The Pure Athlete Podcast
Former MLB player Jeff Francoeur and PA co-founders Britt Lee and Brad Williams interview well-known pro/college athletes, coaches, and topical experts to gain insight into the world of youth sports, in order to equip and inspire young athletes, parents, and coaches to successfully navigate their sports journeys.
Episodes
187. The Rising Cost of Youth Sports for Families Pt. 1
Youth sports have gotten dramatically more expensive—and not just in one area. In this episode, Britt, Jeff, and Brad dig into the real numbers and lived experiences behind the surge in costs for equipment, travel, tournaments, and more.They discuss Aspen Institute data showing average family spending jumped roughly 70–105% across major sports between 2019 and 2024, share the “oh no” moments when
186: Former MLB Pitcher Scott Linebrink: The Loss That Ended His Career, and the Purpose He Found After
Scott Linebrink spent 12½ years as one of baseball’s best setup men — the guy opposing hitters sometimes dreaded more than Trevor Hoffman in the ninth. On this episode, Jeff Francoeur sits down with the second-round pick out of Texas State for a conversation about the underdog path that got him there, and the loss that ended it.Linebrink was a late bloomer who walked on at a small D3 school throwi
185. How to Build a Better Young Pitcher Without Breaking Their Arm with Alan Jaeger Pt. 2
In part two, Alan Jaeger, known for being a founding father of modern arm care and the founder of Jaeger Sports and Jaeger Bands, rejoins Jeff, Britt, and Brad to continue the conversation on how young players can develop stronger, healthier arms—and stay composed when the game doesn’t go their way.Jaeger breaks down his approach to long toss, explaining why he sees it as a foundation for arm heal
184. How to Build a Better Young Pitcher Without Breaking Their Arm with Alan Jaeger Pt. 1
In part one of this conversation, Alan Jaeger, known for being a founding father of modern arm care and the founder of Jaeger Sports and Jaeger Bands, joins Jeff, Britt, and Brad to explore why so many baseball players are dealing with arm injuries—and how parents and coaches can help young players build healthy throwing habits to avoid becoming part of that trend.Jaeger calls it the “inverted pyr
183. Call-In Show #2: “My Son’s Coach Publicly Humiliated Him—and Now He Wants to Quit. What Should I Do?”
Welcome to The Pure Athlete Call-In Show, where we have REAL CONVERSATIONS with REAL PARENTS & COACHES about REAL SITUATIONS and CHALLENGES.On this episode, Jeff Francoeur, Britt Lee, and Brad Williams take calls from parents and coaches navigating some of the hardest moments in youth sports:Chris in Atlanta — How do you grow into coaching a sport you barely know when your kid (or the program)
182: The Mental Game of Youth Sports: What Parents & Coaches Need to Know with Dr. Ben Freakley
Britt, Brad, and former U.S. Soccer captain Carlos Bocanegra sit down with Dr. Ben Freakley for a practical conversation on the mental side of youth sports. Freakley, a military brat and former college soccer player and coach, traces his path from a painful VMI loss that pushed him into sports psychology, to work with Army Rangers, the Toronto Blue Jays’ mental performance department, and building
181. Call-In Show #1: "My Husband Is Too Hard On My Son In Sports”
Welcome to The Pure Athlete Call-In Show, where we have REAL CONVERSATIONS with REAL PARENTS & COACHES, discussion REAL SITUATIONS and CHALLENGES. On the is episode we talk to three moms, one dad, and one middle school soccer coach about challenges each are facing along their youth sports journeys. Jeff, Britt, and Brad share their perspectives and advice, based on their own experiences and ob
180. Notah Begay: His Unlikely Journey to the PGA Tour & Payne Stewart Award
