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Coaches, Here’s How To Help Athletes Master Letting Go of Mistakes
Since we’ve all been riveted recently by championship college basketball, it’s appropriate to quote the wisdom of UNC coaching legend […]

7 Characteristics of a Winning Team Culture
Developing a positive culture within your team is critical to every winning season. Team culture determines how the members interact […]

4 Ways To Turn Mistakes Into Victories And Improve Your Game
Whether you’re working to become a better team player or improve a specific skill, there is one strategy guaranteed to […]

5 Strategies To Help Coaches Determine Their Team Captains
Being an athletic team captain calls for so much more than solid leadership skills. After all, captains play a considerable […]

You Either Win or You Learn
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts gave a master class in inspiration, perseverance, and critical thinking shortly after his Super Bowl loss […]

Mental Skills Matter
Whether it’s this week’s Super Bowl or a game at our local school, we are often amazed by the edge […]

Continuous Effort Makes a Difference
Do you ever notice that some days you feel like you are able to crush your workouts but other days, […]

Keys to Success: Having a Growth Mindset and Learning from Failure
Laudatory headlines greeted Mikaela Shiffrin’s accomplishment this week in moving past Lindsey Vonn to set a record for women’s Alpine […]

Small Steps Build Success
Getting out of your comfort zone is not always easy, but it is necessary for growth. Did you know that […]

SFL Podcast Hosts Truly Soar
Sport Fuels Life sparks inspiration and builds community through the shared journey of athletic triumphs and personal growth. This […]

New Year’s Suggestions for Continued Success
Everyone is talking about New Year’s resolutions now. As coaches and players, we all know that practice and patience are […]

Coaching the Coach Part 2
Your ideas keep coming and they are fantastic. This is the next installment of our feature on Coaches Helping Coaches. […]

Coaches Helping Coaches
As part of our salute to coaches this fall, we posed several questions to our community. We received great ideas. […]

Mental Health Focus is Always Relevant: Top 5 Ways To Boost Mental Wellness
What does mental wellness look like for athletes in a season of cancelled competitive sport?

Outstanding Coach of the Year Nominee Says It All Begins with Love
Outstanding Coach of the Year Nominee Says It All Begins with Love Nicholas Lincoln “He truly understands how to […]

Team Leadership Activity Helps Provide Clear Direction
Developing leaders on a team takes vision, perspective, and practice. At Sport Fuels Life, we recognize the potential great […]

How Tennis and Teams Fuel My Life
By David Bolick, Sport Fuels Life Co-founder Recent tennis news—retirements of Serena Williams and Roger Federer, amazing U.S. Open […]

A Conversation with Outstanding Coach and Professional Soccer Player Jordan Clark: Common Goals, Miracle Outcomes, and the Magic of Sports
Jordan Clark, who coaches tennis at ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch, CO, is one of our Outstanding Coaches […]

Delayed Gratification Has a Position on Your Team
By Sport Fuels Life Contributor, Athlete, and Coach Megan Houston The rush that you feel when scoring the game-winning […]

Unleashing Superpowers with Coach, Author, and Speaker Kate Leavell
Successful NCAA lacrosse coach, author, and speaker Kate Leavell knows what it takes—as a coach, parent of an athlete, […]

Mental Skills Make the Difference
Zach Brandon, mental skills coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks, understands how perfecting one’s game and realizing peak performance in […]

Playing it Forward with Second Serve
One of the tenets of Sport Fuels Life is to “play it forward”. We encourage initiatives that support the positivity […]

Managing Sports Performance Anxiety for Peak Performance
It’s game time. Your toe is to the line, and you’re positioned at a standstill, waiting for the whistle to […]

Help a Group of Individuals Become a Team
August means back to school with a new roster of athletes—some veterans and some newcomers–for the fall season. It’s a […]

Sport Fuels Life Podcast Co-hosts are Partners in Life and Championship Pole Vaulting
Sport Fuels Life Podcast Co-host Scott Houston finished in 12th place with a mark of 5.50m / 18’ 0.5” at […]

