In this powerful re-release of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with his daughter Sydney Merkow to reflect on her youth sports journey while she was still playing competitive soccer.

From the outside, Sydney's story looked like success — championships, leadership, and high-level competition. But beneath the surface, a very different reality was unfolding.

Sydney opens up about the pressure, anxiety, injuries, and mental toll that built over time — including vocal cord dysfunction, concussions, and the early signs of deeper struggles that often go unnoticed in youth sports.

This episode sheds light on what many athletes experience but rarely say out loud — and what parents may not see until it's too late.

As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, this conversation is a reminder that performance does not always equal well-being.

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

In this follow-up conversation, Linda Flanagan returns to Be Valiant to move beyond the problems in youth sports and focus on what parents can actually do to create a better experience for their kids.

After unpacking what youth sports has become in Part 1, this episode shifts to a more empowering conversation—centered on perspective, priorities, and the choices families can make to take back control.

Linda shares real-world insights from her experience as a parent, coach, and author of Take Back the Game, including how to navigate pressure from clubs, how to think about specialization, and why outcomes like college sports and elite competition are often misunderstood. We also explore what true "success" in youth sports really looks like—and why it has far more to do with long-term health, enjoyment, and identity than wins, rankings, or scholarships.

This episode dives into:

• Why stepping back can actually benefit your child's development

• How to evaluate team culture and coaching environments

• The importance of multi-sport participation and avoiding burnout

• What parents should prioritize when making youth sports decisions

• How to help kids maintain a healthy identity beyond their sport

Linda also shares a powerful reminder for parents: youth sports are not as important as they've been made to feel—and that realization can be incredibly freeing.

If Part 1 helps you understand the system, this conversation is about navigating it with more clarity, confidence, and intention.

Because youth sports doesn't have to stay what it is today—it can be something better.

Watch this Epsiode Here

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

Before sharing my newest conversation with Linda Flanagan, I wanted to bring back our original discussion—because this is where the conversation started.

In this episode, Linda, author of Take Back the Game, joins me for a powerful look at what youth sports has become. From the pressure parents feel to the commercialization of the system, to the growing concerns around mental health, identity, and early specialization, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the reality many families are navigating today.

Linda brings a unique perspective as a former athlete, longtime coach, parent of three, and journalist who has spent years studying the evolution of youth sports. Together, we explore how we got here, and why so many well-intentioned parents find themselves caught in a system that feels overwhelming, confusing, and at times, misaligned with what's best for their kids.

We talk about:

• The fear that drives youth sports decisions today

• The pressure to specialize early—and why it can backfire

• How identity can become too tied to a single sport

• The disconnect between what parents want and what the system demands

• Why youth sports can feel far more important than it actually is

This episode is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Linda.

In Part 2, we shift from understanding the problem to exploring what youth sports can be—and how parents can start making more confident, informed decisions for their families.

If you're a parent trying to navigate the youth sports journey, this is an important place to start.

Because before we can change the experience—we have to understand it.

Watch epsiode here

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

What really happens when a lifelong sports professional becomes a youth sports parent?

In this episode of Be Valiant, Host Todd Merkow sits down with longtime friend and broadcaster Barry Buetel to unpack the real, often emotional journey of raising three daughters in youth sports.

Despite decades in professional sports, Barry shares how unprepared he felt stepping into the youth sports environment—and how quickly things like pressure, sideline behavior, and the pursuit of scholarships can change a parent's perspective.

Together, they explore:

• The shock of entering competitive youth sports as a parent

• The difference between development and winning—and why it matters

• How sideline behavior impacts every child, not just your own

• The emotional toll youth sports can take on families

• The importance of relationships, culture, and choosing the right coach

• Why, in the end, it's about time together—not outcomes

This is an honest, relatable conversation about mistakes, growth, and what it really means to support your child through sports.

Final Thought

If you're a parent navigating youth sports, remember:

You're allowed to walk away from the wrong team.

You're allowed to demand a better culture.

And most importantly—you're allowed to lead your family in a way that's right for your kids.

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

For more info and resources go to www.PlayFearless.org

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

Jonathan Carone, founder of Healthy Sports Parents, joins Valiant Sports Society CEO & Founder, and host, Todd Merkow to talk about what youth sports parenting looks like when the focus shifts from pressure and performance to joy, growth, and long-term development.

In this episode, Jonathan shares how his own experience as an athlete, coach, and dad shaped his mission to help parents better understand the emotional side of youth sports. He explains why kids need safe opportunities to fail, why parents must learn to identify the fears driving their decisions, and why so much of youth sports culture becomes unhealthy when adults try to control outcomes too early.

Todd and Jonathan also discuss rec vs. travel sports, early specialization, communication between coaches and parents, the importance of letting kids develop on their own timeline, and why most parents want to do better — they just have never been taught how.

This is an honest and insightful conversation for any parent trying to lead with more awareness, confidence, and courage in the youth sports journey.

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with former Olympian, elite beach volleyball player, and coach Liz Masakayan for a candid, real-world conversation about what youth sports has become—and what it should be.

Drawing from her experience as both an athlete and coach, Liz breaks down the growing tension between structure and freedom in youth sports. From the pressures of tryouts and early specialization to the realities of team dynamics, confidence, and development, this episode challenges many of the assumptions parents and athletes carry into the process.

