Are We Pushing Young Athletes Too Hard? | Youth Specialization, Rodeo, and Long-Term Health | Champion Living Podcast

In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast, the crew tackles one of the hottest and most controversial topics in sports: youth specialization, especially in youth rodeo.

Are we pushing kids too hard, too early? What’s the cost of high-level performance before puberty—and are we setting kids up for success or burnout?

Doug and the team share personal stories, experiences from working with young athletes, and hard truths about what true athletic development looks like. From fishing trips and family moments to deep-dive conversations on training smart, they challenge the “all-in, all-year” mindset dominating youth sports today.

You’ll hear insights on how to balance fun and fundamentals, why raw athleticism matters more than early success, and how to protect the long-term health of young athletes—without sacrificing competitive goals.

🎙️ Episode Topics:

Dangers of early specialization in youth rodeo

Letting kids be kids while still developing athleticism

Gym talk: smart training vs. overtraining

Stories from the crew’s personal fitness and archery fails

The importance of stepping away from screens and reconnecting

Health, recovery, and what biohacking really means

The value of knowing what’s happening inside your body before you train harder

This one’s for parents, coaches, and athletes who care about longevity, performance, and building champions the right way.

📌 Show Notes & Timestamps:
03:11 – Disconnecting from tech & real-world balance
05:24 – Community, coaching, and tough conversations
12:19 – Youth rodeo and early athletic development
24:18 – Balancing passion and play for young athletes
29:28 – Archery lessons and finding peace outdoors
35:28 – Gym routines and the supplement conversation
37:02 – Building training programs that work
56:18 – Health awareness, blood panels & biohacking basics

💪 Ready to train smarter, not just harder?
Start with a free consultation or grab one of our customized rodeo athlete training plans here:
👉 https://championlivingfitness.com/pages/athlete-form-sign-up

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your shows.

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