How Failing and Learning from Failure are Important Steps to Winning
Scott Doerner discusses his varied championship tennis career and how a winning team culture helped fuel a national championship. Those […]

Sean Swarner Redefines the Impossible
Sean Swarner’s story of healing, hope, and triumph reflects the essence of Sport Fuels Life. Enjoy this incredible and […]

How Coaches Inspire and are Inspired: Learn from All Star Coaches
What can all coaches learn from an all-star panel of baseball coaches? The answer is simple—a great deal. That was our conclusion after reviewing […]

Tennis Fuels Life and Forever Friendships
Tennis Fuels Life and Forever Friendships By Matt Oechsli and Bruce Brodie One would have to look long and […]

Volleys with Federer Author: Writing, Playing, and Positivity
A Master Writer Talks About the Writing Process and More about the Master Tennis Player In the first part […]

Learn from ATP Tennis Coach Great Craig Boynton
Approach to Athlete Evaluation for Coaches There are two different stages of evaluation. The first stage is tennis based. It […]

From College Quarterback to Prisoner to Criminal Justice Professor, Damon West Shares His Inspiring Story
A Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, Damon West had it all. But at just 20 […]

Congratulations to April Ross and Alix Klineman for winning Gold in Tokyo!!
Olympic journey April entered the professional beach volleyball world with partner Jenn Tessy. They upset the tournament and won the […]

How Picking Up a New Sport Reignited Love for My Collegiate Sport By Abby Krueger
As a Division 1 athlete at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., I play volleyball—a sport I first picked up […]

Thoughts on Mental Toughness and Building Resilience by Collegiate Swimmer Anna Shumate
Mental toughness can be compared to finding fuel on an empty tank. Often, athletes compete with the best intentions and […]

For The Love Of The Game
America’s favorite pastime is back! Opening day has arrived and the long-awaited sounds of baseball are finally upon us. For […]

5 Black Athletes Who Changed the World
February is Black History Month and we’re celebrating the top 5 Black athletes who changed the world of sports forever. […]

The Top 5 Reasons You Should Prioritize Hydration
Fluid balance is critical for daily human function. The average human body is 65% water so it makes sense that […]

This February Playlist is a Total Slam Dunk
It’s the month that everyone goes bananas over falling in love with that special someone, but we want to encourage […]

Successful Coaching Comes From The Heart, Here’s How
Gustavo Osorio is a strength and conditioning coach for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, currently serving at the Elite […]

The Top 4 Benefits Of Weight Training
Strength training is important, especially if you’re seeking to take your athletic performance to the next level. Here are the […]

Find Out What Animal You Are Based On Your Endurance Level
Are you in it for the long-haul? Find out what animal matches your level of endurance with this fun quiz!

Check Out the Top 5 Wellness Trends for 2021
Although 2020 had a lot of downsides, it showed us the resilience and innovation of humanity. Despite the pandemic, we […]

Finding Your Passion To Be The Best You Can Be On And Off The Court
Diego Moyano is an accomplished former professional tennis player from Argentina. As a USTA coach, he has trained ATP players Tommy Paul and Reilly Opelka, […]

3 Easy Ways to Ditch Seasonal Affective Disorder This Winter
The gray skies and cold weather of winter are in full swing, and if you’re finding yourself feeling a little […]

6 Athletes To Watch For In The 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games
As the 2021 Olympic and Paralympic games draw near, we’re keeping our eye out for up and coming athletes. Whether […]

Boost Your Mood with Our January Playlist
Boost your mood and get a great stretch with these classical covers of your favorite pop hits. This playlist is […]

Which Famous Athlete Are You Based On Your New Year’s Resolution?
If you’re the type of person who makes a New Year’s resolution (or even if you’re not!) this quiz is […]

5 Elite Athletes Who Also Give Back In A Big Way
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill While […]

6 Crazy Sports You Need To Check Out
While we all enjoy watching mainstream sports like basketball, soccer, and football, sometimes you just need a change. The wide […]

