Celebrating Adversity: Lessons from Coach Gregg Parini

The Dreamer's Journal - #1

The first episode of The Dreamer’s Journal dives into a powerful question: Why are so many young athletes afraid of competition? In this short episode, we explore where that fear comes from and how coaches, parents, and athletes can help bring the joy back to competing.

The True Meaning of Team: Standards, Trust, and Accountability

In this episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Scott Young, a teacher and former swimming and diving coach at Albany Academy, to dive deep into the true meaning of TEAM. During this episode we talk about what it’s really like stepping into a program as a new coach, how to honor what already exists while intentionally shifting culture, and the mistakes coaches often make when trying to create change to quickly. Scott shares powerful insight on building trust, establishing standards, and creating an environment where accountability is driven by care, not control.

The Foundation of Success: Trust Between Coach and Athlete

In this episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Manny Pollard, a 3x NCAA Division I All-American diver from the University of Minnesota. Today Manny is looked upon as one of the top diving coaches within the country. His coaching journey has taken him to programs across the country, including Illinois, Texas, and Minnesota. Manny has also become the first black diving coach for Team USA. We explore Manny’s remarkable path in diving, from picking up the sport as a high school freshman to quickly becoming one of the nation’s best. He shares how the lessons he learned as an athlete continue to shape the way he coaches today. At the heart of our conversation is the power of the coach–athlete relationship. In a sport where success is often determined by someone else's opinion, Manny emphasizes how trust between coach and athlete can make all the difference.

Celebrating Adversity: Lessons from Coach Gregg Parini

In this week’s episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Gregg Parini, who is beginning his 39th season as the head coach of Denison University’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams. We dive into Gregg’s journey — how he fell in love with the sport of swimming and the path that ultimately led him to Denison. He opens up about his coaching philosophy, the culture he has created, and why he believes that facing challenges and adversity should not only be expected but celebrated. Over nearly four decades, he has built one of the most respected and successful swimming and diving programs in NCAA Division 3.

Resilience in the Crease: A Lacrosse Goalie’s Rise from D3 to the D1 National Stage - EP #5 Will Helm

In this week’s episode of the Dreamers Beware podcast, I sit down with Will Helm, a lacrosse goalie whose journey started at St. Lawrence University and led him all the way to starting in the 2023 Division I Lacrosse National Championship game for Duke University. We dive into Will’s incredible path from Division III to the biggest stage in college lacrosse, exploring the challenges, lessons, and defining moments along the way. Will also shares how the experiences and mindset he developed through this journey have shaped not only his athletic career but also the way he approaches everyday life beyond the field.