Charge Forward Coaching

What does it really mean to be mentally tough, and can you develop mental toughness?

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, I sit down with Dr. John Perry, sports psychologist, head of Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Limerick, researcher, and co-author of Developing Mental Toughness, for a deep dive into what mental toughness actually looks like in sports, work, and everyday life. We explore the 4 C’s of mental toughness, Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence, and why it matters to understand your individual strengths and sensitivities rather than trying to become tougher in every area. Dr. Perry also explains why confidence must come from within, how self-talk can help us perform under pressure, and why elite performers stay focused on what they can do in the moment.

We also discuss perfectionism, interpersonal confidence, handling pressure in sports, and why self-awareness may be one of the most important steps toward stronger performance and well-being. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, leader, or simply looking to better understand how you respond to pressure and uncertainty, this conversation offers practical insight into how mental toughness really works.

Takeaways:

-I think of mental toughness as the extent to which people absorb contextual stresses and their environment.

-We don't necessarily want to change who people are.

-I want to understand why there's a bit of a conflict here. -If we build our confidence on the things that are internally derived, that's proper robust confidence.

-It's not that you're not good at networking; it's that your interpersonal confidence is quite low.

-How can I get the best possible score with the swing that I brought today? -Self-talk is intentional. Thoughts happen to us.

-Trying to suppress emotions is harder, but thinking, " Here's what I'm going to lean into.

-Put every bit of attention, every bit of intensity, into doing that one thing you know you're really good at.

-The better you understand yourself, the easier it is to understand life's situations.

About the Guest: Professor John Perry is Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the University of Limerick in Ireland and one of the leading researchers in mental toughness. With more than 20 years of academic experience, he researches mental toughness, stress, performance, resilience, and psychological assessment. He has also worked with elite performers, particularly in sport, helping individuals and teams perform more consistently under pressure.

He is co-author of the third edition of Developing Mental Toughness and has contributed to the development and refinement of the MTQPlus framework used to better understand individual differences in mental toughness

Guest Resources:

University of Limerick - https://www.ul.ie/

AQR International - https://aqrinternational.co.uk/

About the Host: James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in NFL media relations. His diverse experiences have given him a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to succeed. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Host Resources: Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

Miss Florida 2026, Alexandra de Roos, joins James to share her remarkable journey from elite ballet training in New York City to overcoming a traumatic brain injury that changed her life. Alexandra opens up about losing her dream career, rebuilding her identity, battling post concussion syndrome, and discovering a new purpose through neuroscience, psychology, and service.

She discusses founding The Blue Project, her national advocacy work in brain injury awareness, and the mental toughness it took to compete at Miss Florida and Miss America—where she earned the prestigious Quality of Life Award. This episode dives into resilience, identity, pressure, healing, and the 4 C’s of mental toughness through Alexandra’s powerful story of perseverance and purpose.

Key Topics:

Alexandra de Roos' background in ballet and psychology

The impact of a severe concussion on her life and career

Her journey through injury, recovery, and advocacy

The four C's of mental toughness: confidence, control, commitment, challenge

Her nonprofit, the Blue Project, and brain injury awareness initiatives

The role of mindset and resilience in overcoming setbacks Her experience in the Miss Florida and Miss America pageants

The importance of purpose and community service in personal growth

Sound Bites:

"Mental toughness is about resilience and mindset."

"Winning the Quality of Life Award was an indescribable moment."

"Get comfortable with the uncomfortable to grow."

About the Guest: Alexandra de Roos is a brain injury education advocate, nonprofit founder, motivational speaker, and the 90th Anniversary Miss Florida 2026. She is a student in the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida, where she is pursuing a degree in psychology on the pre-medical track with plans to become a neuropsychiatrist specializing in the care of patients with traumatic brain injuries. A lifelong dancer, Alexandra trained at the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City after moving there at age 14 to pursue a professional ballet career. She also grew up in the Miss America Opportunity, where she discovered her passion for leadership, service, and community impact.

