Joe S.’s Post

That’s it, the Olympics is over….. So many lessons about teamwork, resilience, dedication and hard work! There are many parallels between sport and business so keep an eye out for our upcoming blog….! #winners #sportingachievement #bringingcolourtoyourbusiness

Much like the Wimbledon men's tennis final, success isn't just about meeting expectations—it's driven by personal determination, strategic thinking, and unwavering effort. Just as champions on the court push boundaries and strive for excellence, individuals thrive when they embrace these qualities. At 100 & First, we help empower individuals to foster the right mindset and achieve extraordinary results, find out how we can give you the tools to get you where you want to be. https://lnkd.in/dWAQTKs #SuccessMindset #PersonalExcellence #WimbledonMensFinal

It’s inspiring to see Team USA athletes taking their dedication and drive beyond the field with the support of Guild and eCornell. 🌟 As they transition to new careers, the skills and knowledge they gain through these professional certificate programs will undoubtedly help them excel in their next chapters. 🌊 #WhatsNext #TeamUSA #LifelongLearning

🎾 Game, Set, Match: Culture Amp x Tennis Australia! 🎾 Culture Amp is officially partnering with our long-time customer, Tennis Australia, as their Official Employee Experience Partner! 🎉 Over the next two years, this exciting collaboration will take us court-side at major Grand Slams across Australia, the US, and the UK, where we’ll share powerful stories about building high-performing teams — through the lens of one of the world’s most competitive sports. Tennis Australia has set the gold standard for performance and culture, revolutionizing talent development from grassroots to Grand Slams. Today, they have more players in the top 100 than ever before—a true testament to their approach. At Culture Amp, we believe that #performance and #culture go hand in hand— whether in the workplace or on the court. We can’t wait to bring these insights to life and continue helping organizations build winning teams. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gCE-a6-y

Below I have my latest published story for the University Star! It explores the impact of alumni involvement within club sports, more specifically, Rugby. https://lnkd.in/grDNU6AR

“21 years on from World Cup glory, Ben Cohen’s candid revelations shine a light on a critical issue in professional sport” Ben Cohen, an England Rugby legend and World Cup winner, recently shared an eye-opening interview with Planet Rugby, where he revealed the personal struggles he faced during and after his illustrious career. His story highlights a truth we see across the sporting world: the lack of support for athletes in preparing for life beyond the game. This isn’t just a rugby problem—it’s a systemic issue in professional sports. From our conversations with athletes across multiple disciplines, it’s clear many feel unprepared and unsupported when transitioning away from their playing careers. The identity, purpose, structure, and camaraderie they’ve known for years often leave a void that’s hard to fill. At Athlete Transition Accelerator we’re working to change this narrative. Our mission is to empower, inspire, and prepare athletes for life beyond the game—helping them explore new careers, embrace their multiple identities, and find purpose outside of sport. We are building a community and providing resources that current athletes can tap into, supported by former athletes who’ve walked this journey. Athletes give everything to their sport; it’s time we give them the tools to thrive after the final whistle. If you’re passionate about supporting athletes in transition or want to learn more about what we do, let’s connect. Together, we can make a difference. #AthleteTransition #LifeBeyondTheGame #BenCohen #SportsTransitions

Another Championship Banner: Tennis has always been a significant part of my life, and this summer has been nothing short of incredible. The 40+ 3.0 men’s team I captain just won States, and now we’re heading to Indianapolis for the Sectional Championships, where we’ll compete for a chance to advance to Nationals later this year! What makes this journey even more special is the camaraderie, the shared determination to win, and, of course, the sheer fun of it all—because let’s face it, winning is fun. Adding to the experience, I have the pleasure of sharing the court with a couple of fellow CSU alums, which gives us the chance to reminisce about our shared experiences at CSU. Sports have been a cornerstone of my life, and I firmly believe that playing a sport has made me healthier and better in countless ways. Engaging in sports has imparted invaluable life skills, such as teamwork, communication, leadership, time management, and goal setting—all of which have significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. Teamwork, in particular, is a fundamental concept that extends far beyond the tennis court. In a world that often celebrates individual achievements, the value of teamwork cannot be overstated. It fosters a sense of belonging, cooperation, strategic thinking, and the ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate effectively—skills that are essential in both the corporate world and everyday life. Playing sports, like tennis, also plays a pivotal role in shaping future leaders. It provides a platform for developing crucial leadership skills, such as strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving. These skills are not only vital for success in the corporate world but also in personal life. Moreover, tennis offers a myriad of health benefits. It improves hand-eye coordination, strengthens the heart, muscles, and bones, and just three hours of play per week can reduce the risk of heart disease by 56%. Beyond physical fitness, tennis is also a powerful stress reliever and cognitive booster. The sport requires constant evaluation of angles, geometry, and physics to achieve the best results, which translates into enhanced problem-solving abilities off the court. I truly believe that playing tennis makes me a better employee and a better person—and I’m having a blast doing it! #CSUAlumni #GoVikes #tennis #USTA #leadership #teamwork #professionalgrowth #health #menshealth #mentalhealth

Ever noticed how Aryna Sabalenka’s has been changing her strategy on the court lately? She’s shifted to “going for bigger targets,” while still smashing the ball in every single occasion—her shots flew at an average speed of 74mph at last year’s Wimbledon, surpassing the guys’ average of 71mph! This approach is the perfect metaphor for what we should be aiming to do in tennis club management these days. Let’s be real, many tennis directors and club managers get tempted to jump on every new trend. But the real win comes from picking those big, strategic goals that truly resonate with what our club stands for in the long run. Let’s think again about Sabalenka: it isn’t just just about playing it safe—it's about being smart where and when it counts. Whether we’re looking at boosting member engagement, upgrading our facilities, or rolling out cool new programs, the goal is to channel our efforts into making a real and measurable difference. By targeting these significant, strategic objectives with clarity and purpose, we’re not just upping our game—we’re also elevating the experience for every member and visitor. Let’s go for those big targets!

I live 15 minutes walk from the AELTC. It's Wimbledon fortnight. It's wonderful to be living in this part of the world. It's also fortunate, given one of my new roles as an ATP Tour Tennis Player Mentor roles. As a Mentor, I have the privilege of guiding professional tennis players through one of the most challenging transitions of their lives: life after competitive tennis. Our approach is strength-based, leveraging the unique skills and experiences these athletes have honed over years of elite competition. We work closely with each player to identify transferable skills, passions, and interests that can form the foundation of their next chapter. However, this transition goes far beyond career planning. It's a profound shift in identity that requires careful attention to mental health. For years, these athletes have lived in a high-pressure microcosm, with a singular focus on performance and rankings. Suddenly, they must redefine their purpose and rebuild their sense of self. We try to help to address this by: Acknowledging the grief that often accompanies retirement from pro sports Exploring new avenues for personal growth and achievement Developing strategies to transfer their competitive drive to new pursuits Building a support network beyond the tennis world The evolution of athletic identity is a complex process and an opportunity for incredible personal growth. Seeing these remarkable individuals discover new passions and apply their discipline and determination to fresh challenges is rewarding. Best of luck to Michael Venus, Austin Krajicek, and all the ATP Tour Mentees this week. #AthleticIdentity #LifeAfterSports #MentalHealth #ProfessionalDevelopment