S4:E39 More Than Tactics - The Human Side of Coaching with Jake Lister
Jake Lister is a new generation coach—blending the demands of modern football with a deeply human approach to development, wellbeing, and mentorship. As an Academy Coach at Sheffield United Women and a Coach Developer at The FA, Jake’s work bridges the grassroots and elite, the tactical and the transformational.
Jake’s journey in coaching began in 2014, driven by a passion for helping players grow—not just on the pitch, but in life. But his path hasn’t been without challenges. From navigating health issues to stepping into new fatherhood while managing dual coaching roles, Jake has had to redefine balance, resilience, and what it really means to lead by example.
In this conversation, Jake opens up about the cultural weight and social currency of football, and how he’s learning to shift from chasing external validation to creating space for joy, presence, and purpose. He brings refreshing insight into the role of coaches not just as instructors, but as energy-setters, emotional anchors, and guides in the identity-building process of young athletes.
This week, Jake shares his evolving coaching philosophy, why traditional metrics fall short, and how visualization, intention, and emotional safety are becoming essential tools in modern sport. If you're curious about the future of coaching and what it means to mentor with meaning, this episode is for you.
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Talking Points:
- The emotional and cultural weight of building a career in football coaching
- Navigating new fatherhood, identity shifts, and life outside the game
- Health challenges and how they sparked deeper reflection and lifestyle change
- Moving beyond performance metrics toward holistic athlete development
- Emotional regulation, resilience, and identity as critical outcomes of coaching
- Visualization, intention-setting, and the power of mental clarity
- Why coaches need to manage their energy as much as their session plans
- Creating psychological safety and connection in team environments
- Reclaiming the joy of football—for players and coaches
- Letting go of “shoulds” and tuning into what really matters
Resources:
- Men Behind Sport Support
- The High-Performance Coach’s Guide to Lasting Change
- Gaia Games Summit 2026: Join the Movement!
