Season 2 of The Winning Edge Podcast with Stacy & Lindsay, “The Coaches Point of View,” offers an inspiring exploration into the leadership and mentorship of top coaches who prioritize faith first in their approach to sports, featuring honest, practical conversations about guiding athletes to success while nurturing their spiritual growth and character; with candid interviews and scripture-rooted wisdom, this season delivers actionable strategies and heartfelt testimonies on building resilient teams and developing faith-driven leaders, serving as a valuable resource for coaches, parents, and communities seeking to create a lasting impact through a Christ-centered coaching.

This conversation features the dedicated coaching staff at Rowe Middle School in Cypress, Texas, who emphasize the importance of developing student-athletes not just in sports, but in character, teamwork, and academics. The coaches their motto, 'Rowe, let's row,' which symbolizes unity and teamwork. They share insights on the unique challenges faced in a Title I school, the significance of balancing academic success with athletic participation, and the vital role of mentorship in shaping young individuals. The discussion highlights the ripple effect of sports on school culture and the importance of engaging families in the development of student-athletes.

Keywords: Coaches Point of View, Rowe Middle School, football coaching, teamwork, Title I schools, student-athlete development, academic success, mentoring, sports culture, community engagement, youth sports

Keywords: mentorship, sports, youth athletes, coaching, personal growth, resilience, faith, confidence, transition, encouragement

Summary: In this episode of the Winning Edge Podcast, host Stacy and guest Andy Williams, ex collegiate and professional baseball player, discuss the profound impact of mentorship on athletes both on and off the field. They explore the importance of personal relationships, the transition from high school to college sports, and the role of coaches as mentors. The conversation highlights the challenges of faith-based mentorship, the gaps in youth sports, and the significance of encouragement and resilience in building confidence among young athletes. Ultimately, they emphasize that mentorship is a long-term commitment that shapes not only athletic performance but also personal growth and character development.

Takeaways

• Mentorship is crucial for athletes' success.
• Every athlete benefits from multiple mentors.
• Mistakes are part of the learning process.
• Coaches should build trust with their players.
• Encouragement fosters resilience in young athletes.
• Faith-based mentorship is important.
• The pressure on young athletes can be detrimental.
• Building confidence is essential for long-term success.
• Coaches are mentors whether they realize it or not.
• The legacy of a coach impacts future generations.

Keywords: coaching, athlete development, weight room culture, leadership, team dynamics, youth sports, coaching strategies, building relationships, self-reflection, sports mentorship.

Summary: In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacy and Lindsay engage with David Raffield, a retired high school football coach known for his impactful coaching career in Texas. Kicking off their "Coaches Point of View" Series they discuss the importance of building a strong culture within sports teams, particularly through the weight room, and how this environment fosters teamwork, accountability, and personal growth among athletes. Raffield shares his insights on coaching strategies, the significance of self-reflection, and the necessity of establishing meaningful relationships with athletes. The conversation highlights the broader impact coaches have on their players' lives, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the lasting legacy of coaching.

Takeaways:

• The weight room teaches you how to fail and overcome.
• It's about helping someone become successful.
• You can take culture wherever you want to.
• Building champions for life every day in every way.

• It's about the people, not just the sport.
• You can't have a success without relationships.
• Culture and climate are built by coaching staff.

• The Heart of Coaching: Mentorship and Growth

Guest Bio: Daniel Champagne is an athlete and faith leader whose testimony centers on finding true identity in Christ, rather than in athletic performance or worldly accolades.

Christian Identity for Athletes: Daniel shares how athletes often grapple with their worth being tied to wins, stats, or outside recognition. Through personal stories, he reveals that letting Christ define identity brings peace, resilience, and joy regardless of outcomes, emphasizing that who we are is fully reliant on what Christ has accomplished.

