Youth $ports

Arguably The Biggest Financial Decision Of Your Life

Episode 43: Keirsten Sires (2aDays Founder/CEO...Featured in Forbes Magazine)
In this episode, I sit down with Keirsten Sires, CEO and Founder of 2aDays—and the first Youth $ports guest to be featured in Forbes Magazine. We dive into the wild world of college recruiting, the power of transparency, and how her platform is flipping the script on how athletes and families choose programs.
🔹 From Skidmore to Startup – What began as a college entrepreneurship project turned into a game-changing business for athletes and their families.
🔹 The Rate My Professor of College Athletics – 2aDays lets athletes rate coaches, facilities, trainers, and recruiting experiences—finally giving power back to the players.
🔹 Recruiting is a Sales Pitch – Keirsten pulls back the curtain on the smoke and mirrors in recruiting and highlights the hidden gems—amazing coaches at smaller schools who deserve more love.
🔹 Athletes Get Judged—So Should Programs – If players are rated and ranked, why shouldn’t the same standard apply to the schools recruiting them?
🔹 The Transfer Epidemic – With sky-high transfer rates in college sports, 2aDays aims to give athletes better info before they commit, not after it’s too late.
🔹 The Financial Reality of College Sports – Youth sports is a major investment—emotionally and financially. The more you're spending, the more information you deserve.
🔹 Can This Be More Than a Venting Platform? – We talk about the importance of balance in reviews and whether concerns about negative bias are valid—or overblown.
🔹 Would Bobby Knight Survive 2025? – A fun but honest conversation about the evolution of coaching styles and what today’s athletes will (and won’t) tolerate.
🔹 Playing Time & Ratings Bias – We dig into how playing time might color athlete reviews—and what can be done to keep things fair.
🔹 The Pool Workout Story – I share a classic college tale of how we tricked our coach into thinking a pool recovery session was absolute torture. Spoiler: we were loving it.
🔹 Private Equity in Youth Sports – With big money moving in, we discuss the upside (innovation and access) and the downside (greed and pricing people out).
🔹 Have We Hit the Financial Ceiling? – Is there a point where families stop spending on youth sports? Or will the chase for scholarships and exposure keep raising the bar?
🔹And of course...THE HOT TAKES segment...

Identity Crisis

Episode 42: Travis Snider (Former MLB 1st round draft pick, 3A Athletics Owner)
In this episode, I sit down with Travis Snider, former MLB first-round pick and owner of 3A Athletics, to discuss the challenges of identity in sports, the pressures young athletes face, and how parents can better support their kids on and off the field.
🔹 The Weight of Identity in Sports – Travis shares how his self-worth was too tied to his athletic success, a struggle many young athletes face.
🔹 The Pressure of Early Talent Labels – When kids are labeled as “naturals,” it shapes their identity, often creating unrealistic expectations.
🔹 Performance-Based Identity – How tying self-love and self-worth to success can be harmful for young athletes.
🔹 Parents & The Post-Game Car Ride – For many kids, the car ride home isn’t a safe space—it’s where they feel the most pressure and judgment.
🔹 When Parents' Identities Get Wrapped in Their Kids’ Success – The added stress young athletes feel when their parents’ egos and emotions ride on their performance.
🔹 Fighting the Instinct to “Fix” – Parents want to help when they see their kids struggling, but sometimes stepping back is the best way to teach resilience.
🔹 Triggering Moments in Youth Sports – The importance of staying neutral, recognizing emotional cues, and resisting the urge to intervene with coaches.
🔹 Burnout & The Cost of Youth Sports – Are we losing kids to burnout from the intensity and high financial stakes of youth athletics?
🔹 Rethinking Participation Trophies – Sometimes, they’re actually age-appropriate—let’s stop hating on them.
🔹 Finding Joy in Youth Sports – Are we playing the game, or working the game? Parents, don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
 
