KGB Vol 23: Observational learning
Over the years, I have created what I like to call the “performance pyramid.” The base of the pyramid is formed by daily habits that set the stage for elite performance. At the top of the pyramid is simply observing top performers in your field. This is known as “observational learning.” Plenty of published research […]
KGB Vol 22: Is coaching a health risk?
Coaching a sports team is one of the few jobs you accept knowing that you will eventually get fired. That simple truth adds a lot of stress to your life before you even get started in the position. Many coaches eventually get their big break in the field by working hard, being in the right […]
KGB Vol 21: Alcohol intake and stress management
Let’s just start by clearing the air. No this is not a rant on anti-alcohol or removing alcohol from your life entirely. The message is rooted in simple advice, pick your spot! Let’s state some truths about the impact of alcohol consumption and make an educated decision in terms of when, how much, and impact […]
KGB Vol 20: JUST BREATHE
“Just take a deep breath.” We often say this to someone who we see who is noticeably stressed. There’s a reason for this, but many people don’t know the physiological reason for this common piece of advice. To be an elite performer, controlling your emotions is essential. It helps you to be a good leader […]
KGB Vol 19: The vaccine for stress management
It’s a click-bait type of title, a very provocative use of language, with a hot topic embedded. Did I get you? Stress is one of today’s hot topics and, at times, just the mention of it can elicit a strong response from people who consider themselves to be highly tolerant of stress. I rarely argue […]
KGB Vol 18: High Performance & Getting Old
“Getting old is no fun!” I hear it nearly every day from some of my aging athletes. While they are certainly right, it is no reason to go down without a fight. In the modern era, athletes no longer hang up their gear after a certain birthday. The distinction between high performance and anti-aging is […]
KGB VOL 17: Leadership Longevity -The health grind for coaches
With a new season not too far out on the horizon, the last month of training can set players and coaches up for success or failure. I recall realizing the difference in prepping college and professional players when I was in my first season with the Iowa Wild. Our young players had come from a […]
KGB VOL 16: Using biomechanics for exercise selection
Muscles are not the smartest tissues in the human body. They pretty much just do as they are told. The complexity of muscles resides in the message they are being sent through the nerves and nervous system. In the world of muscle contraction, there are terms that are commonly used to describe what is happening […]
KGB Vol 15: Work smart and hard
Learning to be highly effective in any pursuit is about learning to deal with competing demands. Ben Franklin said, “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned,” and, given all his life’s accomplishments, we can definitely improve ourselves by internalizing his motto. Last month we discussed how to get the most out of […]
KGB VOL 14: How to take full advantage of the off season I speak ad nauseum about mastering the basics. In my role as a performance consultant, I can have a conversation about this several times each day. Such repetition can be monotonous and, for some people, it is not their cup of tea. I […]