96. How to Create a Thriving Team Culture with Coach J.P. Nerbun
Laura’s very special guest this week is J.P. Nerbun, founder and co-host of the highly acclaimed sports leadership podcast, Coaching Culture. With an accomplished career as a professional basketball coach spanning over a decade, J.P. Nerbun has become a world-renowned leadership coach, sports consultant, and visionary founder of TOC, a leading global sports-consulting and coaching business.Throughout his career, he and his team have provided personalized coaching and practical resources to hundreds of leaders across various industries, including sports, education, medicine, and business. He is also the acclaimed author of Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership and The Culture System: A Proven Process for Creating an Extraordinary Team Culture. J.P.’s ‘The Culture System Online Training Platform’ launched earlier this year.
Drawing from his unique perspective as a former athlete, J.P. provides actionable guidance tailored for coaches, athletes, and parents alike seeking to elevate their leadership and culture-building skills. He goes on to share his personal journey and rich leadership experience, and offers insights into effective coaching practices, parental involvement, strategies for handling challenging situations, and the keys to achieving success. Together with Laura, J.P. also delves into the critical role of team culture, crafting coaching philosophies, nurturing relationships in youth sports, and addressing abuse in sports with a positive approach. Brimming with a wealth of wisdom on fostering exceptional team cultures and honing leadership abilities in the sports world, the insights discussed by J.P. and Laura here today will undoubtedly ignite your passion to create positive and impactful experiences in the realm of sports and beyond.
Episode Highlights:
Team culture's crucial role
Crafting coaching philosophy
Building relationships in youth sports
J.P.'s transformative journey and experience in culture and leadership
Addressing abuse in sports and coaching with a positive impact
Effective coaching and parental involvement
Handling challenging situations
Keys to success
Quotes:
"If someone is tearing you down as a human being, they criticize your play, that's one thing. But especially to be critical of you as a human being constantly, that you feel less, you feel like you're not worthy... just walk away."]
"I wish I could go back so much and just tell that younger self to, hey, just tell him to stop. Just tell him, this doesn't work for me."
"I'm passionate, so I can be really high, and I can be really low. That used to be my excuse.”
"We want to create an environment that's intrinsically motivated for athletes, where they just want to show up and work hard and have a good attitude because that's who they want to be."
"My job as your coach is not to make you an Olympic gold medalist. My job is to create an atmosphere and an environment where you can become the very best that you can be."
"Your philosophy is like the outline; you allow the players to come in and color it in."
"Share it as an observation, not as a judgment. Be curious, not judgmental."
"The best way to invite change in others is to first change yourself."
"A great leader creates a future that wasn't possible without them."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with J.P.:
83. Growing into a Leader with Swimming Olympic Medalist Elizabeth Beisel
In today’s episode, Laura engages in a captivating conversation with none other than Elizabeth Beisel, the 3-time Olympian and 2-time medalist, who was voted by her teammates to be the 2016 Captain of the US Olympic Team. Elizabeth’s journey, marked by her Olympic debut at the age of 15 and extensive subsequent success, unfolds as a tapestry of determination, resilience, and triumph over adversity. The episode offers a deep dive into Beisel's formative experiences, her trajectory towards becoming a swimming champion, and the transformative shifts in mindset that propelled her to her remarkable achievements. Throughout the discussion, themes of tenacious determination, the significance of self-belief, and the profound influence of mentorship are interwoven, presenting an inspiring illustration of the pursuit of excellence in both athletic and broader life contexts.
Elizabeth’s voyage within the realm of swimming serves as a testament to the confluence of ambition and unwavering dedication. Accomplishing feats both in and out of the pool, Beisel adeptly balanced her academic pursuits, emerging with a distinguished 3.9 GPA and clinching the esteemed 2011 NCAA Division One Scholar Athlete All American of the Year award before moving on to her storied Olympic career. Ultimately transcending the competitive sphere, Beisel found a new vocation as a talented and insightful media contributor, commentator and author, adding depth to audiences' engagement with the sport. Noteworthy among her endeavors is her charitable initiative, Block Cancer, wherein Beisel embarked on a remarkable nonstop swim that raised an impressive $600,000 for cancer research and clinical trials. A luminary both within the world of sport and beyond, Elizabeth’s tale, as shared here today, is as fascinating as it is inspiring - definitely one you do not want to miss.
