UNCOACHED

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Nate Dalena, Executive Director of Rugby NorCal , to explore a youth sport that many parents and coaches may not know much about. We talk about how kids are safely introduced to rugby, why the game puts so much decision-making in the hands of the athletes, and how its culture teaches respect alongside physical competition. Nate also shares what rugby...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Anthony Brenner , who brings more than 30 years of experience coaching and developing athletes from youth soccer through the professional level. We talk about what real player development should look like, why the environment around a young athlete matters so much, and what experienced coaches and scouts notice that parents might miss from the sidelin...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Jordan Elder , pastor, coach, sports parent, and author of Playing for Something More , to talk about what happens when youth sports start taking up too much space in our families’ lives. We explore the pressure around performance and achievement, how to help kids separate who they are from how they play, and the role parents and coaches can have in d...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Jon Orr , founder of the Sports Reclamation Project , to talk about where youth sports may have lost its way and how parents and coaches can help bring the joy back. Drawing from decades of coaching and his experience as a military veteran, Jon shares a unique perspective on leadership, coach burnout, the pressure to chase better teams and bigger oppo...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Paul Dippolito of Clutch Sports , who turned his passion for improving youth sports into building a soccer league in his own community. We talk about what it means to build a youth sports program around a clear mission, why strong local and recreational leagues still matter, and what parents, coaches, and league leaders can do to create a better exper...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Jerimee Moses from True Lacrosse , one of the largest youth lacrosse organizations in the country, to talk about developing young athletes the right way. We explore what makes lacrosse such a unique sport, what real player development should look like beyond wins and team placement, and why patience matters when kids are still learning. Even if lacros...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Jen Risley , a sports mom and creator of the Sports Pregame app, to talk about a part of youth sports every travel family knows well: tournament weekends. We get into the lessons Jen has learned navigating youth sports, the common mistakes that make tournament travel more stressful, and some practical ways parents can save time, money, and a little sa...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Tim Maycock , longtime coach, educator, and founder of SCOPRO Soccer , to talk about what great coaching really looks like. We explore how young athletes learn best, why decision-making is one of the most important skills coaches can develop, and simple ways to create practices that keep every player engaged instead of standing in line. Whether you co...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Dr. Carey Heller , a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with children and teens with ADHD, anxiety, executive functioning challenges, and learning differences. We explore how these challenges can show up in youth sports, what parents and volunteer coaches often misunderstand, and simple, practical ways to help young athletes stay focused...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Libby Triolo , a performance coach who helps young athletes develop the mental and emotional skills that often make the biggest difference in sports. We explore how parents and volunteer coaches can help kids build confidence, handle mistakes, manage emotions, and develop the resilience needed to thrive through both the highs and lows of competition....

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Jason Fetters , a longtime baseball coach, founder of a player-focused youth baseball club, and creator of Practice OS , a coaching app that helps coaches build more effective practices. We dive into the pressure of today's youth baseball tryout system, what meaningful player development really looks like, and how volunteer coaches can create practice...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Katie Castle , a registered psychologist and youth sports performance specialist, to explore the mental side of youth sports and what parents and volunteer coaches can do to help kids thrive. We discuss confidence, healthy aggression, pressure, fear of mistakes, and the growing professionalization of youth sports, along with practical strategies for c...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Coach Kristin Tullo to talk about the mental side of youth sports and how coaches and parents can help athletes build real confidence. While Kristin’s work often focuses on hockey coaches, her insights apply across almost every sport as we dig into anxiety, pressure, mistakes, performance expectations, and simple ways adults can help young athletes st...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Mandy Holmes , a sports mom and the creator behind Carpool Contracts , to talk about the rising cost of youth sports and how teams can think differently about fundraising and sponsorships. Mandy shares practical advice for parents, coaches, and teams looking to bring in support, approach local businesses the right way, and create real value for sponso...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Jordan Rifkin , better known as Broke Dad Jordan , to talk about the hilarious and painfully relatable side of being a sports parent. Jordan brings humor to the chaos of youth sports, from tournament weekends and packed schedules to rising costs, wild expenses, and the everyday reality of trying to keep up without losing your money, time, or sanity. Q...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with David Gerson , the creator behind Refs Need Love Too , to talk about the role referees play in youth sports and why parents, coaches, and players need a better understanding of what officials deal with during games. David shares practical insight on sideline behavior, respecting officials, coaching players through frustration, and how adults can help...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with David Hitz , a mental performance coach for athletes and one of the people behind Athlete Narrative , to talk about the mental side of youth sports and how families can better understand the recruiting process. David shares practical insight on confidence, mindset, helping athletes get noticed, and what parents and coaches can do to support kids who w...

In this episode of Uncoached , I sit down with Morgan Schill, Founder of the Positive Play Project , to talk about creating better youth sports experiences for kids, parents, and volunteer coaches. Morgan shares insights from her background as a former college athlete, coach, and sports mom, including how adults can build more positive team environments, balance hard coaching with fun, and help yo...