Love The Game. Live The Dream.

“The universe is based on balance and baseball is no different."    – Shaun Larkin Shaun was born and raised in Southern California. His journey through the game like a lot of others before him was met with tough decisions and unplanned consequences. He was fortunate enough to play seven years professionally after being part of one of the best college seasons in Cal State Northridge history. His passion for the game and desire to stay a part of it for life ignited his coaching career and eventually landed him a position that was created by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. He is now the first ever Coordinator of Skill Development for the Dodgers and plays a massive role in working with a team of coaches and trainers to flip the standard practice of baseball on its head. His background in the game, paired with his Masters Degree in Performance Psychology, has armed him with the tools necessary to challenge the norm and revolutionize the sport and how to practice and perfect it. After spending time in Arizona, Larkin and his wife Denise who happens to be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst currently reside in McKinney, Texas with their two children Cason(3) and Corrie(1). Get ready to be schooled in some out of the box thinking and here what one of the top young minds in the game is thinking and why. Enjoy! You can connect with Shaun here:  Twitter ADAPTaba.com Shaun shares with us in this episode: How to put yourself in the right environment to get what you want in your career. Designing a better game like practice. Understanding your players first before you can teach them anything. How the game is changing in all areas from scouting to development. And many more things baseball and non-baseball related.

“Baseball, you could say basically raised me to be the person I am. It is literally everything." – Tyler Adkison This week's guest is former San Diego State Outfielder Tyler Adkison. After playing for the legendary Tony Gwynn, Tyler was drafted by the L.A. Dodgers but retired after his rookie season, choosing to help young professional athletes instead of competing as one. Check out this fascinating conversation with a truly unique road traveled by a Baseball lifer! You can connect with Tyler here:  LinkedIn Twitter Instagram

“We try to train the mind to not necessarily be reactive but  proactive."    – Hannah Huesman She grew up a two-sport athlete competing against her younger brother and eventually choosing softball to compete at the college level. Hannah Huesman is the second Love the Game. Live the Dream guest that was raised in Knoxville, TN. Listen to her passion as she tells us about the trending yet very important role of being a Mental Skills Coach for the Philadelphia Phillies organization. You can connect with Hannah here:   LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Check out her Instagram show - #Mental Sweat Mondays! A quick 1-minute video of her tips on how and why it is important to check in with your mind as much as your body! Hannah shares with us in this episode: The role of confidence in athletes (NOT what you think) The growth of mental skills coaches in today's sports world Challenges parents face and how to help your child athlete Going after things you may not think are attainable And much, much more!

Scouting veteran Frank Marcos joins the show to talk about his life in Baseball.

Born and raised in Knoxville, TN on a mission to make it to the Big Leagues. Chris Snyder talks about learning how to pitch at a young age after giving up on the dream to be a left-handed catcher.

A Red Sox fan born in the heart of Yankeeville, Justin Volman is the CEO of the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network. A recent graduate of the University of Alabama this young, ambitious entrepreneur took his award-winning 2017 Aldag Business Plan concept into the real world to help high school and college baseball players get the recognition and exposure he feels a lot of them lack in the sport.

Carmen grew up on the south side of Chicago in the 80's playing baseball and defending his name on the playground.  He was recruited nationally for baseball, which landed him a scholarship to Northwestern University.  He educates prospective student-athletes on how to manage and maximize their collegiate recruiting potential. His Positive Power of Negative Thinking platform focuses on the mental side of sports and the effects it has on young student-athletes.

Owen has visited 46 different countries in his young life thus far. He has found an opportunity to provide significant professional experience in 6 countries (United States, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia). He has coached at all levels, from grassroots programs to professional organizations in many of those along his journey.

A native of Vernon, British Columbia, David he took his first trip to Austria in 1999 to play baseball as an import player while in college. David founded International Baseball Community and the blog Baseball Jobs Overseas that has helped over 700 baseball and softball players successfully sign contracts with organizations in over 23 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Born David Andrew Turgeon on May 15, 1965, and the seventh child in the Turgeon family from New London, CT. He was drafted out of Davidson College in North Carolina in the 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft in the 22nd round by the New York Yankees. After age and injuries caught up with him, Dave knew it was time to turn the page and get started with his coaching career.

Born Korwin Jay DeHaan July 1976 in Pella, IA, Kory was fortunate to move up the levels of baseball without too much hiccup. From Little League through high school, on to college until he was drafted in the 7th Round of the 1997 MLB Amateur Draft out of Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. He was acquired by the Padres in October 1999 in the Rule 5 Draft and therefore required to remain on the roster from the start of the 2000 season when he made his MLB debut in April of that year.

Pete brings unmatched experience and expertise to the development of baseball skills to players and coaches. His vast knowledge and worldwide presence have earned Pete immeasurable respect within the baseball community. His devotion to the game of baseball is greatly admired by those who have crossed his path.

Rick Magnante has a lot to share. He is a guy that can tell you first hand that loving this game will set you free. Following your passion and having trust in yourself first will bring you joy.  Magnante has been in and out and back into baseball as a professional player, scout, coach in the minor leagues with Milwaukee, San Diego, Detroit, Cleveland, and eventually Skipper in the Oakland organization for 13 years.

Since 1991 Alan, as a personal trainer and consultant, has worked with over 200 professional players, including 2002 Cy Young Award Winner Barry Zito, and All-Stars Dan Haren and Andrew Bailey. With a teachers training background in Yoga he positions athletes to best realize their potential on and off the playing field.

The Delgado brothers explain the importance of relationships in baseball and how you can break into the business simply by shaking hands and introducing yourself. We learn about the amount of work involved in training an international prospect in Nicaragua as well as developing young players in the United Stated simultaneously.

Arden shares his experiences and differences in making the transition from Division I college ball to the professional ranks. He stresses the advantages and importance of getting good grades to increase your scholarship opportunities.

He was pronounced dead after getting struck by a drunk driver at 8 yrs old. Keesee talks about getting knocked down over and over in baseball and in life and always finding a way to get up again.

Drafted twice and didn’t sign China uses his education and passion for the game to change lives mentally and physically as a business leader in the sports community.

12 year MLB veteran and US Olympian Brian Barden stays in the game to help mentor young players and prove there is a way to get recruited in college even if you are not a top prospect.