The Gametime Guru

What does it take to build a winning culture at the highest levels of professional sports? And how can those same leadership principles help coaches, athletes, and business leaders succeed?

In Episode 482 of The Gametime Guru, I sit down with Steve Tashjian, founder of Elevation Project and former high-performance leader with Everton FC in the English Premier League and the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT).

Steve has spent his career helping elite athletes, coaches, and organizations maximize their performance. From Major League Soccer to the Premier League and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he's experienced firsthand what it takes to perform when the pressure is at its highest.

One of the most fascinating things Steve shares is why the 2022 World Cup was one of the least stressful experiences of his professional career. Think about that. You're representing your country on one of the biggest stages in sports, and you're not overwhelmed by the pressure. How is that possible?

Steve explains how four years of preparation, consistent testing, organizational alignment, and leadership under Gregg Berhalter created an environment where his team could confidently execute when it mattered most.

We also dive into his experiences at Everton FC, what he learned about leadership in the Premier League, and why the success of an organization cannot depend entirely on one individual. Steve shares fascinating perspectives on David Moyes, Sir Alex Ferguson, and what happens when a team's identity becomes attached to a single leader rather than the organization itself.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Steve's career journey: From physical therapy and strength and conditioning to working with professional soccer organizations.
• Leadership at Everton FC: The intense pressure of the Premier League and why earning player buy-in is essential.
• Building a winning culture: Why organizations need a shared vision, clear identity, and alignment from leadership to players.
• Managing egos: Why ego isn't necessarily negative and how the best performers know when to turn it up or down.
• Difficult conversations: How to challenge leadership, navigate disagreements, and create an environment built on understanding.
• Preparing for the World Cup: How the USMNT spent four years testing and refining systems before competing in Qatar.
• Handling pressure: Why preparation and trust in your processes can reduce stress in high-stakes situations.
• Youth sports development: How coaches can balance the importance of winning with developing young athletes.
• Life lessons from sports: Steve shares the humbling realization that has shaped how he approaches leadership and service.

As someone who coaches youth sports and works in business leadership myself, I found this conversation especially valuable. The lessons Steve shares don't just apply to professional soccer. They apply to building teams, leading employees, coaching young athletes, and creating environments where people can thrive.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, executive, entrepreneur, or sports fan, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Connect With Steve Tashjian

Steve is the founder of Elevation Project, where he helps organizations improve their leadership, culture, and high-performance practices.

Website: Elevation Project

Support Our Sponsor — BRUCE BOLT

A huge thank you to BRUCE BOLT for supporting The Gametime Guru!

If you play baseball, softball, or football, or have kids involved in those sports, check out BRUCE BOLT's premium sports gear. My son recently tried their football skill gloves and loved them!

Visit BRUCE BOLT and use promo code SHANE10 at checkout to save 10%.

I'm a BRUCE BOLT affiliate, so purchases through my code can also help support The Gametime Guru.

About The Gametime Guru

I'm Shane Larson, host of The Gametime Guru, where I interview athletes, coaches, sports executives, and other incredible people throughout the sports world to help you see sports through a different lens.

With nearly 10 years of weekly interviews and listeners around the world, my goal is to share the stories, experiences, and lessons that make sports so impactful.

New episodes every Friday!

If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Gametime Guru on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating and review, and share this conversation with a coach, teammate, or leader who could benefit from Steve's insights.

Thanks for listening!

Is Your Football Helmet Enough? 2nd Skull Founder Fed Olivares | Episode 481

How much protection does a football helmet really provide? And could adding a lightweight layer beneath a helmet make a difference during impact?

In Episode 481 of The Gametime Guru Podcast, host Shane Larson welcomes Federico "Fed" Olivares, founder of 2nd Skull, to discuss the future of protective headgear, sports technology, and athlete safety.

Fed's journey began when his son suffered a fall while riding a bicycle. Seeing the damage to his son's helmet inspired him to explore whether he could create additional protection that would work with existing sports helmets.

That idea eventually became 2nd Skull, a Made-in-USA protective headgear company whose products have been used by athletes in professional football, soccer, flag football, hockey, and other sports.

During this conversation, we explore the technology behind 2nd Skull, the importance of comfort and proper fit, and how protective equipment is evaluated through impact testing.