And of course... More HOT TAKES

Trailblazing

Episode 41: Terri Bryant (One of only a handful of women coaching football in the state of Kentucky)
In this episode, I sit down with Terri Bryant, one of the few women coaching a boys’ football team, to discuss breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport and the challenges she’s faced along the way.
🔹 Breaking Barriers in Boys’ Football – While it’s common for men to coach girls’ teams, it’s still rare to see women leading boys’ teams. Terri shares how she’s had to prove herself time and time again.
🔹 Fighting Double Standards – Men coaching sports they never played is rarely questioned, but women in the same position face extra scrutiny. Terri discusses the biases she encounters as both a woman and a Black woman in coaching.
🔹 Assumptions & Stereotypes – Before people knew her role, many assumed she was a “Team Mom” or a cheerleading coach rather than the head coach.
🔹 Barriers for Women in Coaching – Even in girls’ sports, coaching roles are still dominated by men, making it difficult for women to break into leadership positions.
🔹 The Rise of Girls’ Flag Football – As one of the fastest-growing sports, girls’ flag football is creating new coaching opportunities—Terri wants to see women filling these roles.
🔹 Kids vs. Adults: Who Really Has the Bias? – Young athletes have no problem accepting female coaches—it’s the parents and other adults who struggle to adjust.
🔹 Parental Influence & Respect for Coaches – Kids mirror their parents’ attitudes. When parents undermine coaches, they create uncoachable athletes.
🔹 Confidence in Coaching – “I’m humble, but you have to have confidence in these positions because there’s a lot of criticism.”
And of course… MORE HOT TAKES!

Love & Marriage (& Youth Sports)

Episode 40: Dustin and Cindy Humphrey (Married with 4 children playing youth sports)
Being a youth sports parent is practically a full-time job. For the first time in Youth $ports Podcast history, I bring on a married couple to dive into the realities of parenting, marriage, and family life within the fast-paced world of youth sports.
🔹 Inside the Humphrey Household – Dustin and Cindy Humphrey give us an honest look at how they navigate a household with four kids in sports—plus Cindy coaching! Spoiler alert: IT’S BUSY. And yes, it takes a village (grandparents included!).
🔹 Sports vs. Screens – We discuss the shift from our childhoods—when kids played outside until dark—to today’s world of iPads and constant digital distractions. Is keeping kids busy with sports better than the alternative?
🔹 The Organized Chaos of Scheduling – With practices, games, and even piano lessons in the mix, the Humphreys break down how they manage the madness, including the reality of concession stand dinners and backseat outfit changes.
🔹 The Right Level of Commitment – Dustin shares his philosophy: If a child shows talent and personal drive to improve, then it’s worth considering a higher level of competition. Too often, parents get this backward.
🔹 Balancing It All – The Humphreys open up about how youth sports impact their family dynamic and relationship. The key? Communication and intentional planning—though even then, it’s not easy.
 
And... of course... HOT TAKES

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Episode 39: Kendra Schadler (Youth Golf Mom)
In this episode, we sit down with Kendra Schadler, mom of Kentucky’s top-ranked 9-year-old golfer, to dive into the highs, lows, and hidden costs of raising a young athlete in an expensive sport.
🔹 The Financial Toll of Youth Golf – From ever-changing equipment to specialized coaches, golf can be one of the priciest youth sports. We break down the true cost of keeping a young golfer competitive.
🔹 The Coaching Dilemma – Swing coaches, short-game specialists, mental performance trainers—the list goes on. Golf is a complicated sport!
🔹 Keeping It Fun – With golf’s high mental demands, youth coaches emphasize the importance of making the game enjoyable to prevent burnout.
🔹 The Mental Challenge of Individual Sports – Unlike team sports, young golfers face the pressure of competing alone. Kendra shares why she encourages her son to play team sports alongside golf to help balance the mental load.
🔹 The Social Media Factor – How do parents navigate their child’s presence online? We discuss the opportunities (like sponsorships and networking) versus the risks.
🔹 Balancing Multiple Sports – When a young athlete excels early, it can be tough to keep them engaged in multiple sports. How do parents manage success without leading to burnout?
🔹 ADHD & Sports as an Outlet – Kendra opens up about how athletics, especially golf, have been a positive space for her son.
🔹 Parenting & Coaching Balance – The struggle of pushing kids to be their best without crossing the line into over-coaching.
And of course… MORE HOT TAKES!

