Go to Dashboard

Podcast Series

The Leadership Huddle

Leadership, Communication

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy and Coach Richard Thompson, three time Olympic medalist and Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, offer unique insight into what leadership really looks like in real life. Their candid conversation provides a deeper look at the moments that define leadership, the mistakes that shaped it, and the personal principles that keep it steady over time.

What Leadership Really Looks Like

7 min

July 3rd, 2025 | Dr. Peter Paciorek | Leadership

Dr. Pete Paciorek and Coach Richard Thompson discuss what leadership really looks like in real life, uncovering the moments that define leadership, the mistakes that shaped it, and the personal principles that keep it steady over time.

Why Character Matters

8 min

July 3rd, 2025 | Dr. Peter Paciorek | Leadership, Life Skills, Mental Performance

Dr. Pete Paciorek and Coach Richard Thompson introduce athletes to the Four Pillars of Character and discuss how character shows up in real life, through the habits, decisions, and small moments that define how people experience you.

How Purpose Keeps You Going

7 min

July 3rd, 2025 | Dr. Peter Paciorek | Leadership, Life Skills, Mental Performance

Dr. Pete Paciorek and Coach Richard Thompson explore what keeps athletes motivated, and what happens when they lose touch with their purpose, taking a deeper look at personal drive, internal alignment, and the daily choices that shape who you become.

The Art of Balanced Leadership

8 min

September 10, 2025 | Dr. Peter Paciorek | Leadership

Dr. Pete Paciorek and Coach Richard Thompson explore how leadership strengths can become blind spots when taken too far, and discuss the balance needed between virtues and practical ways to develop well-rounded leadership skills.

Communication: More Than Words

8 min

September 10, 2025 | Dr. Peter Paciorek | Leadership, Life Skills

Dr. Pete Paciorek and Coach Richard Thompson explore how body language and presence communicate louder than words in sports, discussing the 80% of communication that's non-verbal and practical ways to master silent influence.

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy and Coach Richard Thompson, three time Olympic medalist and Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, offer unique insight into what leadership really looks like in real life. Their candid conversation provides a deeper look at the moments that define leadership, the mistakes that shaped it, and the personal principles that keep it steady over time.

Coaches

Learn more about the coaches in this series

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Dr. Peter Paciorek

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

Richard Thompson

Leadership Coach

Richard Thompson is a 4-Time Olympian and 3-Time Olympic medalist, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago. Throughout his career as a sprinter, he also claimed 4 NCAA championships while representing the LSU Tigers. With a master's degree in Sports Management, Thompson is deeply dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes. He has led several Youth Development Camps since 2009, and serves as the Senior Leadership and Character Development Coach at IMG Academy, where he mentors young athletes, emphasizing both performance and personal growth.

podcast name

podcast summary

0:00 0:00

About the Episode

Your Coach

IMG Academy+ Coaches

Coaching Team

Next up:

Virtues of a Leader

Principles of Leadership

Pillars of Character

Courage to Communicate

Finding Your Purpose

Finding Your Sources of Confidence

The Power of Positive Self-Talk

The Confidence Collection

Confidence: The MVP of Performance