Performance Level Podcast

In this episode of The Performance Level Podcast, Eric Clermont sits down with Denise Brown for a powerful conversation on vulnerability, communication, trust, and what it really means to lead as a coach.

Denise shares why coaching is about far more than tactics, training sessions, and game plans. At its core, coaching is about relationships — and the ability to create an environment where players feel seen, heard, and safe enough to grow.

Throughout the conversation, Denise explores how openness can unlock leadership in athletes, especially those who may be shy, cautious, or unsure of their voice. Sometimes, even a simple yes-or-no question can become the doorway to deeper confidence, stronger communication, and greater ownership.

This episode challenges the old idea that coaches always need to have every answer. Instead, Denise reminds us that saying “I don’t know,” listening with intention, and creating space for honest conversations can be some of the most powerful tools a coach has.

Whether you are a coach, athlete, parent, or leader, this conversation will help you rethink the role of vulnerability in leadership — and how stronger communication can change the culture of a team from the inside out.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode of The Performance Level Podcast.

In this episode of The Performance Level Podcast, Eric Clermont sits down with Hakim Karamoko to explore the mindset, resilience, and belief that helped him go from a humble kid in Ivory Coast to becoming an MLS Draft pick.

Hakim’s journey is anything but straightforward. After growing up in Ivory Coast and moving to the United States at 13, he had to adapt to a new country, a new culture, and a new level of competition. Along the way, he faced injuries, setbacks, uncertainty, and moments where giving up could have felt like the easier option.

But Hakim kept going.

Through staying present, asking questions, remaining coachable, and believing that there was more in him, he built a mindset that allowed him to keep growing through every challenge.

This conversation goes beyond soccer. It is about resilience, humility, identity, and the power of never settling for less than what you are capable of becoming.

Hakim’s story is a reminder that talent may open doors, but mindset, discipline, and perseverance are what help you walk through them.

Whether you are an athlete, coach, parent, or someone chasing a big dream, this episode will remind you that every setback can become a setup for your comeback.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode of The Performance Level Podcast.

This week on The Performance Level Podcast, Eric Clermont sits down with Kotaro Umeda for a powerful conversation on resilience, faith, identity, and the deeper meaning behind life’s hardest moments.

Kotaro shares his journey from the soccer field to the stage, opening up about the struggles that shaped him — from growing up in difficult environments, to losing loved ones, to battling his own mental health. But through each challenge, he discovered values that would become the foundation of his life: discipline, courage, faith, and service.

In this episode, Kotaro reflects on how setbacks can become stepping stones, how pain can be transformed into purpose, and why true success is not only measured by achievement, but by the impact we leave on others.

Whether through sports, speaking, writing, or serving the people around him, Kotaro’s mission has shifted from “me” to “we” — helping others recognize that their struggles may become the very foundation for their greatest growth.

This conversation is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone navigating adversity who needs a reminder that your story is not over — and your hardest chapters may become your greatest source of strength.

🎙️ Listen to The Performance Level Podcast every Monday.

Are we really going to Kenya to change lives… or are we going to have our own lives changed first? 🌍✨

In this episode, we dive into the heart behind our Ubuntu trip to Kenya — a journey built on service, sport, connection, and community.

But the more we talk about this trip, the more one thing becomes clear:

This is not just about what we can give.

It is about what we are going to learn.
It is about the people we will meet.
It is about the stories that will shape us.
It is about realizing that service is never one-way.

Through the passion and purpose behind Sean, Lynx, Marcelo, and everyone involved, this trip is becoming something bigger than soccer.

It is about building bridges.
Creating opportunity.
Sharing knowledge.
Unlocking potential.
And using sport as a platform to connect people across the world.

Ubuntu reminds us: “I am because we are.”

And maybe that is the real lesson.

When we step outside of our normal routine and into service, we do not just help others grow.

We grow too.

🎧 Listen to the full episode and follow along as we prepare for this life-changing trip to Kenya.

#UbuntuInAfrica #UbuntuTrip #PurposeOverProfit #ServiceThroughSport #ServiceGrowsGivers #ChangeMakers #SoccerForGood #CoachingForImpact

This week on The Performance Level Podcast, Eric Clermont sits down with Stefan Lukić, Serbian professional footballer and midfielder for FC Tulsa in the USL Championship.

Stefan’s journey has taken him from being a highly talented youth player and former Partizan youth captain, to a record-breaking college career at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where he scored 62 goals, added 93 assists, earned four NAIA First-Team All-America honors, and was named the 2019 NAIA National Player of the Year.

After playing for Corpus Christi FC, Northern Colorado Hailstorm, and Chattanooga Red Wolves, Stefan joined FC Tulsa in 2025 — continuing to grow through every level of the game.

In this episode, Stefan shares powerful lessons on:

• What he learned as a talented young player coming through competitive environments
• The patience and humility required to keep developing through different levels
• The highs and lows of being a game-changer in a USL semifinal, then missing a penalty in the USL Championship Final
• How elite athletes respond to pressure, setbacks, and defining moments
• Why daily habits are the foundation for reaching your full potential

This conversation is a must-listen for athletes who want to understand what it really takes to keep climbing, keep learning, and keep showing up after both success and disappointment.

🎙️ Listen to The Performance Level Podcast every Monday.

