What does it really mean to train your mind like you train your body? In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, I'm joined by Vera Jo Bustos, also known as Coach VJ, a mental performance coach, keynote speaker, former professional basketball player, and former college basketball coach. Vera Jo brings a powerful perspective on confidence, pressure, performance anxiety, self-talk, and the mental side of sports. Coach VJ shares her journey from growing up as a multi-sport athlete in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to playing college basketball at Adams State, competing professionally in Greece, coaching at the Division I and Division II levels, and now helping athletes, coaches, executives, and high performers strengthen their mental performance. We break down the difference between mental health and mental performance, and Vera Jo explains why mental performance is like the weight room for your mind. Just like athletes train their body and their craft, they also have to train their mindset, focus, confidence, resilience, and ability to stay present when pressure hits. This conversation is especially valuable for athletes, parents of athletes, coaches, and leaders who want to better understand how confidence is built, why self-talk matters, and how to respond when mistakes, nerves, or doubt show up in competition. In this episode, we discuss: How mental performance helps athletes and high performers The difference between mental health and mental performance Why confidence is something you can train How athletes can handle pressure and performance anxiety Why butterflies before a game may actually mean you are ready The role of self-talk in athletic performance What it means to be mentally tough Why athletes need to find the right fit at the next level How coaches can balance high challenge with high support Why the complete athlete trains the body, craft, and mind Whether you are a youth athlete, high school athlete, college athlete, coach, parent, or business leader, this episode will help you look at performance through a different lens. Connect with Coach VJ: Mentality Solutions: https://mentalitysolutions.com Coach VJ Speaking: https://coachvj.com  Subscribe to The Gametime Guru Podcast for more athlete interviews, coaching conversations, leadership lessons, and sports stories that help you see sports through a different lens.

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I sit down with Todd Smith, author of Relegated, to break down one of the most fascinating systems in global sports: promotion and relegation in English soccer. As an American sports fan, I've always been intrigued by the idea that a team can lose its place in the top league based on performance. In the United States, struggling teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS can have bad seasons and still remain in the league. But in English football, the stakes are completely different. If a club finishes at the bottom of the table, it can be relegated to a lower division, losing money, visibility, players, TV revenue, and even part of its identity. Todd Smith experienced this system firsthand while researching his book Relegated. He traveled across the English football pyramid, visiting Premier League stadiums, lower league clubs, small towns, gritty industrial cities, and passionate football communities to understand what relegation really means beyond the scoreboard. In this conversation, Todd and I talk about how relegation works in English soccer, why promotion and relegation creates real stakes every season, how football clubs impact local economies, and why soccer fandom in England is so deeply connected to identity, history, class, community, and pride. We also discuss whether relegation could ever work in American sports. Could the NFL, NBA, MLB, or MLS ever adopt a promotion and relegation system? Would American owners ever allow that much financial risk? And what would happen if a major franchise could actually lose its place in the top league? This episode is perfect for soccer fans, Premier League fans, MLS fans, sports business fans, and anyone interested in the cultural and economic impact of sports around the world. Make sure to grab a copy of Relegated by Todd Smith and follow his work: Website: toddsmithauthor.com Instagram: @relegatedthebook Subscribe to The Gametime Guru for more interviews with athletes, coaches, authors, sports figures, and leaders from around the world as I help you see sports through a different lens.

