Jared here. This week is the season finale of the NTRP Podcast, and I'm joined by Emily Garner, Head Coach of Cornell Women's Basketball, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it really takes to build a program in one of the most competitive and academically demanding conferences in the country.

Coach Garner's journey has unfolded almost entirely at elite academic institutions—first as a player at Lafayette, then as a recruiting coordinator at Army, later as the Head Coach at Trinity College (CT), and now leading Cornell. This path has given her a deep perspective on what it means to balance athletics with academics at the highest level, and why that balance shapes not only the recruiting process, but the culture she strives to build every day.

Coach Garner dives deep into what it takes to both perform and lead at the high-academic level. It's a conversation that largely focuses on what it takes from an athlete - both mentally and physically - to navigate the building phase in one of the toughest conferences in the women's game.

For recruits and their families, there's so much to take from this episode. Coach Garner shares what she values most when evaluating players, how she teaches her team AND staff to separate who they are from what they do, and why learning to manage failure—rather than fearing it—is a skill that can define her players in every room they walk into, not just the gym.

This episode offers a very rare window into the mindset of a leader building not just a team, but a lasting culture in one of the most academically and athletically competitive environments imaginable. You won't want to miss it.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App:
https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Constructing a Culture Beyond the Court — A Conversation with Sacred Heart University Head Coach Anthony Latina

Jared here. This week I'm joined by Anthony Latina, Head Coach of Sacred Heart Men's Basketball, for a conversation that looks at culture in its fullest sense—not just within the team, but across an entire campus community.

Coach Latina has spent 20 years with the Pioneers, and I can't wait for you to hear the way that his time there changed how he frames success. It isn't only about wins or even player development—it's about building a program where his athletes are visible, engaged, and valued as leaders on their campus. We talk about the intentional steps he and his staff take to connect players to the broader community, and why he believes that buy-in off the court strengthens buy-in on it.

Throughout the conversation, Coach Latina explains how culture has to be lived daily: through accountability, shared responsibility, and finding ways for players to make a positive impact wherever they are. He dives into what it means to sustain that culture over years, not just seasons, and how much of recruiting inside of this framework comes down to identifying athletes who embrace those values in addition to being talented enough to play at the D1 level.

Everyone says they want to be a part of a great team culture. Well, this is what building and sustaining it actually looks like. So take notes.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App:
https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here. This episode, I'm joined by David Hitz, founder of The Neuro Pro, for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on how mindfulness and breathwork are becoming a competitive edge for athletes.

David has worked with athletes and professionals at all levels to unlock performance through the brain's ability to rewire itself—what science calls neuroplasticity. We talk about what that actually looks like in training, why so many young athletes struggle with confidence and emotional control, and how something as simple as learning to breathe with intention can reset the body and mind in high-pressure moments.

But this interview is not just grounded in theory. David shares practical tools athletes can use right away, from handling nerves before a big game to developing routines that build resilience over time. We dive into why identity matters so much in sport, how athletes can reframe mistakes in the moment, and what separates those who truly grow from those who get stuck in frustration.

For recruits and parents, this episode is a reminder that development isn't just on the court. The best athletes learn to manage their inner game—how they focus, how they recover, and how they respond when things go sideways.

This conversation is an introduction on how to train the mind with the same seriousness you train the body, and I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App:
https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Watch the episode to see examples of the breathing techniques:

https://youtu.be/Snifu0z2glA

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
TikTok - @JaredTheCoach