This special Best of September edition of Beyond Coaching brings together some of the most eye-opening and practical conversations we’ve had this month. From the sidelines of youth sports to the leadership labs of the Naval Academy, each guest shared powerful stories and truths that speak directly to the challenges coaches and leaders face every day.

We kick things off with Mitch Hull of the 3D Institute, who challenges how we think about parents in youth sports. Then, Jamy Bechler joins us with a dose of real-world coaching leadership that bridges theory and the chaos of daily decisions. And finally, Jim McNeil from the U.S. Naval Academy offers a look inside how future leaders are forged—not just through wins, but through failure.

[1:16] – Are parents the problem—or just a symptom? Mitch Hull reframes the youth sports narrative.

[4:19] – Playing time is king: What most parent complaints are really about—and why it matters.

[6:00] – Why 70% of kids quit sports before high school. It's not about the scoreboard—it’s about what we model.

[8:16] – “Simple, not easy”: Jamy Bechler on how leadership breaks down when the day gets messy.

[10:51] – Twelve walk in, not two: A surprise team meeting tests Jamy’s leadership approach in real time.

[14:08] – The Naval Academy as a leadership lab: Jim McNeil on how midshipmen judge adults by their leadership.

[17:24] – Permission to fail: Why the Academy pushes high achievers to fail early, reflect deeply, and grow fast.

• Mitch Hull – 3D Institute
• Jamy Bechler – jamybechler.com
• Jim McNeal – Author of Crucibles
• Learn more at impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

If this episode challenged or inspired you, I’d love it if you’d share it with another coach, leader, or parent. Be sure to rate, review, and follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode. Thanks for being part of the Impactful Coaching Project!

Rob Miller is a speaker of Proactive Coaching. Proactive Coaching (https://proactivecoach) works with coaches, teams and leaders of industry to help intentionally create character-based team cultures, provide a blueprint for team leadership, develop confident, tough-minded, fearless competitors, and train leaders for excellence and significance.

Miller shares his experiences in transformational coaching and the impact it has on student athletes. He highlights the importance of building purpose and creating a positive team culture to achieve success. Miller also delves into the challenges coaches face at both the micro and macro levels and provides insights on how to overcome them. He discusses the changing landscape of coaching and the need for coaches to be intentional in their approach. Additionally, Miller explores the unique characteristics of Generation Z athletes and how technology and COVID have shaped their experiences. He also examines the difference between pressure and stress in athletics and the role of empathy in developing resilience and grit in athletes. Finally, Miller emphasizes the importance of being demanding without being demeaning and fostering trust and connection with athletes.

Beyond Coaching is a podcast of the Impactful Coaching Project. The Impactful Coaching Project seeks to develop coaches that coach the whole person. ICP is the thought leader in coaching the 21st century athlete and produces training, information, and original research to help coaches develop. It is done in partnership with Friends University in Wichita, KS. For more information, check out https://impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com/.

Dustin Galyon is the co-founder of "The Impactful Coaching Project" is a celebrated and award winning speaker in coach. As a collegiate coach, he spent a decade coaching college basketball and is now a college golf coach. In both sports, he lead his teams to unprecedented heights. He is also a nationally recognized speaker who speaks on topics of leadership, faith, customer service, and culture.

This podcast episode delves into the importance of understanding and embracing generational differences in coaching and leadership. The hosts, with guest Dustin, reflect on their own failures and learning experiences, and how these shaped their approach to coaching Generation Z. They discuss the changes in coaching styles and strategies needed to effectively connect with this generation, emphasizing the significance of empathy, grit, and process-oriented coaching. The conversation highlights the need for coaches to adapt and meet the unique needs and motivations of Generation Z athletes, and to focus on creating a cohesive team environment. Ultimately, the podcast emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and growth as leaders, as well as the transformative power of understanding and valuing the individuals we coach.

Beyond Coaching is a podcast of the Impactful Coaching Project. The Impactful Coaching Project seeks to develop coaches that coach the whole person. ICP is the thought leader in coaching the 21st century athlete and produces training, information, and original research to help coaches develop. It is done in partnership with Friends University in Wichita, KS. For more information, check out https://impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com/.

