The ProPlayer Podcast

<p>Welcome back to the Pro Player Podcast — the show where we bring you the people, stories, and ideas shaping the future of the game on and off the field. Today’s episode is one that every coach, club leader, and ambitious football professional is going to take something from.</p><p>Our guest today is Shelly Shrestha, the Chief Operating Officer at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="decorated-link" href="https://www.coachbetter.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Coachbetter</a> — one of the most innovative football technology and coach development platforms in the game today. With more than a decade of experience across strategy, consulting, and SaaS product delivery, Shelly has become a key figure in helping modern football organizations rethink how they educate coaches, develop players, and build better systems for long-term success.</p><p>In this conversation, we go deep into the changing landscape of football development, the role technology now plays in coaching education, and why creating better environments for coaches ultimately creates better experiences for players. Shelly shares her journey into leadership, what it takes to scale a football-focused tech company globally, and why the future of the game belongs to organizations willing to innovate, collaborate, and embrace learning.</p><p>We also dive into the challenges that still exist within football — from access and opportunity to diversity and representation — and discuss how the game can continue evolving in a more inclusive and forward-thinking direction. Shelly brings a unique blend of business leadership, operational expertise, and genuine passion for football development, and that combination makes this episode incredibly valuable whether you’re coaching grassroots, working in the professional game, or trying to build your own pathway in sport.</p><p>Coachbetter has worked to simplify and modernize the football environment by giving coaches and clubs tools for session planning, player development, communication, education, and performance management all in one place. Their mission is centered around empowering coaches and helping players reach their full potential through smarter systems and better support.</p><p>This episode is packed with insight into leadership, growth, innovation, and the future of football coaching. If you’re serious about improving your environment, developing players more effectively, or simply learning from people operating at a high level in the game, you’re going to enjoy this one.</p><p>Before we get started, if you’re interested in joining our female-only mentoring group or want to connect with us at The Pro Player Soccer, head over to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="decorated-link" href="https://www.theproplayersoccer.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">The Pro Player Soccer</a> for more information and ways to get in touch.</p><p>And if you want to learn more about Shelly and the incredible work being done at Coachbetter, make sure you check out <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="decorated-link" href="https://www.coachbetter.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Coachbetter</a>.</p><p>Now sit back, enjoy the conversation, and welcome to the Pro Player Podcast.</p>

<p><strong>Listener Warning:</strong> This episode of <em>The Pro Player Podcast</em> contains explicit language, strong opinions, and adult themes throughout the conversation. Listener discretion is advised.</p><p>Welcome back to <em>The Pro Player Podcast</em>. Today’s episode is raw, honest, unfiltered, and packed with the kind of conversation that will either challenge you, motivate you, or make you uncomfortable in all the right ways — and honestly, that’s exactly the point.</p><p>Our guest today has 100,000 followers on Instagram Alexis Doss, better known online as “The Tough Love Coach.”. No fake motivation. No polished “guru” act. No pretending life changes overnight because you watched a few inspirational videos. Alexis has built her platform around radical honesty, accountability, self-awareness, and helping people stop hiding behind excuses. You can check out her work at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="decorated-link" href="https://www.alexisrm.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">The Tough Love Coach Website</a> and on Instagram at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="decorated-link" href="https://www.instagram.com/thetoughlovecoach/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">@thetoughlovecoach</a>.</p><p>What makes Alexis different is that her message comes from lived experience. She’s openly talked about rebuilding her life after toxic relationships, burnout, struggles with mental health, and completely reinventing herself multiple times over. Instead of hiding those chapters, she uses them as proof that growth is messy, uncomfortable, and never linear.</p><p>And that’s exactly why this conversation fits so perfectly on <em>The Pro Player Podcast</em>.</p><p>Because being a “pro player” isn’t just about sport. It’s not just about contracts, trophies, or what happens when the cameras are on. It’s about mindset. Discipline. Identity. Pressure. Confidence. Reinvention. It’s about figuring out who you are when things fall apart, when your confidence gets tested, and when nobody is coming to save you.</p><p>In this episode, Alexis and I go deep into the realities that so many people avoid talking about publicly. We talk about why people stay stuck in cycles they secretly hate. We unpack fear, procrastination, self-sabotage, relationships, emotional regulation, social media addiction, entrepreneurship, and the pressure to constantly “have it all together.”</p><p>One of the things I appreciated most about this conversation is that Alexis doesn’t speak in clichés. She challenges the way people think. She calls out performative self-help culture and talks openly about building discipline without destroying yourself in the process.</p><p>There’s also a huge crossover here with elite athletes and high performers. So many players struggle silently with identity once sport stops defining them. So many people tie their confidence to achievements, followers, money, or relationships. Alexis speaks directly to that. She talks about creating standards instead of constantly chasing approval, becoming comfortable being misunderstood, and why real confidence is built through repeated action and self-trust.</p><p>What I also loved is that this episode doesn’t pretend growth is clean or glamorous. There are moments that are funny, emotional, brutally blunt, and deeply reflective. There’s swearing, uncomfortable truths, and a level of honesty that a lot of people are afraid to have publicly.</p><p>So if you’re someone navigating change, rebuilding confidence, trying to rediscover purpose, or simply becoming more honest with yourself about what’s holding you back, this episode is going to resonate.</p><p>So wherever you’re listening from — in the car, at the gym, on a walk, or winding down after a long day — lock in for this one.</p><p>This is <em>The Pro Player Podcast</em> with Alexis Doss, “The Tough Love Coach.”</p>

