The Compound Commitment

Episode 013:  Leon Rice is the head coach of Boise State Men's Basketball team and has written a handbook for his players called, The Unbreakable Culture.  I wanted to find out why team culture is so important to Leon that he took the time to create a book on it.

In nine seasons as head coach for the Broncos, Leon Rice has taken his teams to five postseason tournaments – including the first two at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament in school history – and won 20 or more games seven times.

He is the only Boise State head coach to amass seven 20-win seasons, the second to guide the Broncos to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and the first to do it in his first five seasons.  Under Rice, Boise State made the NCAA Tournament as an at-large selection in both 2012-13 and 2014-15, the only such appearances in school history.

Leon shows that you can focus on winning and creating leaders at the same time.  Listen to this week's podcast and find out...

 - Why Leon kept over 100 rejection letters while applying for coaching jobs.
 - How coaches should view leaving a legacy.
 - Why he gave his son the nickname, "12".
 - What you should say to your kids after watching them play basketball.
 - The 5 core values that create Boise State's team culture.

Over the last few years, I developed a Leadership Self Assessment tool to help players learn their level of leadership. Go to hoopcommitment.com/13download to get a copy of the exact same Level 1 Leadership Questionnaire that I use with my teams. 

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/13

Episode 012:  After watching the Netflix Documentary, The Game Changers, I immediately called Craig Hunt, RDN, to get his opinion on a vegan diet for basketball players. I went into our conversation with my mind made up on the right way to eat, but left our conversation with a better understanding of how to help athletes improve heath and performance.  

Craig earned a Bachelor of Science in Food Nutrition and Dietetics and became Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certified in 1990.  In 1996 he opened a private practice in downtown Spokane, expanding his consulting with athletes and the public.

A year later he also began teaching nutrition to family-medicine resident physicians; this is where he learned that a streamlined and motivational interviewing approach to nutrition worked favorably for most patients and clients. Over the past 25-plus years Craig has worked with high school, college and professional athletes.

Since 2010 Craig has taught online nutrition classes for health science majors at Eastern Washington University. Fuel management continues to be one of Craig’s interest areas as the science of nutrition evolves. 

We sat down and discussed the Netflix Documentary, The Game Changers, and got his opinion on athletes being vegan. Listen to this week's podcast to hear:

- Benefits and concerns of a vegan diet for basketball players
- Why we should all be "plant-strong"
- Where the documentary, The Game Changers, miss the mark
- Reasons why we need to eat processed foods
- How to move in the direction of eating a plant-based diet

If you want to download FREE basketball nutrition menus, go to hoopcommitment.com/nutrition.  You'll find that sports nutrition isn't as complicated as the media makes it out to be.

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/12

Episode 011:  Logan Schwartz was Kevin Durant's strength & conditioning coach at the University of Texas and is now the owner of Austin Vitality Coach. He has dedicated his life to helping individuals achieve a state of optimal health and vitality through a principle-based approach.  He has positioned himself to learn from and work alongside the best coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, and athletic trainers in the field of prevention, performance, and health.

Logan was the Assistant Basketball Strength Coach for The University of Texas at Austin and is a consultant for Train 4 The Game, Inc., which is one of the elite performance facilities in the nation.  Currently Logan owns Austin Vitality Coach and is the Director of Programming for Your Trainer, Inc. in Austin, Texas.  He also presents Internationally for the Gray Institute and Power Plate.

Logan and I did a 40-week fellowship program in human movement through the Gray Institute in 2009.  In addition to being very smart, I was impressed with his care of people.  It's no wonder he's spent his entire professional career helping people live healthy lives.  Check out this week's podcast to hear Logan's expert opinion on...

- Building better athletes vs. better basketball players
- How to avoid overuse injuries
- Why it doesn't matter that Kevin Durant couldn't bench 185lbs
- Small, daily activities that can massively impact your health
- Basic movements all healthy basketball players should do

If you want to optimize health and performance, you'll want learn how Logan looks at the human body.  Go to HoopCommitment.com for articles and videos on warm-ups and injury reduction progressions. 

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/11

Episode 010:  Lisa Fortier just finished a record breaking season at Gonzaga, winning another WCC Championship and WCC Coach of the Year Award.  She led the Bulldogs to their highest AP Poll ranking (No. 12) and highest USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll ranking (No. 11) in program history and a program-best regular season record at 27-3. Gonzaga finished the season at 29-5, which ties for the second-best record in history.

