Magness & Marcus on Coaching

What in the world does the term “High-Performance Coaching” mean? It’s a phrase that is thrown about in the sports world, so we brought on coach Vern Gambetta to discuss his views. As always when we bring Vern on, we cover a wide range of topics. We start by discussing the role of performance data…

What in the world does the term “High-Performance Coaching” mean? It’s a phrase that is thrown about in the sports world, so we brought on coach Vern Gambetta to discuss his views. As always when we bring Vern on, we cover a wide range of topics. We start by discussing the role of performance data or metrics in modern coaching. Is it beneficial? Or is it simply a quest to for certainty in an uncertain world? We look at data from a number of different views, including whether it aids in injury prevention or if that search is a fool errand. Next, we delve into the developmental stages of a coach. How the basics are what matter and we should always reduce things to their simplest components. To close things out we ask the question what’s the purpose of a coach, and what in the world do ‘core values’ actually mean? There’s even a bit of drug talk thrown in for good measure. We hope you enjoy the podcast and please give us a review on iTunes or reach out on social media. Steve and Jon @stevemagness @jmarpdx Resources mentioned: by Jeff Pison by John McPhee “How do you feel?” Understanding What Athlete Feedback Tells Us Subscribe: Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on iTunes

The seasons done, the races have been run, and the outcomes are determined. Whether they were good or bad, we have to move forward. As a coach and athlete it’s about figuring out what lessons to learn, and how to re-energize yourself (and your team) for the next goal that awaits. In this episode of…

The seasons done, the races have been run, and the outcomes are determined. Whether they were good or bad, we have to move forward. As a coach and athlete it’s about figuring out what lessons to learn, and how to re-energize yourself (and your team) for the next goal that awaits. In this episode of the Magness & Marcus Podcast, we discuss what to do when the seasons over. It’s during this period of time when reflection on what went right or wrong, and what we can improve, should take place. We start with discussing the importance fo going back to your We start with discussing the importance of the two P’s: Purpose and Perspective. By reminding athletes of their purpose for running, and giving them perspective to see the big picture and not get caught up in the wins or losses, we can better move forward. From here, we discuss how team dynamics shift and change with each turn of the season. Finally, we conclude with the post-Olympic let down. While not everyone is gunning for the Olympics, the same phenomenon occurs at every level. There’s a lul at the end of the year, and it’s our job to re-ignite the spark, get athletes excited to prepare, and most of all, make it matter to them. Thanks for giving it a listen, and if you could do us a huge favor and rate the show on iTunes that would be great! Steve and Jon @stevemagness @jmarpdx Resources mentioned: Meditations by Marcus Aurellius MiddleMarch by George Elliott Subscribe: Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe via E-mail

“He’s a competitor!” We’ve all had athletes that exemplified the act of competing. They show up on race day, run their guts out, rise to the occasion when it’s asked of them, and put their teammates on their back, instead of only being concerned with themselves. What makes up this ability? Is it innate? Research…

“He’s a competitor!” We’ve all had athletes that exemplified the act of competing. They show up on race day, run their guts out, rise to the occasion when it’s asked of them, and put their teammates on their back, instead of only being concerned with themselves. What makes up this ability? Is it innate? Research shows that about 40% of personality come from our genetics, while the other 60% develops from our experiences and upbringings. While that’s still somewhat of a gross simplification, the fact remains, that being a competitor is a skill that can be further refined and developed. In this episode, we take on how to develop athletes as competitors. Why high school coaches, and parents, play a much larger role than the college or professional coach. How we have to stop seeing coaching as workout creation when the reality is that’s a small part. Real coaching is knowing people, getting inside their heads, and teaching them that the goal of life is to be the best you can be, on that given day. It starts with defining what success is. Is it a win, or is it defined by the effort put forth? From there, we go on to discuss toughness. Mental toughness is making the right decision under stress. It’s about staying under control, not the fake-toughness displayed out on the football field. In this podcast a few of the topics covered: * Defining Success * Mental Toughness * Coaches have to take the high road * Knowing why you are coaching * Creating a culture * Keep perspective- Remind yourself how small you are in the world Thanks for giving it a listen, and if you could do us a huge favor and rate the show on iTunes that would be great! Steve and Jon @stevemagness @jmarpdx Resources Mentioned in this episode: Top Dog by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton Subscribe: Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe via E-mail

This week, we take on the big question of mastery, particularly in regards to coaching. Beginners tend to mimic. It’s ingrained in us; mimicry is the way we first learn how to make it in life, as we copy our parents when we are just toddlers. In coaching, this might mean copying the training plans…

