Tune in for a dynamic podcast hosted by Barry Tarter, Shannon Sitch, and Simon Clements. Where sports science meets actionable training & in-game strategies. Each episode is crafted for sports organizers, coaches, & administrators, exploring vital topics for those supporting athlete development. Get practical insights on integrating data-driven evaluations, building winning cultures, and balancing social, mental, and physical development. The hosts deliver rapid-fire guidance within areas such as athlete assessment, mental resilience, innovative technology, injury prevention, and team culture.
X Factor: Unlocking Potential in Sports
Claim This Podcastby EXACT Sports
5.0(4 reviews)
22 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
15
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality17
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
Podcast Overview
Tune in for a dynamic podcast hosted by Barry Tarter, Shannon Sitch, and Simon Clements. Where sports science meets actionable training & in-game strategies. Each episode is crafted for sports organizers, coaches, & administrators, exploring vital topics for those supporting athlete development. Get practical insights on integrating data-driven evaluations, building winning cultures, and balancing social, mental, and physical development. The hosts deliver rapid-fire guidance within areas such as athlete assessment, mental resilience, innovative technology, injury prevention, and team culture.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/25/2025
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15
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality17
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
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excellent
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Recent Episodes
June 19, 2026
Don’t Waste Your Gap Year: Jack Shiels’ Urgent Advice
<p>"I played over so many players who were much more talented than I was just based on my intensity."</p><p><br></p><p>That level of relentless drive is exactly what sets elite athletes apart, a philosophy heavily championed by Jack Shields, the co-founder and director of Gulf United FC. Operating out of Dubai, Jack has successfully built a powerhouse academy that serves as a direct bridge for young players striving to reach professional and collegiate athletics.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, we explore the unique landscape of football in the Middle East and how Gulf United FC is changing the game with their international gap year program. We dive deep into the club's unprecedented success of earning three promotions in just four seasons, what a high-performance training environment looks like alongside top-level professionals, and the vital importance of advocating for yourself in the highly competitive recruiting process.</p><p><br></p><p>Episode Highlights:</p><p><br></p><p>Discover how a strategic gap year in Dubai provides exposure to professional trials in Europe and the local Pro League.</p><p>Learn why registering as an amateur is essential to protect your NCAA eligibility while competing in overseas leagues.</p><p>Uncover the exact networking strategies to ensure college coaches notice you before the first whistle even blows.</p><p>Understand why raw talent isn't always enough, and how loud communication and "fake confidence" can secure your spot on the roster.</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps/Chapters:</p><p><br></p><p>00:08:37 - The Gap Year Program Explained</p><p>00:15:09 - A Day in the Life: Pro Training & IDPs</p><p>00:23:13 - NCAA Eligibility & Amateur Contracts</p><p>00:33:13 - Advice for Recruits & Self-Advocacy</p><p><br></p><p>Ready to take your game to the next level? Make sure to subscribe to the EXACT X-Factor Podcast for more exclusive insights from the top minds in sports!</p><p><br></p><p>#collegerecruiting #exactathlete #XFactorPodcast #youthsports #soccerdevelopment</p>
May 15, 2026
Keith English Reveals Secrets to Soccer Mastery
<p>"I grew up playing baseball and honestly thought that’s what I was going to do for a living, until I was told my services were no longer required."</p><p><br></p><p>That pivotal moment launched the entrepreneurial journey of Keith English, the Director of SkillMasters and Snap Soccer, who is now revolutionizing the youth sports industry. With a background in building systems-driven companies in lead generation and healthcare, Keith brings a "systems builder" mindset to the often subjective world of soccer. By introducing standardized metrics, similar to those found in baseball and football, he is providing coaches and athletes with the objective data needed to bridge the gap between raw talent and elite performance.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, we explore the critical lack of standardization in youth soccer and how data-driven assessments are democratizing access to college recruiting. Keith breaks down why subjective "eye tests" aren't enough and how comparative data sets help players identify their specific path to improvement. We also discuss the integration of high-end assessment technology into tournament experiences to provide a comprehensive profile for every athlete.