Colby Jubenville learned how people actually grow in one of the most honest classrooms there is: the football field. Coaching at the college level taught him that talent does not win on its own. Development does. The players who made it were not always the most gifted in the room. They were the ones who understood themselves, did the work, and learned to perform when it counted. He spent the next chapter putting science behind what the sideline already taught him, earning a PhD in Human Performance and studying how people develop, adapt, and deliver under pressure.

That is the through-line of his work today. He helps people turn raw ability into talent development, turn experience and earned credibility into identity capital, and turn all of it into value creation, real results for the people and organizations they serve. His message is simple, and it holds up: if you want more out of life, the first thing you have to have more of is yourself.

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At his core, Colby B. Jubenville, PhD is a coach. He takes the obstacles people meet on the way to achievement and turns them into teachable moments, the kind that help a person make sense of their life, work, and relationships. Dr. Jubenville is a Professor at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and Director of the Center for Student Coaching and Success.

He is the author of two books, Zebras and Cheetahs: How to Look Different and Stay Agile to Survive the Business Jungle (Wiley) and Me: How To Sell Who You Are, What You Do & Why You Matter to the World. Over his career he has published more than 50 peer-reviewed, professional, and trade articles. His work on campus is funded by a seven-figure gift he secured from the John D. Floyd Foundation. Through the Center, he coaches and mentors students and faculty in talent development, identity capital, and value creation.

At the Center, he connects his Talent Development Framework (TDF) and Harrison Assessments to help students and faculty develop their unique perspective, education, and experience, grounded in the belief that if you want "more," the first thing you must have "more" of is yourself. Jubenville is certified in Harrison Assessments, EQ-i 2.0 and EQ-i 360 (MHS), The Shift Profile, and Cylient's Coaching in the Moment program.

Dr. Jubenville was named to The Nashville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 class and received the YP Nashville Impact Award, which recognizes top leaders who have made a significant impact on the city's young professional community. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama. He writes for the Forbes Coaches Council and hosted The Goat Consulting Podcast, which ran for 100 episodes on Apple Podcasts and YouTube. In 2026, the MTSU Men's Tennis team honored him with its first Champion Award, recognizing those who poured into the program when they did not have to.

He has delivered two TEDx talks, "Because of You My Life Is Better" and "What Darius Rucker and My Son Jack Taught Me About Reinvention." In addition to speaking for businesses and trade associations, he has been an invited lecturer at California Polytechnic University, the University of Florida, Elon University, Florida State University, the University of Alabama, and Vanderbilt University. His insights have appeared in The Washington Times, The Nashville Business Journal, The Tennessean, The Nashville Post, Canvas Magazine, and AthleticBusiness.com. He serves as a mentor for the Williamson County (TN) Entrepreneur and Innovation Center.

He completed his doctoral studies in Human Performance at the University of Southern Mississippi and competed as an NCAA Division III student-athlete at Millsaps College. He calls Mobile, Alabama home and resides in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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Selected Publications

Jenkins, G. F., Woltring. M.T., & Jubenville, C.B. (2025). The contributing factors of career mobility for African American parks and recreation employees. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. 43, (3). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2025-12657    

Hughes, J. N., Jubenville, C. B., Gray, H. J., & Woltring, M. T. (2025). A comparison of perfectionism and time of specialization of division-1 athletes. The Sport Journal. Retrieved from https://thesportjournal.org/article/a-comparison-of-perfectionism-and-time-of-sport-specialization-of-division-1-athletes/  

Hughes, J.N., Jubenville, C.B., Woltring, M.T., & Gray, H.J. (2022). Division 1 athletes' perceptions of sport specialization as a predictor of perfectionism.  The Sport Journal. Retrieved from https://thesportjournal.org/article/division-1-athletes-perceptions-of-sport-specialization-as-a-predictor-of-perfectionism/

King, K. M., Woltring, M. T., & Jubenville, C.B. (2021). Amateur Bodybuilders and Their Perceptions of Supplements: A Qualitative Analysis. The Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 4(2). 

Searles C, Farnsworth J.L., Jubenville C.B., Kang M, Ragan BG. (2019) Test-retest reliability of the BrainFx 360 performance assessment. Athletic Training and Sports Health Care, 11(4). doi: https://doi.org/10.3928/01913913-20181005-01  

Woltring, M.T., Rost, J.K., & Jubenville, C.B. (2018) Examining perceptions of baseball’s eras: A statistical comparison. The Sport Journal. Retrieved from http://thesportjournal.org/article/examining-perceptions-of-baseballs-eras/   

Rost, J.K., & Jubenville, C.B. (2015). Student perceptions of program component effectiveness of a Leisure and Sport Management Program (LSM): An Analysis to examine a Total Quality Management approach to an LSM curriculum. The Journal of Applied Sport Management 7(1), 1-14.

Jubenville, C. B., Lund, B., Phillips, M. B., & Martinez, M. (2014). The effect of a sportsmanship education module on student-athletes’ sportsmanship perceptions and behaviors in NCAA Division I athletics. International Journal of Sport Management, 15 (1), 49-70.  

