In Episode 182, Becca Darke, Colorado College Women’s Soccer Hall of Famer, former PE Teacher, former Athletes in Action staff, mother of five, and, yes, wife of Phil, shares with Phil and Paul about her journey from hockey-centric Minnesota to her youth and collegiate soccer career, how she battled injuries, and her growing faith that led her to ministry in sports. Becca shares her experiences as the Atlanta Beat Chaplain, affirming the role of soccer in shaping character, leadership, and relationships. Becca also reflects on her personal 'why,' how Scripture continually shapes her, the importance of “making room” for others in our lives, and lessons from the game that have been applied in her marriage, parenting, and teaching roles.

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      Nations United Website

·      Lead with Prayer, Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog, Cameron Doolittle

·      Horst Richardson HSEL Episode

In Episode 181, we are giving you an annual dose of one of our favorite interviews of all time, going back to our conversation with Graham Daniels, Ph.D., Director of Cambridge United, Director of Christians in Sport, and former player for Cambridge United and Cardiff City. He talked with us about the “Pray, Play, Say” discipleship/leadership method, his personal why, his incredible testimony of how he came to his faith in Jesus Christ and how one pivotal moment changed the course of his life forever, the critical importance of a Christian identity in elite football, achieved vs. received identity, Service vs. Survival, humility, and a leader who he respects deeply. Specifically, Graham discusses:

·      His personal story, including how he grew his passion for football, coaching, ministry, and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today

·      An incredible story about how he came to his Christian faith, despite one of the “worst evangelists” of all time

·      His personal why/mission statement and how he is living it out

·      Achieved identity vs. Received identity - Identity formation and his Ph.D. thesis on the necessity of Christian identity in dealing with performance requirements of elite football

·      Three things that provide a framework for ministry in sports

·      Safe to serve, not scared and surviving

·      A defining moment in his life and how it impacted his development

·      A leader that sticks out above the rest to him (A Premier League Manager that may surprise you)

·      How he has used lessons learned from sports in his marriage and parenting

·      His recommendations

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      HSEL Facebook Group

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      Humility, by Andrew Murray

·      Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

In Episode 180, Rick McKinley, Missionary Athletes International’s (MAI) Director of Int’l Tours. Shares with Phil and Paul his extensive journey through sports, including impactful stories from his days as an athlete, coach, and missionary. He discusses his commitment to integrating faith and soccer, describing significant moments that shaped his understanding of the Gospel and relying on God's strength. Key highlights include Rick’s impactful moments on mission trips, the importance of aligning personal identity with God rather than performance, and his efforts in training coaches globally to incorporate gospel-centered principles in their coaching methods. The episode also delves deep into personal stories, mentoring impacts, and recommended resources that have influenced Rick’s approach to leadership and faith. If you’re wanting to learn more about integrating sports and ministry, you definitely want to listen to this one.

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      The Christian Athlete, Brian Smith

·      Lead with Prayer, Peter Greer, Ryan Skoog, Cameron Doolittle

·      A Hunger for God, John Piper

·      The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, Tim Keller

·      The Mark of the Christian, Francis Schaffer

·      Horst Richardson HSEL Episode

·      Dave Irby HSEL Episode

In Episode 179, Phil and Paul engage in an eclectic and wide-ranging conversation with Greg Rubendall, who has recently started a new venture in Sacramento, ASC Midtown, and a new podcast, “The Road Warrior.” The episode covers topics from personal updates to more philosophical discussions touching on biomechanics, conservation genetics, classical literature, leadership, and the power of unstructured play. Greg shares his insights on the importance of continual learning, community development, and creating environments where everyone can flourish. This engaging dialogue also explores the impact of technology in sports and the unique developmental methods observed in European soccer academies. You definitely don’t want to miss this one.

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      Candide, Voltaire

·      Start with Why, Simon Sinek

·      “Start with Why” TED Talk

In Episode 178, Phil and Paul reconnect to kick off Season 13, reflecting on their eventful summer and discussing key leadership lessons they learned along the way. They share personal stories and a new role for Paul in the soccer world. They delve into important lessons such as the importance of being still, focusing on prayer, understanding the evolving roles as parents, and embracing an open-handed approach to life. They emphasize the concept of being in charge without needing to be in control and the critical need for focus and needing to say no to good things for the great things. Join them as they set the stage for another impactful season filled with insightful conversations.

