**Positive Coaching Alliance is proud to have worked with Liberty Mutual Insurance to create this podcast and [other powerful resources](http://devzone.positivecoach.org/browse/%2522Liberty%2520Mutual%2520Insurance%2522).**

This podcast series features Positive Coaching Alliance staff interviewing prominent former athletes, coaches and general managers. Each episode, these influential stars share insights from their own sports careers. Listen in as they talk about filling emotional tanks, bouncing back from mistakes, staying motivated through long seasons to continually give 100% effort, and how they translated their sports experience to invaluable life lessons.

**IN THIS EPISODE: MICHELE SMITH**
In this episode, Jim talks with former U.S. National Team softball pitcher and two time gold medal Olympian Michele Smith. Michele shares how she stayed positive and in control through tough moments in competition. Taught to her by her father, “control the controllables” is a mantra that has helped Michele excel in difficult times throughout her career. Here's where you'll find Michele talking about featured topics:

- **Specialization**- 3:40 and 24:50
- **Injuries**- 12:10
- **Mistakes**- 22:55

**ABOUT JIM THOMPSON**
Jim Thompson ([@JimThompson18](https://twitter.com/JimThompson18)) is the founder and Executive Director of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a nonprofit organization founded at Stanford University with the mission of helping to transform the culture of youth sports to give all young athletes the opportunity for a positive, character-building experience. PCA served as the experts behind the Liberty Mutual Play Positive™ program.