Jamy Bechler

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

9 Ways to Become the Most Valuable Parent on Your Kid’s Team

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Thank you for being a parent and thank you for letting your child play sports, as it can build and develop so many characteristics that can help them be successful later in life. Frederick Douglass once said, “It is easier to build up strong children than it is to repair broken men.” Parenting is hard – unless being perfect is natural for you.  Parenting an athlete can be even harder at times because it is so public.  It might not seem easy to build up strong children and raise them the right way – especially, when it comes to their athletic careers – but it is so worth it. All we must do is turn on the TV, scroll through social media, or interact with people on a daily basis and we see the need for more positive values such as respect, responsibility, and gratitude. When we positively develop our children, we are helping to influence and shape the future. Our children are the future leaders. How will they be taught to lead? Sports is a microcosm of life and a great means by which to teach our children lessons that they might not experience as much or as quickly otherwise. Just like we want our children to be better members of the community, we also want them to be the most valuable teammate that they can be for their team. In the same way, as parents we can also play a big part in making the team better. Here are 9 ways that you can be the most valuable parent on your child’s team …

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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!!!

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Episode 101: Tim Dimoff, Security & Workplace Expert

Tim Dimoff is the President & CEO of SACS Consulting and Investigative Services, Inc., a company that specializes in high-risk workplace and human resource issues. As one of the nation’s leading authorities in high risk and security concerns, Tim has been called upon to examine evidence from crime scenes, victims, and to develop offender profiles. He is also nationally recognized for his expertise on HR subjects including drug abuse, workplace violence prevention, bullying and more. Tim is also the author of several books including, “How to Recognize Substance Abuse”, “The YOU in Business”, and “Life Rage”. He has written many articles, and he provides media commentary throughout the U.S.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Being selected to provide security for the 2016 Republican National Convention
  • Addressing the school shooting situations
  • How to organize and run events safely
  • Safety and security in organizations and businesses
  • … and so much more!!!

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Who’s On First?

Poor Abbott. Poor Costello. In the classic sketch Who’s On First, they heard each other’s words but just couldn’t seem to understand what each other was saying.

It’s no secret that we all desire to be listened to and we all want to be understood.

I am right. You are wrong. Why should I listen to you? Wait, what?!? You don’t understand what I’m saying? How is that even possible?

In the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey said, “If you’re like most people you probably seek first to be understood; you want to get your point across. And in doing so, you may ignore the other person completely, pretend that you’re listening, selectively hear only certain parts of the conversation, or attentively focus on only the words being said, but miss the meaning entirely. So why does this happen?”

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5 Tips for Better Communication

“Half the world is composed of people who have something to say but can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say but keep on saying it.”  (ROBERT FROST)

“If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear.”  (MARK TWAIN)

Because I am married and I fly often, the following story is near and dear to my heart . . .

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Episode 091: Crisis Preparedness Expert Melissa Agnes

Author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, Melissa Agnes is a leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection.  Agnes is a coveted speaker, commentator, and adviser to some of today’s leading organizations faced with the greatest risks.

In 2015, she gave a TEDx talk in Los Angeles where she discussed the secret to successful crisis management in the 21st century. Agnes is the editor of the Crisis Ready Blog, a contributor to Forbes, and a go-to source for the press, with recent coverage including the Wall Street Journal, VIBE Magazine, USA Today, and many others. As a university guest lecturer, Agnes teaches crisis management in university courses around the world, including at NYU and McGill.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • The difference between issues and crisis
  • How to prepare for the inevitable crises that will come your way
  • Building your brand on social media
  • What to do when an issue or a crisis occurs
  • How Southwest Airlines and United Airlines handled crises differently

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Episode 082: Travel Expert Dayvee Sutton

Dayvee Sutton is an award-winning journalist covering a range of beats: travel, sports, entertainment, movies, and a number of lifestyle topics for television and digital media. You can watch Dayvee on-air as a national lifestyle and travel correspondent on HLN, and the talk shows “Sister Circle Live“, “The Jet Set TV“, “Coffee with America“, and in airports across the country as a travel tips expert for CNN Airport Network. She also hosts the adventure travel show “Beyond the Usual”

Dayvee started her broadcast career in radio working weekends as a producer for the number one station in Atlanta, then quickly moved to TV as a features reporter and producer for Falconsvision and Comcast Sports. Over the years she has built credentials doing work for ESPN, CNN Atlanta and CNN London, Turner Sports (TNT, TBS and NBA TV/NBA.com), where she earned two National Sports Emmys. She’s co-hosted a daily talk show for four years at NBC Charlotte and was the only female sports anchor and reporter in Atlanta, while at the CBS affiliate. 

On the digital side, Dayvee has been a national contributor to sites like U.S. News and World Report, AOL, Yahoo, ESPN, The Root, NBA.com, Black Enterprise, NBC News and USA TODAY Network. She also has worked with brands like Firestone, Lifeproof, Nikon, Coke and Staples. 