5 Reasons Women Belong In The Weight Room
Attention ladies, it’s time to start lifting! Many women cringe at the idea of weightlifting, buying into the myth that […]

The Best 5 Workouts You Can Do From Home In Less Than 30 Minutes
Many of us struggle to fit a workout routine into our busy schedule. The human body was designed to move, […]

5 Cool New Sports to Check Out in the Tokyo Olympics
After being delayed due to COVID-19 in 2020, the Olympics are slated to return in the summer of 2021. These […]

Write It Down: Here’s How You Can Reach Your Athletic Goals
For many of us, the phrase “business as usual” was impossible in 2020. However, that doesn’t need to be the […]

Sport Fuels Life’s Holly Jolly December Playlist is Here!
From the Beach Boys to Springsteen, this very special edition of the Sport Fuels Life playlist is sure to bring […]

QUIZ: Which NFL Player Are You Based On Your Thanksgiving Plate?
America’s favorite holiday feast might look a little different this year as you practice safe social distancing, but your Thanksgiving […]

What to Get Your Favorite Athlete This Holiday Season
The holidays are fast approaching and while some might think they are a time for rest and relaxation, others are […]

3 Easy Tips to Keep Fitness a Priority During the Holidays
The holiday season is in full swing and everyone’s schedules are going from busy to chaotic. It seems like any […]

Transform Your Mind and Body With The Healing Power of The Great Outdoors
When former collegiate athlete and competitive skydiver, Sydney Williams, unexpectedly found herself on the receiving end of a Type 2 diabetes […]

Celebrating 5 Veterans Who Are Also Professional Athletes
We’ve always considered professional athletes our heroes and there’s no doubt about it they inspire us daily. But a few […]

How to Fuel Your Body to Run Your Best
Running is a great way to get healthy and keep in shape. It requires loads of physical training and effort, […]

Build an Attitude of Gratitude With Our Latest Playlist
Science has proven that practicing gratitude improves your physical and mental health, enhances empathy, improves self-esteem and can even give […]

How to Start Your Day Off Right: 5 Tips to a Healthy Morning Routine
As school and work start to pick up again and you’re trying to get back into the swing of things, […]

Only Volleyball Players Will Be Able To Ace This Quiz
How much do you really know about volleyball and the terms that define the game? Find out if you’re an […]

How To Activate The Power of Failure In Your Athletes
Every time my high school volleyball team lost (which was more than we ever won) our coach would always give […]

Quiz: Which NBA Star Are You, Based On Your Morning Routine?
We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but how does yours stack up against […]

QUIZ: What Animal Represents Your Athletic Resilience?
The animal kingdom has so many examples of resilience and strength that we can learn from as athletes. Find out […]

How to Boost Your Mood In 5 Minutes or Less
The strain of everyday life can take a toll on your health and your game. But it doesn’t have to […]

How To Control Your Competitive Performance By Controlling Your Mindset with Tri Bourne
The Sport Fuels Life podcast is excited to bring you the Mizuno Volleyball series! Mizuno has been an elite performance […]

Stay Cool! The October Sport Fuels Life Playlist is Here
This month we’ve got all the new hits from Shawn Mendes, Aloe Blacc, Zara Larsson and more to help get […]

How To Cultivate Winning Qualities In Young Athletes That Last A Lifetime
Studies have proven time and time again that being part of team sports is one of life’s greatest teachers for […]

How Much Do You Really Know About NASCAR?
NASCAR and the world of racing received big news this week when Michael Jordan announced he was joining forces with […]

6 Tips To Help You Keep Your Players Motivated
A team’s motivation can shift from day to day, partially because it’s dependent on each individual player. The most successful […]

Setting Good Habits That Lead To Greater Productivity with Coach Heather Macy
This episode of the Sport Fuels Life podcast features the all-time winningest coach in the history of East Carolina University […]

This Just In: Big Ten Football is Back!
Just one month after the announcement to postpone football to a spring 2021 season, the Big Ten just announced that […]

