In this episode of the You Can Play Podcast, David Smith — a strength and conditioning coach, mental performance coach, and sport & exercise science lecturer — joins us to explore the intersection of performance, psychology, and inclusion in sport.

David shares lessons from years coaching across disciplines — from cheerleading to football to basketball — and how every great team starts with trust, not hierarchy. He talks about psychological safety as the foundation of performance, and why coaches must balance challenge with care: creating spaces where athletes can be uncomfortable enough to grow, but safe enough to stay.

From redefining “banter,” to responding to exclusion, to supporting LGBTQ+ athletes with confidence and compassion, David offers a coach’s perspective grounded in science and empathy. His advice? Build relationships. Check in often. Be curious. And always — as he says — “make a grand entrance and a big finish.”

In this episode of the You Can Play Podcast, Jonas Worth — Canada West Commissioner, soccer coach, and lifelong educator — joins us to talk about what it really means to model the values we teach. From coaching through injury to addressing harmful language on the field, Jonas shares how small choices — a word, a tone, a question — can shift a team’s entire culture.

He reflects on the difference between punishment and teaching, the courage it takes to say “I don’t know”, and the importance of vulnerability and boundaries in leadership. Whether he’s helping athletes return from injury or guiding teams through tough conversations, Jonas reminds us that great coaches aren’t invincible — they’re resilient, curious, and willing to grow right alongside their players.

This episode of the You Can Play Podcast features Juliana Jack (she/her) — a student advocate, assistant volleyball coach, and founder of McMaster University’s LGBTQ2SA+ Athletic Advocacy Group (LAAG). Juliana joins us to talk about accountability in coaching, and how reframing discipline as an opportunity to teach, not punish, can help young athletes grow in confidence and character. Drawing from her experience coaching girls aged 15–17, Juliana shares insights on creating team cultures rooted in empathy, empowerment, and respect, where every athlete feels seen and supported — on and off the court.