Track and Field Hall of Fame Coach, Jody Gitelis: Good Coaching

Guest: Jody Gitelis | Track & Field Coach

Jody Gitelis spent 36 years coaching track and field at Barrington High School in Barrington, IL, building one of the most decorated programs in Illinois history — 92 conference championships, 141 sectional championships, and 9 individual state championships. Jody coached the Barrington High School Fillies to two second-place State titles and 1 Team State Championship. 

She was among the first women to coach track and field in what was very much a man's world, and she never let that stop her. She now coaches at Bishop Gorman Catholic High School in Nevada.

In this conversation, Jody talks about what it really means to trust the process — not as a cliché, but as a daily practice. She shares how she built a culture where athletes competed from their own desire rather than their parents' pressure, why she chose consistency over intensity and fundamentals over fads, and how the mental side of sport became central to everything she taught.

Jody is also refreshingly honest about what she believes separates good coaches from great ones: connection. Expertise alone doesn't move people.

What We Cover:

What it was like being one of the first female coaches in a male-dominated sport — and how she navigated it with conviction and a deep breath

Why "it's a process" is more than a mindset — it's a coaching methodology

The shift she noticed in kids and parents over 36 years, and how she adapted

Her approach to hard days: deciding in advance how you'll deal with them

The role of visualization, mantras, and positive self-talk in athletic performance

The story of bringing her two-week-old to the State meet — and what happened when she asked for a nursing parking pass

The books that shaped her philosophy: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind and The Secret

What she defines as her greatest success as a coach

Key Quotes:

"Everyone wants an expert — but without connection, nobody cares what an expert you are."

"There are no given spots. It's a creation that is ever-changing. We are always tweaking and seeing how they work to do their best."

"Thoughts have energy. Write them down and say them out loud."

"Hard days are going to come, and you have to decide how you're going to deal with them."

Resources Mentioned:

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind — Joseph Murphy
The Secret — Rhonda Byrne

Loved this episode? Share it with a coach or athlete who needs to hear it. The podcast grows through word of mouth, and we're grateful for every share.