Just Go Play

In this episode, Daryl Devonish and Taryn Lipschitz speak with Dr. Cassidy Preston from Consistent Elite Performance on Why Mindset Coaching is changing the game for athletes. Cassidy shares his journey as a professional hockey player that led him to get a Ph.D. in Sport Psychology from York University to allow him to help athletes understand what mental skills they need to work on and how to strengthen their mental toughness. Mental toughness is the key to unlocking your potential. Most players are investing a lot in their physical and technical skills, but are underperforming because they have not invested enough in their mental toughness. Hear the discussion on: * Why speaking about mental health shouldn't be taboo in sports * The difference between self-worth and self-confidence * What age kids should be exposed to mental performance training * Why we need to normalize the ability to think and reflect Cassidy shares how the skills he works with athletes on, support not only their on-ice game but also their training and day-to-day performance.  with a big focus on overcoming limiting belief. Check out Consistent Elite Performance at www.consistenteliteperformance.com [https://consistenteliteperformance.com/] or find them on social media: Instagram: @consistenteliteperformance [https://www.instagram.com/consistenteliteperformance/] Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/Fitness-In-A-Bag-100693354849301]@ConsistentElitePerformance [https://www.facebook.com/ConsistentElitePerformance/] Twitter: @CassidyPreston [https://twitter.com/cassidypreston] Podcast: The Consistent Elite Performance Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/6uMaZvDdWbX9h1q5j9a0xS] Dr. Preston grew up playing minor hockey in North Bay, Ontario, and, like many kids, his emotions got the best of him at times. He would slam his stick, doubt himself, get frustrated, and overthink. He went into slumps, took retaliation penalties, and rode the emotional roller coaster of highs and lows. He worked hard and was fortunate enough to go in the 4th round of the OHL draft and went on to play 5 years of junior hockey, have a short stint in Pro hockey, and finished his career with 5 years of University hockey. Mental toughness is incredibly important, but the problem that he experienced, and many athletes currently do, is that it’s not easy to work on because it is not tangible, especially if you try to do it on your own. This is why one of the core values that he has is to find simple solutions to abstract problems. This drove him to earn his Ph.D. in Sport Psychology from York University. He is now a full-time Sport & Performance Psychology Coach and uses his education, playing career, and coaching experiences to guide hockey players daily on how to strengthen their mental toughness. Just Go Play is the resource for parents, teachers, coaches, and athletes to understand how sports will help build skills for life. The mission is to help and encourage kids, parents, and coaches to enjoy sports and participate for life.  Follow Just Go Play on Instagram @qualitycoaching to receive coaching insights and information.

In this episode, Daryl Devonish and Taryn Lipschitz speak with Ian Mackenzie and Kevin Shier from TOP Sports on the Return of the Multi-Sport Athlete. Ian and Kevin share their journey through sports and how it led them to develop a different multisport academy model focused on creating an environment where competition is a mindset. They are focused on helping athletes set goals and hold themselves accountable to accomplish those goals. Hear the discussion on: * Why kids should play multi-sports * How the structure benefits the schedule for the whole family * Why the focus on kids learning physical literacy Ian and Kevin share insight on the TOP Sports 4 pillars that they focus their programming around: 1. Quality practice over quantity of games 2. Consistent manageable schedule with cut-offs for each sport 3. High-quality coaching that uses sports as a medium to teach athletes to be good people 4. Multi-sport play where the benefits of the training help foster a long term athlete Check out TOP Sports at www.topsports.ca [https://topsports.ca/] or find them on social media: Instagram: @topsports.to [https://www.instagram.com/topsports.to/] Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/Fitness-In-A-Bag-100693354849301]@TopsportsToronto [https://www.facebook.com/topsportstoronto] Twitter: @TOPsportsTO [https://twitter.com/TOPsportsTO] Ian grew up in Toronto, playing every sport he could get involved in. In high school, he played golf, hockey, soccer, baseball, volleyball, and rugby, and credits who he is today to these experiences. While attending Wilfrid Laurier University, Ian began teaching skating lessons privately, sparking a passion for coaching and mentoring youth. Before TOP Sports, Ian was the co-owner of SDH Hockey Experience and has devoted the last 10 years of his life to youth sports, with a particular focus on age-appropriate development and character building. Ian continues to play as many sports as he can as an adult, including men’s league ice hockey, golf, and ball hockey. Kevin grew up in Toronto, playing hockey, football, baseball, and rugby. Kevin is a self-proclaimed “late bloomer”, hitting his athletic potential in his teenage years which led him to an OJHL Championship where he was named MVP, and a scholarship to play Division1 hockey at Union College. After returning home, Kevin attended Ryerson University and briefly ran Shier Hockey Performance before moving over to TOP, helping to create the program. Kevin remains active as an athlete to this day, playing men’s league hockey multiple times a week, ball hockey, tennis, and golf. Kevin and Ian came together over their shared belief in the benefits of multisport play, character building through sport, and evolving youth development practices. They have built TOP Sports from 26 athletes to over 500, and from only offering one sport, to offering four in just over three years. They are driven by a love for what they do and a desire to make a change and offer something different to youth athletes. Just Go Play is the resource for parents, teachers, coaches, and athletes to understand how sports will help build skills for life. The mission is to help and encourage kids, parents, and coaches to enjoy sports and participate for life.  Follow Just Go Play on Instagram @qualitycoaching to receive coaching insights and information.