Notah Begay III joins The Pure Athlete Podcast for a conversation about character, preparation, and what it actually takes to last.Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down with Begay during Tour Championship week to talk about the surprise of winning the Payne Stewart Award, the speech in a room full of peers (Scheffler, McIlroy, and the people who built the show), and the path that made the honor feel almo
179. The Keys To Helping Your Young Athlete Physically Thrive with Dr. Katie Friedman
Brad and Britt sit down with Dr. Katie Friedman—pediatrician, pediatric ER physician, mom of young athletes, co-founder of Forever Freckled, and creator of Big Time youth athlete vitamins (livebigtime.com).Katie makes the case that youth sports remain one of the most powerful environments for kids: they build grit, teach kids how to fail and keep going, get them off screens, support physical healt
178. Alex Rodriguez: Lessons & Insights From A Storied MLB Career
14-time All-Star, three-time AL MVP, and 2009 World Series champion Alex Rodriguez joins Jeff, Britt, and Brad for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the highlight-reel numbers.A-Rod traces his path from a Washington Heights childhood (his father leaving when he was 10, his mother’s extraordinary work ethic, and a stretch on food stamps) to Miami, where baseball, basketball, and foot
NEW SEASON 5 PREVIEW with Jeff, Britt, & Brad
Jeff, Britt, and Brad preview the new season with summer recaps, laughs, and big plans ahead. Jeff shares behind-the-scenes stories from Cooperstown and Andruw Jones’ Hall of Fame induction—hanging with Mike Tomlin, chatting with Tony La Russa, and experiencing “baseball heaven” with the legends. Brad and Britt trade notes on family time, beach trips, yard work, and a special first ice-cream momen
PA Replay: Andruw Jones — From Curaçao to Cooperstown
This week, we're revisiting our conversation with newly inducted MLB Hall of Famer Andruw Jones. Andruw reflects on the journey that took him from Curaçao to the major leagues, the importance of character and discipline, and the lessons he's learned through baseball and fatherhood. It's a timeless conversation filled with wisdom for athletes, parents, and coaches alike.
PA Replay: GOING ALL IN....What You Need To Know
Youth and high school sports should always be fun. But what if a young athlete has big goals? What if they dream of making the varsity team, earning a college scholarship, or even competing professionally?Many families begin pursuing those dreams at a young age—and we think that's great. But that journey also comes with challenges. Having a healthy roadmap can help your young athlete maximize thei
PA Replay: Bobby Witt Jr. — From MLB Son to MLB Star
In 2024, Bobby finished as the runner-up for the American League MVP Award after delivering an incredible season at the plate while also winning his first Gold Glove at shortstop in just his third year in the majors.Not long ago, though, Bobby was playing travel and high school baseball in Colleyville, Texas. Despite being the son of former MLB pitcher Bobby Witt Sr., he took a different path than
177. What's Broken in American Youth Soccer—and How We Fix It with U.S. Soccer Legend Carlos Bocanegra
In this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down with U.S. Soccer legend and former US World Cup Captain Carlos Bocanegra to share his story from his remarkable journey—from playing multiple sports as a kid in Southern California, to starring at UCLA Bruins, becoming MLS Rookie of the Year, competing in two FIFA World Cups, and playing in some of the world’s top leagues, including the English Premi
PA Replay: Former MLS Star & USMNT Player Taylor Twellman
Former MLS star and current MLS TV Analyst Taylor Twellman shares his youth sports story as a multi-sport athlete who played both baseball and soccer in college before going all-in on soccer. Taylor had a prolific soccer career as a 2x Golden Boot winner and MLS MVP. He shares some strong opinions about American soccer, our current youth sports cullture, advice for parents, and advice for coaches.