Episode Highlights:
Elizabeth's inspirational journey
Her self-confidence and mindset shifts
Mentorship and achievement
Authenticity and connection
Triumph over challenges
Transition and charity
Olympics: reality vs. perception
Michael Phelps' Legacy and Motivation
Quotes:
"I remember distinctly watching the 2000 Sydney Olympics on TV. I was seven years old, and it was the first time I'd ever seen my sport swimming on television. It was the first time that I also grasped the enormity and weight of the Olympic Games."
"If there's one thing that I would love for any athlete or whoever it is to take away from this podcast, is like, you can do all of the reps in whatever it is that you do, but if you are not actively practicing how to be confident and believing in yourself, it's never going to click."
"It's cool to trace a lot of things back to one pivotal conversation. Like one person made that difference."
"I had this rosy colored view of the Olympics because all I had exposure to was what I saw on TV and all of the teams that I had been on leading up to the Olympics."
"I think my brain was like, well, I didn't win. I don't have a gold medal yet, so I do want to keep going."
"Self-reflection and a desire for personal growth guide decisions about the future."
"My best type of leadership is just serving others."
"Your life is a constant roller coaster."
Links:
Learn more about the Take Action Workshop
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Elizabeth:
78. Faithful, available and teachable with Harlem Globetrotter Melvin Adams
Prepare yourself to step into a world of inspiration and resilience in this captivating episode of the Pursuit of Gold as Laura welcomes former professional basketball player, esteemed member of the Harlem Globetrotters, and true force of determination and triumph, Melvin Adams to the podcast. You are about to be treated to a heroic tale that defies the odds, as Melvin's journey unfolds from a humble upbringing in poverty to the heights of athletic achievement. Today, he and Laura delve into the details of that journey and uncover themes of conquering adversity, unearthing purpose beyond the realm of sports, and igniting a beacon of hope to illuminate the lives of others.
You will undoubtedly be captivated as Melvin shares his extraordinary narrative of rejecting limitations as, against the backdrop of discouraging whispers doubting his potential due to his height, Melvin chose to defy the odds and carve his own path to success. Rising as a two-time NCAA All American Basketball player, he surpassed others’ expectations and emerged as a prominent figure in the basketball world. Yet, his journey did not end there. Melvin discovered an unwavering passion for public speaking, harnessing his experiences to inspire and empower the younger generation. Join Laura and Melvin here today as they explore resilience, purpose, leadership, and the transformative power of sports, inspiring us all to reach our full potential and make a lasting impact on the world around us.
Episode Highlights:
Melvin's challenging upbringing and his use of basketball as an escape
The power of resilience, determination, and overcoming obstacles in Melvin's journey.
Melvin's transition to public speaking
His inspiring message of hope
Discovering identity and purpose beyond sports
Lessons learned about leadership and teamwork
Mentoring and passing the torch
Leading by example, finding personal identity, building relationships, and motivating others
Quotes:
"It does not matter where you start, but how you finish."
"Being a leader is not just being the best athlete. It's about character and setting an example."
"Basketball is just what you do, it's not who you are. And I think for so many athletes, we get caught up in our identity or our value even lies in the results at the end."
"You can speak to people till you're blue in the face, but when they see what you do, that speaks so much louder."
"If you have a gift and you're being pushed up, use your gift to bring other people up and make the world a better place."
"If you say you're going to commit to something, commit to it with your heart, your soul, your body, and your mind."
"The Globetrotters taught me that there was more to the game than just winning and losing."
"Don't just think it's going to be forever a winter blizzard. Even in your winter, you can make snowmen."
