Who Are You: The Life Lessons of Sports

The first time Tony met legendary Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player, Boston Red Sox Ted Williams, he literally had a loss of words. So, what did he end up saying to Teddy Ballgame?

Tony Vlahovic is a former Boston Red Sox pitcher and Rookie of the Year for the European Bologna Team. Tony is currently the President at Bodylines Rehabilitation Services and the Special Olympics Team New Jersey Head Baseball Coach of the USA games. He is the current Head Varsity Baseball Coach for New Hope-Solebury high school.  

In addition to his vast baseball knowledge, Coach Vlahovic holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and is a certified Sports Counselor and a Strength and Conditioning Specialist.  He can provide proven visualization and confidence boosting exercises along with a complete strength and conditioning program for your players.  He is a regular instructor for Major League Baseball Legends for Youth Clinics held across the country.

As referenced in an article written on www.tiptopwebsite.com by Sherrie Flick, Tony says “I think if you can find something that has some other value to it,” Vlahovic says, “it doesn’t feel like work. You can contribute something while you’re on this earth.” Vlahovic’s best friend of 25 years, Ivan Shidlovsky ’81, confirms Vlahovic’s dedication. “His character is above reproach; honest and caring, always trying to figure out how to help others to improve their lives.”

Whether You Have Been A High Level Athlete Or Not Sara Shares More About What It Takes For A Mental Skills Coach And An Athlete To Find A Match For One Another.

Sara Robinson is a Mental Skills Coach who works with clients on the mental aspects of sports. Sara works with youth, teens, and collegiate athletes. As a Mental Skills Coach she helps build confidence and motivation as well as improving an athlete's mental game, to take it to the next level. Sara also works as an Affiliate Faculty member in the Sport Psychology Program at JFKU in Pleasant Hill, California. She works both onsite and online in the Masters Program, supervising interns, mentoring students, and helping others within the program. Parents, coaches and athletes this is an episode you will not want to miss.

Matt's journey will never end. Regardless of what you do or how you try and do it, you cannot take Matt's brave spirit out of the equation.

Matt Bailey is an adaptive athlete who will not be stopped. Everything on earth has attempted to stop this man and it is simply impossible. His spirit, drive and positive attitude literally creates a mindset that will go undefeated no matter what the scoreboard says at the end of the day. And this is in reference to both athletics and in life.

We are so fortunate to have Matt on the Podcast as Matt prepares for the upcoming Paralympics. Matt will be competing for the Skeleton gold and if you listen to this interview you may want to put your money on him. Matt Bailey speaks his mind, but he doesn't hold back and it's 100% how he feels and what he feels. There is no holding back for Matt Bailey.

Holding back to Matt means to simply give up. That just isn't going to happen!

Karl shares a story about giving back, paying it forward and the impact that it has had on his land other's lives.

Karl Avdek is another entry in a growing list of advocates for reworking the way we teach youth sports. Karl's website allballsnobullbaseball.com promotes positivity and fun. This platform sheds light on the damage that the current system causes sports and our youth.

Who Are You Nation: The list of youth sports advocates is one that can always use more contributors. Join us for this interview today and find out how you can make a difference.

Angie shares the story of her visits to the US Military in Kosovo and why the experience of her overseas trips means so much to her.

Angie Akers is recognized as one of the top Professional Beach Volleyball Players in the world. She enters her 13th in 8 of her first 9 seasons; winning the AVP and the F.I.V.B World Tour Rookie of the Year awards. She was also selected as a member of the 2009-2012 USA Beach National Team and was an alternate for the 2012 London Olympics.

Angie grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana and then attended the University of Notre Dame where she played Volleyball and met her husband, Jeremy Akers, a Notre Dame All-American football player who played multiple years in the NFL, XFL and in Europe.

When Angie is not competing on an international level in Volleyball, she enjoys running -- having completed the Myrtle Beach and Boston Marathons.