What It Takes

Paul Reddick
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What It Takes with Coach Marla Townsend and Paul Reddick is a weekly podcast for softball players, parents, and coaches. Each episode explores the mindset, skills, habits, and experiences required to reach the next level, achieve your goals, and become your best on and off the field.

Season 1

  1. Episode 1

    Ep. 1 - "Dream. Determination. Drive. — What It Really Takes to Play at the Next Level" | Ep. 1 with Coach Marla Townsend

    https://marlatownsend.com 0:00 — Welcome to the What It Takes Podcast 0:42 — Dream, Determination & Drive: the three pillars 1:47 — How to know if your dream is real (or just wishful thinking) 3:22 — Why a coach's belief in you is worth more than your own inner voice 6:11 — "A coach writes on a player in permanent marker" — Jessica Mendoza 7:28 — The coaching integrity story: what players remember for 20 years 9:03 — Why the coaching profession is "the weirdest job in the world" 13:22 — The transfer portal is killing team chemistry — here's why 22:14 — The one recruiting secret: watching players before they knew she was there 26:00 — "Who they are when no one's watching says everything" 38:52 — "The proud will be eaten by the hungry" — every single time 39:19 — Tom Brady, second-round pick: what stats can't measure 44:46 — What champions look like behind closed doors (hint: sweatpants & no glory) 54:03 — "You deserve all the stress" — the most powerful reframe in sports 57:15 — How to win the ballgame of life

  2. Episode 2

    Ep.2 - Becoming the Player You’re Meant to Be with Morgan Stuart

    In this powerful conversation, Coach Marla Townsend and Paul Reddick sit down with one of the most respected voices in softball, Coach Morgan Stuart. Morgan shares her journey from late-start softball player to national champion at the University of Washington, and opens up about the mental struggles that followed one of the biggest successes of her career. After winning a national title, she found herself trapped by expectations, fear, and pressure, leading to one of the toughest seasons of her life. Together, they dive deep into what coaches, parents, and athletes often miss about performance: the connection between confidence, identity, habits, emotions, and growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why success can sometimes create more pressure than failure • The hidden dangers of tying your identity to performance • How great coaches recognize what’s really going on beneath the surface • Why habits and character matter more than motivation • What college coaches are actually looking for in athletes • How parents can better support their players through struggles • Why vulnerability may be one of the most important leadership skills in sports • The difference between becoming a great player and becoming your best self This is an honest conversation about confidence, coaching, pressure, growth, and what it truly takes to thrive both on and off the field. If you’re a player, parent, or coach trying to navigate the mental side of sports, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Check out: https://marlatownsend.com https://morgan-stuart.com

  3. Episode 3

    Ep. 3 - Jessica Mendoza On What It Takes To Win, Lead, And Grow The Game

    In this episode of What It Takes, Paul Reddick and Coach Marla Townsend sit down with Jessica Mendoza, Olympic gold medalist, Stanford All-American, ESPN MLB analyst, and one of the most important voices in softball. Jessica talks about the growth of professional softball, the pressure young athletes face today, what nerves really mean, the difference between winning gold and receiving silver, the lessons she learned from her father, and why coaches may be the most important people in a young athlete’s life. Timestamps: 00:00 – Paul introduces Jessica Mendoza and her impact on softball and broadcasting. 01:00 – Jessica talks about moving from college softball coverage into MLB broadcasting. 03:00 – The softball “family” and why this moment in the sport feels so meaningful. 06:00 – Why investment, staff, resources, and infrastructure are changing professional softball. 09:00 – The global growth of softball, including Japan, Mexico, and the future beyond the Olympics. 12:00 – Jessica explains nerves, doubt, butterflies, and why pressure usually means you care. 15:00 – Gold vs. silver: why receiving silver feels so different from winning bronze. 18:00 – Marla shares the story of her daughter chasing down Jessica’s home run ball. 21:00 – The Olympics, respect, and how sport can bring people together across countries and cultures. 24:00 – Jessica talks about the pressure young athletes face today. 27:00 – Why so many kids are burning out between ages 14 and 16. 30:00 – Jessica reflects on her father as a coach and what he taught her about influencing young people. 33:00 – How one local role model changed Jessica’s dreams and helped her see college softball as possible. 36:00 – What it really takes to get better every day and why athletes need a plan. 39:00 – Jessica talks about gratitude, giving back, and what softball has given her. 41:00 – Why the softball world feels more intimate and united than other sports communities. 43:00 – Jessica shares one of the most important lessons about being a great teammate. 45:00 – Jessica’s favorite places from her travels, including Mount Rushmore and Japan. 46:56 – Jessica closes with a message about moving women’s sports forward together. Check out: https://marlatownsend.com and https://Jessica-mendoza.com

