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Published on:

12th Nov 2024

Building Mental Toughness in Young Athletes with Jonathan Anderson | Lake Mary Little League World Series Coach

James Blasco is joined by Jonathan Anderson, the coach behind Lake Mary Little League’s historic victory in the 2024 Little League World Series. Jonathan discusses his coaching journey, emphasizing mental toughness, team chemistry, and overcoming pressure in high-stakes games. He shares how he helped his young athletes manage the intense pressure of the Little League World Series, how to foster resilience and teamwork, and how he balances his role as both coach and father. Tune in for invaluable insights on coaching young athletes and building a winning mindset that leads to success on and off the field.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Introduction to Charge Forward Coaching and Jonathan Anderson’s background
  • (01:30) Preparing young athletes for the intense pressure of the Little League World Series
  • (03:00) Strategies for developing mental toughness in 11-12-year-olds
  • (05:30) Teaching confidence and composure through media exposure and interviews
  • (07:00) Team routines and how they foster unity and focus under pressure
  • (09:00) Building strong team culture and leadership in a new team
  • (12:30) Managing emotional pressure and maintaining focus during tough games
  • (15:00) The role of mental mindset in overcoming setbacks and staying resilient
  • (17:00) Preparing young athletes for both success and failure
  • (20:00) Celebrating victory and handling the fame that comes with success
  • (22:30) Jonathan’s aspirations as a coach and mentor for his sons

Key Takeaways:

  • Mental toughness is essential for young athletes, especially when handling high-pressure situations like the Little League World Series.
  • Confidence-building techniques, like practicing media interviews, help players stay composed and manage nervousness in public-facing moments.
  • Strong team dynamics are cultivated through structured routines and activities that promote cooperation and unity.
  • Teaching athletes to embrace failure as a learning opportunity builds resilience, helping them bounce back from setbacks without losing confidence.
  • Celebrating victories and handling newfound attention helps athletes stay grounded while enjoying the fruits of their hard work.

Bio:

Jonathan Anderson is a dedicated baseball coach and the leader of the Lake Mary Little League team that triumphed in the 2024 Little League World Series. With years of coaching experience, Jonathan emphasizes the importance of mental toughness, teamwork, and resilience in young athletes. As a father and coach, Jonathan has helped his athletes develop both the skills and mindset needed to succeed in highly competitive sports. His leadership extends beyond the game, focusing on instilling valuable life lessons in his players. He is passionate about building leaders both on and off the field, with aspirations to continue coaching and mentoring his own sons and the next generation of athletes.

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James Blasco, Charge Forward Coaching, sports coaching, mental mindset, Mental Toughness, Growth Mindset, Athletes, Lake Mary Little League, baseball coaching, team dynamics, youth sports, resilience, leadership, confidence, pressure management, Little League World Series

Transcript

Voice Over: [:

Voice Over: Then tune in, get inspired and let's charge forward. Now here's your host, James Blasco.

ge forward coaching podcast, [:

est. He's made an incredible [:

ames Blasco: Jonathan brings [:

ssure packed and these kids. [:

the free basis. Let's try to [:

that can be hard sometimes, [:

ate of Florida and we had a, [:

you're with each other for, [:

Jonathan Anderson: It's up to you to do it as a, as a player, it's you that wants to do this. So. So that's when I started to do some more things to keep them mentally tough and mentally prepared.

o were there any strategies, [:

were about to head off into [:

fore we went to Georgia, the [:

is together, we're trying to [:

ittle bit, they got a little [:

d on, build their confidence [:

James Blasco: So knowing you're going to have this long stretch, really super competitive games, difficult teams to play against, uh, the kids are young.

s Blasco: Uh, were there any [:

ted to operate, you know, an [:

e type of stretching program [:

ison. We're going to do this [:

Jonathan Anderson: We did a [:

Jonathan Anderson: Okay. When a coach asks you to, to, to, to turn a single into a double, that should be easy.

