Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society
Be Valiant: The Podcast for Fearless Sports Parenting is a guide for parents navigating youth sports. Hosted by Todd Merkow, founder of Valiant Sports Society, it features conversations with parents, former youth athletes, and experts in mental performance, physical health, and orthopedics. The show aims to help parents support their children's athletic development with honesty, growth, and fearless support.
Episodes
Part 2: Brigitte Shulze | A Power for Good: The Legacy of Sarah Shulze
What happens when a family's unimaginable loss becomes a movement to protect other young athletes? In Part 2 of this deeply personal conversation, Brigitte Shulze returns to Be Valiant to share how her family is honoring the life of their daughter, Sarah, by creating meaningful change in athlete mental health and suicide prevention. After losing Sarah, a University of Wisconsin track and field ath
Part 1: Brigitte Shulze | Who Was Sarah Shulze? A Mother Shares the Life Behind the Athlete
Who was Sarah Shulze? Before the University of Wisconsin runner, before the mental health struggles, and before her death by suicide at age 21, Sarah was a daughter, a big sister, a friend, an adventurer, an advocate — and a young woman with an extraordinary future ahead of her. In Part 1 of this deeply personal two-part Be Valiant conversation, Sarah's mother, Brigitte Shulze, introduces us to he
Callista Elmore | Love the Game. Protect the Kid. | NCAA Softball Champion and Sports Parent
Callista Elmore knows what it means to love a sport deeply—and now, as a sports parent, she's thinking differently about how to help her own kids develop that same love while protecting the person behind the athlete. A former University of Arizona softball standout, two-time NCAA national champion, Team USA gold medalist and Pima County Sports Hall of Famer, Callista joins Todd Merk
David Murray | Author · Soccer Dad | Chasing the Dream Without Losing the Joy
What happens when something that starts as a game becomes a family journey filled with travel teams, recruiting pressure, emotional highs and lows — and ultimately Division I college soccer? David Murray lived it....and wrote about it. Host, Todd Merkow, walks through David's sports parenting journey. David is an award-winning journalist, author, and longtime soccer dad whose new book, Soccer Dad
Brea Schmidt, The Top Bleacher | This Is About the Kids: Becoming the Sports Parent They Need
What if being a better sports parent isn't about doing more — but about knowing when to step back? Brea Schmidt, founder and creator of The Top Bleacher, joins Todd Merkow for a deeply personal conversation about parenting young athletes through the pressure, emotion and chaos of today's youth sports culture. A lifelong athlete, sports mom of three and mental well-being advocate, Brea shares the f
Be Valiant Rewind | I Lost Myself After Soccer — Sydney Merkow on Identity, Anxiety & Finding Her Way Back
What happens when the sport that has defined your life suddenly ends? In this powerful Be Valiant Rewind, Todd Merkow sits down with his daughter, Sydney, for one of the most personal conversations ever shared on the podcast. After years of competitive youth soccer, Sydney opens up about the identity loss she experienced when she walked away from the game—and the anxiety, depression, perfectionism
Be Valiant Rewind | Joel Votaw, the View from the Middle of The Field
What does youth soccer look like from the middle of the field? In this Be Valiant Rewind, Todd Merkow revisits his conversation with Joel Votaw, Arizona Soccer Association State Referee Administrator, veteran referee and sports parent of three, for a perspective every youth sports parent should hear. In Arizona, nearly half of registered soccer referees are 17 or younger — many just 13, 14 or 15 y
Be Valiant Rewind | Dr. Erik Dean-The Case AGAINST Year Round Sports Specialization
Be Valiant Rewind: Protecting Young Athletes with Dr. Eric Dean Dr Erik Dean Episode Page In this Be Valiant Rewind, Todd Merkow revisits his conversation with Dr. Erik Dean, Medical Director for Sports Medicine at HonorHealth, former Division I football player at the University of Arizona, longtime team physician, youth sports coach, and sports parent. After more than 25 years treating athletes,
Be Valiant Rewind | Andrew Beinbrink - Failure Is an Ingredient, Raising Athletes for the Long Game
This week on Be Valiant Rewind, we revisit our conversation with former Arizona State and professional baseball player Andrew Beinbrink, founder and CEO of SportsForce. Andrew brings a unique perspective to youth sports—as a former multi-sport athlete who reached the highest levels of college and professional baseball, and now as someone who works directly with athletes and families navigating the
Be Valiant Rewind | When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes (Part 3) – The Athlete's Perspective with Will Proctor
Be Valiant Rewind | When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes (Part 3) – The Athlete's Perspective with Will Proctor In this special Be Valiant Rewind, we're revisiting the powerful conclusion of our three-part conversation with the Proctor family. After hearing from sports dad Jeff Proctor and sports mom Lisa Proctor, the final chapter belongs to the athlete himself. Former Division I baseball player W