  4. Episode 4

    Ep. 4 - Shonda Stanton: The Hidden Habits That Separate Good Players From Great Ones

    What does it really take to build championship players? In this episode of What It Takes, Paul Reddick and Coach Marla Townsend sit down with one of the most respected coaches in softball, Shonda Stanton, head coach of the AUSL Chicago team and former longtime head coach at Indiana and Marshall. Coach Stanton shares the habits, mindset, and leadership principles that have shaped her career and transformed countless athletes. From competing against Coach Townsend, to building winning cultures, to teaching players how to become energy-givers instead of energy-takers, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for players, parents, and coaches. If you’re looking for insights on leadership, resilience, confidence, and what separates elite competitors from everyone else, you won’t want to miss this episode. 00:00 – Coach Marla introduces longtime friend, competitor, and coaching legend Shonda Stanton. 01:00 – The story behind the famous tarp slide and how competition created lifelong friendships. 03:30 – Shonda’s coaching journey from player to Marshall, Indiana, and professional softball. 06:00 – Why coaching is about creating positive collisions that change lives. 10:50 – Inside the AUSL: What it’s like coaching the best softball players in the world. 15:40 – Why confidence grows through failure, not by avoiding it. 20:10 – Become a “rat”: The daily habits that separate elite athletes from everyone else. 24:00 – Hustle, anticipation, and why every play reveals a player’s mindset. 28:40 – Energy-givers vs. energy-takers and how championship teams are built one behavior at a time. 33:15 – Developing leaders instead of followers and helping athletes own their role. 37:45 – The incredible story of a player who transformed from overlooked athlete to scholarship leader. 42:30 – Why coaches should challenge players instead of protecting them from adversity. 48:00 – Scholarships, opportunities, and preparing athletes for life beyond the game. 52:15 – The lasting impact of great coaches and the responsibility of pouring into the next generation. 56:00 – Final thoughts on leadership, legacy, and what it truly takes to succeed on and off the field. Connect with Coach Shonda Stanton • Head Coach, Indiana Hoosiers softball • Head Coach, Chicago Bandits in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League • Check out the One Day Softball App for drills, coaching, and player development resources. and check out: https://marlatownsend.com