The Zags claimed their third-straight WCC regular-season title while Fortier was named WCC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in five seasons, surpassing her own conference record for the award. Gonzaga advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in program history and the fourth time under Fortier. The Bulldogs secured a No. 5 seed, the highest in program history, and advanced to the NCAA Second Round for the sixth time in program history.

Fortier was chosen as a Late Season Candidate for the Naismith Coach of the Year, along with being selected among 20 local Spokane women as a part of the 2019 Women in Business Leadership Awards. She is the only coach in program history to have four 20-win seasons in their first five seasons.

And what's best about Lisa is that she not only builds great basketball players, she also focuses on creating a culture that builds great leaders.  She dedicates time every week to intentionally teach her players how to think, speak and act like leaders so they can positively impact their community.

Listen to this week's podcast on Gonzaga Basketball Leadership and learn...

- Why coaches should take 5 min every day to teach leadership
- How to teach gratitude to players
- The first place coaches look when recruiting athletes
- Lisa's favorite leadership trait she teaches her team
- How leadership impacts a team's performance on the court

In addition to teaching her players how to play basketball, she also teaches them to be better teammates through an 18-week leadership program.  Go to HoopCommitment.com to download your FREE 5-day leadership course and learn how to help others become their best.

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/10

Episode 009:  Research shows that you can improve your shooting percentage and sprint times by optimizing your sleep.  This week's guest is The Online Sleep Coach, Nick Lambe, and he shares a progression to improve your sleep.  

Nick is a massage therapist, strength coach, sleep coach and health coach, but envisions himself firstly as a healthcare practitioner. He believes exercise and lifestyle interventions can be some of the most powerful medicine, especially proactively for our health. Nick has done certification work in many other aspects of health and wellness such as sleep, nutrition, behavioral psychology, heart rate variability, brain health, stress management and more.

Most notably in these lifestyle interventions, he has taken a deep dive into sleep. He believes that sleep is the foundation for health and well being, despite being often under-appreciated and undervalued. So much so that he has formed two side ventures centered around sleep. 

As “The Online Sleep Coach” he provides all things sleep and sleep education, including 1 on 1 consultations/coaching, group coaching for teams and coaches as well as speaking engagements. He does something similar in person where he resides with “Southwest Florida Sleep Coaching”

We connected at a conference in Seattle and discussed how sleep can impact our health and performance.  Check out this week's podcast and learn the answers to these questions...

- Is meditating or taking naps more beneficial?
- How many hours of sleep do high school players need?
- What is the best sleep tracker?
- Can you make up for sleep debt by sleeping in on the weekend?
- Why is blue light bad for us?

Go to HoopCommitment.com to learn how to optimize your game through taking care of your body.

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/9

Episode 008:  Joel Jamieson is the founder of 8weeksout.com and creator of the Bioforce Conditioning Coach Certification.  He's a best-selling author and one of the world’s foremost authorities on strength, conditioning, and energy systems. His training strategies have been used by thousands of elite performers and top athletes worldwide, including the Navy SEALS, UFC champions, and dozens of teams from the NFL, NBA, MLS, NCAA, and more.

Check out this week's podcast and learn the answers to these questions...

- What is basketball conditioning?
- What are the most effective fitness tests?
- Are "old-school" conditioning drills like 17's beneficial?
- Will Crossfit improve my basketball conditioning?
- Can you play your way into basketball shape?

Joel and I talk about basketball-specific training & he shares the best methods for getting players in shape for season.  Go to HoopCommitment.com to download your FREE Basketball Commitment Calendar and start your chain of success today!

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/8

Episode 007:  Matt Santangelo is the Executive Director of Hoopfest, which is the world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament. He was the all-time leader in assists at Gonzaga University, won an olympic gold medal and played professionally in Europe.  

A native of Portland, OR., Matt Santangelo led the Gonzaga men’s basketball team to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 1999 and the Sweet 16 in 2000. He remains the school’s second all-time leader in assists and ranks sixth in career points. 

He won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1999 World University Games in Spain and was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American the same year. Matt played professional basketball for seven seasons in Europe, earning ACB All-Spain Rookie honors and contributing to an Italian League championship with Benetton Treviso in 2006. 

Since retiring from basketball, Matt has made Spokane his permanent home. He has worked in financial services and insurance and now serves as Executive Director of Spokane Hoopfest Association, the world’s largest 3-on-3 tournament and our region’s showcase event since 2014. The organization also runs Spokane AAU, Ignite Basketball Association, Easter Washington Elite, the Fitz Clinic and Tournament. 

In 2019, he successfully launched the community brand, Hooptown USA. Matt and his wife, Cathy, are parents to three children; Calvin, Luca and Stella.  

