I recently visited East Tennessee State University, and it’s a story I’ll be talking about for some time. But if I didn’t share how I got there, I’d be doing the experience an injustice.

At our Live Like an Athlete event in Sligo last year, I met Cian. We had crossed paths before, but I didn’t know him well. When organizing the room list, an extra space was available in his room, so I decided to join him for a few days. We hit it off immediately, like two kids at summer camp, staying up late discussing sport, performance, and life when we probably should have been sleeping.

One night, Cian asked me where I saw these events going. I told him about my dream: working with elite athletes, traveling the world delivering these experiences, and maybe even hosting them on my small farm one day. The aim is simple—to help people find winning moments. These moments don’t happen by accident; they require space, time, and the right mindset. When you limit distractions, create focused time, and ask the right questions, great things can happen. We’ve been running these events for years, and the feedback is extraordinary. (Here’s how these events came about: Live Like an Athlete)

The Call That Changed Everything

Fast forward to three days before Christmas—I get a call from Cian. “Hey Daniel, I’m on the way to Vegas. I’m meeting my friend Aaron for dinner, and I wanted to mention you. What should I say?”

Aaron is the head coach of the golf program at ETSU.

Me: Hah! I have no idea. Let’s have a call—I’d love to meet him and help in any way I can.

Two days later, I was on a call with Aaron. We talked about our experiences in sport, our philosophies on performance, and our values in coaching. Aaron is a serious operator—his work ethic is relentless, and his ambition to make a real difference in the lives of his athletes is crystal clear. We hit it off. After a few more conversations, my flights were booked—I was heading to Tennessee.

Embracing the Unexpected

In the weeks leading up to my trip, all I could think about was meeting the ETSU athletes. I reached out to people working on the PGA Tour, in U.S. college sports—anyone who could give me insights into golf performance at that level. The conversations were fascinating, and the advice was simple: Be yourself. Be clear. Be down-to-earth.

Then, two days before my arrival, I got a curveball.

“Daniel, the football, basketball, baseball, athletics, and soccer coaches all want to meet you—and their teams.”

What?! That wasn’t in the plan. But I rolled with it. There was no way to prepare fully for that many sessions, so I had to lean into the moment and deliver in a more organic style.

What I Delivered

Over the seven days I spent at ETSU, I had one of the most challenging yet rewarding weeks of my life. The presentations I had prepared largely went out the window. Instead, I walked into each session with one goal: leave each group with key lessons that would help shape their performance.

Each session was built around the pillars of performance—Performance Nutrition, Sleep, Performance Mindset, and the Clarity of Focusing on One Thing with Intention at a Time.

• Performance Nutrition: We explored the key timing of meals—how structuring intake around training, recovery, and rest days can enhance energy availability and long-term performance. We also delved into gut health and how food choices impact digestion, absorption, and recovery. A major focus was eating for different performance situations—preparation for competition, dealing with injuries, and optimizing long-term consistency in diet. Rather than looking at food as just fuel, we examined how nutrition can be tailored to meet the specific demands of the athlete at any given moment.
• Sleep: It’s a non-negotiable for elite athletes, yet one of the most overlooked areas. I challenged them to audit their current routines and consider what a real commitment to recovery could look like. We discussed circadian rhythms, light exposure, and the behaviors that lead to deep, restorative sleep.
• Performance Mindset: The mental side of performance is just as critical as the physical. We talked about identity—who they are as athletes and as people—and how this influences performance under pressure. Confidence, resilience, and composure were central themes, with actionable takeaways on self-reflection, focus, and self-talk.
• The Power of Focus: The modern athlete is bombarded with distractions. We explored the impact of intentional focus—how zoning in on one thing at a time with full commitment can be a game-changer. Whether it’s executing a skill, mastering a recovery strategy, or refining a mindset shift, clarity breeds success.

The Bigger Lesson

What emerged from these sessions wasn’t just information—it was honesty, clarity, and togetherness. These are the foundations that can be built upon. You never walk away with all the answers, and even since returning home, I’ve thought of so much more that can be done. But that’s the point—if we are so busy just doing and we don’t build in opportunities for reflection, we don’t deeply learn. We don’t find the reason behind the winning moment.

No Regrets, Just Me

One thing I’m proud of is that I gave that week my complete focus. While I know things could always be done better or in a different way, there is nothing I would change. The process of showing up, being fully present, and embracing the unknown was what made it special. How is this story going to evolve? I don’t know yet for sure but I do know I want more. 

If you want to experience this firsthand—if you want to find your winning moments—join us in Portugal this May for Live Like an Athlete.
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