The Art Of Coaching

We’ve heard the leadership cliches, read the business books and tried the various morning routines but something’s still not clicking...   We can try to work harder and hope our efforts don’t go unnoticed... or we can flip the script, become a unicorn and work with ninjas.    No seriously, just ask Mark Fisher.    Mark is an international speaker, consultant, and entrepreneur. He and his “non-sexual life partner” Michael Keeler founded Business for Unicorns in 2016 and have since worked with many of the leading fitness studios across the US, the UK, and Australia. Past non-fitness clients include Sony Music, Sylvan Learning, Novus Surgical, and Security Scorecard. He is also a proud alumni speaker of TEDxBroadway.   In addition to consulting through BFU, Mark is the co-founder of Mark Fisher Fitness, one of the most unusual gyms in the fitness industry. MFF operates a physical location in midtown Manhattan and a fast-growing online “virtual” location. MFF was recognized as #312 on the 2015 Inc. 500 fa

The greatest athletes, inventors, artists and minds have something in common…    Of course they all have incredible work ethics, support systems and above average talent and luck- but those qualities don’t differentiate the great from the very best.    In truth- there is no template for world class performance. So what is it that separates them?    According to our guest, Gabe Polsky- an award-winning Writer, Director, Producer and one of the top documentary filmmakers in the world of sports and beyond- the one attribute that separates the elite from the great is their creativity, improvisation and ability to turn disadvantage into strength.   How does he know? In 2018 Gabe wrote, directed, and produced In Search of Greatness— a cinematic journey into the secrets of genius, as told through the greatest athletes of all time. It was released theatrically to critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including a WGA Award.    He also Executive Produced Genius, the 10 time Emmy® nominated TV

Why is it that regardless of major, minor or specialty our education system remains obsessed with teaching students the “what” but not the “how”?  If we’re lucky, students leave school prepared with tools of their trade but still missing the skill set to put those tools into action, adapt for changing circumstances and/or convince someone they need that tool in the first place.  Fortunately, some professors (today’s guest included) have recognized this disparity and dedicated their career to correcting it. Dr. Katie Heinrich is a Professor of Exercise Behavioral Science and Director of the Functional Intensity Training Lab in the Department of Kinesiology at Kansas State University. With over 20 years in academia, she’s devoted her time and research to the study of community, mentorship, and people skills - all which she believes are required for making science actionable.    In this episode we cover: How am I coming across? A guide to metacommunication in 2021  What NOT to do when building a commun

Time is an invaluable commodity and yet we waste it beating around the bush with convoluted communication and messages wrapped in peripheral fluff and unnecessary noise. Have you ever wondered how much time would we save if we acted like humans and said what we meant?   In this solo episode, we’ll break down several case studies and discuss how to effectively read a situation, manage paraverbals (pacing, pitch, tone, inflection) and have direct, efficient conversations. We’ll also discuss strategies for preventing misinterpretation and being assertive without being aggressive.  Also in this episode:  Identify what’s keeping you from getting your message across clearly Understand why humans are comfort and peace seeking survivors Mokusatsu & Elon Musk: it’s not just about the words  Take Home Tactics: 24 Hour Recall and Half-Life Your Message  It’s one thing to talk about being human, it’s another to actually practice it. In addition to the tactics and strategies mentioned in this episode, join o

What would managers and leaders learn if they had access to raw feedback from their team? What truths would be unearthed and what leadership styles would rise to the top? As the “Undercover Millennial”, today’s guest Clint Pulver gives managers a peek behind the curtain in their own organization while gathering data and proposing solutions in order to close the gap between leaders and the lead. Having experienced literally hundreds of working environments across every domain, Clint is uniquely qualified to help us understand the nuance between leadership and mentorship and discern the pros and cons of multiple managerial archetypes.  We also discuss: Why managers don’t get quality feedback How to gain respect as a young professional  What to do when empathy is used against you Are all employees inherently selfish?  Clint is a professional keynote speaker, author, musician, pilot, and workforce expert. Known as the leading authority on employee retention, Clint has transformed how corporat