Resources and Links from this Episode

·                 Uncut Video of the Episode

·                 HSEL Facebook Group

·                 Warrior Way Soccer

·                 Phil’s email for DISC Training

In Episode 177, we are recasting our episode with Becky Burleigh, Co-Founder of What Drives Winning, former University of Florida Women’s Soccer Coach (for 27 years), and Methodist College Hall of Famer, who talked with Phil and Paul about the life and leadership lessons she learned over the course of her playing career and her extensive coaching career at University of Florida and Berry College, the story behind What Drives Winning, some great WDW principles, her personal why, a defining moment in her career, and making the most of every opportunity. Specifically, Becky discusses:

·      Her personal story, including how she grew her passion for soccer, coaching, and leadership, and how she got to where she is today with What Drives Winning

·      Her personal why/mission statement and how she is living it out

·      What Drives Winning’s mission and what she hopes people will get out of the great materials WDW produces

·      Two key questions that she asks herself every year and why we should do the same

·      Why she uses DISC model of human behavior in her work and why she believes all coaches should use it with their teams

·      The concept of weak voice vs. strong voice and what we can do about it

·      “Struggle really a biological requirement for greatness” – Really?

·      Her defining moment and how it impacted her development

·      What advice she would like to give her 25-year-old self

·      The importance of finding a “thinking partner”

·      The good, bad, and ugly of US Soccer

·      How she has used lessons learned from the game in her relationships outside the game

·      Her recommendations

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      What Drives Winning Website

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      HSEL Facebook Group

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      The Talent Code: Greatness isn’t born. It’s Grown. Here’s How, by Daniel Coyle

·      The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Teams, by Daniel Coyle

·      What Drives Winning: Teams, by Becky Burleigh and Brett Ledbetter

·      “Welcome to Wrexham” (Hulu)

·      “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+}

·      “38 in the Garden” (HBO Max)

In Episode 176, we are recasting our recruiting episode with our very own Paul Jobson, who now is Director of Atletico Dallas Youth-Central Texas after his retirement from coaching at Baylor Futbol, when he talked with Phil about how players, parents, and coaches can navigate the recruiting process with more excellence. Specifically, he covers:

·      How the recruiting process should be a fun “get-to”

·      The parallels of the college recruiting process and job searches

·      The coach’s and assistant coach’s perspective of the recruiting process

·      How coaches filter through the thousands of emails they get throughout the year, and how to separate yourself from the multitudes

·      Confirmation bias in coaches, how it affects the recruiting process, and what you can do to ensure you’re on the right side of the bias

·      The importance of treating every coach with respect and never burning any bridges during the recruiting process

·      What should you do if a school you’re not interested in is recruiting you?

·      How can you know if a coach is interested in you vs. just trying to get you to go to a camp?

·      Are camps worth the time and expense?

·      A reminder that the recruiting process should be a highlight of your life

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      Don Williams HSEL Episode

·      Video of the Episode

·      HSEL YouTube Channel

·      HSEL Facebook Group

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Providence World website

·      Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      Open: An Autobiography, by Andre Agassi

In Episode 175, we are recasting our conversation with Keith Tozer, Commissioner of the Major Arena Soccer League, Coach of the US Futsal National Team, MISL coach and player in five decades, the first-ever pick in the MISL Draft, and a Hall of Famer in multiple hall of fames, who talked with Paul and Phil about what he has learned over the course of his five-decade long career playing and coaching indoor and outdoor soccer and futsal, why all teams should use futsal/indoor soccer as part of their player development, the power of the Geese “V” formation, leading up, his personal why, mentorship, how he has used lessons from soccer in his role as MASL Commissioner. Specifically, Keith discusses:

·      His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer, particularly indoor and futsal, coaching, and leadership, and how he got to be Commissioner of the MASL – and we inadvertently talked about answers to some possible trivia questions as well (3:58)

