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Performance Mindset Coach Cindra Kamphoff knows how to help people get the best out of themselves. She has spent time working with executives and pro athletes like the Minnesota Vikings. And she’s built her career developing her own roadmap. Her clients include Target, Verizon, and Walmart.   She’s the best-selling author of the book “Beyond Grit” and she’s the founder of Mentally Strong Consulting.  In this episode of the Sports Life Podcast, we talk about how Cindra managed to pull together 21 interviews with mindset coaches who work with pro athletes and Olympians across the country.  Her “High-Performance Mindset Summit” gets them talking about managing emotions and balancing your life in the uncertainty of Covid-19.   And the best part is that she is offering these interviews for free.  We also talk about a moment when the Vikings’ Adam Thielen used one of her mental tricks on the field and her work with pro-runner Gabriele Grunewald who passed away last summer from cancer.   This is another conversation that’s great for parents and kids to listen to together.  You can learn more about Cindra and access her summit at https://www.cindrakamphoff.com/

Gwen Jorgensen won Triathlon gold in Rio 4 years ago, and she wants to race for Olympic gold once again, but this time on the track. Unfortunately, her plans to compete in Tokoyo are delayed due to the Coronavirus, but that hasn't slowed her down. We caught up with Gwen in the middle of a workout. Literally she's doing the interview while running on a treadmill. How is this former University of Wisconsin track star handling training in the new age of a pandemic? We'll find out on this episode of the Sports Life Podcast for PCA Minnesota.

Matt Majka has been with the Minnesota Wild organization for 23 years in various roles, and, like all of us, never anticipated that the world would come to a screeching halt. Up until a few short weeks ago, the Wild had been on an uptick and heading strong into the playoffs. How has COVID-19 affected the NHL and is there a possibility the 2019-2020 season could resume? Matt gives us an update on the industry, the players, and possible plans to conclude the season.  We talked with Matt on Tuesday, April 14th on the same day all pro-sports teams in town launched a promotional ad called #ONEMINNESOTA further showing how closely the teams work together.   Our conversation was also one day before their successful blood drive at the Xcel Energy Center.  

John Millea says he's never afraid to borrow a good idea, and the idea he borrowed has lit up high school football fields, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts across Minnesota. It’s called Be The Light MN #BetheLightMN. The intention is to honor high school athletes that may miss their spring seasons because of Covid-19, and to remind the rest of us that those special gathering places will be waiting for athletes, families, and the community once this pandemic has passed.  The reaction has been pretty powerful.  We go into detail in the latest Sports Life Podcast for PCA Minnesota.

Troy Pearson has been with Positive Coaching Alliance Minnesota since its inception in 2013, and in 2018 became its Executive Director. Troy is a natural leader. His experience as a Division 3 head basketball coach, Athletic Director, Leadership Consultant, Vice President and Administrator, has made him determined cheerleader for the values of PCA Minnesota. His leadership has never been more challenged as he tries to guide PCA Minnesota through the unknown of the COVID-19 shutdown. This is not an easy time for any non-profit, but Troy's optimism and resourceful spirit have the organization reaching out to supporters and youth athletes in a different way. Troy and the team at PCA Minnesota are asking young athletes to "write their sport,” by writing a letter to your favorite sport and describe what it is you miss about it, what you learned from it, and how much you're looking forward to playing it again. Upload the letters here:   Facebook: @PositiveCoachingAllianceMinnesota Twitter: PCA_Minnesota Instagram: PCA_Minnesta Learn more about Troy Pearson: https://www.positivecoach.org/team/pearson-troy/ More information about PCA Minnesota: https://www.positivecoach.org/chapters/minnesota/   Get in touch with Kelcey (Twitter): @KelceyFox9 Get in touch with Dave (Email) dLawson@digitallegendmedia.com   Produced by Digital Legend Media, Minneapolis. 

