The Forza Athletics Life and Coaching Podcast

Charles J. Infurna, EdD
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Self-Improvement

The Forza Athletics Life and Coaching Podcast explores the psychology of high performance through the lens of sport, coaching, leadership, and human connection. Hosted by Dr. Charles J. Infurna, sport psychology researcher, educator, and coach, each episode features meaningful conversations with coaches, athletes, educators, and leaders who share their experiences navigating excellence, adversity, growth, and purpose. Drawing from decades of coaching and research, the podcast examines what it truly takes to develop confidence, resilience, trust, and sustained success both in sport and in life.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 2: Performance With Purpose Featuring 2004 Olympian Jackie Ulm

    In the second episode of Performance With Purpose, I had the opportunity to speak to 2004 Hammer Olympian Jackie Ulm. Jackie was a 5x National Champion and 13x All-American at Ashland University. Jackie and I discussed: 1. Finding the throwing events in middle school 2. Competing at the Ohio State outdoor track and field championships 3. Her first encounter with Jud Logan 4. Committing to Ashland University 5. Making the transition to collegiate throwing 6. Expecting to throw far when it matters most 7. Winning her first national championship as a true freshman 8. Managing injuries 9. Graduating with honors 10. Ashland Elite 11. The 2004 Olympic Trials 12. The 2004 Olympic Games 13. Coming home 14. Making the decision to retire 15. Transitioning to the "real-world"

    1h 49m

  2. Jun 8

    Episode 1: Performance With Purpose Featuring Emory University Throwing Coach Jordan Crayon

    In this first episode of our Forza Athletics Performance With Purpose Podcast, I had the great pleasure to speak with Emory University Throwing Coach Jordan Crayon. Jordan is a multiple time Division II National Champion in the weigh throw and hammer throw. We first spoke to Jordan over six years ago. A lot has changed since then, specifically Jordan's time as both a professional hammer thrower and assistant track and field coach at Emory University. Most recently, Jordan threw a new personal best in the hammer throw of over 75m, his first personal best season since before COVID. In this episode, Jordan and I discussed: 1. Training as a professional hammer thrower 2. The 2016 and 2021 Olympic Trials 3. Competing at USATF Outdoor National Championships 4. Balancing coaching and throwing

    1h 13m

  3. 06/20/2025

    The Modern Coach's Compass Episode 2: Coaching in the Gray-What Happens Between the Highs and Lows

    We often talk about coaching as a journey of highs and lows—championship moments, personal records, heartbreaks, and setbacks. But most of coaching happens somewhere in between. In the gray. The ordinary. The unremarkable. That’s where coaching really lives. It lives in the early-morning warmups when no one’s watching. In the post-meet text after a tough throw. In the hundred small corrections no one claps for. The work is often invisible, but it is never insignificant. 🧭 Coaching in the gray is where trust, consistency, and character are quietly forged. Here are a few ways to honor the gray and make the ordinary meaningful: Set the tone: how you show up in “regular” practices sets the emotional climate. Acknowledge invisible effort: praise focus, recovery, attitude—not just results. Be predictably present: consistency builds more confidence than any motivational quote. Ask better questions: “What are you proud of today?” uncovers more than “How’d that feel?” 📖 A Moment I Remember There was a junior athlete I coached—quiet, dependable, never flashy. She rarely won meets, never made headlines, but showed up, every single day. She lifted with purpose, asked thoughtful questions, helped first-years with drills, and never complained. One afternoon after a rainy meet, she said: “I know I’m not the best on the team, but I hope I’ve made a difference.” She did. She made all the difference. That moment reminded me: coaching in the gray isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about the soil. That’s where roots take hold. That’s where growth starts.

    9 min

  4. 06/17/2025

    The Modern Coach's Compass Episode 1: Why We’re Reimagining Coaching

    Welcome to The Modern Coach’s Compass: Why We’re Reimagining Coaching Coaching has changed—and so have the demands placed on those who lead. Today’s athletes are not just looking for someone to diagram plays or critique technique. They’re seeking mentorship, trust, clarity, and belief. They want to be seen as more than performers. And they need coaches who are equipped to guide them not just toward medals, but toward meaning. That’s why The Modern Coach’s Compass was created. This podcast, platform, and movement is here to reimagine what it means to be a coach in the 21st century. It’s about leading with heart, building deeper relationships, and helping athletes navigate more than just a competition calendar. It’s about becoming a lightgiver—someone who helps athletes illuminate a path they may not yet see for themselves. My name is Dr. Charles Infurna, and for nearly 25 years, I’ve coached athletes in and out of the throwing circle. I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with young men and women chasing records and chasing identity—often both at once. As a coach and educator, I’ve learned that performance without purpose leaves both the athlete and coach feeling empty. So The Modern Coach’s Compass is my response. It’s our shared direction forward. What You Can Expect from This Space This blog, and the podcast that accompanies it, will explore the intersection of coaching, human performance, and purpose. But it won’t be about tactics alone—it’s about transformation. Through weekly insights, guest features, case studies, and field-tested lessons, we’ll explore questions like: How do coaches cultivate trust-based relationships with their athletes? What does it mean to coach holistically—not just physically? How do we help athletes take ownership without losing team identity? How do we define legacy in a profession that’s often judged only by wins? From collegiate coaches to Olympic athletes, sports psychologists to leadership consultants, we’ll learn from those who’ve walked the coaching path with wisdom and heart. The Compass: Our North Star Values The name “The Modern Coach’s Compass” isn’t just symbolic. It reflects a values-driven approach to coaching that includes: Trust: The foundation of every successful coach-athlete relationship. Purpose: A guiding force deeper than outcome or applause. Clarity: Knowing who you are and how you lead. Autonomy: Empowering athletes to lead themselves—and others. Connection: Because no one performs their best in isolation. This compass isn’t just theoretical. These are the same pillars I’ve used in my own coaching and consulting practice to help build resilient athletes, championship teams, and confident coaches. Who This Is For If you’re a coach—new, seasoned, burned out, or building—you belong here.If you’ve ever questioned the way things have always been done, you belong here.If you believe coaching is a calling, not just a job, you belong here. Let’s walk this path together. Let’s build a new coaching culture—one where performance and purpose thrive side by side. Thank you for being here. Your journey matters. Your athletes deserve your best. And your best begins with clarity of direction.

    10 min

  5. 11/06/2023

    The Throws Doc: Episode 50-The Art of Journaling

    The Throws Doc: Episode 50-The Art of Journaling

    6 min

  6. 10/31/2023

    The Throws Doc: Episode 49-Positive Self Talk

    The Throws Doc: Episode 49-Positive Self Talk

    12 min

  7. 10/30/2023

    The Throws Doc: Episode 48-Conference Submission

    The Throws Doc: Episode 48-Conference Submission

    10 min

  8. 09/05/2023

    The Throws Doc: Episode 47-Next Ox Up

    The Throws Doc: Episode 47-Next Ox Up

    12 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Forza Athletics Life and Coaching Podcast explores the psychology of high performance through the lens of sport, coaching, leadership, and human connection. Hosted by Dr. Charles J. Infurna, sport psychology researcher, educator, and coach, each episode features meaningful conversations with coaches, athletes, educators, and leaders who share their experiences navigating excellence, adversity, growth, and purpose. Drawing from decades of coaching and research, the podcast examines what it truly takes to develop confidence, resilience, trust, and sustained success both in sport and in life.

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