Olympic gold medalist Steve Mesler (Vancouver 2010, Bobsled) delivers a nuanced perspective on youth sports that challenges both the "winning is everything" and "winning doesn't matter" camps. As co-founder of Classroom Champions and a father navigating today's youth sports landscape, Steve explores the complex relationship between achievement, self-worth, and the purpose of sport.

This conversation digs deep into uncomfortable truths: Why do we tell kids winning doesn't matter while screaming at the TV during playoffs? Can we value podium performance AND lifelong participation? Steve shares insights from his Olympic journey, working with elite athletes as a performance coach, and raising his own children in an era of intense sports pressure.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The paradox of achievement in sport
• Separating results from self-worth
• Why it's okay to be sad when you lose
• The danger of "either/or" thinking in youth sports
• Broadening success metrics for young athletes
• The American vs. Canadian approach to youth sports
• Creating space for both competition and participation

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

05:13 Steve's Athletic Journey & Early Influences

06:45 Defining Success in Youth Sports

08:20 Access to Sports as a Child

09:58 The Current Landscape of Youth Sports Specialization

13:13 Formative Experiences and Lessons from Losing

17:53 The Need to Be Explicit about Lessons from Sport

19:27 Steve's Difficult Battle with Depression

23:05 Asking for Help and Overcoming Depression

30:13 The Role of Hope in Recovery

32:57 Classroom Champions: Empowering Youth Through Sports

38:25 Navigating Youth Sports: Balancing Passion and Pressure

42:17 Treating Sports Like Other Healthy Habits for Kids

46:18 Changing the Value Proposition in Youth Sports

48:05 The Complexities of Hockey Culture in Canada

53:30 The Culture of Entitlement in Sports

56:20 Defining Success Through Sports

01:00:02 Long-Term Athlete Development & Bobsledding

01:02:54 What Makes a Good Coach in Youth Sports?

01:06:54 Trust and Communication in Coach-Athlete Relationships

01:12:12 Redefining Success in Sports

01:17:40 Balancing Winning & Personal Growth in Sports

Resources:

Steve Mesler | Executive Performance Coaching

Classroom Champions

Former NHL star Brendan Morrison (900+ games, West Coast Express) shares hard-earned wisdom from raising four Division I athletes. He challenges the "elite" youth sports culture that's pyramiding kids too early, discusses why banning parent coaches is often misguided, and reveals how his children took completely different paths to high-level athletics.

In this episode, Brendan tackles tough topics: parents yelling at young referees, the false promise of early specialization, and why keeping expectations realistic is crucial for both parent and child wellbeing. If you're navigating the increasingly intense world of youth sports, this conversation offers perspective from someone who's lived it at the highest level—both as a player and a parent.

Key Topics Discussed:

Why labeling kids "elite" at young ages is problematic

The dangers of early sports specialization

How to handle referee abuse at youth games

Why qualified parent coaches should be allowed behind the bench

Different paths to Division I athletics

Keeping realistic expectations as a sports parent

Subscribe to Better Sports Parents for more conversations with Olympic athletes, professional sports stars, and experts who understand what truly matters in youth athletics.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:06 Detailing his Children's Youth Sports' Paths to the NCAA

07:15 How Youth Sports has Changed over the Past 20 Years

09:02 Kids Being Recruited for Travel Teams at 7 or 8 Years Old

10:24 Why His Kids Didn't Specialize in One Sport

15:35 Parental Behaviour He's Witnessed First-Hand

19:20 Coaching Your Own Kid

24:20 When a Parent Lost His Temper with Brendan

28:40 How Much Development Should Be Unstructured?

31:50 The Difference with Multi-Sport Athletes

35:40 Managing Parents Expectations

39:14 Changing NCAA Schools: His Son's Story

43:04 Brendan's Late Specialization in Hockey

44:56 His Parents Approach to Youth Sports

49:28 Versatility & Work Ethic: The Keys to Making the NHL

55:35 Challenges in Youth Sports Today

01:05:19 Finding the Right Balance in Youth Sports

01:07:23 Coaches and Referees: Retention Crisis

01:10:44 Why Parent Coaches Shouldn't Be Banned

01:13:52 Vetting Coaches: Skills vs. Character

01:14:45 Biggest Issue in Youth Sports Today

About Brendan Morrison:

Hobey Baker Award winner (top NCAA player, 1997)

900+ NHL games with 7 teams, including the legendary West Coast Express line

Father of four Division I athletes

Host of Reel West Coast

Resources: ⁠

https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/morribr01.html https://reelwestcoastfishing.com/

A 20-year veteran of Team Canada, Kim Gaucher shares her journey from a high school basketball star to a professional athlete and coach. She discusses the significance of youth sports in fostering social skills, resilience, and teamwork. Kim emphasizes the importance of parents modeling behaviour in teaching their children about sports, the benefits of multi-sport participation, and the challenges of access and affordability in youth sports today. She also highlights the cultural differences in youth sports between Europe and North America, the impact of social media, and the growing importance of mental health awareness in sports. Kim also reflects on the pressures faced by young athletes and the evolving landscape of women's sports.

