On April 19, 2024, I said goodbye to my #1 fan. I said goodbye to the person who always told me “I love watching you play.” To the person who believed in me no matter what, and always encouraged me to dream big, and to jump off the cliff and grow my wings on the way down. On April 19, my beautiful mom Kathleen O’Sullivan, known by all of us as Granny O, passed away. I am heartbroken. My mom was the epitome of unconditional love. She was like a grandparent, always proud of me no matter what happened on the field, and never living vicariously through my achievements or failures. She never gave ..read more

I recently spent a few days with some NCAA Division I programs I have worked with the past couple of years. Both programs have been very successful on the field, winning conference championships and achieving high national rankings and recognition. Both programs also want to keep pushing to the next level, to compete for national The post Winning Vs Fulfillment: How Society Teaches Us to Focus on the Wrong Things in Youth Sports appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more

Wells Thompson is a former Major League Soccer Player and the Founder of Soccer Resilience, an mazing resource for players and teams to build inner strength and help athletes think better so they can perform better. Wells was an all ACC player at Wake Forest and the 5th pick in the 2007 MLS Super Draft. The post #364 Wells Thompson, Former MLS Player and Founder of Soccer Resilience, on How to Think Better so you can Perform Better appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more

“But coach, I am working hard out there,” many of us have heard often as a coach. “Yes Dad/Mom, I am trying my best” sounds familiar to many a parent. We all want our athletes to work hard and apply themselves in training and games. But is something more needed to truly excel? Is working The post Do You Work Hard, or Do You COMPETE? appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more

It’s that time of year for us to share our favorite, most important books of 2023. We were able to interview some amazing authors this year, and read so, so many good books, but a few books really stood out to us as exceptional. Many of these books have been impactful on both a personal The post 2023 Most Important Books of the Year appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more

Have you ever heard the parable of the starving baker? Once upon a time, there was a baker renowned for his delightful pastries and delicious breads who took great pride in feeding his community. As the The post Don’t Be a Starving Baker appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more

This week I wanted to share with you some thoughts I recently sent to my local youth soccer club. I wrote these as I was working in the Middle East, The post Youth Sports is a Journey (And We Have Lots to Be Grateful For) appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more

Legendary NFL coach John Madden was once asked about the importance of winning in professional football. His answer is one of my favorite quotes: “I’ve always said winning’s the great The post “Winning’s the Great Deodorant” (But That is Not Always a Good Thing) appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more

Listen on the web, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher Listen and Watch the Podcast on You Tube: @WayofChampionsPodcast This week on the podcast, John and Jerry break down Jerry’s newest book, The Mindful Coach: Leading with Intention, The post #332 Dr Jerry Lynch and John O’Sullivan On Being a Mindful Coach and Leading with Intention, Influence, Inspiration, Instinct and Insight appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more

(This week we wanted to share another chapter from the leadership section of our new book The Champion Teammate: Timeless lessons to Connect, Compete and Lead in Sports and Life. The post Great Athletes Have a Humble Heart appeared first on Changing the Game Project ..read more