Coaching Athletes to Win On & Off the Field—with James Laurence - EP009
Winning on the field is nice. But it’s even more important to translate the lessons we learn there to life beyond sports. To apply the discipline, work ethic and growth mindset of an elite athlete to everything we do. Coach James Laurence is the Founder and CEO of Legerity Sports Performance, a coaching program for high-performing athletes of all ages based in Covington, Washington. James played football and ran track and field for the Antelope Valley College Marauders before earning a football scholarship to Western Washington University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science. James has 17 years of experience training a wide variety of elite youth, high school, collegiate and professional athletes. On this episode of Holistic High Performance, James joins Daniel to explain why he didn’t play organized sports until seventh grade and how that informs his perspective as a coach now. He walks us through his journey from college football player to founder of his own coaching program, sharing the evaluation process he uses to determine if an athlete is a good fit and describing the growth mindset that helps him adapt as the industry changes. Listen in for insight on the foundation of faith in James’ family and learn how pursuing his own goal to compete on the world stage has shifted the way he thinks about coaching. What You Will Learn Why James didn’t play organized sports until seventh grade and how that informs his perspective as a coach now The challenges James faced in being a husband, father and college athlete Why James wasn’t the DII football superstar he anticipated at Western Washington The series of jobs James took on when his pro football career ended Who mentored James in building Legerity Sports Performance The evaluation process James uses to decide if an athlete is a good fit for his coaching style Why James is focused on helping athletes channel the lessons they learn on the field into life after sports Who inspired James’ growth mindset and how it helps him adapt as the industry changes James’ commitment to helping his athletes learn to ‘drive in traffic’ James’ personal goal to reach the podium in high hurdles at the World Championships by 2025 and how training has given him empathy for his athletes’ mental struggle The foundation of faith in James’ family and how his wife and kids inspire him to be better Connect with James Laurence Legerity Sports Performance Connect with Daniel Christofferson Holistic High Performance Daniel on LinkedIn Resources Seattle Chinese Athletic Association Dave McBroom Taylor Barton Dale Baskett Mike Cunliffe