Pro Athletes Are Learning Life Skills By Studying...Improv?

Professional athletes often struggle with media scrutiny and public speaking because their training prioritizes physical performance over communication skills. Sandy Jobin-Bevans, an actor and instructor with Second City, bridges this gap by teaching young players from the NHL and MLB improv techniques that emphasize active listening and presence. By training athletes to avoid making assumptions during interviews and to focus on singular tasks rather than multitasking, these workshops help players navigate high-pressure media environments. Beyond media training, the curriculum fosters empathy and encourages athletes to share personal stories, which helps them connect with fans and grow their professional brands. Through exercises like the "Last Word" game and role-playing worst-case scenarios, athletes learn to manage unpredictable variables in real-time, effectively preparing them for both their current careers and future roles as public figures.