The Pure Athlete Podcast

In this bonus feature, Jeff and former USMNT great Carlos Bocanegra break down the United States’ dominant 2-0 victory over Australia, a win that secured first place in Group D and a perfect record at the World Cup.

A must-listen for U.S. soccer fans celebrating another impressive performance on the sport’s biggest stage!

In this special World Cup bonus feature, Jeff continues the conversation with former World Cup captain Carlos Bocanegra.

Packed with rich tactical insight and entertaining analysis, this segment is a must-listen for die-hard soccer fans and casual supporters alike as they gear up for the USA's match against Australia.

In this special World Cup bonus feature, Jeff is joined by soccer legend Carlos Bocanegra — former UCLA standout, MLS Rookie of the Year, U.S. Men's National Team captain, World Cup veteran, and U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer.

Whether you're a lifelong soccer fan or just beginning to follow the United States' World Cup journey, this segment delivers expert analysis and insider perspective on the USMNT's impressive victory over Paraguay, along with in-depth discussion of other World Cup contenders, key storylines, and the most compelling matchups shaping the tournament.

Former MLS star and current MLS TV Analyst Taylor Twellman shares his youth sports story as a multi-sport athlete who played both baseball and soccer in college before going all-in on soccer. Taylor had a prolific soccer career as a 2x Golden Boot winner and MLS MVP. He shares some strong opinions about American soccer, our current youth sports cullture, advice for parents, and advice for coaches.

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, hosts Britt and Brad sit down with Madison Gates, VP of Marketing at i9 Sports and former University of Michigan soccer standout, D1 player, and coach.

They explore one of the biggest challenges parents face today: how to introduce young kids to organized sports in a positive, healthy way. With youth sports shifting toward earlier specialization, intense travel teams, and skyrocketing pressure, many families feel overwhelmed and worried their kids will fall behind or burn out.

Madison shares her personal journey—from multi-sport youth athlete to college st...

In this powerful return episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we welcome back former CFB Hall of Fame and the host of the popular podcast See Ball. Get Ball, David Pollack, three and a half years after his first appearance.

Now raising a 17-year-old son who just committed to Clemson football and a 16-year-old daughter who’s a standout basketball player, David delivers raw, honest, and deeply practical insight into how sports parenting evolves as kids move through high school. From shifting roles — moving from “commander” to “coach” to eventually “friend” — to learning how to give your children true owne...

In this candid episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad tackle one of the hottest and most controversial topics in youth sports today: reclassification — holding kids back a grade, primarily for athletic advantages.

The guys break down:

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we sit down with Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play and a longtime voice in youth sports. With decades of experience and groundbreaking research, Tom shares the latest data on participation trends, the impact of commercialization, early specialization, and the growing influence of NIL at younger ages.

Discover powerful lessons from Norway’s remarkably successful youth sports model, why joy and love of the game matter more than wins at young ages, the importance of multi-sport play, and practical ways communities can drive real chan...

Jeff, Brad, and Britt tackle real parent questions we've received in our first installment of a practical, no-nonsense Q&A series we call ASK US ANYTHING. From travel ball decisions to tackle football, handling losses, tough coaches, and creating balance in a year-round sports culture, the guys share honest perspectives and insights from their own experiences as parents and coaches.

Key topics include:

This week on The Pure Athlete Podcast, we celebrate moms with a special guest — sports mom, wife, and chaos coordinator extraordinaire, Catie Francoeur.

Catie joins Jeff, Britt, and Brad for an honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about raising four kids in the middle of the youth sports whirlwind. From travel softball and lacrosse to forgotten cleats, late-night flights, emotional car rides, and “recalibrating” family priorities, this episode pulls back the curtain on what life really looks like for a modern sports family. Both moms and dads will enjoy and recognize many of the topics discussed, such as:

What does the future of college sports really look like—and how will it impact youth and high school athletes?

In Part 2 of this topic, we sit down with Josh Brooks, Athletic Director at the University of Georgia, to break down the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics—from NIL and the transfer portal to the realities of recruiting, roster building, and long-term athlete development.