Be Valiant Rewind | When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes – A Mother's Perspective with Lisa Proctor
Be Valiant Rewind | When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes (Part 2) – A Mother's Perspective with Lisa Proctor In this special Be Valiant Rewind, we're revisiting Part 2 of our powerful three-part series with the Proctor family. After hearing from sports dad Jeff Proctor, this conversation shifts to the perspective only a mother can provide. Lisa Proctor shares the emotional journey of raising a son
Be Valiant Rewind: Barry Buetel - Soccer Dad, on What Really Matters in Youth Sports
Some conversations deserve a second listen. In this Be Valiant Rewind, Todd Merkow revisits one of the most honest and relatable conversations about youth sports parenting with longtime sports broadcaster and father of three daughters, Barry Buetel. Despite a career spent around professional sports, Barry admits he was completely unprepared for the emotional reality of becoming a youth sports pare
Be Valiant Rewind: Kevin McCabe (Arizona Dean of High School Sports), "Let Them Be Kids"
In this Be Valiant Rewind episode, Todd revisits his conversation with longtime friend and Arizona high school sports voice Kevin McCabe, known by many as the "Dean of Arizona High School Sports." With more than 40 years covering athletes, coaches, schools, and communities across the state, Kevin brings a rare perspective as both a broadcaster and a sports dad. He and Todd discuss the changing lan
Be Valiant Rewind: Liz Masakayan - On Youth Sports, Let Them Play — Olympic Volleyball Player and Coach
Be Valiant Rewind: Jody Jackson on the Pressure Behind the Pitcher's Circle and Quarterback Position
Longtime Arizona sports broadcaster Jody Jackson has spent her career around elite athletes, but some of the most important lessons she's learned came as a sports parent. In this Be Valiant Rewind episode, Jody shares the journey of raising two highly competitive athletes—Connor, a collegiate quarterback, and Caitlin, a standout softball pitcher—while navigating the realities of youth sports, club
Be Valiant Rewind: Linda Santo, What Ron Santo's Legacy Taught Her About Youth Sports Pressure
In this Be Valiant Rewind, Todd Merkow revisits a powerful conversation with Linda Santo, sports parent, longtime sports media executive, and daughter of Chicago Cubs legend and MLB Hall of Famer Ron Santo. Growing up around one of baseball's most beloved figures gave Linda a unique perspective on sports, competition, and what truly matters. But even with a Hall of Famer as her father, she found h
Be Valiant Rewind: The D1 Dream vs. The Reality of College Sports | Dr. Robert Dranoff, former Conference Commissioner
As youth sports become increasingly focused on scholarships, recruiting, NIL, and the pursuit of Division I athletics, many families lose sight of what truly matters: finding the right fit for their child. In this Be Valiant Rewind episode, Todd Merkow sits down with former East Coast Conference Commissioner Dr. Robert "Bob" Dranoff, a lifelong college athletics leader, professor, and sports paren
Be Valiant Rewind: "No One Has Youth Sports Figured Out" | Steve Borelli, USA Today
In this Be Valiant Rewind episode, Todd Merkow sits down with Steve Borelli, longtime USA Today journalist, youth sports columnist, coach, and sports dad, for one of the most insightful conversations we've had about the realities of raising young athletes. Drawing from years of experience on the sidelines and hundreds of conversations with parents, coaches, and athletes, Steve shares practical wis
Be Valiant Rewind: Mike Strati | Creating a Healthy Sports Culture for Your Child
In this special "rewind" of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with longtime friend, former collegiate and national team soccer player, coach, consultant, and sports parent Mike Strati for one of the most insightful conversations we've had about youth sports culture. Drawing from his experiences as an athlete, coach, and father of three, Mike shares a refreshingly honest perspective on what re
Be Valiant Rewind: Mark Hilinski |Athlete Mental Health, Suicide Prevention & the Conversations That Can Save Lives
Some conversations are too important to be heard only once. This week, we're revisiting one of the most impactful episodes of Be Valiant with Mark Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski's Hope and father of former Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski. After losing Tyler to suicide in 2018, Mark and his wife Kim turned unimaginable grief into a national movement dedicated to improving mental healt
Be Valiant Rewind: Charli Turner Thorne | Hall of Fame College Basketball Coach on Mental Health, Toughness & Youth Sports Culture
Former Arizona State women's basketball coach and Hall of Famer Charli Turner Thorne joins Valiant Sports Society CEO Todd Merkow for one of the most important conversations Be Valiant has had about youth sports, mental health, coaching culture, and parenting. Over a 25-year coaching career at ASU, Charli built nationally respected programs centered not just on performance, but on mental wellness,
