With more than 25 years of experience across collegiate and professional sport, Jennifer explains why carbohydrates are the non-negotiable fuel for high-intensity sport, how to individualize hydration using sweat rate, and why the **4Rs of recovery—Rehydrate, Refuel, Repair, and Rest—**are critical for sustained performance. She also addresses under-fueling in female athletes, warning signs of RED-S, and simple strategies coaches and athletes can apply immediately.

🎧 Listen to learn how intentional nutrition decisions directly impact performance when it matters most.

One of the world’s leading sports psychologists and human performance experts, Jack shares his journey from self-taught athlete to pioneering leader in performance science—and the moment when just 17 words from a mentor changed the trajectory of his life.

In this candid discussion, Jack explains why elite coaching goes far beyond technical instruction. He breaks down the critical relationship between stress and recovery, explores the psychology of competitive excellence, and shares insights gained from decades of working with world-class athletes.

This episode dives into mental resilience, performance under pressure, and what truly separates good coaches from great ones. Jack also shares lessons from his upcoming memoir, Mountains Within, offering perspective from both his professional success and personal journey.

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about performance—and remind you why coaching matters.

The Miracle League is more than baseball — it’s a movement rewriting what’s possible.

What started with one field in Georgia has grown into 345+ communities worldwide, giving every child, regardless of ability, the chance to play. Through a powerful buddy system, players with disabilities are paired with peers, breaking barriers and building lifelong friendships.

“We’re not segregating that population like they’ve been their entire life… that bond is being built off the baseball field.”

In this episode, you’ll hear inspiring stories — like Lauren’s, who was born blind with brittle bone disease and found freedom through baseball:

“If I could play the game of baseball… I could do anything in this world.”

Tune in to learn how the Miracle League is transforming communities, one swing at a time — and why two new leagues are launching every month to keep the momentum going.

Champion wheelchair tennis player Dana Mathewson shares her remarkable journey from diagnosis with transverse myelitis at age 10 to becoming America's most accomplished wheelchair tennis player. With candid humor, Dana discusses her initial reluctance toward adaptive sports and how her mother's persistence led her to the court. Her impressive career includes reaching World No. 7 in singles, World No. 4 in doubles, and becoming the first American wheelchair tennis player to win a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

Dana reveals the competitive spirit and "bulldog mentality" that fueled her success, along with cherished memories from the Paralympic Games. Now navigating retirement—a transition she describes as an athlete's "first death"—Dana is embracing new roles in coaching and philanthropy while discovering her identity beyond competition.

Her guiding philosophy, "I'll find a way or make one," has applications far beyond tennis, offering listeners powerful insights on resilience, problem-solving, and finding your path when life presents unexpected challenges.

In 2018, Jen Drummond survived a car crash that should have ended her life. Instead, it sparked a world-record journey that would redefine what’s possible—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

In this episode, Jen shares how that near-death experience became her “line in the sand” moment, propelling her from business owner and mom of seven to the first woman to climb the Seven Second Summits—the second-highest (and often most technical) peaks on every continent. And she didn’t stop at seven—she climbed nine mountains to account for global boundary disputes.

From transforming her home into a training facility to preparing for death on a freezing Canadian glacier, Jen’s story is one of resilience, mindset, and purpose. She opens up about training during Zoom calls, balancing family with ambition, and learning that progress isn’t linear—it’s acclimatized.

“You don’t get rid of fear,” she says. “But you don’t have to let it drive the car.”

If you’re an athlete, coach, or anyone chasing a big goal, this conversation is packed with inspiration, mindset shifts, and hard-earned wisdom.

Listen now to discover how fear became a passenger—and purpose took the wheel.

The difference between good and great in tennis often comes down to mental skills. Dr. Larry Lauer, Director of Mental Performance for the USTA, has revolutionized how players approach the psychological side of the sport.

"How you do what you do is way more important than the outcome," Lauer emphasizes. "You can't really get the outcome without the process."

As the USTA's first full-time mental skills specialist since 2013, Lauer has witnessed the stigma around mental training diminish significantly. Today's players increasingly recognize mental skills as essential components of athletic development.