What We Discuss

• The personal experience that inspired Fed to create 2nd Skull.
• How he developed his first prototype and built the company.
• The difference between traditional skull caps and protective headgear.
• Linear and rotational impact protection and how the technology is designed to work.
• Winning the NFL HeadHealthTECH Challenge and developing the 2nd Skull Pro Cap.
• How helmet impact tests are conducted and what those tests can tell us.
• The importance of comfort, breathability, fit, and appearance in youth sports equipment.
• The 2nd Skull BOLT and its 5-star Virginia Tech rating for flag football, 7v7, and soccer.
• Why the company manufactures its products in the United States.
• Custom team orders and opportunities for clubs and youth sports organizations.
• The future of protective equipment and potential sensor technology.

As a youth sports coach and father, Shane also shares a firsthand experience involving a young football player's helmet cracking during a routine tackling drill. The conversation raises important questions about equipment, testing, and how parents and coaches evaluate protective gear.

Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, equipment manager, or entrepreneur, this interview offers an insightful look into the business and technology behind sports protection.

Connect With 2nd Skull

Official Website: 2ndSkull.com

Shop 2nd Skull Products: View Protective Headgear

Learn More About the Company: The Story Behind 2nd Skull

Videos and Testing: 2nd Skull Videos and Demonstrations

LinkedIn: Follow 2nd Skull

Episode Sponsor: Nationsbest ICONS Athlete Network

Special thanks to Nationsbest ICONS Athlete Network for sponsoring this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast.

"The network is the stage. The athletes are the stars."

Nationsbest ICONS recognizes and celebrates athletes and their journeys. We appreciate their support of the podcast and our continued efforts to share stories from throughout the world of sports.

Learn More: Nationsbest ICONS Athlete Network

Support the Podcast: BRUCE BOLT

Looking for premium sports gear? Check out BRUCE BOLT, a sports equipment brand offering premium gloves and accessories for athletes.

Save 10% on eligible purchases with promo code SHANE10 at checkout.

Shop BRUCE BOLT and Support The Gametime Guru

When you shop through my affiliate link and use code SHANE10, you not only receive a discount on eligible products, but also help support The Gametime Guru Podcast through my affiliate partnership.

Your support helps make it possible to continue producing interviews, sharing sports stories, and bringing new guests onto the show every single week. Thank you!

About The Gametime Guru Podcast

Hosted by Shane Larson, The Gametime Guru Podcast has been delivering a panoramic view on sports since January 2017.

Each week, Shane interviews athletes, coaches, sports executives, entrepreneurs, and influential people in the sports industry to uncover their experiences, perspectives, and life lessons.

Our mission is simple: Help you see sports through a different lens.

Website: TheGametimeGuru.com

Apple Podcasts: Listen and Follow

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a rating or review, and share the conversation with a fellow sports fan, coach, or parent.

Important: No protective headgear can eliminate the risk of concussion or other serious injury. Laboratory impact ratings do not establish that a product prevents concussions.

How is artificial intelligence changing the way we experience sports?

From buying tickets and finding parking to navigating stadiums and engaging with our favorite teams, AI is transforming the sports industry. But what does that mean for fans, college athletic departments, and professional sports organizations?

In Episode 480 of The Gametime Guru Podcast, host Shane Larson welcomes Bill Bailey, Head of Sports & Entertainment at Satisfi Labs, to discuss the future of artificial intelligence in sports, fan engagement, sports marketing, and the business of college athletics.

Bill explains how Satisfi Labs uses conversational AI and intelligent digital agents to help sports organizations answer fan questions, improve game-day experiences, streamline operations, and generate additional revenue.

We also discuss how NIL, revenue sharing, and rising operational costs are forcing college athletic departments to think more like professional sports franchises. From powerhouse programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, USC, and Texas to smaller athletic departments like Boise State, schools are searching for ways to compete financially while providing a better experience for their fans.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How artificial intelligence is transforming professional sports and college athletics.
• What Satisfi Labs does and how conversational AI improves fan engagement.
• How AI agents help fans with tickets, parking, tailgating, concessions, and stadium navigation.
• Why improving the fan experience can lead to increased ticket sales and revenue.
• The impact of NIL and college athletics revenue sharing on university athletic departments.
• How smaller programs like Boise State can leverage technology to compete with larger schools.
• Why AI accuracy, trusted information, and safeguards against hallucinations are so important.
• How consumer behavior is changing the future of sports websites, mobile apps, and customer service.
• Bill's experience working with the New Orleans Hornets during the Chris Paul era.
• Why memorable sporting experiences can unite communities and create lifelong fans.

