The Pure Athlete Podcast

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 discuss why we all want to win, the positive aspects that result, while also talking about the positive aspects of losing (yes, there really are some). They also share their thoughts on the bad responses to both winning and losing, from arrogance to sour attitudes, from kids and parents alike. Finally, we've all seen ugly examples of really poor responses to both winning and losing and the guys call some of these out as a reminder to all of us to seize these opportunities to teach out young athletes to compete to win, to win with grace, and to respond to losing with the right attitude. This episode has something for everyone - don't miss it.

Former NBA star Jamal Crawford is our guest on this episode, sharing his youth sports story of growing up and learning basketball in Seattle, Washington. Jamal shares how he developed his ball-handling skills as a young player that led him to be recognized as one of the top ball-handlers in the history of the NBA. He talks about the one thing that his parents did that made a huge impact on his development as a player and person. Jamal shares about his recruiting journey and his time as a player at Michigan, before being a first-round NBA pick. He shares the secret to how he won the NBA 6th Man award three times in his career, and he shares with us an award he won that meant more than any other. Finally, Jamal is coaching his son in AAU ball and shares his thoughts on things that need to change in AAU, and how he is taking a different approach with development for the kids on his team. Parents and coaches will definitely be inspired. Don't miss this episode.

On today's episode, Brad and Britt talk to Dr Abigail Federer, a leading sports concussion specialist at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, shares her expertise and experience treating both male and female young athletes with concussion injuries. Brad introduces the subject by discussing his son's story of suffering concussions while playing three different sports, including the concerns shared by many parents of young athletes. Dr Feder dispels some of the myths and outdated treatment protocols for concussed athletes, discusses common symptoms and markers, and informs parents on what to do if they suspect their child may have a concussion. Immediately following Dr Feder's segment, the guys discuss concussion prevention with the founder of Guardian Sports, who provide innovative safety equipment recently approved by the NFL, and currently being used by every NFL team and many NCAA programs. They share the benefits of Guardian caps, along with the proven data, that is transforming head safety for football players of all ages. This episode is sponsored by Guardian Sports, the nations leading impact reducing soft-shell helmet cover engineered for impact reduction. For more visit guardiansports.com

Super Bowl Champion Tight End Ben Watson is our guest on this week's episode. Not only was Ben a 2nd Team All-SEC player at the University of Georgia and a first round pick in the NFL draft, Ben also had an outstanding 15 yearr career in the NFL, playing for the Patriots, Browns, Saints, and Ravens. In addition to his on-field success, Ben has always been known as a man of strong character, as evidenced by his being awarded the Bart Starr Award in 2018. During our conversation, Ben shares his youth sports story growing up in South Carolina, his passion for soccer as a youngster, how he developed as a football player, and his outlook on college football as an SEC Network analyst. We also heard some great stories from his career including interesting insights from his time catching passes from Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Finally, he shares the many lessons he learned from his parents and as a parent of 7, including on character and leadership. Thanks for listening!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

On this week's episode, the guys discuss toxic behavior and culture in youth sports. While we all love youth athletics, if you've been involved for any length of time you have likely encountered toxic parents. These parents can be disruptive, yelling inappropriate comments or remaining silent when they should address bad behavior. We've even experienced or heard stories of toxic coaches who try to win at all costs, play their own kids at the best positions, or require contracts to play on a 10u team. We'll also jump into some discussions about toxic teammate behavior and the overall toxicity level of the current youth sports culture. Thanks for tuning in!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

This week, Jeff, Britt, and Brad unpack some of the most important moments from the recent speeches given by Tom Brady and Roger Federer, two of the best and most admired athletes of all time, who share key lessons and insights from their inspirational journeys.--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

