Steve Mesler: Falling Means Learning, The Gift of Obsession & Keep Coaching Curious | Ep 22

Описание: Olympic gold medalist Steve Mesler (Vancouver 2010 bobsled) delivers a nuanced perspective on youth sports that challenges both the "winning is everything" and "winning doesn't matter" camps. As co-founder of Classroom Champions and a father navigating today's youth sports landscape, Steve explores the complex relationship between achievement, self-worth, and the purpose of sport.
This conversation digs deep into uncomfortable truths: Why do we tell kids winning doesn't matter while screaming at the TV during playoffs? Can we value podium performance AND lifelong participation? Steve shares insights from his Olympic journey, working with elite athletes as a performance coach, and raising his own children in an era of intense sports pressure.

Key Topics Discussed:
The paradox of achievement in sport
Separating results from self-worth
Why it's okay to be sad when you lose
The danger of "either/or" thinking in youth sports
What winning a gold medal actually means
Broadening success metrics for young athletes
Sport as a lifelong gift vs. podium pursuit
The American vs. Canadian athlete mentality debate
Creating space for both competition and participation

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
05:13 Steve's Athletic Journey and Early Influences
06:45 Defining Success in Youth Sports
08:20 Access to Sports as a Child
09:58 The Current Landscape of Youth Sports Specialization
13:13 Formative Experiences and Lessons from Losing
17:53 The Need to Be Explicit about Lessons from Sport
19:27 Steve's Difficult Battle with Depression
23:05 Asking for Help and Overcoming Depression
30:13 The Role of Hope in Recovery
32:57 Classroom Champions: Empowering Youth Through Sports
38:25 Navigating Youth Sports: Balancing Passion and Pressure
42:17 Treating Sports Like Other Healthy Habits for Kids
46:18 Changing the Value Proposition in Youth Sports
48:05 The Complexities of Hockey Culture in Canada
53:30 The Culture of Entitlement in Sports
56:20 Defining Success Through Sports
01:00:02 Long-Term Athlete Development and Bobsledding
01:02:54 What Makes a Good Coach in Youth Sports?
01:06:54 Trust and Communication in Coach-Athlete Relationships
01:12:12 Redefining Success in Sports
01:17:40 Balancing Winning and Personal Growth in Sports

About Steve Mesler:
Olympic gold medalist, bobsled (Vancouver 2010)
3x Olympian (2002, 2006, 2010)
National track and field champion in high school
Co-founder of Classroom Champions
Executive and performance coach for high-level leaders
Former USOC Board of Directors member

Resources:
⁠Steve Mesler | Executive Performance Coaching⁠ https://www.stevemesler.net/
⁠Classroom Champions https://www.classroomchampions.org/