176. I9 Sports' Madison Gates: How to Give Kids a Positive Early Sports Experience
In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, hosts Britt and Brad sit down with Madison Gates, VP of Marketing at i9 Sports and former University of Michigan soccer standout, D1 player, and coach.They explore one of the biggest challenges parents face today: how to introduce young kids to organized sports in a positive, healthy way. With youth sports shifting toward earlier specialization, intense
175. David Pollack: How My Perspective Changed Through My Kids' Sports Journey
In this powerful return episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we welcome back former CFB Hall of Fame and the host of the popular podcast See Ball. Get Ball, David Pollack, three and a half years after his first appearance.Now raising a 17-year-old son who just committed to Clemson football and a 16-year-old daughter who’s a standout basketball player, David delivers raw, honest, and deeply practic
174. Reclassifying - The Controversial Extra Year in Youth Sports
In this candid episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad tackle one of the hottest and most controversial topics in youth sports today: reclassification — holding kids back a grade, primarily for athletic advantages.The guys break down:What reclassification really means and how it’s shifting from a rare academic decision to a common sports strategyThe potential benefits for late bloomers and physical develop
173. The State of Youth Sports with Aspen Institute's Project Play Director Tom Farrey
In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we sit down with Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play and a longtime voice in youth sports. With decades of experience and groundbreaking research, Tom shares the latest data on participation trends, the impact of commercialization, early specialization, and the growing influence of NIL at younger ages.Discover powerful l
172. Will Summer Fun Set My Kid Back in Sports? ASK US ANYTHING #1
Jeff, Brad, and Britt tackle real parent questions we've received in our first installment of a practical, no-nonsense Q&A series we call ASK US ANYTHING. From travel ball decisions to tackle football, handling losses, tough coaches, and creating balance in a year-round sports culture, the guys share honest perspectives and insights from their own experiences as parents and coaches.Key topics
171. Catie Francoeur: Behind the Scenes With A Sports Mom
This week on The Pure Athlete Podcast, we celebrate moms with a special guest — sports mom, wife, and chaos coordinator extraordinaire, Catie Francoeur.Catie joins Jeff, Britt, and Brad for an honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about raising four kids in the middle of the youth sports whirlwind. From travel softball and lacrosse to forgotten cleats, late-night flights, emotional car rides,
170. UGA AD Josh Brooks: What's Going On In College Sports…Part 2
What does the future of college sports really look like—and how will it impact youth and high school athletes?In Part 2 of this topic, we sit down with Josh Brooks, Athletic Director at the University of Georgia, to break down the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics—from NIL and the transfer portal to the realities of recruiting, roster building, and long-term athlete development.Josh
169. Clemson AD Graham Neff: What's Going On In College Sports...Part 1
In Part 1 of this 2-part series, the guys sit down with Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the rapidly changing world of college sports.From NIL and the transfer portal to scholarships and recruiting, Graham breaks down what’s really happening—and what it means for today’s athletes. He shares his personal journey into college athletics, offers practical a
168. How Great Pitchers Are Made: Inside the Mind of Pitching Ninja Rob Friedman
What does it really take to develop an elite pitcher—and are we getting it wrong with today’s youth athletes?In this episode, we sit down with Rob Friedman—better known as the creator of Pitching Ninja—to break down the evolution of pitching, the science behind velocity, and the biggest mistakes parents and coaches make with young players.From coaching his own son to a college career at Georgia Te
167. Why “Never Push Your Kid” Isn’t Great Advice for Sports Parents
In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we dive into one of the most challenging and emotional questions parents and coaches face: how hard should you push your kids in sports? From early development through the high school years, we unpack what “pushing” really means—and where the line exists between healthy accountability and harmful pressure.Through honest stories and personal experiences,
166. The Intersection of Faith and Youth Sports for Families