"It's not your circumstance, it's what you do with that and how you approach it and your attitude toward it."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Melvin:
65. Getting Uncomfortable with Navy Seal John Doolittle
Today, Laura welcomes John Doolittle, a retired Navy SEAL Captain and currently a certified KAATSU Master Specialist who serves as the Chief Revenue Officer of KAATSU Global. Laura and John open the conversation by talking about John’s swimming background and introduction to the Air Force Academy. Supported by his trusted mentor Mike, John decided to join the BUD/S training and become a Navy SEAL. Although the training was one of the most challenging and hardest periods of his life, it served as a great introduction to Navy life.
From becoming a team player to developing mental toughness, John says this program taught him some of the most valuable lessons in life. He dives deep into the power of trust and how it can be applied in sports, too, not just in the military. He goes on to explain the importance of adopting the ‘never quit’ mindset, highlighting its very powerful and contagious nature. Laura and John also address mental health in sports and the military, pointing out the importance of having strong team support and adequate resources. Finally, John shares an inspiring story about his solo swim across the English Channel to raise money for the Navy SEAL Foundation. He offers an inspiring conclusion to this extraordinary episode by stressing that you can accomplish anything in life if you do it for a reason greater than yourself.
Episode Highlights:
John’s swimming background and introduction to the Air Force Academy
Going from the Air Force Academy to the Navy
The challenging journey of getting into the BUD/S class
The three phases of BUD/S training
Mental toughness vs. physical toughness
Learning to be a team player
Adopt a ‘never give up’ mentality
The importance of trust in teamwork and relationships
The power of little things
Protecting the homeland after 9/11
Pushing yourself without hitting the breaking point
John’s solo swim across the English Channel to raise money for the Navy SEAL Foundation
Quotes:
“One of my biggest takeaways from my time in the teams was about relationships based on trust. And you know why - that starts with our parents, but it also starts with mentors.”
“Everyone fails physically pretty quick. That first night, you go to failure on just about everything you do. But the mental piece is so important. And you learn very quickly, that when you thought your body was done, you actually do have more to give.”
“You quickly learn at BUD/S training that if you're trying to do something as an individual, you will fail. There are very few things, even this swimming in BUD/S, you can't do it by yourself. Everybody has a swim buddy. And if the two of you fail, don't make the time, you both failed the swim.”
“Part of the goal with that type of training is to identify those that when they get really uncomfortable, when they get really tired, they end up making decisions that maybe are not the best. And whether or not somebody is going to quit, you want to identify that pretty early on.”
“'Never quit mindset' is very, very powerful and contagious to others on the team.”
“When you're doing something really hard in life, try and find a way to do it for something that's bigger than yourself, it's bigger than you, to do it for a reason greater than yourself and you can do damn near anything.”
Pursuit of Gold Podcast is brought to you by Kaatsu Global
Links:
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Connect with John:
48. How to Have a Championship Mindset with Chad Busick
Joining Laura on the podcast this week is Chad Busick, owner of Championship Mindset, an organization that works with both corporate and athletic teams. Chad is a Master Facilitator with Advance Sports Technology, working with college teams at the DI, DII, DIII and NAIA levels as well as high school and competitive teams across various sports. In addition, he is a certified trainer for The Power of Positive Leadership training with The Jon Gordon Companies. Chad is also the host of ‘The Championship Mindset Podcast’ as well as the author of his new book, The Rock Tumbler.
Laura begins by sharing some exciting information about her own new book, and then Chad details his background and his journey to the work he does now, including some of the principles and techniques he employs in that work. Along the way, he shares a number of excellent resources and examples of his philosophy in action, offers valuable advice to athletes and parents alike, and provides a glimpse into his new book. As you will hear, Laura resonates with so much of Chad’s work, and you will undoubtedly do the same with the many lessons revealed here today regarding the world of sport, and, indeed, life in general.