 We sat down and discussed the challenges that come with being a player, coach & basketball parent.  Check out this week's podcast and hear Matt's thoughts on:

- Are we too hard or too soft on our kids?
- Why giving your best is more important than being the best
- How to be a life-long learner
- Navigating the roles of player, coach and basketball parent
- Leadership for basketball

Go to HoopCommitment.com to get your FREE 5-Day Leadership Course and start your chain of success today!

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/7

Episode 006:  In today's show I share the 3 Levels of Leadership: Synergy, Sweat, Serve.  Leadership for basketball is a skill that can be taught & practiced.  Just like we teach our athletes how to progress their ball handling and shooting skills so they can be successful on the court, we must teach them to progress their leadership skills so they'll be successful in life.

Level 1 of Leadership is SYNERGY... your ability to create relationships with teammates.

Level 2 of Leadership is SWEAT... your ability to lead by example through hard work.

Level 3 of Leadership is SERVE... your ability to tell teammates what they need to hear with love.

Here's what you'll learn by listening to the 3 Levels of Basketball Leadership:

- Why you can't be a Level 2 Leader if you don't like your teammates
- How to implement the Think, Say, Do model for leadership
- What John Stockton does to be a Level 3 Leader
- Why being a vocal leader can backfire without the 3 Levels
- How to influence your team without even stepping on the court

Go to HoopCommitment.com to get your FREE 5-Day Leadership Course and start your chain of success today!

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/6

Episode 005:  Doug Gray is a genius at basketball movement.  He's an accomplished businessman, entrepreneur, national lecturer, author, coach, trainer, and athlete with a deep understanding of and experience in Applied Functional Science® (AFS). He has worked extensively with coaches, trainers, therapists, professional athletes, children, and parents. 

Doug currently is the President of Gray Institute®, as well as serves as Director of GIFT (Gray Institute for Functional Transformation) since this post-professional educational program began in 2006. He annually co-directs, coaches, and trains at Hot Rock Training Camp (a local basketball camp) and 3D Personal Conditioning Camp.

He has participated in the development, production, and delivery of seminars, certifications, programs, lectures / workshops, and videos / DVDs dealing with functional prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement, including the 3D Matrix Performance Series. Furthermore, he has pioneered in the extensive development and publishing of AFS Nomenclature, as well as co-developed 3DMAPS® (3D Movement Analysis & Performance System).

He also currently serves as principal Member / Officer of Free2Play Academy, Inc. (DBA “Free2Play®”), a dynamic 501(c)(3) organization teaching Movement Literacy® and utilizing movement to transform the lives of children across the world. He is a proud Adjunct Professor at his alma mater, Siena Heights University (Adrian, MI). During his collegiate days at Siena Heights University, he had the opportunity of playing basketball (NAIA Division 2), earning Player of the Year his senior year (Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference) and 2nd Team All-America.

Doug is very active on local boards and resides in Adrian, Michigan with his amazing wife (married in 2011) and best friend, Valerie, and their amazing blessings – son, Zion Wynn (born October of 2013) and Lawson Louise (born May of 2016).

Our conversation focused on how movement can help players improve their performance on the court.  Check out this week's podcast and learn the answers to these questions...

- What is basketball movement?
- Do basketball players need to squat and deadlift?
- How do you tweak and progress movement?
- What are the 7 ways to test vertical leap?
- At what age should kids start training?

If you want to learn about basketball movement from one of the greatest minds in basketball, you have to listen to this episode!  Check out HoopCommitment.com for show notes, blog posts and videos on how to eat, train & lead for basketball. 

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/5

Episode 004:  There are so many great basketball training resources on the internet and and endless exercises on social media, that it's easy to become overwhelmed with how to create basketball workouts.  I created the 3 Levels of Basketball Training to be a road map for coaches to take their players from where they are, to where they want to be.

By using the Drive, Defend, Dominate model, you'll learn the importance of creating mobility in basketball transformational zones, why you need dynamic strength in those movements, and when the right time to add plyometrics and power exercises.

Check out this week's episode and learn...

- Why DRIVE is the foundation of all training programs
- How Transformational Zones are key to creating mobility
- Basketball strength shouldn't be trained in stillness
- The right time to add power exercises to your program
- Why there isn't a perfect exercise or a magic training tool

Go to HoopCommitment.com to download your FREE Commitment Calendar and learn how to jump higher, cut quicker and finish stronger on the court!

Instagram
@HoopCommitment

Twitter
@HoopCommitment

Facebook
HoopCommitment

Show Notes
HoopCommitment.com/4