Mike Smith and his team were in an unusual situation as schools and businesses started shutting down across the nation. They weren't on the baseball field at Totino-Grace in Fridley, MN, but on a baseball field in Florida. As the thought of what could happen to their season was starting to sink in, Mike shared with us some interesting strategies to stay in touch with his team and prepare them for a season that may not happen. For more information on PCA Minnesota, head here: https://www.positivecoach.org/chapters/minnesota/

Marney Gellner, Fox Sports North broadcaster for the Timberwolves, Twins, and Lynx should be on her longest road schedule of the year. But she, just like the rest of us, is home, staring at a calendar full of canceled games. In this edition of the Sports Life Podcast, Marney shares incredible perspective and appreciation during such a stressful time in our history.

On today's podcast, we are talking once again about the Coronavirus outbreak and its effect on schools and school sports. Chad Johson is from Tri-City United High School in Montgomery, MN, located about an hour south of Minneapolis. Montgomery has a population of about 3,000, a smaller town where sports make a huge impact. Not just for the students, but the residents, as well. How does postponing or even canceling a season affect the students and town?  We got lucky to steal a few minutes of Chad's time during this busy time. For more information about Positive Coaching Alliance, head here: https://www.positivecoach.org/chapters/minnesota/

COVID -19 has affected every corner of society including high school athletics. It's one thing to talk about seasons and tournaments being canceled, but a lot of kids benefit from the structure of sports both emotionally and in the classroom.   Schools are working to support students as much as they can right now.   In this episode, we turn to Lakeville South's Activities Director Tom Dasovich. Tom is on the front lines dealing with the confusion coming from not only athletes but their families.   For more information about PCA Minnesota, head here: https://www.positivecoach.org/chapters/minnesota/  

Larry McKenzie was a great podcast guest!  He's the type of coach who doesn't build teams, he builds young men.    He was the first coach in Minnesota basketball history to lead two schools to multiple titles, Minneapolis Patrick Henry and Minneapolis North.    He's been inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, he is an NCAA Living Legend award winner and Positive Coaching Alliance Community Impact Award recipient.    Getting into coaching was a fluke for McKenzie who started his career in sales, but he now considers coaching his calling.  We hope you enjoy this conversation about building lives, building dreams, getting good grades and working together as a team.  Coach McKenzie speaks to school and business organizations, to learn more about him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmckenzie/

Richard Coffey will tell you failure is an important part of any process.   His story is more than basketball and the time he spent playing at the University of Minnesota and the NBA. It begins in the small town of Aurora, NC where he was surrounded by family and gained a deep understanding of  community.   In this conversation we talk with Richard about raising his own kids who are also basketball stars; how he handled the first time one of his kids said they didn't want to work out with him and the chance encounter while he was in the Army that led to a college basketball scholarship.   Richard still coaches a youth basketball team and he offers a lot of insight into what works and what won't work when it comes to coaching.   His optimism is simply contagious.   For more information on PCA Minnesota:  https://www.positivecoach.org/chapters/minnesota/     The My Sports Life Podcast for PCA MN is produced by Digital Legend Media, Minneapolis, MN (919) 757-2592

Hockey legend Lou Nanne spent his entire professional career with the Minnesota North Stars playing 635 games from 1968 through 1977. His career then took him from the ice to the bench as general manager and coach of the North Stars rebuilding the team into consecutive year playoff contenders. Oh, and he was also the guy that pushed to have Herb Brooks coach the now famous 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team. To this day Lou can't find a reason to slow down. In this episode of the Sports Life Podcast, Kelcey Carlson goes deep into Lou's life in Canada, his rise to fame, his impact on the famous 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team and what his competitive spirit has him doing today.

Ethan Casson is finishing his third season as the CEO for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Minnesota Lynx, and the Iowa Wolves which is the Timberwolves G-League team. Prior to his current role, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for the San Francisco 49ers among other roles. Since his arrival, the Timberwolves have seen tremendous growth in season tickets, attendance and corporate sponsorships and other areas. And the Lynx were recently named WNBA Franchise of the Year for the second straight season. In this episode, Casson chats with Kelcey Carlson and shares his story, a story of a young aspiring leader who sold everything he owned  to get to Minnesota for a job with the Timberwolves.  He's a great example of how hard-work, an amazing attitude, determination and a sense of never forgetting 'how you got there' can lead to dream-fueled possibilities.  To learn more about Casson's appearance at Breakfast With the Champions, head here: https://positivecoach.org/events/breakfast-with-the-champions/  

