Over the last 35 years, I’ve lived every layer of American soccer — from youth standout to Division 1 captain, pro player, and coach at nearly every level: grassroots, college, and MLS academies.But along the way, something became painfully clear. Development — real, human-centered development — was missing. In 2022, I launched The Developer’s Way — a philosophy-driven coaching education platform dedicated to reshaping how we think about leadership, player development, and culture creation within a system that too often values short-term results over long-term growth. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to elevating the standards for coaching and development — not through wins and losses, but through ideas, environments, and leaders who put people first. My mission: to help coaches develop their people and build environments where long-term development thrives. Here’s how the work is evolving:→ I’ve published 165+ articles (and counting) breaking down leadership, culture, and development systems in our game.→ I’ve written 123+ newsletter issues educating 1,800+ coaches weekly on the art and science of development.→ I’m the Technical Director at Achilles FC (MLS NEXT), where we model the Developer’s Way in action.→ I show up on LinkedIn every weekday at 9AM ET, sharing ideas, frameworks, and provocations for coaches ready to evolve. If you’re interested in applying this philosophy to your own leadership, here’s where to begin: BECOMING THE DEVELOPER COACH MINDLAB. A self-paced program designed to help coaches clarify their values, align their methods, and build environments that prioritize long-term development.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nate-baker-86580942

I am not a coach. I am a Player Performance Manager — working at the highest level of professional football to guide, protect, and evolve the mental side of elite performance.With over a decade of experience across the biggest leagues in the world — from the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A to La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Eredivisie — I’ve worked with players at every level of the game, helping them navigate the psychological demands of elite sport. My work isn’t built around sessions. It’s built around partnerships — deep, high-trust collaborations with players who are ready to take ownership of their careers and perform from the inside out. From navigating career-defining decisions to regulating energy, rebuilding confidence after injury, or preparing for the World Cup — I help players lead from their inner core. My role is to build and manage the mental architecture behind a sustainable, high-impact career. The individual is always at the forefront. There is no fixed model. We find the approach that fits you — your identity, your path, your ambition. Together, we don’t just work on performance. We protect what makes you unique and build a future that aligns with it. My work is strategic, personal, and deeply committed — designed for players who want to go all in.If you're ready to lead from the inside out — we go together.

Amber Jean Wisner (née Brooks; born January 23, 1991) is an American professional soccer player who currently plays as a defender for USL Super League club Dallas Trinity. She has previously played for Adelaide United, the Houston Dash, OL Reign, the Washington Spirit, the Portland Thorns, Bayern Munich, and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

She also represented the United States on numerous youth national teams and earned one cap with the senior national team.

Born in Evansville, Indiana, and raised in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Wisner attended The Pennington School in New Jersey. She scored 62 goals and had 30 assists during her first three years for a total of 154 points. She did not play as a senior due to a knee injury and National Team commitments. Wisner was named first-team All-County and a Parade Magazine All-America as a junior after she helped the team finish the 2008 season undefeated at 18–0, winning its sixth straight Prep-A state championship and its third MCT Championship in five years. Pennington was ranked by the NSCAA and ESPN Rise as the number one team in the nation the same year. Wisner was awarded the 2008 NSCAA Girls' Scholar Athlete of the Year Award and was ranked by ESPN Rise as the number one recruit in the nation in 2009.

Wisner was captain of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer team her junior and senior year (2011–2012). She accrued several accolades during her four years with the Tar Heels, becoming a two-time NCAA National Champion and winning the College Cup in 2009 and in 2012. She scored 34 goals and added 19 assists during her college career.

Jason the Director of Coaching at FC Portland in Oregon, United States of America. He is an A-Licensed coach with extensive professional experience, including time at Preston North End FC (1996–2002). Proven ability to develop players across all stages — from academy to first team — while fostering strong team cultures and positive learning environments. Now based in Oregon, he is passionate about contributing to the growth of soccer in the U.S. and bringing high standards and methodologies to ambitious American clubs. Committed to continuous learning and mentoring both players and fellow coaches.

