Nate Baker on Culture, Being a Lighthouse, and Playing the Infinite Game of Development
Thu Aug 21 2025
Nate Baker is a former pro football player, current coach, and the founder of The Developer’s Way coach education. Nate believes the best coaches, teachers, and leaders aren’t defined by weekend results. Instead, they are guided by something greater—the growth and development of their people.
In this conversation, Nate shares stories that show how early experiences in sport can shape whether kids stay in the game or walk away from it altogether. We also explore the bigger shifts in football in the U.S. where the focus has moved from joy and development toward signalling status, and what that means for the future of the game. At the heart of it all is Nate’s philosophy of being a lighthouse: steady, humble, and focused on guiding others. He opens up about his own journey of self-discovery and the responsibility coaches and parents share to create environments where young people can truly thrive.
This is a conversation about leadership, culture, and the infinite game of development.
Enjoy!
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Nate Baker is a former pro football player, current coach, and the founder of The Developer’s Way coach education. Nate believes the best coaches, teachers, and leaders aren’t defined by weekend results. Instead, they are guided by something greater—the growth and development of their people. In this conversation, Nate shares stories that show how early experiences in sport can shape whether kids stay in the game or walk away from it altogether. We also explore the bigger shifts in football in the U.S. where the focus has moved from joy and development toward signalling status, and what that means for the future of the game. At the heart of it all is Nate’s philosophy of being a lighthouse: steady, humble, and focused on guiding others. He opens up about his own journey of self-discovery and the responsibility coaches and parents share to create environments where young people can truly thrive. This is a conversation about leadership, culture, and the infinite game of development. Enjoy! --- Sign up for Craig's newsletter (Beyond the Game) at http://www.drcraigharrison.com/ Get Craig to speak at your club or school here. Connect with Craig: Instagram: instagram.com/drcraigharrison/ Facebook: facebook.com/drcraigharrison Twitter: twitter.com/drcraigharrison Support the show