Episode Highlights:
· Laura’s new book
· Chad’s background and his journey to the work he does now
· The Ten Principles of Entelechy and sports mindset
· His Championship Mindset brand and company
· The hardest part of achieving the championship mindset
· Emotional safety
· ‘Taking change by the hand’ during the pandemic
· Jon Gordon’s The Power of Positive Leadership
· Mark Batterson’s Win the Day
· Chad’s Championship Mindset chart and how to apply it
· Working with a team vs. working with an individual
· Chad’s The Rock Tumbler and his favorite lessons from it
· His advice regarding parental involvement
· Jessica Lahey’s The Gift of Failure
Quotes:
“It's the seven fundamentals of mental fitness. I've been a master facilitator with that for the last six or seven years, which has led me now to start my own company called Championship Mindset, and a lot of other things.”
“Whether we're working with corporate clients, whether we're working with athletes, coaches, teams, it's really just focusing on helping them be the best that they can be.”
“This championship mindset is the formula for success in all areas of our lives.”
“At the end of the day, it really comes down to our talent, our hard work, our attitude, our mental toughness, our teamwork, and our passion into everything that we do.”
“The things that I've learned through diving are the very things that helped me in my life outside of the pool.”
“I would say everything for me starts with culture, we have to have the right culture.”
“The first thing that we have to build is we have to build emotional safety.”
“Players don't care about how much you know, until they know about how much you care about them.”
“When we really think about what we've gone through this last 14 to 16 months, what we've really been doing is, we've been grieving.”
“Just be there for your students be there for your players in this moment.”
“It's okay to grieve the dream, but don't stay there.”
“Regardless of those tough events that we go through, we still get to choose how we respond.”
“How you do anything is how you do everything - and to me, that's the core of the championship mindset.”
“How we view the world and more importantly, how we interact with the world, greatly affects what you get out of the world.”
“If you have to go through it, you might as well grow through it.”
“Own your journey, it's your journey, own it to the best that you can.”
“We need to let our kids fail.”
“The most powerful thing that you can say to your athlete when they're done competing is, ‘I love watching you compete. I love watching you play.’ ”
Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Chad:
Championship Mindset Instagram
Resources:
10. The secret formula for 20 years of impact with coach Chip Baker
Chip Baker is a fourth generation educator who has been a teacher/coach for 20 years, is the creator of ‘Chip Baker – The Success Chronicles’ and the ‘Chip Baker Character Development Program’, and is a best selling author. His motto is ‘Live. Learn. Serve. Inspire. Go get it.’, and he brings this motivating statement to life in his conversation with Laura today.
Beginning with a look at his own background and the powerful model his family provided for him in terms of service to others, Chip then relates his experiences as he entered the coaching field and the level of mentorship which these positions offered him. He shares the changes he has witnessed as a teacher/coach over the years, explores the qualities that make up a good coach, and reviews his transition from coaching to producing ‘The Success Chronicles’. With great passion and humor he shares some of his formulas for helping people achieve success, his own definition of success, what it takes to become an effective leader, and how to handle times of doubt. Chip’s remarkable warmth, wisdom, and humility shine through in this informative, entertaining and inspiring conversation.
Episode Highlights:
Chip’s background and the example of service that his family provided him
Chip’s early years with coaching
The mentorship side of coaching
The changes and the constants he has seen over the years
What makes a quality coach
Transitioning from coaching to producing ‘The Success Chronicles’
Chip’s formulas for helping people to be successful
His definition of success
Becoming an effective leader
Handling times of doubt
Quotes:
“I have stories upon stories upon the…positive difference that my family members made in the lives of others.”
“If you are open-minded and you work hard and you treat people right…I believe that great things will happen for you.”
“Input equals output.”
“In any situation that we’re placed in, every choice we make either, you know, pushes us forward, or holds us back.”
“I love that it all started with you wanting to give back, wanting to give service.”
“Formulas are the way to help us get through things.”
“Show up…have a great attitude…give your all.”
“It’s not about me.”
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lala_the_diver
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLauraWilkinson
Connect with Chip:
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChipBakerTheSuccessChronicles/featured
Online Store: https://chip-baker-the-success-chronicles.square.site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chipbakertsc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chipbakertsc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chipbaker19