her life as a mom and a grandmother. Putting in the work to get it right.

Guest: Matt Kosderka – Head Baseball Coach at Lewis & Clark College, Former Taxes Ranger Prospect In the world of amateur sports, a coach’s influence ranks closely with parental influence and in some cases higher. This fact can be a superpower for coaches when used positively and intentionally. Join us this week as Coach Matt Kosderka and host Coach Kos talk about the role coaches play in the lives student athletes.

Guest: Patrick Bailey - Former Associate Head Basketball Coach at Oregon State University In the world of growing champions, building people often comes second. Coach Bailey has made building great people his passion and it has led him to multiple national championships.

Guest: Krystinya Birch - Former Assistant Basketball Coach at Concordia University Challenges off the court impact the world of student athletes more than we like to admit. Join us this week as Krystinya Burch tells her story of finding her way through sports and sexuality.

Guest: Damian Williams - Sports & Events Sales Manager at Travel Salem At the beginning of the season season, building a solid team culture is essential to a team's success. Without a baseline of how team members need to train, interact, and represent their program, any team will find themselves directionless.

Guest: Jo Koons - Assistant Softball Coach - University of Oregon Often there is a big wall put between players and coaches. The need to not get to connected or disclose too much of ourselves to the others is the expectation. In reality the connection can lead to great mentorship opportunities. 

Guest: Susie Campbell - Head Women's Tennis Coach - University of Portland Athletes, coaches and parents often assume that more training will lead to more success. However, things are not quite so simple. The true key to long term success for an athlete is living a balanced life.

Guest: Jane Samuels - Assistant Athletic Director - Linfield College Athletes live in the past and future more than any other population. The key to managing performance anxiety and making the most of the sports experience is mindfulness.

Guest: Amy Dames Smith - Assistant Director of Academic Support, University of Portland Athletic Department Academics often gets put on the back burner for an athlete, but a student athlete's education is the one thing that stays with them forever.

Guest: Curtis Miller So many student athletes are coming to the field with past trauma.  These events get in the way of their performance and relationships with teammates and coaches.  Learning how to manage a student past events is crucial to be able to support them to the best possible.  

Guest: Hannah Taylor - Standout Women's Soccer Player at the University of Oregon After facing two significant injuries to start her career with the Ducks, Hannah chose to make the best out of a bad situation and become a part of the campus community as she recovered and found a better balance as a student athlete.

Guest: Sara Molyneaux - Former 1st team All-American Golfer at Concordia University Portland, currently a special ed teacher, coach, wife and mom of 2 girls. Long after the days of playing were completed, Sara realized she played with a high level of anxiety that continued into her adulthood.

Guest: Brenna Blain - Public speaker and host of the podcast, “Can I say That.” Brenna tells her story of overcoming trauma, severe depression, and suicidal ideation. She took her experience and turned it into an opportunity to reach out to others.

Guest: Lindsay Aho - Head Men and Women's Golf Coach at Concordia University For a student athlete, it can seem like everything is about getting to the next level, whether that be making the varsity team, getting offers from other schools, or even making it to the pros. Because of this, it is easy to neglect the mental, emotional, and physical skills that will actually prepare us for that next level. This week, Carrie sits down with Lindsay Aho, a 2 time All-American from Concordia University, to discuss this important aspect of student athletics. Join us as they discuss how parents can plan for their athletes' success in both sports and life in general. For more information about me and what I do, visit trainingthecompleteathlete.com

Its hard to believe that we are already on our tenth episode of this podcast. Many of you don't even know who I am. This week, instead of an interview, I decided to tell my story and give you a little more information about why I do what I do. For more information about me and what I do, visit trainingthecompleteathlete.com.

Guest: Rocky Vitale – Coach, Lambrick Park Academy The game has elevated past surface level knowledge of the game. “Game IQ,” how much you know about your sport, is now an essential aspect of being a successful athlete. But where do you start? Rocky Vitale is a coach from Lambrick Park Academy who focuses on just that with his players. In this episode, he shares what you can do to improve your sports knowledge and enhance your performance.

Guest: Chris Gissell - Former MLB Pitcher Youth sports is no longer throwing the ball around at the Little League field and having ice cream after the game. It has become big business and highly competitive, and many young athletes find themselves lost trying to navigate this new youth sports culture. Chris Gissell identifies some of the best ways to help parents and athletes have the best overall experience and performance.

Guest: Tony Overstake - University of Oregon Chaplain Faith often gets swept under the rug in the world of sports. It is as if people do not know how to combine the two. The truth is they can be a great partnership in helping athletes reaches a higher level. Tony Overstake has been a chaplain at University of Oregon for 8 years and started Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus 17 years ago. Hear how his ministry supports one of the best athletic departments in the country.

Guest: Emily Kosderka - Portland State Athletic Trainer Concussions have become increasingly talked about in sports. Oftentimes, after an athlete sustains a concussion, they are unaware of the proper steps to get back to the field quickly and safely. Many families are not prepared to manage the impact a brain injury can have on their child's mood and development. Emily Kosderka talks in depth about concussion recovery and best practices to help athletes return to play safely and how to manage possible mood changes during the recovery process.

Guest: Alex Marten - University of Kentucky Softball All American With the influx of COVID-19, the world of sports was quickly put on lock down. Thousands of athletes saw their seasons end with no warning. Alex Marten talks about the ending of her senior year at University of Kentucky. She addresses the grief of losing a sports season, the blessings, and ways to use the off time to one's advantage.

Guest: Angela Howard – Director of Mental Health at His Heart Foundation Our culture conditions athletes to deal with emotional issues on their own. The stigma attached with getting help often deters them from seeking a counselor. Angela Howard discusses the benefits and the process of counseling, and how an athlete's performance. She also talks about the importance of breaking down the stigma attached to talking about mental health.

Guest: Caroline Inglis - LPGA Golfer In team sports, athletes get to lean, uplift, and motivate each other to be the best they can be. However, individual sports like golf do not have this advantage. Golf requires you to be alone with yourself on those long walks between shots. Caroline Inglis joins us to give her insight on different ways to focus, mental preparation off the course, and how to face high-pressure situation.

Guest: Al Mendiola - Head Softball Coach College of Idaho Many youth athletes choose to walk away from sports in their early teens. One of the primary reasons for this is the immense pressure and inappropriate criticism they receive from parents and coaches. Al Mendiola talks about the drive home after a sporting event. He gives great advice on how to make the best of the drive by engaging their athlete in a positive way.

Guest: Chris Edward – 2020 Langen Germany Player of the Year The world of sports brings a diverse population together. During the past few years, diversity has become a topic of great debate and controversy in the United States, especially when it comes to sports. Chris Edward shares his experience in the world of sports as an African-American, and how that experience has impacted his life as a whole.