#034 Off the Pitch with Active: Interview with VJ Stanley, Balanced Excellence

VJ Stanley was a three-sport varsity athlete in high school and
won the school’s first ever Leadership Award. As an athlete, VJ
won the high school hockey league scoring title as a junior and
was a First All-Star Selection. In his senior year, he received
Second All-Star Honors and also played junior hockey for the
Rochester Monarchs. He went on to play hockey at Clarkson
University, where he sustained two concussions in one week, which
ended his career after only one game.


VJ founded Balanced Excellence as an answer to his family's and
friends’ constant questions about the stress associated with
their children's participation in youth sports.


3:20     Introduction


4:30     VJ’s sporting background as a player
of all sports and coach. He talks about the journey of founding
Balanced Excellence. 


7:30     The story behind “Frozen Shorts”.


10:40   VJ’s first book “Stop the Tsunami in youth
sport”


15:00   VJ’s 3 key points in the youth sport world.


18:55   I can do it myself! Children want to own their
own journey.


23:50   Comparison with growing up in the 70’s. Kids
are the same, but the environment is different.


24:57   Coaching challenge-for both coaches during a
game to remain silent for one complete half.


26:55   Ideas how to create the youth sport for the
enjoyment of children.


32:00   How did you teach your child riding a bike?


36:24   We adults need to eliminate outside noise, so
players can focus on making several decisions every second. Avoid
bottle necking to choke players with information.


39:32   Free play, Yes please! says the captain of the
US Olympic ice hockey team and USA Hockey Hall of Famer, Ryan
Janta. “I’m there and my guys are there and when it is getting
dark, we pull up our trucks and put the lights on and keep
playing.” It is important part of ice hockey


42:30   Multi-sport plays an important role in sport.


45:10   What is a perfect environment for youth sport?
VJ “Messy & Madness!”


For links and connecting with VJ Stanley go to
www.yellowforyelling.com/podcast