About Our Guest: Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey serves as Head of Sports & Entertainment at Satisfi Labs, a conversational AI technology company helping sports teams, collegiate athletic departments, entertainment venues, and other organizations improve customer and fan experiences.

With a background in professional sports operations, revenue generation, and technology, Bill brings valuable insight into how organizations can utilize emerging technology without losing sight of what matters most: the fans.

Learn more about Satisfi Labs: https://www.satisfilabs.com/

Support Our Sponsor: BRUCE BOLT

This episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast is supported by BRUCE BOLT, a brand known for its premium baseball and softball batting gloves and performance gear.

Save 10% on your order by using promo code SHANE10 at checkout!

Shop here: https://brucebolt.us/SHANE10

When you purchase through my link and use code SHANE10, you not only receive 10% off your order, but you also help support The Gametime Guru Podcast through my affiliate partnership.

That support helps me continue producing interviews, sharing stories from the sports world, and bringing new guests onto the show every single week. I appreciate everyone who supports the podcast!

About The Gametime Guru Podcast

Hosted by Shane Larson, The Gametime Guru Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of the sports world through conversations with professional athletes, college athletes, coaches, executives, entrepreneurs, and influential personalities throughout the sports industry.

Since launching in January 2017, the podcast has reached listeners in 183 countries and all 50 U.S. states, offering a panoramic view of sports and the people who make them special.

Whether you're interested in college football, professional sports, sports business, leadership, entrepreneurship, or the stories behind the game, The Gametime Guru is here to help you see sports through a different lens.

Visit: TheGametimeGuru.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: The Gametime Guru YouTube Channel

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, share the episode with a friend, and leave a rating or review to help more sports fans discover the show!

What separates a talented football player from an elite NFL defensive back? For Jordan Poyer, the answer goes far beyond athletic ability.

In Episode 479 of The Gametime Guru Podcast, host Shane Larson sits down with longtime NFL defensive back and former Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer to explore the football IQ, preparation, mental toughness, and life lessons that shaped his professional football career.

Growing up in Astoria, Oregon, Jordan competed in football, basketball, and baseball before continuing his athletic career at Oregon State University and eventually reaching the NFL. He shares why playing multiple sports was important to his development and why young athletes shouldn't overlook the fundamentals.

The conversation goes deep into the mental side of football. Jordan explains how defensive backs learn to read offenses, study film, recognize tendencies, understand their responsibilities, and simplify the game. He also discusses handling mistakes, preparing for the next play, and developing the confidence to compete at the highest level.

Beyond his NFL career, Jordan is passionate about helping the next generation of athletes through his Next Play Mindset program, where he shares football knowledge and defensive back training concepts developed throughout his playing career.

In This Episode

• Growing up in Astoria, Oregon, and playing multiple sports
• Jordan's journey through Oregon State and professional football
• Why football fundamentals matter at every level
• How NFL defensive backs develop football IQ
• Using film study to recognize offensive formations and tendencies
• The importance of preparation, discipline, and mental toughness
• Learning to respond to mistakes and focus on the next play
• Helping young athletes through the Next Play Mindset program
• Personal growth and lessons learned beyond the football field

Whether you're a Buffalo Bills fan, NFL follower, football coach, high school athlete, defensive back, or parent of an aspiring football player, this conversation offers a firsthand look at how an experienced NFL player approaches the game.

Connect With Jordan Poyer

Learn more about the Next Play Mindset and Jordan's football training resources: https://jordanpoyer21.com/

Episode Sponsor: Nationsbest ICONS Athlete Network

This episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast is proudly sponsored by Nationsbest ICONS Athlete Network.

"The network is the stage. The athletes are the stars."

Learn more and join the athlete network: https://nationsbesticons.com/

Connect With The Gametime Guru

Website: TheGametimeGuru.com Instagram: @gametimeguru Facebook: The Gametime Guru Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts

Enjoyed this interview? Follow The Gametime Guru Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, share this episode with a football fan or young athlete, and leave a rating or review to help more sports fans discover the show.

