Originally aired June 2, 2022

Former DI Virginia Tech basketball college athletes, turned NIKE executives and now parents of Stanford Women’s Basketball star, Cameron Brink, join Kirsten in discussing raising athletes, recruiting, NIL, the transfer portal and The Curry Family connection!

Stick around for the end to hear about the link to the White House!

Michelle and Greg Brink met as college basketball players at Virginia Tech University. I first crossed paths with them at NIKE, two power brokers inside the Swoosh’s berm in the 1990’s and 2000’s.

The Brinks raised their two children based upon their own experiences as student athletes, heavy on the student, less focus on the athlete, unless it was what they wanted.

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Kirsten had a blast talking to Frankie Valdez about his story and how he shapes young people. Kirsten laughs out loud at Frankie's answer to, "The Best Athletes I Know Do This" :)

Francisco Valdez played for the Dominican National team for 14 years, starting in their youth program and continuing to the elite men’s team. After winning the USAV Open division championship, Frankie was recruited to play NCAA D1 volleyball at Long Beach State. He went on to play overseas in Venezuela, Turkey and Puerto Rico.

Frankie is a multiple National title holder in the Dominican Republic, playing pro plus a few USA Open championships. He started out as a tennis player, but once he transitioned to volleyball he never looked back. This is his 7th year coaching with Sunshine VBC and first year as head coach of Louisville High School.

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Kirsten had a blast talking to Frankie Valdez about his story and how he shapes young people. In this clip, Frankie talks about letting young people explore other things - arts, sports, whatever! Be curious.

Francisco Valdez played for the Dominican National team for 14 years, starting in their youth program and continuing to the elite men’s team. After winning the USAV Open division championship, Frankie was recruited to play NCAA D1 volleyball at Long Beach State. He went on to play overseas in Venezuela, Turkey and Puerto Rico.

Frankie is a multiple National title holder in the Dominican Republic, playing pro plus a few USA Open championships. He started out as a tennis player, but once he transitioned to volleyball he never looked back. This is his 7th year coaching with Sunshine VBC and first year as head coach of Louisville High School.

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Dan Blewett is an author, speaker, YouTuber, former professional pitcher, and mindset coach. He took his up and down career as an athlete and morphed that passion into helping sports families find their way.

As former athletes and current coaches, Kirsten and Dan have very interesting takes about making sports intensely fun, prioritizing the family and how sports help divert us from the hardship of daily life.

A resident of Washington, D.C., Dan is passionate about helping sports families - giving young athletes, parents and coaches the tools to have healthier careers in sports. He is the author of four books - This Slump Shall Pass (2023), Clean Your Cleats (2022), Dear Baseball Gods (2019), and Pitching Isn't Complicated (2013).

@coachdanblewett

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In this clip from Monday's episode, Coach Dan Blewett breaks down why he believes character building is a side effect of sports, not why you should play!

Dan Blewett is an author, speaker, YouTuber, former professional pitcher, and mindset coach. He took his up and down career as an athlete and morphed that passion into helping sports families find their way.

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Two years to the day, 2021 National HS Coach of Year returns to talk about her current 2023 Marymount High School team, loving the season you're in and being where your feet are. Her current team isn't 35-0 but is battling in tournaments and at 13-7 is poised to make a playoff run. Cari talks about controlling the controllables (Strength and Speed, Form and Fitness) and how it's her job as a coach to push her team to compete so that she honors each of her senior classes to leave better than they started.

It's always fun when Kirsten and Cari get together!

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In this clip from Monday's episode, Kirsten sits down with returning guest Coach Cari Klein (Marymount High School and Sunshine Volleyball Head Coach) and Cari discusses the Tom Brady 2 reps video. It's all about growth from where you are actually in your process – you need to show up ready to compete and get better!

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Kirsten continues her discussions in the Talking to the Student Athlete Series, speaking to Holy Cross Soccer Player, Matt McGonigle. Matt has been a 4-year starter at Holy Cross, serving as one of the Crusaders’ team captains for the fourth straight year. Matt enters the season tied for 11th all-time at Holy Cross with 10 career assists. Matt played four seasons of varsity soccer at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Kirsten and Matt talk about the Captain’s arm band, leadership and accountability. They talk about leaders on the pitch and leaders on the bench as these teams have 30 players with 11 on the field at a time, and empowering all the roles. Listening is one of his strengths – pushing Matt towards a learning and growth mindset. Matt talks about what’s next and how his growth mindset is leading him towards traveling and living overseas after his graduation. There’s a ton of good information here and always fun to hear from the Student Athlete!

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Kirsten continues her discussions in the Talking to the Student Athlete Series, speaking to a four-year DI starter, Holy Cross Soccer Player, Matt McGonigle.

In this clip from Monday's new episode, Kirsten and Matt talk about leaders on the pitch and leaders on the bench (as his teams have 30 players with 11 on the field at a time) and how empowering all the roles leads to Growth Mindset.

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Kirsten had the pleasure of sitting down with the new head coach at William and Mary Volleyball, Ryan Adams. As you will hear, the episode has some hometown feel as Kirsten was a proud member of Tribe Volleyball in the '90s. Ryan talks about how he's a learner and that's the most successful skill his players can learn in Volleyball and Life. Kirsten and Ryan talk leadership, recruiting and how good people make great volleyball players.

Ryan Adams was named the tenth head volleyball coach in school history in January 2023. Adams earned his first win as head coach of the Tribe on opening day of the 2023 season at the Mountaineer Classic in Boone, North Carolina, in a five-set victory over Tennessee Tech. Adams comes to Williamsburg after leading the Lafayette College program for the last four seasons. During his tenure with the Leopards he earned multiple honors, including Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2021.

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