Tales From the Trail by MatchPlay

Tales From the Trail by MatchPlay

di Scot Cooper
Stagione 1

78. David Terao - Olympic Judo Hopeful

Hi and welcome to the Tales From the Trail podcast by MatchPlay. In this episode I welcome Olympic Judo hopeful, David Terao. David was an All-American wrestler at American University with a foundation in competitive judo and jiu jitsu. He went on to compete as an adult in wrestling and jiu jitsu at the highest levels. He made the decision to go back to his roots in judo with the hopes of competing for the United States in the Paris Olympics in 2024. The attributes and habits David relies on to perform at this level are applicable to athletes wherever they are in their careers. Summary David shares his journey from a rowdy kid on a soccer field to becoming a successful martial artist. Growing up in Hawaii, he faced unique challenges as a minority and had to overcome the limitations of being isolated from the mainland. He started with judo and later added wrestling to his repertoire. David's competitive mindset and determination led him to achieve success in both sports, winning state championships and making it to the finals of the Fargo Nationals. He ultimately chose to pursue wrestling in college, where he continued to build his confidence and compete at a higher level. In this conversation, David shares his journey as an athlete, transitioning from wrestling to judo and jiu-jitsu. He discusses his college wrestling career, including becoming an All-American. David also talks about adopting a pro mindset and working with a sports psychologist to improve his mental game. He then explains his decision to return to judo and his goal of representing the U.S. in the Olympics. David reflects on the challenges and rewards of competing in judo and jiu-jitsu, and his determination to continue competing regardless of the outcome. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Early Martial Arts Experience 03:36 Growing Up in Hawaii 07:49 Getting Started in Judo 10:15 Transition to Wrestling 15:24 Training with Sibling Rivalry 18:54 Takeaways from Training Partner 23:21 High School Wrestling Career 29:23 Transition to College Wrestling 32:37 Balancing Judo and Wrestling 34:04 Building Confidence and Success 38:14 Transitioning to College Athletics 39:08 Becoming an All-American in Wrestling 42:21 Adopting a Pro Mindset 45:23 Working with a Sports Psychologist 47:49 Transitioning to Judo 53:29 Winning a Jiu-Jitsu World Championship 56:21 Being Present in the Moment 59:49 Representing the U.S. in Judo 01:04:35 Qualifying for the Olympics 01:10:50 Continuing to Compete in Judo

77. Omar Salgado & Jay DeMerit

Hi and welcome to the Tales From the Trail podcast by Matchplay. In this episode I welcome back former #1 pick in the MLS draft, Omar Salgado and his former teammate Jay DeMerit. As an experienced player and captain of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Jay helped a teenaged Omar adjust to life as a professional soccer player. They reflect on their experiences as professionals and together as teammates. Omar shares his appreciation for Jay and what he did for him. Please enjoy! Summary In this conversation, Jay DeMerit and Omar Salgado discuss their experiences transitioning from playing soccer to coaching and other ventures. They talk about the challenges they faced and the lack of transparency in soccer clubs. They also discuss the importance of support for young players and the need for better development programs. Jay and Omar reflect on their careers and the competitive spirit they miss. They share their insights on building teams, developing durable skills, and finding fulfillment in life after soccer. In this conversation, Jay discusses his involvement with Mike and the challenges he faced in transitioning from player to manager. He shares his aspirations for the future, including becoming a coach and creating holistic development programs. Jay emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive approach to player development and suggests opportunities for players to gain real-world experience. He also discusses his favorite spots in Vancouver and his plans to launch a digital learning program. The conversation concludes with Jay and Omar expressing mutual admiration and well wishes for each other's future endeavors. Takeaways Transitioning from player to manager requires an ego check and a willingness to take on new roles. Holistic development programs that incorporate multiple skill sets can provide young athletes with a broader range of opportunities. Clubs should consider opening doors to internships and partnerships with brands to help players prepare for their future careers. The MLS is taking steps to support former players through events and programs that provide education and networking opportunities. Jay's vision for the future includes launching a digital learning program and speaking tour to empower young athletes and provide them with the tools they need for success. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 00:29 Transitioning from Playing to Coaching 02:25 Starting Rise and Shine Programs 04:10 Jay's Experience with the Whitecaps 06:24 Lack of Transparency in Soccer Clubs 09:02 Difficulties in Exiting the Game 11:48 Improving Support for Young Players 12:42 Omar's Experience Leaving the Whitecaps 14:32 Understanding the Challenges of Young Players 17:44 Building Teams and Leadership 19:42 The Importance of Support for Young Players 21:42 Dealing with Adversity and Mental Health 24:41 The Advantage of Starting Later in a Career 27:30 Developing Durable Skills for Life After Soccer 31:40 Transitioning to the Real World 35:49 Missing the Competitive Spirit 40:36 Finding Competitiveness in Other Activities 41:48 Getting Involved with Mike 42:23 Ego Check and Role Transition 43:21 Future Aspirations 44:19 Coaching and Holistic Development 45:55 The Reality of Development 46:24 Opportunities for Players 47:23 Internships and Career Transitions 50:14 Creating a Digital Learning Program 51:19 Favorite Spots in Vancouver 52:58 Camps and Nature Element 53:35 Future Plans and Ownership 54:32 Relationship with Vancouver Ownership 55:18 Attending Games 56:03 MLS Greats Events 57:20 Support for Players 58:09 Speaking Tour and App Launch 59:12 Closing Remarks

