The Curious Mind #11 - Developing Great Young Leaders

Nate Baker is a former pro football player, current coach, and the founder of The Developer’s Way coach education. Nate believes the best coaches, teachers, and leaders aren’t defined by weekend results. Instead, they are guided by something greater—the growth and development of their people.In this conversation, Nate shares stories that show how early experiences in sport can shape whether kids stay in the game or walk away from it altogether. We also explore the bigger shifts in football in the U.S. where the focus has moved from joy and development toward signalling status, and what that means for the future of the game. At the heart of it all is Nate’s philosophy of being a lighthouse: steady, humble, and focused on guiding others. He opens up about his own journey of self-discovery and the responsibility coaches and parents share to create environments where young people can truly thrive.This is a conversation about leadership, culture, and the infinite game of development.Enjoy!---Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.  Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

Every week, I sit with young athletes and help them paint a clear picture of who they want to become. We close our eyes and imagine an exciting future. What does their best self look like? How does it feel? What are the words that define it? And what actions prove it true? It’s a powerful experience...---Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.  Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

Ellie Hulsebosch (@elliehulsebosch) is one of the most exciting young athletes on the international downhill mountain biking circuit riding for the legendary Santa Cruz Syndicate. But behind the results sheet is a story of rapid growth, powerful self-discovery, and an unwavering commitment to both performance and personal wellbeing.In this conversation, Ellie opens up about her journey — from walking her very first DH race track in 2020 to standing on World Cup podiums in Europe just a few years later. She shares openly about a tough start to the circuit this year, and a cultural reset that is helping her bounce back to better performances. We also dive into some of Ellie’s mental game, including race-week routines, music playlists, journaling, and how she manages fear. There’s so much to take from Ellie’s thoughtful reflections, and I am so stoked  I got the chance to chat with her. Enjoy!---Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.  Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

When a young child sits down to do a puzzle, they often begin by matching patterns. They notice colours and shapes that seem to go together and start forming.... ---Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.  Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

This episode is a rebroadcast of episode #25 of The Crafted Conversation with Marcus Sharrad. Enjoy. ---In this expansive conversation, Dr Craig Harrison invites us to rethink the purpose and practice of youth development. It’s not about designing perfect athletes, but about crafting safe, playful, expressive environments where young people can explore who they are, not just what they can do.Marcus and Craig explore the ecological complexity of performance, the importance of letting go of control, and the centrality of coaching the person before the plan.From storytelling and psychological safety to mentorship and emotional literacy, this episode is a masterclass in compassionate, curious leadership.Key Concepts:Environments shape behaviour – Coaching doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We must understand the child’s world, not just their session.Performance is personal – Narrative identity, not outcome identity, should guide the athlete journey.Belonging matters as much as skill – Every athlete needs to feel safe to explore, question, and grow.Mentorship is not a programme — it’s a culture – It lives in every conversation, check-in, and reflective pause.Freedom and structure are not opposites – The best coaching holds both gently, in balance.Reflection over reaction – True development invites athletes to think, not just comply.---Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.  Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrisonTwitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the showSupport the show

Professor Holly Thorpe, a leading voice in the sociology of sport from the University of Waikato, is an action sports advocate and someone who’s spent years studying the social dynamics of movement and play.In this episode, Holly shares her journey growing up in Gisborne’s tight-knit windsurfing and skateboarding community, where the learning came from peers, not coaches, and where the natural environment played as big a role as the people did. We discuss the idea of “stoke” — that deep sense of joy and freedom that lives at the heart of action sports — and explore how we might protect and promote that same feeling in more traditional sporting spaces.We also dive into the challenges girls and women still face in these environments, the impact of family and community, and what happens when sports like snowboarding and skateboarding become Olympic disciplines.Enjoy! Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/ Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.   Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/ Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrison Twitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

Josh Wall is the Director of Performance and Athletic Wellbeing at Wycombe Abbey in the UK, and lead S&C coach for England Women’s Lacrosse. Josh brings a wealth of experience from across the school landscape — from boarding to day schools — and is currently completing a Doctorate in Professional Practice at Leeds Beckett University, where his research focuses on supporting student-athletes in independent girls’ schools.In this episode, we explore Josh’s journey from football-mad Manchester United fan to a dynamic coach shaping youth athletic development. We dive into the principles behind his coaching philosophy, including the use of movement skill frameworks, strength progression, and educational tools like SOLO taxonomy. Josh also shares insights into designing gym environments that educate and inspire, the power of cultural architects in sport, and the balance needed to support the dual lives of student-athletes.Enjoy!  Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/ Get Craig to speak at your club or school here.   Connect with Craig:Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/ Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrison Twitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrisonSupport the show

This is a rebroadcast of episode #2 of The Game Changer podcast, featuring Dr Craig Harrison.---"What does it really take for young athletes to succeed? In this episode of The Game Changer podcast, we sit down with Dr. Craig Harrison, expert in youth athlete development, founder of the Athlete Development Project, and host of The Athlete Development Show to challenge common beliefs about training, success, and the role of parents in sports. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Youth Athlete Development – The biggest misconceptions parents & coaches have.What Separates Elite Athletes – The key qualities needed for long-term success.The Parent’s Role in Sports – How to support without adding pressure.The Power of Environment – How the right setting shapes an athlete’s future.Goal Setting & Motivation – Habits that drive young athletes to achieve success.Whether you're a parent, coach, or young athlete, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice to help navigate the complex world of youth sports development."---For more on creating game changing environments that unlock meaningful progress, sign up for Craig's free newsletter Beyond the Game here.Connect with Craig on Social:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitterSupport the show

What if talent development wasn’t just about creating better athletes but better people?In this conversation, I sit down with Barnaby Sargent Megicks, a researcher who spent weeks inside a cricket academy, not just watching but truly understanding what makes a talent system work. His focus isn’t just on performance but on how young athletes grow as people, how they balance their sport with school and life, and how the environments they’re in shape their future, both in and out of the game.We dig into the tension between chasing peak performance and developing life skills, the power of relationships in coaching, and what it really takes to create a system that prepares athletes for success - not just on the field, but in life.Barnaby’s insights are built on real experiences, deep research, and countless hours spent with young cricketers navigating the demands of elite sport. Enjoy!---For more on creating game changing environments that unlock meaningful progress, sign up for Craig's free newsletter Beyond the Game here.Connect with Craig on Social:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitterSupport the show

On the show this week, Dave Wright rejoins me for another episode of The Curious Mind. Our conversation focuses on the skills you need to develop great young leaders.---For more on creating game changing environments that unlock meaningful progress, sign up for Craig's free newsletter Beyond the Game here.Connect with Craig on Social:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitterSupport the show