Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

Episode 111: Elise Auxier – ICF Certified Life Coach

Elise Auxier is an International Coach Federation (ICF) certified, professional executive and life coach and the owner of Gulfcoast Coaching in Tampa, Florida. Elise has 30 years of professional selling and sales management experience in corporate America, has owned and operated 2 successful small businesses and currently own and manage 4 pieces of commercial property.

She supports high performing women as they increase their courage and step into their confidence. With Elise’s guidance, clients break through obstacles of uncertainty, fear and limiting beliefs, and replace them with clarity, confidence and goal achievement.

 Contrary to personality assessments, the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) is a behavioral assessment which illuminates how current perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors either enhance ability to lead or detract from it. It measures how people really “show up” in life on a day when things are going pretty good and when they are under stress.

[Read more…]

Episode 110: Former White House Speechwriter John Corcoran

John Corcoran has worked in Hollywood, written speeches for President Bill Clinton and lost his job when Arnold Schwarzenegger became the Governator. Even though he’s lived in California most of his life, he is the world’s worst surfer, although he does speak Valley Girl fluently. His day job is working with small business owners and entrepreneurs as a lawyer and business advisor. He created a website called SmartBusinessRevolution.com where he shows small business owners and entrepreneurs how to use relationships to attract more clients, customers and revenues. John’s podcast has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Podcasts for Entrepreneurs to Learn Personal Finance From.”

In Today’s Episode We Discuss: 

  • Building a network without being sleazy
  • How to be the most interesting person in a room
  • What it was like to write speeches for President Clinton
  • Contributing to an episode of “The West Wing” TV show
  • . . . and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Episode 109: Dr. Jerome Lubbe – The Brain Guy

Dr. Jerome Lubbe is the CEO and Founder of his private practice, Thrive Neuro Health, located in Decatur, GA where he partners with entrepreneurs, makers, leaders and communities to achieve their individual goals through optimized brain and body function. He formerly served as the Executive Director for Cerebrum Health Centers, as well as the Clinic Director of their Atlanta facility. Dr. Lubbe has a passion for equipping, empowering, and encouraging colleagues, entrepreneurs and students to serve their patients, local communities, and their staff through continued training in the practical applications of functional neurology. Dr. Lubbe has a unique story and likes to say that he’s “an identical twin who immigrated to the mountains of Northeast Tennessee as a 7-year-old white refugee from Zaire with my parents, older brother, Bi-Polar grandmother, a $100 and two suitcases, I lost my father at 14, and I had my first debilitating migraine when I was 17. Since then I’ve averaged a separate migraine every 3-4 days with chronic, daily pain and fatigue between.”

[Read more…]

Episode 108: Phil Hellmuth, 15x World Series of Poker Champion

Nobody has won more World Series of Poker championships than Phil Hellmuth Jr.  He won his 15th WSOP Bracelet in the summer of 2018, which puts him far ahead of Phil Ivey, Johnny Chan, and Doyle Brunson (who all have 10 bracelets). Hellmuth also holds the record for most cash finishes and most final table appearances at the World Series of Poker. In 1989, the 24-year old Hellmuth became the youngest person ever to win the WSOP Main Event when he defeated legendary Johnny Chan. “The Poker” Brat as he is known for his colorful and competitive personality, was elected to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2007. He has also written a New York Times best-seller (“Play Poker Like the Pros”), as well as his autobiography (“Poker Brat”). Hellmuth also is very active in raising funds for charities. He has raised more than $50 million in his lifetime for charitable causes and organizations.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • What makes him so good
  • The process of writing his books
  • Qualities and principles of success and positivity
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Episode 107: NJCAA Executive Director Christopher Parker

Christopher Parker is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Dr. Parker is responsible for all oversight of the country’s second largest athletic association. He is charged with leading all aspects of the association and its 512 member colleges, while enhancing the opportunities for student-athletes and member institutions. His daily duties are to provide overarching leadership of all aspects with special concentration on membership growth, financial stability, and organizational growth. Dr. Parker gives national presentations throughout the country and works hard to represent every single region across the nation. He has coached Division I baseball, while also starting the first ever NJCAA athletic program in the Virginia Community College System where he served as both the athletic director and head baseball coach.  Dr. Parker also served PHCC in a number of other capacities to include: Director of Student Life, Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dean of Academics, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Campus Life, and Athletics, Executive Director of the PHCC Foundation and Real Estate Foundation, as well as adjunct instructor.  He also went on to serve Pfeiffer University as Vice President where he was in charge of enrollment at all levels, financial aid, marketing, and public Relations.  During his time at Pfeiffer, the university experienced the largest incoming freshmen class in more than 30 years. Dr. Parker has taught adjunct for more than 7 different institutions nationally, while specializing in sports management, leadership, and exercise.   Christopher also served as the assistant men’s director and the women’s director of Region 10 of the NJCAA for seven years, while also overseeing the treasury duties.  In addition, Dr. Parker served as the Executive Director of the Patrick County Education Foundation under former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • The benefits of going to a community college
  • Leadership initiatives and programs that make the NJCAA special
  • Former athletes such as Jimmy Butler and Cam Newton, who started off at the NJCAA level
  • Recruiting advice for parents
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Episode 106: Greg Tonagel, Indiana Wesleyan University Basketball Coach

