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.

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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.
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