Price, T, Phillips, M. B., Weatherby, N., & Jubenville, C. B. (2014). An assessment of the effect of a severe injury on athletic identity. International Journal of Sport Management, 15 (4), 3-23.   

Anshel, M. H., Kang, M., & Jubenville, C. B. (2013). Sources of acute sport stress scale for sports officials: Rasch calibration. Psychology of Sport & Exercice, 14, 362-370.  

Currie, S. M., Phillips, M. B., & Jubenville, C. B. (2012). Formulating independent school K-12 quality physical education program guidelines. The Physical Educator, 69(3) 248-264.  

Ford, D. W., Jubenville, C. B., & Phillips, M. B. (2012). The effect of the STAR Sportsmanship education module on parents' self-perceived sportsmanship behaviors in youth sport. Journal of Sport Administration & Supervision 4(1), 114-126.  

Martinez, J.M., Stinson, J.L., & Jubenville, C.B. (2011). Internal marketing perceptions in intercollegiate athletics and their influence on organizational commitment. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 4, 171-189.

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Selected Presentations

Hughes, J.N., Woltring, M.T., Jubenville, C.B., (2026, February). A comparison between perfectionism and sport specialization using the developmental model of sport participation. Applied Sport Management Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Hughes, J.N., Woltring, M.T., Jubenville, C.B., (2023, February) A comparison of division-1 perfectionism and time of specialization. Applied Sport Management Association Conference, Birmingham, AL.

Jubenville, C. B. (2022, June). The Intersection of Personal Relationships and Personal Brands. Mid-South Association of Independent Schools, Orange Beach, AL.    

Jubenville, C. B. (2022, June). Emotional Intelligence : Your Super Power at Work. Mid-South Association of Independent Schools, Orange Beach, AL.

Jubenville, C. B. (2022, July) Keynote: The Future Is Here: Getting Primed & Ready by “Going First.” The University of Florida Career Summit, Gainville, FL. https://career.ufl.edu/summit/

Jubenville, C.B. (2022, May) The Experience Economy, The Department of Experience Industry Management, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA.  

Jubenville, C.B.  (2022, May) The Self Directed Self Selected Coaching Model, The Department of Experience Industry Management, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA.  

Jubenville, C.B. (2022, May) Building Your Personal Brand, The Department of Experience Industry Management, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Martinez, J. M., Otto, M., Barnhill, C. R., & Jubenville, C. B. (2019). The Relationship of Role Clarity, Job Satisfaction, and Managerial Practices in University Recreation Employees. Applied Sport Management Conference, Nashville, TN.

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The Champion Award

The Champion Award is given each year by Middle Tennessee Men's Tennis to a person who has made a meaningful, lasting investment in the program. Created by Head Coach Jimmy Borendame during a run of seven straight Conference USA titles, the award is built on the three lines that define the team's culture: believe the best in each other, want the best for each other, and expect the best from each other. It honors the people who carry those words into the program from the outside, whether through time, mentorship, expertise, or financial support. The criteria come down to one question: who poured into this program when they did not have to. Honorees are selected by the head coach and the team, because while the trophies sit in cases, the people who help build them are the legacy.

YP Nashville Impact Award

At the annual Nashville Emerging Leader Awards celebration, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville honor one of Nashville's top leaders who has made a significant impact on Nashville's YP demographic. Our city is enriched not only by our outstanding young professionals, but by the community leaders who have mentored and guided them.

Nashville Business Journal 40 Under 40

These honorees are the top business leaders under the age of 40 who excel in their industry and in the community. They are executives, entrepreneurs, and high-achieving professionals who will shape Greater Nashville in the years to come.

Forbes Coaches Council

Members are respected leaders who are selected for the council based on the depth of their experience and success as business, career, and executive coaches.

St. Paul’s Episcopal School’s Distinguished Alumni Award (Mobile, AL)

Distinguished Alumni Award are nominated and chosen based on their outstanding accomplishments in his/her professional field, civic leadership and have won the respect, confidence and affection of their community.

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Selected Book Chapters  

Jubenville, C.B., Lee, J. W. (Ed.). (Under Contract). (2025). Becoming A Trusted Advisor. In J.W. Lee (Ed.) In J.W. Lee (Ed.) Branded: Branding in sport business (3rd ed.). Carolina Academic Press.   

Jubenville, C.B & Lee, J. W. (Ed.). (Under Contract). (2025). Discovering Your Personal Legend: Grow Your Networks, Business, and Bottom Line. In J. W. Lee (Ed.) Branded: Branding in sport business (3rd ed.). Carolina Academic Press.  

Jubenville, C.B & Lee, J. W. (Ed.). (Under Contract). (2025). How To Grow The Brand Me. In J. W. Lee (Ed.) Branded: Branding in sport business (3rd ed.). Carolina Academic Press.  