Greg Tonagel is the head men’s basketball coach at Indiana Wesleyan University. Tonagel and the Wildcats have won three NAIA Division II National Championships in a five year spans with titles in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Since Tonagel took over the program in 2005, he has become the winningest coach in program history both in total wins and winning percentage. Prior to coming to IWU, Tonagel served as Director of Basketball Operations at Valparaiso University, where he also played for legendary Homer Drew and appeared in four NCAA Tournaments as the starting point guard. He also led his LaPorte High School team to the last single class state finals in 1997. Much of the unprecedented success of the Wildcats can be attributed to the culture Tonagel built at IWU.  The IWU culture is built around two Biblically transforming principles; I am Third and Fearless. This has helped the influence of IWU basketball to extend far beyond the court. Tonagel and his staff have been committed to using basketball as a platform for discipleship.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • What any coach can do to create a better culture
  • Why IWU is so good year in and year out
  • How he convinces great players (including DI transfers from IU and Kansas) to come to IWU
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Episode 105: 2x Super Bowl Champion Gary Reasons


Gary Reasons spent nine years as a linebacker in the National Football League.  He was a fourth round draft pick in 1984 by the New York Giants and was instrumental in helping the team win two Championships, Super Bowl XXI & XXV.  As a team leader, he was elected by his teammates to the NFLPA Board of Directors and was further elected by the Board and served 6 years as Vice President on the NFLPA Executive Committee. He is also an inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Following his playing days, Gary has enjoyed a 23 year television broadcast career as a college football analyst with ABC Sports, ESPN, and FOX Sports. Concurrent to his broadcast work, Gary has utilized natural leadership, expert communication skills, and technology expertise to lead several prosperous businesses. Gary’s technology background includes solution strategy and development for global technology firms such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services and NTT Data. 

Reasons is now a motivational speaker and consultant to businesses. He is the Co-Founder of PRO ATHLETES TEAM, where he serves as President and oversees all aspects of the organization.  As a senior business executive, Gary has more than 20 years of experience within the IT industry and over 30 years of experience within the Sports, Media, and Entertainment industry.  

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Being a fellow linebacker with Lawrence Taylor
  • Whether he knew Bill Belichick would be a great head coach
  • The great athletes that have come out of his college
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Episode 104: Chris Oliver, Founder of Basketballimmersion.com

Chris Oliver is the founder of Basketballimmersion.com and is one of the most respected basketball coaches and clinicians in North America. He regularly speaks at top coaching conferences and clinics, including CoachingU in Las Vegas. Chris is also currently the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Windsor, a position he has held since 2005. He is a 3x recipient of the Ontario University Athletic Conference’s Coach of the Year award. Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University, a Bachelor of Education degree from Brock University, and a Master’s in Physical Education and Coaching Studies from the University of Victoria. Oliver is also an NCCP Level Four coach.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Having “less boring” practices
  • Building a better culture in your program
  • Ways that players can make better decisions on the basketball court
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Episode 103: “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” with Josh McDowell

Josh McDowell has spoken to approximately 35 million people, in 140 countries. Josh has written or co-authored more than 150 books in over 100 languages including More Than a Carpenter with over 27 million copies distributed and Evidence That Demands a Verdict, named one of the twentieth century’s top 40 books and one of the thirteen most influential books of the last 50 years on Christian thought by World Magazine. Evidence That Demands a Verdict also just won the 2018 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association award in the Bible reference book category.

In 1991, Josh founded Operation Carelift to meet the physical and spiritual needs he discovered in orphanages, hospitals, schools, and prisons in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Josh has received two significant honors from the Russian people because of these efforts. He is the only non-Russian to receive an honorary doctor of pediatrics degree from the Russian Academy of Medicine — in recognition of his work among the children of Russia. Also, Josh is the only foreigner to become a member of the prestigious Russian Club of Scientists. Operation Carelift, which has grown into in one of the largest humanitarian aid organizations based in the United States, is now a part of Global Aid Network (GAiN USA). In addition to many other awards, Josh has been nominated 36 times for the Gold Medallion Award and has received that award on four occasions.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Trying to prove that Christians were wrong when he was a college student
  • How Christians should approach politics
  • What it was like to have a movie made about his life
  • Advice when talking to teenagers
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Episode 102: Tracie Hitz, Dating & Branding Strategist

Tracie Hitz is a personal and professional branding strategist with more than 20 years of branding, marketing and sales experience in the sports industry. She launched Hitz & Branding, LLC in June 2018 after twenty years in the sports industry. In this new endeavor she helps people set goals, tell a story, land a date, land a job, or land anything they want. 

Immediately before founding Hitz & Branding, LLC., Tracie was the Director of Championships & Alliances at the NCAA. In her first year, she oversaw the 2014 Women’s Final Four sales efforts that led to a sold-out arena in a first-time host city, and the following year she led the charge to record the largest attendance at a Women’s Final Four since 2010. Tracie came to the national office after working in the C-Suite as the Chief Marketing Officer at Old Hat Creative for 3.5 years where she doubled its annual revenue each year working with over 80 professional and collegiate sports organizations.

She was named to the C-Suite for the NACMA Board of Directors in 2008 and was the Board advisor from 2010-2013. She has been a member of the UNC Center for Research in Intercollegiate Athletics Board of Advisors and the IUPUI Tourism, Conventions and Event Management Advisory Board since 2015. She received her bachelorʼs degree in Communication (Journalism) from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri in 1997 and her masterʼs degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University in 2003.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Different branding and marketing strategies for individuals and businesses
  • Career journey in athletics
  • Using social media to tell a story
  • Dating and relationship advice
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

Sign Up For Leadership Insights

Join Thousands Of Others Who Follow Jamy On These Platforms: