In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Lucas Kennedy - one of our top football coaches - to talk about the deeper purpose of coaching, and why the best coaches do far more than just run drills or improve athletic performance.

Having worked with countless young athletes, Lucas has seen firsthand how private coaching can shape not just football players, but people. He explains that when an athlete chooses to train seriously, they’re making a commitment to themselves - to show up consistently, push their limits, and embrace the process of getting better over time.

At a young age, athletes are constantly learning - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Lucas emphasizes that great coaches serve as role models first. The way a coach communicates, responds to adversity, and carries themselves leaves a lasting impression. Athletes are always watching, and those daily interactions help shape confidence, resilience, and self-belief both on and off the field.

A major theme throughout the conversation is how mistakes play a critical role in development. Lucas explains that mistakes aren’t something to avoid — they’re something to learn from. In fact, if an athlete isn’t making mistakes, they likely aren’t pushing themselves far enough outside their comfort zone. The key is having a coach who can break down those moments clearly, communicate effectively, and help athletes understand what went wrong and how to improve.

That process builds confidence. Instead of fearing failure, athletes begin to see mistakes as part of growth — a necessary step on the path toward mastery.

Football, in particular, is a sport that demands both physical and mental discipline. Success requires consistent repetition, attention to detail, and the ability to stay focused under pressure. Whether it’s refining footwork, improving reaction time, learning positional awareness, or building strength and explosiveness, development happens through thousands of small, intentional reps. But physical training is only part of the equation.

Lucas talks about how mindset separates athletes who plateau from those who continue to improve. Athletes who embrace coaching, stay open to feedback, and remain patient with their progress tend to build lasting confidence and long-term success. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress.

Throughout the episode, Lucas highlights the core principles he focuses on with every athlete he trains:

• Building strong fundamentals through consistent repetition

• Developing confidence by creating a positive, supportive environment

• Using mistakes as teaching moments, not setbacks

• Improving decision-making and awareness on the field

• Helping athletes take ownership of their own development

One of the biggest takeaways is that great coaching doesn’t just improve performance in the moment — it teaches athletes how to improve on their own. The best coaches give athletes the tools, habits, and mindset they’ll carry with them long after the training session ends.

This episode is a must-listen for young football players looking to elevate their game, parents searching for the right coach to guide their athlete, and anyone who understands that true development goes beyond wins and losses. It’s about building confidence, discipline, and a foundation for long-term growth.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ — the nation’s leading platform for private sports coaching. Built by former athletes and coaches, we connect families with elite, vetted coaches who help athletes grow through strong fundamentals, smart habits, and positive training environments.

👉 Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for highlights and full episodes: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Brittany Atkinson — one of Athletes Untapped’s top private golf coaches — to break down one of the most overlooked parts of the game: mental toughness.

Golf is often framed as a technical sport — swing mechanics, distance, speed, putting stats — but Brittany is refreshingly honest about the reality. Even elite golfers struggle mentally. Nerves show up. Doubt creeps in. Bad shots happen. And learning how to handle those moments is what ultimately separates confident players from frustrated ones.

At a time when many young golfers believe mental toughness means “never getting nervous” or “playing perfect,” Brittany explains why that mindset misses the point entirely. Mental strength isn’t about eliminating emotion — it’s about having tools to respond when pressure shows up.

She walks us through how confidence on the course is built long before tournament day. When disappointment bleeds into the next shot — and the next hole — performance compounds in the wrong direction. The best golfers learn how to reset, stay present, and play from where they are in their development, not where they wish they were.

From there, the conversation shifts to Brittany’s #1 lesson for young athletes: confidence beats raw skill every time.

She explains why players who look incredible in practice often struggle in competition — not because they lack talent, but because they’re playing tight. Real confidence is earned through repetition, muscle memory, and pushing outside your comfort zone in training so that competition feels familiar instead of overwhelming.

Throughout the episode, Brittany highlights the foundations that help golfers perform freely under pressure:

• Developing confidence through intentional repetition
• Training your mind to reset after bad shots
• Separating outcomes from effort and preparation
• Getting comfortable being uncomfortable in practice
• Building belief when no one else is watching

One of the biggest takeaways is that confidence isn’t something you magically find on the course. It’s something you build quietly, day by day, through disciplined practice and trust in the work you’ve put in.

This episode is a must-listen for young golfers trying to play looser under pressure, parents supporting athletes through the mental ups and downs of competition, and anyone looking to better understand the mental side of golf.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ - the nation’s leading platform for private sports coaching. We connect families with elite, vetted coaches who help athletes grow through strong fundamentals, smart habits, and positive training environments.

👉 New episodes weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow along on Instagram for highlights and full clips: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

If you’re looking to train with Brittany, search for private golf coaches in the Salt Lake City, UT area and start building confidence that shows up when it matters most.

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Bella Bonazinga — a standout collegiate field hockey player at Gettysburg College — to talk about what real development looks like over the course of an athletic career, and why taking the long view can make all the difference.

At a time when so many athletes are focused on quick results, rankings, and instant playing time, Bella shares a powerful reminder: progress doesn’t happen overnight.

She walks us through her college journey, where she statistically improved each season and eventually earned all-conference honors while starting every game her senior year. But that success wasn’t built in one breakout moment. It was built in early morning lifts, extra stick work after practice, conditioning sessions in the off-season, and countless solo workouts during summers when no one else was watching.

Bella explains how important it was for her to see her career as a marathon, not a sprint. Where she started as a freshman wasn’t where she wanted to finish — and instead of getting discouraged, she trusted the process and committed to steady growth year after year.

From there, the conversation shifts into a common misconception about college athletics — especially at the Division III level.

Bella opens up about her decision to play D3 field hockey at Gettysburg and why it ended up being the perfect fit. While there may be fewer TV cameras and national spotlights, she found something even more impactful: a tight-knit community of teammates, families, coaches, and local fans who genuinely cared about the program.

She talks about the high level of competition in today’s D3 sports — intense practices, film sessions, strength training, conditioning, and athletes who are just as driven and committed as those at larger programs. The old myth that D3 athletes don’t take it seriously couldn’t be further from the truth.

Throughout the episode, Bella highlights the fundamentals that helped her elevate her game:

- Consistent skill work with her stick

- Improving speed, agility, and endurance for fast-paced matches

- Learning to read the field and anticipate plays

- Staying mentally patient through ups and downs

One of the biggest takeaways is that long-term success isn’t about rushing development or comparing yourself to others. It’s about showing up consistently, putting in work when no one’s watching, and trusting that small improvements compound over time.

This episode is a must-listen for young athletes who feel behind in their development, parents who want to encourage patience and growth, and anyone navigating the recruiting or college sports journey — especially those considering Division III athletics.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ - the nation’s leading platform for private sports coaching. We connect families with elite, vetted coaches who help athletes grow through strong fundamentals, smart habits, and positive training environments.

👉 Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for highlights and full episodes: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/