Racquet Fuel

What separates a good coach from a transformative leader? Mental performance expert Dr. Larry Lauer says it’s not talent or IQ—it’s reflection, self-awareness, and putting others first.In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Dr. Larry Lauer, Director of Mental Performance at the USTA National Campus and co-host of the Compete Like a Champion podcast. Known for shaping the mental toughness and mindset of America’s top junior and pro athletes, Larry brings a fresh, research-backed lens to leadership in racquet sports. Together, they unpack the psychology of motivation, the power of mentorship, and how emotional intelligence impacts every level of coaching and management.What You’ll Learn:Why true leadership starts with asking, “Am I doing this for me—or for others?”How to develop daily reflection habits that keep you grounded and self-awareThe difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation—and why it matters for long-term successHow emotional intelligence shapes your ability to lead and connect with your teamThe most important skills directors can build to lead people, not just programsWhy mentorship accelerates leadership growth—and how to find and nurture great mentorsThe mindset shift every aspiring leader needs before stepping into a new roleResources & Mentions:Compete Like a Champion podcastDr. Dan GouldDr. Paul LubbersUSTA National CampusJohn WoodenHosts:Kim Bastable - UF Director of Racquet Sports educationSimon Gale - USTA leader & facility executiveGuest:Larry Lauer - Director of Mental Performance at United States Tennis Association Player DevelopmentLearn More & Get CertifiedRacquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses—Personal Brand Management, Operations & Programming, and Leadership & Finance—and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game. 👉 Learn More & Enroll Here

Racquet Fuel hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Per Nilsson, head men’s tennis coach at the University of Florida, for a leadership-first conversation about college tennis. Per shares the two cornerstones of his program—deeply individualized player development and a deliberately small, connected roster—and how those choices shape culture, performance, and recruiting. He also unpacks navigating a mid-season transition at UF, why self-care makes you a better leader, and how building a community hub can future-proof the sport on campus. What You’ll LearnThe two cornerstones of Per’s program: maximize individual development while fostering a tight, small roster that pushes each other (think 7–8 players on a mission). How to individualize daily work so every athlete gets what they need (e.g., surplus-one patterns for one player, mental skills for another) instead of rolling out the same plan for all. Leading through a mid-year coaching transition: keep people whole in the moment, make the hard calls later, and align around a new vision. You’re never “ready”—learn faster: over-communicate up/down, ask questions relentlessly, and shape authority with clarity. Why self-care is leadership: turn the phone off, protect family time, then show up better for your team. Future-proofing college tennis: build a campus community hub (donors, fans, shared value) so tennis becomes “untouchable” when cuts are considered. Steal like a coach: Per openly “copies” what works, adapts it to his context, and keeps what produces results. Guest:Per Nilsson - Head Men’s Tennis Coach, University of Florida (Gators Men’s Tennis).Hosts:Kim Bastable - UF Director of Racquet Sports education Simon Gale - USTA leader & facility executiveLearn More & Get CertifiedRacquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses—Personal Brand Management, Operations & Programming, and Leadership & Finance—and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.👉 Learn More & Enroll Here

From four clients in a garage to a 15,000-sq-ft hub with 500+ members, Jon Rowley shares the playbook racquet clubs can use to grow with standards, systems, and heart.In this Racquet Fuel episode, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Jon Rowley, founder and “Chief Exercise Officer” of a thriving Kansas City fitness community. Jon’s journey (from moonlighting trainer in Chicago to leading a 500-member operation) mirrors the realities club leaders face: hiring for culture, avoiding burnout, and turning standards into belonging. If you’re building a modern racquets department or club business, Jon’s blend of operational discipline and people-first leadership is a masterclass in sustainable growth.What You’ll LearnCulture you can feel: The simple values (“Work hard. Be kind.”) and everyday standards (no hats/shirts-on, no profanity) that create psychological safety and professionalism.Hiring that sticks: Why having candidates take a class reveals fit under light pressure, and how hiring from within preserves culture.Upskilling smartly: A practical education model—baseline certs plus ~$2K/year per coach for horizontal learning (e.g., women’s health)—that deepens service without bloating budgets.Leader on the floor: How staying in the trenches keeps your ear to members and your team, while still steering long-term vision.Delegation that works: Moving from “I’ll just do it” to training others—accepting the short-term time cost to win back hours forever.Business model guardrails: How operations, bookends, and clear systems prevent burnout and make the role attractive as a real career.Community > classes: Turning daily workouts and lessons into life-improving habits that keep people coming back.ConnectGuest – Jon Rowley • Website: https://www.2020fit.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-rowley-23688020/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2020.fit/HostsKim Bastable – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-bastable-uf/ Simon Gale – https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongaletennis/Learn More & Get Certified (UF DORS)Level up your racquets leadership with the University of Florida Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program—three self-paced online courses designed with today’s club realities in mind:Personal Brand Management (open now - use code RF25 for $25 off for a limited time)Course 1: Operations & Programming (open now - use code RF100 for $100 off for a limited time)Course 2: Leadership & Finance (coming soon)Learn more and START TODAY!

