LEADERSHIP GAME CHANGER
Kate Leavell and Leaders Uplifted Team Up to Bring Game-Based Training to Athletics
[Bradenton, FL] – In a dynamic new collaboration, Kate Leavell, Wall Street Journal bestselling co-author of Stick Together, distinguished speaker, seasoned consultant, and former NCAA lacrosse coach, has joined forces with Blair Bloomston, the trailblazing founder of Leaders Uplifted, to introduce a game-changing leadership development system. Designed specifically for high school and college athletic departments, this partnership is set to energize teams, boost well-being, and increase engagement across the Nation’s sports programs.
Building Buy-In for Athletes, Coaches, and Staff
It’s no secret that student engagement has dropped to an all-time low since 2020, and student-athletes are no exception. The leading causes of quitting, low performance, and disengagement among student-athletes at the high school and college levels stem from a combination of intense pressure and burnout, a lack of enjoyment and fulfillment in the sport, academic demands that conflict with athletic commitments, and negative experiences such as injuries or poor team dynamics. These factors create a challenging environment that can diminish an athlete's motivation, leading them to disengage from sports. (Adapted from Brookings).
With more than two decades of combined experience, Leavell and Bloomston know that buy-in, confidence, culture, and personal connection are at the core of a successful, thriving program. With experience supporting top teams at UF, UA, Baylor, and IMG Academy, their focus on re-engaging student athletes, equipping coaches with fresh tools, and enriching the total team experience is timely. The goal? Creating environments where well-being, connection, and leadership grows on and off the field.
Game-based Learning is a Superpower for Athletic Departments
Leaders Uplifted’s time-tested exercises, improvisation, and role-playing games create immersive, highly memorable training experiences.
“There is power in play, especially in the world of sports,” says Bloomston. “Play encourages engagement. Engagement leads to learning. Learning elevates performance through confidence and belief.”
Coaches, staff, and athletes rally around common leadership principles that each sport can tailor to make their own. These core values come to life through game-based workshops and on-going virtual and coach-led training support that teaches winning culture and habits for resilience, connection, and positive engagement across the year.
“I’ve seen underdogs do the impossible, and I’ve seen powerhouse teams crumble under pressure. With the right focus on empowerment and well-being, there’s no limit to what teams can achieve.” said Leavell.
A Strategy for Next Level Engagement
Athletic directors and coaches are invited to book a strategy call with Kate Leavell and the Leaders Uplifted team to explore how this innovative program can be customized to meet the needs of their sports programs. This “insights conversation” will uncover areas of opportunity and give athletic leaders tactics to build buy-in and engagement.
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About Kate Leavell
Kate Leavell is a Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author, founder of Kate Leavell ETC Inc. (Energize, Transform, & Connect), and a former NCAA lacrosse coach. With a strong background in leadership development, Kate has built a career focused on empowering organizations through strategic culture building and belief-based accountability. As a former Vice President of Development with The Jon Gordon Companies, she co-authored Stick Together and supported the delivery of leadership workshops for high-profile clients such as Wounded Warrior Project, Keller Williams, Geico, and YPO (Young President’s Organization) helping to strengthen and unify teams across these organizations. Kate's most recent book, Superpower, extends her focus on empowerment and the inimitable value we each bring to the world.
About Leaders Uplifted
Leaders Uplifted, founded in 2024 by Blair Bloomston, has rapidly established itself as a leader in leadership development, with a specialized focus on game-based learning. The firm’s proprietary LIFT system—a framework centered around Language, Influence, Fellowship, and Traction—has been instrumental in driving team performance, buy-in, and well-being across industries. Bloomston and her team have experience supporting prestigious institutions such as the University of Florida, University of Alabama, NASCAR, Pittsburgh Pirates, Hilton, Deloitte, and NASA. Leaders Uplifted’s innovative approach, which was also showcased at the world-renowned IMG Academy, continues to set new standards in leadership development, blending cutting-edge curriculum design with a deep understanding of what drives human performance.
Contact
Kate Leavell, Senior Leadership Consultant
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