Hosted by Shane Larson. Helping you see sports through a different lens.

What does it take to go from NAIA football to the NFL — and then turn those experiences into a career helping the next generation of college athletes?

On Episode 478 of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with Mike Miller, Director of Athlete Development at Baylor University, to talk about his unconventional football journey, the changing landscape of college athletics, NIL, networking, character, identity and preparing student-athletes for life beyond sports.

Mike's path was anything but traditional.

He went from high school football in Colorado to the Division II level, then junior college at Santa Monica College, before eventually playing at Taylor University at the NAIA level. From there, he earned an opportunity in the NFL and spent time with the Indianapolis Colts.

That journey gave Mike firsthand experience with recruiting, transfers, junior college football, professional football, identity, uncertainty and career transition — lessons he now brings into his work with student-athletes at Baylor.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Mike's path from Division II to JUCO to NAIA football
• How he eventually earned an opportunity in the NFL
• The realities of junior college football
• The mental and emotional side of NFL training camp
• Lessons learned from veterans with the Indianapolis Colts
• Why gratitude became a major part of his athletic journey
• What athlete development looks like at Baylor University
• Helping student-athletes navigate transition and identity
• Financial literacy, leadership and career readiness
• NIL and the changing college athletics landscape
• The importance of networking and relationships
• Why character is built through everyday habits
• Preparing athletes for life after their playing career ends

One of the biggest themes of the conversation is transition.

Mike explains that athlete development is about much more than athletic performance. His work includes helping student-athletes with financial literacy, communication, leadership development, career readiness, life skills, relationships and NIL.

With college athletes now navigating NIL opportunities, social media, revenue sharing, personal branding, academics and competition, Mike believes the right systems and support can make a major difference.

We also dive into the importance of networking.

Mike shares a powerful perspective: it is not simply what you know or even who you know — it is who knows you and who can vouch for you.

That idea connects directly to character.

Showing up early. Being prepared. Communicating well. Building relationships. Developing good habits. Carrying yourself in a way that people are willing to recommend you when an opportunity arrives.

Mike also talks about gratitude and why athletes should appreciate the opportunity to compete while they have it. His experiences in NFL training camp helped shape the way he now teaches athletes to approach their careers and eventual transition away from sports.

If you are a student-athlete, parent, coach, athletic administrator, NIL professional, sports business professional or former athlete, this conversation offers valuable perspective on how to develop beyond the game.

Mike Miller's story is a reminder that there is no single path to success.

Division II → Junior College → NAIA → NFL → Baylor University.

Now he is using that experience to help develop the next generation.

Subscribe to The Gametime Guru for weekly conversations with athletes, coaches and sports professionals from around the world.

What time is it? GAMETIME.

What does it take to go from an Idaho high school state champion to playing college basketball?

On Episode 477 of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with Josie Davis, a former Owyhee High School standout from Meridian, Idaho, and current college basketball player at Fort Lewis College.

Josie was a four-year letterwinner at Owyhee High School and capped off her prep basketball career as a state champion and State Tournament MVP. She earned multiple All-Conference and All-State honors while also competing at a high level in track and field.

But Josie's story goes far beyond championships and awards.

In this conversation, Josie gives athletes, parents and coaches an inside look at what it actually takes to make the jump from high school sports to college athletics.

We discuss:

• When Josie realized she wanted to become a college athlete
• The extra work she put in outside of normal basketball practices
• The sacrifices high school athletes may have to make to reach the next level
• Owyhee High School's run to an Idaho state basketball championship
• How Josie handled pressure during the state tournament
• Why she believes young athletes should compete in multiple sports
• How track and field helped improve her explosiveness, athleticism and rebounding
• The biggest differences between high school basketball and college basketball
• Transitioning from point guard to shooting guard at Fort Lewis College
• Why defense has always been one of the foundations of her game
• Why young basketball players need to actually watch high-level basketball
• What a typical day looks like for a college student-athlete
• Her routine of working toward 300 made three-pointers per day
• Balancing basketball, lifting, conditioning, classes and studying
• Why athletes need to remember they are more than their sport
• The biggest life lesson basketball has taught her
• Her future goals in occupational therapy and working with children

Josie also explains just how different the college game becomes. The speed increases. The physicality increases. Every player was successful at the level they came from, which means competition for playing time becomes even more intense.

