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Transform Your Coaching. Elevate Your Team.
Whether you’re a newcomer eager to learn the ropes or a seasoned veteran looking to refine your skills, the Challenge Leadership Academy is designed to empower you with the knowledge, tools, and community you need to succeed.
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Effective coaching goes beyond strategies and drills in today's competitive sports environment. It’s about building resilience, fostering leadership, enhancing team dynamics, and preparing athletes for success on and off the field. Challenge Leadership Academy offers a comprehensive online course tailored for coaches across all sports, designed to elevate your coaching practice and help you become the best leader you can be.
THIS IS FOR YOU IF. . .
You’re Passionate About Coaching:
You genuinely desire to help athletes reach their full potential and are committed to continuous improvement.
You Want to Enhance Your Communication Skills:
You want to improve your communication with your athletes to build trust and foster teamwork.
You Value Self-Awareness:
You believe that understanding your strengths and areas for improvement is key to being an effective coach.
You Aim for Consistency:
You want to ensure your coaching practices consistently align with your core values and philosophy.
You’re Ready to Make a Lasting Impact:
You’re dedicated to making a positive, lasting difference in the lives of your athletes and your team.
Hi! I'm McKenna!
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I’m thrilled to share my journey and passion for coaching with you.
With over 19 years of experience as a varsity volleyball coach and an award-winning AP Psychology teacher, I’ve dedicated my career to developing young athletes into strong, confident leaders on and off the court.
My Coaching Journey
After graduating and playing volleyball at Hope College in Holland, MI, I returned to my roots in Toledo, Ohio, and began my teaching and coaching career in Bryan, Ohio. Landing a varsity volleyball coaching position was a defining moment despite never having coached before. Armed with passion, knowledge, and a desire to make a difference, I embraced the challenge wholeheartedly.
Coaching Philosophy
From the very beginning, my core philosophy has remained unchanged: I coach not for wins and losses but to build confidence, resilience, and strength in my athletes. I believe in developing not just their physical skills but also their mental and emotional fortitude. My goal has always been to transform young, 14-year-old girls entering my program into strong, confident women by the time they graduate.
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VOLLEYBALL COACH | AP PSYCHOLOGY TEACHER RESILIENCE EXPERT | SPEAKER
Continuous Growth + Learning
Coaching and teaching have taught me the importance of continuous reflection and growth. Our values evolve as we experience life and learn more about ourselves. Throughout my career, I've understood the significance of staying aligned with my core values and ensuring my coaching practices reflect those beliefs. It’s about creating an environment where athletes can thrive, learn, and grow into their best selves.
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Achievements + Recognition
Over the years, I’ve had the honor of receiving numerous awards and recognitions, including:
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District Coach of the Year: 2012, 2021, 2023
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First NLL Coach of the Year: 2023
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20 Under 40 Toledo: 2021
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Ohio Public Schools Humanitarian Award: 2018
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BCSN Top 20 Coaches of the Past 20 Years
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Make a Difference Teacher: 2020, 2023
Why I Created Challenge Leadership Academy?
I know firsthand the challenges coaches face, especially at the beginning of their journey. I often wished for a course and community to learn from, bounce ideas off of, and receive specific resources to help me develop my philosophy, team bonding techniques, drills, and more. This is why I created Challenge Leadership Academy. My mission is to provide the tools, support, and community you need to excel in your coaching career; regardless of where you are in your coaching journey or what level you coach at, we can ALL learn from one another.
Challenge Leadership Academy is designed for coaches at ALL levels:
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NEW COACHES: Gain foundational skills and confidence to start your coaching journey strong.
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EXPERIENCED COACHES: Enhance your existing skills, learn new strategies, and stay current with the latest coaching excellence.
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ALL SPORTS: Our principles and techniques are universally applicable whether you coach soccer, basketball, swimming, or any other sport.
THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ON YOU:
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ENHANCING
COACHING SKILLS:
Gain comprehensive knowledge on key aspects of coaching, from building resilience to effective communication and team dynamics.
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IMPROVING
ATHLETIC PERFORMACE:
Implement strategies to support athlete development, leading to better performance on and off the field/court.
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STRENGTHING
TEAM DYNAMICS:
Foster trust and collaboration, resulting in cohesive and motivated teams.
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PROMOTING PERSONAL + PROFFESSIONAL GROWTH:
Reflect on core values, philosophy, and vision for clearer coaching identity and effectiveness.
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BUILDING A
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY:
Connect with like-minded coaches for ongoing support, inspiration, and collaboration.
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ENSURING CONTINUOUS LEARNING:
Benefit from monthly interactive calls and access to a wealth of resources for ongoing development.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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VIDEO SERIES:
Comprehensive Modules Covering Key
Aspects of Coaching
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Module 1: Leadership On and Off the Field
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Discover how to lead by example, develop your coaching philosophy and vision, and reflect on your core values.
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Module 2: Building Resilience in Athletes
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Learn resilience-building drills and engage in self-reflection journal prompts to develop mentally tough athletes.
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Module 3: Team Dynamics and Trust
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Master techniques to build strong team dynamics and foster trust among your players.
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Module 4: Overcoming Adversity
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Equip yourself with strategies to help your athletes and team overcome setbacks and challenges.​
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Module 5: Personal Growth for Athletes
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Focus on the mental health of your athletes and support their personal growth and well-being.
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Module 6: Effective Communication
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Enhance your communication skills to connect with and inspire your athletes effectively.
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Module 7: Creating a Positive and Winning Culture
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Learn how to cultivate a positive team culture that drives success and fosters a winning mindset.
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Module 8: Preparing for Big Games and Competitions
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Get your team ready for big games with strategies for preparation, focus, and peak performance.
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DIGITAL RESOURCES:
Enhance Your Learning
Eco-Friendly Design
Complement your video lessons with specific comprehensive digital resources with each module.
They are packed with exercises, reflection prompts, and practical tools to apply what you’ve learned directly to your coaching practice.
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ONLINE COMMUNITY:
Connect + Grow Together
First-Rate Materials
Join a vibrant online community and engage with coaches from various sports and backgrounds.
Share experiences and resources, ask questions, and support each other in your coaching journey.
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MONTHLY CALLS:
Engage + Learn
Participate in monthly calls to learn from experts, including college coaches and professional athletes, and have the opportunity to ask questions and mingle with fellow coaches.
These sessions provide ongoing learning and networking opportunities to keep you motivated and informed.
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HOW OFTEN ARE NEW VIDEO MODULES + RESOURCES ADDED?Starting Monday, July 15, you can expect the 2 video modules to be added weekly until all 8 modules are uploaded. We regularly update our offerings with new courses, resources, and content to ensure that our community of coaches has access to the latest information and best practices in coaching.
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ARE THE CALLS RECORDED?ALL calls will be recorded and posted within our community to rewatch and reference back to when needed.
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HOW CAN I CONTACT CHALLENGE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ANY QUESTIONS?You can reach me via email at mckenna@mckennareitz.com. We are always happy to answer questions, provide support, and help you on your coaching journey.
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HOW LONG WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO THE MODULES + RESOURCES?You will have lifetime access to all videos and resources.