Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source

In the world of sports, success isn't just about talent—it's about  ownership . Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into the critical concept of athlete ownership, exploring why taking responsibility for one's athletic career is the key to true success.

Do You Really Believe in Yourself? A Deep Dive into Athletic Self-Confidence In this compelling podcast episode of "Ask Aaron and Ask EJ", Coaches EJ and Aaron explore a critical question facing modern athletes: Do you truly believe in yourself? Their discussion delves into the evolving landscape of athletic self-confidence and the challenges facing today's athletes. Related podcast:...

In the world of youth sports, terms like "elite," "special," and "select" have become ubiquitous marketing buzzwords. But what do these labels truly mean? Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into the overuse and misrepresentation of these terms in their podcast "Champions are Built

In the rapidly evolving world of collegiate athletics, student athletes must now approach their sports careers with a strategic mindset. The emergence of what coaches are calling the "New Collegiate Free Agency" (NCFA) has transformed traditional recruitment and career development pathways.

In the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, the transfer portal has become a hot-button topic. Coaches EJ and Aaron break down the complex reasons why student-athletes are increasingly choosing to change schools, revealing insights into the modern sports ecosystem.

In a compelling podcast episode of "Champions Built," coaches Chris Bodislaw and Brett Wallace from the University of California Berkeley baseball program shared profound insights into athletic development, recruiting, and the evolving landscape of collegiate sports. Their discussion offers valuable guidance for aspiring athletes, parents, and coaches.

In this insightful podcast discussion, Coaches EJ and Aaron dive deep into the critical aspects of creating the right environment for athletes. Their conversation explores how various factors contribute to an athlete's success and personal development.

In this revealing podcast episode, veteran strength and conditioning coach Bob Alejo shares his profound insights into athletic performance training, challenging many contemporary misconceptions about sports training and athlete development.

The journey to becoming a Division 1 (D1) collegiate athlete begins much earlier than many realize. Coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen discuss the crucial timeline and benchmarks that aspiring student-athletes should focus on, starting as early as 5th or 6th grade.

In this episode, Coaches EJ and Aaron discuss the concept of the "guru" in the fitness and training industry. They share insights on how to identify legitimate experts versus those who may be more focused on popularity and marketing than actual results.

In the world of youth athletics, it's easy for parents to find themselves caught up in a never-ending cycle of training, tournaments, and travel. The allure of the "next big thing" can lead families down a path of endless commitments, sacrificing time, money, and energy in pursuit of athletic success. However, as Coaches EJ and Aaron discuss, it's crucial to take a step back and...

In this episode of the "Champions are Built" podcast, hosts Coach EJ and Coach Aaron discuss the importance of having a "Reason for Every Season" when planning an athlete's annual calendar. They provide insights on navigating the complex youth sports landscape, avoiding overspecialization, and developing well-rounded athletes.

In this episode, hosts Coach EJ and Coach Aaron discuss the common pitfalls that can slow down an athlete's development, including the tendency to chase "magic beans" (quick fixes), having too many cooks in the kitchen (too many conflicting voices), and not being "all in" on their chosen path. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness, defining a clear development pro...

In this episode, hosts Coach EJ the Brand and Coach Aaron the Source discuss the growing trend of excessive celebrations in sports and how it is impacting the essence of the games. They explore potential reasons behind this phenomenon, including the influence of social media, the commercialization of sports, and the changing attitudes of younger generations. The hosts also delve into the broader i...

Establishing a Strategic Social Media Approach for Student-Athletes As the world of sports recruitment evolves, an athlete's online presence has become a crucial component of the process. In this podcast, we'll explore the optimal timing and best practices for student-athletes to establish their digital footprint and leverage social media as a tool for connecting with coaches and showcasin...

The Dangers of Gamifying Athletic TrainingPrioritizing Numbers Over Substance in Youth Sports In the world of youth sports, there has been a concerning trend towards the "gamification" of training, where the focus has shifted from developing well-rounded athletes to chasing arbitrary numbers and statistics. This shift, as discussed by coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen, is having a d...

Unlocking the Art of Sports: Embracing Intuition, Awareness and Flow Exploring the Intersection of Science and Art in Sports In this insightful conversation, renowned sports performance expert Alan Jaeger shares his unique perspective on the importance of blending the scientific and artistic aspects of athletic development. Related Podcast- Playing Free https://youtu.be/vqmHnIqR_hY #mentalpractice...

🎙️ Ready to dive into the world of athlete exposure? 🌟 In our latest episode, Coach Ej and Coach Aaron unpack the importance of proper exposure for athletes.

In this podcast episode of "Champions are Built," Coach EJ and Aaron discuss the importance of confidence in athletes, why some lack confidence, and how to nurture and develop confidence in players. They delve into the significance of creating an environment that fosters honest confidence, the role of communication in building confidence, and the impact of competition on an athlete's...

The Changing Landscape of Performance Training Aaron & EJ reflect on the evolution of performance training over the past three decades. They note how the once-specialized and premium nature of this training has become increasingly commercialized and commonplace. This shift has led to a "mass mentality" where athletes and parents often treat performance training like a gym membership,...

Protecting Young Arms: The Pitch Count Dilemma in Baseball Navigating the Risks of Overuse Injuries in Youth and Professional Baseball In the ever-evolving world of baseball, the debate surrounding pitch count and arm health has taken center stage. As coaches, trainers, and athletes grapple with the delicate balance between performance and injury prevention, it's crucial to understand the nuan...

From Island to the Gridiron: The Inspiring Journey of Eteva Mauga Clements Overcoming Obstacles, Chasing NFL Dreams Etiva Mauga Clements, better known as "Va," has had an extraordinary journey from his small island home in American Samoa to the collegiate football fields of the United States. In this insightful interview, Va shares his story of perseverance, determination, and the unwave...

"""🎙️ Pack mentality: the invisible force that shapes athletes' decisions and limits their potential. Let's dive into why following the herd might not lead to success. 🏆 #SportsPsychology #AthleteMindset

In a recent podcast episode of "Champions Are Built," hosts Coach Eric Johnson (EJ) and Coach Aaron Thigpen had a thought-provoking conversation with Greg Tella, the President of Sports Social Network and former strength and conditioning coach for the San Jose Earthquakes. The discussion delved into various aspects of youth sports, the importance of competitiveness, and the challenges fa...

A conversation with hometown athlete Isiaiah Foskey and his journey to the NFL.