For Josie, that transition also meant learning an entirely new role. After playing point guard throughout high school, she moved to shooting guard at Fort Lewis and began developing into more of a scoring threat while continuing to take pride in her defense.

One of the biggest lessons from this episode is the importance of doing the work that nobody requires you to do.

Extra shooting. Extra training. Strength work. Watching basketball. Learning the game. Prioritizing academics. Showing up on the days when you may not feel like doing it.

Josie shares how that mentality helped take her from Owyhee High School basketball in Meridian, Idaho to becoming a college basketball player.

And while athletics are a major part of her life, Josie also offers an important perspective for student-athletes: you are more than your sport.

She is currently studying health sciences and plans to pursue a master's degree with the goal of becoming an occupational therapist and eventually working with children with disabilities.

If you're a high school athlete wondering what it takes to play college basketball, a parent helping your athlete navigate the process, a coach developing young players, or simply a basketball fan who enjoys learning from athletes who are currently living the journey, this episode is for you.

Guest: Josie Davis Position: Guard High School: Owyhee High School – Meridian, Idaho College: Fort Lewis College Sport: Women's Basketball

The Gametime Guru brings you conversations with athletes, coaches and sports professionals from around the world to help you see sports through a different lens.

What time is it? GAMETIME.

What can change in four years for a young quarterback?

In Episode 476 of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson welcomes back DJ Mitchell, senior quarterback at La Habra High School in California, nearly four years after DJ first appeared on the podcast before beginning his high school football career.

Now, DJ returns as a CIF champion, starting quarterback, dual-threat playmaker, and Cal Poly football commit.

This episode is proudly presented by Nation's Best NIL Golden Domes, a connected ecosystem built to bring athletes, families, coaches, and leaders together while helping recognize greatness, develop character, create opportunity, and leave a legacy.

Learn more about Nation's Best Football: https://NationsBestFootball.com

In this conversation, DJ takes us inside the journey from being a young quarterback preparing for high school football to becoming a championship-winning senior preparing for the college game.

DJ discusses how the quarterback position has slowed down for him mentally, why film study has become such an important part of his development, and how he approaches reading a defense before the snap.

He also shares his perspective on:

• Winning a CIF championship with La Habra
• Building championship-level team chemistry
• Responding to losses and difficult performances
• Developing into a dual-threat quarterback
• The importance of strength training for quarterbacks
• How film study improves quarterback decision-making
• What quarterbacks look for before the snap
• The benefits and limitations of 7-on-7 football
• College football recruiting
• Why he committed to Cal Poly
• Faith and handling peer pressure
• Leadership and helping younger athletes
• The legacy he wants to leave at La Habra

One of the most unique parts of this episode is being able to compare the player DJ hoped to become as a young teenager with the quarterback and young man he has become today.

Want to go back to the beginning?

Watch DJ Mitchell's original appearance on The Gametime Guru from before his high school football career:

Watch the Original DJ Mitchell Interview

From youth football dreams to a CIF championship and a commitment to play college football at Cal Poly, this conversation gives young athletes, parents, coaches, and football fans an inside look at what development over several years can really look like.

Episode 476 is presented by Nation's Best NIL Golden Domes.

Discover more about Nation's Best Football and the work being done to recognize athletes, build character, create opportunities, and leave a lasting legacy:

Visit NationsBestFootball.com

Subscribe to The Gametime Guru for more conversations with athletes, coaches, sports leaders, and people from across the sports world.

How do coaches, athletes, parents, and sports leaders handle conflict without damaging relationships or destroying team culture?

In Episode 475 of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with Bill Taylor, longtime collegiate head coach, national championship coach, and author of Managing Sports Conflict: 5 Tools to Master Conflict.

After spending 22 years as a collegiate head coach, Bill experienced firsthand how conflict can impact athletes, coaches, administrators, parents, relationships, and entire athletic programs. Those experiences eventually led him to pursue a master's degree in conflict management and develop practical tools specifically for the sports world.

Bill explains why conflict is inevitable whenever people have different expectations, and why conflict itself doesn't have to be destructive. When handled correctly, conflict can actually strengthen relationships, improve communication, develop trust, and create a healthier team culture.