What if your greatest coaching lesson came off the court?In this episode of Racquet Fuel, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Emma Doyle: tennis coach, keynote speaker, and expert in emotional intelligence, to explore what it really takes to coach with impact, whether you're leading athletes, employees, or entire teams.Emma shares her remarkable journey from teenage coach in Australia to global thought leader and business coach. She opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her career including burnout, reinvention, and finding her voice during COVID... and the frameworks she now uses to train leaders in Fortune 500 boardrooms and racquet clubs alike.With humor, heart, and contagious energy, Emma shows us how coaching is a title AND a way of leading that centers on empathy, curiosity, and action. Whether you’re a club director, department manager, or aspiring coach, her insights will challenge and inspire you to listen deeper, lead better, and unlock the potential in those around you.By the end of this episode, you'll learn: - How coaching cultures can elevate performance and reduce disengagement - Why the best leaders ask better questions instead of giving all the answers - How to empower others through curiosity, not control - The mindset shift needed to lead people, not just programs - Why the phrase “next time” might be your most powerful coaching toolWhether you're building a business, managing a team, or coaching on court, this conversation will equip you with practical tools and perspective for becoming the kind of leader people want to follow.🔗 Connect with Emma Doyle on LinkedIn or at CoachEM.cc🔗 Watch her TEDx talk: "Unleashing Female Potential"🔗 Explore her podcast: The Coaching PodcastLooking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the racquets industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

What does it actually take to build a thriving racquet sports facility in today’s fast-moving market? And what’s just hype?In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale are joined by Eric Loftus, an expert court builder and board member of the American Sports Builders Association. With more than 50 years in the tennis and racquet construction industry, Eric shares what he’s seeing on the ground—and where the court construction world is headed next.They explore the real economics behind pickleball and padel, the growing pains of a booming market, and why many clubs are struggling to master the land, logistics, and legislation that come with trying to “add a few courts.” Whether you're a facility leader, investor, or simply trying to keep up with trends, this episode offers clarity in a rapidly evolving landscape.By the end of this episode, you'll learn:✅ Why post-COVID demand transformed racquet sports, and what that means for club infrastructure✅ The real costs, challenges, and misconceptions around building courts for padel and pickleball✅ Why “build it and they will come” doesn’t work without community and quality instruction✅ How clubs can avoid the biggest mistakes in court planning, compliance, and construction ✅ What the rise of padel in Europe tells us about the future of U.S. racquet sports facilitiesWhether you're managing a country club, building from scratch, or looking to future-proof your programs, this episode breaks down what’s really happening in racquet sports construction, and what comes next.Connect with Eric Loftus on LinkedIn and at Northeast Padel Connect with Kim Bastable on LinkedIn Connect with Simon Gale on LinkedInLooking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the racquets industry? Visit our website to learn more!

What happens when a key person on your team tells you they’re leaving—and you're the one who has to figure out what comes next?In this episode of the Racquet Fuel Podcast, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale explore the emotional and operational challenges that come with losing top talent. Simon shares his real-time experience managing the departure of a trusted team leader and walks through the decisions, reflections, and strategies he's using to guide his team through a critical transition.From the first gut reaction to the long game of hiring right, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how strong leaders respond to sudden change—with clarity, care, and a willingness to reimagine what the team needs next.By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:✅ How to navigate the emotional weight of losing key personnel✅ Why clear communication with staff is essential during transitions✅ The importance of re-evaluating job roles instead of copy-pasting old ones✅ How external perspectives and internal feedback shape a better hiring process✅ Why rushing the hire can hurt more than waiting✅ How delegation, collaboration, and culture protect teams during leadership gaps✅ How change becomes a chance to reflect, grow, and build something betterWhether you’re facing this challenge now or preparing for it in the future, this episode is a practical and honest look at leadership in action.🎧 Listen now and learn how to manage change without losing momentum - AND for a $40 off code for the NEW Personal Branding for Racquet Sports Professionals Course!Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

What does it take to land your first Director of Racquet Sports job - and lead with confidence once you do?In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Michael Pereira, who shares his honest, inspiring journey from teaching pro to facility leader.Michael walks us through the hard truths of chasing your first director role - from 23 job rejections to launching his own business managing a city tennis center. Along the way, he shares how earning his Director of Racquet Sports Certificate and Master’s in Sport Management from the University of Florida prepared him not only to get the job, but to succeed in it.Now nearly a year into leading Querbes Tennis Center in Shreveport, LA, Michael reflects on the challenges of managing people, building systems, and learning that leadership isn’t about getting off the court - it’s about stepping up in new ways.By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why getting hired as a first-time director is harder - and more rewarding - than it looks✅ What it means to lead a team, not just run a program✅ How Michael used mentorship, networking, and education to break into leadership✅ Why your resume gets you in the door- but relationships close the deal✅ The key mindset shifts from coaching players to managing staff✅ Why directors need systems, not just vision - and how Michael built his from the ground up✅ What leadership really looks like when you’re working 60–70 hours a week and still excited to show upWhether you're an aspiring director, a hiring manager, or someone in the middle of the transition from court to office, this episode is a must-listen. Listen now and hear how one coach turned “no” into “now,” and is building something he’s proud of: one system, one hire, and one clay court at a time.Connect with Michael Pereira on LinkedInConnect with Kim Bastable on LinkedInConnect with Simon Gale on LinkedInLooking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!