In this episode, Daryl Devonish and Taryn Lipschitz bring back Rob Pacas to speak about How Physical Education helps attract, retain, and grow participation in youth sports. Rob shares what he has been doing for the last 10 months since we last spoke to him and how he has been inspiring and motivating people to stay active. Hear the discussion on: * Why physical education is critical for the mental health and development of students * Why schools need to work together to share information to improve programming across the country * How leadership needs to address policy issues and support the professional development of the staff * Why specialists are required in the school system to support proper fundamental movement skill development and encourage free play Rob shares how he has been working with schools to support their programming through the pandemic and opportunities there are in communities to build healthier and vibrant people. Check out Fitness in a bag at www.fitnessinabag.ca [https://www.fitnessinabag.ca/] or find them on social media: Instagram: @fitness_in_a_bag [https://www.instagram.com/fitness_in_a_bag/] Facebook: Fitness in a Bag [https://www.facebook.com/Fitness-In-A-Bag-100693354849301] LinkedIn: Rob Pacas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-pacas-78b30a3b/] Rob Pacas spent over twenty years as the Director of the Birchmount Exceptional Athlete Program (B.E.A.P). Rob was responsible for training and working with over 200 student-athletes each year from over 40 different sports organizations. ​ Before teaching, Rob was a National Champion and World University All-Star at the University of Toronto. The Varsity Blues won a National Championship in Soccer in 1988, and his team was inducted into the University of Toronto Hall of Fame. Rob spent over twenty-five years educating teachers through Additional Qualification (AQ) courses at both the University of Toronto and York University. Rob continues to conduct presentations on fitness and fitness topics for OFSSA, OPHEA, and various Boards of Education. Rob travels across Ontario to educate teachers and students. Follow Just Go Play on Instagram @qualitycoaching to receive coaching insights and information. Just Go Play is the resource for parents, teachers, coaches, and athletes to understand how sports will help build skills for life. The mission is to help and encourage kids, parents, and coaches to enjoy sports and participate for life.

In this  Just Go Play podcast episode, Daryl Devonish and Taryn Lipschitz speak with Mark Healy to discuss The Hockey Factory: focused on the development not just winning. Hear Mark's journey as he transitioned from the corporate world to a chance re-encounter that led to being part of The Hockey Factory: a unique facility focused on skill development. Because every player needs a passion for the game and the skill to play. The Hockey Factory is where an academy meets a gym membership focused on: * Providing access to trainers and skill development on your time * Focusing on skill development and not on just winning a game * Baseline testing so that you can see your improvement Hear the discussion on what The Hockey Factory has pulled from other sports and the unique culture they've developed that they're ready to share with players once restrictions provide a safe environment. Check out The Hockey Factory at www.factoryvicpark.com [https://www.factoryvicpark.com/] or find them on social media: Instagram: @factoryvicpark [https://www.instagram.com/factoryvicpark/] Facebook: Factory Vic Park [https://www.facebook.com/factoryvicpark] Mark grew up playing AA and AAA hockey in the GTHL and then continued on to play 3 years of Junior hockey.  More recently Mark has 12 years of experience as a volunteer coach in the GTHL. Mark is very passionate about working with young athletes to develop their skills but also their minds, values, and confidence for the game Mark is extremely well connected within the current GTHL landscape and enjoys helping players and their families find the right situations that will put them in the best place to develop. Follow Just Go Play on Instagram @qualitycoaching [https://www.instagram.com/qualitycoaching] to receive coaching insights and information. Just Go Play is the resource for parents, teachers, coaches, and athletes to understand how sports will help build skills for life. The mission is to help and encourage kids, parents, and coaches to enjoy sports and participate for life.

In this  Just Go Play podcast episode, Daryl Devonish and Taryn Lipschitz speak with Ari Nitikman and Danie Proby to discuss What you can learn from the culture of Ultimate. With a mission to change the culture of all sports, Ari and Danie share what makes Ultimate unique including: * Focus on fundamental skill development including running, jumping, and throwing * The guiding principle of the game is: Spirit of the Game where players have to work with the other team on calls and constructive feedback * Emphasis on teamwork. No one player can be the star - the whole team needs to work together as a functioning unit. You can learn more about the programs Elevate Ultimate at www.elevateultimate.com [http://www.elevateultimate.com] or find them on social media: Twitter: @ELEVATEyourUlti [https://twitter.com/ELEVATEyourUlti] Instagram: @elevate.ultimate [https://www.instagram.com/elevate.ultimate/] Facebook: ELEVATE Ultimate [https://www.facebook.com/ElevateUltimateAcademy/] Ari Nitikman started playing ultimate when he was in Grade 6. He went on to play semi-professionally for the Vancouver Nighthawks of the MLU and Vancouver Riptide of the AUDL. He became a rookie on Canada's top men’s team, Furious George, when he was 20, which was also when he dropped out of business school to start Elevate Ultimate full time. He has represented U24 Team Canada twice, earning a bronze in the mixed division in 2017, and a silver medal in the open division in 2019. His goal is to represent Canada at the Olympics one day, whether it be playing or coaching. Jocelyn “Danie” Proby started playing ultimate at the University of Victoria in her first year. She quickly became captain, led them to a Canadian National Championship, and their first-ever qualification to the USA College National Championships. She went on to play for Vancouver’s top women’s team, Traffic, until she, unfortunately, tore her ACL. She kicked rehab in the butt and went on to make Team Canada Mixed Masters just three years later. She became the assistant coach of the U20 Team Canada women in that same year, and the head coach of the U24 Team Canada women the next year. Danie has a Physical Education degree as well as her Advanced Coaching Diploma and was the Coaching Director for Ultimate Peace. Her goal is to represent Canada at the Olympics one day. Follow Just Go Play on Instagram @qualitycoaching [https://www.instagram.com/qualitycoaching] to receive coaching insights and information. Just Go Play is the resource for parents, teachers, coaches, and athletes to understand how sports will help build skills for life. The mission is to help and encourage kids, parents, and coaches to enjoy sports and participate for life.