Josh shares his journey from college equipment manager under Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher to leading one of the top athletic programs in the country. But beyond the wins and cham...

In Part 1 of this 2-part series, the guys sit down with Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the rapidly changing world of college sports.

From NIL and the transfer portal to scholarships and recruiting, Graham breaks down what’s really happening—and what it means for today’s athletes. He shares his personal journey into college athletics, offers practical advice for students who want to work in sports, and explains why opportunities are actually expanding across all levels and sports.

The conversation also tackles big questions around player loyalty, the busine...

What does it really take to develop an elite pitcher—and are we getting it wrong with today’s youth athletes?

In this episode, we sit down with Rob Friedman—better known as the creator of Pitching Ninja—to break down the evolution of pitching, the science behind velocity, and the biggest mistakes parents and coaches make with young players.

From coaching his own son to a college career at Georgia Tech baseball to building one of the most trusted platforms in baseball, Rob shares insights that every parent, coach, and player needs to hear.

We...

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we dive into one of the most challenging and emotional questions parents and coaches face: how hard should you push your kids in sports? From early development through the high school years, we unpack what “pushing” really means—and where the line exists between healthy accountability and harmful pressure.

Through honest stories and personal experiences, we explore the tension between wanting the best for your kids and knowing when to step back. We talk about effort vs. results, preparation vs. performance, and why pushing for attitude, consistency, and work ethic...

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys take an honest and thoughtful look at how faith intersects with youth sports—and the challenges parents and coaches face in keeping priorities aligned.

They dive into the growing visibility of faith in sports, discussing both the opportunities and concerns that come with that. From there, the conversation gets personal—exploring how faith shapes their own identities as parents, coaches, and competitors, and sharing authentically where they still fall short.

This episode tackles real questions parents wrestle with every day:

What’s it really like to cover the Olympics? How do elite athletes—and parents—handle pressure, disappointment, and big life moments? In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we sit down with Emmy-winning sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak, host of Things No One Tells You and longtime ESPN, Fox, and NBC sports reporter/anchor, to dive into her experiences from the Olympic desk, the power of mindset, and the human side of sports.

Lindsay shares:

On this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys sit down with Kaden Elliss of the Atlanta Falcons (signed with New Orleans Saints a week after this recording) for a powerful conversation that goes far beyond football.

Kaden shares his incredible journey—from being overlooked in recruiting and chasing a dream at quarterback, to carving out a career in the NFL through grit, faith, and relentless belief. But what truly defines his story is family. Growing up in a household of 12, with seven adopted siblings, Kaden opens up about how adoption shaped his identity, his values, an...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. John Delony, we go deeper into the realities of youth sports culture and what it means for families today. From the pressures of travel sports to the rising anxiety among young athletes, Dr. Delony offers honest and thought-provoking insight for parents trying to do the right thing.

We discuss the difference between true shared experiences and the pressure that can come with elite youth sports. Dr. Delony also shares why kids often absorb the stress of the adults around them, how sports can either help or harm a child’s me...

Youth sports can build resilience, character, teamwork, and lifelong confidence.

But they can also quietly become something else.

In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Dr. John Delony — bestselling author, two-time PhD, and host of The John Delony Show — joins the Pure Athlete team to unpack the hidden emotional weight many kids are carrying in today’s sports culture.

From travel ball schedules that dominate family life to parents unknowingly tying their self-worth to their child’s performance, Dr. Delony challenges us to ask a deeper question:

Are our kids playing for themselv...

3x Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings joins the show, sharing her continued passion for volleyball (beach and indoor), and for the growth of women's sports. Kerri shares how her love for volleyball began at an early age, in the midst of playing multiple sports and loving the "free play" aspect of childhood sports that was strongly encouraged by her parents. She also shares her experiences and development as a club and high school player who was eventually recruited to play Indoor at Stanford, where she became a 4x All American, NCAA Player of the Year, and NCAA Champion. Kerri...

