S6 E9: Athlete-Centered Skating w/Garrett Lucash

We had the honor of sitting down with competitive figure skating coach, Garrett Lucash, to talk about his athlete-centered approach to coaching figure skaters. Garrett is a former competitive figure skater himself, with countless accolades as one of the best skaters in the world during his prime (see his bio). However, Garrett’s meaningful journey extends well beyond his medals and outward accomplishments. He has paved a new way of coaching in competitive figure skating, known as ‘athlete-centered skating’. His unique approach aims to support athletes’ long-term growth and development as athletes and as humans in a sustainable and empowering way. His approach is based upon aspects of sport science, psychology, and education. This episode is filled with a depth and breadth of stories, wisdom, and insights that coaches can integrate into their day to day interactions with athletes.

Garrett Lucash is a retired competitive figure skater with accolades ranging from being ranked 12 in the world, being a 3-time US World Team Member (and 3-time Junior World Team Member), and a 2-time Olympic Team Alternate. His passion for the sport did not end once his competitive career ended; no, Garrett has gone on to coach competitive skaters since then for over 20 years. Garrett has won numerous coaching awards for his innovative ways of using sport science and psychology in his coaching, most recently earning the US Figure Skating 2023 Doc Counsilman Science and Technology Award. This award is given to the best coaches in all Olympic Sports. Garrett is a Team USA Coach; he is a member of the US Figure Skating Sport Science and Medicine Committee; he is Chair of the Professional Skaters Association Sport Science Committee where he creates curriculum for coaches continuing education; and he recently published a book titled “A Constraints-led Approach to Figure Skating”, published in 2022 by Routledge. Following his time in Boston at the Skating Club of Boston, Garrett brought his Athlete Centered Center program to the Detroit Skating Club where he is the Coaches Education Director.

Be curious. Be Open. Be well.

The ReidConnect-Ed Podcast is hosted by Siblings Alexis Reid and Dr. Gerald Reid, produced by CyberSound Recording Studios, and original music is written and recorded by Gerald Reid.

*Please note that different practitioners may have different opinions- this is our perspective and is intended to educate you on what may be possible.

Follow us on Instagram @ReidConnectEdPodcast and Twitter @ReidConnectEd

Show notes & Transcripts: https://reidconnect.com/reid-connect-ed-podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Tom Hanicak - artist, educator, art therapist, and beyond - to discuss what it means to allow artistic expression to flow through us all. Tom shares his personal journey of not understanding his own creative energies as a child and ultimately finding his way into an art therapy program, in which he was able to harness and connect his passions for creative expression with his deep care for humanity and helping others. Tom goes on to share his personal experiences with allowing the ‘artist in him’ to take the wheel and drive in his life, which is something that had been suppressed for so many years as a misunderstood youth and student. Gerald and Alexis bring in themes of mental health, psychotherapy, learning and education, and more, as this episode brings together so many pieces of the human experience, including individuality, community, and self-love.

Be curious. Be Open. Be well.

The ReidConnect-Ed Podcast is hosted by Siblings Alexis Reid, M.A. and Dr. Gerald Reid, produced by Cyber Sound Studios, and original music is written and recorded by Gerald Reid.

*Please note that different practitioners may have different opinions- this is our perspective and is intended to educate you on what may be possible.

Follow us on Instagram @ReidConnectEdPodcast and Twitter @ReidConnectEd Streaming Everywhere (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.). Show notes & Transcripts: https://reidconnect.com/reid-connect-ed-podcast

S6 E7: The Psychology of Athletic Coaching w/Dr. John McCarthy

What goes into coaching in sports? Is it more than x’s and o’s? Is it more than just yelling orders at players to do what they are told? What is the psychology that is involved within coach-athlete relationships? What are the educational principles of teaching and learning that are part of coaching? What are the systematic and cultural aspects that influence the sport experience? In this episode, we answer these questions and more with Dr. John McCarthy, aka “Coach Mac,” who is a beloved clinical associate professor in the Applied Human Development graduate program at Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development where he is in charge of the Sports Coaching specialization and also teaches and supervises the Sport Psychology students. This is an incredibly helpful resource for anyone in a leadership or coaching role, whether you are involved in sports or not.