Victory in Christ—Beyond Sports: Theconversation explores how “Victory” in God’s eyes isn’t measured by medals or scores, but by faithfulness, transformation, and character—shaped by trusting God in both triumphs and challenges. Lindsay and Stacy discuss how athletes, parents, and coaches benefit from anchoring their mindset in what God says about them.

Living Out Faith—On and Off the Field: Daniel discusses living boldly for Christ during competition, focusing on using one’s gifts for God’s glory and competing “free” from fear or perfectionism. Examples are shared about praying as teams, encouraging others, and making faith part of athletic culture.

Actionable Takeaways:·       

• Failure and setbacks can be opportunities todraw closer to God and grow in Christlike character.

• Faithful living as an athlete is about usinginfluence to serve teammates, family, and the broader community.

Closing Remarks: Listeners are encouraged to embrace who God says they are as athletes and individuals. Faith, focus, and fueling are intertwined and vital for victory in life. Theepisode closes with resources for staying connected to the SPAN community, plus a prayer for athletes to compete free from anxiety and live out their calling with courage and joy.

This episode explores the tension between feeling a callingand not knowing the exact path forward, emphasizing the role of faith and obedience when answers aren't clear. Using biblical stories—like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and the disciples—the hosts highlight how faith often requiresaction without full certainty, trusting that each next step will be guided by God. The personal story about Lindsay’s son’s baseball practice demonstrates how embracing discomfort leads to personal growth; while settling for comfortoften means falling short of one’s true potential.

The conversation transitions to a preview of a new seriesfocusing on youth sports through the lens of coaches. The series aims to help parents, athletes, and aspiring coaches understand the crucial perspective coaches bring to youth development. Future segments will cover the coach’s role, overcoming common challenges, building trust, effective communication, and the importance of mentoring that goes beyond sports.

Listeners are reminded that while the game matters, the real transformation comes from the journey.

Key Points

·      Faith and obedience are more important than having a complete plan.

·      Growth happens outside the comfort zone; settling leads to missed opportunities.

·      God expects trust step-by-step, not a perfect roadmap.

·      Join us as we embark on a NEW series where will spotlight great coaches - in what we are calling "The Coach’s POV", emphasizing the impact of great coaches to our athletes and sports.

In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacyand Lindsay discuss the inherent leadership qualities of young athletes. They explore the dual nature of athletic leadership, emphasizing the pressures athletes face and the importance of developing mental and emotional skills. Theconversation highlights how leadership influences team dynamics, the role of coaches in fostering leadership, and the significance of communication and accountability. They also delve into the mental and emotional aspects of leadership, the importance of reflection and decision-making, and the need for athletes to recognize their influence both on and off the field.

Takeaways

• Athletes are seen as leaders in various aspects of life.
• Leadership is a skill that can be developed over time.
• Every athlete has the potential to be a leader.
• Team dynamics are influenced by the leadership styles of athletes.
• Coaches play a crucial role in developing leadership skills.
• Mental and emotional skills are essential for effectiveleadership.
• Communication is key in fostering leadership among athletes.
• Leading by example sets the tone for the team.
• Empowering others is a vital aspect of leadership.
• Reflection and decision-making are critical for growth as a leader.

In this episode, hosts Stacy and Lindsay are joined by Roberta Anding, a prominent sports dietitian, to delve into how puberty, body image, and nutrition intersect to shape the experiences of young athletes. The conversation highlights the unique challenges adolescents face as their bodies change and how crucial it is to approach these topics with sensitivity and support.

Roberta explains that puberty has varying effects on growth in boys and girls and underscores why it's important for parents and coaches to use positive, encouraging language around young athletes. The discussion stresses that athletes' self-esteem is deeply influenced by the words and attitudes of trusted adults.

The podcast also covers the importance of good sports nutrition, suggesting that young athletes should listen to their hunger cues and focus on a balanced diet that fuels both performance and overall health. Roberta cautions against the use of growth hormone, noting its risks and the need for careful consideration.