a strong culture, uh, where [:

Jonathan Anderson: We didn't, we didn't have a team that all came together when they were nine or 10 and just went through the All Star process together.

is was a. This was a made up [:

kids. You have a lot of that [:

ttle bit for them to finally [:

some of those, some of those [:

Jonathan Anderson: So, so it, it all worked out.

have different things going [:

started coming in So I know [:

r twice, but in the long run [:

, we could quickly snap them [:

a job, the last job that you [:

erson: So there wasn't. much [:

u had to pull them together. [:

is book. We're just going to [:

Jonathan Anderson: that throughout that game.

ting runners on base, right? [:

ushing. We're going to break [:

s, my son is leading it off. [:

against Nolensville. I call [:

erstand that we've got this, [:

urs boys. So just Believe in [:

Jonathan Anderson: Those kids ready to win this game.

father and a coach and, and [:

Jonathan Anderson: um, situation probably didn't get too much of the father part while we were doing that.

n't coach him outside of, of [:

Feliciano and Jacob Bebo. So [:

some of those opportunities, [:

. You know, how did you keep [:

James Blasco: Um, how did you work through that with them?

so, you know, going through [:

definitely tied in the last, [:

or a moment there, I had to, [:

athan Anderson: It's nothing [:

as a lot of, uh, regrouping. [:

Jonathan Anderson: So, uh, [:

e on that challenge against, [:

competition. A lot of people [:

s Blasco: Um, you know, how, [:

ey're all excited kids. So I [:

filled. I was hard on them. [:

se. I know that we worked so [:

r analogy was like, I worked [:

we put in the work together. [:

g the championship game. You [:

ll that success and handling [:

Jonathan Anderson: to have that?

that was something that was [:

it well. I think they, they, [:

oes to the little kids. They [:

too much energy and effort. [:

co: And I just have one last [:

hat will be league age nine. [:

uld be league age eight next [:

g can happen. We could move, [:

s that's that's not my goal. [:

r sharing time with us. What [:

get through a little league [:

exciting. To see these kids [:

ave some more awesome guests [:

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About the Podcast

Charge Forward Coaching
What if the key to unlocking your athletic potential wasn’t just about improving your skills, but strengthening your mind? At Charge Forward Coaching, we believe that mental toughness is the secret weapon every elite athlete needs to excel. In this podcast, we explore how athletes can develop the focus, resilience, and mindset necessary to perform at their best, whether you're a high school athlete facing intense competition or a college athlete aiming for the next level.

We explore essential topics such as mental resilience, providing techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building mental endurance. We also tackle performance anxiety, offering strategies to manage stress and stay focused under pressure. Throughout the show, we focus on mindset mastery, sharing tools to stay motivated, handle setbacks, and maintain peak performance. James Blasco offers expert advice on cultivating a champion's mindset for long-term success, helping athletes gain the mental clarity needed to perform at their highest level.

With expert guidance from James Blasco, each episode empowers athletes with actionable strategies they can apply immediately, enabling them to sharpen their focus, handle adversity, and perform under pressure. James’s coaching approach fosters a supportive and empowering environment, where athletes are encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential. In the world of elite sports, success goes far beyond physical ability—it’s about mastering the mental challenges that arise during competition and ensuring they are prepared to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

In addition to James’s insights, each episode features interviews with top athletes, coaches, and mental performance experts. These guests share their own stories, experiences, and strategies for achieving success in highly competitive environments. Through these conversations, listeners will gain diverse perspectives on how mental toughness plays a pivotal role in their journeys to excellence. Whether it’s learning from a former professional athlete about overcoming personal obstacles, or hearing a coach’s tips for developing a high-performance team mindset, these interviews will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
Join us on this journey to improve your concentration, boost your confidence, and develop the mindset necessary to reach new heights in your athletic career. Start listening today and begin charging forward toward your goals with mental clarity and strength.

About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

About your host

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James Blasco