These days it can feel like we’re being beaten over the head with leadership cliches like “grind in silence,” “be seen not heard” and other preachy rhetoric about servitude...    We’ve been told that good work will speak for itself and that self-promoters aren’t in it for the “right reasons”…    But how do we reconcile these “leadership laws” with the understanding that in order to adapt and evolve we have to be vulnerable and put ourselves (and our work) out there?   In truth- like anything, excessive modesty can be a hindrance. Today’s episode is all about what happens when humility goes too far. Specifically- why not speaking or standing up for yourself can lead to lower self-esteem, career/personal stagnation and poor quality work.    If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out these other episodes:  E93: The Sin of Self-Promotion  E56: The Weaponization of Guilt & Not Being a Sucker E137: Greg Adamson: Downfalls of Servant-Based Leadership   We’d also like to take a moment to t

We all know people who don’t enroll in the 401k program at work despite understanding the power of investing or those who won’t stop smoking even though there’s a history of lung cancer in their family. But while incredibly frustrating to the outside observer, we are all resistant to change in some aspect of our lives.    Understanding where and why we resist change is important because modifying the behavior of those we lead is often central to our mission. And what do we do when information and rational persuasion don’t work? Today we have the pleasure of talking to a world renowned behavioral scientist, Dr. Katy Milkman about what makes change so hard, strategies to tackle these barriers and how to harness the power of a fresh start.    Dr. Milkman is the James G. Dinan Professor at the Wharton School, author of How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, co-founder and co-director of the Behavior Change for Good Initiative, and host of the Choiceology podcast from

Living in a moment when competition for our attention is at an all time high makes the medium through which we convey our message absolutely critical. From social media to marketing, the platform we wield (or don’t wield...) can communicate as much about our values as the words themselves. And while this debate is nothing new, today’s guest Kenny Kane has a unique perspective on this issue and many more.    Kenny is the owner of Oak Park Los Angeles (Home of CrossFit Los Angeles - CFLA) where he and his team have created a paradigm through which gym members are able to transfer the adaptive capacity developed through physical fitness training to life itself.  Kenny also teaches “The Craftsmen’s Workshop,” an intensive coach development program and is the Founder/Host of The Body of Knowledge Podcast (as well as two others). If that wasn’t enough, Kenny was also a dual sport collegiate athlete and comedian before dabbling in martial arts and hip hop dance.   At Art of Coaching, we STRONGLY believe the medi

Unless you keep the same job from the time you leave school until the time you retire, you’re bound to experience change. Like a personal relationship, moving up within or leaving one workplace culture to join another requires understanding, adaptation and most importantly communication.    So how do you go from being just a tactician to manager/director who needs to understand both the minutia AND the bigger picture?    Our guest today, Jenny Noiles, the Performance Director at Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (Rochester, MN), paints us a picture of this transition while discussing how to establish credibility without being a robot. Afterall, lacking warmth, our competence holds little weight.    We cover: Demonstrating credibility without being a robot How to use anxiety in a productive manner  Leaving a dream job for a relationship & “following your heart” The importance of shared experiences and being relatable Why leaders need to be both heroes and villains    Connect with Je

Regardless of occupation or title, we all write. Whether it’s in short form on social media or long form as in email, proposals, blogs, articles, books, or academic journals- it’s something that unites all fields.    That being said- what’s your perception of writing? Do you enjoy the craft or is it the bane of your existence? Were you raised to think of writing as a formal process reserved for academics and novelists or as an artistic endeavor? Whatever your history with the written word, our guest today will change your perspective of the practice. Not only do we discuss the neurological and biological underpinnings of language, we dive into how to develop your skill as an amatuer writer and why good writing doesn’t mean writing like Hemingway.    Courtney Kelly is a writer and editor who partners with individuals and organizations to create brands, products, books, and other media that aim to effect real, prosocial change. Before starting her freelance business, Ethos Alchemy during the summer of 2020,

