What happens when silence on the sidelines becomes louder than the voices that should matter most?

In this powerful episode of Bound for Greatness, host Scott Garvis sits down with Matt Coleman, Athletic Director at American Leadership Academy – Gilbert North, to tackle one of the most pressing and misunderstood issues in education-based athletics: "sideline silence." This is the moment when parents, out of fear of retaliation or rocking the boat, stay quiet even when they see their children struggling in a sport they love.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• Why unexpressed concerns become uncontrollable conflicts

• How athletic leaders can break the silence with culture, systems, and transparency

• The difference between empowering student-athletes vs. enabling them

• Actionable strategies to build trust between coaches, parents, and players

• How to develop “courageous conversations” across every level of your athletic department

Matt shares leadership lessons from his journey across the country from Florida to California to Arizona and breaks down his holistic, purpose-driven approach that centers the student-athlete in every conversation. With empathy, structure, and intentionality, Matt offers a roadmap for ADs, coaches, and parents to move from conflict to connection.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or administrator, this episode is a masterclass in navigating tough conversations, building trust, and putting kids at the center of it all.

Tune in and be part of the movement to end the silence—and lead with courage.

What happens when a school leader dares to lead with heart, courage, and an unwavering belief in every child's potential?

In this powerful episode, host Scott Garvis welcomes Jayme Braida, Principal at Columbus Elementary and newly named Iowa’s Elementary Principal of the Year. Jayme shares her deeply personal leadership journey from overcoming childhood adversity to shaping school culture around belonging, connection, and care. Drawing from her upcoming book Seen. Heard. Valued., Jayme unpacks the transformative power of relational leadership and the responsibility educators have to see every child and adult in their building.

From stories about her sister’s struggle with school disengagement to building attendance systems rooted in empathy, Jayme reflects on the real work of equity-driven leadership and how vulnerability, reflection, and action can build schools where students thrive, not just survive.

Whether you’re a principal, teacher, or aspiring educational leader, this episode offers inspiration and actionable insights to build culture from the inside out.

In this compelling episode of Bound for Greatness, host Scott Garvis is joined by leadership strategist and founder of Certantum Strategies, Greg Caprara, to unpack the overlooked challenges faced by mid-level leaders in high-stakes environments. Drawing from his upcoming book, Surviving Your CEO: How to Decode, Navigate, and Build Influence in the Chaos of Leadership, Greg shares a powerful roadmap for those caught in the middle, assistant coaches, associate athletic directors, deputy leaders, who are tasked with translating vision into action while navigating executive dysfunction.

Greg and Scott dive deep into:

• Why most leadership books fail the people behind the scenes

• The emotional traps of “managing up” and how to avoid taking it personally

• How to reframe conversations to align with core motivations and values

• Building sustainable influence with chaotic, unclear, or dominant leaders

• The transferable power of storytelling, fundraising, and emotional intelligence in athletics and beyond

Whether you’re a coach, athletic administrator, or educator trying to lead with purpose amid the noise, this episode is filled with hard-earned wisdom, actionable strategies, and a much-needed reminder: you don’t have to be the CEO to lead with impact.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Bound for Greatness, Emmy-nominated news anchor, TEDx speaker, and author Catherine Bosley joins host Scott Garvis to deliver a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and digital responsibility.

After a single moment captured on video turned her life upside down, Catherine didn’t hide—she rebuilt, refocused, and rose to national prominence as a voice of hope and hard-earned wisdom. From navigating viral shame to owning her story and reclaiming her life, Catherine unpacks the realities of leading in a digital age where your online actions are forever and for all to see.

Together, Catherine and Scott explore:

• The power of intentional leadership in both real life and online

• Her “Top 5 Reputation Wreckers” every student, coach, and AD must avoid

• How leaders can guide teams through social media minefields

• Tips to develop on-camera confidence for athletes, coaches, and school leaders

• The PACT strategy for bouncing back from digital crisis

• And why every moment—good or bad—can be made to “Make It Count.”

Whether you're a school leader, coach, or student-athlete, this episode is a must-listen reminder that our character online matters as much as it does in person. Catherine’s story will inspire you to lead with grace, recover with grit, and stay grounded in your values—even in the face of viral adversity.

🔗 Learn more about Catherine’s work, speaking, and book at catherinebosley.com

In this powerful episode, host Scott Garvis sits down with Michael Lang, the dynamic Athletic Director at Wendell Green School in Chicago, to explore the critical—but often overlooked—role of middle school athletics in shaping future leaders. With decades of experience mentoring students and coaches alike, Michael shares how sports at the middle school level can build confidence, compassion, accountability, and resilience—if approached the right way.

From innovative strategies for developing coaches, to his relentless emphasis on fundamentals over flash, Michael discusses why coaching every kid, not just the stars, is vital. You’ll hear about his “5 Ps” philosophy (Purpose, People, Presence, Persistence, and Performance), stories that bring sisterhood and leadership to life, and why practice planning is non-negotiable.

Whether you're an athletic director, coach, parent, or school leader, this episode is packed with insights on building strong teams, nurturing character, and teaching life through sport—where it all begins: middle school.

🧠 Leadership.
🏀 Fundamentals.
🤝 Relationships.
🔥 Real Talk.

