Michelle Geortzen: Championing Athletes in All Sports Since 2013, Michelle Geortzen has been a cornerstone of Special Olympics Manitoba, coaching a diverse range of sports, including track and field, snowshoeing, bowling, bocce, and softball. Her commitment goes beyond teaching sports skills; she opens doors for athletes, giving them opportunities they might not otherwise have…
Bryan Bjornson: Inspiring Growth and Sportsmanship in Youth Softball In youth sports, a coach’s influence can shape not only a player’s skills but also their love for the game. Bryan Bjornson, a dedicated coach with the Northeast Softball Association (NESA), embodies this with his approach to coaching U9 and U11 softball. For the past…
Tristan Caswell: Inspiring Excellence in Equestrian Coaching With over 20 years of experience, Tristan Caswell has made a lasting mark in the equestrian world. As an Equestrian Canada NCCP Certified Competition Coach Specialist and Coach Developer, she is dedicated to both horse and rider, helping them excel at every level of the sport. Her…
Compared to other athletes, high-performance athletes tend to have higher instances of mental illness and mental health disorders. In this micro session, Lindsay Berard explains what mental health versus mental illness is and introduces the mental health continuum. Coaches can use this tool to support their athletes, by identifying where they are situated on this…
Coaching is a profession driven by passion, and the desire to help athletes be their best. Sometimes, coaches can become overly passionate, at the expense of their mental health and other life factors. In this micro-session, Cheryl Coulter discusses how coaches can harness their passion in a way that aligns with life, identifies different stressors…
Have you ever heard of savoring in sport? It can be difficult for coaches to maintain mental health in different high-performance situations when faced with the pressures of competition. In this micro-session, Craig Hillier discusses the area of positive psychology, what it is, and how coaches can use positive psychology techniques, like savoring, to maintain mental…
Dealing with the demands of life and coaching can cause some coaches to feel overwhelmed. Andrea McPhail was a high-performance speed skating athlete and coach. In this micro session, Andrea discusses how coaches can maintain a work-life balance, how to identify the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety, and how to cope with them….
Tim McIsaac is a decorated Paralympian in the sport of para-swimming. In This Micro-Session, Tim discusses how today’s sport climate places more emphasis on a holistic approach to mental health, and the types of pressures that today’s athletes face. Watch this micro-session to learn more about how maintaining good mental health as a coach can…
Many coaches are unsure of how to approach discussing mental health with their athletes and how to help them feel comfortable enough to discuss these topics. In this micro session, Dr. Nickolas Kosmenko discusses what a safe space for mental health in sport is, what does this safe space look like, and provides coaches with…
Coaches are dedicated mentors and role models who continuously shape our province’s treasured athletes and nurture the values of sport. They are committed to help athletes build their character, sharpen their skills, and reach their full potential. One of the many ways we recognize these efforts is during National Coaches Week, which is a celebration…