Jason is so. much more than the sum of his parts and his impressive experience and qualifications. He is a seminal voice in what surely has to be the change agent for youth soccer across the United States. A man who is happy to share his opinions and say what others won't ...His common sense, educated approach is a refreshing listen. In a world that can sometimes forget about the people, Jason takes on all the big issues, "Winning vs Development", "Playing time" "What does good look like". , How parents need to be eductaed"..He is just the right voice at the right time in the multi million $ business of youth sport which needs monumental change to evolve. A Must Listen for any aspiring coach, player or parent...enjoy.

This Historic episode marks the special 50th episode of the podcast and It couldn't be a realer, more authentic account of real life success and failure. No matter what industry your in or what your trying to get to the top of this is worth every second of your time spent...

Hal DellaTorre is a Husband, father, family man, businessman, entrepreneur and CrossFit coach who is so much more than physical fitness. His story is one that anyone striving to achieve anything should listen too. From growing up in humble beginnings in 1970s New York, struggling through both his parent's suffering with drug addiction issues, a father at 18 years old, a family man, with over 20 years working for the New York City Sanitation Department. A self made millionaire, who has had every reason not to succeed but did it anyway. His authentic take on life, overcoming obstacles, connecting with people and always making the most of the opportunities in front of you will change your life. This one isn't like the others. It's a "warts and all" account and Hal leaves nothing out from time spent in correctional facilities to the day you wake up check your bank account and see a $1,000,000 balance...

The true power is in the way you see your circumstances and the drive that's within you to manifest what you want...

Inspiration and strength to chase your own dreams guaranteed...enjoy.

"tired of never getting to hear from the Ref!!!" Well, that all changes right now...

Mark R. Halsey is an English retired professional football referee who was born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, later based in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Halsey primarily refereed in the Premier League from 1999 to 2013 and was on the league's list of Select Group Referees from its creation in 2001 until his retirement.

His first Premier League appointment was a fixture between Wimbledon and Coventry City in August 1999 and over the course of his professional career he refereed a number of notable matches, including the FA Community Shield in 2007 and the 2008 final of the Football League Cup.

In 2009 Halsey underwent chemotherapy to treat a cancerous tumour in his throat. He returned to refereeing in the top-flight in 2010. He announced his retirement at the end of the 2012–13 season.

Today he joins us on the Pro Player Podcast to give us the referees perspective or what it takes to officiate a Premier League football match. He also shares his honest opinions on technology in football, VAR and the future development of the worlds most popular game. Never one to shy away from his authentic self, Mark is a living, breathing lesson in the importance of knowing yourself and leading from the front. A must listen for aspiring coaches and those already in the industry.

Stuart McLaren is a Scottish-Australian football player and coach, who is currently assistant coach for the Northern Ireland national women's team. As a player Queensland Roar signed McLaren on a short-term contract in early November 2005. He was signed due to Josh McCloughlan's injury, playing as a defender as he did when he was a former player-coach with the Brisbane Strikers in the NSL in Australia. He was then signed as a permanent player and regularly played in the starting eleven, occasionally captaining the Queensland Roar. McLaren left Australia in early 2011 returning to the United Kingdom to be nearer his place of birth with his family. In June 2011, he was appointed as head of Football at the world renowned Loughborough University in England. Following a very successful stint in British University Sport, McLaren began his journey in mens professional football when he was appointed manager of Stirling Albion in November 2014, where he experienced relegation from Scottish League One at the end of the 2014–15 season. He left Stirling Albion by mutual consent in September 2016, following a 4–0 defeat by Elgin City. In October 2018, McLaren was appointed by the Scottish Football Association to be a national youth team coach, with responsibility for the Scotland U16 team. McLaren was appointed interim manager of the Scotland women's national football team in January 2021 where he remained in the role until the appointment of permanent manager Pedro Martinez Losa at the end of 2021. In January 2022, one of the legacy football clubs from Glasgow, Scotland called on him. Celtic announced McLaren had joined them as their under-18s manager. He is here to share all that experience and knowledge with aspiring coaches and to offer strength and support to people already in the industry.

