303:Leadership Under Pressure with 20x National Championship Coach Amanda Gaines | University of Minnesota Dance

303:Leadership Under Pressure with 20x National Championship Coach Amanda Gaines | University of Minnesota Dance

Author: James Silvas, Performance Coach, Speaker, and Lifestyle Entrepreneur July 16, 2025 Duration: 0:00

Coach Amanda Gaines has been a part of the Gopher dance team for 19 years. First as an athlete from 2005-2009, then as an assistant coach from 2009-13, and then as the head coach.

Gaines became the head coach in April 2013 and held that role until March 2017. After taking some time off, she resumed that role in 2020.

During her tenure, Gaines helped the Gophers to a national championship as an athlete (2006), eight national championships (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) as an assistant coach, and 10 titles as the head coach in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

In all, Minnesota has won 23 dance national titles with Gaines a part of 20 of them.

Under her watch, the Gophers also represented Team USA for the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Competition, where the team won gold in the Pom and silver in the Jazz division. It was the third time that Minnesota represented the US National Team, having also done so in 2010 and 2014, under Gaines' leadership.

Today, James and Amanda discuss the psychological frameworks and principles she operates from that help her navigate the pressure, tension, chaos, and the mindsets & behaviors she instills within the team so they can go on the floor and be at their best.

The post 303:Leadership Under Pressure with 20x National Championship Coach Amanda Gaines | University of Minnesota Dance appeared first on .


Each week, James Silvas brings the same energy he uses as a performance coach and lifestyle entrepreneur directly into your headphones. BE THAT 1% Podcast isn't about vague inspiration; it's a practical dialogue focused on the tangible shifts in mindset and daily action that separate common outcomes from exceptional ones. James explores the intersection of disciplined business strategy, intentional personal development, and authentic culture, drawing from his own experiences and conversations with those who operate at a high level. You'll hear candid discussions on rebuilding your habits, navigating career pivots, and cultivating resilience, all aimed at moving beyond average. This podcast serves as a weekly checkpoint for anyone tired of the 99% approach and ready to commit to a more demanding, more rewarding path. Tune in for honest reflections and actionable ideas that challenge you to redefine your limits and consistently show up as your most capable self.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

BE THAT 1% Podcast
Podcast Episodes
308: Hiding in the Prep Work: When Preparation Becomes Avoidance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Preparation is usually praised as discipline, but sometimes, it’s the safest place to hide. In this episode, we explore how high performers use prep work, planning, and self-improvement to delay the very thing that would…
Habits that make you unshakable in a chaotic world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
In today’s episode, James shares 5 habits that you can either continue to strengthen and reinforce or begin to integrate into your daily, weekly, and quarterly rhythm to become unshakable amidst the chaos. The post Habit…
305. How to create breakthrough conversations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
In today’s episode, James shares seven communication tools that he has used over the past 12 years while working as a coach to corporate leaders, elite athletes, and couples worldwide. The post 305. How to create breakth…
304: Beyond Performance w Paleta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:44
In this episode we dive into what is the internal drives behind performance and what happens when we slow down, go inward and confront the truth we may be avoiding. The post 304: Beyond Performance w Paleta appeared firs…
302: Love Without The Mask with Tori Gordon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Get ready for a powerful conversation about love, healing, personal evolution, and building relationships that last. The post 302: Love Without The Mask with Tori Gordon appeared first on .
300: Championship Mentality w Eric Nicksick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Eric Nicksick is an American mixed martial arts coach and former college football player, currently the general manager and head coach at Xtreme Couture. Three MMA fighters have become UFC champions under his guidance: F…
299: How to Protect Your Brand & Business with Attorney Andrea Sagar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
In this episode, James and Andrea cover the three things you can trademark, the difference between trademark and copyright, how you should structure your contracts, and what to be aware of as we navigate the online busin…