In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys take an honest and thoughtful look at how faith intersects with youth sports—and the challenges parents and coaches face in keeping priorities aligned.They dive into the growing visibility of faith in sports, discussing both the opportunities and concerns that come with that. From there, the conversation gets personal—exploring how faith shapes
165. NBC Sports' Lindsay Czarniak: From Sport Anchor to Sports Mom
What’s it really like to cover the Olympics? How do elite athletes—and parents—handle pressure, disappointment, and big life moments? In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we sit down with Emmy-winning sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak, host of Things No One Tells You and longtime ESPN, Fox, and NBC sports reporter/anchor, to dive into her experiences from the Olympic desk, the power of m
164. 7-Yr NFL LB Kaden Elliss: Faith, Family, & Football
On this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys sit down with Kaden Elliss of the Atlanta Falcons (signed with New Orleans Saints a week after this recording) for a powerful conversation that goes far beyond football.Kaden shares his incredible journey—from being overlooked in recruiting and chasing a dream at quarterback, to carving out a career in the NFL through grit, faith, and relentles
163. Dr. John Delony: Family Balance & Youth Sports: PART 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. John Delony, we go deeper into the realities of youth sports culture and what it means for families today. From the pressures of travel sports to the rising anxiety among young athletes, Dr. Delony offers honest and thought-provoking insight for parents trying to do the right thing.We discuss the difference between true shared experiences and the pressure tha
162. Dr. John Delony: Family Balance & Youth Sports: PART 1
Youth sports can build resilience, character, teamwork, and lifelong confidence.But they can also quietly become something else.In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Dr. John Delony — bestselling author, two-time PhD, and host of The John Delony Show — joins the Pure Athlete team to unpack the hidden emotional weight many kids are carrying in today’s sports culture.From travel ball schedules th
PA Replay: A Passion for Volleyball with Kerri Walsh Jennings
3x Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings joined the guys, sharing her continued passion for volleyball (beach and indoor), and for the growth of women's sports. Kerri shares how her love for volleyball began at an early age, in the midst of playing multiple sports and loving the "free play" aspect of childhood sports that was strongly encouraged by her parents. She also shares her experiences and dev
161. Reducing Injuries, Minimizing Pain, & Enhancing Performance in Young Athletes with Dr. Michael Hatrak
Injuries are becoming more prevalent with young athletes, from ACL tears to concussions. As parents who what to help our kids pursue their sports dreams, but more importantly, want our kids to stay healthy, advice for reducing and managing injuries is valuable to say the least. On this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down with Dr. Michael Hatrak to discuss his long career as a biomechanics expe
160. Buster Posey: Former MLB MVP & 7x All-Star Catcher
This week, Frenchy sits down with former MVP, 7x All-Star, 3x World Series champion, and current San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey. Buster shares insights from his journey as a player, how his parents stressed balance, how much baseball he played as a young player, his thoughts on youth sports as a dad, and more - you don't want to miss it.
159. Parent Spotlight: D1 Baseball Dad Chris McNeillie
On this special Parent Spotlight interview, Britt sits down with Chris McNeillie, father of three boys, the youngest of which is a junior pitcher for the Florida Gators. Chris shares his story of navigating the world of youth, travel, and high school baseball with all three of his boys. He shares insights learned along the way, sometimes the hard way, from the oldest to the youngest. As Luke, the
158. FIVE BIG MISTAKES SPORTS PARENTS MAKE
As sports parents, most of us really want to do youth sports right on behalf of our kids and families; but we often get caught up in the moment. On this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad each bring their list of mistakes that sports parents make, and they share their own experiences and insights from making some of these mistakes. Most parents will relate to this discussion, recognizing some of the c
PA Replay: Jennie Finch-Daigle: Softball Legend and Sports Mom
