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Talkin' with the AD

Talkin' with the AD

著者： Coach Morgan Sullivan CAA RMSAA CIC NFHS Level 3 Coach NFHS Level 3 MS Coach
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Talkin' with the AD dives into the complexities of America's amateur sports scene, from high school to club, travel, AAU, and recreational leagues. Hosted by an experienced coach and Athletic Director, this podcast delivers insider insights, expert interviews, and the latest trends shaping the future of sports at every level.

© 2026 Talkin' with the AD 衛生・健康的な生活
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  • Athlete Mental Health - Beyond Awareness

    Athlete Mental Health - Beyond Awareness
    2026/08/03
    Send us Fan MailAthlete mental health cannot be addressed with motivational slogans, one-time awareness campaigns, or instructions to simply “toughen up.” In this special roundtable episode of Talkin’ with the AD, Morgan Sullivan is joined by five professionals with backgrounds in mental health counseling, athletic training, coaching, education, mental performance, and athlete development.The panel discusses the challenges today’s athletes face, including anxiety, depression, perfectionism, emotional regulation, burnout, injuries, recruiting pressure, early specialization, parent expectations, and the loss of identity that can occur when an athlete’s playing career ends. The conversation also explores coaching behaviors that may be well-intentioned but psychologically damaging, including public criticism, indirect communication, unexplained lineup changes, and giving corrective feedback while an athlete is still highly emotional. The panel emphasizes the importance of building relationships, communicating directly, allowing athletes time to process mistakes, and making sure young people know that their value is not determined by their statistics, starting position, or performance.The central message of this episode is simple: The person must always come before the athlete. When adults create environments where athletes feel seen, heard, supported, and valued beyond the scoreboard, they do not weaken competitive sports—they build healthier teams, stronger athletes, and better human beings.Meet the PanelLiza Simrell, LPCC-SLiza is a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervision designation and a certified mental game coach based in Toledo, Ohio. She works with adolescents, adults, athletes, teams, and organizations and brings experience as a collegiate basketball player, varsity coach, college recruiter, basketball official, and competitive golfer.Learn more: Liza Simrell CounselingBill HoopesBill is a Navy veteran, former educator, coach, youth-development professional, and founder of Lead Your Journey. His work focuses on athlete mindset, leadership, recruiting, and strengthening the relationship between athletes and their parents. He also leads Florida Premier Girls Fastpitch and has helped hundreds of softball players pursue collegiate opportunities.Learn more: Lead Your JourneyDanielle Vallas, LMHC, M.Ed.Danielle is a licensed mental health counselor, former school wellness director, coach, educator, graduate-school professor, author, and founder of D&G Wellness Consulting. Her work helps athletes, parents, coaches, schools, and organizations address mental health and wellness through counseling, coaching, workshops, and education.Danielle is also the creator of The Inner Game: A Mental Health Journal for Peak Performance in Sports and the founder of Buffalo Believes.Learn more:D&G Wellness ConsultingDanielle VallasBuffalo BelievesThe Inner Game JournalMeghan Johnson, MA, LAPC, LAT, ATC, NCCMeghan is a licensed associate professional counselor, certified athletic trainer, and mental performance coach with Next Level Mental Performance. A former collegiate softball player, she combines her background in sports medicine, counseling, and performance psychology to support athletes both on and off the field.Learn more: Meghan Johnson at Next Level Mental PerformanceKim Griffin, MHC-PKim is a mental health counselor and former NCAA Division I softball coach. She spent nearly two decades coaching at Canisius University, including 11 seasons as head coach, before transitioning into mental health counseling. Kim works with athletes, families, couples, and individuals on emotional regulation, performance, anxiety, communication, leadership, burnout, and life transitions.Learn more: Kim Griffin at Core Mental Health CounselingMemorable Moments“Put the person first—not the athlete.” — Liza Simrell“You’re not building a softball player. You’re building a strong, powerful woman who can use the game as a vessel.” — Bill Hoopes“It doesn’t take a special certification or a fancy degree to be an active listener.” — Meghan Johnson“Our brains are prediction machines.” — Kim Griffin“I’m noticing…” may be one of the most powerful ways for a coach to begin a conversation.Athletes often do not need coaches to fix the situation; they need coaches to remain present.The qualities that can make someone an elite athlete may also make that athlete more vulnerable to mental health concerns.The person who arrives with 100% can help carry the teammate who arrives with 20%.The growth is not in the immediate emotional reaction; the growth is in the reflection.Coaches should strive to be the thermostat that helps regulate the environment—not the thermometer that simply reflects its temperature.Supporting coach mental health matters because coaches are people, not simply because replacing them is inconvenient.Action Steps for Athletic DirectorsCreate a written mental ...
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    1 時間 30 分
  • But My Kid Should Be Starting

    But My Kid Should Be Starting
    2026/07/14

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    When your athlete is not starting—or is playing fewer minutes than expected—what should you do next?