Be Valiant Rewind: Madison Merkow | Injuries, Pressure & Mental Health in Youth Sports
During Mental Health Awareness Month, we're revisiting one of the most personal and important conversations we've had on Be Valiant. Todd sits down with his oldest daughter, Madison Merkow, for an honest discussion about the emotional realities of youth sports; including pressure, injuries, recruiting, confidence, identity, burnout, and the mental health struggles that often go unseen by parents,
I Lost Myself After Youth Soccer: Sydney Merkow's Story of Identity Loss, Eating Disorder, Anxiety & Healing
Content Note: This episode includes discussion of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm thoughts, and mental health struggles related to youth sports. In this deeply personal episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down again with his daughter Sydney to talk about what happened after her youth soccer journey ended. Sydney opens up about identity loss, anxiety, depression, perfectionism,
She Looked Fine on the Field: What Youth Sports Was Really Doing to My Daughter
In this powerful re-release of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with his daughter Sydney Merkow to reflect on her youth sports journey while she was still playing competitive soccer. From the outside, Sydney's story looked like success — championships, leadership, and high-level competition. But beneath the surface, a very different reality was unfolding. Sydney opens up about the pressure, anxie
Linda Flanagan: What Youth Sports Can Be (Part 2)
In this follow-up conversation, Linda Flanagan returns to Be Valiant to move beyond the problems in youth sports and focus on what parents can actually do to create a better experience for their kids. After unpacking what youth sports has become in Part 1, this episode shifts to a more empowering conversation—centered on perspective, priorities, and the choices families can make to take back contr
Be Valiant Rewind: Linda Flanagan | What Youth Sports Has Become (Part 1)
Before sharing my newest conversation with Linda Flanagan, I wanted to bring back our original discussion—because this is where the conversation started. In this episode, Linda, author of Take Back the Game, joins me for a powerful look at what youth sports has become. From the pressure parents feel to the commercialization of the system, to the growing concerns around mental health, identity, and
Barry Buetel: A Girl Dad's Youth Sports Journey Through Pressure, Mistakes, and What Really Matters
What really happens when a lifelong sports professional becomes a youth sports parent? In this episode of Be Valiant, Host Todd Merkow sits down with longtime friend and broadcaster Barry Buetel to unpack the real, often emotional journey of raising three daughters in youth sports. Despite decades in professional sports, Barry shares how unprepared he felt stepping into the youth sports environmen
Jonathon Carone: Healthy Sports Parents, Fear, Failure, and Letting Kids Find Their Own Path
Jonathan Carone, founder of Healthy Sports Parents, joins Valiant Sports Society CEO & Founder, and host, Todd Merkow to talk about what youth sports parenting looks like when the focus shifts from pressure and performance to joy, growth, and long-term development. In this episode, Jonathan shares how his own experience as an athlete, coach, and dad shaped his mission to help parents better unders
Liz Masakayan: An Olympic Volleyball Player and Coach's Perspective on Youth Sports
In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with former Olympian, elite beach volleyball player, and coach Liz Masakayan for a candid, real-world conversation about what youth sports has become—and what it should be. Drawing from her experience as both an athlete and coach, Liz breaks down the growing tension between structure and freedom in youth sports. From the pressures of tryout
Andrew Beinbrink: The Truth About College Recruiting (and What Parents Get Wrong)
In this episode of Be Valiant, Todd sits down with former Arizona State standout and SportsForce CEO Andrew Beinbrink to unpack the reality of youth sports development and the college recruiting process. Andrew shares his journey from multi-sport athlete to pro baseball, and how those experiences shaped his mission to help families navigate one of the most confusing—and often misunderstood—paths i
Christian Lavers and the ECNL Vision: What Youth Sports Should Look Like
In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with Christian Lavers — founder and president of the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) and a lifelong coach who has helped shape the modern landscape of elite youth soccer and college recruiting. Christian shares his own youth sports journey, how his parents approached sports in their household, and what ultimately pulled him from finance
Dr. Erik Dean: Multi-Sport, Time Off, and Smart Prevention: A Sports Doctor's Playbook