Softball icon Jennie Finch-Daigle is our guest on this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast. Jennie shares her youth sports story with us as a multi-sport athlete, and how that helped her develop her softball skills and abilities. She talks about the role her parents played in her development, how she developed as a young pitcher, and compares her college recruiting experiences to those of today. J
157. George Brett: MLB Hall of Fame 3B
On this episode we welcome one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, a first ballot Hall of Famer with over 3150 hits, Kansas City Royals legend George Brett. George shares some great stories from his playing days, and why he spent all 21 of his big league years with the Royals. He discusses his thoughts on today's hitting approach, including exit velocity and launch angle - and let's just say h
156. Paralympic Gold Medalist Nick Mayhugh: Overcoming Cerebral Palsy
As an elite young soccer player, Nick Mayhugh excelled on the field but always struggled to overcome some physical limitations that he didn't understand. In spite of that, Nick was on track to play soccer at the highest levels. Until the grand mal seizure he suffered at 14, led him to a series of tests which uncovered that Nick had been born with cerebral palsy and would therefore never play socce
155. David Wright: NY Mets All-Star 3B
One of the most respected players of his era, 7x All-Star 3B David Wright is our guest on this episode. Playing all 14 years of his career with the Mets, Wright was known for leadership, disciplined preparation, and an incredible work ethic (grit). He was also known for being a great teammate, and was named team captain for it. David shares his thoughts about the importance of being a teammate and
154. 2025 Best Moments and 2026 Preview
Jeff, Britt, and Brad look back on some of the best moments and guests in 2025, with advice to young athletes planning to move forward in 2026. In addition, they preview some of the upcoming content and 2026 guests for the podcast and for the new PA+ Baseball platform. Also included are some hot takes on the College Football playoffs and Super Bowl predictions, along with a lot of laughs. Hope you
153. Coach David Cutcliffe: Former Duke & Ole Miss Head Football Coach
On this episode, we welcome Coach David Cutcliffe, former head football coach at Duke and Ole Miss, and former Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee. Cutcliffe, who coached both Peyton and Eli Manning in college, is often referred to as the Quarterback Whisperer for his ability to develop young QBs. Coach Cutcliffe is one of the most respected people in college football, and thus is still very engage
152. Does Character Matter in Youth Sports?
Most parents hope their kids develop strong character, but where does it get prioritized when it comes to pursuing youth sports goals? Pure Athlete lists character as one of the 5 Pillars of a Pure Athlete...why? Jeff, Britt, and Brad dive into this topic on this episode, discussing why character matters both on and off the field or court, how it gets developed, what role that parents and coaches
PA Replay: NFL Coach & Analyst Tony Dungy
We are excited to replay our 2024 episode with one of America’s most admired and respected sports figures, Coach Tony Dungy! Coach Dungy is a Hall of Famer, Super Bowl winner as a player AND coach, two-time coach of the year and best-selling author. This accomplished legend shared his personal story as a young player and as a dad, as well as many stories from his days as an college/pro player and
PA Replay: Winning & Losing In Youth Sports: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
If you're playing youth sports, you're experiencing winning and losing regularly. Some experience one more than the other, but over the course of time, we all experience both. As parents and coaches, how do we teach young athletes the value of responding properly to both? Do we even model the right responses, or are we also too caught up in the results? On this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad discu
PA Replay: Parenting Expert Dr Tim Elmore
As we head into Thanksgiving week, we are grateful for the wise counsel we received in 2024 from Dr Tim Elmore, sharing his expertise on topics such as how can we help our kids develop grit? How do parents help, or hinder, their kids from reaching their full potential, in sports, or life? What are the keys to developing mental toughness in our kids? Do your kids suffer from FOMU (Fear of Messing U
PA Replay: Dan Orlovsky - ESPN NFL Analyst
Excited to replay this inspiring and insightful interview we did in 2023 with 12-yr NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky. Dan shares his youth sports journey to UConn and the NFL, along with great insights he learned along the way. He also shares his thoughts about what he is currently living our as a sports dad to his four boys.