At 16, she founded Peace Love Leotards, a nonprofit that has provided more than $50,000 worth of dancewear to aspiring dancers around the world. After a severe traumatic brain injury ended her ballet career in 2021, Alexandra transformed her recovery into a mission of advocacy by founding The Blue Project: Integrating Neuroscience and the Arts Inc., a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to brain injury education, resilience, and the healing power of the arts. Through legislative advocacy, hospital outreach, public speaking, and educational initiatives, she has impacted thousands nationwide while serving on Florida’s Brain Injury Advisory Board and the Brain Injury Association of America’s Speaker’s Bureau.

Alexandra is dedicated to advancing brain injury awareness, empowering survivors, and pursuing a future in medicine where she can continue serving the community that forever changed her life.

About the Host: James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Resources: Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

The Blue Project:https://www.alexandraderoos.org/theblueproject

In this episode of Charge Forward Coaching, mental toughness coach James sits down with sports psychologist and youth athlete development expert Dr. Mike Perko, founder of the 500 Fist Bumps movement. Together they explore how a simple tactile gesture — the fist bump — is transforming youth sports culture by building connection, belonging, and mental toughness from the inside out.

Dr. Perko breaks down how the 500 Fist Bumps framework directly develops the 4 C's of mental toughness — control, commitment, challenge, and confidence — in young athletes through consistent positive reinforcement and intentional coach-athlete relationships. From the origin story of 500 Fist Bumps to the neuroscience behind connection and tactile gestures, this conversation is packed with actionable coaching strategies for youth sports coaches, parents, and athletic directors looking to build resilient, emotionally regulated, and high-performing young athletes.

If you work with youth athletes and want to create a culture of belonging, boost sports performance, and develop mental toughness through positive coaching, this episode is for you. Discover why small gestures create lasting psychological impact, how connection fuels perseverance and commitment, and what the future of community health and youth well-being through sports looks like.

Key Takeaways:

The origin story of 500 Fist Bumps and the moment Dr. Perko knew this mattered.

Why connection is the foundation of every other mental skill.

How to practically apply the 500 Fist Bumps approach in practices, games, and classrooms.

The neuroscience behind why small gestures create lasting psychological impact.

How belonging and mental toughness are more connected than most coaches realize.

Simple ways any adult can start using this framework with the young people in their life — starting today.

Sound Bites:

"His work is life changing for youth athletes"

"Creating a culture where everyone understands the rules"

"Building connection on purpose improves performance"

About the Guest: When Mike Perko was six years old, he nervously stepped onto the ice in Ithaca, NY for his first youth hockey practice — and promptly had an asthma attack. A coach knelt down, put a hand on Mike's chest, and gently talked him back to calm. That moment has shaped his life's work ever since in the belief that human connection is as vital as breathing is to child development. Today, Dr. Perko is an Emeritus Full Professor of Public Health, the award-winning author of How to EAT, LEAP, and SLEEP like a SUPERHERO, and the founder of the non-profit 500 Fist Bumps.

A 15-time teaching award winner, he has testified before Congress, delivered over 100 invited talks, and been featured on ESPN Outside the Lines, NPR, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. In the spring you'll find him on the sideline in his 47th year of coaching youth sports as Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Southwest Guilford High School in North Carolina. He and his wife Sarah are the proud parents of Jack, an Army ROTC scholarship student at UNC–Chapel Hill, and Elena, a UNC–Chapel Hill student in the School of Journalism and Media.

About the Host: James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Resources: Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

500 Fist Bumps: www.500FistBumps.org

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, James sits down with Himani Tyagi, strength and conditioning coach and lecturer at Prehab 121 Academy in Pune, India, to explore how young athletes develop mental toughness, confidence, and resilience both on and off the field. Himani shares her journey from cricket player to coach and educator, and explains how Prehab 121 Academy trains athletes across sports like tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis, cricket, and hockey.

She also discusses her role in designing the Parent–Athlete Conference, created to help parents ask better questions, understand athlete development, and support their children with science-based guidance. Together, James and Himani break down the 4Cs of mental toughness — control, commitment, challenge, and confidence.

