Watching My Son Grow – Learning Together

One of the greatest blessings – and challenges – of being a father is watching your child grow, not just physically, but mentally. As my son navigates the ups and downs of sports, school, and just growing up, I’ve been reminded that he’s not the only one learning — I am too.

Parenting is a constant balancing act. Knowing when to encourage, when to teach, when to correct – and maybe most importantly, when to just be quiet and say nothing at all. That part is hard. Because as a dad, you want to guide, to protect, to make it easier. But real growth often happens when we don’t step in. When we let them figure things out. When we give them space to fall and get back up on their own.

And then, every now and then, there’s a moment that just freezes in time — one of those little gold moments you never forget.

He was playing third base, and the opposing team’s coach — a former MLB third baseman — was coaching the bag. Their hitter didn’t mean to bunt, but tapped a short one right down the line. My son charged hard, scooped it up on the run, and slung a rocket sidearm throw to first. Bang-bang play. Out.

As the dust settled, the coach simply said, “That was a great throw.”

My son glanced over at me and gave me a little thumbs-up. That moment — just a second long — is one I’ll always remember. Confidence, recognition, joy. That’s what it’s all about.

I’m learning to slow down. To not rush the journey. These years move fast, and while it’s easy to get caught up in performance or results, what really matters are those moments: time fishing together, the ride home from a game, or a quiet look across the field that says, “Did you see that, Dad?”

So if you’re in the thick of it right now — raising a young athlete or just raising a good kid — enjoy the ride. Let them be kids. Let them love the game, love the outdoors, love life. Be present. Not perfect. That’s what sticks.

Tyler Lennon

44 Sports Connect

Believe in Yourself: The Foundation of Success

Recently, I was reading John Maxwell’s book, Success is a Choice, and Chapter 2—“Believe in Yourself”—hit home in a big way. It reminded me of why we do what we do through the Mental Edge Method and the importance of helping athletes, coaches, and parents strengthen not just their bodies, but their mindset.

Here are a few things that stood out and why they matter for anyone striving to grow—on and off the field.

1. Believe in Your Potential

John Maxwell quotes the great inventor Thomas Edison, who once said:

“If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves.”

That truth can’t be overstated. So many athletes and coaches limit themselves—not because of actual limitations, but because of mindset. At Mental Edge Method, we believe that unlocking potential begins with believing it’s there in the first place.

2. Mental Strength Is Everything

Maxwell makes a key observation in this chapter:

“We often put too much emphasis on mere physical challenges and obstacles and give too little credence to psychological and emotional ones.”

This is exactly why we focus on mental training. The physical side of sports is only half the equation. True growth happens when you master your thoughts, control your emotions, and stay mentally resilient through adversity.

Sharon Wood, the first North American woman to summit Mount Everest, said:

“I discovered it wasn’t a matter of physical strength, but a matter of psychological strength.”

That kind of strength doesn’t come from lifting weights. It comes from building belief.

3. Believe in Your Mission – Belief in Action

Believing in yourself is one thing. Acting on that belief is where transformation begins. Whether you're chasing a scholarship, leading a team, or raising a young athlete—your mission matters. And when you believe in it fully, your actions will start aligning with that purpose.

Let’s Build the Edge That Lasts

At 44 Sports Connect LLC, we want to help you gain that edge—with Mental Edge Method Coaching and Maxwell Leadership Method Coaching. Our mission is to support athletes, coaches, and parents in developing the mental, emotional, and leadership skills to thrive both on and off the field.

Success is a choice—and belief is where it begins. Let’s build yours.

44 Sports Connect LLC

44 Sports Connect – Wrapping Up Our 8-Week Mastermind Group with Coaches

We just finished an incredible 8-week Mastermind group with a passionate group of sports coaches, centered around John Maxwell’s powerful book Everybody Communicates, Few Connect. The insights and conversations that came out of this journey were truly transformational.

Our focus was clear: how do we build bridges of trust and connection with both parents and athletes? When done well, you don’t end up with a "helicopter parent" constantly hovering—you build an ally who supports your coaching, giving you the freedom to actually lead and grow your team.

Throughout our sessions, we explored what it means to be a coach who truly connects, not just commands.

We talked about:

• Creating meaningful experiences that engage your players.

• Asking better questions to understand your athletes more deeply.

• Telling stories that resonate, teach, and inspire.

• Truly knowing your players—their struggles, mindset, and motivations.

• Setting high expectations not just for their performance, but for who they are as people.

• Enjoying the process, embracing growth, and being present in the journey.

• Leading by example—walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

The stories shared by the coaches were nothing short of powerful, like the athlete who didn’t get much playing time but still thanked their coach for helping them deal with anxiety. That’s an impact beyond the game. That’s what connection looks like.

If you're a coach, take a moment to reflect: Are you merely communicating, or are you genuinely connecting?

Let’s continue to grow, learn, and make an impact on and off the field.

Tyler Lennon- 44 Sports Connect LLC