151. The Parent Coach: the Rewards, the Risks, and the Rules to Follow
Trying to wear both the parent hat and the coach hat at the same time can be both a fantastic and perilous experience (yes, both of those are true), and we’ve received many requests to discuss both the positive and challenging factors that come into play. Britt and Brad share their experiences and Jeff talks about his current approach with his kids as a backdrop to the discussion. From there, they
150. Billy Wagner - MLB Hall of Fame Pitcher and High School Coach
2025 MLB Hall of Fame inductee Billy Wagner joins us this week to share his unique story of how a right-handed kid became a left handed pitcher who earned 422 saves and 7 All-Star appearances in his major league career. Billy shares insights from his baseball development story, including how he overcame a childhood full of adversity to become a football and baseball player at Division 3 Ferrum Col
149. Sam Querrey: Former Top American Tennis Player
On this episode, we welcome Sam Querrey, one of America’s top male tennis players over the past two decades, winning ten ATP titles and ranked as high as #11 in the world. Sam shares his youth sports story, growing up in California playing a variety of sports and finding great success on the tennis courts early on. That success eventually propelled him to forgo the college scholarship offer from U
148. A Mom's Perspective on the World of Youth Sports
Some moms are as passionate (or more) about youth sports as dads, and even those who aren’t are often deeply involved because they are passionate about their kids. On this episode, Megan Cannon, a former D1 soccer player, high school coach, mental health counselor, and most importantly, mom of two young athletes and wife to a passionate sports dad, joins us to talk all about moms' roles in youth s
147. Lindsay Davenport: Former World #1 Tennis Player
Former World Number One tennis player Lindsay Davenport joins Jeff and the guys on this episode, and her journey to the top of the tennis world is anything but typical. In fact, Lindsay refers to it as the "accident" story. Raised in a volleyball family, with her father an Olympian, Lindsay was expected to eventually leave tennis behind and follow in those footsteps. Instead, she charted her own p
PA Replay: The BURNOUT Problem in Youth Sports
The intensity of youth sports is increasing, and that's not debatable. Kids are playing more at younger ages - more practices, more tournaments, more games. More pressure to perform exists, and the expectations are higher than ever. As a result of these factors, the risk of burnout is also greater than ever. We've all heard the phrase "burnout," but what is it and what does it really look like? Wh
PA Replay: Matt Ryan, Former NFL MVP
This week we replay one of our favorite interviews with NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowler, Matt Ryan! Not only does he bring his perspective as a legend on the field, but also his experience as a CBS Analyst and father of three kids in youth sports. We're diving deep into Matt's wild ride through the world of sports, from his early days of playing defensive end to becoming a top NFL quarterback!Eve
146. The 5 Big Parenting Goals for Youth Sports
When youth sports are over for your kids, what do you hope they and you got out of it? Community? College Scholarships? Life Lessons? Have you even thought about it? We believe that setting some sports parenting goals will help you make decisions along the journey that help you arrive at your desired destination. On this episode, the guys discuss all of that, while suggesting five big parenting go
145. Gary Downs, Father of Caleb and Josh Downs: Parent Spotlight
On this episode, we sit down with Gary Downs, father to Ohio State Cornerback Caleb Downs and Indianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs. As a former NFL running back himself, Gary took a very proactive approach to help his kids develop their skills, work ethic, and character to enable their success. He and his wife, also an elite athlete, set the bar high in terms of pursuing excellence in all they do. In
144. Derrick White: NBA Champ & Olympic Gold Medalist
In this episode, Boston Celtics guard Derrick White joins us to share his basketball journey from a multi-sport young athlete in Colorado to the NBA and the Olympics. Derrick shares how he has had to overcome the doubters at every level, not being recruiting by any D1 college coaches and never expecting to play professionally. Nevertheless, Derrick loved basketball and continued to work, receiving
PA Replay - Sports Nutrition Coach Kelsey Poulter: Why Nutrition Is Key For Young Athletes
Fueling your body with the right fuel is critical to an athlete's ability to operate at peak performance. Professionals in every sport have discovered the value of regulating what they eat, how much they eat, and when they eat. Young athletes are no different...adapting strong nutritional habits can be a key factor in taking performance to elevated levels, impacting energy levels, stamina, and rec
143. Greg Olsen: NFL Pro Bowl TE and Fox NFL Analyst
On this week’s episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down with 3x Pro Bowl Tight End, 14-year NFL veteran, and NFL on Fox Analyst Greg Olsen. Greg’s passion for youth sports began with his own journey as a young, multi-sport athlete and has continued as a dedicated dad, coaching his kids’ teams and experiencing firsthand the challenges of youth sports from a parent’s perspective.These experiences led
