P.J. Fleck: A Coach’s Never-Give-Up Approach To Life

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Part of what makes athletes and coaches great is their attitude. They have within them a lot of directed energy that makes things happen. Mr. Head Coach P.J. Fleck believes in this. Now, he is in his seventh year as Head Coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He has a 44 and 27 record at Minnesota and 74 and 49 overall. He is a 2019 Big Ten Coach of the Year and Dodd Trophy finalist, a 2019 Bear Bryant Award finalist, and a 2019 AFCA National Coach of the Year finalist. In this episode, he lets us in on the lessons he learned growing up—from childhood to his professional life—that helped shape who he is now. Coach Fleck also brings out insights from his book, co-written with Jon Gordon, called Row The Boat. Through it, he shares a never-give-up approach to leading and showing up for life and for every person. He then talks about some of the memorable players he has coached, highlighting the lessons they learned that took them to where they want to be. Full of great insights and heartfelt stories, this episode is one to tune in to. Don’t miss out.

Show Notes

02:15 – What attitude means to Coach P.J. Fleck

04:25 – Attitude alignment with your team

07:46 – The role and responsibility of position coaches

11:36 – Coach Fleck’s first attitude coach

16:07 – Attitude lessons from Coach Fleck’s grandma

23:08 – Attitude lessons from Coach Fleck’s mental coach

25:22 – About Row the Boat

31:53 – The players, coaches, and the lessons

39:20 – Process of selecting

45:53 – Attitude lesson about birth

48:02 – Attitude lesson at 10

50:44 – Attitude lesson at 20

53:57 – Attitude lesson at 30

55:00 – Attitude lesson at 40

58:30 – Message of hope