Todd and Liz explore:

• Why so many athletes are moving from indoor to beach volleyball
• The difference between control and ownership in an athlete's journey
• How early labels and positional decisions can limit development
• The importance of accountability, communication, and resilience
• What parents get wrong—especially from the sidelines
• Why adversity, not comfort, leads to long-term growth

This is not a theoretical conversation—it's grounded in lived experience, real challenges, and honest perspective.

If you're a parent navigating youth sports, or an athlete trying to find your path, this episode will help you think differently about development, competition, and what truly matters.

Be Valiant. Play Fearless

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

www.PlayFearless.org

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Be Valiant, Todd sits down with former Arizona State standout and SportsForce CEO Andrew Beinbrink to unpack the reality of youth sports development and the college recruiting process.

Andrew shares his journey from multi-sport athlete to pro baseball, and how those experiences shaped his mission to help families navigate one of the most confusing—and often misunderstood—paths in youth sports.

This conversation goes far beyond recruiting. It dives into parenting, pressure, mental resilience, and what truly matters in an athlete's development.

If you're a parent trying to make the "right" decisions for your child—or feeling overwhelmed by the process—this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

• Why early specialization may be hurting your athlete

• The 3 things kids actually want from sports (hint: it's not scholarships)

• How the transfer portal is reshaping recruiting opportunities

• Why most families misunderstand their athlete's true level

• How to support your child without adding pressure

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Guest: Andrew Beinbrink, CEO & Founder - Sportsforce SportsForce Website

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

www.PlayFearless.org

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with Christian Lavers — founder and president of the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) and a lifelong coach who has helped shape the modern landscape of elite youth soccer and college recruiting. Christian shares his own youth sports journey, how his parents approached sports in their household, and what ultimately pulled him from finance into coaching and leadership in the game.

Christian breaks down why the ECNL was created, the original problems it set out to solve on the girls' side, and how competition and adversity helped sharpen the league's mission over time. The conversation goes deeper than wins and exposure, exploring what a truly great youth sports experience should feel like for players, parents, and families — and why environment matters as much as outcomes.

Todd and Christian also discuss the changing realities of youth sports today: sideline behavior, communication between parents and coaches, mental health, and why resources like coach education and athlete health research are becoming essential. Christian explains how the ECNL is investing in better coaching, better information, and better experiences — while staying "sport-driven," not just business-driven.

The episode closes with a fun rapid-fire segment, including Christian's definition of what it means to Be Valiant: be brave, be honorable, and stand up for what you believe.

Key topics covered

• Christian's multi-sport background, specialization, and path into coaching
• The origin story of the ECNL and how it evolved into a national platform
• Club standards, league values, and what creates an "aspirational" environment
• Parents, coaches, and communication: building better guardrails
• Youth athlete mental health, sleep, and the importance of credible resources
• High school soccer, balance, and avoiding overly "professionalized" youth sports
• The future of ECNL and what "best experience in the world" really means

Links to Referenced Info: The ECNL Original Research

Guest: Christian Lavers (Founder & President, ECNL)

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with Dr. Erik Dean, Medical Director for Sports Medicine at HonorHealth and a former University of Arizona Division I football player, for a no-fluff conversation every sports parent needs to hear.

Dr. Dean breaks down what he's seen change over 25 years treating athletes—especially the sharp rise in early specialization, overuse injuries, and major surgeries showing up at younger and younger ages. They dig into why multi-sport participation matters, how fatigue + growth spurts create real injury risk, and what parents should do when pain shows up in that critical "open growth plate" window.

You'll also hear Dr. Dean's perspective as a girl dad and former youth coach, including how to keep sports fun, protect kids from burnout, and why even pro athletes take real off seasons (for a reason). The episode closes with rapid-fire questions on red flags, the most common injuries he sees, and what "Be Valiant" means from a team doctor's point of view.

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

www.PlayFearless.org

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

Be Valiant sits down with Joel Votaw, Arizona's State Referee Administrator and a longtime youth sports parent, for a conversation from the perspective most families never hear: the middle of the field.

Joel shares what today's referee landscape really looks like—why a huge percentage of officials are teenagers, what drives the ongoing referee shortage, and how sideline behavior (from parents and coaches) impacts not only the game, but the confidence and mental health of young officials. Together, Todd and Joel unpack the difference between passion vs. abuse, why tryout season creates so much stress for families, and what it takes to build a safer, more respectful environment where kids can simply play.

You'll also hear Joel's push to grow the pipeline of female referees, plus practical ideas for how parents can help—starting with one simple habit that goes further than most people realize.

If you've ever yelled "Call it both ways," questioned a handball, or wondered what refs are thinking when the sidelines get heated—this episode is for you.

Topics covered:

• The reality of youth referees (and why so many are minors)
• Why officials quit—and what keeps them in the game
• Passion vs. abuse: where the line gets crossed
• How coach behavior fuels parent behavior (and vice versa)
• Building "Team Cool" culture on the sidelines
• Growing pathways for women in officiating

Share this episode with a coach, a team parent, or any family entering the soccer/travel sports world.

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

Learn more about Valiant Sports Society: www.PlayFearless.org Support the mission: playfearless.org/donate

Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

© 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.