The Athlete You’re Frustrated With Might Be Processing Differently

On almost every team, there are young athletes who want to succeed. They look capable. They understand the game. They care. But something isn’t clicking.They’re inconsistent. They overreact. They miss instructions. And too often, they get labeled lazy, unfocused, or "uncoachable".But what if the issue isn’t effort? What if it’s processing??In this episode, Derek sits down with Dr. Timothy Baghurst and Dr. Christopher Stanley, co-authors of Reach Every Athlete, to explore how coaches can better support athletes with hidden disabilities and neurodivergent conditions — including ADHD, autism spectrum differences, learning disabilities, processing challenges, and more.This conversation challenges the one-size-fits-all coaching model and reframes breakdowns in performance as understanding gaps — not discipline failures.This episode is not about lowering standards. It’s about coaching with more precision.Because when you understand how an athlete processes the world, you don’t reduce expectations — you remove unnecessary barriers.If you’re a parent, volunteer coach, high school coach, or athletic director, this is a must-listen conversation.🎙️ About Out Guests:Dr. Christopher Stanley is a sport and performance psychology professor and coach specializing in athlete development and neurodivergence in sport. He co-authored Reach Every Athlete, helping coaches better support athletes with hidden disabilities and processing differences.Learn more about Dr. Stanley ➡️ https://www.uws.edu/faculty/byname/ch...Dr. Timothy Baghurst is Director of FSU COACH at Florida State University and a leading scholar in athletic coaching education. He co-authored Reach Every Athlete, focusing on practical strategies to help coaches create more effective, inclusive environments.Learn more about Dr. Baghurst ➡️ https://www.timbaghurst.com/📕 Purchase their book, 'Reach Every Athlete' ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/Reach-Every-At...