·      Why he believes that futsal and indoor are critical to training and should be an integral part of development at all levels (8:46)

·      His personal why/mission statement and how he is living it out (16:06)

·      The power of the Geese “V” formation and what leadership lessons we can learn from it (18:17)

·      His defining moment and how it impacted his development (22:46)

·      How he navigated the transition to coaching from playing, and his stint as a player/manager, and the leadership lessons he learned on his journey (25:45)

·      How he intentionally sought out mentors as a young leader and what he learned from his mentors (32:00)

·      The power of leading up (35:31)

·      A couple of the best leaders he played or coached with, and what set them apart from the rest (37:10)

·      What he would tell the 27-year-old Keith Tozer if he could go back in time (41:25)

·      A great story about empowering, servant leadership (43:26)

·      How he is using lessons learned from the game of soccer in his role as Commissioner of the MASL (48:07)

·      The good, bad, and ugly of US Soccer, how the MASL is helping to move the game forward in the US (49:30)

·      How he has used lessons learned from the game in his marriage and parenting (59:57)

·      Her recommendations (1:01:06)

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      MASL Website

·      US Youth Futsal Website

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      HSEL Facebook Group

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players, by Pat Riley

In Episode 174, we are recasting our interview with Andrew Simpson, Mindset Coach, Author of Athlete! I’m Talking to You: 7 Mindset Hacks to Dominate in Sports and Life and The Youth Truth: Coaching & Parenting in Today’s Crazy Youth Sports World, and Founder of Player’s Fitness & Performance (“PFP”), who talked with Paul and Phil about some mindset hacks that can help us develop and rebuild, if necessary, a healthy mindset in ourselves and our athletes, some mistakes that 98% of parents of athletes make, his two books, his personal mission, lessons learned from his athletic career that he is using in his business, a couple mentors who have influenced his journey, and how we can overcome some of the most common mental obstacles athletes face. Specifically, Andrew discusses:

·      His personal story, including how he grew his passion for sports, fitness, and mindset and performance coaching, and how he got to be where he is today (6:35)

·      A common misconception about mental health and how we can overcome it (11:11)

·      His personal why/mission statement and how he is living it out (12:59)

·      The mentors who most influenced him and how they impacted him (16:43)

·      A defining moment in his life and how it impacted his development (21:08)

·      Lessons he has learned from sports that he uses in his business and coaching (23:55)

·      Some of the most common mental obstacles athletes face and how they can overcome them and fulfill their potential (25:54)

·      Social media and the comparison trap (31:08)

·      How you can rebuild a healthy mindset in a young athlete (33:38)

·      His two books, why he wrote them, and what he hopes his readers will get out of them (41:49)

·      Why parents and coaches also need to be focusing on their mental health as it relates to their children/players’ flourishing (49:21)

·      A couple common mistakes that 98% of parents make during their athletes’ journeys (51:32)

·      A couple mindset hacks that can help you and your athletes dominate in sports and life (57:21)

·      How he has used lessons learned from sports in his marriage and parenting (1:03:07)

·      His recommendations (1:05:58)

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      Andrew’s Website

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      HSEL Facebook Group

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It’s Impossible to be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature, by Peter Scazzero

·      You Win in the Locker Room First: The 7 C’s to Build a Winning Team in Business, Sports, and Life, by Jon Gordon and Mike Smith

In Episode 173, Phil and Paul discuss their highlights from the second half of HSEL’s Season 12, which included Frank Kelly, Sean Miller, Roman Khripunov, and Paul Caliguiri, as well as some other topics they have been pondering lately. You don’t want to miss some great leadership nuggets on vulnerability, perseverance, humility, hard work, integrity, and creativity.

If you’re loving the show (or if you don’t love it ; )), please subscribe, give us your feedback, rate and review the show, and, most importantly, continually learn from the show and use it to help you flourish in everything you do.

Resources and Links from this Episode

·                 Uncut Video of the Episode

·                 HSEL Facebook Group

·                 Warrior Way Soccer

·                 Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·                 Phil’s email for DISC Training