Testimonials
The following comments were provided in endorsement for the strengths-based training program with Dr. Angela Robles.
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Michele Smith, Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist"I think definitely StrengthsFinder would impact team cohesion, because I think teams win not just on that two-hour window on the field. Teams that win are cohesive and they spend a lot of time off the field together. I think the strengths philosophy would also allow coaches to look at their athletes who are mentally complacent... When you really find out what an athlete is made of internally, as a coach you have a better ability to coach that athlete and to be able to pull out their different strengths or motivate them in a different way." |
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Heather Tarr, Head Softball Coach, University of WashingtonFrom team building, to leadership training to career development, I don't see how any organization can thrive without capitalizing on the strengths of each individual. The work we did with Dr. Robles' Forza Institute and the StrengthsFinder has impacted our softball program for the short and long term. Getting our student-athletes to work together in a competitive, pressure filled environment is a yearly challenge. The Forza Institute has helped our team understand each other and work together more effectively than ever before. Our staff and team have bonded through our strengths results and we refer to them daily in our working environment. |
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Mike Candrea, Head Softball Coach, University of Arizona, US National Team"A very powerful experience that sets the foundation for team chemistry. Our players found out more about each other in one day than ever before. As coaches, we tend to attack the weaknesses of our players instead of building upon their strengths. I found this assessment to give me a better understanding of my players and allow me to cultivate relationships much sooner in the process. This is a tremendous experience for any team sport serious about success!!!" |
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Stacey Nuveman, Olympic Gold Medalist“Our team's work with Angela was powerful, meaningful and an absolute blast! When a group of young women come together and attempt to create a team, personalities often can "make or break" that team's ability to mesh. The Strengths Program allowed our players to see and understand each other as human beings first and foremost, then softball players second. It was a unique and thought-provoking way to open the lines of communication within our team/family circle, and is absolutely a program we plan to revisit in the future.” |
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Leah O'Brien Amico, Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist"I think (StrengthsFinder) would be really good for a team to do together. I think this would be huge on a team. I like the idea of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. Because I think we do that a lot. I think if everyone used their strengths, they might be more willing to rise up and play at another level." |
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Teresa Wilson, Assistant Softball Coach, University of Arizona“I think the Strengths Program helped the members of our team learn some things about ourselves and about each other that can be a big help in team chemistry, team leadership, and team building…all of which impact a team’s success throughout the season. A college athlete has a lot of responsibility….academics, practice, strength and conditioning, maintaining health, community service, the media, living in the spotlight, being mentors and role models for younger kids…. As the season gets into full swing, the magnitude of the whole environment can overwhelm anyone at times. I see the Strengths Program as another tool to help the team know each other well enough to help each other through the rough times, and to identify ways to maximize what the team does well to make the good times even better. Again, I see it as another tool we can use to give our student-athletes the best experience possible.” |
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Deanna Gumpf, Head Softball Coach, Notre Dame"Working with Dr. Robles was an amazing experience for my team. As a group we learned how to look at each other and ourselves differently. It gave each of us a greater understanding of how each person operated, which helped tremendously to work better as one sports unit." |
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Jenny Allard, Head Softball Coach, Harvard University"Our StrengthsFinder experience was very valuable. As a coach I feel I have an insight into how my players orient themselves in the world. This will help my communication and understanding of each athlete and help establish a great working group. I found it very validating for members of our team. I could see players really light up when they identified with their strengths." |
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Kathy VanWyk, Head Softball Coach, San Diego State University“Our training with Dr. Robles was a tremendous experience for our staff and team. Pointing out the personal leadership strengths of every individual in the group, both players and coaches, is so important for team unity. It provided everyone the opportunity to get to know each other so much better and express appreciation for everyone’s qualities. We have made a point of spending time every day in practice ‘filling buckets” . |
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Karen Yoder, Head Softball Coach, University of California, Davis“My team's experience with FORZA was extremely insightful and proved to be a huge factor in the later part of our season (2010 Big West Conference Champions). The team chemistry was solidified through the focus of strengths in our daily interaction. I look forward to utilizing this wonderful program for years to come with each new class of freshmen." |
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Brian Kolze, Head Softball Coach, University of the Pacific“I feel the Strengths for Success program is one of the best programs we have done in my 18 years at Pacific. For your athletes and coaches to completely focus on the positives and find out strengths they didn’t know they had, what a tremendous asset for their development.” |
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Cristina Byrne, Head Softball Coach, San Francisco State University“Our strengths training session with Dr. Robles has proven to be a huge asset to our team. Our players learned so much about themselves along with their teammates and it has developed and strengthened our team chemistry. Focusing on the positive attributes that each player brings as a person and an athlete and how it contributes to the team’s success has brought an atmosphere of understanding and clarity to our team. The upperclassmen have said that they wished that they could have taken this StrengthsFinder program sooner in their careers. Many of my players have already requested that we have the training session again next year! Thank you to Dr. Robles and Forza Institute for finding and focusing on the positive in each athlete and helping them learn to use that to their advantage.” |