Selected Articles  

Jenkins, G. F., Woltring. M.T., & Jubenville, C.B. (2025). The contributing factors of career mobility for African American parks and recreation employees. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. 43, (3).  Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2025-12657    

Hughes, J. N., Jubenville, C.B., Gray, H. J., & Woltring, M. T. (2025). A comparison of perfectionism and time of specialization of division-1 athletes. The Sport Journal. Retrieved from https://thesportjournal.org/article/a-comparison-of-perfectionism-and-time-of-sport-specialization-of-division-1-athletes/  

Hughes, J.N., Jubenville, C.B., Woltring, M.T., & Gray, H.J. (2022). Division 1 athletes' perceptions of sport specialization as a predictor of perfectionism.  The Sport Journal. Retrieved from https://thesportjournal.org/article/division-1-athletes-perceptions-of-sport-specialization-as-a-predictor-of-perfectionism/     

King, K. M., Woltring, M. T., & Jubenville, C.B. (2021). Amateur Bodybuilders and Their Perceptions of Supplements: A Qualitative Analysis. The Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 4(2). Retrieved from https://www.journalofexerciseandnutrition.com/index.php/JEN/article/view/103    

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Dr. Jubenville is the author of two books that grew out of a career spent helping people understand their own worth. Zebras and Cheetahs: How to Look Different and Stay Agile to Survive the Business Jungle (Wiley) argues that standing out and staying nimble are not competing instincts but the same survival skill in a fast-moving economy. Me: How To Sell Who You Are, What You Do & Why You Matter to the World hands readers a practical way to name and claim what they bring to the table.

That same belief, that people do their best work when they know who they are and what they offer, is what led him to secure a seven-figure gift from the John D. Floyd Foundation and launch The Center for Student Coaching and Success. Built on talent development, identity capital, and value creation, the Center exists for one reason: to help students and faculty see their own value clearly enough to act on it.

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Men's Tennis creates Champion Award to recognize difference makers for the program | GoBlueRaiders.com 10 June, 2026

Parents Are Spending $50K To Get Their Kids Hired: What Coaches Should Know | Forbes.com 5 May, 2026

Get Into The Parade | Forbes.com Forbes.com 17 July, 2025

Why Lonliness Isn't A Sign of Failure | Forbes.com 6 Nov 2024

The 4 Levels of Luck - Forbes.com 11 Oct 2024

'Every Second Counts' And Other Growth-Related Takeaways From 'The Bear' | Forbes.com 7 Sept 2023

Pattern Matching: A Key Ability for Leaders | Forbes.com - 28 Jul 2023

Road Game: The Importance of Relationships in Life and Business | Forbes.com – 22 Oct 2022

Life After 35: What Your Experiences Can Teach You About Your Value And Future Potential | Forbes.com – 28 Jul 2022

The Experience Economy And How To Make It Work For Your Business | Forbes.com – 09 May 2022

A Playbook For Engaging Your Employees In Solving Business Problems | Forbes.com – 27 Jan 2022

Menu For Success: What Waffle House Taught Me About Life And Building A Business | Forbes.com – 21 Dec 2021

Why Frameworks Are Essential To Organizational Success — Especially Right Now | Forbes.com – 12 Nov 2021

The Game Changer Framework: What Bruce Lee And Dogecoin Have To Do With The Future Economy | Forbes.com – 23 Jun 2021

Your First Concert Says It All: The Importance Of Connection In The Customer Experience | Forbes.com – 17 May 2021

Culture Is King: Culture As Competitive Advantage | Forbes.com – 16 Apr 2021

New School: Compete On Unique Perspective, Education and Experience | Forbes.com – 24 Mar 2021

How Trust Can Build Championships | Forbes.com – 16 Feb 2021

Build A Personal Brand By Bringing It Home | Forbes.com – 13 Aug 2020

Are You A Safe Bet? | Forbes.com – 09 Jul 2020

Forming A New Business Philosophy | Forbes.com – 05 May 2020

How To Build Your Personal Starter Pack | Forbes.com – 16 Apr 2020

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The Center for Student Coaching and Success is funded through a seven-figure gift Dr. Jubenville secured from the John D. Floyd Foundation. The Center focuses on talent development, identity capital, and value creation for students and faculty.

It is also Dr. Jubenville's laboratory. The Center is where The Talent Development Framework, a seven-component system, pulls together work most universities do in separate places, narrative, emotional intelligence, growth mindset, pattern recognition, market knowledge, personal branding, and relationships, into one progression aimed at a single outcome he calls trajectory change. Trajectory change means getting to a place where what you do gives you energy, gives other people energy, and opens new levels of challenge and opportunity.

The premise behind the work is simple. If you want more out of life, the first thing you have to have more of is yourself. Through one-on-one and group coaching, the Center pairs the framework with Harrison Assessments to help students and faculty develop their unique perspective, education, and experience, and put it to work.

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The Sport Agent 

Foundations of the Sport Industry 

Sport Psychology 

Legal Issues and Risk Management in Leisure and Sport Services

Financial Management and Marketing in Leisure and Sport Services

Sport Event Planning, Promotions, and Fund Raising

Design and Management of Leisure and Sport Facilities

Socio-cultural, Philosophical and Ethical Issues in Sport & HHP

Administration of College and High School Athletics 

Leadership in Sport, Leisure and Tourism 

Internship/Special Problems in Leisure and Sport Management

Independent Study in Leisure and Sport Management

Dissertation/Thesis

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