Injuries are becoming more prevalent with young athletes, from ACL tears to concussions. As parents who what to help our kids pursue their sports dreams, but more importantly, want our kids to stay healthy, advice for reducing and managing injuries is valuable to say the least. On this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down with Dr. Michael Hatrak to discuss his long career as a biomechanics expert and injury consultant. Over a career that has spanned decades, he's worked alongside six different NFL teams and numerous professional athletes. In this discussion, Dr. Hatrak shares valuable insights on injury...

This week, Frenchy sits down with former MVP, 7x All-Star, 3x World Series champion, and current San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey. Buster shares insights from his journey as a player, how his parents stressed balance, how much baseball he played as a young player, his thoughts on youth sports as a dad, and more - you don't want to miss it.

On this special Parent Spotlight interview, Britt sits down with Chris McNeillie, father of three boys, the youngest of which is a junior pitcher for the Florida Gators. Chris shares his story of navigating the world of youth, travel, and high school baseball with all three of his boys. He shares insights learned along the way, sometimes the hard way, from the oldest to the youngest. As Luke, the youngest, began to blossom as a teenage southpaw pitcher, Chris looked for help from coaches to help advise and guide Luke and Chris throughout the journey. Chris shares his own...

As sports parents, most of us really want to do youth sports right on behalf of our kids and families; but we often get caught up in the moment. On this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad each bring their list of mistakes that sports parents make, and they share their own experiences and insights from making some of these mistakes. Most parents will relate to this discussion, recognizing some of the challenges we all face. Other parents will be challenged to watch out for these pitfalls before encountering them. In either case, you will enjoy the first part of...

Softball icon Jennie Finch-Daigle is our guest on this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast. Jennie shares her youth sports story with us as a multi-sport athlete, and how that helped her develop her softball skills and abilities. She talks about the role her parents played in her development, how she developed as a young pitcher, and compares her college recruiting experiences to those of today. Jennie also shares about playing travel softball as a high schooler, and shares some incredible stories and memories from her Olympic experience, including a profound story from standing on the podium receiving her...

On this episode we welcome one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, a first ballot Hall of Famer with over 3150 hits, Kansas City Royals legend George Brett. George shares some great stories from his playing days, and why he spent all 21 of his big league years with the Royals. He discusses his thoughts on today's hitting approach, including exit velocity and launch angle - and let's just say he is not a fan. He also discusses talks about the suggestions that Charlie Lou, his hitting coach with the Royals, gave him that led to his success, after never...

As an elite young soccer player, Nick Mayhugh excelled on the field but always struggled to overcome some physical limitations that he didn't understand. In spite of that, Nick was on track to play soccer at the highest levels. Until the grand mal seizure he suffered at 14, led him to a series of tests which uncovered that Nick had been born with cerebral palsy and would therefore never play soccer again. Nick shares his story on this episode, how he eventually allowed the news to fuel him into playing D1 College soccer. Nick then played on the U.S...

One of the most respected players of his era, 7x All-Star 3B David Wright is our guest on this episode. Playing all 14 years of his career with the Mets, Wright was known for leadership, disciplined preparation, and an incredible work ethic (grit). He was also known for being a great teammate, and was named team captain for it. David shares his thoughts about the importance of being a teammate and what being named team captain meant to him. He also shares his youth sports story, how he was underestimated as a young player, how he leveraged his desire to...

Jeff, Britt, and Brad look back on some of the best moments and guests in 2025, with advice to young athletes planning to move forward in 2026. In addition, they preview some of the upcoming content and 2026 guests for the podcast and for the new PA+ Baseball platform. Also included are some hot takes on the College Football playoffs and Super Bowl predictions, along with a lot of laughs. Hope you enjoy and Happy New Year!