In this episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with Dr. Erik Dean, Medical Director for Sports Medicine at HonorHealth and a former University of Arizona Division I football player, for a no-fluff conversation every sports parent needs to hear. Dr. Dean breaks down what he's seen change over 25 years treating athletes—especially the sharp rise in early specialization, overuse injuries, and m
Joel Votaw - From the Middle of the Field: What Youth Soccer Referees Wish Parents Knew
Be Valiant sits down with Joel Votaw, Arizona's State Referee Administrator and a longtime youth sports parent, for a conversation from the perspective most families never hear: the middle of the field. Joel shares what today's referee landscape really looks like—why a huge percentage of officials are teenagers, what drives the ongoing referee shortage, and how sideline behavior (from parents and
Skye Eddy: How to Be the Sports Parent Your Child Actually Needs
Crystalrae States: Development, Mental Health & Youth Softball
This episode is a must-listen for softball parents (and yes—baseball parents too). Todd Merkow sits down with Crystalrae States, a former Division II catcher, longtime coach, and the founder/owner of Boilermaker Softball Club in Pennsylvania—built with a clear mission: female-first development, led by high-quality coaches, and anchored in perspective, communication, and care. Crystalrae shares her
Growing Up Santo: How Linda Santo Raised Confident, Balanced Athletes
In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with longtime friend Linda Santo—sports parent, sports media veteran, and the daughter of Chicago Cubs icon and MLB Hall of Famer Ron Santo—for a wide-ranging conversation about youth sports culture, pressure, and what it really takes to protect kids' confidence and joy. Linda begins with her own unique upbringing i
Part 3 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Will Proctor, The Athlete's Voice
In the final episode of the three-part series "When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes," Todd Merkow sits down with longtime family friend Will Proctor to hear the athlete's full story—after earlier conversations with Will's parents, Jeff and Lisa Proctor. Will shares how sports shaped his identity from a young age, how baseball became his obsession, and how early success brought elite opportunities—a
Part 2 of 3 - When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Lisa Proctor, A Mother's Perspective
In Part 2 of 3 of When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes, Todd Merkow sits down with Lisa Proctor—attorney, former ranked junior tennis player in Texas, marathoner, and the mother at the center of the Proctor family's youth sports journey. Lisa shares her own athletic story first: a highly competitive tennis career that unraveled in her senior year as she struggled with what we now recognize as the "
Part 1 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Jeff Proctor, A Dad's View
In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow is joined by longtime friend, sports media executive, and Valiant Sports Society board member Jeff Proctor for the first conversation in a three-part family series examining youth sports, pressure, injury, and identity. From Jeff's perspective as a former collegiate athlete and father of two, this episode explores what it's like to support a child na
Jody Jackson: Sports, Youth Sports Parenting, and Perspective
In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with longtime Arizona sports broadcaster and sports parent Jody Jackson for a candid conversation about navigating youth sports, competition, and mental health. Jody shares her unique perspective as a former collegiate athlete and the parent of two high-level youth athletes—a quarterback and a pitcher—two of the most pressure-filled positio
Mark Hilinski: What Parents Don't See — Student-Athlete Mental Health and Hilinski's Hope
In this powerful and deeply human episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with Mark Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski's Hope and father of Tyler Hilinski, the Washington State quarterback who died by suicide in 2018. Todd opens with the sobering reality that college sports continues to face devastating losses—reminding listeners that high-achieving athletes can carry unseen mental and emotiona
Re-Release: Madison Merkow — Pressure, Perspective, and Owning Your Youth Sports Journey
As we take a short holiday pause from releasing new episodes, we wanted to re-share another conversation that continues to resonate deeply with parents and athletes. This episode features an open and thoughtful conversation with my oldest daughter, Madison, about her youth sports experience — including pressure, expectations, confidence, setbacks, and how athletes learn to advocate for themselves
Re-Release: Sydney Merkow — Identity, Pressure, and Finding Your Way Through Youth Sports
As we head into the holiday break and take a brief pause from releasing new episodes, we wanted to re-share one of the most meaningful conversations from the Be Valiant podcast. This episode features an honest and deeply personal conversation with my daughter, Sydney Merkow, about her youth sports journey — including identity, pressure, expectations, confidence, and the emotional realities that of