Key topics include:

• The role of parents and coaches in shaping mental toughness

• How autonomy helps athletes make better decisions

• Emotional control during competition • Commitment, effort, and intent in training

• How culture, personality, and environment shape athlete behavior

• The pressures young athletes face in today’s competitive world

Sound bites:

"Mental toughness is executing skills under pressure"

"Autonomy helps athletes make decisions and learn from mistakes"

About the Guest:

Himani Tyagi is a UKSCA‑Accredited Strength and Conditioning Trainer and CSCTS Instructor at the Prehab 121 Academy of Sports Science in Pune, India—an educational and performance institute focused on developing athletes through science‑driven training, rehabilitation, and coach education. Prehab 121 offers courses in strength and conditioning, sports science, nutrition, injury rehab, and performance methodology, making it one of India’s emerging hubs for athlete and coach development. A former athlete who played cricket and several other sports growing up, Himani brings firsthand experience into her coaching. Today, she helps athletes and active individuals build durable strength, improve movement quality, and reduce injury risk through functional training, mobility development, and prehab strategies designed for long‑term performance and resilience. At Prehab 121 Academy, Himani works with youth athletes, recreational competitors, and individuals returning from injury across sports such as tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis, cricket, and hockey. She is known for her precise coaching style, her ability to break down complex movement patterns, and her commitment to helping athletes move with confidence, power, and longevity.

About the Host:

James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Resources:

Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

Prehab 121 Academy: www.prehab121.com

In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host James Blasco sits down with Captain Karl Froling, a veteran leader with Flagler County Fire Rescue and the 2025 Florida Search & Rescue Responder of the Year. Captain Froling shares powerful insights on mental toughness, the four C’s framework, and what it takes to perform under pressure in the world of first responders. From high-stakes emergency calls in Flagler County, Florida, to multi-day search-and-rescue missions across the state, Captain Froling explains how training, preparation, emotional control, and confidence shape elite performance. He discusses the growing importance of mental health initiatives in fire rescue, the role of leadership development, and how mastering the basics builds unshakeable confidence in life-or-death situations. Listeners will hear real stories from the field, including rope rescue operations, large animal rescues, and the mindset required to adapt quickly when plans fall apart.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, leader, or someone striving to build resilience, this conversation delivers practical lessons on focus, commitment, and staying composed when everything is on the line. This episode highlights the courage, discipline, and mental strength behind Florida’s emergency response community — and how everyday people can apply the same principles to their own lives.

Key topics:

Definition of mental toughness from a fire rescue perspective

The importance of preparation and training in high-pressure situations How the four C's—commitment, control, challenge, confidence—apply in real emergencies

Mental health initiatives and support for first responders

Strategies for maintaining emotional control during crises

The significance of mastering basics and continuous learning

Community outreach and awareness of fire rescue roles

Sound bites:

"Being prepared is key to mental toughness"

"In high stress moments, I live in the moment"

"Project confidence to calm the storm"

About the Guest: Karl A. Froling Jr. has dedicated more than 30 years to serving his community through fire and EMS. He currently serves as the Special Operations Captain with Flagler County (FL) Fire Rescue and was awarded the 2025 Florida Search and Rescue Responder Officer of the Year, recognizing his outstanding contributions to technical rescue and emergency response across the state. With more than 25 years of experience in technical rescue, Karl has developed extensive expertise in responding to complex incidents and sharing that knowledge with the next generation of rescuers. He also serves as an adjunct instructor with the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, where he teaches Large Animal Technical Rescue. He has been married to his wife, Erika, for 30 years and is the proud father of two sons and grandfather to one granddaughter. One son serves alongside him with Flagler County Fire Rescue, while his other son serves in the United States Army. His career, family, and commitment to training have given him a unique perspective on leadership, service, technical rescue, and the importance of passing experience on to those who follow.

About the Host: James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Resources:

Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

What does it take to teach a seven-year-old to handle failure, control their emotions, and believe in themselves — all through the game of golf? In this episode, James sits down with John Parker, CEO of First Tee Savannah, one of the most dynamic chapters of the nationally recognized First Tee organization. Founded in the late 1990s through a partnership of the PGA, LPGA, USGA, and the Masters Foundation, First Tee exists to give every kid — especially those with the fewest resources — access to golf and the life skills that come with it.