His approach centers on collaboration between mental coaches and tennis coaches, creating consistent messaging for players. Effective coaching balances challenge with support: "When you get after a kid... you don't make it personal. You make it about the behavior, never about them as a person."

Lauer champions integrating character development into daily training. Mental skills like resilience, focus, and discipline aren't just performance enhancers but valuable life tools. "If you're resilient and tough-minded, super professional... these character things... need to be part of your training every day."  

Tune in to hear Dr. Lauer break down what it really takes to develop mentally tough, high-performing athletes — and how coaches can lead the way.

From struggling to keep up in PE class to becoming a two-time Paralympian, Shelby Baron’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, discovery, and the transformative power of adaptive sports. Born with spina bifida in Hawaii, Shelby found new possibilities through wheelchair tennis—ultimately representing Team USA in Rio and Tokyo.

In this episode, Shelby shares how her introduction to adaptive sports opened doors she never imagined, how a last-minute phone call changed her life, and why the Tokyo Paralympics challenged her in unexpected ways. Now working with USTA player development, she’s paying it forward to support the next generation of athletes.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode offers powerful insights on inclusion, independence, and the joy of sport.

Key Themes:

• Adaptive sports as a life-changing force

• Inclusion in athletics

• Mental resilience & rediscovering joy

• The power of community in Paralympic sport

• Shelby’s ongoing impact through player development

“When I was younger, I didn’t even know what adapted sports were... I definitely did not know that this was the path for me.”

Great coaching isn’t just about drills and strategy—it’s about connection, trust, and mindset. ATP coach Craig Boynton, who has worked with world-class players like Jim Courier, John Isner, and Hubert Hurkacz, knows that success starts with putting the player first:

"It’s not about the coach—it’s about the athlete."

He helps players balance physical skills ("hardware") with mental strength ("software"), using data-driven insights to refine performance:

"Feelings can lie, but the numbers don’t."

But success isn’t just about grinding—it’s about staying fueled by joy. Whether it’s a high-five at practice or drawing energy from the crowd, happiness fuels performance:

"Pick out someone cheering for you. That energy might be the difference between winning and losing."

✔ Build trust—strong relationships lead to better coaching. ✔ Use data to improve—let numbers guide decisions. ✔ Joy fuels success—happy athletes play better.

Tune in to hear Boynton’s insights on coaching, performance, and the mindset behind building champions.

We’re thrilled to have Bill Riddle join us today on the podcast! Bill is not only one of the most well-respected coaches in the country but also played a key role in helping us put together the National High School Tennis Coaches Conference. His passion for growing the game and his wealth of experience have been instrumental in shaping this unique event, and we’re incredibly grateful for his involvement.

Bill is currently the Head Tennis Coach at the University of Tennessee Southern and holds esteemed credentials, including being a PTR International Master Professional and an RSPA Master Professional. With over 30 years of experience in the tennis industry, Bill has made a profound impact on the sport, helping to shape the careers of countless coaches and players. We’re so excited to have him as the host and emcee for this event, and we can’t wait for you to hear his insights on what’s in store.

The National High School Tennis Coaches Conference, presented by Sport Fuels Life, will be held January 7th–9th, from 5 PM to 8 PM EST. It’s a one-of-a-kind virtual event designed to help you elevate your coaching game, connect with other high school coaches, and gain practical tools to lead your team to success. This conference will feature world-class coaches and speakers, offering invaluable insights and inspiration to take your coaching—and your team—to the next level.

For the first time ever, this conference brings together top experts to share cutting-edge strategies, best practices, and actionable insights. Plus, all sessions will be available on-demand for an entire year, so you can watch and learn at your own pace.

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow as a coach and shape the future of tennis at the National High School Tennis Coaches Conference. Listen in as Bill shares more about this exciting event and what you can expect!

However, CJ’s story didn’t follow the script he envisioned. When faced with setbacks, he chose to adapt, pivot, and persevere—turning challenges into opportunities and failure into fuel for growth. Known globally as “The Baseball & Softball Motivator,” CJ Beatty has spent years inspiring others through his electrifying YouTube content, professional coaching, and motivational speaking, reaching millions around the world.

