In this episode, host Omar Zahran sits down with Gary Thrapp, founder of Beyond the Baseline and author of The Wild World of Youth Sports, to explore how athletics can be more than just games—they can be lifelines.

Gary shares his journey from coaching his own kids to running a four-court gymnasium that now serves as a hub for youth development. Omar and Gary dive into:

• The challenges and opportunities in youth sports today

• How rising costs and the travel-team model are widening the opportunity gap

• Why development and fundamentals matter more than endless tournaments

• The role of sports in teaching life lessons, accountability, and resilience

• How community-driven programs can provide positive lifelines for kids facing instability

From success stories of athletes who found a path forward to sobering realities of kids who struggled, this conversation highlights the power of sports to shape lives, families, and communities.

A big thanks to Gary for joining the show this week. Check out the work he's doing below:

Gary's website: Gary Thrapp | sports | 1540 West 12th Street, Davenport, IA, USA

Beyond the Baseline: Join Our Youth Basketball Programs Today!

Check out Gary's book: Amazon.com: The Wild World of Youth Sports: Strategies to Help Your Child Succeed in Sports and Life eBook : Thrapp, Gary: Books