    In this episode of Talkin’ with the AD, Coach Sullivan tackles one of the most emotional and difficult conversations in youth and school sports: playing time. You’ll learn why the athlete should usually speak with the coach first, how parents can advocate without creating confrontation, who should attend a meeting, and when it is appropriate to involve the athletic director.

    This episode also offers practical questions athletes and parents can ask, phrases that can make the situation worse, and important reminders for coaches about honesty, consistency, communication, and treating every athlete with dignity. The goal is not to guarantee a starting position—it is to help young athletes develop ownership, resilience, and the ability to respond when things do not go their way.

    Have a question for Coach Sullivan? Visit betteryouthcoaching.com and click “Ask the AD.” Your question could be featured in a future episode.

    #PlayingTime #SportsParents #StudentAthletes #YouthSports #Coaching #AthleticDirector #Sportsmanship #Baseball #Football #Basketball #Soccer #Volleyball #TrackAndField #HighSchool #MiddleSchool #JuniorHigh #Sports

    Welcome to Talkin' with the AD!

    LET'S GO!!

    Better Youth Coaching
    Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

    Better Youth Coaching
    Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

    Support the show

    Visit betteryouthcoaching.com - information for parents, coaches, and athletes.

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    30 分
  • Winning Beyond the Scoreboard: How Great Sports Cultures Keep Kids in the Game

    Winning Beyond the Scoreboard: How Great Sports Cultures Keep Kids in the Game
    2026/07/06

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    What really makes a winning athletic program?

    In this episode of Talkin’ with the AD, Coach Sullivan explores why culture is not the opposite of winning—it is the foundation that makes winning sustainable. From youth sports and high school athletics to travel ball and club sports, adults often chase trophies, scholarships, playing time, and early specialization. But what happens when athletes stop having fun before they ever reach their potential?

    This episode takes an honest, research-informed look at why young athletes leave sports, how playing time and coaching behavior affect retention, and why positive team culture matters for parents, coaches, athletic directors, and players.

    You’ll hear practical insight on:

    • Why “fun” and friendships remain central reasons kids continue playing sports
    • How limited playing time can affect athlete retention and confidence
    • Why coaches’ communication, relationships, and daily habits matter so much
    • The risks of early sport specialization, burnout, and overuse injuries
    • Why families cannot outspend a poor team culture with travel teams, private lessons, or elite programs
    • How strong cultures help teams keep athletes involved, connected, and competitive over time
    • One practical action parents, coaches, athletic directors, and athletes can take this week

    This is not an argument against competing, pursuing championships, or wanting to win. It is a reminder that education-based athletics should develop people while pursuing excellence. The best programs build relationships, create belonging, teach resilience, and give athletes a reason to keep showing up.

    Whether you are a sports parent wondering how to best support your child, a coach building a team, an athletic director shaping a department, or an athlete trying to find your place, this episode is for you.

    Subscribe to Talkin’ with the AD for weekly conversations designed to improve amateur sports through better communication, healthier culture, stronger leadership, and practical solutions.

    Learn more and submit a question for the mailbag at BetterYouthCoaching.com.

    #TalkinWithTheAD #YouthSports #HighSchoolSports #SportsParent #CoachingCulture #Sportsmanship #AthleticDirector #StudentAthlete #PositiveCoaching #TeamCulture #YouthSportsResearch #MultiSportAthlete #SportsSpecialization #TravelBall #AAUSports #CoachDevelopment #AthleteWellBeing #EducationBasedAthletics #BetterYouthCoaching

    Welcome to Talkin' with the AD!

    LET'S GO!!

    Better Youth Coaching
    Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

    Better Youth Coaching
    Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

    Better Youth Coaching
    Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Support the show

    Visit betteryouthcoaching.com - information for parents, coaches, and athletes.

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    23 分
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