Choose Your Own Adventure With Ultrarunner Pete Ripmaster
Iditarod champion, adventurer and ultrarunner Pete Ripmaster shares his unbelievable and inspirational journey on this episode of the Sport Fuels Life […]

The Path To Victory: 3 Winning Strategies for Volleyball Coaches
You’ve just coached your volleyball team to victory in game two after a tough loss in the first game with […]

How to Prevent Soccer’s Most Common Injuries
Although sports can provide great health benefits, common soccer injuries can put a strain on the physical, mental, and emotional […]

Can Listening to Music Help Boost Your Workout?
According to the National Center for Health Research, “Listening to music while exercising doesn’t just relieve boredom — it can help improve […]

Can Unorthodox Coaching Methods Change Your Team For The Better?
Part of the coaching journey is the pursuit of new ideas and approaches that elevate the game. The NFL’s New […]

What Kind Of Runner Are You
Find out if you’re a Trail Blazer or a Cardio King! If you love running as much as we do, […]

What’s the Safest Sport to Play During COVID-19?
With athlete safety at the top of every school, club and sports organization’s list of priorities to navigate during this […]

How To Build A Confident Athlete
Tami Matheny has been a coach and an athletic director working to help produce nationally ranked teams, conference champions, and […]

Fan Mail: These Letters Took 20 Years to Reach Barry Sanders
If you’re like most students in America, at some point during your middle school or junior high experience you were […]

Are College Sports Really Putting Athlete Safety First?
George Plaster is a sports talk radio pioneer. He joins us on this episode of the Sport Fuels Life Podcast […]

Do You Know Your Football Trivia?
While college football teams across the U.S. decide what to do about their 2020 season, we’ve been getting our football […]

3 Reasons You Need A Mindfulness Walk
LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are all successful athletes who have discussed the value of meditation […]

You could win free shoes for a year!
It’s our biggest giveaway ever. Help us plan our next move by sharing your opinions. Take this survey to enter […]

Is the Sports “Bubble” A Good Model To Resume College Games In The Fall?
In an effort to finish the 2020 season, the NBA has moved 22 of its 30 teams to a restricted […]

What Kind Of Volleyball Player Are You?
Take our quiz now to bump, set, spike your way to a free speed and strength workout developed by Coach […]

How To Change The World From Right Where You Are
Professional tennis player and longtime coach Tim Siegel had found success in his career and had just shifted gears to […]

Pole Vaulters Innovate New Ways to Compete
This week Sport Fuels Life’s very own Megan Zimlich competed at the World’s Greatest Live: Acadia Invitational in Greenville, SC […]

The 5 Stages of Successful Coaching
ATP tennis coach Craig Boynton joins us in this episode of the Sport Fuels Life podcast, where he shares his […]

Can vulnerability contribute to building a positive team culture?
Studies show that the pressure and culture of high performance athletics can lead to chronic fatigue, mental exhaustion, burnout, depression […]

Are You Ready For The Big Leagues?
We’re testing your baseball and MLB history trivia with this fun quiz about America’s favorite pastime!

The Top 9 MLB Players of All Time
While we await the return of baseball, we’re celebrating history’s top 9 most impactful players in the game, making a lasting impression on baseball as well as beyond the playing field. Read on below and tell us who your favorite is!

The Sport Fuels Life July Playlist is Here
This month’s Sport Fuels Life playlist features classic sports anthems, perfect for your morning jog or return to the weight […]

Tennis Ace Tim Wilkison Shares Coaching and Competitive Insights
Commitment matters. After Tim started playing tennis exclusively at age 12, he marked off the days on his calendar when he practiced at least two hours (usually longer). Since he didn’t have access to indoor courts, he spent rainy days hitting balls against the wall of an indoor gym. He practiced four years in a row without missing a day.

