Read. Listen. Learn.
Check out a variety of resources to learn and grow as an athlete, coach, parent, and leader.
B.E.T. On It
This is Coach David’s first book! It dives into psychologically understanding modern athletes and provides practical tools for better performance and well-being through nervous system regulation.
BONUS BOOKLET
This is a free bonus booklet to Bet On It! It covers the importance of TALK and how communication is intertwined with our nervous system. It provides knowledge and tools for athletes, coaches, and parents to grow in communication and performance.
Better Than Before
This is a psychological guide for injured athletes, helping them appropriately and effectively deal with the challenges of being injured. This guide gives athletes reflections, actionable strategies, and practical advice about how to return to their sport better than before they were injured!
JustFly Performance Podcast
“On today’s podcast, David speaks on aspects of the nervous system in light of modern life and technology and how we can use ideas based on Polyvagal Theory to help athletes have a training experience that gives them maximal benefit in their athletic journey. David’s concepts are a must-understand for those who work with young athletes, but the same concepts resonate with humans of all ages. In this show, David specifically covers how breathing, vision, and touch can drive beneficial responses from the body to the brain, providing mental and emotional benefits to the athlete.”
Coaching Culture Podcast Part 1
“Are you a coach struggling to connect with Gen Z athletes? Do you wish your team had better emotional regulation on and off the court? In this insightful episode, we sit down with David Durand, founder of RealDevelopment.org and author of ‘Bet On It,’ to explore a revolutionary approach to coaching that goes beyond traditional skill development.”
Coaching Culture Podcast Part 2
“Join us for a transformative conversation with David Durand, founder of Real Development (realdevelopment.org), as we dive deep into the psychology of coaching modern athletes. This episode challenges traditional views on “softness” and reveals how building true resilience starts with understanding the athlete’s nervous system.
David explains how to identify when an athlete is truly ‘unable’ due to dysregulation or internal struggles like perfectionism, rather than simply being ‘unwilling.’ He advocates for a coaching philosophy that prioritizes helping athletes regulate before pushing their boundaries – stretching them for growth, not stressing them into shutdown.”
The VolleyPod
“In this episode of The Volley Pod, Coach Davis and Coach Tod welcome David Durand, a sports performance and psychology leader, to discuss his book ‘Bet on It: A Psychological Approach to Coaching Gen Z and Beyond.” The conversation explores the importance of mental performance, nervous system regulation, and the impact of social stress on adolescent athletes. David shares insights on how coaches can create supportive environments, utilize the BET system (Breath, Eyes, Touch) for athlete regulation, and the significance of connection in coaching. The episode emphasizes practical strategies for enhancing athlete performance and well-being.”
The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe Podcast
“David Durand is a performance coach who helps people grow beyond the superficial, focusing on real, lasting development. With a background in clinical and sports psychology, strength and conditioning, and athlete skill development, he integrates the mind, body, and environment to drive meaningful transformation. His superpower is connecting these elements to elevate performance from the inside out.”
Performers On The Rise Podcast
“In this rich and insightful episode, Demi welcomes Mental Performance Consultant David Durand, author of Bet On It: A Psychological Approach to Coaching Gen Z and Beyond. Together, they dive into the modern adolescent athlete’s experience, how identity, perfectionism, and the nervous system intersect, and what coaches, parents, and athletes can do to restore balance and connection under pressure.
David shares the science and story behind his BET Method—Breath, Eyes, Touch—a practical and powerful toolset designed to help athletes regulate their nervous systems, increase self-awareness, and improve performance through precision, not pressure.”
The Freshmen Foundation Podcast
“In this episode of The Freshman Foundation® Podcast, Michael Huber sits down with David Durand, a mental performance coach, to dive deep into the unique challenges faced by Generation Z athletes. David shares his experiences as both an athlete and coach, discussing the impact of social media, perfectionism, and mental health on today’s youth. They explore practical strategies for fostering resilience, identity, and emotional regulation among young athletes.”
Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast
“In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah speaks with David Durand, sports performance and psychology coach, founder of Real Development LLC, and author of B.E.T. On It. David breaks down his B.E.T. Method (Breath, Eyes, Touch)—a simple yet powerful framework for regulating the nervous system to improve athletic performance and overall well-being. They explore how Gen Z athletes are uniquely impacted by stress, social media, and identity pressures and how small, mindful techniques can restore balance, focus, and confidence—both on and off the field.”
The Performance PsychCast Podcast
“His new book, B.E.T. On It: A Psychological Approach to Coaching Gen Z and Beyond, is a guide for coaches looking to make a difference in modern athletes’ lives by understanding their brains and bodies on a deeper level and equipping them with tools to increase their health, well-being, and performance.”
The Performance PsychCast Podcast
David Durand returns for episode 61 to discuss his new book designed to guide athletes dealing with the psychological aspects of sports injury. The new book is entitled, Better Than Before: A Psychological Guide for Injured Athletes.
Revelation Life Coaching Podcast
“This episode focuses on coaching Gen Z athletes, how to manage performance and regulate your nervous system through the B.E.T. Method.”
Performance Talk Podcast
“David focuses on helping individuals develop through a holistic perspective that increases their long-term potential rather than over emphasizing short-term success. His new book, B.E.T. On It: A Psychological Approach to Coaching Gen Z and Beyond, is a guide for coaches looking to make a difference in modern athletes’ lives by understanding their brains and bodies on a deeper level and equipping them with tools to increase their health, well-being, and performance.”
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Contact
(504) 233-2794
david@realdevelopment.org
Location
New Orleans, La