<p>Welcome back to the podcast — today’s episode is one I’m really excited about, because we’re diving into the real journey behind being a student-athlete, a goalkeeper, and someone who’s building something bigger than just sport.</p><p>Today, I’m joined by Allie Mastrangelo — known online as <strong>@AllisonGK2025</strong> — a collegiate goalkeeper currently playing at the NCAA Division II level, who’s not just putting in the work on the pitch, but also documenting the reality of life as a student-athlete off it.</p><p>From early morning lifts to late-night studying, from training sessions to recovery days, Allison has been sharing a transparent look into what it actually takes to balance football, academics, and personal development at a high level. But what really stands out about her journey is that it’s not just about performance — it’s about perspective.</p><p>In a world where social media often shows the highlight reel, Allison is doing something different. She’s opening up conversations around <strong>mental health, athlete identity, and the pressures of recruitment and college sport</strong> — topics that don’t get talked about enough, but affect so many players coming through the system today.</p><p>Throughout her journey, she’s also been actively involved in initiatives and conversations that support younger athletes — helping them understand not just how to improve as players, but how to navigate the challenges that come with chasing a sporting career. Whether it’s sharing training routines, day-in-the-life content, or honest reflections, she’s building a platform that goes beyond football.</p><p>And that’s exactly why this conversation matters.</p><p>Because today, we’re not just talking about goalkeeping. We’re talking about:</p><ul><li>what it really takes to reach the college level,</li><li>how to handle the ups and downs of performance,</li><li>the reality of the recruitment process,</li><li>and how to stay grounded when the pressure starts to build.</li></ul><p>We also get into her personal experiences — the challenges she’s faced, the lessons she’s learned, and the advice she’d give to the next generation of players trying to follow a similar path.</p><p>If you’re a player, a coach, a parent, or anyone involved in the game, there’s something in this episode for you.</p><p>So sit back, relax, and enjoy this conversation with Allison — as we go inside the mindset, the journey, and the reality of life as a modern-day student-athlete.</p>

<p>Welcome back to <em>The Pro Player Podcast</em>, where we dive deep into the journeys, the mindset, and the real stories behind the people building careers in the game.</p><p>Today’s guest is someone who represents the next generation of football professionals working behind the scenes to shape environments, support athletes, and build pathways into the game — <strong>Bailey Stokes.</strong></p><p>Currently working within the collegiate system in the United States as a team manager in women’s soccer, Bailey has quickly immersed herself in the high-performance world, gaining hands-on experience in elite environments while still early in her career. Alongside that, she’s taken on roles in coaching and administration, developing a well-rounded understanding of the game from multiple angles — from grassroots development right through to the demands of competitive college sport.</p><p>What makes Bailey’s journey so interesting is not just where she is now, but how quickly she’s building a foundation across different areas of the game. Whether it’s working on the training ground, supporting team operations, or helping create environments where players can thrive, she’s gaining insight that many don’t access until much later in their careers.</p><p>In this episode, we explore what it really takes to break into the football industry, especially on the other side of the touchline. We talk about the realities of starting out, the importance of adaptability, and why saying yes to opportunities — even when they’re outside your comfort zone — can open doors you never expected.</p><p>We also dive into the differences between the U.S. college system and other development pathways, and what young players and aspiring coaches can learn from that environment. Bailey shares her experiences of balancing multiple roles, building relationships within teams, and the lessons she’s learned from being inside a high-performance culture day in, day out.</p><p>This is a conversation for anyone looking to carve out their own path in football — whether that’s as a player, a coach, or working behind the scenes.</p><p>So, if you want to understand what it takes to get your foot in the door, build real experience, and grow within the game…</p><p>This one’s for you.</p><p>Let’s get into it.</p>

<p>Welcome back to <em>The Pro Player Podcast</em>, where we explore the journeys, mindsets, and stories behind high performers from every corner of the world.</p><p>Today’s guest is someone whose work sits at the intersection of resilience, identity, and the power of the human spirit. I’m joined by Cathy Gruss—an author, speaker, and advocate whose story is one of strength, courage, and transformation.</p><p>Cathy’s journey is deeply moving. As a survivor, she has taken her life experiences and turned them into a mission—to educate, inspire, and empower others. Through her writing and speaking, she sheds light on the realities of trauma, healing, and what it truly means to rebuild and rediscover yourself after life’s most difficult moments.</p><p>Her work doesn’t just tell a story—it creates impact. Cathy challenges perspectives, encourages difficult but necessary conversations, and reminds us all of the importance of empathy, awareness, and inner strength. She represents a level of mental toughness and emotional resilience that, in many ways, mirrors what we talk about in sport—but in a far more profound, human context.</p><p>In this episode, we go deep. We talk about adversity, mindset, recovery, and the lessons that athletes, coaches, and leaders can take from experiences that go far beyond the pitch. This is a conversation about perspective, about gratitude, and about what really matters.</p><p>This is one of those episodes that stays with you. More Info at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cathygruss.com">https://cathygruss.com</a></p><p>Let’s get into it.</p><p>And before we begin, I want to take a moment to dedicate this episode.</p><p>As this conversation was recorded around Remembrance Sunday, we dedicate this episode to all members of the military who have served and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Your courage, your commitment, and your willingness to stand for something greater than yourselves will never be forgotten.</p><p>This episode is a reminder of perspective—of sacrifice, resilience, and service. We honour you, we remember you, and we thank you.</p>