Raise the Bar Podcast // Episode 26 Featuring Mike Ashton

Shawn Francis is a successful athlete (18 foot pole vaulter) and successful owner and operator of Team Hoot Pole Vault. He is an author, blog writer, coach, and YouTube instructor of pole vault technique. He also founded the mental health advocacy organization One Whole Life. @TeamHootPoleVault @skyhiandflyjumpcampscoachh7373 YouTube and  @teamhootpolevault @skyhianflyjumpcamps on IG

Ryan Sanders of Mt. Sac then Boise St. and finally LBSU was once a top 25 ranked TJ athlete who is still competing while coaching at Soka University. He is the driving force behind Next Phase Athletics! Subscribe to his YouTube channel @nextphaseathletics782 !We had a great talk about the difficulties in balancing training, coaching and being a father and a husband! Check out Ryan on IG @nextphaseathletics and follow us on IG @skyhiandflyjumpcamps and on YouTube @skyhiandflyjumpcampscoachh7373

Jack Wiseman a senior UCSD high jumper and Sky Hi and Fly Alumni, joins us to talk training and mental toughness and trusting your coach. He recently joined the 7 foot club and is looking for more before he begins his career as a Naval Aviator. Grab a seat and [email protected]_jack_wiseman_ @skyhiandflyjumpcamps

Full Circle w/Aaron Wascha! 2 years after our first podcast, we get a chance to catch up with Aaron. Aaron is an amazing sports trainer! He pushes the envelope, getting the best out of his athletes and himself. Last time he introduced us to Triphasic training and now he's teaching us about how to achieve better activation of our muscles and power by focusing on the weaker aspects of our systems--namely our hands and feet! Listen and learn!! @aaronwascha2383 @waschonwaschoff on IG

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we are honored to have Steve Lang, former UCLA jumps coach, as our special guest. In this episode, Steve shares his inspiring journey as a coach and his deep passion for the sport of jumping.With an impressive track record of producing seven high school 7-footers in the high jump and mentoring numerous athletes to reach the next level, both at the junior and major college levels, Steve's insights into coaching and training are invaluable.Throughout the episode, Steve recounts his humble beginnings and the obstacles he faced along the way, offering valuable lessons for aspiring coaches and athletes alike. He also discusses the importance of building trust and rapport with athletes, the role of mental toughness in jumping, and his approach to preparing athletes for competition.Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of jumping with Steve Lang, a true legend in the world of coaching. Whether you are a coach, athlete, or just a fan of the sport, this episode is sure to provide you with valuable insights and inspiration.

Mike Ashton shares his thoughts amid preparations for the WAC Indoor Championships next week. He has high ranking HJ and PV squads and hopes to do well and take home the WAC title. Also, we discuss the current popularity of track and field here in the US and ways to improve participation and money flow --from TV contracts to chock full [email protected]@skyhiandflyjumpcampscoachh7373

We spend another fun hour with Marcus Gelpi, up and coming jumper who is now competing for Kansas State! We'll discuss how his training is going and what it is like to make the switch from the JC level to a major D1 [email protected] @kstatefxc @skyhiandflyjumpcamps

Part 2 - Kevin Young won the Olympic Gold Medal in the 400m Hurdles in the 1992 Games in Barcelona, breaking the world record in the process. He teaches us much about the mental aspects of competition at the highest levels. His world record time lasted from 1992 all the way up until 2021!

this is part 1 with Kevin Young is the former world-record holder in the 400m Hurdles and a UCLA Bruin great. Listen in as Kevin covers the mental aspects of competition and the intricacies of training.

Jonathan was crowned Paralympic T64 High Jump Champion at Tokyo 2020.Defying Gravity and Championing Resilience, Jonathan emulates this mind-set in his athletic performance and in inspiring others.The 34-year-old, born in Colchester before growing up in Berkshire, successfully built on the form that saw him turn a string of silvers into World Gold in 2019 and turn his 2016 Paralympic Silver into Paralympic Gold in 2021, whilst navigating a potentially career ending injury in 2018. Awarded an MBE for his Services to Athletics in 2022, he is now training to defend his Paralympic title at Paris 2024, alongside empowering and educating others on mind-set management and bridging the gap between the able and slightly less able