142. Have You Ever Faced These Youth Sports Situations?
What do we do when a coach isn’t being fair to our kid? Or what if the coach only cares about winning, at the expense of development? Or maybe your kid has a coach that constantly yells and screams at the kids? On this week’s episode, the guys discuss a number of common scenarios that kids and parents face in youth sports, sharing their insights on when parents should step in, when we should stay
141. Greg McElroy: National Champion QB and ESPN CFB Analyst
On this episode, we talk with ESPN college football analyst and current host of the popular "Always College Football" podcast Greg McElroy. Greg's unique journey to become a national champion QB at Alabama will inspire young athletes and his stories of playing for Coach Nick Saban are both interesting and will make you smile. His insights from his challenging youth sports days will encourage young
PA Replay: The Wonderful, Wacky, Messed-Up World of Travel Sports
Join us as we dive deep into the world of travel sports. While travel has long been a crucial aspect of a young athlete's journey, it has slowly become an increasingly draining and expensive endeavor. How much is too much? What’s the right age to get started? What's the true cost? Are we doing it for our children or ourselves? Many athletes and parents are adamant that travel is one of the best pa
140. Dr. Riley Nickols: Managing Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Building Healthy Mental Habits for Young Athletes
If you are a parent or coach of young athletes, you need to learn all you can about the common mental health challenges and issues experienced by many young athletes. On this episode, Dr Riley Nickols, counselor, sports psychologist, author, and founder of Mind, Body, Endurance shares his expertise and experience gained by working with many elite, young athletes. Dr Nickols discusses the the topic
139. Chris Sale: Atlanta Braves Cy Young Award-Winning Pitcher
While rehabbing from a fractured rib, Cy Young winning pitcher Chris Sale joins the show to hang out with Jeff, Britt, and Brad and talk a little baseball, youth sports, and parenting. We've talked many times about how kids may be late bloomers in sports and Chris is a great example of that. Throughout youth and high school, no one expected Chris to be a big leaguer, though he loved baseball, as w
138. Season 4 Kickoff: Are You Navigating The Three Phases Of Youth Sports The Right Way?
Jeff and Britt launch Season 4 of the show looking back at some of the best moments in Season 3 and sharing some of the exciting plans for the next year. In addition, the guys have a rich discussion about the different phases of the youth sports journey...the Getting Started phase, the Getting Serious phase, and the All In phase. The guys share how they define each phase as well as what goals pare
PA Replay: Dr Neeru Jayanthi: Research Expert on Youth Sports Specialization
Joining us today is one of the world’s leading researchers and experts on injury prevention. Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, the Director of Emory Sports Medicine and Research, chats with the guys about healthy training models and sport specialization for young athletes. Dr. Jayanthi has been on HBO’s Real Sports, ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, while also working with MLB, NFL, US Soccer, ATP/WTA Tennis, among others.