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Highlights:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><p><strong>The Power of Standardized Metrics:</strong> Understand why soccer needs its own version of the "60-yard dash" to create universal benchmarks for speed, agility, and ball control.</p></li><li><p><strong>Democratizing the Scouting Process:</strong> Learn how objective data allows college coaches to discover talented players from across the country, moving beyond local and provincial recruiting circles.</p></li><li><p><strong>Data as a Coaching Tool:</strong> Discover how to use 150,000+ data points to shift parent-coach conversations from subjective opinions to evidence-based development plans.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Future of Player Development:</strong> Explore how the evolution of technology and AI will continue to help every athlete reach their full potential, regardless of their professional aspirations.</p><p><br></p></li></ul><p><strong>Chapters/Timestamps:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><p>00:00:00 – Keith English’s Journey from Pro Baseball to Tech Entrepreneur</p></li><li><p>00:07:11 – Identifying the Missing Standards in Youth Soccer</p></li><li><p>00:11:44 – How Data Democratizes College Recruiting Access</p></li><li><p>00:14:45 – The Value of Comparative Data Sets and Large-Scale Testing</p></li><li><p>00:23:31 – Managing Growth Mindsets and Resistance in Coaching</p></li><li><p>00:27:41 – The 5-Year Outlook for Athlete Assessment and AI </p></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Want to stay ahead of the curve in youth sports technology? </p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to the EXACT X-Factor Podcast for more episodes on the future of athletic performance.</p><p>#collegerecruiting #exactathlete #XFactorPodcast #youthsports #soccerdata</p>
May 11, 2026
The "Eyes Up" Secret to Elite Leadership & Decision-Making with TJ Kostecky
<p>"I wasn't cut out to be a dentist; I had selected one of five: doctor, dentist, lawyer, engineer, or failure."</p><p><br></p><p>That moment of "ethnic pressure" and a failed chemistry class was the catalyst that led TJ Kostecky to a legendary 40-year coaching career. As the Head Men's Soccer Coach at Bard College and a renowned leadership educator, TJ has spent decades proving that the most powerful tool a leader possesses isn't a playbook, it's the ability to truly see and connect with people. From building forts as a child to conducting workshops for soldiers in Ukraine and villagers in Senegal, TJ is an authority on how "Eyes Up" awareness transforms performance on the pitch and in the boardroom. </p><p><br></p><p>In this deep-dive episode, we explore the intersection of sports science, perception, and human connection. We break down TJ’s "Five Ps" framework, Perceive, Process, Plan, Perform, and Persist, and how these principles apply to everything from elite soccer decision-making to navigating complex professional relationships. We also discuss the "Three Ls" (Look, Listen, Learn) and why a product-oriented culture often blinds us to the transformative power of a process-based life.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Highlights:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>The Power of Perception:</strong> Learn how non-verbal communication accounts for nearly 80% of how we connect and why reading the energy of a room is a critical leadership skill.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Five Ps Framework:</strong> A step-by-step mental shortcut to improve your decision-making speed by prioritizing visual and emotional input over slow verbal cues.</p></li><li><p><strong>Finding the Goodness:</strong> Discover the neuroplasticity behind rewiring negative thought patterns by intentionally seeking out and acknowledging the strengths in others.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Ripple Effect:</strong> Why authentic human connection is the "missing link" in a digitally disconnected world and how one positive interaction can influence generations.</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters/Timestamps:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>00:00:00</strong> – Coach TJ Kostecky’s 40-year journey from dentistry to coaching.</p></li><li><p><strong>00:04:50</strong> – The Power of Words</p></li><li><p><strong>00:07:03</strong> – Developing Perception</p></li><li><p><strong>00:11:11</strong> – The Five Ps Framework</p></li><li><p><strong>00:14:30</strong> – The Three Ls</p></li><li><p><strong>00:20:36</strong> – Finding the Good</p></li><li><p><strong>00:26:10</strong> – The Future of Connection</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to the EXACT X-Factor Podcast for more insights into leadership, sports science, and the mental edge required for peak performance.</p><p>#collegerecruiting #exactathlete #XFactorPodcast #youthsports #leadership</p>
22 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for X Factor: Unlocking Potential in Sports
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- What is X Factor: Unlocking Potential in Sports?
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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