In this conversation, Shane and Bill discuss:

• Why conflict is inevitable in sports and leadership
• How unmet expectations often create conflict
• Why the way a team handles conflict ultimately helps define its culture
• How coaches can help athletes believe they are capable of more
• Why managing emotion is critical before attempting to resolve conflict
• The importance of active listening and effective communication
• Why difficult conversations can become even harder through text messages and email
• What Bill means by going "below the line" to discover what a conflict is really about
• Why the stated problem isn't always the real problem
• How understanding people at a deeper level can improve leadership and relationships
• How these conflict-management principles apply beyond sports to business, marriage, parenting, and everyday life

One of the most important ideas from the conversation is that building a culture and actually maintaining that culture are two different things. A coach or organization can communicate its values, but when conflict arrives, the way leaders respond determines whether those values remain intact.

Bill also shares lessons from his coaching career, including building a collegiate program with very limited resources, setting an ambitious goal of winning a national championship, and learning how to help athletes remove limitations they had placed on themselves.

If you're a coach, athlete, sports parent, athletic director, administrator, business leader, or anyone responsible for leading people, this conversation offers practical insights for managing conflict, strengthening communication, building trust, and developing a stronger culture.

Get Bill Taylor's book: Managing Sports Conflict: 5 Tools to Master Conflict

Sports Conflict Lab: https://www.sportsconflictlab.com/product-page/managing-sports-conflict-5-tools-to-master-conflict

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2ZJT4Q5?lv=shuf&channelId=510&plpRedirect=mhFallback

About The Gametime Guru: The Gametime Guru brings you conversations with athletes, coaches, sports leaders, executives, and fascinating people from across the sports world. Host Shane Larson goes beyond the highlights to uncover the stories, experiences, leadership lessons, and perspectives that help fans see sports through a different lens.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Gametime Guru on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, share the episode with a coach, parent, athlete, or leader who could benefit from the conversation, and check out more episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.

What time is it? GAMETIME.

Derek Wadsworth knows what winning basketball looks like.

Before becoming the head boys basketball coach at Ridgeline High School in Logan, Utah, Derek was a three-year starter at Preston High School in Idaho, where he helped the program win three consecutive state championships. He later played college basketball at the College of Idaho under Coach Colby Blaine before transitioning directly into coaching.

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, Derek shares the lessons that shaped him as a player, coach, teacher, and leader.

We talk about growing up in Preston, Idaho, where basketball is deeply connected to the community, and why playing multiple sports helped Derek develop as an athlete. He also explains why he still values multi-sport athletes and how football can help basketball players become stronger, more physical, and more comfortable with contact.

Derek takes us through his incredible high school career at Preston, including winning three straight state championships and learning under longtime head coach Tyler Jones. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

From there, we dive into his transition to the College of Idaho, where he quickly learned how demanding college basketball can be. Derek discusses the conditioning, preparation, discipline, and mindset required inside a championship-level program, including the philosophy that "Champions Do More."

He also shares his perspective on AAU basketball and college recruiting. Derek believes AAU can be extremely valuable for players who want to compete at the next level, but only when they find the right program, the right coaching, and an environment that emphasizes development, defense, and team basketball. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

After his playing career ended, Derek moved almost immediately into coaching. He worked with Select Basketball, returned to Preston as a varsity assistant and JV coach, and eventually earned the opportunity to become the varsity head coach at Ridgeline High School. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

At Ridgeline, Derek is building a culture centered around toughness, defense, effort, and accountability.

One of the program's traditions is the Hard Hat Award, which rewards players for the things that help teams win but may not always show up in the box score: loose balls, rebounding, tough defensive assignments, extra passes, and effort plays. Derek's philosophy is simple: if you want a certain behavior from your players, you have to emphasize it and reward it. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Derek also opens up about the leadership challenges that come with becoming a head coach and realizing that every part of the program ultimately becomes your responsibility.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up in Preston, Idaho
• Playing multiple sports in high school
• Why football can benefit basketball players
• Winning three straight state championships
• Learning from Coach Tyler Jones
• The college basketball recruiting process
• Playing at the College of Idaho
• Learning under Coach Colby Blaine
• The "Champions Do More" mentality
• College basketball conditioning and preparation
• The "anticipate and eliminate" mindset
• Why AAU basketball matters for aspiring college players
• Transitioning from player to coach
• Coaching Select Basketball
• Coaching defense at Preston
• Becoming head coach at Ridgeline High School
• The reality of leadership shock
• Building a defensive basketball culture
• Ridgeline's Hard Hat Award
• Why coaches should reward the behaviors they want
• Derek's biggest life lesson from basketball