On this episode, we welcome Coach David Cutcliffe, former head football coach at Duke and Ole Miss, and former Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee. Cutcliffe, who coached both Peyton and Eli Manning in college, is often referred to as the Quarterback Whisperer for his ability to develop young QBs. Coach Cutcliffe is one of the most respected people in college football, and thus is still very engaged on staff with the SEC. Parents, players, and especially coaches...you don’t want to miss his thoughts on the current state of CFB, the Manning QB dynasty, and his insights from 40+ years of...

Most parents hope their kids develop strong character, but where does it get prioritized when it comes to pursuing youth sports goals? Pure Athlete lists character as one of the 5 Pillars of a Pure Athlete...why? Jeff, Britt, and Brad dive into this topic on this episode, discussing why character matters both on and off the field or court, how it gets developed, what role that parents and coaches play in this process, and much more.

In addition, the guys make a big announcement at the beginning of the show - don't miss it.

We are excited to replay our 2024 episode with one of America’s most admired and respected sports figures, Coach Tony Dungy! 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 shared his personal story as a young player and as a dad, as well as many stories from his days as an college/pro player and coach, weaving in great insights for parents, coaches, and players. Coach also shares his insights on the importance of character development, as well as the element he...

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...

As we head into Thanksgiving week, we are grateful for the wise counsel we received in 2024 from Dr Tim Elmore, sharing his expertise on topics such as how can we help our kids develop grit? How do parents help, or hinder, their kids from reaching their full potential, in sports, or life? What are the keys to developing mental toughness in our kids? Do your kids suffer from FOMU (Fear of Messing Up) and how can you help them overcome it, in sports and life? These are just some of the questions we explore this week as we welcome...

Excited to replay this inspiring and insightful interview we did in 2023 with 12-yr NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky. Dan shares his youth sports journey to UConn and the NFL, along with great insights he learned along the way. He also shares his thoughts about what he is currently living our as a sports dad to his four boys.

Trying to wear both the parent hat and the coach hat at the same time can be both a fantastic and perilous experience (yes, both of those are true), and we’ve received many requests to discuss both the positive and challenging factors that come into play. Britt and Brad share their experiences and Jeff talks about his current approach with his kids as a backdrop to the discussion. From there, they talk about the many reasons that parents should consider coaching their kids, even as an assistant and especially at younger ages. They also define "daddy-ball" in terms of...

2025 MLB Hall of Fame inductee Billy Wagner joins us this week to share his unique story of how a right-handed kid became a left handed pitcher who earned 422 saves and 7 All-Star appearances in his major league career. Billy shares insights from his baseball development story, including how he overcame a childhood full of adversity to become a football and baseball player at Division 3 Ferrum College, before becoming an unlikely first round draft big in baseball. He shares some great "behind the scenes" moments from his recent Hall of Fame induction weekend in Cooperstown, including some of the cool moments...

On this episode, we welcome Sam Querrey, one of America’s top male tennis players over the past two decades, winning ten ATP titles and ranked as high as #11 in the world. Sam shares his youth sports story, growing up in California playing a variety of sports and finding great success on the tennis courts early on. That success eventually propelled him to forgo the college scholarship offer from USC and pursue a professional career. Sam shares his thoughts on the current state of US tennis development and the players who have the best chance to win a grand sl...

Some moms are as passionate (or more) about youth sports as dads, and even those who aren’t are often deeply involved because they are passionate about their kids. On this episode, Megan Cannon, a former D1 soccer player, high school coach, mental health counselor, and most importantly, mom of two young athletes and wife to a passionate sports dad, joins us to talk all about moms' roles in youth sports. Going way beyond the role of TEAM MOM, moms often take the lead in maintaining family balance, recognizing emotional needs (not just the physical needs) of young athletes, of...

Former World Number One tennis player Lindsay Davenport joins Jeff and the guys on this episode, and her journey to the top of the tennis world is anything but typical. In fact, Lindsay refers to it as the "accident" story. Raised in a volleyball family, with her father an Olympian, Lindsay was expected to eventually leave tennis behind and follow in those footsteps. Instead, she charted her own path, turning pro as a teenager and going on to win multiple Grand Slam titles, an Olympic Gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and later becoming a coach to some of...