This week, we take on the big question of mastery, particularly in regards to coaching. Beginners tend to mimic. It’s ingrained in us; mimicry is the way we first learn how to make it in life, as we copy our parents when we are just toddlers. In coaching, this might mean copying the training plans of elites or borrowing workouts seen on a “workout wednesday” video. As we progress as coaches, we shift towards creating an overarching philosophy of coaching, rather than a simple copy and paste job. This journey towards a developed reasoning and understanding is mastery. In this podcast, we start with our humble beginnings and the mistakes we made, and are still making. From here we shift on the skills we’ve had to develop including:learning how to coalesce information and then filter it. We take you through our thoughts on the journey towards Finally, we delve into the differences, both in experience and in research, seen between beginners and experts. Thanks for giving it a listen, and if you could do us a huge favor and rate the show on iTunes that would be great! Steve and Jon @stevemagness @jmarpdx Resources Mentioned in this episode: Jiro Dreams of Sushi -Fantastic documentary about a sushi chef exhibiting mastery Mastery by George Leonard American Mania by Peter Whybrow Finding Mastery Podcast by Michael Gervais   Subscribe: Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe via E-mail  

In episode 41, we bring in Mario Fraioli to discuss the state of the sport. We start with a different kind of Olympic overview, one which takes a deep dive on the problems that arose and the potential way forward. We talk about how to take control of the narrative of our sport, instead of…

In episode 41, we bring in Mario Fraioli to discuss the state of the sport. We start with a different kind of Olympic overview, one which takes a deep dive on the problems that arose and the potential way forward. We talk about how to take control of the narrative of our sport, instead of relying on a singular superhero like Usain Bolt to carry the sport. Ranging from the presentation of our sports, to the creation of new events, to the marketing of the sport, to the doping scourge our sport faces.- we take on what needs to change. Thanks for giving it a listen, and if you could do us a huge favor and rate the show on iTunes that would be great! Steve and Jon @stevemagness @jmarpdx Subscribe: Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe via E-mail  

What’s the point of sport? In this episode, Jon and I make the case that it’s about education and learning. The culture of coaches used to be educators. They came from a background of using athletics as a means to help student athletes grow and develop. As the top side of the sport professionalized, there’s…

What’s the point of sport? In this episode, Jon and I make the case that it’s about education and learning. The culture of coaches used to be educators. They came from a background of using athletics as a means to help student athletes grow and develop. As the top side of the sport professionalized, there’s been a trickle-down effect where College and High School athletics has shifted more and more towards a business model. What’s a business model? It’s a search for certainty. We think that if we apply business school like ideas, use statistics, create fancy models, and apply ‘moneyball’ concepts that we’ll reach a level where we can control and be certain about performance. It’s a fools quest. There are detrimental effects for high school students with the ever growing search for the next great prodigy which is a result of the misuse of the linear growth model. We tend to fool ourselves by seeing progression as a linear, projectile quantity. In our minds, we equate this to a scientific approach. In reality, it’s a cognitive bias gone wrong. Going into the college and professional ranks, we see contracts and stipends determined by similar linear progressions that bank on an assumption of certainty and linear progression that simply does not exist. This same need for certainty has dumbed our professional sport down into a series of races where athletes demand predictable races. We end with one simple message: Be Bold! A few more topics covered: -36:00- Rabbits -38:00- Coaches- Stop being Control Freaks -41:00- The false presentation of the need for a ‘professional’ model -42:00- The myth of marginal gains and a “secret” Thanks for giving it a listen, and if you could do us a huge favor and rate the show on iTunes that would be great! Steve and Jon @stevemagness @jmarpdx Mentioned in this podcast: A Look at the Progression of World Class 800m runners Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek Subscribe: Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe via E-mail

What defines success for a coach? Is it wins and losses?  Championships won? Leading athletes to new personal bests? Having one athlete win an Olympic medal while destroying 20 of them? These are the common notions that we associated with success. But is it the best way? In this episode of the Magness & Marcus…

What defines success for a coach? Is it wins and losses?  Championships won? Leading athletes to new personal bests? Having one athlete win an Olympic medal while destroying 20 of them? These are the common notions that we associated with success. But is it the best way? In this episode of the Magness & Marcus show,  we look at how we, as coaches, should define success. Going back to our early days where the holy grail was coaching athletes to the Olympic Trials and the Olympic games, we look at how initially success is defined externally. We judge ourselves based on the traditional measures of success.  As young coaches, this business model of coaching is ingrained into our mentality. We define ourselves by the races won, championships earned, or PR’s gained by our athletes. We have thoughts of “If only I coach an athlete to a state/NCAA/Olympic Trials championship, then I’ll be a great coach.” But as master coaches will tell you, that’s a hollow journey. What the business model misses is the human side of coaching. As Jon phrases it in the podcast, our goal should be to help athletes grow as people. If we do that, the performances will come. Looking across domains, we discuss how the great movie directors of our time don’t judge their success based on box office sales. They tend to base it on making good art. As director Stephen Spielberg said “I’m not really interested in making money. That’s always come as the result of success, but it’s not been my goal.” Thanks for giving it a listen, and if you could do us a huge favor and rate the show on iTunes that would be great! Steve and Jon @stevemagness @jmarpdx Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek Subscribe: Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe through RSS

Humans have a need for explanations. When faced with uncertainty we rely on closure. The world of running is no different. When something goes wrong, as athletes and coaches we go into a panicked search for a reason why we didn’t perform at our best. Often, we perform elaborate gymnastics attempting to find the elusive…