  5. Episode 5

    Ep. 5 - Lindsay Berra - Inside The Preparation and Nutrition Of Elite Athletes

    What do the world's greatest athletes have in common? According to award-winning journalist, former collegiate softball player, filmmaker, and Yogi Berra's granddaughter, Lindsay Berra, they all obsess over the little things. In this episode of What It Takes, Paul Reddick and Coach Marla Townsend sit down with Lindsay to discuss the habits, mindset, preparation, nutrition, recovery, curiosity, and lifelong learning that separate elite performers from everyone else. From covering Major League Baseball and the Olympics to producing an award-winning documentary about her legendary grandfather, Lindsay shares remarkable stories and practical lessons that every athlete, coach, and parent can apply immediately. Whether you're trying to become a better player, coach, parent, or simply live a healthier life, this conversation is packed with timeless wisdom. Timestamp Highlights00:00 – Paul and Marla welcome award-winning journalist, filmmaker, former softball player, and Yogi Berra's granddaughter, Lindsay Berra. 02:00 – Growing up as a Berra: what it was really like having one of baseball's greatest legends as a grandfather. 04:00 – Why Lindsay chose journalism and storytelling instead of following the family into professional baseball. 07:00 – The surprising trait Lindsay sees in nearly every elite athlete she has covered. 10:00 – Why failure doesn't bother great competitors the way it bothers everyone else. 13:00 – Confidence comes from preparation, not positive thinking. 15:00 – The biggest lesson from elite performers: don't expect results you haven't earned. 18:00 – The incredible habits Lindsay witnessed while covering the world's greatest athletes. 20:00 – What tennis players taught her about preparation, recovery, and professionalism. 22:00 – Why high performers become students of everything, including nutrition, sleep, language, and recovery. 25:00 – Small changes create massive results: practical advice for improving nutrition and health. 28:00 – Why today's athletes have opportunities previous generations never had. 31:00 – Longevity in sports: can athletes extend greatness into their 40s? 33:00 – Messi, Ronaldo, Tom Brady, and what modern athletes are teaching us about extending careers. 36:00 – Why sleep, nutrition, and recovery may be the biggest competitive advantages available today. 40:00 – NIL, youth sports, and how the business of athletics continues to evolve. 43:00 – The power of storytelling and preserving the history of sports. 47:00 – Behind the scenes of Lindsay's award-winning Yogi Berra documentary. 50:00 – Why Yogi Berra's story is really the story of the American Dream. 53:00 – Lessons from Yogi that extend far beyond baseball. 56:00 – Lindsay's advice for athletes, coaches, and parents who want to build a lasting legacy. 58:00 – Final thoughts, where to follow Lindsay's work, and closing reflections. Check out: https://marlatownsend.com

  6. Episode 6

    Ep. 6 - Amanda Scarborough - The Truth About Confidence, Pressure, And Greatness

    DescriptionWhat if the biggest setback of your athletic career became the greatest gift of your life? In this episode of What It Takes, Paul Reddick and Coach Marla Townsend welcome one of softball's most respected voices, Amanda Scarborough. From her All-American career at Texas A&M to becoming one of ESPN's premier softball analysts, Amanda has experienced nearly every side of the game. She shares the incredible influence her father had on her career, the lessons she learned from competing at the highest level, why preparation creates confidence, and how a career-ending injury completely changed the direction of her life. Amanda also opens up about broadcasting, coaching, leadership, faith, and why helping the next generation of players has become her true calling. Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, this conversation is packed with wisdom about resilience, perspective, and what it really takes to succeed. Timestamp Highlights00:00 – Paul and Marla welcome ESPN softball analyst and former All-American Amanda Scarborough. 01:00 – The powerful influence Amanda's father had on her career, from learning softball to falling in love with broadcasting. 05:00 – Why great athletes learn to think the game before they ever step on the field. 08:00 – Amanda's journey from Texas to Texas A&M and competing at the highest level of college softball. 12:00 – What separates elite competitors from everyone else. 16:00 – Why confidence is built long before game day. 20:00 – Lessons learned from failure, adversity, and pitching under pressure. 25:00 – Amanda reflects on the evolution of softball and the incredible growth of the women's game. 30:00 – Behind the scenes of becoming one of ESPN's lead softball broadcasters. 35:00 – Why preparation is one of the greatest competitive advantages in sports and in life. 40:00 – The relationship between coaching, communication, and helping athletes believe in themselves. 45:00 – Advice for parents raising young athletes and creating a healthy sports experience. 50:00 – Why the game is bigger than wins and losses, and how softball prepares players for life. 55:00 – The injury that changed Amanda's career forever and ultimately led her to coaching and broadcasting. 58:00 – Amanda shares how what once felt like the worst day of her career became the turning point that revealed her true purpose. 1:00:00 – Final reflections on gratitude, legacy, and why Amanda cannot imagine her life without coaching and giving back to the game. Here's where you can find Amanda: Website: Pitching-Angel.com Facebook: Amanda Scarborough – Softball Pitching Angel Instagram: @PitchingAngel and @AmandaScarborough Get Coach Marla’s COMPETE Performance Hub. It gives your athlete the same mental game tools used by elite competitors... with personal audio coaching from Coach Marla built right in - https://marlatownsend.com