About Derek Wadsworth:

Derek Wadsworth is the head boys basketball coach at Ridgeline High School in Logan, Utah. Before coaching at Ridgeline, he played at Preston High School and the College of Idaho and later coached with Select Basketball and Preston High School. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Connect with The Gametime Guru:

YouTube: The Gametime Guru

Subscribe to The Gametime Guru for weekly conversations with athletes, coaches, sports executives, agents, entrepreneurs, and other people shaping the sports world.

If you enjoyed this conversation, share the episode with a basketball player, parent, or coach who could benefit from Derek's perspective on winning, leadership, development, and building a strong basketball culture.

What happens when a freshman football player suffers a devastating injury, finishes the game anyway, and later becomes a two-time state champion?

Cole Rushton lived it.

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, Cole tells one of the wildest high school sports stories you will ever hear. During warmups before a freshman football game at Snake River High School in Idaho, Cole went full speed after a pass, slipped near the goalpost, and suffered a catastrophic testicular injury.

Instead of leaving the field, he kept playing.

Cole went on to play nearly the entire game on offense, defense, and special teams while the injury continued to worsen. Hours later, doctors discovered the severity of the damage and rushed him into emergency surgery.

But the injury is only the beginning of Cole's story.

He shares what it was like returning to school after the incident became known by seemingly everyone, how he learned to embrace an embarrassing moment rather than hide from it, and how he mentally worked his way back into competitive sports.

Cole eventually focused on basketball and baseball and finished his high school athletic career as a two-time Idaho state champion, winning championships in both sports during his senior year.

Those experiences helped shape the resilience, competitiveness, teamwork, and long-term mindset Cole now brings into entrepreneurship as the founder of Timberline Growth Co.

In This Episode

• The football injury that completely changed Cole's athletic career
• Why he continued playing even though something was clearly wrong
• The emergency surgery that followed the game
• The mental and emotional side of returning to sports after a traumatic injury
• How Cole learned to own an embarrassing story instead of letting it define him
• Snake River's run to an Idaho basketball state championship
• The dramatic baseball championship that gave Cole his second state title
• How losing before winning taught him about perseverance
• Why years of failure can eventually lead to a breakthrough
• How lessons from sports now influence Cole's approach to business and marketing

About Cole Rushton

Cole Rushton is a former Snake River High School multisport athlete and two-time Idaho state champion. Today, he is the founder of Timberline Growth Co., a digital marketing agency helping small and medium-sized businesses grow through SEO, paid advertising, and organic social media.

Learn more about Timberline Growth Co.: https://timberlinegrowthco.com

Episode Chapters

00:00:00 Why This Story Had to Be Told 00:02:10 Meet Cole Rushton 00:03:14 Growing Up a Multisport Athlete 00:05:37 The Football Injury Story Begins 00:09:01 The Collision With the Goalpost 00:12:25 Why Cole Kept Playing 00:19:08 The Locker Room Aftermath 00:21:47 "It's Not Like They're Going to Cut It Off" 00:23:20 The Ultrasound Reveals the Damage 00:25:52 Rushed Into Emergency Surgery 00:29:24 Waking Up After Surgery 00:32:47 Can You Still Have Kids? 00:33:32 Recovery and Returning to School 00:35:15 Learning to Own the Story 00:37:37 Returning to Competitive Sports 00:40:20 The Road to a State Championship 00:47:09 Winning the Basketball State Title 00:49:34 Chasing Championship No. 2 in Baseball 00:55:51 Pulling Off the State Championship Upset 00:57:10 The Biggest Lessons Sports Taught Cole 00:58:49 Timberline Growth Co. 00:59:39 The Annual "Testy Festy"

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If you enjoy sports stories about perseverance, mental toughness, competition, leadership, and the lessons athletes carry into life and business, follow or subscribe to The Gametime Guru so you do not miss the next episode.

Hosted by Shane Larson, The Gametime Guru features athletes, coaches, sports figures, entrepreneurs, and leaders from around the world to help listeners see sports through a different lens.

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