This week on The Performance Level Podcast, Eric Clermont sits down with Clay Dimick, current captain of Charlotte Independence, for a powerful conversation on leadership, mindset, and the daily habits that create long-term separation.

Over the past 6 months, Eric has been coaching Clay through mindset work focused on connecting his daily actions to his bigger vision for his career, family, leadership, and life. In this episode, Clay shares the concept of X+1 — the ability to do one extra rep, one extra recovery action, one extra reflection, or one extra intentional habit each day that slowly separates elite competitors from everyone else.

You’ll also get a sneak peek into the mindset work Eric and Clay have been doing together, including how Clay executes his daily habits, stays connected to his long-term goals, and continues to lead with purpose as a professional athlete and captain.

This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and leaders who want to understand how small daily commitments can turn into confidence, consistency, and sustained excellence.

🎙️ Listen to The Performance Level Podcast every Monday.

This week on The Performance Level Podcast, we’re sharing one of our monthly PLA Mentor Sessions, where members of the PLA Community connect directly with professional and college athletes, coaches, and leaders who have lived the journey.

In this episode, Eric Clermont sits down with Caiya Hanks, NWSL rookie with the Portland Thorns, to talk about her transition from college soccer to the professional level, the mindset required to compete at the next stage, and the lessons young athletes can take from her journey.

Caiya joined Portland after a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest University, where she became one of the program’s most impactful players and finished as a finalist for the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy after helping lead the Demon Deacons to their first-ever NCAA Division I National Championship Final in 2024.

After cementing herself in the Wake Forest history books in goals, assists, and points, Caiya is now carrying that momentum into the professional game. Her strong start with the Thorns also earned her a spot at the U.S. Women’s U-23 March “Futures Camp,” marking her first national team call-up.

In this conversation, Caiya shares insights on confidence, preparation, adapting to higher standards, handling pressure, and what it takes to keep growing when you reach a new level.

This is a must-listen for young athletes, parents, and coaches who want to better understand the mindset, habits, and humility required to chase big goals.

🎙️ Listen to The Performance Level Podcast every Monday.

This week on The Performance Level Podcast, Eric Clermont sits down with Phil Phillipou, a certified mindset coach, author, and youth football coach with over 20 years of experience across the UK, USA, and Spain.

Phil has worked in grassroots academies, professional youth systems, and with individual players at all levels, helping young athletes build confidence, resilience, and sustainable performance habits.

In this episode, we dive into practical tools and strategies athletes can use to strengthen the mental side of their game, including how to manage pressure, build confidence, stay committed when motivation fades, and develop the mindset needed to perform consistently.

Phil also shares why sports psychology should not be treated as something separate from training, but as a central part of long-term athlete development. This conversation is a must-listen for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to build not just better players, but more resilient people.

Listen to The Performance Level Podcast every Monday.

In this episode of the Performance Level Podcast, Andrew Booth shares his journey from recreational soccer fields in South Florida to competing professionally for Charleston Battery in the USL Championship Final. His story offers a powerful reminder that success in soccer is built through consistency, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Andrew began playing soccer at four years old and quickly progressed from recreational soccer to the competitive travel environment at Plantation Soccer Club, where he spent nearly a decade developing his game. As he moved through the youth ranks, he learned that talent alone wasn't enough—surrounding yourself with the right coaches, teammates, and competitive environments is essential for long-term growth.

The conversation dives into the college recruiting process, a stage that many young athletes find overwhelming. Andrew reflects on attending showcases, communicating with college coaches, and ultimately choosing Florida International University (FIU) over several other offers. His decision was based on finding the environment that would challenge him most and prepare him for the next level.

At FIU, Andrew quickly realized that collegiate soccer was a major step up from youth soccer. The speed of play, physical demands, and depth of talent forced him to adapt. Despite not playing significant minutes during his first season, he remained committed to his development, focusing on training, learning, and improving every day. This period taught him the importance of patience, perseverance, and embracing the process when immediate results aren't guaranteed.

The discussion also highlights the transition to professional soccer, where the standards become even higher. Andrew emphasizes that being a professional athlete extends far beyond training sessions. Recovery, hydration, nutrition, sleep, and daily habits all play a critical role in performance. As he explains, players may only train for a few hours each day, but their preparation and recovery during the remaining hours often determine their success.

Throughout the episode, Andrew provides valuable lessons for aspiring athletes: focus on consistent improvement, embrace challenges, be patient with your development, and understand that success is built through daily habits rather than occasional moments of motivation. His journey demonstrates that reaching the professional level is less about shortcuts and more about committing to the process over many years.

Key Takeaways

⚽ Find environments that challenge you and accelerate your growth.

⚽ Be proactive and intentional during the college recruiting process.

⚽ Expect setbacks and use them as opportunities to learn and improve.

⚽ Develop professional habits around recovery, nutrition, and preparation.

⚽ Stay committed to the process, even when progress isn't immediately visible.

Andrew's story serves as a blueprint for young athletes pursuing elite performance, showing that the path to professional soccer is built through discipline, resilience, and a relentless commitment to growth.

In this special episode, I am interviewed by Coach Yas for his podcast 'The Coaches Network'.

Get to know my journey from across the pond, learning my trade and gaining experience in the U.S as a young, hungry coach.

We also jump in to some great rabbit holes, such as looking at the current system of the pay to play model, we discuss parent education and the right way to approach parents in youth soccer and the current state of coach education in both the UK and the USA.