2021 TrueSport Talks

Keisha Caine Bishop is a Washington, DC native. However, she considers herself a resident of the entire east coast. She attended Seton Hall University on a full scholarship for Track & Field. Upon graduation, in 1995, she was a 10-time NCAA All-American, a member of Who’s Who In American Colleges & Universities, and a recipient of her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Spanish.

After graduation, she married and relocated to Gainesville, Florida. There she devoted her time to homeschooling her 3 children (Noah, Josephus, & Abby Lyles). From 2005- 2010, she and her family resided in Charlotte, NC where she was a freelance writer for The Charlotte Observer and a Mary Kay Sales Director earning the famed Mary Kay car as she led a team of 200 women.

In 2010, Keisha left Charlotte, NC to return to her roots of the Washington, DC after going through a divorce that ended her 13-year marriage. She and her children became rooted in Alexandria, VA. Keisha worked as a Bilingual Case Manager for adults with Intellectual Disabilities for the DC Government. In 2016, her sons (Noah & Josephus) were the first US male sprinters to go professional out of high school when they signed a 7-year contract with adidas. Her daughter, Abby, went on to study Biochemistry in college.

Keisha is currently the CEO and Founder of Bishop Athletics Consulting, the President of The Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation, and a Certified Life Coach. Having raised 2 children with Dylexia and ADD, she is an advocate for children with Learning Differences and mental health awareness. She is the current wife of Mark Bishop and they have a blended family of 7 children. Her son, Josephus is currently ranked 9th in the World in the 200m. While Noah, is the 2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist in the 200m. Her passion is helping others become the best version of themselves as they pursue all life has for them! Keisha likes to describe herself as having “BBA” Bounce Back Ability.

As the Founder and Commissioner of the Pittsburgh Flag Football League (PFFL), Chris Curd brings twelve years of experience in league operations and brand strategy to the flag football landscape. Under his leadership, the NFL Flag program has been thrusted into a fast track for growth in Western Pennsylvania in the recreational, interscholastic and competitive levels. Through the efforts of a dedicated staff, various strategic partnerships and diligence with respect to marketing, the PFFL is widely recognized as a leader in flag football.

Chris is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and four-year letterman and scholarship member of the football team. Post college, he was fortunate enough to have a brief stint in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons along with numerous AFL teams throughout his professional playing career. With seven years of experience in the technology start-up community and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business, Chris currently serves as a development consultant for organizations with marketing and branding needs. He and his lovely wife Sharae’ currently reside in Pittsburgh with their three daughters.

In the truest form of the word, Gracie Gold is a champion.

A two-time U.S. gold medalist and Olympic team bronze medalist in figure skating, one of America’s most popular athletes now champions mental health awareness.

Among the stars of the 2014 Olympics, Gracie appeared in national campaigns for Nike, United Airlines, P&G, Smucker’s, Pandora and more. Although she finished just off the Olympic podium in her Olympic debut, the future was bright for this talented athlete.

Gracie surprised skating fans at the beginning of the 2017-18 Olympic season, announcing in a press release that she was stepping away from the sport to seek treatment for anxiety, depression and an eating disorder. She was among the first high-profile athletes to publicly address mental health issues.

After working through months of inpatient treatment, Gracie bravely shared her story through national media to bring attention to athlete mental health and help remove the stigma often associated with it.

Today, Gracie, 26, is back on the competitive ice, training in a way that is both healthy for her mind and body. In the past, she routinely received an automatic bid for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships but now earns her spot through qualifying competitions.

Gracie’s return to the U.S. Championships in 2020 was greeted with fans giving her a standing ovation and fellow athletes and coaches wiping
away tears. An inspiration to so many, she is currently training to earn her spot in January’s 2022 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Dr. Jen is currently in private practice in New York City, specializing in the treatment of high-risk children and adolescents. She is the owner and founder of Hartstein Psychological Services, PLLC, a group psychotherapy practice. Until recently, Dr. Jen was the mental health contributor for Yahoo! Lifestyle and Yahoo! News. She is also a frequent psychological contributor for NBC’s The Today Show, a national morning news program. She was a Mental Health Core Expert for The Dr. Oz Show and was the psychological/lifestyle contributor on CBS’ The Early Show. Dr. Jen is the author of Princess Recovery: A How-to Guide to Raising Empowered Girls who Can Create Their Own Happily Ever Afters.

Prior to her full-time private practice, Dr. Jen was the Clinical Director of the Discovery Center at the Child and Family Institute (CFI) of St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, a short-term substance abuse prevention and early intervention program for adolescents. She was an Adjunct Professor at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology of Yeshiva University in the Bronx, NY. Before working at CFI, Dr. Jen was an Attending Psychologist in the Child Outpatient Psychiatry Department of Montefiore Medica Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.

