Some experts say that pressure doesn't really exist. Rather, it is something that our minds create. If so, then why does it feel so real? And what does it mean when someone says they "perform best under pressure?"

We have another listener topic request. This conversation came from a coach who asked us about the extra time we spend maintaining our facility and playing field. Enjoy!

150 EPISODES!!!! Thanks for being part of our ongoing conversation! Whether you have listened since 2019 and all 150 episodes or you just found us, we APPRECIATE YOU. Thank you to everyone who sends comments, encouragement, and ideas for our show.

In honor of our listening audience for 150 episodes, this one is a recent conversation brought to us directly by a listener. It's an issue that is all too common in all amateur sports, regardless of age level.

As always, we hope to be useful and to help in some small way to make your athletic experience a little more meaningful.

Today we have a conversation with OHIO University grad student quarterback Parker Navarro.

Parker talks about the lessons he has learned through facing the adversity of a series of injuries, transferring, and finding himself in a backup role on a championship team. He provides invaluable advice and insight into how he has found strength and joy despite these setbacks and frustrations.

It's happening in every state; schools are having difficulty scheduling games for Varsity sports because it seems there are not enough officials to go around. What happened to them? How can we get them back?

Bad performances are a regular part of sports. If you play, coach, or have children who play, there will be bad days on the field and court. How we respond to these bad moments, bad games, and even sometimes bad seasons, can make or break future success. It's crucial that we understand the mindset strategies that we can adopt to be the best we can at responding to bad days.

We would like to present a challenge to all young people – AVOID ADOLESCENSE. Of course, we'll explain what we mean.

The relationship of mutual respect and trust between coach and player is directly related to performance and success. Our relationship with our players is driven by our communication. The culture of our program is built on our communication and the behaviors that follow. As coaches, we need to be mindful of this, take ownership of this reality, and strategize how we will improve.

Here's a topic we have never before discussed on The Coaching Life Podcast, but it's an extremely relevant conversation for just about every youth sports team. On most teams, there will be at least one family, and perhaps many, who struggle whenever there conflict between the ball schedule and their church attendance.

As always, Chris and Pat take on the conversation head-on, discussing many of the variables associated with this and the people it impacts. We hope to provide insight and understanding to help us all navigate this issue with grace.

We continue our conversation for sports parents on some "do's and don'ts" that we recommend to help you and your kids have the best experience possible.