Wonder if mental training, when combined with physical training, actually works? The result are undeniable. Are you ready to join the fastest growing, most effective mental training in the world of swimming? (although Level Up works with others sports too)
Level Up Leadership Coaching just finished a banner year. On the collegiate level: 1 National Team Champion; 8 individual national champions; 3 conference champions; 2 conference coaches of the year; 1 national coach of the year; dozens of NCAA Div 1 and 3 qualifiers.
On the club level: 1 Junior National Team champion; 1 Junior National Cup Team Champion (Men & Women); 3 national junior team members; 12 Ohio High School individual state champions – 39 finals swims – 3 state records. That’s just in Ohio!
Mental toughness can be taught. It’s a fact that the body will follow the mind. You can prepare the body, but if you do not simultaneously prepare the mind, the body won’t know what to do in the pressure cooker of competition. That’s where Level Up Coaching comes in to partner with you.
Jeff did an outstanding job of helping the teams strip away peripheral tangential/distracting issues – thus allowing them to identify, understand, and focus on their primary motivations for team and individual success. He communicates equally well with either gender and relates easily with college aged athletes. His extensive background and experience with world class athletes and exposure to world class performance makes him a valuable asset to anyone who is highly motivated to improve. Gregg Parini, Head Coach, Denison University – 2018 Men’s National Champions; 7x DIII National Coach of the Year
I have had the pleasure of knowing Jeff for many years. At FGCU, we believe in the overall development of the student-athlete. It has been important to me since day one that we provide every resource available to help our study-athletes better understand their teammates and themselves. In turn, with Jeff’s help, we have seen incredible results and the future of our program has never been better! Dave Rollins, Head Coach Florida Gulf Coast University; 2018 Women’t Conference Champions and Conference Coach of the Year
Through probing questions to the swimmers & coaches, keen insights and a deep well of swimming experience, Jeff Raker was deftly able to get a read on each group of swimmers, coaches our team and how they all work together. I found the Level Up Coaching experience informative, interesting, challenging, nurturing and even fun! I know it has had a positive impact on me as an individual aspiring to develop and grow, and has helped our swimmers better understand themselves and, in turn, be better teammates. Ken Heis, Head Coach, Mason Manta Rays – 2017 Men’s Winter Junior National Champions; 2018 Men’s, Women’s & Team Junior National Cup Champions
Over the past few years I have tried to increase the active education of being a leader to the athletes who move through my group. As coaches, I feel that we are responsible for more than just creating fast swimmers. We have an opportunity to help mold swimmers into the future leaders of our team and beyond. Through Level Up, and with Jeff Raker leading the course, the swimmers have been able to reflect on themselves and how that relates to the overall group and team dynamics. Todd Billhimer, Associate Head Coach, Mason Manta Rays
Our program is constantly looking for ways to improve and get to another level. Level Up training has helped both individuals within our team, and therefore the program as a whole. There is buy in on moving toward excellence. Our athletes and coaches are learning an incredible amount about themselves and also about each other. This has boosted our program to a WHOLE NEW level. Mike Simpson, Head Coach, Gardner-Webb University Swim Teams
What we do IS a program. It’s also something we will tailor to YOUR needs, to fill in YOUR gaps. Sometimes a coach will ask for something we’ve never taught before, so we design it together. Often the choice is from a long list of options, such as the suggestions below:
- Self-awareness – foundational training using the DiSC Assessment
- Personal Accountability
- Championship Culture on a Team
- Visualization & Relaxation
- Stepping Up on Failure
- Stay in the Moment to Win the Moment
- Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
Level Up Coaching answers questions such as:
- How can I get beyond the stress I feel?
- How can I stop over-thinking my races?
- My brain seems to get in the way, how can I stay in the moment?
- How do I encourage my teammates who aren’t being helpful to the team?
- How can my coaching staff get more solidly on the same page?
- How can I help my athletes be more mentally tough?
Evidence means more than degrees, but they don’t hurt: Bachelor’s in Psychology, Masters degree, certification as an Executive Leadership Coach (5 years). Undergirding this training is my experience: D1 swimmer at Cincinnati, coaching experience, masters swimmer and presenting on of the U.S. FINA starters. Surrounding it all is 30 years of leading non-profits and dealing with people.
Level Up Coaching won’t tell you how to coach better, but we will help you be a better coach with the people you coach. We will help your athletes understand each other so that the culture is positive & productive, the perfect soil in which to grow champions.
Contact us now to schedule a time to talk and then let’s schedule time with your staff and team(s). The average program asks for 4 sessions through year, with some desiring up to 6.
Are you with a University or College? Level Up Coaching offers a Leadership Academy for multiple teams or the entire athletic department across all the teams. What we do is not sport specific. It’s people specific. Whatever sport you coach deals with people and that’s where Level Up Coaching brings the expertise. We know people.
We look forward to partnering with you to raise swimming and diving to a new level of excellence, both in and out of the pool.
Concerned about costs? It’s a good question. Let’s talk about it. We have a package to fit your budget and achieve your goals.
Jeffery A. Raker
Owner, Level Up Leadership Coaching Jeff@levelupleadershipcoach.com 513-675-0570