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, I sit down with my good friend Tyler Hoyt, a head high school basketball coach in the Treasure Valley and the owner of Fastbreak Digital Media. Tyler brings a unique perspective as both a coach and business owner, and we dive into the parallels between sports, business, leadership, setbacks, and personal growth. We talk about Tyler's journey growing up in Southern California, playing college basketball, getting cut at the junior college level, stepping into coaching, becoming a head coach, and building a marketing agency from the ground up. Tyler also shares what he has learned about leading players, parents, employees, and clients with humility, grace, accountability, and purpose. We discuss why setbacks do not define you, how to keep going when things get hard, and why remembering your "why" matters in both sports and business. If you are an athlete, coach, business owner, parent, or leader, this conversation will give you a powerful reminder of why sports are bigger than the game. Learn more about Tyler Hoyt and Fastbreak Digital Media here: https://fastbreakdigitalmedia.com Follow The Gametime Guru for more conversations that help you see sports through a different lens. As athletes, lifters, runners, coaches, and everyday movers, we all deal with tight spots that are hard to reach. That's why I'm excited to share Fascia Sticks. The Fascia Stick Pro is a stainless steel precision tool designed to help target smaller areas like the hands, feet, neck, jaw, temples, and around joints where tension can build up. It's portable, easy to keep in a gym bag, and can even be chilled in the freezer for cold therapy on those smaller areas. Whether you're training hard, recovering between workouts, coaching all day, or just trying to move and feel better, this is a simple tool worth checking out. Use my affiliate code/link here: https://fasciasticks.com/GAMETIME15 Disclosure: This is an affiliate link/code, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through it, at no extra cost to you. Note: Fascia Sticks products are cosmetic wellness accessories and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, I sit down with Keegan Keller, the head boys basketball coach at Shelley High School in Idaho, for a conversation about high school basketball coaching, team culture, player development, leadership, and building trust with athletes. Coach Keller shares how growing up as the son of a high school basketball coach shaped the way he watches the game, studies players, and teaches basketball IQ. We talk about why today's athletes need to spend more time watching basketball, learning from great players, and understanding the small details that help them improve. We also dive into the reality of being a high school basketball coach beyond the court, including fundraising, travel, summer tournaments, program budgets, parent communication, and creating opportunities for players from all backgrounds. A big part of this conversation focuses on basketball culture. Coach Keller explains how he builds relationships with his players, creates buy-in, holds athletes accountable, and prepares them for big moments on and off the court. We also discuss the Shelley Russets basketball program, small-town sports in Idaho, the upcoming season, players to watch, and the leadership lessons that sports can teach in life and business. If you're a basketball coach, high school athlete, parent, sports fan, or someone who loves conversations about leadership and athlete development, this episode is for you. *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:9fb01892-8bbe-44d7-8db7-488a0494ad1a-5" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> As athletes, lifters, runners, coaches, and everyday movers, we all deal with tight spots that are hard to reach. That's why I'm excited to share Fascia Sticks. The Fascia Stick Pro is a stainless steel precision tool designed to help target smaller areas like the hands, feet, neck, jaw, temples, and around joints where tension can build up. It's portable, easy to keep in a gym bag, and can even be chilled in the freezer for cold therapy on those smaller areas. Whether you're training hard, recovering between workouts, coaching all day, or just trying to move and feel better, this is a simple tool worth checking out. Use my affiliate code/link here: https://fasciasticks.com/GAMETIME15  Disclosure: This is an affiliate link/code, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through it, at no extra cost to you. Note: Fascia Sticks products are cosmetic wellness accessories and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:47a4e962-72db-468c-85b0-7a5b6232b356-5" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> What really happens behind the scenes for basketball referees? In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, I sit down with Paul Diasparra, the founder of Crown Refs, to talk about the side of basketball that coaches, players, parents, and fans often misunderstand: officiating. I'll be honest, those who know me know referees and I have not always seen eye-to-eye. As a former player and now as a coach, I've had my share of frustrations with officials. But that's exactly why this conversation was so valuable. Paul gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what basketball officials go through before, during, and after games. We talk about how referees prepare, how they study film, how they communicate with coaches, how they handle missed calls, and why the "next play mentality" matters just as much for officials as it does for athletes. We also get into one of the biggest issues in youth and high school sports today: the shortage of referees. Paul explains why so many officials are leaving the game, how parents and coaches can be better, and why respect, sportsmanship, and emotional intelligence matter if we want to improve the game as a whole. Paul has built Crown Refs into a powerful training platform and community for officials who want to perfect their craft. From film breakdowns and mentorship to camps and communication training, Crown Refs is helping officials grow and stay connected to the game. In this episode, we discuss: How Paul got started in basketball and officiating The origin story behind Crown Refs Why there is a shortage of youth and high school referees How coaches should communicate with officials Why respectful questions get better answers How referees study film and break down plays What officials look for with positioning, whistle timing, and signals How referees handle missed calls and move on The physical demands of officiating basketball Why health, fitness, and nutrition matter for referees How officials work together as a crew Advice for young referees who want to stay involved in the game Where Crown Refs is headed in the future Whether you are a coach, player, parent, referee, or sports fan, this conversation will help you see the game from a different lens. Follow Paul and Crown Refs: Instagram: @crownrefs TikTok: @crownrefs YouTube: Crown Refs Patreon: Crown Refs Make sure to subscribe to The Gametime Guru Podcast for more conversations with athletes, coaches, officials, and sports figures from around the world.  

It's not always easy coming back from a major injury, especially when it's something as serious as an Achilles rupture. In this episode of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with Idaho MMA fighter Ariel Frantz to talk about her return to the cage after three surgeries and two years away from the sport. Ariel shares what fight week looks like, the mental and physical grind of cutting weight, how she approaches recovery, and what it takes to get back into competition after a devastating setback. They also dive into Ariel's background as a Boise State softball player, the parallels between sports and life, balancing a full-time job while training, and the mindset needed to keep pushing forward in the fight game. This is a conversation about resilience, discipline, confidence, and chasing what you love even when the road gets hard. If you're an athlete, a fight fan, or someone working to come back from adversity, this episode is for you.  

