The Pure Athlete Podcast

Latest Episodes:

PA Replay: Andruw Jones — From Curaçao to Cooperstown Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

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 Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

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 their potential while still enjoying the process and becoming the best version of themselves on the field, court, pool, or track.

We're revisiting this episode because the lessons, advice, and insights are just as relevant today as when it first aired.

PA Replay: Bobby Witt Jr. — From MLB Son to MLB Star Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

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 many of today's top prospects. He never took a private hitting lesson until after high school. Rather than chasing launch angles and home runs (though he hit plenty of those), Bobby focused on making hard contact to all fields, limiting strikeouts, and becoming the most complete player he could be.

Bobby shares his approach to hitting, the relentless work ethic that helped him become a Gold Glove-winning shortstop, the lessons his parents taught him about character and humility, and so much more.

We're bringing back this replay of our conversation with Bobby Witt Jr.—one that's still packed with valuable and relevant insights for players, parents, and coaches.

177. What's Broken in American Youth Soccer—and How We Fix It with U.S. Soccer Legend Carlos Bocanegra Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

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 Premier League. He also reflects on the lessons he learned along the way and why playing multiple sports helped shape his athletic career.

The conversation then shifts to youth sports, where Carlos offers his passionate assessment of the current youth soccer landscape in America. He discusses the challenges facing youth development, the importance of positive coaching environments, why fundamentals matter more than winning at young ages, and what parents should look for when choosing a sports program for their children.

Whether you're a soccer fan, a parent navigating youth sports, or simply someone who loves hearing the stories behind elite athletes, this episode delivers valuable insights on development, resilience, leadership, and helping kids fall in love with sports the right way.

Topics Covered:

The impact and excitement of the 2026 World Cup
Carlos Bocanegra’s path from youth athlete to World Cup captain
Life in MLS and the English Premier League
The value of multi-sport participation
Why technical skill development matters
Challenges in youth soccer today
How parents can identify healthy sports environments
Balancing development and winning in youth sports
Building a better future for young athletes

Plus, Carlos shares why he believes improving the youth sports culture is one of the most important opportunities facing American soccer today.

PA Replay: Former MLS Star & USMNT Player Taylor Twellman Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

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 Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

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 travel teams, and skyrocketing pressure, many families feel overwhelmed and worried their kids will fall behind or burn out.

Madison shares her personal journey—from multi-sport youth athlete to college star—and discusses the real issues plaguing youth sports: parental “keeping up with the Joneses,” early burnout, overuse injuries, and the loss of simple childhood fun. She explains how i9 Sports offers a refreshing, contrarian approach: fun-first, multi-sport leagues for ages 3–14, with just one practice and game per week, age-appropriate coaching, and a strong emphasis on building confidence, character, and a sense of belonging.

The conversation dives deep into i9’s Games for Girls campaign, which aims to get 500,000 girls playing annually by 2030. They discuss survey insights on what girls and parents value most (spoiler: winning is at the bottom), the importance of positive coaching, girls-only programming, and strategies to keep girls in sports through the critical middle school years when dropout rates spike.

Whether you’re a parent trying to make the right first sports decision, concerned about burnout, or looking for a more balanced youth sports experience, this episode delivers practical wisdom, encouragement, and actionable advice.

Tune in for an honest, hopeful conversation that puts kids first.

Listen now and visit i9sports.com to find a local program near you.

175. David Pollack: How My Perspective Changed Through My Kids' Sports Journey Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

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 practical insight into how sports parenting evolves as kids move through high school. From shifting roles — moving from “commander” to “coach” to eventually “friend” — to learning how to give your children true ownership of their journey, David explores the challenges, failures, and wins that come with raising athletes.

He also opens up about the realities of the modern recruiting process in a transactional, NIL-influenced world, how to support your child without taking over, and why surrounding them with the right people and culture matters more than ever. Finally, David shares candidly about his wife Lindsay’s major brain surgery and ongoing battle with cancer, how their family has grown stronger through adversity, and the powerful lessons in resilience, faith, and perspective they’ve gained.

Listeners will hear David’s signature intensity as he discusses:

Why parenting gets harder (but more meaningful) as kids gain independence
The importance of letting kids own their journey — even when it’s uncomfortable
How to balance support with space in recruiting and athletics
Building family values that outlast sports
The power of praying for “hard” things and watching your kids rise through them
What coaches and parents need to prioritize for long-term success and character development

Filled with humor, vulnerability, and actionable wisdom, this conversation is a must-listen for any parent, coach, or young athlete navigating the beautiful chaos of youth sports.

Tune in now and be reminded that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s growth, faith, and enjoying the journey together.

Also, check out David's new book...Every Day Counts: Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can.

174. Reclassifying - The Controversial Extra Year in Youth Sports May 27, 2026

Show notes

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 strategy
The potential benefits for late bloomers and physical development
The serious downsides — social and emotional impacts, disrupted friendships, academic considerations, and long-term opportunity costs
Why some high school programs quietly encourage it and how club/travel teams have adapted with grad-year rules
Real talk on whether that extra year actually leads to D1 scholarships or just creates unfair advantages

With honesty and zero judgment, the hosts share personal stories, coach and athletic director perspectives, and question whether we’re putting athletics above the holistic development of our kids. They also explore the broader trend of older athletes in high school and college sports.

This is a must-listen for parents, coaches, and anyone involved in youth sports. The conversation is nuanced, thought-provoking, and far from black and white.

What do you think? Have you reclassified your child? Did it work out — or do you regret it? Drop your experiences in the comments or send us a message. We want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Listen now and join the conversation.

173. The State of Youth Sports with Aspen Institute's Project Play Director Tom Farrey May 19, 2026

Show notes

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 lessons from Norway’s remarkably successful youth sports model, why joy and love of the game matter more than wins at young ages, the importance of multi-sport play, and practical ways communities can drive real change through the “power of the permit.”

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or youth sports leader, this conversation delivers honest insights, hope, and actionable ideas for building healthier, more inclusive youth sports environments.

Tune in for a big-picture look at where youth sports stands today — and where it’s headed.

#YouthSports #ProjectPlay #ParentingInSports #AspenInstitute

172. Will Summer Fun Set My Kid Back in Sports? ASK US ANYTHING #1 May 15, 2026

Show notes

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 include:

Should a dominant 12U baseball player join elite national travel teams that “just show up” for tournaments, or stay local and play with friends?
When is the right age to start tackle football? (Flag vs. full contact, teaching proper tackling technique, and knowing your child)
Helping a 10-year-old who cries after every soccer loss
How to handle a bad umpire who tells your team to “throw in the towel”
Should you let your kid quit a sport when it gets hard?
Tough coaching vs. toxic coaching — where’s the line?
How we manage the tension of wanting to create great summer experiences like summer camp, vacations, and free time with the desire to continue growth in your sport.

The episode closes with a great conversation with Mike Murillo of Academy Camps — a unique sports-specific sleepaway camp that combines high-level coaching and training in a variety of sports with traditional camp fun (no phones, color wars, electives, ropes course, and more). Academy Camps is a smart hybrid option for families who want both athletic development and real summer memories.

Whether you’re navigating tryouts, burnout, playing time, or just trying to do youth sports the right way, this episode is packed with relatable advice you can actually use.

https://academycamps.com

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