🔗 Subscribe, listen, and be inspired to lead with purpose!

#BoundForGreatness #MiddleSchoolMatters #EducationBasedAthletics #CoachEveryKid #LeadershipDevelopment #AthleticDirector #YouthSports #ChicagoPublicSchools #CharacterThroughSport

What happens when faith, purpose, and strategic leadership collide? In this episode of Bound for Greatness, host Scott Garvis sits down with Keith Wahl, Athletic Director at Valor Christian High School, to explore how he’s reshaping high school athletics through intentional leadership, faith integration, and a commitment to holistic coach and athlete development.

Keith shares how he’s using faith-based professional development, strategic hiring, and a detailed program health framework to build a culture where winning is a byproduct—not the mission. From 52 student baptisms at a post-game worship night to data-driven coaching evaluations, Keith reveals the systems and soul behind Valor’s rise as a national model for excellence.

If you’re an athletic director, coach, or school leader looking to transform culture, build legacy, and lead with purpose, this episode offers a blueprint for doing it the right way.

Changing Lives Episode: Confidence with Zach Michel
Presented by Bound

In this powerful episode of the Changing Lives 36-part workshop series, host Scott Garvis sits down with Zach Michel, Athletic Director at Fairless Schools, to explore the game-changing role of confidence in student-athletes, coaches, and educational leaders. From growing up in a sports-centered household in Stark County, Ohio, to now leading a high-performing athletics program, Zach shares real-world insights on how confidence is built through preparation, belief, and consistent daily habits—not ego or highlight reels.

Together, Scott and Zach unpack the pitfalls of comparison culture, the influence of social media, and how to guide athletes through adversity, setbacks, and self-doubt. This episode offers actionable strategies for cultivating a confidence-driven culture that empowers kids to believe in themselves, trust the process, and rise stronger from every challenge.

Whether you're a coach, athletic director, or educator, this episode is packed with leadership lessons you can use today.

Don’t forget: Download the FREE Changing Lives Curriculum to follow along with the series and implement transformational leadership practices with your athletes and teams.

Welcome back to another episode of Bound for Greatness, the podcast where we bring you inspiring stories, innovative leadership, and the voices defining what it means to be great in education-based athletics. I’m your host, Scott Garvis.

Today’s guest is someone whose work is transforming the emotional landscape of high school sports. Emilio Parga is the founder of The Solace Tree, a nationally recognized nonprofit that provides grief support for children, teens, and adults. As a certified mental performance consultant, former educator, and adaptive physical education specialist, Emilio has spent over 20 years helping schools, teams, and entire communities process grief, trauma, and loss.

From supporting schools in the aftermath of 9/11 and mass shootings, to teaching FBI trauma teams and university athletic departments how to care for grieving athletes — Emilio’s impact is both profound and practical. In this episode, we discuss the silent epidemic of unprocessed grief among student-athletes, how coaches and ADs can create trauma-informed athletic cultures, and why checking in — not checking out — can save lives.

If you're a coach, athletic director, or school leader looking for real-world strategies to lead with compassion, resilience, and purpose — this episode is for you.

Learn more about Emilio's work at solacetree.org

In this powerful episode of Bound for Greatness, host Scott Garvis sits down with Scott Stevens, the Athletic Director at Cascade High School in Indiana and board member of the IIAAA. Leading a full athletic department without an assistant or secretary, Scott exemplifies what it means to innovate through adversity and lead with heart.

Stevens shares how he's transformed challenges into opportunities by building meaningful partnerships within his school, most notably, a game-changing collaboration with the special education department. Together, they’ve created Thrive, a program that empowers students with disabilities through real-world responsibilities, building confidence and inclusion, while also helping streamline athletics operations.

Topics covered include:

• Running a solo athletic department without burnout

• Building inclusive programs that truly change lives

• Leveraging student clubs and community partnerships for support

• Navigating innovation in small-school settings

• Why being student-centered is the ultimate AD superpower

This isn’t just a conversation, it’s a roadmap for athletic directors who want to lead with intention, grow with creativity, and serve with integrity. Whether you're at a small rural school or a large urban district, Scott’s insights will inspire and equip you.

"Even with limited resources, you can build a program that serves everyone, and lifts everyone." – Scott Stevens

Tune in and discover how purpose driven leadership creates boundless opportunities.

In this powerful episode of Bound for Greatness, host Scott Garvis reunites with longtime colleague & coaching collaborator Coach Bill Liley, now the head basketball coach at Sumner High School. From his roots coaching under the legendary Ed Pepple at Mercer Island, to championship runs at King's High School and culture shifts at Newton and Eastside Catholic, Coach Liley shares a masterclass in building programs that last.

With stories of heartbreak, humor, transformation, and grit, Coach Liley opens up about:

Building a K–12 basketball pipeline with “little dribblers”
Turning around struggling programs through culture and accountability
Holding athletes to elite standards—on and off the court
Why players don’t just become better athletes—but better people
What it really means to win, even when you don’t have the most talent

You’ll hear about legendary games, unforgettable players like Matisse Thybulle and Garrett Sturtz, and leadership lessons that every athletic director, coach, and school leader needs to hear.

Whether you’re rebuilding a program, mentoring young athletes, or striving to leave a legacy, this episode will remind you why you coach.