  7. Episode 7

    Coach Marla Townsend: The Coach Behind The Coach | What It Takes Podcast

    Who is Coach Marla Townsend? Before she became one of the most respected softball coaches and mentors in the game, she was a fiercely competitive little girl playing football with the neighborhood boys, learning lessons that would shape the rest of her life. In this special episode of What It Takes, Paul Reddick turns the microphone around and interviews his co-host, Coach Marla Townsend. Marla shares the experiences that shaped her coaching philosophy, the influence of her family, the mentors who changed her life, and why she believes coaching is ultimately about helping people become who they were created to be. She also talks about leadership, faith, competition, the evolution of softball, and the responsibility every coach has to develop not only better players, but better people. If you've ever wondered what drives Coach Marla and why so many athletes and coaches have been impacted by her, this episode will give you the answer. 00:00 – Paul introduces a special two-part series where he and Coach Marla interview each other. 00:55 – Marla's childhood: growing up around competition, playing football with neighborhood boys, and learning to love competing. 03:00 – The early influences that shaped her competitive spirit and work ethic. 05:15 – How athletics opened doors and created opportunities that changed her life. 07:45 – The mentors and coaches who helped shape her philosophy. 10:30 – Why coaching is about developing people first and athletes second. 13:15 – The moment Marla realized coaching was her life's calling. 16:00 – Lessons learned from decades of coaching players through success, failure, and adversity. 18:45 – What separates athletes who continue to grow from those who plateau. 21:00 – Why today's coaches have a greater responsibility than ever before. 23:00 – The importance of helping athletes become confident leaders away from the field. 25:30 – How softball prepares young women for life long after the final game. 27:15 – Why the future of softball has never been brighter. 29:00 – Marla's message to coaches: remember that you're shaping dreams, building character, and influencing lives far beyond wins and losses. 30:30 – Closing thoughts and where to learn more about Coach Marla Townsend.

  8. Episode 8

    Paul's Story: How A Coach Became A Coach

    DescriptionFor the first time on What It Takes, the microphone gets turned around. Instead of interviewing one of the most respected coaches in softball, Coach Marla Townsend interviews her co-host, Paul Reddick. Paul shares the story behind his coaching career, from growing up in New Jersey and falling in love with baseball, to discovering that his greatest gift wasn't playing the game, but helping other people become better through it. He talks about failure, burnout, faith, purpose, building businesses, coaching thousands of athletes, and why he believes coaching is not simply a profession but a calling. More importantly, he explains why his mission has changed over the years. Instead of chasing better baseball players, he's become much more interested in helping develop better people. If you've ever wondered what shaped Paul's philosophy, where his ideas come from, or why he coaches the way he does, this is the episode. Timestamp Highlights00:40 – Paul's baseball beginnings growing up in New Jersey and attending Seton Hall Prep. 03:00 – Expectations, disappointment, and learning that playing ability wasn't going to define his future. 05:20 – How coaching found Paul at just 19 years old. 07:30 – The first pitching lesson and discovering a passion for teaching. 09:45 – The difference between loving baseball and discovering a calling. 12:00 – Why Paul believes coaching is a gift rather than simply a profession. 14:30 – Building one of the earliest online baseball education businesses and reaching players around the world. 17:15 – What decades of coaching taught Paul about people, not just mechanics. 20:00 – Why the greatest coaches are really in the business of changing lives. 22:45 – Faith, purpose, and how Paul's beliefs influence the way he approaches coaching. 25:00 – Why helping someone become who they were created to be matters more than producing a better athlete. 27:15 – The next chapter: why Paul feels called to do his most meaningful work now. 29:30 – Looking back at the journey, the lessons learned, and what still drives him every day. 32:00 – How to connect with Paul and closing thoughts.