Our early communication style can be heavily influenced by parents, teachers and coaches but when we transition to different stages of life and form new relationships, sometimes those initial behaviors no longer serve us.   As humans, shedding those previous practices and forming new ones (albeit necessary) can feel completely foreign- as if we’ve forgotten who we are and where we came from.  But when we examine how our past has influenced our present, we can use it to inform and improve our future.    In today’s episode Shaylah Simpson teaches us how to identify weaknesses in our current communication style and shares her tips for having more productive conversations.    Shaylah is a former semi-professional track and field athlete. She competed in the pole vault for Arizona State University and continued her post-collegiate career with Altis and Arizona Pole Vault Academy until she hung up the spikes in 2018. Shaylah currently works in Client Services for Conscious Family Law & Mediation in Boulde

It’s not common for strength coaches to crossover into other fields or add the title of “entrepreneur” to their resume- much less in the world of artificial intelligence. Today’s guest Chad Wesley Smith has done both at the highest level.  For both my training nerds AND my non-coaching audience, this episode is a great representation of how leaders can ethically brand themselves, develop auxiliary skill sets and find success outside of their immediate domain.  Chad is the owner and founder of Juggernaut Training Systems, as well as being one of the most highly regarded strength coaches and athletes of the modern era. As an athlete, Chad has posted Top 10 All-Time Total in wraps (1055kg/2325#) and sleeves (1010kg/2226#), won 2 National Championships in the Shot Put and earned his Pro Card in Strongman.    We discuss:  Using artificial intelligence to make coaching decisions The secret to branding yourself ethically How to embrace entrepreneurship as a coach  Jiu Jitsu and maintaining a beginner's minds

In light of recent events I wanted to release an extra, time sensitive episode.    Last week at the NCAA basketball tournament a social media post showing the disparities between the men’s and women’s “weight rooms” went viral. One photo resulted in a litany of content that uncovered not only differences in the equipment and facilities, but of the testing protocols, food, “swag bags” and more.    With institutions and individuals calling on the NCAA to rectify the inequities displayed at their premier championship event, we wanted to give a platform to those voices, address the larger issues and talk to someone who can help us understand the context and what we can do to prevent this in the future.    Megan Young’s entire life purpose is about facilitating meaningful connection, and she’s used the arena of strength and conditioning as a vessel to carry out that mission having worked in collegiate and professional settings over the course of 14 years.    She’s also a survivor.   Diagnosed with Acute

Sometimes this podcast is a place to learn tactics and strategies and other times it's a place to share hard, honest truths. Recently, a conversation with a friend about the fleeting nature of fatherhood sparked an examination of my priorities and time. As a result I wrote a deeply personal piece about a few things I’ve reflected upon and perhaps even (re)learned over the past year. Some of this I’ve spoken about before- yet it still resonates, now more than ever. On today’s episode I’ll expand on those initial thoughts and what led to writing my recent newsletter. If you haven’t read the original piece and want to, make sure you’re subscribed by clicking here. I’m not a big email guy so I promise I won’t blow up your inbox- I only send a couple a month and they are typically raw and honest like this. Speaking of honest- can I ask for a favor? We rely on your feedback and suggestions to make this show better and we would LOVE if you would share that with us in the form of a review on iTunes. Let’s do this: if

HEADS UP! There are only a few days left to register for The Communication and Leadership Strategy Summit! On March 20-21th, 2021 we’re hosting an interactive online event about navigating the messy realities of leadership and communication. Learn tactics and strategies from top professionals in the fields of finance, performance, medical, business and the military. Click here to sign up before it's too late!  *Cue late night FM DJ Voice*  On today’s show we are joined by radio host and broadcasting legend Johnjay Van Es for a conversation where nothing is off-limits. We discuss the magic of radio or what he calls “theater of the mind”, driving Wayne Gretzky around as an intern, navigating cancel culture as a public figure and father, his 3:45 AM wake up call and other “strange rituals.”  We also cover: The danger of Hollywood “cure alls” and one-size fits all leadership models Exploring creativity and affordances as a parent and coach  Why he doesn’t like interviewing celebrities Choosing what to shar