In this episode of The Gametime Guru, Shane Larson sits down with Tiffany Deering to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing young athletes and their families today: the recruiting process. Tiffany shares her journey from playing competitive softball in Southern California to becoming a national champion at the University of Michigan, and how that experience shaped the way she now helps families navigate recruiting. She explains how the process has changed over the years, why today's athletes often feel overwhelmed, and how APS Recruits was built to help simplify the chaos. Shane and Tiffany also dive into the real pain points families face, including coach communication, social media pressure, highlight videos, camp planning, and the stress of trying to stay organized while still enjoying the sport. They discuss how APS Recruits helps athletes streamline outreach, track engagement, and stay proactive in building relationships with college programs. Tiffany also shares that families can learn more at apsrecruits.com.  This conversation is a valuable listen for softball players, parents, coaches, and anyone trying to better understand what it takes to navigate recruiting in today's sports world. One of the biggest messages from Tiffany is simple: start early, stay consistent, and don't let the process steal the joy of the game. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to follow The Gametime Guru on your favorite podcast platform and share this with a softball family who could benefit from it.

What makes soccer more than just a sport? In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I have the chance to chat with Franklin Foer, author of How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization, to explore how soccer reflects culture, identity, politics, religion, class, and globalization across the world. From the tribal nature of fandom to the deeper meaning behind clubs like Barcelona and Newcastle United, this conversation shows why soccer can reveal so much about the societies that surround it. Franklin shares how his travels and research shaped the book, why soccer became the perfect lens for understanding the modern world, and how the game has evolved over the past two decades. Shane and Franklin also discuss why soccer fandom feels so different in other countries compared to the United States, how the sport is growing in America ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and what readers can learn from looking at sports through a wider cultural lens. This episode covers: Why soccer helps explain globalization The connection between sports, identity, and tribalism The difference between American sports culture and global soccer culture When fandom creates community and when it can turn dark Why clubs can represent far more than just a game How soccer is growing in the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup If you are a fan of soccer, sports history, world culture, or the deeper meaning behind why people care so passionately about sports, this is an episode you will not want to miss. Get Franklin Foer's book here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Soccer-Explains-World-Globalization-ebook 

Will Dunkle is back on The Gametime Guru. Six years after his first appearance on the show, Will returns to talk about how his fighting journey has evolved from MMA into the world of bare knuckle boxing. In this episode, Will shares what makes bare knuckle such a unique and dangerous combat sport, how he prepares mentally and physically for each fight, and what fans can expect as he gets ready for his Fusion Fight League matchup in Great Falls, Montana. We talk about the mindset it takes to compete in a sport where every mistake matters, why Will embraces fighting in hostile territory, and how he uses losses as lessons that build character. He also breaks down his southpaw style, his trap-setting approach inside the ring, and the faith-driven mindset that keeps him grounded through the highs and lows of combat sports. Will also discusses his upcoming bare knuckle fight against Dallas Davis on April 11, 2026, why this matchup matters, and how a win could elevate his position in the bare knuckle scene. In this episode, we cover: • Will Dunkle's transition from MMA to bare knuckle boxing • What makes bare knuckle different from other combat sports • Fight mindset, preparation, and mental toughness • Competing in enemy territory • Learning from losses in combat sports • Faith, discipline, and staying ready • His upcoming Fusion Fight League fight If you enjoy combat sports, underdog stories, and conversations with athletes who are still in the arena putting it all on the line, this episode is for you. Follow Will Dunkle: 208 Underdog on ALL Platforms Fusion Fight League: https://www.instagram.com/fusionfightleague/ This episode is brought to you by Fascia Sticks. Athletes, lifters, and anyone dealing with tightness can benefit from Fascia Sticks to improve mobility and recover smarter. Get yours here: https://fasciasticks.com/GAMETIME15

In Episode 250 of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson sits down with Kam Wheeler, coach, business owner, leader, and founder of Warriors Football Club in Idaho. This conversation dives into Kam's sports background, his path into coaching, and the leadership principles that have shaped both his business and his football program. From youth development and team culture to discipline, mentorship, and the impact sports can have on young athletes, this episode is packed with insights for parents, coaches, athletes, and sports fans alike. Kam also shares the vision behind Warriors Football Club, why he felt there was a need for something different in youth football, and how building identity, accountability, and buy-in can help kids grow both on and off the field. The discussion also touches on club football, seven-on-seven, sports culture in Idaho, and the way athletics can prepare people for life and leadership. This episode is brought to you by Aesthreadics.com, creators of customized weightlifting belts for schools, athletic programs, gyms, and personal brands. If you enjoy conversations about sports, leadership, coaching, and personal growth, this episode is for you. Listen now and see sports through a different lens. Follow Kam:  Kam Wheeler Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kam.wheeler/  One Percent Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/one_percent_podcast_/  Website: https://www.kamwheeler.com/