Paradigm Playbook

What if the secret to becoming a better coach isn't about teaching more skills, but building stronger connections with the kids you coach?

Host Steve Cook sits down with Kim Lindauer, founder of Heart Centered Sports and former owner of Kim's Gym, to explore how positive discipline and heart-centered coaching can transform the youth sports experience.

Drawing from 19 years of gym ownership and her experience as a certified Positive Discipline parent educator, Kim shares why encouragement, connection, and understanding each child's individual needs are essential to creating a positive learning environment. They discuss the difference between transactional and transformational coaching, how to develop young coaches, and practical ways to navigate challenging behaviors.

From building trust with athletes to improving staff training and creating a culture where kids feel supported, this episode offers valuable insights for coaches, gym owners, and youth activity leaders who want to make a lasting impact beyond the sport.

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Thinking about opening a gym, swim school, or youth activity business but not sure how to fund it? Understanding your financing options could make all the difference.

Host Steve Cook sits down with Julie Zarr of MultiFunding to break down business financing and what entrepreneurs need to know before applying for a loan. From SBA loans versus conventional financing to down payments, business plans, and financial projections, Julie shares what lenders are really looking for and how startups can position themselves for success.

They also explore the differences between SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, common financing mistakes that can delay approval, and why choosing the right lender matters as much as having a strong business plan.

Whether you're launching your first facility or preparing to expand, this episode offers practical insights to help you navigate the lending process, avoid costly mistakes, and take the next step toward business ownership.

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Host Steve Cook sits down with longtime colleague Scott Roth of Mancino Manufacturing to talk about the systems, communication, and leadership habits that keep businesses moving when challenges hit. With 40 years in manufacturing and a background as both a gymnast and Division I women’s gymnastics coach, Scott brings a unique perspective on building teams that can perform under pressure.

From replacing “tribal knowledge” with documented SOPs and cross-training employees to catching problems early and improving communication across teams, Scott shares practical lessons leaders can put to work immediately. Steve and Scott also connect these principles back to youth sports, exploring how strong fundamentals, consistent language, and better communication between coaches, parents, and athletes can prevent bigger problems down the road.

If you lead a team, run a business, or coach others, this episode is a reminder that the best problem-solving starts long before the problem happens.

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Host Steve Cook sits down with Ally Johnson, COO of The Lab (Learn.Adapt.Build) and CEO of Ninja Gym Academy, to break down the business behind building a successful ninja program.

With experience helping open more than 40 facilities, Ally shares the differences between standalone ninja gyms and bolt-on programs, including startup costs, space, curriculum, pricing, and long-term profitability. They also discuss why open play matters, how parkour fundamentals build safer athletes, and when gyms should introduce competitive teams.

Whether you’re considering adding ninja to an existing facility or building a standalone gym, this episode offers practical insights on creating a program that kids love and that makes sense for the business.

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Host Steve Cook sits down with Galen Broido, founder of Galenda Media Group, to talk about what truly makes a brand stand out in the youth sports and child activity industry.

Drawing from her background in marketing, web design, and the swim and gymnastics industries, Galen explains why your brand is much more than a logo or color palette—it’s the feeling customers take away from every interaction with your business.

Steve and Galen discuss how messaging, design, staff, social media, reviews, and the customer experience all work together to tell one consistent story. They also explore how businesses can identify what makes them different, use authentic storytelling to build trust, and leverage AI without losing the human element that makes a brand memorable.

For youth activity business owners looking to strengthen their identity and stand out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with practical branding insights.

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Host Steve Cook welcomes back Marcella Miciano of Vivid Motivation to explore how positive leadership can transform culture, strengthen teams, and create a competitive advantage in youth sports and child activity businesses.

Drawing on The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership, Marcella shares practical ways leaders can turn positivity into a daily practice through gratitude, intentional self-talk, recognition, and consistent habits. She also breaks down how culture shapes beliefs and expectations, which drive behaviors, create habits, and ultimately determine the future of an organization.

Steve and Marcella also preview her upcoming Power of Positive Leadership workshop at the Signature Business Workshop in Orlando and discuss why building a great culture starts with what leaders practice every day.

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Host Steve Cook sits down with sales expert, entrepreneur, and author John Asher to explore how understanding how people think can transform how entrepreneurs sell. Drawing on his unique background as a Navy submarine captain, Pentagon buyer and program manager, engineering firm founder, and sales advisor, John explains why selling is a skill every business owner needs.

John breaks down the neuroscience behind common cognitive biases that influence purchasing decisions and shares practical ways to apply them in everyday conversations. From using genuine compliments to build rapport, creating reciprocity by giving value first, and leveraging similarity to strengthen connections, to offering the right number of choices to avoid decision fatigue, he provides actionable strategies that help businesses build trust and close more sales.

Whether you're a swim school owner, youth program operator, or entrepreneur looking to improve your sales process, this episode delivers simple, science-backed techniques that can help you communicate more effectively, connect with customers, and grow your business.

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Host Steve Cook sits down with Kristin Mabrouk, Executive Director of the Hope Floats Foundation, to discuss how the organization is making lifesaving swim lessons accessible to more children across the country. By partnering with swim schools nationwide, Hope Floats helps create local scholarship programs that open the door for children from low-income families and those in foster care.

Kristin shares how the foundation supports swim schools through scholarship administration, fundraising resources, and initiatives like the Swim for Hope campaign. She also discusses the importance of water safety, the challenges families face in accessing swim lessons, and why collaboration is key to expanding opportunities for children.

Whether you're involved in youth programs, own a swim school, or simply believe every child should have the chance to learn to swim, this episode is an inspiring conversation about community, impact, and making a difference.

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In this episode of Paradigm Playbook, host Steve Cook sits down with Alivia Orvieto, a volleyball and fitness specialist who’s redefining what sports training can look like.

Alivia shares her journey from competing in indoor volleyball at a young age to launching a first-of-its-kind beach volleyball hybrid program in Pennsylvania. She opens up about the challenges and rewards of building a business without a brick-and-mortar facility, and how she blends personal training, nutrition coaching, and athletic development into a holistic experience for her athletes.

Together, Steve and Alivia dive into:

🏐 How she built Orvieto Athletics from the ground up
 💪 The role of strength training during in-season and off-season cycles
 🌱 How she uses technology to scale online training + nutrition services
 ✨ The power—and pressure—of growing a business rooted in personal brand
 🚀 Her long-term vision for expanding opportunities for young athletes

Whether you're an aspiring coach, a sports entrepreneur, or someone passionate about athlete development, this episode offers a fresh look at what it takes to build a thriving sports business with heart.

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Host Steve Cook sits down with entrepreneur, consultant, and innovation strategist Curtis Michelson to discuss his unique journey from nonprofit activism and sales to software development, product leadership, and AI. Curtis shares how AI is reshaping product teams, innovation, and the way businesses solve problems.

They explore lessons from Innovation Leader Magazine, the rise of AI-powered hackathons, and how organizations can uncover new opportunities through collaboration and experimentation. Curtis also shares how ChatGPT disrupted his previous venture, Info DJ, and led to the creation of Jedi on the Fly, a platform designed to help leaders cut through the noise and ask better strategic questions.

A thought-provoking conversation on innovation, adaptability, and the future of AI in business.

Thanks for joining us!

Visit us at https://stephenjcook.com/
Visit Curtis at https://curtismichelson.com/

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