PA Replay: Clemson Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney
As summer ends and college football approaches, we thought it was time to replay one of our most popular episodes, with Frenchy's good buddy Coach Dabo Swinney. Dabo shares his compelling youth sports journey, including how he credits sports for giving him sanctuary from a difficult family situation. The coach shares incredible insights about coaching, what he prioritizes in his interactions with
PA Replay: Matt & Leslee Holliday on Sports Parenting
Having just Ethan Holliday drafted in the first round of the MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies, following his brother Jackson being drafted #1 overall several years ago, we believe it's a great time to replay our conversation with Mom and Dad. Former MLB Star Matt Holliday and his wife Leslee are raising their four kids in today's complex world of youth sports. Their oldest two boys shared their d
137. Coach Ballgame: The Right Approach to Sports Parenting & Coaching
If you aren’t familiar with Coach Ballgame (James Lowe), you are missing out on one of Major League Baseball's best and most important ambassadors. This week, the guys have an inspiring conversation with Coach Ballgame, learning about his story as a talented college player to being MLB’s representative to promote the fun and life lessons available to youth players all over the country. Coach Ballg
125. Dr. Mark Kovacs: What You Need To Know About Physical Development in Youth Sports
On this episode, we welcome back renowned Sports Science expert Dr. Mark Kovacs, who shares a wealth of valuable and practical insights to help coaches, parents, and young athletes understand many critical physical development factors for boys and girls, emphasizing strategies to enhance performance while also minimizing the risk of injuries and long-term burnout.Dr Kovacs shares valuable scientif
124. Mental Performance Coach Justin Su'a: Developing a Winning Mindset For Young Athletes
Struggles with confidence, poor body language, negative self- talk, and response to failure are just some of the mental performance challenges that young athletes must overcome to maximize their performance. On this week's episode, we discuss these challenges and more with Mental Performance expert Justin Su'a. Justin was previously the Head of Mental Performance at IMG Academy, before working for
123. "TAKE BACK SPORTS" with ESPN Executive Kevin Martinez
“Take Back Sports” is a major new Youth Sports initiative from ESPN focused on some of the critical challenges in Youth Sports. This week, Kevin Martinez, who heads up this initiative for ESPN, joins us to talk about four critical areas of challenge in Youth Sports and what the Take Back Sports initiative is doing to help bring about solutions that will impact the next generation and the future of
PA Replay: Parenting on Game Day
Enjoy this special replay of this timeless topic that originally aired in May of 2024.It's finally game day and a chance to pay off all of those hard hours of work and practice. A day meant for relaxation and having fun with other parents as we watch our athletes compete oftentimes morphs into something entirely different.For those of us who have experienced it, we know there are three major compo
122. 7x National Champion HC Nick Saban
Head Coach Nick Saban won seven national championships on his way to being known as the GOAT of college football coaches. On this episode, Coach Saban shares his story of how he reluctantly got into coaching - he had planned to be in the car dealership business - as well as insights into his thoughts about player development and a commitment to individual excellence and value over winning. He also
PA Replay - Hall of Fame Pitcher Greg Maddux
For all of you who missed this popular episode, we are bringing it to you again. Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux sits down with the guys to delve into his legendary baseball career. Maddux shares valuable insights ranging from arm care to pitching philosophy that played a crucial role in propelling him to the status of an all-time great. He also discusses some of the toughest batters he faced and
121. LA Rams HC Sean McVay Pt. 2
In 2017, Sean McVay became the youngest NFL head coach in the modern era, at 30 years old. In his second year, Coach McVay led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance and three years later he became the youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl. In Part 2 of our conversation with Coach McVay, he shares his advice to coaches, discusses the coaches he loves to compete against, talks about his approac
120. LA Rams HC Sean McVay Pt. 1
In 2017, Sean McVay became the youngest NFL head coach in the modern era, at 30 years old. In his second year, Coach McVay led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance and three years later he became the youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl. In Part 1 of our conversation with Coach McVay, he shares the story of his love for sports as a high school state champion quarterback and an elite level y
119. Super Bowl Champ & Pro Lacrosse Player Chris Hogan
Chris Hogan is our guest on this week's episode and man, is his story an inspiring one. Not recruited heavily as a football player, Chris signed a full scholarship with Penn State as a Lacrosse player. After playing LAX for 3 yrs, he transferred to Monmouth University to play football, with no aspirations to play beyond college. Several years later, Chris made the Buffalo Bills roster, after being
PA Replay - Hall of Fame Pitcher John Smoltz
The guys talk to Hall of Fame pitcher and MLB broadcaster John Smoltz. In addition to sharing his youth sports story, Smoltzie shares great insights for young athletes, parents, and coaches, as well as valuable baseball-specific advice for young pitchers.
118. Former NFL QB and Current QB Coach Jordan Palmer
Jordan Palmer grew up in the shadow of his older brother, Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer. Jordan wasn't a starter on his high school team until his senior year, and he attended the one D1 school that offered him a scholarship, UTEP. And while his story was full of adversity, he remained committed to reaching his full potential, eventually spending several years playing as a backup QB in the N
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