A Cautionary Tale

Episode 38: Alex & Elise (Mother/Daughter duo, Former competitive swimmer who suffered a major blood clot in her arm)
In this episode, we hear the powerful and eye-opening story of Elise and her mother, Alex, who went through a major health scare when Elise suffered from a blood clot caused by repetitive motion in competitive swimming.
🔹 The Toll of Intense Training – Competitive swimmers can practice up to 7 times a week, often for multiple hours a day. Elise’s story highlights the physical strain that many young athletes face with demanding schedules.
🔹 A Relevant and Urgent Topic – March is Blood Clot Awareness Month, and with NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama’s recent injury due to a blood clot in his shoulder, the topic couldn’t be more timely.
🔹 The Consequences of Early Specialization – Early sports specialization is creating long-term health risks for young athletes. Overuse injuries and conditions like blood clots are becoming increasingly common in sports that require repetitive motions, like swimming, baseball, and volleyball.
🔹 The Risk of Overuse Injuries – Elise & Alex share how repetitive upper-arm and shoulder motions can be particularly dangerous, and how young athletes in these sports are especially vulnerable to overuse injuries and blood clots.
🔹 Recognizing the Warning Signs – Elise and Alex are on a mission to raise awareness. They help educate athletes, parents, coaches, and trainers on the warning signs of blood clots and how to create safer environments for youth athletes.
🔹 The Surprising Stats – Did you know that 70% of blood clots are provoked and not related to underlying health issues? Pediatric doctors are starting to see more cases of blood clots in young athletes, raising alarm in the medical community.
🔹 Elise’s Cautionary Tale – Elise’s journey is a powerful reminder: It’s okay to take breaks. It’s okay to speak up when something feels wrong. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s not always the best idea to specialize and overdo training at young ages.
If you’re a coach, parent, or young athlete, this episode is essential listening to ensure safety and longevity in youth sports.
 
-Resources for more information regarding athletes and blood clots:
-https://swimswam.com/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/
-https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/athletes-and-blood-clots/
https://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/youth_sports_specialization_recommendations.pdf
 

Beware of the Propaganda Machine

Episode 37: Jacob Turner (Former 9th pick in the MLB draft, 11 year professional baseball career)
In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Turner, former MLB pitcher and top-ranked high school prospect, to discuss the wild world of youth sports—and why he believes today’s system is out of control.
🔹 The Youth Sports "Propaganda Machine" – Turner argues that parents and players are constantly bombarded with messages pushing early specialization, elite training, and expensive programs. Is it all necessary?
🔹 The Myth of Early Greatness – Despite being the best high school pitcher in the country, Turner was rarely the top player on his youth teams. A reminder that excelling at 10, 11, or 12 doesn’t always mean long-term success.
🔹 Early Bloomers vs. Late Developers – Many young stars dominate simply because they’re bigger or stronger early on, but Turner explains why patience is key for long-term growth.
🔹 Parenting Young Athletes – Now a father of four kids in sports, Turner shares what he’s learned about navigating the pressure and hype.
🔹 The Case for Playing Multiple Sports – Not just for athleticism, but for diverse experiences and social development. Turner explains why exposure to different sports and socio-economic groups matters.
🔹 Letting Kids Lead – Why forcing 6 a.m. training sessions isn’t the answer if your child doesn’t show a natural drive to improve on their own.
🔹 Effort Over Outcomes – One of the few things athletes can truly control. Turner emphasizes why praising effort is more valuable than obsessing over wins and losses.
🔹 If It Works for an MLB Veteran… – Turner reached the highest level of his sport without the extreme youth sports culture we see today—so why do so many parents feel pressured?
🔹 And of course… MORE HOT TAKES!