Football Australia is pleased to advise the appointment of highly regarded coach and women’s football specialist, Rae Dower, to the role of Technical Director – Women’s Football.

Dower, who is also Head Coach of the Australian U-17 Women’s National Team – a position she will retain alongside this newly created position at Football Australia – will provide a position of leadership on women’s football matters relating to pathways, competitions, national teams, coach development, and participation.

In her role as Technical Director – Women’s Football, Dower will also deliver advice on technical matters across the women’s game to all parts of the governing body, encompassing women’s national teams (senior and youth) and programs including pathways through to Future Matildas. Additionally, Dower will provide expertise in the implementation of the women’s football development elements of Football Australia’s XI Principles for the future of Australian football.

Upon making the appointment, Football Australia Chief Football Officer, Ernie Merrick, said the creation of this role reflects the ambition of the governing body and its focus on the growth and development of the women’s game from grassroots to the elite throughout Australia.

Rae is 18 months into her newly designed role with Football Federation of Australia. She is not just an ambassador for our sport but someone who represents everything thats right with the game, coaching, dealing with adversity and she is for sure leaving it better than she found it. Rae has done it all and remains at the pinnacle of the sport in a country that loves sport as much as anyone in the world. She joins us from Brisbane, Australia and tackles the real issues head on in this amazing special episode of the Pro Player Podcast. She goes deep into "being the only woman in the room", stepping outside your comfort zone, empowering people within the high performance team, bringing experience from outside football to aid decision making, following your passion and life in this industry.

The game in Australia is clearly in great hands as you will hear from our extended special episode....

Someone who needs no introduction. FA WSL legend and England Lioness great Jade Moore joins us on a very special episode of the Pro Player Podcast. Jade talks everything from her glittering career all round the world, representing England at Major tournaments like the FIFA Womens World Cup and her important role as Cardiac Risk in the Young Ambassador.

Jade is authentic as she is inspiring - enjoy this very special extended episode...

Cardia Risk in the Young

https://www.c-r-y.org.uk

Preventing young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research, and supporting affected families

Cardiac Screening

CRY offers subsidized ECG and Echocardiogram screening to all young people between the ages of 14 & 35 in the UK. There is a simple way to diagnose most cardiac abnormalities. This is by having an ECG (electrocardiogram) test. Results should be read by a cardiologist. For extra clarity an Echocardiogram (ultrasound scan) can also be done.If there has been a young (under 35) sudden death in the family, the family is entitled to be screened on the NHS. All of CRY’s public events are free to attend.

We kick off our special episode series with this offering in partnership with "Coachbetter"

Team management, performance tracking, educational resources, and more – our app will elevate your coaching skills to the next level. Reimagine soccer success with coachbetter and redefine your team's journey to excellence today.

https://www.coachbetter.com

Special guest host Mark Sampson is Chief Football Officer at Coachbetter. Mark is an accomplished leader in both sporting and business environments. A UEFA Pro Licence Coach with over 20 years experience in elite football at both youth and senior level in the make and female game. Achieved success at the highest level of the women’s game leading the National Team of England to the World Cup Bronze medal in 2015 and reaching two FA Women's Cup Finals and UEFA Women's Champion’s League at club level. Combined with experience as a first team manager and Academy Manager in the EFL. Founded and ran own business for ten years while working as a head coach in football and now part of the executive team at SAAS company "coach better". Playing a key role in the companies growth and most recent investment round of over $4 million.

Delve into UEFA Euro 2024 with Mark and and David (The Pro Player Podcast) as they talk all things Euro 2024, their own major tournament football experiences and implications for elite coaches everywhere in this special hour long episode that will get you thinking about your own practice and leave you glad you tuned in...

The first 0f 6 special episodes of the Pro Player Podcast to round out the summer of 2024 for you.