Among the key topics Kim discusses in this conversation:

• Why getting CUT from provincial teams was the best thing for her development

• How social media is impacting young athletes' mental health
• The lack of accountability in youth sports programs
• What parents should actually look for in coaches

Kim's story is a masterclass in resilience—from being a shy kid who hated dance class to becoming Team Canada's captain for 9 years and playing professionally for two decades. Her insights on parenting, coaching, and the commercialization of youth sports are essential listening for every sports parent.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

04:40 How Team Sports Changed Kim's Life

05:35 Family Values that Show Up in Youth Sport

06:50 Early Sports Memories: Dance and Soccer

08:39 How Her Coach Made Soccer Fun

10:44 A Childhood Filled with Free Play

12:55 Parents Who Modeled Hard Work & Commitment

15:23 When Basketball Became Her Passion

17:16 Multi-Sport Athlete: Why It Mattered

20:45 The Access Crisis in Canadian Basketball

22:46 European Model vs. North American System

29:00 School-Based Teams & Development

33:35 The Current Focus on Individual Skills vs. Team Understanding

35:40 The Lost Art of Problem-Solving

38:10 How Kim's Parents Acted in the Stands

39:53 Learning Through Trial & Error

42:15 The Beneficiary of Great Coaches

44:15 Sport Lessons She Takes into Parenting

45:40 Defining Success in Youth Sports

47:15 Social Media's Dark Side for Athletes

52:46 Why Women's Sports Are Exploding

54:06 Mental Health in Youth Sports

58:40 Pressure in Today's Youth Sports

59:55 Financial Pressure on Parents & Kids

1:03:24 What Sport Teaches You for Life

1:05:17 Career Reflections: Growing Team Canada

1:06:42 The Biggest Issue in Youth Sports

1:09:34 How to Evaluate Good Coaching

Resources: ⁠Kim Gaucher - Team Canada⁠

Hockey Hall of Famer Geraldine Heaney, who scored the game-winning goal in the first Women's World Championship and won Olympic gold, shares what's broken in youth hockey and her view on how to fix it.

From pioneer player to coaching her own kids, Geraldine has seen it all: as a multi-sport athlete who taught herself the game, as an elite player, and now as a parent navigating today's youth hockey landscape.

Geraldine coached at the professional and university levels and currently coaches U18 AA, the highest level of girls' hockey in Ontario. She doesn't sugarcoat: too many kids are overtrained (7+ times per week), parents have unrealistic expectations, and a lot of talented players don't understand the game.

But she sees hope in kids who play for the right reasons, rare multi-sport athletes, and memories that outlast trophies.

Key Issues Geraldine Tackles:

• Parents coaching from the sidelines
• Hockey's affordability problem
• Unrealistic expectations from parents
• Social media's dark side

• Why kids need to watch hockey to understand it
• Her approach to coaching her own kids

About Geraldine Heaney:

• Hockey Hall of Fame (2013) & IIHF Hall of Fame (2008)
• First Women's World Championship game-winning goal (1990)
• 7 World Championship golds, Olympic gold (2002), Olympic silver (1998)

• Mother of two former competitive hockey players

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:50 The Growth of Women's Professional Hockey

05:17 How Geraldine Got Started in Hockey

08:00 Multi-Sport Athlete: Playing Everything

09:07 How Multi-Sport Made Her a Hall of Famer

10:26 What's Missing in Youth Sports Today

11:22 The Pathway to Burnout

13:25 Coaching U18 AA: Multi-Sport Athletes Are Gone

15:56 Why Coaches Pressure Year-Round Specialization

18:40 The Cost Crisis: Pricing Families Out of Hockey

20:43 What Kids Should Get From Sport (Not Scholarships)

26:00 Coaching Your Own Kids: The Challenges

28:33 Parents Coaching from the Stands

32:20 The Advantage of Having Parents Who Didn't Know Hockey

33:58 What Kept Her in Hockey When There Was No Pathway

35:47 Supporting as a Parent vs. Being Overbearing

42:45 Why Kids Need to Watch Hockey

45:47 Social Media's Impact on Young Athletes

48:40 Mental Health in Youth Sports

53:35 Pulling a Player Aside: Teaching vs. Attitude

56:20 Advice for Parents Feeling the Pressure

59:08 The Biggest Issue in Youth Sports Today

59:56 Why She's Passionate About Youth Sports

Resources: ⁠⁠Legends of Hockey - Induction Showcase - Geraldine Heaney

Three-time Olympic gold medalist and Canadian Senator Marnie McBean joins Better Sports Parents to discuss the crisis facing youth sports in Canada and what we can do about it.

From her rowing career to raising her 10-year-old daughter Isabel, Marnie shares insights on why multi-sport participation matters more than early specialization, how we're monetizing youth sports at kids' expense, and why confidence, not medals, should be the goal.