Dr. Jen received her BA from George Washington University in Washington, DC and her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. She worked on two adolescent inpatient units, creating and implementing group therapy programs, before returning to Yeshiva University to complete her doctorate in School-Child Clinical Psychology.

Dr. Jen works with children, adolescents and their families with a wide range of psychological diagnoses. She has received intensive training in adolescent suicide assessment and has specialized in this population for several years. Dr. Jen is frequently asked to speak at conferences or for companies about promoting positive mental health practices. Dr. Jen is on the Executive Board of Active Minds, an organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health issues, while educating and encouraging others to do the same. Previously, she was on the advisory board for MTV’s A Thin Line, which focused on the digital behaviors of today’s young people and was the head of the Practitioner Alliance of We’re All a Little “Crazy,” a global mental health initiative, an organization with whom she continues to work. Dr. Jen also is a self-esteem ambassador for Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, which aims to increase confidence for girls and women. Dr. Jen has published and presented on teen-related issues and has spoken as an expert on a variety of psychological issues in print, television and radio.

Dr. Jen lives and practices in New York City.

Ken Lolla is a winner personally and professionally. After an All-American career as a player at Duke University, he transitioned into one of the winningest Division I coaches in the last three decades.

Thirty years of building a culture of success has led to Ken Lolla’s illustrious coaching career. Passing on principles of success through soccer to inspire change and encourage growth in the lives of others, has been the trademark of Ken’s for over three decades. Recognized twice as the National Coach of the Year, Ken’s success is based on the timeless principles and character-based leadership skills that he passionately teaches others through coaching, mentoring, professional speaking, video tutorials, writing and summer camps.

When it comes to building a soccer program into a national powerhouse, Ken emerged as a top leader in the industry. Using soccer as a tool for growing young men, Lolla guided three separate collegiate programs to national prominence. He led the University of Louisville to the 2010 NCAA College Cup Final, 2010 Big East Championship, 2018 ACC Championship, and a #1 National ranking.

Ken has served as the U-15 US National Team Coach and as an assistant coach for his alma mater, Duke University. He has coached over 30 players to go on to play professionally in the AISA and USL.

Ken now draws on his 30 years of experience to teach, consult mentor, while implementing the principles necessary to build a successful team; whether that be in athletic programs, businesses or corporate settings. Ken is highly valued and sought after for his ability to mentor young coaches and executives to become dynamic leaders. He has most recently worked with teams and leaders at Duke University, Norton Health Care, Intuitive Surgical, KIA, Physicians Rehab Solutions, UofL Neurosurgery, Elite Homes, Centre College, Hanover College, UC San Diego, Oral Roberts University and Liberty University.

Ken is the author of “Finding Your Gifts”, a timeless story about a young boy and a giraffe that illustrates the value and significance of each individual. Since the birth of his three children story telling has also become a passion in Ken’s life. “Finding Your Gifts” is a product of many bedtime moments with his children focused on introducing character values and life lessons.

He also wrote a coaching manual for young coaches, “Passing It On”, which provides a practical guide as well as essential tools to reassure any new coach. Ken’s journey continues as he passionately pursues increasing the lives of others.

Success has been no stranger to Josephus Lyles. In just his second year of high school, Josephus won his first Virginia State High School Championships over 400m. Two weeks later, he claimed the national outdoor title, as well and ended his season with a gold medal in the 4x400m Relay at the IAAF World U20 Championships.

In 2015, Josephus was nearly unstoppable. He won Virginia state titles at both 200m and 400m, and won gold medals over 400m and in both relays at the Caribbean Scholastic Championships in Havana, Cuba. That June, he won the national under-18 title at 400m and represented the USA at the IAAF World Under-18 Championships in Calí, Colombia. In Colombia, Josephus won the silver medal over 400m and the bronze in the 200m.

Josephus’s senior season started out thrillingly, with the quarter-miler specialist winning the national high school title at 60m. Though injury late in the season curtailed his outdoor campaign, his results were impressive enough that Josephus turned pro and bypassed the US collegiate system to focus all his energies at the top level of the sport.

In his first full season as a professional, Josephus won the silver medal over 400m at the Pan-Am Junior Championships and ran a key leg on the USA’s 4x400m relay at those championships, setting a new under-20 world record. A year later, Josephus qualified for his first senior US Championships final, taking sixth in the 400m.

