Gabby Cole to Address Modern Coaching Challenges at Arizona's Premier Coaching Clinic
The Bold Break Founder Joins Elite Panel of Volleyball Minds for Full-Day Professional Development Event
Napa, CA – Gabby Cole, founder and CEO of The Bold Break, will present "When Grit Isn't Enough: Coaching in the Age of Anxiety, Parents, and Purpose" at The Coaching Edge Coaching Clinic on November 1, 2025, at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
Cole joins an exceptional lineup including Dave Rubio, Kyle Olry, RJ Abella, Kamaile Hiapo, and Laura "Hoov" Kuhn for a comprehensive professional development experience designed to develop the complete coach and empower long-term success in youth athletics.
Bridging the Gap Between Generations of Coaching
Cole's presentation addresses the fundamental disconnect many veteran coaches face when applying traditional coaching methods to today's youth athletes. Drawing from her experience as both a former UC Berkeley Division I volleyball player and mother of twin competitive athletes, she brings a unique dual perspective to one of the most pressing challenges in modern youth sports.
"Youth sports have entered a new era—one shaped not only by social media, gentle parenting, and instant gratification, but by a fundamental rewiring of how young athletes think, feel, and communicate," Cole explains. "What worked for us no longer resonates. Today's athletes crave why, not just what. They respond to connection over command."
The Modern Athlete's Reality
Cole's session tackles the uncomfortable truth that traditional "hard coaching, tough love" approaches are increasingly ineffective with athletes navigating unprecedented levels of anxiety, burnout, and pressure. Rather than suggesting coaches compromise their standards, she presents a systematic solution to this systemic problem.
Her presentation explores:
The impact of generational shifts in parenting and culture on athlete mindset and behavior
Why traditional coaching styles are clashing with modern youth psychology
What's really behind rising athlete anxiety, early dropouts, and parental overreach
A three-part solution framework coaches can implement immediately
From Theory to Implementation
Cole's approach centers on three critical coaching adaptations:
Set clear, system-based expectations for players and parents
Educate and engage parents as partners—not opponents
Equip athletes with tools to understand and regulate their emotions under pressure
This methodology reflects The Bold Break's proven M.A.Z.E. Model, which has helped hundreds of youth athletes develop confidence, emotional regulation, and resilience skills that enhance both athletic performance and life success.
Expert Credentials Meet Real-World Experience
Cole's authority comes from living both sides of the coaching equation. As a competitive athlete who experienced traditional coaching methods firsthand, and as a parent watching her own daughters navigate modern youth sports, she understands the tension coaches face between maintaining standards and connecting with today's athletes.
Through The Bold Break, Cole has developed mental performance training systems used by clubs, schools, and individual athletes nationwide. Her work addresses the critical gap where 70% of youth athletes report performance-related anxiety and nearly 50% experience burnout symptoms by age 15.
A Call to Evolution, Not Compromise
"This isn't about lowering standards or going soft on athletes," Cole emphasizes. "It's about evolving our approach so we can actually reach this generation without compromising our edge. If we want to develop confident, resilient athletes who thrive under pressure, we must bridge this gap."
Event Details
The Coaching Edge Coaching Clinic
Date: November 1, 2025
Time: 9 AM - 5 PM
Location: AAG Fieldhouse A, Arizona Athletic Grounds
Registration: $250 (includes lunch)
Club Director Discount: 10% off for club directors registering multiple coaches
The full-day clinic brings together some of the most respected minds in volleyball and sports performance for practical strategies, mindset training, and performance insights designed to elevate coaching and empower athletes for sustainable success.
About Gabby Cole and The Bold Break
Gabby Cole founded The Bold Break in 2023 after recognizing critical gaps in how youth sports programs support athlete mental and emotional development. A former UC Berkeley Division I volleyball player and mother of twin competitive athletes, Cole brings unique perspective as both expert and parent navigating the modern youth sports landscape.
The Bold Break's M.A.Z.E. Model methodology provides athletes, coaches, and families with systematic tools for building confidence, emotional regulation, and resilience. Through its Napa Valley studio and Digital Studio platform, The Bold Break serves thousands of athletes nationwide with programs that address both physical and mental performance development.