The Beauty of Community with Angela Strickland
When 7 year old Andrew Dean Strickland was recently diagnosed with leukemia, his family had no idea what a blessing […]

Understanding Your Why with Coach Mike Srock
Accomplished speed and strength coach Mike Srock, from James F. Byrnes High School in Greenville, South Carolina, wants his players […]

Embracing Diversity on Your Team and in Your Life with Dr. Markita Suttle
The official launch day of the Sport Fuels Life podcast has arrived and our first guest is the perfect way […]

This is going to be big!
The team here at Sport Fuels Life has had something massive in the works launching soon!

More than just Speed and Strength Training
Coach Srock has designed a dynamic speed drill plan for his athletes this summer, and Sport Fuels Life members get exclusive access. Be among the first to know when this workout drops next week and sign up for your free Sport Fuels Life membership today!

5 Sports Films That Highlight the Struggles of Legendary Black Athletes
Team Connection is committed to connecting athletes, coaches, and fans to celebrate the unifying power and magic of sports. We […]

Achieving The Perfect Balance, With Coach Mike Srock
Mike Srock is a renowned speed and strength coach for James F. Byrnes High School in Greenville, South Carolina and […]

Can Running A Marathon Help Your Grieving Process?
“I told her I’d run the Charleston City Marathon because that was the race that she always ran. She always wanted me to run it with her, but I didn’t get the chance while she was here. I promised her that I would run the race in her honor.”

Tune In To The Sport Fuels Life Summer Classics Playlist
Get your summer sizzlin’ with these upbeat summertime classics. From Paul Simon to Eddie Money, we have the retro vibes you forgot you loved.

Networking is the Key to Take Your Coaching to the Next Level
In this third and final segment of our discussion with highly regarded tennis coach Craig Boynton, we learn more about the coaching profession and possibilities for the future of sports.

3 Ways to Support Your Mental and Emotional Health
Navigating the mental and emotional challenges of a global pandemic is taking its toll on even the most elite athletes. If you’re wondering what you can do to work through your feelings, we’ve got three helpful tips to move toward mental and emotional wellbeing.

Elite Tennis Players Have A Freak Factor. Do You?
In this second blog post with veteran tennis tour coach Craig Boynton, he discusses why this is one of the most exciting times in men’s tennis and talks about the various “freak factors” that make certain players so special.

Top 5 Ways To Boost Mental Wellness
What does mental wellness look like for athletes in a season of cancelled competitive sport?

How Tennis Fuels the Life of Elite Tour Coach Craig Boynton
“Sports is my life,” he said. Everything I have in my life is directly or indirectly because of coaching. If it weren’t for tennis, I would never have met my wife Terry, a former collegiate tennis player at Stanford who holds the record for dual match percentage while she played on the tour.” They have three children ranging in age from 17 to 25.

Your May Workout Playlist is Here!
Each month the SFL team curates a Spotify playlists to support you in your safer at home fitness goals!

The Best Sports Movies To Watch
Looking for a little inspiration during quarantine? Our Sport Fuels Life team has compiled a list of our top 12 favorite sports movies that will remind you of why you love the game, and a bonus Spotify playlist featuring songs from the movies!

Good News For The Sports World
The world of competitive sports is on pause, but thankfully team spirit has not been cancelled. We’ve been so inspired […]

The Ultimate Throwback Playlist For Your Workout
The entire month of April we are creating weekly Spotify playlists to support you in your safer at home fitness goals!

U.S. Olympic Medalist Sandi Morris Gets Creative with her Quarantine Training
Olympic pole vaulter Sandi Morris has a spirit of ingenuity and determination that pushes through life’s challenges, so when the world went on pause for COVID19-related quarantines and stay-at-home measures, Sandi knew it was time to double down

Have a Family Dance Party to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle During Quarantine
Even if you’re not a parent or an athlete with siblings, chances are high that you’ve reached your limit of […]

Coaches: Make Your Team Part Of The Family
We admire Coach Shaver for his tenacity and for being a positive role model. Special thanks to Coach Shaver and the individual who nominated him, for sharing this truly worthy Sport Fuels Life story. Do you know a coach or athlete who is doing amazing work? Nominate them today for a chance to be featured right here on our blog!