  9. Episode 9

    Ep. 9 -- 700 Wins Later with Coach Tyra Perry

    DescriptionWhat does it take to win more than 700 games, build championship programs, and develop generations of coaches and leaders? In this episode of What It Takes, Paul Reddick and Coach Marla Townsend welcome one of the most respected leaders in college softball, Coach Tyra Perry. Coach Perry reflects on the mentors who shaped her career, why great coaches see potential long before athletes see it in themselves, and how winning has always been a byproduct of building people first. She also shares lessons on leadership, relationships, resilience, culture, and why every coach has an opportunity to leave a legacy that reaches far beyond the scoreboard. Whether you're a player, parent, or coach, this conversation is a masterclass on what it really takes to lead. Timestamp Highlights00:00 – Paul and Coach Marla welcome Coach Tyra Perry and reflect on her remarkable coaching career. 01:20 – What's the common thread behind winning more than 700 games? 02:15 – Why no coach succeeds alone and the importance of assistant coaches, players, administrators, and community. 03:00 – Coach Marla and Tyra discuss developing future coaches and seeing potential before people see it in themselves. 05:00 – The mentors who shaped Coach Perry's philosophy and leadership style. 08:00 – Why coaching has always been about people first and softball second. 11:00 – Building culture before building championships. 14:00 – What great leaders do differently when adversity shows up. 17:30 – The responsibility coaches have to prepare athletes for life, not just the next game. 21:00 – Why relationships always outlast wins and losses. 25:00 – How great programs create future leaders, coaches, and mentors. 29:00 – What Coach Perry looks for when building a coaching staff and surrounding herself with the right people. 33:00 – Lessons learned over decades of leading successful programs. 37:00 – Coach Perry discusses her new chapter at Samford University and the opportunity to build something special. 41:00 – Advice for young coaches who want to make a lasting impact. 44:00 – How to connect with Coach Perry, learn about Samford Softball, and upcoming camps. 45:15 – Coach Marla reflects on Coach Perry's legacy and why her influence extends far beyond the softball field. 46:00 – Final thoughts and closing remarks.

  10. Episode 10

    Ep. 10 - Haley Meinen: The Savage Standard | What It Takes Podcast

    DescriptionWhat does it really mean to be tough? Not social media tough. Not highlight-reel tough. The kind of toughness that shows up when you're exhausted, uncomfortable, doubting yourself, and still choose to do the hard thing. In this episode of What It Takes, Paul Reddick and Coach Marla Townsend sit down with pitching coach Haley Meinento discuss her new program, The Savage Standard, and why she believes toughness, discipline, leadership, and confidence are all choices that can be trained. Haley shares the experiences that shaped her philosophy, from training for HYROX with Danielle Lawrie to coaching athletes every day, and explains why the greatest competitors aren't simply born different. They develop a different standard. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for players, parents, and coaches who want to raise competitors that are mentally strong, resilient, and ready for whatever the game throws at them. Timestamp Highlights00:00 – Paul and Coach Marla welcome Haley Meinen and introduce the Savage Standard. 01:20 – How a conversation with Danielle Lawrie led Haley to train for HYROX with only six weeks to prepare. 04:00 – What "The Savage Standard" actually means and why Haley felt called to build it. 07:15 – Why toughness isn't something you're born with. It's something you choose. 10:00 – The habits, disciplines, and daily standards that create elite competitors. 13:30 – Why confidence isn't built through hype. It's built through preparation. 17:00 – Learning to become comfortable being uncomfortable. 20:30 – The difference between athletes who compete and athletes who simply participate. 24:00 – Why your standard has to stay the same whether you're winning or losing. 28:15 – The role coaches play in developing resilient, self-led athletes. 32:00 – Leadership, accountability, and creating a culture where everyone raises the standard. 36:00 – Why parents should focus less on outcomes and more on daily habits. 40:00 – Haley shares how she hopes the Savage Standard will impact athletes far beyond softball. 44:30 – What's next: building the Savage Standard, upcoming camps, and continuing to help athletes develop mentally and physically. 49:00 – Haley's advice: say yes to opportunities, embrace new experiences, and let them shape who you become. 50:20 – Final thoughts and where to connect with Haley Meinen. Check out: MarlaTownsand.com and HaleyMeinen.com Follow on Instagram: @haleymeinen.sb