John and James walk through the Four C's of mental toughness — Commitment, Control, Confidence, and Challenge — and how they show up every single day on the golf course with young players. John shares how mentors keep kids calm and grounded, why fun has to come first, and what it really looks like to help a child manage their emotions during a four-hour round of golf. They also dig into risk-taking, learning from failure, and why confidence cannot be taught — only built through experience and positive reinforcement. Whether you are a parent, a coach, an educator, or someone who just loves the game, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the lessons learned on the golf course are the same ones that carry kids — and adults — through life.

Key Topics:

The mission and programs of the first T in Savannah

The role of golf in teaching life skills and mental toughness

The importance of positive mindset and emotional control

The impact of mentorship and community involvement

Sound Bites:

"Surround them with people that really care about them"

"Every action has a consequence, good or bad"

"Golf teaches you to keep your emotions in check"

About the Guest: John Parker has always had a passion for making a difference in the world. He began his career as a 3rd Grade Teacher in the Bryan County School System in 2005 and worked in that role for 17 years. In his 30's, he started playing golf and quickly realized that all of the core values of the game directly relate to the character education being taught in schools everyday. He developed a plan to bring those values from the course to the students he taught and built a raised putting green in the middle of his classroom and centered his classroom behavior plan around the game of golf. From there, he captured the attention of some rather influential people in the golf industry who helped connect him to The First Tee so that he could develop an after school golf program. The first group of students that he worked with was his own class of 28 students. This program grew quickly and soon he was conducting classes after school and on a local golf course. He was recruited out of the school system to relaunch the First Tee-Savannah chapter. He started building this organization in 2021 which in that first year served 76 children in Chatham County. He has since grown that organization to serve children in Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Liberty, and Bulloch County. Last year this organization worked with 26,429 children in schools, on golf courses, and through community programs developed through his leadership.

About the Host: James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Resources:

Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

First Tee Website:www.firstteesavannah.org

In this powerful episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, host and Certified Mental Toughness Coach James Blasco sits down with Vern Biccum, President of Iridia Medical, for a conversation that bridges high performance, healthcare, and human resilience. Together, they unpack the 4 C's of Mental Toughness — Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence — and explore how these four traits don't just shape how you perform today but how well you live for decades to come. Vern brings a unique medical and scientific lens to the conversation, revealing the powerful connection between mental toughness and longevity.

At the heart of this episode is a message that will stick with you: self-awareness is the foundation of everything. You can't grow what you can't see. James and Vern dig into why so many people operate on autopilot — and what happens when you finally slow down, get honest with yourself, and start making intentional choices.

Whether you're a business professional, athlete, parent, coach, or simply someone who wants to live a longer, more resilient life, this episode delivers science-backed insights and practical tools you can apply immediately.

Key Topics:

The definition of mental toughness and the four C's

The importance of emotional control in high-stress situations

How commitment drives achievement and confidence

The role of challenge in personal growth and longevity

Science-backed assessment and coaching for mental toughness

Sound Bites: "Challenge involves risk and learning orientation."

"Honesty about your scores is key to growth."

"Be curious, have fun, and be gentle with yourself."

About the Guest:

Vern Biccum is the President of Iridia Medical, a role he has held since 2012 after joining the organization as a Project Manager in 2006. Over nearly two decades, Vern has helped shape Iridia into one of the most respected medical and paramedical service providers in Western Canada. His leadership has been instrumental in building one of the province's largest private paramedical programs, serving remote exploration communities and delivering critical support where it's needed most.

Under Vern's direction, Iridia has evolved into a proud Partner in Workplace Health — passionate about bringing practical longevity programs to the workforce. Iridia's approach centers on four pillars of long-term well-being: Exercise, Sleep, Nutrition, and Mental Health. It is within that mental health pillar that Vern has become a champion of the Mental Toughness model and the MTQPlus Assessment, which Iridia sees as a key element of a proactive, science-backed mental health strategy applicable across education, sport, emergency response, and business. Vern and his team welcome the chance to connect with anyone interested in improving workforce health and can be reached at [email protected].