In this episode, CJ opens up about his journey—from chasing baseball dreams to becoming a beacon of hope and a global force for positive change. His insights on mental toughness, resilience, and embracing setbacks as stepping stones will inspire anyone striving for their own version of success.

Today, CJ Beatty channels his experiences into being one of the world’s top rising motivational speakers. With an electric personality and a gift for connecting with audiences, he equips others with the tools to build mental toughness and create championship mindsets—whether in sports, schools, organizations, or life.

Tune in to hear CJ’s incredible story and discover why his message continues to resonate on and off the field. Get ready to "stay in the fight" and reimagine what's possible.

Gain exclusive insight from Ted Rath, former Vice President of Player Performance for the Philadelphia Eagles, as he shares his extensive 16-year NFL journey. From securing two NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year awards to playing an integral role in the Rams' healthiest season and back-to-back Super Bowl runs with both the Rams and Eagles, Rath’s expertise exemplifies innovation and excellence.

Discover how his commitment to outcome-based goals, a process-focused mindset, and holistic training strategies translate into impactful leadership on and off the field.

Rath's story isn’t just about team wins but fostering the support systems and performance strategies that keep athletes at their best. As the first President of the Professional Football Performance Coaches Association (PFPCA), he represents an elite group dedicated to advancing the profession. Ted’s passion extends beyond football; he’s a published author and speaker with a deep focus on personal development and the power of connections.

Don’t miss this episode filled with valuable takeaways for athletes, coaches, and anyone inspired by the pursuit of elite outcomes.

In sports, injuries are an unfortunate reality. While we often brace for accidents on the field, the most unpredictable ones can happen far away from the game.

Parker Byrd's life took an unimaginable turn before his freshman season at East Carolina University when he was involved in a life-threatening boating accident. At just 18 years old, Parker lost his leg—just as he was about to live out his dream of playing Division I baseball.

But Parker’s story didn’t end there. His unbreakable faith, the support of family and friends, and an ironclad determination helped him through an excruciating recovery process. Despite the physical and emotional challenges that lay ahead, Parker refused to give up. In 2024, through grit and perseverance, he made history by becoming the first athlete to play in a Division I baseball game with a prosthetic leg, shattering expectations and inspiring others along the way.

Beyond the field, Parker’s journey has taken on a new meaning. His story isn’t just about overcoming physical challenges—it's about finding purpose, resilience, and using his platform to inspire those who may be struggling with their own setbacks.

Parker Byrd is living proof that no obstacle, no matter how insurmountable, can stop a dreamer with passion and faith. Listen in as we dive into his incredible journey and the lessons he's learned about courage, determination, and never giving up.

Today’s episode is all about pickleball—the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.—as we sit down with Jonny Andrews, also known as Jonny Pickleball. From serving his country as a U.S. Army veteran to carving out a niche as a professional pickleball player, Jonny found a new sense of joy, purpose, and community in a sport that has quickly become a nationwide phenomenon.

As a key figure in the pickleball world, Jonny wears many hats. Not only is he a pro athlete, but he’s also a commentator, coach, and director of camps with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA). His passion for the sport extends beyond just playing—he’s deeply involved in helping the sport grow and evolve. Jonny shares his unique story of getting involved with pickleball at its early stages, long before it became the sensation it is today.

Through his journey, Jonny highlights the mental and physical benefits of the game and how it's created a tight-knit community where anyone, from veterans to complete beginners, can thrive. His story is one of resilience, inspiration, and the power of finding a new path after service.

Tune in to our podcast to hear how Jonny’s passion for pickleball has shaped his life and the lives of countless others!

Some say that coaching is both an art and a science.  In today’s Sport Fuels Life podcast, we hear from Chris Eaton, a British professional tennis player who continued his tennis journey as a coach in the U.S. at both the NCAA and professional levels.  He shares how he has been able to successfully influence team dynamics, leading to high-level victories on the court.

Chris Eaton grew up outside London, England, and played tennis for seven years.  A few highlights among his many athletic achievements include qualifying and winning a round of singles at Wimbledon in 2008 and making the third round of doubles in 2010.  He also played for Great Britain in the Davis Cup in 2009.

