Science Says: Brain-Based Coach Training Actually Works

We always knew sport could heal. Now there’s proof the CHJS training helps coaches deliver on that promise.

A new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Sport for Development has confirmed what athletes already feel in their bodies: trauma-informed sport training creates real change in how coaches understand and respond to young people.

The Hard Evidence

When Colorado School of Public Health researchers studied our 90-minute brain-based coaching training with youth soccer coaches, they found it wasn’t just feel-good fluff:

  • Coaches showed significant positive shifts in their attitudes about trauma-informed care
  • Their understanding of challenging behaviors transformed from “that kid is difficult” to “what might be causing this response?”
  • The training complemented—not disrupted—existing coaching practices

One coach admitted: “In the past, I might have thought, oh, that kid is just difficult or something, and not really acknowledged they have stuff going on.” Post-training, coaches recognized that young people bring their whole lives—school stress, family dynamics, past experiences—onto the field.

Beyond High-Fives and Hustle

The research uncovered five major areas where coaches evolved:

  • They gained a new perspective on behavior (hint: it’s rarely just about being “lazy” or “difficult”)
  • They recognized that trust and safety aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re non-negotiables
  • They found our approach complemented their current coaching styles
  • They became aware of their own stress responses (yes, coaches, you get dysregulated too!)
  • They learned practical brain science that actually works with real humans in real time

Why This Matters Beyond the Field

With one-third of children reporting exposure to adversity and youth mental health challenges at crisis levels, sports represent our greatest untapped resource for healing. This research confirms that with the right training, coaches can create environments where regulation, resilience, and actual healing happen.

It’s exciting for us to see what coaches gain from their participation in CHJS training. We’ve seen the positive impact the Neurosequential Model can have on the education, mental health, justice and child welfare systems around the country. This study provides the first glimpse of the impact we can have when we bring the core concepts to coaches so that they can create better experiences for young people.” -Megan Bartlett, Founder of CHJS

The study was co-authored by our founder Megan Bartlett with Colorado School of Public Health researchers.

As one study participant put it: “I’m not going to do the girls any help if I’m the one freaking out on the sideline.” Truth.

Want to geek out on the full methodology? Find the complete study here.

Ready to bring this brain-based approach to your coaches? Contact us to join the growing healing-centered sport movement.

#nothinghealslikesport