Kirsten Jones: A Conversation on the Importance of the 3 F's and Empowering Athletes
Host Todd Merkow talks with Kirsten Jones — former Division I volleyball player, Nike executive, performance coach, and author of Raising Empowered Athletes — about what it really takes to help kids thrive in sports and in life. Drawing on her experiences as both a parent and professional, Kirsten shares insights into confidence, mental health, motivation, and how to redefine success in youth athl
Coaching Beyond the Game: Leadership and Legacy with Charli Turner Thorne, former Arizona State University Women's Basketball Coach
Host Todd Merkow sits down with former Arizona State University women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne — one of the winningest coaches in Pac-12 history — for a powerful conversation about leadership, culture, and the evolving landscape of youth and college sports. Charlie shares insights from decades of coaching elite athletes, discusses the mental and emotional challenges young players fa
Taking Back the Game: A Conversation with Author, Youth Sports Advocate, and Sports Parent, Linda Flanagan
In this powerful conversation, Todd Merkow sits down with journalist, coach, and parent Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports — and Why It Matters. Together, they unpack what the modern youth sports ecosystem really looks like — from the billion-dollar pressures on families to the hidden toll it takes on kids' mental health. This book is a must
High School Sports, Culture, and Community with Kevin McCabe the "Dean of Arizona High School Sports"
Host, Todd Merkow sits down with Arizona sportscaster and longtime youth sports parent Kevin McCabe to reflect on how high school athletics have changed over the years. Kevin shares insights on the as a sports parent, the high school athlete system, and how shifts affect kids who want to play multiple sports. Together, they talk about the role of coaches in shaping culture, the challenges families
College Sports, Change, and the Youth Connection with former College Commissioner Dr. Robert Dranoff
Valiant Sports Society, founder and CEO, Todd Merkow talks with Dr. Robert "Bob" Dranoff, longtime commissioner of the East Coast Conference (NCAA Division II), about the sweeping changes in college athletics and what they mean for families. From NIL and transfer rules to the viability of smaller colleges, Bob offers a commissioner's view on where college sports are headed. The conversation also e
Travel Sports, Pressure, and Perspective with Steve Borelli, USA Today
In this episode, Todd talks with USA Today columnist and author Steve Borelli about the rise of travel sports and their impact on families. Steve shares insights from his reporting and his own experience as a sports parent, diving into the costs, pressures, and cultural shifts shaping youth athletics today. Together, they explore how commercialization, burnout, and parent expectations affect kids
Coaching, Culture, and Sports Parenting: A Conversation with Mike Strati
In this episode, Todd reconnects with longtime friend and coach Mike Strati to talk about the realities of youth sports from both the sidelines and the bench. Mike shares his perspective as a dad, coach, and mentor on what kids really need to thrive in today's competitive environment. Together, Todd and Mike dive into culture, coaching styles, the balance between development and performance, and t
From the Sidelines to the Pitch: A Dad–Daughter Youth Soccer Journey Conversation with Sydney Merkow
Todd and his daughter Sydney revisit her years in competitive soccer — from early youth leagues to the pressures of high school and club play. Sydney shares what it was like to balance joy with expectations, mental health, navigate challenging health issues, and grow as both a leader and a player. Together, father and daughter reflect on the lessons soccer gave her on and off the pitch, and what e
From the Stands to the Sand: A Dad–Daughter Sports Journey Conversation with Madison Merkow
Host of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow, sits down with his oldest daughter, Madison Merkow, for an honest conversation about growing up in the world of competitive volleyball. From indoor gyms to the sand courts, Madison shares the highs and lows of her experience: the pressure of tryouts, the coaching experiences, the emotional challenges of injuries, and the joy of finding her place in beach volleyball
Why Be Valiant? The Parent's Journey Through Youth Sports - Monologue by Todd Merkow (Host of Be Valiant and founder of Valiant Sports Society)
In this launch episode, the founder and CEO of Valiant Sports Society, Todd Merkow introduces the Be Valiant podcast and shares his personal journey as a youth sports dad. From the highs of watching his daughters grow through sport to the struggles of navigating toxic cultures, financial pressures, and difficult coaching environments, Todd sets the stage for the conversations ahead. This episode l
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