From 2015 to 2016, he coached Australia’s John Peers and Henri Kontinen from Finland and then coached Wake Forest University Men’s tennis from 2016-2023.  Highlights at Wake Forest included winning a team and individual title with Wake in 2018 along with several ACC titles.  He currently coaches Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, who have won the US Open doubles over the past three years, World Tour Finals over the past two years, and won the Australian Open.

Coaching athletes to win on the world stage takes a special ability and comes with unique challenges.  Lean how he has been able to turn those challenges into competitive advantages.

Listen in to hear his approach to coaching a team to win championships.

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we have a very special guest who shares the valuable lessons he learned from working with Cirque Du Soleil.  This extraordinarily demanding contemporary circus provided a master class on high performance.

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Jean Francois Menard is highly regarded in the field of performance psychology.  At the age of 25 and fresh out of graduate school, he joined the world-famous entertainment company Cirque Du Soleil, where he coached circus artists to handle immense physical pressures and perform their best (up to 450 times a year).  Five years later, he founded Kambio Performance and has since become a sought-after mental performance specialist.

During the past four Olympic Games, the athletes he coached won 17 medals for Canada.  His private clients are proven winners: Olympic gold medalists, X-Games and Super Bowl Champions, surgeons, musicians and corporate leaders.

Jean Francois Menard is a professional speaker for organizations such as the FBI, PepsiCo, RedBull, Cisco, RBC and NASA and is also a bestselling author of two books: "Train Your Brain Like an Olympian" and "Team Chemistry".

His insights on achieving high performance are helpful to athletes, coaches, and more!

If you’re looking for a little extra motivation or confidence, then you’ve come to the right place!  Confidence and overcoming adversity are today’s two main topics.

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we bring back returning guest, Tami Matheny.  She is a mental game coach, author, and Jon Gordon-certified trainer.  She has a background as an athlete playing basketball and tennis at Lenoir-Rhyne College, as well as coaching men’s and women’s tennis at the University of South Carolina Upstate.  She shares her knowledge to help people in all walks of life (not just athletes) with confidence, motivation, focus, mental toughness, leadership, and teamwork.

Tami emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process, not the outcome.  She shares ways that you can regain confidence and learn to have more positive self-talk.  She also has a new book to check out called Challenge Deeper!

Listen to our podcast to learn more!

Christopher Clarey: Renowned Sports Journalist and Bestselling Author

Join us on today’s show as we sit down with Christopher Clarey, longtime New York Times sports journalist with over 30 years of experience covering global sports, including 15 Olympics, 6 World Cups, and more than 100 Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

As one of the world’s leading authorities on tennis, Clarey shares fascinating insights into the routines and mindsets of elite athletes like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, subjects of his bestselling book "THE MASTER" and the upcoming "THE WARRIOR." Discover the habits that set these athletes apart and how we can apply their lessons to our own lives.

Tune in to hear behind-the-scenes stories of these legendary figures, and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to excel at the highest levels of sport.

Connect with Christopher Clarey:

• Instagram: @christophclarey
• X (formerly Twitter): @christophclarey
• Substack: Tennis & Beyond | christopherclarey.substack.com

In this Sport Fuels Life podcast episode, we bring back a returning guest, Allistair McCaw!  He is a bestselling author and speaker who is an expert on leadership, team culture, and performance.

Born in Ireland and raised in South Africa, he is the youngest of four boys and has a background playing tennis.  When he first found a natural desire to be a champion (at a young age), he started by making a vision board to guide him down the right path.

He later found success on the world stage in the Duathlon as a five-time World Championship competitor.  His experience as an athlete became as much about the journey as the destination.

His powerful mindset has resulted in his becoming a sought-after keynote speaker and consultant for numerous organizations, corporations, Olympians, Grand Slam champions, NCAA colleges and professional sports teams.  He has recently published a new book called Mindset is Your Superpower.

Listen to our podcast to learn more!