Enjoying food—not just seeing it as fuel—is presented as key for mental wellness, as is fostering a healthy and balanced relationship with eating. The hosts and guest also reflect on how faith and community can provide much-needed support as young athletes manage both their sports journeys and personal growth.

In episode 17 of The Winning Edge Podcast, hosts Lindsay and Stacy sit down with Leslie J. Bonci—renowned registered dietitian, sports nutrition specialist, and co-founder of Performance365. Leslie brings decades of experience working with NFL teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, as well as a passion for busting nutrition myths and empowering athletes at every level.

This episode focuses on football nutrition—an especially relevant topic given football’s popularity in Texas. Leslie delves into practical advice for football players, coaches, and parents, answering common questions about:

• Fueling for Performance: Leslie emphasizes that nutrition isn’t just about what athletes eat before a game—consistent daily habits are vital for both peak performance and well-being.

• The Power of Parents: Parents play a pivotal role in modeling and encouraging healthy food choices, empowering their children to build positive, sustainable habits.

• Hydration Matters: The hosts and Leslie underline hydration as a foundation for optimal performance and speedy recovery, reminding listeners it’s a daily commitment.

• Weight & Injury: The episode stresses prioritizing muscle preservation over dramatic weight cuts and links injury prevention to both good nutrition and hydration.

• Brain Health: Leslie shares insights on how balanced nutrition and fluid intake contribute to cognitive function, especially in young athletes.

• Supplements in Context: Supplements have a place, but only as an addition to—not a substitute for—a balanced diet.

• Food as Comfort: The conversation encourages making food choices that are both nourishing and enjoyable, promoting a healthy relationship with eating.

Leslie draws from her extensive experience to dispel nutrition myths, offering actionable advice and stressing that food should always bring comfort and support—not stress—to young athletes’ lives. Empowering kids with food choices, she argues, is a cornerstone for health, confidence, and long-term athletic success.

Episode Summary:
In this illuminating episode of Focus, Faith & Fueling: The Winning Edge Podcast, hosts Lindsay and Stacy are joined by renowned sports dietitian Tony Castillo to dive deep into the science and significance of hydration for athletes. Together, they unpack how hydration impacts performance and overall well-being, teaching listeners Tony’s practical ‘What’ method for assessing hydration needs and the vital role of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. The discussion highlights the risks of energy drinks, the benefits of prioritizing whole foods over supplements, and why understanding signals like urine color and thirst is key to healthy hydration. Faith and the importance of community support are also woven throughout, with valuable insights for athletes and parents alike to optimize health, performance, and mental resilience. Filled with actionable tips, this episode empowers listeners to make informed choices on and off the field.

Takeaways

• Hydration is crucial for athletic performance and overall well-being.

• The color of your urine is a good indicator of hydration levels.

• Thirst is a sign that you are already dehydrated.

• Electrolytes are essential for maintaining hydration and performance.

• Sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium play key roles in hydration.

• Recognizing the signs of heat exhaustion is important for safety.

• Energy drinks can be harmful and lead to dehydration.

• Whole foods provide better nutrition than supplements for athletes.

• Faith and community support are important for athletes' mental health.

Sound Bites:

"Your pee is your report card."

"Hydrate or die-drate!"

In this special episode of Focus, Faith & Fueling: The Winning Edge Podcast, hosts Lindsay and Stacy flip the script and welcome their 11-year-old sons to the mic for a heartwarming and eye-opening conversation about sports, faith, and family.

The boys share what they love (and don’t love) about playing sports, their favorite moments, and how their faith influences their attitude on and off the field—including their favorite Bible verses. They talk about what it really means to be a good teammate and offer honest advice for parents: “Your job is to cheer and support, my coach’s job is to coach.” Filled with wisdom, laughter, and candid moments, this episode offers a fresh perspective from young athletes and delivers meaningful messages to parents navigating sidelines and life lessons alike.