Fail Early and Fail Often with Jonathan Van Horn, Athletes in Action Executive Director of Pro Soccer

In Episode 125, Jonathan Van Horn, Executive Director of Pro Soccer for Athletes in Action and former Ohio Wesleyan University footballer, talks with Paul and Phil about his multi-sport playing career and how it affected his thoughts on early specialization, what drives him, his book, Shift, and how he is using it to help athletes in their lives after sport, how he is using soccer in his ministry with AIA, how his defining moments and impactful coaches have shaped him, the importance of presence and consistency, and why it is important to fail early and fail often. Specifically, Jonathan discusses:

·      His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer and leadership, and how he got to be where he is today (3:37)

·      How he was a multiple-sport athlete and how he believes that impacted him in positive ways (9:20)

·      What he believes we are missing by focusing on early specialization (10:47)

·      His personal why/mission statement and how he is living it out (12:44)

·      Defining moments in his life and how they impacted his life and leadership (14:42)

·      How he is using soccer to share the Gospel and make disciples (23:10)

·      The power of a chaplain (31:12)

·      His book, Shift, why he wrote it, and how he hopes it will help people flourish in their lives after sport (33:20)

·      A couple of the steps for athletes to thrive in life after sport (39:09)

·      How we can train our kids and young athletes in these principles of life after sport before they are out of the sport (44:45)

·      The power of coaches to create safe environments where failure is encouraged for development (50:30)

·      Some of the great coaches he has played for and a couple whose leadership stick out above the rest, and what he learned from those great coaches (53:00)

·      His thoughts on the current state of US Soccer, and what we can do about it (56:49)

·      How he has used lessons learned from sports in his marriage and parenting (1:05:07)

·      His recommendations (1:06:43)

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      Athletes in Action Website

·      Shift: The Athlete’s Playbook: 5 Proven Steps to Life after Sport, by Jonathan Van Horn

·      The Shift Podcast

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      HSEL Facebook Group

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      The Holy Bible

·      Mind Shift: It Doesn’t Take a Genius to Think Like One, by Erwin McManus

·      Mind Shift with Erwin and Aaron McManus

·      The Way of the Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace, by Erwin McManus