A lifelong learner with a deep commitment to personal and professional growth, Vern holds a B.Sc., an M.Sc. in Biophysics, an MBA, and an ABCP designation. He continues to expand his skill set through an entrepreneurship leadership program and a long-term pursuit of fluency in Chinese. His curiosity, discipline, and drive for continuous improvement are central to his leadership philosophy — and shine through in every conversation about what it truly means to live longer and better.

About the Host:

James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience Coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership and communication, as well as the drive to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Resources:

Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

Iridia Medical: https://iridiamedical.com/

This special episode was recorded live at the 2026 USA Today High School Sports Awards, the premier event recognizing the top high school athletes in Volusia and Flagler Counties, Florida. The USA Today High School Sports Awards is one of the largest and most respected student athlete recognition programs in the country, celebrating excellence, leadership, sportsmanship, and the dedication it takes to compete at the highest level. Each year, it highlights standout performers across dozens of sports, honoring their achievements both on the field and in the classroom.

In this episode, I sit down with several award-winning athletes to talk about their seasons, challenges, and the mindset that helped them rise to the top. We dig into mental toughness, how they handle pressure, what they’ve learned from adversity, and the habits that keep them grounded and focused. These conversations are honest, energetic, and full of the perspective that makes high school sports so meaningful.

We also welcome a special guest from the Cannonballs for Kayne Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting families and honoring Kayne Finley's legacy through scholarships, community impact, and athlete-centered initiatives. Their message adds heart and purpose to the night, reminding us that sports can shape character and community in powerful ways. This episode captures the spirit of the awards — the pride, the emotion, the community, and the incredible young people who represent the future of Volusia and Flagler athletics. It’s a celebration of hard work, resilience, and the mental toughness that defines great competitors.

Keywords: student athletes, mental toughness, high school sports, community, inspiration, sports awards, youth sports, resilience, coaching, competition

Key Topics:

Mental toughness and resilience in young athletes

The role of coaching and mentorship in sports success Community impact and charitable work by athletes

Balancing multiple sports and academic commitments

Sound Bites:

"Good coaches push you to be your best"

"Mental toughness is about never quitting"

"My family and coaches are my biggest supporters"

About the Host:

James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success.

James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience. Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:

Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

Cannonballs for Kayne Foundation: https://cannonballs.org

USA Today High School Sports Awards: https://sportsawards.usatoday.com/daytona/

SMA Healthcare: Behavioral Healthcare Services – SMA Healthcare

In this episode, I sit down with Colonel Steve Luxion, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), a 34-year veteran with more than 2,500 flight hours, 700 combat hours, and a career that spans the F 111 Aardvark, the Navy’s F 14 Tomcat, the EA 6B Prowler, and the early MQ 1B Predator program. Steve has led at every level — from squadrons to NATO’s first Aerospace Center of Excellence and brings a rare combination of combat experience, strategic leadership, and humility. We talk about what mental toughness really looks like in life-or-death environments, how individuals can better manage fear and focus, and why emotional control is the foundation of great leadership. Steve breaks down the inner arena of decision making under pressure, the habits that keep pilots steady, and the lessons anyone — athletes, leaders, parents, and performers — can use to stay composed when it matters most.

Key Topics:

Military leadership and combat experience

Development of confidence and emotional intelligence

The role of challenge and grit in high-pressure situations

Sound Bites:

"Confidence comes from training and preparation"

"Articulate the mission and its importance"

"Grit and making a difference are key to success"

About the Guest:

Colonel (USAF-Retired) Stephen P. Luxion is the Principal in Luxion Consulting LLC, providing advisory services across a broad span of expertise gained across multiple careers. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Senior Advisor to defense and public service industries, and officiates all levels of lacrosse. Lux served as Executive Director of ASSURE (Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence) led by Mississippi State University. Steve was responsible for leading the alliance of 35 of the world’s leading research universities and its industry partners. ASSURE is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), providing the FAA a wide-ranging UAS research portfolio and conducts specific research to help inform and address the key challenges to safely and efficiently integrating UAS into the National Airspace System. ASSURE also leverages its expertise, experience, and knowledge to serve others outside the FAA including current research for NASA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST).