76. Mindset Monday #10 with Eric Manuel of Expert Mindset Coaching

Eric Manuel of expertminsetcoaching.com discusses the intricacies of intrinsic motivation.

75. Josh West, Assistant Coach, Villanova University & Chris Norris, Head Coach, College of William & Mary

Hi and welcome to the Tales From the Trail podcast by MatchPlay. In this episode I welcome the assistant coach of men’s soccer at Villanova University, Josh West and welcome back Chris Norris the long time men’s head soccer coach at the College of William and Mary. The guys remember Josh’s recruiting story and playing career for Coach Norris. They then move into recruiting in today’s youth soccer world.

74. Dr. Brad Miller, Psy.D, Founder of Soccer Resilience

Hi and welcome to the Tales From the Trail podcast by Matchplay. In this episode I welcome Dr. Brad Miller, a licensed clinical psychologist, who has spent over 20 years helping youth and adult athletes grow their ability to control their performance anxiety and stress, to persevere and improve their overall sports performance. Brad played soccer at Wake Forest University and shares how his experience lead to him pursuing his profession and desire to help others. There’s a lot to learn from Dr. Miller from building mental resilience, importance of deep belly breathing as a tool for regulating emotions and staying focused. I hope you enjoy! Summary Brad Miller, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of Soccer Resilience, shares his personal journey of dealing with performance anxiety in soccer and how it led him to help athletes overcome mental challenges. He explains how the brain is wired for negativity and offers strategies for managing emotions and building mental resilience. Miller emphasizes the importance of deep belly breathing as a tool for regulating emotions and staying focused. He also discusses the role of coaches in creating a supportive and resilient environment for players. In this conversation, Brad Miller discusses the importance of mental preparation and how to respond to challenges in sports. He emphasizes the need for proactive thinking and predicting potential obstacles to train the brain to execute under pressure. Brad also highlights the role of meditation in training the mind to stay present and focused. He suggests starting with short meditation sessions and gradually increasing the duration. Additionally, Brad addresses the issue of falling out of love with the game and offers strategies to reconnect with the passion for soccer, including finding purpose, shifting mindset, and maintaining balance in life. Takeaways Performance anxiety is a common challenge for athletes, but it can be managed with the right strategies. The brain is wired for negativity, but deep belly breathing can help regulate emotions and improve focus. Coaches play a crucial role in creating a supportive and resilient environment for players. Predicting challenges and having a plan to respond well mentally can help athletes bounce back from setbacks. Proactive thinking and predicting potential obstacles can train the brain to execute under pressure. Meditation is a powerful tool for training the mind to stay present and focused. Start with short meditation sessions and gradually increase the duration. To reconnect with the passion for the game, find purpose, shift mindset, and maintain balance in life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:14 Understanding Performance Anxiety 16:32 Training to Manage Emotions 26:00 Breathing Techniques for Mental Preparation 32:23 Teaching Coaches to Handle Critical Moments 40:07 Mental Preparation and Responding to Challenges 44:09 Training for Resilience and Mental Toughness 46:57 Equipping Coaches and Players with Mental Tools 49:03 The Benefits of Meditation 53:51 Building Habits and Consistency in Meditation 58:15 Reigniting Passion and Finding Joy in the Game 01:06:05 The Importance of Balance and Identity

73. Eddie & Andrew Fiocca of Virginia Tech Club Soccer and Justin Chezem, Head Coach, Christopher Newport University Men's Soccer

In this episode Justin Chezem, Head Coach, Christopher Newport University Men's Soccer and I welcome Eddie and Andrew Fiocca, standouts on the Virginia Tech Club Men's Soccer Team. This past season they made it to the Final of the Club Soccer National Championships. They discuss the club soccer experience and prioritizing academics.

72. Mindset Monday #9 Motivation & Developing Habits w/ Eric Manuel of expertemindsetcoaching.com

In this episode of Mindset Monday, Eric Manuel, discusses intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation and developing habits realistically. Perfect timing when considering your goals going into the New Year!