Our guest today is Matt Birk! Matt, a hometown kid, spent 14 seasons in the NFL, most with the team he grew up watching, the Minnesota Vikings. He's a great guy with a lot of layers, and we're not just talking about the weight he lost since leaving the NFL. He played for Harvard, he has 8 children, he's opened his own public speaking consulting business and he does stand up comedy! He's a really interesting guy from many perspectives. He's seen it all and he has some great advice coming from not only his days in the NFL, but his time spent on the front lines as a dad, too. Enjoy!

At 5 foot 8 Lou Pucillo was an unlikely basketball star.     He was cut from his high school basketball team and the sport seemed like an unlikely dream.  But he went to a prep school after graduation, continued playing and caught the eye of a college coach named Everett Case.   Pucillo went on to be a 1st team All-American and ACC player of the year before playing professionally and coaching as well. 

We continue our series on "Overcomers" and this one will grab your heart.     When I talk to Gabriele Grunewald, she elicits this image in my head of Wonder Woman pushing back on the forces of evil.  At 32, she's been battling cancer for 9 long years.      Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma is a rare cancer and she is facing an incurable diagnosis and hoping for an experimental treatment that will help.  But through all of that, she has become a wife, the 2014 US Indoor Track Champion in the 3000m and she has kept her Olympic dreams alive.  She is a runner at her core and she continues to train and to push forward with incredible might.  And, oh by the way, she is incredibly kind, funny and genuine.   In this episode we talk about her cancer, how running is part of her treatment and how a random meeting with Chip Gaines ended with the HGTV star running a marathon.   You can follow Gabe on Instagram @gigrunewald and Twitter @gg_runs and you can check out the documentary Brooks put together on her journey here:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEcKYPMaPus&t=3s

At 17, Katrina Radke swam for Team USA. Soon after she faced some of the toughest battles of her life. What stood between her and an Olympic Trial comeback would be daunting for most, but not for Katrina. Her tenacity and amazing spirit have given her a fresh perspective on how to fight and win, in the pool and in life. Oh, and did we mention she was on Survivor? She gives a behind the scenes perspective you've never heard before!

Coaching high school basketball became a challenge that Scott Stanfield says he could no longer endure.  He spent seven years as head coach of the boys' basketball team at Brainerd High School and says the threatening behavior of some of the parents took too much away from the rewards of coaching.   Stanfield is not easily rattled, he spent decades as a police officer.  When he decided to quit earlier this year, his story made national headlines and brought attention to the parent culture in youth sports.   One of the interesting highlights of Stanfield's story is that the athletic director, Charlie Campbell, stood by him and the two remain friends.   In this episode, we talk with Stanfield and Campbell about what coaches and athletic directors encounter, the effect of club sports on parent attitudes and the future of high school sports.

Corey Koskie thinks we’re making some serious mistakes when it comes to kids’ sports.  And he knows a thing or two about what it takes to compete at the highest level.     He spent nearly 20 years playing professional baseball with 11 years in the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers.    Corey and his wife have four sons and he’s watched youth sports evolve and consume some families.  He has four sons of his own and he’s been outspoken about the traps we can fall into with specializing in one sport at a young age and the money that drives youth leagues.    In this episode Corey is frank and funny about what he sees in youth sports today.  As a multi-sport athlete himself in his native Manitoba, he calls for more free play and time off.     Corey is an executive board member for PCA  Minnesota and he has his own website dedicated to inspiring young athletes.   http://linklete.com/

Jim Thompson saw a void in youth sports and founded The Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) in 1998 through the Stanford University Athletic Department.     Thompson worried the “win at all cost” mentality of youth sports was squeezing out the survival, life and teamwork skills that go well beyond the playing field.     Today, PCA, is a non-profit with 18 different chapters nationwide that has impacted as many as 4.5 million young athletes with its coaches training.     In this inaugural episode of the My Sports Life Podcast, Jim talks about his vision for PCA, the skills being lost in today’s sports culture and what youth leagues gain by signing up for PCA training.