Navigating Events – Leading Through Wins, Losses, and Every Emotion In Between

"You're either on top of the world... or questioning everything."
That quote from Casey Jones captures what competition weekends really feel like for gym owners and coaches. In this MotUS Edge podcast episode, the team dives into the emotional roller coaster that comes with competition season: the thrill of a perfect routine, the sting of a narrow loss, and the leadership it takes to navigate everything in between.
As the season builds to its peak, this conversation is a timely reminder that strong leadership doesn’t just show up on the mat—it shows up in how you lead your people through every high and low.
1. The Reality of Competition
From the outside, competition weekends look like celebration and sparkle. But inside the arena, gym leaders know the truth: it's long days, emotional swings, and enormous pressure. Athletes and coaches invest months for moments that unfold in minutes.
And the aftermath can feel brutal. As Casey shares, a coach whose teams earned second place—after battling last-minute injuries—walked away feeling like a failure. That Monday slump is real.
This isn’t about being dramatic. It’s about being honest: competition weekends take a toll.
2. Leadership Isn’t Just Strategy—It’s Emotional Management
At the heart of this episode is a call to lead with presence and perspective. When one coach is riding the high of a win and another is quietly questioning their place in the program, leadership is knowing how to show up for both.
“Your staff is like your kids,” says Stacy. “You’ve got to celebrate one and lift up another—all in the same dinner.”
Leading through events means managing energy, emotion, and expectation—not just strategy and score sheets.
3. How to Ground Your Program During Big Events
1. Normalize the Ups and Downs
Wins and losses aren’t always a reflection of effort. Remind your staff: they’re great coaches even on hard days. Create space for them to decompress and reset.
2. Frame the Weekend Before It Starts
As Cole shared, unrealistic expectations lead to unnecessary disappointment. Whether you're a seasoned program or first-time finalist, set clear definitions of success before you walk in.
3. Coach Your Coaches
Don’t assume your staff knows how to handle feedback, parent questions, or emotional fallout. Equip them with scripts, support, and perspective.
“Feedback is a gift,” says Stacy. “And if we treat it that way, we all get better.”
4. What About the Parents?
Competition weekends amplify parent stress too. Hair, travel, money, food, emotions—it all collides in high-pressure environments. And when expectations aren’t managed, small things become big conflicts.
Kevin reminds us: “Your parents reflect your attitude. If you're calm and focused, they’ll follow your lead.”
5. Redefine Success
Too often, we tie the quality of a season to one event. But as Casey shared, some of his teams won all season, placed second at NCA, and still saw it as a failure. Meanwhile, others won their final event and called the season a win—despite early losses.
It's time to redefine what success looks like:
- Did your athletes grow?
- Did your staff stay healthy and connected?
- Did your program culture stay strong?
- Did you model resilience and professionalism?
If yes—you’re winning in all the ways that matter.
For the Gym Owner: Practical Actions to Take Now
- Hold a staff huddle post-event – Let emotions settle, then debrief together.
- Reset goals for the final leg of season – Refocus your coaches and teams.
- Coach your parents – Communicate clear expectations and support protocols.
- Reinforce shared success – Celebrate the behind-the-scenes effort, not just the outcome.
- Build rituals for bounce-back – Give your coaches and kids emotional tools to recover and refocus.
Why This Matters Now
In an industry obsessed with the win, this episode is a rally cry for perspective. Great programs aren’t just built on banners—they’re built on emotional intelligence, cultural clarity, and consistent leadership.
"Customers will never love a company until the employees love it first." – Simon Sinek
Make your coaches feel seen, supported, and valued—and they’ll show up better for your kids.
Listen, Learn & Lead Forward
Catch the full conversation here:
Then join us at the MotUS Business Expo, Sept 28–30 in Nashville. The leadership, community, and coaching support you’ve been craving—all in one place.



