Ask Aaron and EJ - The Brand and The Source

Before the First Drill, Coaches Have Already Formed an Opinion. Most athletes expect tryouts to be decided by what happens on the field. Coaches Aaron Thigpen and Eric Johnson argue that the judgment often starts earlier, with how a player looks, moves, and carries himself on arrival. In their view, an awkward stride or an unprepared walk-in can become a red flag before a coach has seen the athlete perform.

Coaches Erik Johnson ("EJ") and Aaron Thigpen discuss why many athletes seem to lack confidence today. They point to social media scrutiny, overscheduling that leaves little time to reflect, a result-driven culture, and athletes who do not know their own strengths. Their advice: build confidence through the process, name what each athlete does well, make time to reflect soon after competition, and get parents, coaches, and trainers working from the same plan for each athlete.

Coaches Erik Johnson ("EJ") and Aaron Thigpen discuss why many athletes seem to lack confidence today. They point to social media scrutiny, overscheduling that leaves little time to reflect, a result-driven culture, and athletes who do not know their own strengths. Their advice: build confidence through the process, name what each athlete does well, make time to reflect soon after competition, and get parents, coaches, and trainers working from the same plan for each athlete.

A spectacular bat or a blazing fastball can attract attention, but one standout number does not guarantee a player helps a team win. In a conversation about college baseball recruiting, coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen argue that a player’s weaknesses matter because they can limit the value of even an impressive strength.The goal is not to become exceptional at everything. It is to understand what a team needs from a player, develop the abilities that matter most, and keep weaknesses from becoming liabilities.

Youth sports can make it feel as if every family has to take the same route: join the same organization, train year-round, and copy whatever successful athletes are doing. Coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen argue that this pressure can distract families from a more useful question: what does this particular athlete need, at this stage, to keep developing?

Their answer is not to reject outside advice or inspiration. It is to stop treating someone else’s path as a ready-made plan.

Why Athletes Need a Plan, Not Just More Work

The urge to train harder can be a strength—until it gets in the way of training well. Coaches Eric Johnson and Aaron Thigpen say athletic progress depends on more than effort: it takes a plan that connects each workout to a sport-specific goal, room to recover, and enough patience to master the work.

A high school’s winning record can look like proof that it is the right place for an athlete. But wins alone don’t show whether a program develops players, gives them a fair chance, or helps them move toward their next goal. Coaches Aaron Thigpen and Erik Johnson argue that families should investigate a school’s athletic program before committing—not after an athlete has spent years in the wrong situation.

 Young pitchers are obsessed with throwing hard, but this "chasing velocity" mindset is leading to burnout and injury. Learn how to build a sustainable, year-round plan for arm health and peak performance.

In the world of baseball recruiting, the radar gun often feels like the ultimate judge. Young pitchers, their parents, and even some coaches have become singularly focused on one metric: pitching velocity. This obsession has created a culture of "chasing velocity," where athletes jump from one quick-fix program to another, often at the expense of their long-term health and development as a complete pitcher.

In a recent discussion, veteran coaches Eric Johnson ("The Bran") and Aaron Thigpen ("The Source") of the "Ask Aaron and Ask EJ" podcast broke down the pitfalls of this trend and outlined a smarter, more sustainable path to becoming a high-level pitcher.

In the competitive world of high school sports, being a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions often feels like a badge of honor. A player who can pitch a winning game on Tuesday and hit a home run on Friday is invaluable to their team. However, as athletes set their sights on a collegiate career, this versatility can become a significant roadblock. This is the "dual position dilemma"—the struggle between being a jack-of-all-trades in high school and the need to become a master of one for the next level.

In the world of athletics, everyone wants to get better, faster, and stronger. But a significant gap often exists between the desire to improve and the understanding of what it truly takes. This disconnect in training expectations—between athletes, parents, and even coaches—can lead to frustration, stalled progress, and a cycle of endless "fixes" that never stick. The core issue often boils down to a fundamental misunderstanding between simply working out and engaging in true performance training.