This week we’re excited to have Hall of Famer, Stanley Cup Champion, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist & NHL MVP….former professional hockey defenseman, Chris Pronger! Considered one of the all-time great defenseman, Chris stopped by the pod to share some of the wisdom he gained on the way to the top of hockey. He didn't hesitate to show us the intensity and passion he has for the game and youth sports. It left us feeling inspired and motivated, and we're sure you'll feel the same way. Thanks for tuning in this week!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

New Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is our guest in Part 2 from this month's Pure Athlete Live event in front of 1500+ athletes, parents, and coaches in Atlanta. Kirk shares his youth sports story, lessons learned from his dad, how he overcame a season-ending injury in the first game of his junior year in high school, his college experience, the disappointment of being taken in the 4th round of the NFL draft, and even the role his faith played in each of those situations. Kirk's authenticity and wisdom is both insightful and inspiring, so tune in, and don't forget to catch Part 1 if you missed it!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

New Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is our guest in Part 1 from this month's Pure Athlete Live event in front of 1500+ athletes, parents, and coaches in Atlanta. In this episode, Kirk shares his youth sports story, lessons learned from his dad, how he overcame a season-ending injury in the first game of his junior year in high school, his college experience, the disappointment of being taken in the 4th round of the NFL draft, and the role his faith played in each of those situations. Kirk's authenticity and wisdom is both insightful and inspiring, and we hope you'll tune into Part 2, dropping on June 5!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

For Mental Health Awareness Month, we're welcoming Nicole Lyon, a mental health expert, former elite college swimmer, and co-owner of Roots Therapy in Atlanta. Not only does Nicole have experience specializing in sports performance and mental health for young athletes, she's also an NCAA Champion swimmer from the University of Georgia, who participated in her first Olympic Trials at the age of 14.Nicole's experience in both fields gives her the knowledge to speak on facing immense pressure as an athlete, overcoming the mental and physical challenges of injuries, dealing with sports-related depression, and much more! --Follow us @puereathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

Today we are thrilled to have one of America’s most admired and respected sports figures, Coach Tony Dungy on the show! 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 stops by to share his personal story as well as many stories from his days as a player and coach, weaving in great insights for parents, coaches, and players.We're so excited to have a true icon and role model on the show today, so buckle up for the wisdom and encouragement of Coach Tony Dungy!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com--Grab tickets to our live show featuring Kirk Cousins!https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/pure-athlete-live/pa-live-atlanta

On this special Mother's Day episode, Catie Francoeur, Kay Lee, and Kathie Williams join their husbands to share their perspectives on being sports moms. They discuss the roles they play in supporting and encouraging their kids, including helping them maintain a balance between sports and other important aspects of their lives. They also share how they are able to encourage family priorities and even out their husbands' sometimes overly intense and competitive nature. There are many versions of sports moms across America; some are super intense on game day and others just want to help their kids enjoy the ride, but in all cases, we want to honor all they do to strengthen their kids, their husbands, and their families. Happy Mother's Day!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com--Grab some tickets to our live event featuring Kirk Cousins!https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/pure-athlete-live/pa-live-atlantaLive from Atlanta on May 20th

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 components to game day for parents: before the game, during the game, and after the game. Each of these aspects comes with their own challenges that can be both enjoyable and stressful. There are times we're able to help our young athletes and other times when we're just making it harder for them; so how can we know when we're doing our part?Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down to discuss the best and most challenging parts of being a parent on game day, encouraging parents and athletes to take stock of their own approach while being intentional at making the most of this sacred day in sports.--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com--Grab tickets to our live event in Atlanta featuring Kirk Cousins! May 20th at 6:30 pm!https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/pure-athlete-live/pa-live-atlanta

Lacrosse legend Paul Rabil stops by the pod today to talk about his career, youth sports, and the future of the game. From starting out in Major League Lacrosse to creating the Premiere Lacrosse League, Paul's fingerprints are all over the lax world. This icon of the game graciously offers his insight and advice into lacrosse, coaching, specialization at a young age and much more. So stick around as one of the lacrosse GOATs gives us a behind-the-scenes look into his career and what it takes to become successful on and off the field. Thanks for tuning in!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

