What comes after winning a national championship?For Kevin Blaskowski, it meant helping shape the future of softball.After more than 800 collegiate victories, an NCAA Division II National Championship, and decades of building championship programs, Kevin now focuses on developing the next generation of athletes through American Freedom and Coach B Softball Academy.In this episode ofContinue reading “From National Champion to Building the Future of Softball | Kevin Blaskowski”
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The New MLB Draft: How Analytics, NIL & Player Development Are Changing Baseball
The MLB Draft is changing and so is the path to professional baseball. On this episode of The Coach & Counselor, host Tony Gilio is joined by former MLB player and scout Greg Golson and baseball analyst Matt Pajak for an in-depth conversation on the biggest storylines from this year’s MLB Draft. Together, they breakContinue reading “The New MLB Draft: How Analytics, NIL & Player Development Are Changing Baseball”
The Reality Gap: What Every Athletic Leader Needs to Hear
What happens when the reality of high school athletics collides with the expectations created by social media, recruiting hype, and college sports? In this episode of The Coach & Counselor, host Tony Gilio sits down with Jeremy Eubank, Athletic & Activities Director at Prince Edward County High School and incoming VIAAA President-Elect, for a candidContinue reading “The Reality Gap: What Every Athletic Leader Needs to Hear”
Are We Ruining Youth Sports? Why Today’s Athletes Are Burning Out
Youth sports have never been more competitive.Athletes are specializing earlier, playing more games, training year-round, and facing more pressure than ever before. But is all of that actually helping them develop, or is it leading to burnout?In this episode of The Coach & Counselor, former Division I and professional baseball player Kyle Attl shares hisContinue reading “Are We Ruining Youth Sports? Why Today’s Athletes Are Burning Out”
Everyone Wants the Shot. Few Want the Work.
What separates good athletes from great ones?According to Deshawn Woods, it’s not talent. It’s the willingness to embrace the work that happens long before anyone notices the result.In this episode of The Coach & Counselor, Tony Gilio sits down with basketball coach, league commissioner, founder, and NIL advocate Deshawn Woods to discuss his journey fromContinue reading “Everyone Wants the Shot. Few Want the Work.”
Raising Competitors, Not Just Athletes
Sports are about more than wins, losses, and championships; they’re one of the greatest classrooms for life.In this episode of The Coach & Counselor, Tony Gilio sits down with Russ Romano, founder of D1 Mindset Coach, former Division I pitcher, and certified mental performance coach, to discuss what it truly means to develop competitors, notContinue reading “Raising Competitors, Not Just Athletes”
Beyond the Jersey: What Truly Builds Great Athletes
In this episode of The Coach & Counselor Podcast, we sit down with Axie Estrada, author, mentor, coach, and founder of Legendary Built, for a powerful conversation about what truly builds great athletes beyond the game itself.With more than 14 years of coaching experience and over 300 athletes mentored, Axie shares her perspective on mindset,Continue reading “Beyond the Jersey: What Truly Builds Great Athletes”
The Journey Nobody Saw: The Reality of Chasing the Dream| Jonathan De Marte
Olympian and former professional baseball player Jonathan De Marte shares the side of the athlete journey most people never see — from multiple arm surgeries and independent baseball to signing with the Chicago Cubs and competing in the Olympics for Team Israel. In this episode of The Coach & Counselor, Jonathan opens up about resilience,Continue reading “The Journey Nobody Saw: The Reality of Chasing the Dream| Jonathan De Marte”
Communication, Ownership, and Coaching That Actually Works: Aron Villegas
Aron Villegas, Director of Coaching at Rodeo Soccer Club, has built his career developing players from the ground up working his way from grassroots coaching to leading at the academy level in youth soccer. In this episode, he breaks down what coaching actually demands beyond drills and tactics. From communication and ownership to building trustContinue reading “Communication, Ownership, and Coaching That Actually Works: Aron Villegas”
The “Normal” Path in Sports… Is Why Most Athletes Struggle: Trey Woosley
Most athletes are told there’s a “right way” to make it play year-round, get exposure, and commit early. But what if that path is actually holding them back? In this episode of Coach & Counselor, we sit down with Trey Woosley, a former professional baseball player, Division I athlete, and current athletic director and highContinue reading “The “Normal” Path in Sports… Is Why Most Athletes Struggle: Trey Woosley”
Tony Gilio 