Despite the limited opportunities to race, Josephus made the most of a truncated 2020 season, winning the 200m at the Drake Relays and finishing the year among the top-10 fastest men in the world at both 200m and 400m. In 2021, Josephus set new lifetime bests for 100m and 200m, and earned a spot at the Wanda Diamond League Final over 200m, where he finished fifth.

Since he was just a kid, it was clear that Noah Lyles was destined for greatness. Along with his brother, Josephus, Noah was consistently the best short sprinter of his age, winning race after race, not just in Virginia, but around the world.

In 2014, Noah took gold over 200 meters at the Youth Olympic Games in China. A year later, Noah took first in the US junior championships and then took home gold for Team USA over 200m at the Pan American Junior Championships in Canada.

Perhaps most notably, in his final race as a high school senior, Noah finished an incredible fourth in the final of the 200m at the 2016 US Olympic Trials, just missing a spot in Rio. His time of 20.09 broke the national high school record, set 31 years earlier.

Noah’s final competition of the 2016 season was at the World Under-20 Championships in Poland, where he took home gold in the 100m and anchored Team USA home to first in the 4x100m Relay. Following his gold medal wins in Poland, Noah turned professional and signed a long-term endorsement contract with adidas.

In March 2017, Noah won his first senior national title, taking first over 300m at the US Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Noah’s winning time of 31.87 broke the previous world record of 31.88 set back in 2006.

Though injury prevented him from competing at the IAAF World Championships, Noah was able to return to competition by the end of the 2017 season. In his final race of the year, he defeated the world champion to win the 2017 IAAF Diamond League overall title at 200m.

Fully healthy in 2018, Noah was virtually unstoppable. At 100m, Noah won the US Championships in a lifetime best 9.88sec. At 200m, Noah went undefeated, running a world-leading 19.65 and breaking 19.70 three times. For his phenomenal season, Noah was named the 2018 Jesse
Owens Award winner, given to the USA’s most outstanding track and field athlete of the year.

Not missing a step from the previous season, Noah began 2019 in top fashion, winning his first IAAF Diamond League 100m race in Shanghai in a new lifetime best of 9.86 seconds. That July, Noah improved his 200m best to 19.50, making him the fourth-fastest man in history. He also won his first US outdoor title over 200m, as well as his first IAAF Diamond League title at 100m, making him the first man to win IAAF Diamond League titles at 100m and 200m.

At the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Noah capped off his season with his first world title, winning gold in the men’s 200m and then anchoring Team USA to its first 4x100m relay gold in twelve years and a new American record.

In a limited 2020 season, Noah was again the world’s dominant 200m runner, winning all of his races and ending the year with the fastest time in the world. The following year, Noah won the 200m at US Olympic Trials in dominating fashion, in a world-leading 19.76, qualifying for him for his first Olympic Games. At Tokyo 2020, Noah won the Olympic bronze medal in the 200m in 19.76, equaling his season best. In his final race of 2021, Noah demolished a world-class field at the Prefontaine Classic, winning the 200m in 19.52, the fastest time run in 2021 and the second-fastest of his career.

Social Media: Twitter: @LylesNoah | Facebook: @LylesNoah | Instagram: nojo18

Dr. Bhrett McCabe is the founder of The MindSide, a center for Sports and Performance Psychology, and trusted advisor for the top performing competitors in the country. Dr. McCabe combines his personal experience as a 2x National Champion Division I athlete, his training as a licensed clinical psychologist, and his corporate leadership experience to help competitors achieve an elite performance mindset. Dr. McCabe develops personalized strategies and processes to help athletes and businesses achieve success at the highest levels. Dr. McCabe serves as the Sports & Performance Psychologist for elite-level athletes, corporate leaders, and teams including The University of Alabama Athletics, PGA Tour, NFL, and NBA. Dr. McCabe’s strategies are also trusted by high-achieving businesses including multiple Fortune 500 organizations, Andrews Sports Medicine, and Titlest Performance Institute.

Dr. McCabe is the author of The MindSide Manifesto: The Urgency to Create a Competitive Mindset which he has developed in order to help athletes, coaches, and leaders compete to the best of their ability. Dr. McCabe also hosts a weekly podcast entitled “The Secrets to Winning” and has published several academic journal articles, presented numerous scientific presentations, as well as provided insight and authored articles for trade magazines such as GOLF Magazine, Golf World, Golf Week, and ESPNW, among others. Dr. McCabe has made several appearances on The Golf Channel’s Morning Drive and The Golf Fix.

Dr. McCabe’s latest endeavor is called Catalyst School, where Dr. McCabe provides weekly, live coaching sessions via Zoom for anyone who is a catalyst for others- coaches and business leaders alike. More information can be found at www.bhrettmccabe.com/catalyst-school.

