When Epstein began writing about the data that athletes who go on to become the elite are usually not the specializers, the reactions from parents was pure disbelief. Can’t be true! Maybe in some other sport, but that isn’t true in our sport! Right?! We all learned from Gladwell’s 10,000 hours, deliberate practice, Tiger Mom, and from Earl Woods developing Tiger, before the age of 2. We all get caught up in the rat race to keep up, but research is showing that this form of early hyper-specialization isn’t the…
For our Meaningful Meals in this issue of #Get a Grip newsletter, I want to share our July 4th menu, recipes, and a holiday conversation starter. “If you were going to create a new holiday, what would it be and how would people celebrate it?” 1. Andrew’s Smoked Brisket Ingredients: Whole brisket with fat cap still on, if you can find it 24 hr salt/sugar brine in the fridge 1/2 cup of salt 1/3 cup sugar per gallon of water Dry rub: ¼ part salt, 1/2 part pepper, ¼ combo of smoked paprika…
After watching Rafa win his 12th French Open, I revisited Toni Nadal’s TEDx Talk on how he built a champion in Rafa through building his character. It is one of my all-time favorites and a must see for all parents and coaches. Toni rarely speaks of the technical work he did with Rafa but speaks often and openly about his building character as the key to Rafa’s success. As many of us in the tennis world know, throughout Rafa Nadal’s career, his uncle, mentor and former coach, Toni Nadal, has been…
Do we need to use online schooling? Does my child have a chance to make it in tennis, if she doesn’t do online schooling? In all my work with junior tennis, this is probably the question I get most often from parents. I am thinking back, and I honestly can’t remember one parent presentation or workshop, where the question wasn’t asked. The answers are no, and yes. Having said that, it is a family decision and what works for one family, doesn’t always work for another family. So, how do you like…
I don’t know about you, but I am struggling some days to get out the door for school in time. I like to give the boys a substantial breakfast, but let’s get real… some days, I just can’t get it together. Smoothie to the rescue! I used to joke that the only “green” food my boys would eat is mint chip ice cream. One of my tricks to have the boys drink a green smoothie is to load a smoothie with dark colored berries to hide the spinach greens. That and…