Livin' The Dream: A Conversation w/ My Best Friend

Episode 36: Toni Cannon (Host Ally Tucker's former roommate of 10 years/D-3 college soccer teammate)
In this episode, I sit down with Toni, a longtime friend, former D-3 soccer player, and current adult rec league warrior, to reminisce about the absurd, unforgettable, and downright hilarious moments from our playing days.
🔹 D-3 Soccer: A Different Kind of Grind – When you’re in it, you don’t always realize how wild some of the experiences are. We relive the pre-game Golden Corral meals, makeshift “locker rooms,” 20-pound unisex uniforms, and “international trips” to… Chicago.
🔹 Wouldn’t Trade It for the World – As chaotic as D-3 soccer could be, it gave us some of our best friendships, funniest stories, and lifelong memories.
🔹 Why Keep Playing? – This may be a youth sports podcast, but what drives people to keep playing into adulthood? For Toni, the love of the game and the team experience outweighs the fear of injury.
🔹 The Wild World of Adult Co-Ed Rec Leagues – It’s a different beast. Toni hilariously breaks down the “Archetypes” of every rec league team, and trust us—you’ll recognize (or be) at least one of them.
🔹 The Most Jam-Packed HOT TAKES Segment Yet! – Strap in.
If you’ve ever played college sports, dabbled in adult rec leagues, or just love a good laugh about the beautiful chaos of amateur athletics, this episode is for you!

Top 6 Parenting Mistakes That Cause Kids to Quit Sports

Episode 35: Asia Mape (4-time Emmy Award winning journalist and Sports Television producer, Founder of "I Love To Watch You Play" blog)
In this episode, I sit down with Asia Mape, a sports media veteran turned youth sports advocate, to discuss the biggest mistakes parents make, the changing culture of youth sports, and how we can do better.
🔹 From the Olympics to Youth Sports – Mape’s career covering five Olympics, multiple NBA playoffs, Super Bowls, and more gave her a front-row seat to elite athletes—but nothing prepared her for the world of youth sports parenting.
🔹 Lessons Learned the Hard Way – Mape has made mistakes as a youth sports parent, and now her mission is to help others navigate this tricky season of life.
🔹 Founder of “I Love to Watch You Play” – Her platform is a safe space for parents to learn, reflect, and reshape how they approach their child’s sports journey.
🔹 “Top 6 Parenting Mistakes That Cause Kids to Quit Sports” – Mape’s viral article breaks down the frighteningly accurate mistakes parents make—and how they contribute to the current youth sports madness.
🔹 Sifting Through the Chaos – With so much pressure and misinformation in youth sports, how can parents find the good and focus on what truly matters?
🔹 The Rise of the “Me First” Mentality – Parents and athletes are bringing an individual mindset into team sports, making the experience harder for everyone involved.
🔹 Protecting Your Child’s Love for the Game – Be a safe landing spot. Don’t let your child’s joy be stolen by pressure, over-coaching, or unrealistic expectations. There’s beauty in the struggle.
🔹 And of course… MORE Hot Takes!
If you're a youth sports parent, coach, or just love a good discussion on the evolving landscape of kids’ athletics, this one is a must-listen!

Magic Formula

Episode 34 : Shae Robertson (Former Ohio University Soccer Player, Current coach/trainer)
In this episode, I sit down with Shae Robertson, former All-American and Ohio University standout, to discuss what it really takes to reach the next level—and why so many parents are asking the wrong questions.
🔹 From Player to Coach – Now on the other side of the game, Robertson quickly jumped into coaching and training young athletes, gaining a whole new perspective on youth sports.
🔹 The “Magic Formula” Myth – Parents constantly ask, “What did you do to become a D1 player?” But the truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all path.
🔹 The Secret to Her Success? PLAY. – Forget endless private sessions and expensive training programs—Robertson credits her backyard games, pickup matches, and pure love for the sport as the real key to her development.
🔹 What If the Magic Formula Is Simply Loving the Game? – The best players aren’t always the ones who train the most, but the ones who can’t get enough of the sport—on their own terms.
🔹 The Pressure of Being "The Star" – As her former club and high school coach, we take a trip down memory lane, discussing what it was like to carry the weight of high expectations.
🔹 Navigating the Recruiting Process – Robertson shares honest advice for young athletes and parents trying to navigate the college soccer landscape.
🔹 The Harsh Reality of College Athletics – College sports aren’t always the dream people imagine. It’s hard. It’s not always fun. And it takes a serious toll on the body.
🔹 And of course… MORE HOT TAKES!
If you're chasing a college soccer dream—or just curious about what it really takes—this episode is a must-listen!