Dr. Brittany Patterson is a Licensed Psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). She has served schools for more than a decade in various capacities and has specialized in school-based mental health services in underserved schools and communities since joining the UMSOM faculty in 2016. In her current role, Dr. Patterson provides training and technical assistance to diverse school stakeholders on the impact of trauma and strategies to create safe, healing environments for students.

She is particularly passionate about identifying and building upon the strengths of youth and their communities to promote positive mental health and well-being. In fact, “The Fight” was inspired by five years of serving a Title I school in Baltimore City where she was consistently impressed by the gifts and talents of our “fighters” – students often in trouble for difficulties related to behavioral or emotional distress. She found that invested adults, dedicated time, and ample skill building opportunities made a significant difference for the “fighters” and enabled many to not only survive but thrive!

Beyond her professional dedication to schools, Dr. Patterson is a proud daughter, sister, wife, and mommy! Her hobbies include spending time with her family over arts and crafts, food, outdoor sports, and reading. Ultimately, Dr. Patterson has one hope for all students, including her own children —

You deserve safe spaces to learn and grow,
full of opportunities to share what you know,
and elevation of your talents for obstacles foreseen,
ensuring accomplishment of every goal and unseen dream.

–Dr. Brittany Patterson (2020)

David Plummer is a two-time Olympic medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. David missed qualifying for three consecutive Olympic Games, missing the 2012 team by just .12 seconds. In 2016 he became the oldest first-time Olympian on the U.S. Olympic Swim Team since 1904. Through his career, he won three World Championship medals and four U.S. National Titles and was named team captain of the 2015 World Championship team.

After retirement from swimming, Plummer pursued a career in athletic administration with his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, working in different roles within administration and student-athlete development. David has also served as a high school and club coach and was named the 2014 Minnesota class AA coach of the year. He has served on the USA Swimming National Team Steering Committee, the USA Swimming National Team Athletes Committee, and the Positive Coaches Alliance Advisory Board in Minnesota.

David currently serves as the Vice President of Operations with Premier Sport Psychology. He is passionate about developing a positive team culture that leads to organizational success. Plummer holds a Masters degree in organizational leadership, policy and development, and is working towards his MBA. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife Erin, a neonatologist at Children’s Minnesota in St. Paul, and their two sons, William and Ricky.

Developmental psychologist, tennis coach, author, and columnist Peter C. Scales, Ph.D., USPTA, is internationally known as one of the world’s foremost authorities on positive youth development and has conducted research in more than 30 countries globally. He has published 11 books, and more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals and popular publications, including op-ed pieces in newspapers such as the Denver Post, Newark Star-Ledger, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Anchorage Daily News. He has appeared on and been quoted in hundreds of media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, U.S. News and World Report, USA Today, Newsweek, Seventeen, and Sports Illustrated, and been featured on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America.”

A U.S. Professional Tennis Association-certified tennis teaching pro, Coach Pete has coached boys and girls JV tennis at Parkway South High School in Manchester, Missouri for 14 years. He is a mental strength consultant to men’s and women’s college tennis teams and the author of the award-winning book, Mental and Emotional Training for Tennis: Compete-Learn-Honor (Coaches Choice, 2019), which the National High School Tennis Coaches Association called “one of the best books ever on the mental game.” Coach Pete has written and spoken on his Compete-Learn-Honor approach in numerous forums, including podcasts such as the United States Tennis Association’s Compete Like A Champion, EssentialTennis.com, ParentingAces.com, and TennisFiles.com for the Tennis Channel Podcast Network, in USPTA’s ADDVantage Magazine, the Positive Coaching Alliance, and the National Alliance for Youth Sports, and conferences and workshops such as the Missouri Valley USPTA Annual Conference, Portland (OR) Tennis & Education, WeArePicklball.com’s global Pickleball Summit 2021, and the Arizona Tennis Coaches Association Annual Conference. Coach Pete’s column on the mental-emotional game, “The Bench,” appears regularly in Racquet Sports Industry Magazine, the flagship publication of the industry.

Deja was born with brachial plexus that caused nerve damage and limited mobility to her right shoulder. It was at a college meet that she learned about Paralympic track and field, a path that would lead her to her first Paralympic titles at the Paralympic Games Rio 2016. Served as an athlete mentor as part of the Sports Envoy Program of the U.S. State Department to Nigeria in 2018. She also graduated from Wichita State with a degree in social work. Deja has been a huge advocate for mental health and has been very open with her struggles on and off of the track. She has continued to speak about her struggle in hope to make a difference or even save a life.