Bruce Brown from Proactive Coaching (https://proactivecoaching.info/) joins Beyond Coaching in this episode. Throughout his 32 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and serving as an athletic administrator, Bruce has laid the foundation of positive change in the world of coaching.

They serve as mentors, instilling a sense of purpose in their athletes, guiding them towards success not just in sports, but in life. Bruce’s unique perspective on purpose-driven coaching and the way he balances it with the competitive aspect of sports will inspire you. As we move deeper into the conversation, we tackle the pivotal elements of toughness, grit, empathy, and trust. Bruce guides us through his approach to nurturing these qualities in athletes and the immense impact it has had on his successful coaching career.

Finally, we explore the riveting concept of a ‘fearless culture’ in sports. How do coaches handle different types of mistakes athletes make? How can we foster an environment where players feel safe to take risks and learn from their missteps? These are just some of the questions we dive into.

You can contact Bruce at coachbrown8164@gmail.com.

In this episode of Beyond Coaching, Rob Ramseyer engages in a conversation with Keith Townsend, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). They discuss Townsend's journey with FCA and his work with coaches and athletes. Townsend shares how his vision for FCA was sparked by a visit to Arkansas Athletes Outreach. They delve into the concept of 3D coaching and the importance of addressing the mind, heart, and soul of athletes. Townsend reflects on the changing role of coaches over the years, particularly in caring for the holistic development of their players. They also explore the challenges and successes of implementing 3D coaching in different sports programs. Townsend offers valuable advice for early career coaches, emphasizing the significance of character development, open-mindedness towards faith, and seeking truth.

Beyond Coaching is a podcast of the Impactful Coaching Project. The Impactful Coaching Project seeks to develop coaches that coach the whole person. ICP is the thought leader in coaching the 21st century athlete and produces training, information, and original research to help coaches develop. It is done in partnership with Friends University in Wichita, KS. For more information, check out https://impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com/.

In this podcast episode, Rob discuss various topics with Doc Beeman, an experienced coach and now a leader at the 3D Insititute. Doc shares insights and perspectives from his extensive background in coaching at different levels and transitioning into corporate athletic sales. He also shares his journey with the 3D Institute and the importance of empathy and understanding when leading the younger Generation Z athletes. The conversation touches on the current state of sports, the influence of technology and corporate investment on youth sports, and the need to inject play back into youth sports to foster a healthier and more enjoyable experience for young athletes.

Ryan Thompson is the head baseball coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University where he has led the program to the NAIA World Series in back to back years. In this podcast episode, the conversation revolves around the pressure and expectations that coaches face. The speaker delves into his own experiences and mistakes throughout his coaching journey. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and friendship with players, as well as embracing one's own personality and coaching style. The podcast also explores the role of faith and how it influences coaching practices. The speaker discusses the significance of leading by example and handling conflict effectively. Additionally, the podcast touches upon the importance of enjoying the coaching process and creating a positive and supportive environment for athletes to thrive.

If you would like to talk to Ryan further, you can contact him at rkthompson@mnu.edu or 913-687-4906.

Coach Terry Harrison provides valuable insights on building team cohesion, developing mental toughness, and fostering a positive team culture. He emphasizes the power of genuine leadership and being upfront and honest with players about the challenges they may face. Coach Harrison believes that every individual has the potential for growth and improvement, and that success requires a high level of toughness and grit. He shares strategies for creating clear expectations and provides examples of rituals and practices used to build team cohesion. Coach Harrison also discusses the evolution of student athletes and the importance of empathy and understanding in coaching. Overall, his insights highlight the importance of authenticity, communication, and resilience in the journey of coaching athletes.

The Impactful Coaching Project (ICP) seeks to develop coaches that coach the whole person. ICP is the thought leader in coaching the 21st century athlete and produces training, information, and research to help coaches develop. You can find more information https://impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com/.

To follow up with Coach Harrison, you can email him at terry_harrison@friends.edu.