Among a parent’s biggest goals is to raise healthy, ethical, and honorable adults. We want our children to like and respect themselves, respect others, and enhance the lives of people around them. One of the most prominent conversations over the past year has revolved around the pervasiveness of poor – and sometimes criminal – behavior [Read More]

Every weekend all over the world millions of parents, children and coaches set off for their weekly sporting ritual ‘Match Day’. Many will follow the same process each week and will never question their routine or behaviour. Many of these parents and coaches are well intentioned, trying to support their child and their team through [Read More]

Jack Thomsen- Union- JR Cobe Siebrecht- Lisbon- SR Eli Loyd- Pleasant Valley- JR Kaleb Olejniczak- Perry- SR Colby Schriever- Mason City- JR Nick Hamilton- Underwood- FR * Jack Thomsen had a flawless season this year in which he went 47-0 and defeated guys like Colby Schriever, Deven Strief, Chase McClaren, Kaleb Olejniczak, etc. Look for [Read More]

Adolescent depression, suicide, and anxiety are increasing at alarming rates. Recent studies indicate that as many as one in five teens suffers from clinical depression. As parents, we all want to see our kids succeed in school, in sports, and in life. But sometimes well-intentioned parents on top of the intensity of comparing themselves to [Read More]

WATERLOO – Kyven Gadson loves coming home. Especially when he walks into a building filled with Cyclone fans. Gadson, who won an NCAA wrestling title for Iowa State, was among the featured attractions during the Cyclone Tailgate Tour stop at the National Cattle Congress grounds Wednesday night. Gadson, 26, is coming off a victory at [Read More]

1.) Cael Happel- Lisbon (JR) 2.) Eric Faught- Clear Lake (SR) 3.) Jack Gaukel- Sergeant Bluff-Luton (SO) 4.) Joe Pins- Dubuque Hempstead (SR) 5.) Ben Monroe- Ankeny Centennial (SR) 6.) Logan James- Underwood (JR) * I mentioned Caleb Rathjen being so ahead of his opponents that it’s difficult for me to make sense of. Well, [Read More]

What are your morning habits getting out of bed?   This is a question I have been asking myself for many years.  I went to Brendon Burchard’s High Performance Academy, which was a four day seminar.   He studies the highest of high achievers whether they are athletes, Hollywood stars, political figures, or high level business people.   [Read More]

As parents, we all like to think we’re steering our children toward activities and opportunities that will help them lead happy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We encourage them to work hard, have integrity, take risks, show gratitude, be respectful, etc. But at some point, deep down, every parent realizes there are no guarantees. There’s no [Read More]

1.) Caleb Rathjen-Ankeny (SO) 2.) Robert Avila Jr- Lisbon (FR) 3.) Nick Oldham- WDM Valley (SR) 4.) Hayden Taylor- Solon (FR) 5.) Matthew Jordan- DM East (SR) 6.) Andrew Flora- ADM-Adel (SR) * This weight was littered with things all year that I had a difficult time making sense out of. To start, when I [Read More]

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck’s concept of growth mindset has had a profound impact on the way many coaches and parents approach youth sports. Compared to a “fixed mindset,” in which skills and abilities are set and unchangeable, a person with a growth mindset believes practice and learning can lead to improvement. A growth mindset is [Read More]