Sport Coach Education

Michelle Davidson: A Life in the Water | Ep 13

In Episode 13, Liz talks with Michelle Davidson, a longtime swim coach, lifeguard, teacher, and mentor whose life in the water stretches from the Jersey Shore to the English Channel. Michelle shares her background as a scholarship swimmer, longtime lifeguard, and coach who has spent decades teaching, training, and competing across swimming and lifesaving. She reflects on the difference between teaching swim lessons and truly coaching, how science and experience shaped her approach to stroke technique, and why coach learning does not come from certification alone. The conversation also explores open-water swimming, the Gertrude Ederle swim, Australian lifeguarding, Monmouth County lifeguard competition, rookie training, and the sport of lifesaving. Along the way, Michelle makes a strong case for the value of experience, mentoring, and judgment in coach development.

Stephanie Beritsky: Mountain Bike Coach Development | Ep 12

In Episode 12, Liz talks mountain bike coaching with Stephanie Beritsky, a certified mountain bike instructor, NICA coach, and former REI instructor, to compare three common training pathways: PMBIA, BICP, and NICA’s in-house coach training. They unpack the real differences in how each system prepares instructors/coaches, especially the tradeoff between classroom/testing vs. on-trail learning, and why teaching skills in a grassy field doesn’t always translate to confident trail riding. You’ll also hear a practical deep-dive on what’s missing from many coach trainings: learning how to notice errors in real time and correct them effectively, plus how attention, fear, and muscle memory shape what young riders can actually apply on the bike.

Marshall Milbrath: Happy, Healthy, Improving | Ep 11

In Episode 11, Liz talks with Marshall Milbrath—former cross country coach, teacher, exercise physiology grad, and PhD-trained coach educator—about what actually drives athlete improvement and coach development. Marshall shares how he chased every learning opportunity he could find (including USA Track & Field coach education), why buy-in and consistency often beat the “perfect plan,” and his simple coaching litmus test: athletes should be happy, healthy, and improving. They also dig into coaching semantics (effective vs. expert), how to prepare athletes for their next coach, what it looks like to assess real coaching behaviors (not just buzzwords like “athlete-centered”), and why coach education works best when it’s practical, structured, and built around reflection and feedback

Peter McGahey: The Magic of Coaching Happens in the Gap | Ep 10

In Episode 10, Liz talks with Dr. Peter McGahey (West Virginia University and U.S. Soccer coach development) for a big-picture conversation on learning, growth, and what makes coaching truly transformative. Peter breaks down the U.S. Soccer licensing pathway, what it means to develop coach educators (not just coaches), and why the next frontier is learning science, communication, and relationships that can’t be replaced by technology. They also challenge the myth that great coaches and athletes are simply “naturals,” explore why willingness to learn matters more than perceived deficits, and unpack Peter’s unforgettable idea that “the magic of coaching happens in the gap” between where you are and where you want to be.

Gregory Rubendall: Building Better Soccer Learning Environments | Ep 9

In Episode 9, Liz talks with Gregory Rubendall—a lifelong soccer coach, former physical education teacher, and soccer coach educator—about what it really means to build better learning environments in the sport. They dig into how coaches can create sessions that keep players engaged, how communication and culture shape development, and why coach education has to be practical (especially for volunteer coaches). Greg also shares what he looks for when mentoring other coaches and how community- and school-based programs can help make sport more accessible.