Lux is a 34-year US Air Force veteran with over 2,500 hours flying time in the F-111 Aardvark, MQ-1B Predator UAV; and the F-14A Tomcat and EA-6B Prowler while on exchange with the US Navy; including 700 hours combat time in operations over Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. For his combat efforts, Colonel Luxion was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, 4 Air Medals, and 7 Aerial Achievement Medals. Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1984. He was a four-year letterman in lacrosse and was named as an All-Conference midfielder his senior year. Colonel Luxion commanded at the squadron, group and center levels and helped lead the establishment of NATO’s first Aerospace Center of Excellence.

Colonel Luxion is a distinguished graduate of both the USAF Fighter Weapons School and Air Command and Staff College. He is also a graduate of four Master-Degree programs from Embry-Riddle (MBA-Finance & Master Aeronautical Science), the School of Advanced Airpower Studies (Master of Air & Space Power), and the National War College (Master of Science in National Security Policy).

About the Host:

James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL.. James is trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Resources:

Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

For 10 years the USA Today High School Sports Awards has been celebrating the best student athletes across the country and right here in Volusia and Flagler Counties the Daytona Beach edition has become one of the most anticipated events of the year.

This episode we sit down with Chris Vinel, sports editor with USA Today and the Daytona Beach News-Journal, to talk about what makes this event so special and why it continues to grow year after year. We dive into how student athletes are selected, what the nomination and voting process looks like, and what it means for a young athlete in our community to be recognized on this kind of stage. Chris also shares some of the most memorable moments from this years effort of putting this event together and what it truly means to celebrate these kids and the hard work they put in every single day. This is more than just an awards show.

It is a celebration of excellence, character, and the future of sports in our community. If you have a student athlete, coach, parent or fan in Volusia or Flagler County this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Key Topics:

Selection process for finalists and winners

Community impact of high school sports

Memorable moments from recent awards Role of sports in community pride

Sound Bites:

"It's our version of the Grammys or the Espy's."

"Follow us on social media for the latest updates."

"Baseball was the sport I was halfway decent at."

About the Guest & the High School Sports Awards:

Chris Vinel is the Sports Editor for the Daytona Beach News-Journal and USA Today, where he has built a reputation as one of the most connected voices in local and regional sports coverage. A Miami University graduate with degrees in Journalism and Sports Leadership and Management, Chris covers 25 high schools, four colleges, and the Daytona Tortugas while also producing feature stories, breaking news, and in-depth analysis for both the News-Journal and USA Today. His work has been featured across major platforms including Sports Illustrated, Golfweek, and Yahoo Sports. Chris also co-hosts a weekly video series during high school football season and is the driving force behind the Volusia-Flagler Athlete of the Week program, which shines a much-deserved spotlight on the incredible student athletes in our community. He is also one of the key organizers behind the USA Today High School Sports Awards here in Daytona Beach, now in its 10th year.

The USA Today High School Sports Awards is one of the largest and most prestigious high school athletic recognition programs in the country. Produced by the USA TODAY Network, the program celebrates standout student athletes, coaches, and teams across hundreds of communities nationwide. Each local edition runs as a nine-month program that tracks and highlights nominees throughout every sports season before culminating in a premier live awards show where winners are revealed and special honors are presented. This episode focuses on the Volusia-Flagler (Fl.) High School Sports Awards. Produced by the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the program shines a spotlight on the best athletes, coaches, and teams across Volusia and Flagler Counties.

About the Host:

James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.

Resources:

Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

Guest/Event Resources:

Tickets to Event: https://localiqevents.com/high-school-sports-awards-1

Websites:

www.news-journalonline.com Website:

www.USAToday.com

Instagram: @Chris_Vinel