Stay Motivated with this Sport Fuels Life Playlist
Our awesome Sport Fuels Life team has created our very first Spotify playlist! We’re calling the inaugural playlist “We Don’t […]

Nick Gwiazdowski Brings His Heart To The Mat
We recently caught up with Nick Gwiazdowski, a North Carolina State graduate and wrestler who won back-to-back national championships in […]

How is the COVID19 Quarantine Impacting Baseball Players and Coaches?
Billy Godwin is currently the Head Baseball Coach at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and has over 30 […]

Overcoming Obstacles with World Champion Chelsea Werner
World Champion Special Olympics gymnast Chelsea Werner knows how to take every obstacle life can throw her and turn it into solid gold.

Celebrating This Year’s Exceptional NCAA Basketball Athletes
On March 13th, the 2020 NCAA basketball tournament was canceled by the NCAA because of concerns regarding the spreading coronavirus […]

How To Keep Sport Alive During Social Distancing
With all the uncertainty that our nation is facing while dealing with COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and the cancelling of all our […]

The Value of Strong Coach-Athlete Relationships
We’ve got five vital strategies to help you strengthen your relationship with your players, and make each season a victory–regardless of the game statistics.

Building Confidence And Developing A Winning Mindset with Elle Purrier
Track star and American indoor mile record holder, and Olympic hopeful Elle Purrier discusses her #sportfuelslife journey and shares what herls her build confidence to run the race.

Get to know Bri Scott
Bri Scott is sharing her #sportfuelslife journey with us in today’s blog post! Read on to get to know more about this stellar member of our Team Connection squad!

What Fuels New Orleans Saints Defensive Lineman Shy Tuttle
Shy Tuttle gives it his all on and off the field, and tells us why he believes that sport fuels life.

How to Build Confidence for the Game
How to build authentic, lasting confidence for the game, and why you should extend your practice beyond the team.

What Makes Elite Athletes Rise To The Top When It Counts
We’ve discovered the top 3 important qualities that drive sport’s most elite athletes toward great heights when it counts the most.

Building A Winning Team Culture
Megan Zimlich is an accomplished track star and, among her many other fantastic qualities, is an important player on our […]

How To Create Winning Cultures For Your Team and Life
Sports don’t discriminate. Sports don’t care about one’s race, class, ethnicity or religion. It’s the thing that unites everyone and helps them escape into the open.

How Herb Bolick is Serving Up A New Kind of Sports Community
Team Connection’s President and Founder, Herb Bolick knows firsthand how being a team player helps everyone to shine bright. He’s […]

5 Great Books To Inspire and Boost Athletic Performance
There are a number of motivational tools out there when it comes to athletics, and books on peak performance might […]

8 Ways To Have Fun At Practices That Carry Over To Game-time Wins
In the world of sports, team building is vital for cultivating unity, trust, and effective communication among athletes. Including fun […]

Three Ways Coaches Can Use Mistakes To Build A Better Athlete
Legendary basketball coach John Wooden said, “It’s always about focusing not on the mistakes but on the lessons learned from […]

16 Quotes From Trailblazing Female Athletes To Inspire The Next Generation of Women in Sports
There are countless quotes about determination from women in sports, and a great way to build confidence and motivation is […]

5 Ways Coaches Can Build Positive Team Dynamics into Their Playbook
The athletic arena is a place for hard work, dedication, respect, and steadfast determination. Players who don’t take the game […]

3 Types of Leaders Every Team Needs To Have A Successful Season
While your approach to coaching and managing athletes lays the groundwork for your team’s performance ,your closest ally is your […]

The Top 10 BEST Skills Coaches Use To Motivate Their Team
Every player and every team needs motivation and encouragement from coaches, peers, and fans to reach their athletic potential. Each […]

Sport Fuels Life Offering More Member Benefits
We love having you as part of our community. Your stories and suggestions motivate us daily. We want to play […]

8 Life Lessons That Only Losing in Sports Can Teach You
When it comes to losing in sports, finding a silver lining isn’t always easy … no matter your age! Part […]