In this episode, elite coach Eric Mitchell shares his journey from struggling athlete to world-class performance coach, revealing the life-changing lessons he learned along the way. From the heartbreak of losing his father to the breakthrough of finding faith, Eric’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless service to others.
Discover how his “Tsunami Effect” coaching method helps high performers conquer fear, anxiety, and self-doubt before they become overwhelming. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or someone seeking a fresh start, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable wisdom.
Eric is a performance coach and leadership strategist with over three decades of experience helping athletes, executives, and educators overcome mental and physical barriers.
As the founder of The Tsunami Effect Coaching, he equips high performers to conquer fear, anxiety, depression, and frustration before they derail success. With a background spanning NFL combine training, youth performance academies, and corporate leadership, Mitchell’s transformative methods have impacted both fitness professionals and business leaders.
Time Stamps
01:00 – Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
01:24 – Join Jo Miller along with our special guest, Coach Eric Mitchell
02:29 – Eric shares his cultural experience and why he loves the team
05:07 – How Eric learned to be both approachable and tough
07:28 – A quick snapshot of who Coach Eric is and what he does
10:39 – Amazing story about how Eric got started as a coach
14:29 – Eric shares how he launched the Speed School
17:20 – Jo recalls a nice memory of her manager
18:54 – Eric explains what sets a trainer apart from a coach
23:00 – What coaching 'really' means, according to Eric
27:35 – What exactly is the Parisi Speed School?
31:17 – Jo shares about LifeBridge Health & Fitness and its community
36:10 – Eric receives the 'Loving Your Neighbor More Than Yourself' award
39:10 – The importance of story time in training – Eric shares his perspective
44:00 – What Eric does to stay in top shape
50:10 – Insights about how coaches confront players
52:47 – Eric opens up about what’s been happening in his life lately
59:01 – What the 'Tsunami Effect' Coaching is all about
1:05:09 – Looking ahead: Eric’s vision and next steps
1:08:46 – Jo talks about the vision board her husband Matt created
1:12:33 – How to stay connected with Coach Eric Mitchell
1:13:49 – Please share, and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast!
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