Connect with Allistair McCaw

Instagram:  @Bechampionminded

Twitter: @AllistairMcCaw

Facebook: @AllistairMcCawpage

"At the end of the day, it doesn’t come down to who has the most talent or intelligence. It comes down to who is willing to make the choices that others are not willing to make. Like who is willing to shoot baskets in the dark when everyone else is sleeping? Who is willing to prepare more for an interview? Who is willing to work on their craft when no one is watching? That’s what separates the good from the great." Allistair McCaw

Join us as we talk with James Lawrence, a.k.a. the “Iron Cowboy”, a Canadian native (now living in Utah) who is most famous for his triathlon records. In 2015, he set the world record for the most Ironman distance triathlons completed in one year in 50 states over 50 days.  Then, in 2021, he followed up his own record with “Conquer 100;” he completed 100 consecutive Ironman length triathlons with his family being a key part of his journey and travel party.

We also like the fact that he had the “courage to suck” without caring what other people thought.  It seems his wife signed him up for a four-mile fun run on Thanksgiving one year.  He didn’t want to do it at first, but he did it anyway because he couldn’t bear the thought of wasting money on the registration.  He stuck with it and accomplished some incredible undertakings in the sport!  He hated running and still does.

Now he has a book, The Iron Cowboy, and his own company, with his daughter as the CEO.  In his story, he embraces the perspective that failure is not possible, only an opportunity to succeed.

Listen to our podcast to hear the full story!

Scott Doerner discusses his varied championship tennis career and how a winning team culture helped fuel a national championship. Those principles still apply!

A promise to his mother and a conversation with a special person changed his perspective and gave him strength to make parole; he eventually end up being released.  The conversation involves a carrot, an egg, and a coffee bean.  Now, Damon shares his story with others and  emphasizes that the most dangerous prison can be your mind.

To learn more about Damon’s life changing conversations, listen to the full podcast at SportFuelsLife.com.

Jesse is among the top up-and-coming NASCAR drivers and one of only two African Americans on theprofessional stock car racing circuit. He attributes the discipline he learned in the United States Navy, as well as playing football for the Naval Academy, to his success. Jesse has tremendous passion for serving his country and is currently still active in the Navy Reserves.

There, he oversees the training of all the center's 32 Paralympic athletes and also works with its Olympic athletes. 

This summer, he will head to Tokyo with his athletes who will compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We got to pick Gustavo’s brain on everything from his personal athletic journey to training elite Paralympic athletes with their eyes set on gold at this year’s Games.

Diego joins us in today’s episode to discuss his incredible journey from leaving home at a very early age to set out on his quest for tennis greatness, having nothing and working his way to the top.

You can connect with Diego via his Instagram, Twitter or Facebook page, as well as his website, diegomoyanohighperformancetennis.com

Take a listen below and then come back and let us know what inspired you most about Isaac’s journey!

Having more than 12 years of marketing experience with Fortune 500 companies and emerging brands, Sydney serves up her “truth juice” style of storytelling to break wide open tough conversations with practical, powerful content and experiences. Over the years, she’s been featured on the SXSW stage, as well as in the Huffington Post, Psychology Today and numerous other publications. Today, she is the author of Hiking My Feelings: Stepping Into the Healing Power of Nature and travels across the country empowering others to summit their personal mountains on their way to becoming Well Beings. 

This episode, we’re speaking with Mizuno athlete Tri Bourne; professional beach volleyball player, former professional indoor player and NCAA Division 1 Men's Volleyball player for the USC Trojans. He’s a native Hawaiian, born and raised on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, and spent lots of time on the beach, where he discovered volleyball.  

We cover a lot of topics with Tri, including coaching, goal setting and how learning to control your mental state can help you stay in the game. 

Listen to find out why Tri says there’s no such thing as a perfect coach, why setting personal goals and aligning those goals with your team matters, and how his mental state plays such a massive role in his physical performance.

This episode is sponsored by Mizuno. Visit MizunoUSA.com for more information.

Heather covers a multitude of topics from failure, pressure to succeed and the top three traits that create strong coaches.

Listen to this episode and connect with Heather here

Be sure to visit www.peteripmaster.com for more!

Refuse To Lose Coaching

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You can follow along with Dean's journey on his #DeanStrong Facebook page.

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