Bound for Greatness : Cultivating Champions, Mission to Transform Youth Sports
In a world where the pressures on young athletes are ever-mounting, Tyler Johnson emerges as a beacon of support and guidance. As an experienced mental skills and leadership coach, Tyler has dedicated his career to helping student-athletes and coaches navigate the intricate landscape of youth sports and high school athletics. Through speaking engagements, one-on-one coaching, team sessions, and interactive workshops, Tyler leverages research-based tools and methods to uncover the innate advantages within each individual he works with.
Tyler Johnson’s journey is steeped in both personal and professional experiences that uniquely qualify him for this mission. A former Division I football captain and player, Tyler has also worked within the front offices of MLB and NBA teams, gaining insights that enrich his coaching philosophy. His resume includes working with high school and collegiate All-Americans and spending time as a high school coach and Division I football coach. This diverse background has allowed him to touch the lives of thousands of athletes and coaches, instilling in them the mental fortitude necessary to excel both on and off the field.
Scott Garvis, a well-respected figure in youth sports, recently sat down with Tyler on the "Bound for Greatness" podcast. Scott introduced Tyler as not just a mental skills and leadership coach, but a catalyst for transformation in youth sports and high school athletics. “Tyler is on a mission to help young high school athletic directors and youth sports leaders build strong cultures where student-athletes can thrive,” Scott remarked, underscoring Tyler’s impact in the field.
When asked about what inspired him to focus on high school athletics and youth sports, Tyler shared a poignant insight: “Be what you needed when you needed it as a younger kid.” Reflecting on his own experiences as a student-athlete, Tyler recognized the heightened pressures that today's athletes face, from academic demands to the competitive nature of sports. He recounted his own struggles with identity post-athletics, highlighting the importance of helping young athletes understand who they are beyond their sports personas.
This understanding drives Tyler’s approach to coaching. He emphasizes the critical need for athletes to develop a strong sense of self, which in turn enhances their performance and well-being. “So many times, competition gets put in front of getting to understand who they are,” Tyler explained. “It just makes navigating your own life that much more difficult.”
Scott and Tyler delved into the common challenges faced by student-athletes, coaches, and athletic directors. One major hurdle is the plethora of external distractions. Tyler stressed the importance of establishing an intentional culture from the outset. “Let everyone know where the ship is going,” he advised, emphasizing flexibility and adaptability in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Tyler also advocates for involving students in the creation and evolution of their team culture. “What is your culture without the kids? It’s pretty quiet,” he pointed out, stressing that empowering students with a voice in their environment fosters accountability and engagement.
A metaphor that Tyler often uses is that of a bicycle to describe the sports ecosystem. He likens athletic directors and leadership to the handlebars and frame, coaches to the front tire, and parents to the back tire. When all parts are aligned, the bike can go far and fast, but any misalignment can lead to instability and dissatisfaction. This analogy highlights the necessity of a unified vision and shared definitions of success and effort within a team.
Ultimately, Tyler’s message is one of empowerment and holistic development. By focusing on the mental and emotional aspects of athletes’ lives, he aims to cultivate not just champions in sports, but well-rounded individuals equipped to succeed in all areas of life. His work serves as a reminder that the true value of sports lies not just in the victories, but in the personal growth and life skills that they foster.
In Tyler Johnson, youth sports and high school athletics have found a passionate advocate and a transformative leader, dedicated to helping the next generation of athletes find their true selves and achieve greatness both on and off the field.
In a telling moment from their conversation, Tyler Johnson shared a profound experience that illustrates the leadership challenges faced by student-athletes. He recounted a scenario where he asked a group of high school students to raise their hands if they had ever been told they were a leader. Every hand went up. He then asked how many had been given a definition, skill set, or guidance on what leadership required. Every hand went down. "That's a predicament we're putting kids into," Tyler noted, emphasizing the need for proper leadership development rather than simply assigning titles based on athletic talent.
Scott Garvis echoed this sentiment, agreeing that high effort and good modeling are common among young leaders, but the actual skills of leadership often need development. Tyler highlighted that when asked if they wanted to learn skills to improve in sports and life, all the students' hands went back up, showing their eagerness for growth and support.
Tyler's insights reveal the dichotomy within youth sports: schools that invest in professional development and growth for their coaches, teachers, and student leaders tend to create positive, self-perpetuating cultures. In contrast, those that avoid these investments often face recurring issues. He shared his strategy for building leadership within teams by starting with a small, selected group of students and expanding through peer identification and involvement.
As the discussion wrapped up, Tyler emphasized the importance of focusing on people rather than problems. "If you build the person and build the people, the team building takes care of itself," he said. He stressed that investing in people—coaches, students, and staff—strengthens the overall culture and leads to more significant, long-term success.
Scott Garvis reflected on the power of personal stories and the human element in leadership, recounting a motivational talk given by a janitor to a football team, which profoundly impacted the students by highlighting the janitor's journey and perseverance. This story underscored Tyler's point that everyone has a story and that recognizing the humanity in each individual is crucial for effective leadership.
Looking ahead, Tyler sees a bright future for youth sports and high school athletics. He envisions a system where leadership development is integral, creating environments that extend beyond the field and into broader life lessons. "The more you can build a culture and be intentional about it, the more you're going to help yourself out," he concluded.
Scott Garvis expressed his gratitude for Tyler's insights and dedication to empowering athletes and coaches. "It's clear you have a passion for making an impact," Scott said, underscoring the importance of Tyler's work in transforming the landscape of youth sports.
As the conversation concluded, both Tyler and Scott left listeners with a powerful message: greatness is not just about winning games; it's about creating environments where every student-athlete has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Through intentional leadership development and a focus on personal growth, the future of youth sports and high school athletics can be one where every individual thrives both on and off the field.
Bound for Greatness Podcast
Bound for Greatness is a podcast that addresses current issues facing athletic professionals and also offers leadership strategies for coaches and athletic administrators. Coach and athletic administrative veteran, Scott Garvis, tackles the issues facing education based activities from a unique perspective; sometimes irreverent, sometimes cynical, and sometimes serious. Scott covers current topics while also providing leadership lessons from his career as coach and administrator.
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