  11. Episode 11

    Ep. 11 -- Softball's Next Superstar Coach - Morgan Royer, Monmouth University

    DescriptionEvery once in a while, you finish a podcast and immediately know you just talked to someone special. That's exactly how Coach Marla Townsend and I felt after this conversation with Morgan Royer, Head Softball Coach at Monmouth University. We were blown away. Morgan has the presence, clarity, competitiveness, emotional intelligence, and ability to connect with players that you see in coaches who are going to become major names in the game. In this episode of What It Takes, Morgan talks about what she's building at Monmouth, how she is creating a winning culture from scratch, what she really looks for when recruiting players, and why the intangibles matter every bit as much as talent. She explains why she sometimes needs to see a recruit fail before she knows what she has, what makes certain players impossible to stop watching, how she balances high standards with real relationships, and why she believes players need to see the human side of their coach. She also shares the goal Monmouth has put in front of itself this season: Push 30. Thirty wins, a trip to the CAA playoffs, and the belief that they can compete for a championship. By the time we finished this conversation, Coach Marla and I both felt the same way: We may have just talked to softball's next superstar coach. Timestamp Highlights00:00 – Meet Monmouth University Head Coach Morgan Royer. 01:03 – How to contact Morgan and why she still uses Twitter/X as a recruiting and communication tool. 02:14 – Where culture starts: compete and believe you can win. 04:19 – Recruiting her first full freshman class and selling players on a vision. 05:53 – "I need you to be the rock and level the standard." 07:53 – What Morgan actually looks for when she's watching recruits. 08:25 – The player you simply can't stop watching and why intangibles matter. 10:16 – The "aliveness" factor: hustle, energy, connection, and taking pride in the little things. 11:34 – Why Morgan wants to see recruits fail and what their reaction tells her. 12:00 – The talented freshman who needed to learn how to handle failure. 15:27 – Why developing strong young women is the real reason Morgan coaches. 18:03 – Morgan never planned on becoming a coach and how she found the profession she was meant for. 21:45 – Coaching a player through emotion instead of trying to eliminate what makes her special. 25:17 – Game management: when to coach details and when to focus on energy and effort. 28:34 – The 10-inning game that showed Morgan her team's culture was finally changing. 31:52 – Why Morgan decided her players needed to see a more vulnerable side of their head coach. 32:15 – Working out and doing Pilates with the team: "I'll struggle with you and I'll fight for you." 35:35 – The growing responsibilities of a Division I head coach beyond softball. 37:20 – Morgan's social media test for players: "Would your grandmom approve?" 38:39 – "I want to be the best team on campus." Why academics are part of Monmouth's standard. 42:31 – Why college coaches sometimes feel more like therapists than coaches. 43:30 – Push 30: the goal that made Morgan's players' eyes light up. 44:40 – Turning one huge goal into dozens of small wins players can see every day. 47:14 – Morgan's two requirements for accomplishing something big: believe it's possible and work your butt off for it. 49:00 – Final thoughts on believing in athletes, celebrating them, and building something special at Monmouth. Connect With Coach Morgan RoyerMonmouth University Softball: https://monmouthhawks.com/sports/softball Coach Morgan Royer: https://monmouthhawks.com/staff-directory/morgan-royer/1552 Email: mroyer@monmouth.edu Twitter/X: @MorganRoyer https://x.com/MorganRoyer Connect With Coach Marla TownsendCoach Marla Townsend: https://marlatownsend.com COMPETE Performance Hub: https://marlatownsend.com/compete/compete-hub

  • 11 Episodes

About

What It Takes with Coach Marla Townsend and Paul Reddick is a weekly podcast for softball players, parents, and coaches. Each episode explores the mindset, skills, habits, and experiences required to reach the next level, achieve your goals, and become your best on and off the field.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Reddick
  • Episodes
    11
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Paul Reddick
  • Show Website
    What It Takes