Especially for Athletes Podcast

On September 10th, 2001, all of us who were alive at that time went to bed not realizing that the next day the whole world would change, but for some the world would change more than for others. The next day as planes began crashing into buildings our first responders began to run into burning collapsing buildings while others were running out them. In other places military men and women began to...

In this episode Shad and Dustin give some advice and present some possible conversations that parents can have with their young athletes as they head back to school. They talk about making social, academic and athletic goals. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/E4Afamily Instagram:...

In this episode Shad and Dustin sit down with Brian Attridge, CEO of the Utah youth soccer association and Dr. Sheldon Martin Especially for Athletes board member, and discuss a recent policy enacted by the Utah youth soccer association of zero tolerance for poor treatment of referees. https://www.utahyouthsoccer.net Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: http...

On July 25th 2021 Mason Sawyers life would change forever. Because of a sudden dust storm. A horrible crash occurred while Mason's family was returning from a family reunion that he was unable to attend. Mason's wife Kortni, children Riggins and Franki, brother Race, and nephew Ryder were killed. His son Blue survived. The way that Mason has responded to this unspeakable tragedy is inspi...

In this episode we talk about a social media post made by someone who witnessed a father being hyper-critical of his son trying to throw a football. We talk about striking the balance as parents and coaches so that we give a young athlete needed feedback to help them grow without destroying their love of the game by being too critical. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyf...

Today we are going to talk about raising victors instead of victims. When bad or unfortunate events happen the only thing we have control of is our response. When we dwell too much on the unfortunate event instead of the response it leads to bad outcomes. This is very applicable in those car ride discussions on the way home from a tough game. https://e4a.org/blog/victims-vs-victors/ Especially for...

Oftentimes young people play sports to have fun with others and to get to know other people. But sometimes they do not have the best experience because their teammates or coach tease, make fun or and bully them and it is so hurtful. We will talk about it in this week's episode. https://www.verywellfamily.com/dealing-with-bullying-on-youth-sports-teams-460677 Especially for Athletes: Website: https...

In this episode we will talk about not being a "Me Monster" when it comes to sports. With NIL's, conference realignments, and professions athletes becoming "The Brand" instead of the teams they play for, self promotion has become more and more a part of sports. When does it cross the line? When does celebrating criss the line? We discuss it with comedian and former college football player Cameron...

In this episode we will talk about not making youth specialize in sports too soon. Doing so could lead to burnout and injury and it could also limit their career and keep them from finding the sport that they would excel most in. Below are some articles mentioned: https://usatodayhss.com/lists/nfl-divisional-round-qbs-multi-sport-hs-athletes https://www.hommenorthopedics.com/blog/the-multi-sport-v...

In this week's sportlight podcast we share the first chapter of our book by the same name. We talk about the foundations of the E4A program and how athletes can help address some of young people's difficulties. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/E4Afamily Instagram: https://w...

In this week's spotlight podcast we talk about three topics. First, how to get the most out of these summer months and not waste them. Second, we talk about a comment made by Tim Tebow that athletes need to seek after MVP's but not the ones that you might expect, he says we should seek after the most vulnerable people. We also talk about a story Shaq shares in which he helped someone who was...

In this week's Sportlight Podcast we talk with Dr. Sheldon Martin about managing anxiety and stress during in-game situations. He give 5 simple but concrete tips that any athlete can employ when the pressure of the competition begins to mount. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ Twitter: https://twitter.c...

In this week's spotlight podcast we talk about leading with passion and not just filling a seat. We discuss being intentional, weeding out things that get in the way, loving our children and players enough to give them limits, and even letting them not like us for a while if it is for their own good. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.face...

How can we navigate the inevitable time when our spotlight turns off. As this school year comes to an end thousands of highschool, college, and even pro athletes are facing transitionary times when playing sports will no longer play as big of a role in their life. Former college and pro basketball player Alli Bills joins us and talks about facing those moments in our lives and challengin...

Our incredible coaches are some of the most loved and trusted people in the lives of our youth. In this episode we talk about how coaches, parents and teammates can help protect children and prevent abuse. Dr. Sheldon Martin shares signs of abuse to look for and ways to respond appropriately when we are worried that abuse may be happening. He also talks about how coaches can prevent abuse within t...

In this episode Shad and Dustin talk about the difference between being a thermostat and a thermometer. What is the difference? How can coaches, parents and players be thermostats that positively impact the "temperature" around them? Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/E4Afami...

In this episode we play the speech given at our 2022 E4A Banquet by former BYU great and NFL QB Max Hall. Max shares the details of his heartbreaking fall from NFL QB to the back of a police car. He gives specific warnings to athletes, parents and coaches that will help them stay away from this dangerous and ever more present issue. Please listen to this with someone you love, or share it wit...

Recently our youth have been telling us that Apathy is one of if not the biggest problem in their schools. In this episode we will talk about some of the reasons people experience apathy and we will dive into some possible remedies. There are a few simple suggestions and invitations throughout the episode that can make a difference  and help with apathy. E4A Spring Summit Event: https://...

In this episode we talk about making plans to really improve. We talk about the importance of being your best, not the best and how that approach contributes to greater growth. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/E4Afamily Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathl...

In this episode of the spotlight podcast, we are going to talk about how to help our children and those we coach handle losing. We will address not only how to act toward others after losing, but we will also talk about how we can help our children use the frustration of losing to foster growth. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/E...

On this week's episode of the Spotlight Podcast we are going to talk about bullying. What is bullying? Why do people bully others? What impact does bullying have? We talk specifically about how athletes can help with this societal issue that is needlessly crushing so many young people. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Especi...

This week on the Sportlight Podcast we talk about having the courage to do the work even when it requires you to take some social risk. We talk about doing the work with individuals in our schools and communities in a way that makes a difference instead of just clearing a conscience. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyFor...

In this episode Shad and Dustin talk with Desi Lomax. Deis is a former college football player, retired Law Enforcement Officer and current trainer for the Arbinger Institute. They discuss racism and what athletes can do to try to address this issue in appropriate ways. Desi is a very engaging guest with heartfelt feelings and a lot of personal experiences relating to this very important issu...

In this episode we discuss 4 Questions: Q-1 What do parents sometimes do to ruin team chemistry? Q-2 What does it look like to be a great teammate during a game? Q-3 What does it look like to be a great teammate during practice? Q-4 What does it look like to be a great teammate outside of the sport? What social responsibilities does a great teammate have? This would be a great episode to listen to...

In this episode, Shad shares a concept that the Especially For Athletes team shares with athletes in their presentation. They share about the relationship between Talent and Work Ethic. This is a great episode to listen to with your children or your team and to discuss the importance of work ethic in their lives. Especially for Athletes: Website: https://especialyforathletes.org Facebook: https://...