Dayvee is a part of the new wave of entrepreneurial journalists. Through her production company Dream Network Media she produces original content for TV networks, news outlets, online platforms and mobile applications. She’s created popular websites like (the now defunct) NBA fan site NBA FrontPage and the lifestyle guide, The Daily Affair. She also produced the emotional documentary “What We Told Our Sons: Four Families React to the Trayvon Martin Verdict”. 

As if that wasn’t enough, Dayvee still finds time to play. In 2013, Dayvee was the #1 USTA tennis player in her division for the state of North Carolina and #7 in the Southern Division (9 states). She’s an avid traveler, and a self proclaimed karaoke queen. Dayvee Sutton is a southern California native and graduated from UCLA. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • How she measures success and how risk plays a part in it
  • Her career path in journalism and TV
  • The place that has had the most impact on her
  • Getting upgraded on flights or hotels

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Episode 081: Former FBI Lead Negotiator Chris Voss

Chris Voss is the author of Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, CEO of Black Swan Group Ltd., and a former lead negotiator for the FBI.

Prior to 2008, Chris was the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the FBI’s hostage negotiation representative for the National Security Council’s Hostage Working Group. During his government career, he also represented the U.S. Government at two (2) international conferences sponsored by the G-8 as an expert in kidnapping. Prior to becoming the FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator, Christopher served as the lead Crisis Negotiator for the New York City Division of the FBI. Christopher was a member of the New York City Joint Terrorist Task Force for 14 years.  He was the case agent on such cases as TERRSTOP (the Blind Sheikh Case – Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman), the TWA Flight 800 catastrophe and negotiated the surrender of the first hostage taker to give up in the Chase Manhattan bank robbery hostage taking.

During Chris’s 24 year tenure in the Bureau, he was trained in the art of negotiation by not only the FBI but Scotland Yard and Harvard Law School. He is also a recipient of the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement and the FBI Agents Association Award for Distinguished and Exemplary Service.

Chris has taught business negotiation in the MBA program as an adjunct professor at University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.  He has taught business negotiation at Harvard University, guest lectured at The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, The IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland and The Goethe School of Business in Frankfurt, Germany. Since 2009 Christopher has also worked with Insite Security as their Managing Director of the Kidnapping Resolution Practice.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Is real life FBI negotiating like what we see in the movies
  • How we can use negotiating skills in our every day lives
  • Strategies for dealing with customer service representatives
  • How to be the smartest and most interesting person in the room

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Episode 080: PGA Caddie Paul Tesori

Paul Tesori is the caddie for professional golfer Webb Simpson. Paul was on the bag when Webb won the 2012 U.S. Open and 2018 THE PLAYERS Championship. In addition to Webb Simpson, Paul has caddied for some of the best golfers in the world including former #1 player Vijay Singh. In total, he has more than 20 wins as a PGA caddie. 

We caught up with Paul between THE PLAYERS and the Open Championship (to be held at Carnoustie, Scotland). The memories of the record-setting performance at THE PLAYERS was still fresh in his mind (especially since it is played at TPC Sawgrass, which is Paul’s home course). Webb led THE PLAYERS Championship from start to finish. Along the way, he equaled the course record with his 2nd-round 63, and also the 36-hole and 54-hole PLAYERS scoring records. With the win, Webb became just the 9th player to have won THE PLAYERS and a U.S. Open. The victory also made Webb World Golf Hall of Fame eligible in the future. 

Paul is a Florida native and attended the University of Florida. He grew up loving sports and played golf and baseball. He was such a good golfer that he even played 21 events on the PGA Tour himself. Paul and his wife Michelle run the Tesori Family Foundation, which was founded in 2009. The foundation helps supports various charities throughout the country with focuses ranging from childhood homelessness to battered women’s shelters, from children battling disease like cancer to animal rescue charities like the Jacksonville Humane Society. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Webb’s runaway win at the 2018 Players Championship
  • Why mental toughness is important in golf and life
  • What he says to a golfer during a round
  • Caddie-Golfer relationships, especially after breakups

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Episode 077: Hall of Fame Softball Coach Sue Enquist

Sue Enquist is UCLA Softball’s first All-American, National Champion, and Hall of Famer. In 2006, Enquist concluded her storied 27-year career as head coach of the UCLA Bruins with a 887-175-1 (.835) record, making her the winningest softball coach among all active coaches. She is the only person in NCAA Softball history to win a championship as a head coach and a player. During her career, Enquist produced 65 All-Americans and 15 Olympians. She has been inducted into six Hall of Fames including UCLA, Women’s Sport Foundation, USA Softball Hall of Fame, and National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Enquist is also the recipient of multiple National Coach of the Year and Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors. She grew up in San Clemente, California, and is a former professional surfer. Today she lives in San Clemente, California, where she surfs daily and enjoys spending time with her family.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • How she was able to be so successful as a coach
  • What she would do differently if she was still coaching today
  • Her friendship with legendary basketball coach John Wooden

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