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Jillian Byers, Assistant Coach, Yale University, Member of the US National Lacrosse Team"This past Spring our lacrosse team won our first Big East Conference Championship. It is no coincidence that this was also the first time we were introduced to Dr. Robles' StrengthsFinder. I believe that much of our success this season was due to the fact that we knew each other on a different, much deeper level. StrengthsFinder encouraged us to explore a comprehensive method to understand each of our teammates and coaches. Through this, we were able to pump each other up, learn how each individual responded to specific situations, and best of all, we learned that each teammate needs a different kind of feedback when they are struggling. This, or course, strengthened our team as a unit, giving us better team chemistry and leading to more successes both on and off the field. Through StrengthsFinder, each of us focused on our individual strengths which helped us to be a stronger, more unified team." |
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Tracy Coyne, Head Women's Lacrosse Coach, Notre Dame"I absolutely loved working with Dr. Robles during our StrengthsFinder team building exercise. We were looking for a new way to tap into the potential of our players. StrengthsFinder was the answer. Although I was skeptical at first, once we began working with Dr. Robles I quickly understood how valuable the StrengthsFinder program would be in my daily interactions with the team. What Dr. Robles did was open our eyes to view each player's talents & the best way to apply those talents. The productivity of the coaching staff was also enhanced. What we learned about ourselves and how to maximize our potential was invaluable." |
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Ethan Hamilton, Point Loma Nazarene University, Director of Athletics, Head Men's Basketball Coach“This time together was invaluable for our Men’s Basketball Team. It allowed us the opportunity to find out more about each other and has been very impactful as we have grown closer throughout the season because of this foundation.” |
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Michelle Gromacki, California State University, Fullerton, Head Women's Softball Coach“The opportunity that we took in developing or leadership skills was unbelievable. The feedback was great and we left with ideas of how to continue these skills throughout the season. It was not only informational to each individual player but it was a great team bonding day as well. I highly recommend The Forza Institute. Dr. Angela Robles, being a former athlete, relates to the players and did a fantastic job.” |
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Kateri Linville, University of Delaware, Head Women's Lacrosse Coach"I believe that knowing your strengths empowers your passion, guides your vision, and helps you to act in a manner in which you make your dreams your reality. When you know how you work best, you have a vision of success, and you make the decision to do what you want to do in order to achieve your goals, it is true that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Strengths Finder has helped me achieve my professional goals. It is also a tool I have used to help my players and my teams develop individual and collective confidence which has improved communication, facilitated teamwork, and led to extraordinary group performances and winning seasons." |
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Amber Miles, Louisiana Tech University, Assistant Women's Softball Coach"It was very beneficial for our team to go through the strengths testing. Whether by learning new strengths or reaffirming ones they already knew, they were able to see the benefits on and off the field. It was great to hear our players begin to use the strengths language to describes themselves and how they respond to situations, as well as identify the strengths of their teammates, and learn to apply them. Learning more about oneself is a positive, especially when working in a team setting." |
Recruiting testimonials
Teresa Wilson, Assistant Softball Coach, University of Arizona
“Travel Ball Teams put as much time, energy, and focus into their recruiting efforts as many college coaches. They watch young kids come up through the ranks, identify the talent they would like to pursue, and go to great lengths to demonstrate that their team is the right fit for the athlete they are “recruiting”. I think the Strengths Program is simply one more defining factor in finding the right fit for everyone. I believe that the mental side of the game should be taught at a young age and treated as just another “fundamental skill” necessary to play the game at the highest level. To maximize the mental game, personalities and how those personalities come together to create the most effective environment for a team becomes paramount to success. The Strengths Program is simply one more step that can be taken to address every factor necessary for team and individual success. It can also be yet another source of information that a recruit might present to college coaches to help them with their evaluation process.”Marty Tyson, Head Coach, Corona Angels ASA 18&U Gold
“The strengths training, and the way Dr. Robles presented to the players and coaches was beneficial for all of us. I am now better able to understand my players, and they understand me. Our communication as a team, and the way I present things to them has changed. To any elite college or travel program… this is a must in order to reach the next level.”Non-profit Organizations
Roy Tullgren, Executive Director/Pastor, Gospel Rescue Mission Tucson
“The Strength Finders training presented by Dr. Angela Robles was a huge eye opener for our staff. We not only learned more about ourselves personally and how we operate through our strengths, and how to develop those strengths…but also specific ways we can work better which each other and build a more effective team based upon utilizing our strengths to accomplish our organizational goals. Dr. Robles is not only knowledgeable, but energetic, fun and a great communicator and motivator.”
Julie Caldwell, Competitive Edge International
“Our experience with Dr. Robles and StrengthsFinder was amazing! It has allowed our sports teams and leadership teams to become even more effective in our communication, efficient in working with one another and fulfilled as we serve others. StrengthsFinder is a must for any church or ministry leadership team!”