Join us for a transformative conversation with David Durand, founder of Real Development (realdevelopment.org), as we dive deep into the psychology of coaching modern athletes. This episode challenges traditional views on "softness" and reveals how building true resilience starts with understanding the athlete's nervous system.

David explains how to identify when an athlete is truly "unable" due to dysregulation or internal struggles like perfectionism, rather than simply being "unwilling." He advocates for a coaching philosophy that prioritizes helping athletes regulate before pushing their boundaries – stretching them for growth, not stressing them into shutdown.

Key topics covered:

• The Nervous System & Resilience: Why it's the foundation for bouncing back stronger.

• Decoding Athlete Behavior: Understanding the roots of "unwillingness" in stress and perfectionism.

• Choice vs. Obligation: Empowering Gen Z through autonomy and understanding their unique desires.

• Practical Tools for Coaches: Simple yet powerful shifts in breathing, language, and non-verbal cues to create a high-performance, high-safety environment.

This is a must-listen for any coach, parent, or leader looking to cultivate not just better athletes, but more resilient and self-aware individuals.

Connect with David Durand and explore his work at realdevelopment.org and grab his book, "Bet On It," on Amazon.

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