Former professional soccer player and 3-time Olympic gold medalist Heather Mitts sits down with the guys in this week's episode! Heather shares her inspirational path from youth sports to the Olympic stage, reflecting on the pivotal moments and people that impacted her career. How valuable is versatility on the field? Should I prioritize winning or development? From these questions to many more, Heather's advice will help you as you find your own path whether you're an athlete or a parent. Heather's simple message resonates strongly in an oftentimes cloudy youth sports environment: embrace failure, follow your passions, and above all, find joy in your sports journey. Don't miss this enriching and insightful discussion with Heather Mitts!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

Join Jeff, Britt, and Brad as we celebrate all that is GREAT about youth sports in this week's episode! From the lasting memories to the valuable bonds that are formed, youth sports have long been an integral part of being an athlete and a parent. We dig into some of the valuable lessons and important people an athlete will encounter along their journey. We also cover why there is simply no replacement for the mental and physical rewards that youth sports offers to its athletes and the parents guiding them through this amazing experience. From favorite memories to lasting regrets to essential pump-up music, we're giving youth sports the honor it deserves!You'll soon grow to love the beautiful world of youth sports, so join us as we discuss why we believe it to be such a critical experience.--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

Join us today as we welcome former MLB All-Star pitcher and World Series Champion, Adam Wainwright! Adam takes us on a journey through his upbringing in the game of baseball, detailing the path that led him to become a dominant force on the mound, amassing 200 career wins with the St. Louis Cardinals. Adam also treats us to a glimpse into his new world in country music, including what it was like to grace the stage at the iconic Grand Ole Opry.Adam digs into everything from his favorite coaches to his best advice for young pitchers and their parents. He chats to the guys about navigating adversity and even sheds some light on how nerves can influence both your baseball pitch and vocal pitch. Adam Wainwright is bringing the heat today, so it's not one you want to swing and miss!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

Join us today as the guys chat with Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas phenomenon. With the mantra "Fans first. Entertain always," Cole has revolutionized the game of baseball by drawing inspiration not only from legends on the diamond, but from iconic figures like P.T. Barnum and Walt Disney. Under his innovative leadership, the Bananas have transformed from a simple summer collegiate team into a household name, boasting over 15 million social media followers and a staggering 2 million-person ticket waitlist. So tune in today to discover the history of the Bananas, the creation of Banana Ball, and even what it takes to become a Banana yourself as we dive deep into the unique and wacky world of Jesse Cole!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

Today, we're joined by Dr. Joel Seedman, a renowned doctor of kinesiology and an elite exercise trainer. With a client roster featuring top-tier athletes like Chris Carson, Younghoe Koo, and Taylor Heinicke, Dr. Seedman brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. From professional athletes to aspiring young talents, his expertise spans across all ages and sports. In this episode, Dr. Seedman shares his insights on topics like movement, flexibility, posture, and even the effects of barefoot training. He discusses some key questions including the appropriate age to begin weight training, how to prevent injuries, the importance of proper technique, and the benefits of sport-specific movements. So grab a friend and tune in to gain some valuable insights from the unique perspective of Dr. Seedman!--Support the pod and grab some Pure Athlete Merch until Friday, March 22! Thanks so much for listening!--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com

Join us on today's episode as we sit down with former MVP and World Series Champion first baseman, Ryan Howard. Ryan takes us on a journey that began playing numerous sports as a kid in St Louis and continued all the way through his rapid ascent to stardom with the Philadelphia Phillies, sharing insights on becoming the quickest player in history to hit 100 and 200 home runs. He shares the secrets behind his powerful swing development from a young age, as well as the invaluable advice he received from none other than Barry Bonds. Plus, discover Ryan's favorite ballpark, his favorite coach, and much more as we delve into the remarkable career of one of baseball's most prolific hitters.--Follow us @pureathleteincwww.pureathleteinc.com