71. Aleksey Korol, Associate Head Coach Univ of Illinois-Chicago, Indiana Univ HOF & David Marmon,CSCS, SCCC, TSAC-F, Head Sports Performance Coach, UIC

In this episode I welcome back two of my favorite guests- newly inducted Indiana Hoosier hall of famer, Aleksey Korol who is the associate head coach at the University of Illinois Chicago and the Head Sports Performance Coach at UIC, David Marmon. This episode was recorded in-season and they discuss a wide range of topics based on their experiences as coaches of high performance athletes. Please enjoy! Summary The conversation explores the challenges faced in coaching teams and individuals, emphasizing the importance of mindset and hunger. The coaches discuss the need for players to believe in themselves and develop a winning mentality. They also touch on the cultural differences in youth soccer and the role of parents in shaping a player's mindset. The conversation highlights the significance of preparation and the emotional fatigue that comes with coaching. Overall, the key takeaway is that success in sports requires a combination of talent, preparation, and the right mindset. Takeaways Developing the right mindset and hunger is crucial for success in sports. Cultural differences in youth soccer can impact a player's mindset and understanding of the game. Parents play a significant role in shaping a player's mindset and attitude towards success. Preparation and emotional resilience are essential for coaches to navigate the challenges of coaching. Chapters 00:00 Challenges in Coaching Teams and Individuals 03:00 The Importance of Mindset and Hunger 07:35 Developing the Right Mindset 10:29 Cultural Differences in Youth Soccer 19:09 The Role of Parents in Developing Mindset 23:19 Believing You're the Best 27:39 The Importance of Preparation 29:29 The Emotional Fatigue of Coaching

70. Jeff Hulett- Father of the Hulett Brothers, Author & Justin Chezem Head Coach, Christopher Newport Univ MSOC

In this episode Justin Chezem, head coach of Christopher Newport University Men’s soccer, welcome one of his former player’s father, Jeff Hulett. Jeff tells the story of watching his son’s last soccer match and the feelings it brought. He goes on to talk about his company College which is helping high school students make structured decisions about their future and college. I encourage you to check out Jeff’s book Making Choices, Making Money which is also a course he teaches at James Madison University as a professor of personal finance. The book connects personal financial success and confident decision-making. This book is a foundation for all getting started or even those of us who have been at it a while. It also highlights a specific incident involving Daniel and a red card during a game against St. Mary's. The introduction of Jeff Hulett, Daniel's father, is made, and the decision-making process for choosing Christopher Newport University is discussed. The confusing college recruiting process and the importance of handling adversity are explored. The misconception of Division I soccer and the emotional impact of the end of a career are addressed. The pressure of social media and instant gratification is examined, along with the need for honest and blunt information. The College Xoice app and the importance of structured decision-making are highlighted, as well as the challenge of information overload. The conversation explores the importance of guided questions in college decision making and the common thread in decision making across various aspects of life. It emphasizes the need for consistency and repeatability in decision making and the importance of character development. The conversation also delves into creating a personal choice architecture, data curation, and the building of a personal decision model. It highlights the value of GPA and work experience in decision making and the importance of resilience. The conversation concludes with a discussion about Jeff's book, 'Making Choices, Making Money,' and the emotions experienced at the end of a sports career. The pressure of social media and instant gratification can influence decision-making, but it is important to make choices based on what is truly important to you. Structured decision-making tools, such as the College Xoice app, can help individuals make informed decisions about their college choices. Guided questions can help students narrow down their college choices and identify their criteria for decision making. GPA can be a strong signal for employers, indicating a student's potential for success. Jeff's book, 'Making Choices, Making Money,' explores the science behind decision making and provides guidance for making confident financial decisions. Chapters 01:00 Daniel's Red Card Incident 04:16 The Introduction of Jeff Hulett 05:44 Choosing Christopher Newport University 07:09 The Confusing College Recruiting Process 08:06 The Impact of a Game Against Loudon 09:29 The Importance of Handling Adversity 10:29 The Misconception of Division I Soccer 18:21 The Pressure of Social Media and Instant Gratification 23:45 The Importance of Making the Right Decision for the Right Reasons 26:06 The Need for Honest and Blunt Information 28:40 The Disadvantage of Drowning in Information 35:29 The College Xoice App and Structured Decision-Making 40:14 The Challenge of Information Overload 41:19 Guided Questions and College Decision Making 42:12 The Common Thread in Decision Making 44:10 The Importance of Character Development 45:19 Teaching the Decision Process 46:30 Creating a Personal Choice Architecture 47:31 Data Curation and Information Sources 49:56 Building a Personal Decision Model 55:26 The Value of Work Experience 57:45 The Importance of Value and Resilience

69. Mindset Monday #8 - Motivation with Eric Manuel of expertmindsetcoaching.com

In this episode, Eric Manuel, discusses finding and using motivation in the pursuit of high performance.
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