Today we flip the script and my good friend Ali Kershner interviews me, asking personal and professional questions I’ve never addressed on air before.  I’m a relatively private person but for this special Q&A I air out some dirty laundry and answer a few of the tougher questions I’ve gotten over the years.    Sit back, relax, enjoy Ali’s dulcet tones and get a glimpse behind the curtain. Just wait, she even manages to stump me with one...    We cover the following and more: My current thoughts about the S&C industry (and why I left…) A sneak peak into my second book  How I relax and where I find creativity (+ my go-to karaoke song) Dealing with critics and bad reviews Managing an increasingly public brand (especially as a dad)   If you want to ask me a question and get a response longer than 15 seconds, go to artofcoaching.com/channels and join our all-access community. This is a place to learn about business, branding, communication and leadership then directly interact and network with m

If you’ve ever had even the smallest inkling of an idea or desire for putting a figurative pen to paper and writing a book - this one’s for you.  Today’s episode is dedicated to everything I’ve learned, mistakes I’ve made and what you ABSOLUTELY need to know about the process of writing and publishing.  I will warn you- if you’re looking for someone to pump you up and encourage you to drop everything and become an author- this isn’t the show for you. But if you’re curious and truly want to know what it takes to create work that lasts, I’m here to help.  Whether you’re tangled up in the webs of (writing) despair, finished with a manuscript but don’t know what to do next or just not sure where to start… relax, you’re in the right place.   In today’s deep dive, I cover the following and much more: Essential questions to answer before you begin  Tips for the writing/editing process Cover design (yes, people do judge a book by the cover) Publishing routes and how to write a winning book proposal  Marketin

In our industry, those who have a large brand, social media presence or product (regardless of value or purpose) are often met with critiques, sneers, and snide remarks like “what a sellout”... It’s difficult to put yourself out there when surrounded by a profession that has long told you the secret to success is to put your head down and work harder but no one will hear your message or benefit from your product if you don’t share it with them... So how do you stand out without selling out? In today’s episode, you’ll hear from two people who have managed to stay true to their message, provide real and useful content and get it to their community without resorting to gimmicks or sleazy sales tactics.  Dennis and Kelsey Heenan are Co-Founders of the fitness company HIITBURN and have worked with thousands of people across the world through their workout app and programs. Dennis specializes in email marketing, Facebook advertising, and copy writing for his businesses and as a consultant. Kelsey is a certified

If we were to question all commonly accepted leadership practices and qualities, which would hold up and which would break down?  On March 20-21, 2021, we’re doing just that. Join us for the first-ever virtual Art of Coaching Communication and Leadership Strategy Summit.  We’re tired of endless Zoom meetings and powerpoint presentations so we’re opting instead for two days of INTERACTIVE discussion with leaders from a range of professions; leaders who are currently pressure testing what we’ve long assumed about leadership against the messy realities of our new normal… Click here to learn more!! Today’s episode is a perfect example of investigating the messy reality of leadership at top organizations. Andrew Hauser the Director of Performance Rehab with the (World Champion) Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s been in a variety of roles in the performance realm, most recently as the Director of Player Health & Performance for the Atlanta Braves.  On today’s show we discuss: Benefits of detachment and other dark si

In case you missed it… our newest resource BLINDSPOT™ is now open!  If you want to clarify your message, find your niche, create meaningful work and use it to help more people - this digital toolkit will be an absolute GAME. CHANGER.  But don’t waste any time - access to BLINDSPOT™ is only open for 2 more days! Click here to sign up now.  __________________________________________________________________________ On today’s episode you’ll learn how to catch a 4,000 lb great white shark.  But if that’s what you take from this episode, you missed the point.  On the surface (pun intended), today’s conversation might seem drastically different from ones we typically have on this show. But if you look deeper you’ll see the overwhelming number of similarities between the work of Chris Fischer, OCEARCH and what we do with communication, leadership and coaching.  A full-time explorer, Chris Fischer has a special gift of seeing the “big picture,” creating solutions around that picture, and communicating that pic