Key topics include:

• Why Canadian boys might not finding their best sports (hint: it's the hockey pipeline)
• The difference between structured vs. unstructured play
• How parents can support without backseat-coaching
• Why we need tax incentives for coaches and multi-sport families
• The future of sport in Canada

Marnie doesn't hold back on what's broken, but more importantly, she offers actionable solutions for parents, coaches, and policymakers who want to keep kids in sport longer and healthier.

🎙️ Better Sports Parents helps families navigate youth sports with confidence, perspective, and purpose.

👉 Subscribe for conversations with world-class athletes, coaches, and experts

Chapters

00:00 Introduction0

3:54 Why youth health and sport became Marnie's life mission

05:47 Sport as the fun vehicle for improving quality of life

08:31 Structured vs. unstructured play: What's missing today

09:51 The privilege problem: Who gets access to youth sports?

11:43 Multi-sport participation: Why it matters more than specialization

17:30 Marnie's childhood: No specialization, just trying things

22:40 Why Canadian boys may be missing sports outside of hockey

24:54 What kept Marnie in sport while growing up

26:24 What keeps athletes motivated beyond winning

30:00 Letting kids bring their personality (yes, even the nails and makeup)

33:29 The monetization of youth sports

36:55 What does "winning" mean for your child?

39:46 Lessons from around the world: Patience and perspective

42:25 Let kids choose their sports

44:07 Should parents stay at practice?

46:47 The biggest distraction at the Olympics: Friends & family

49:30 Building trust between coaches and parents

54:46 The recreational pathway gap for teenagers

57:23 Don't forget individual sports

01:01:11 How can Canada improve the youth sports environment?

01:03:24 Tax incentives for multi-sport and coaching stipends

Resources:

Senator Marnie McBean https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/mcbean-marnie/

Jumpstart State of Play 2024 https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0122/8124/9892/files/State-of-Play-2024-EN.pdf?v=1713368242

Courtesy of Mas+ by Messi, Jesse Marsch, coach of Canada's National Men's Soccer Team, joins Better Sports Parents to share lessons from his playing career in MLS, managing in Europe, and raising three children across multiple countries and cultures.

From playing for the US National Team to coaching the New York Red Bulls and leading clubs in Germany, Austria, and England, Jesse has seen youth sports development from every angle. Now as a father of three grown children who played sports around the world, he offers unique insights into what actually matters in youth athletics.

Jesse Marsch doesn't give parenting advice: he gives coaching insights rooted in decades of professional experience and the lessons learned from watching his own three children navigate sports across the globe. This is an episode for every parent wondering whether they're doing it right, every coach trying to create the right environment, and every young athlete who just wants to love the game.Key

Topics Discussed:

• How sports became the bridge for his kids to adapt to new cultures
• The Biggest Problem in Youth Sports
• Creating Space for Free Play
• Why the best players in the world grew up playing on the streets, not in structured environments
• The Pay-to-Play Reality
• Coaching Your Own Kids
• Body Language on the Sidelines
• Youth Development
• Creating Club Identity
• The Canadian National Team Values

About Jesse Marsch:

• Current Head Coach, Canada Men's National Team
• Former Head Coach: New York Red Bulls, Leeds United, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg
• Former MLS player (14 years) and US National Team player
• Father of three who have played sports in 8+ countries

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

05:30 The Evolution of MLS Since Jesse's Playing Days

07:02 The Nomadic Coaching Lifestyle as a Parent

09:10 How Sports Created Community in Every Country

11:53 German HALA Tournaments: Pure Joy & Fun

16:14 The Importance of Free Play

20:20 Jesse's Evolution as a Sports Parent

23:46 Jesse's Parents: Hands-Off But Held Him Accountable

25:24 Teammates Who Shaped His Understanding of Leadership

27:43 The Selflessness of Great Teammates

30:00 Balancing Individual Drive with Team Selflessness

32:47 The New York Red Bulls Parent Transformation Story

36:45 Developing a Rapport with Parents

39:54 The Pay-to-Play Model: Reality and Concerns

44:16 What Should Parents Measure Success By?

49:53 How Parents Unintentionally Put Pressure on Kids

52:20 The Father Who Told His 8-Year-Old to "Shut Up"

55:32 Jesse's Personal Values & Canadian Culture Alignment

58:49 The Team's Character: 25 Games Without Playing Poorly

1:01:53 How to Evaluate a Volunteer Coach

1:05:04 What Makes a Healthy Sports Organization

1:09:22 Building the DNA of Canadian

1:11:24 The Biggest Issue in Youth Sports Today

1:13:49 Closing Thoughts

Resources: https://canadasoccer.com/profile/?id=56831&teamId=2068

Sports agent and advisor Ross Gurney shares his unique perspective on youth sports from both sides - as a professional who's guided players through leagues like the NHL & CFL and as a father navigating the youth sports environment with his own two children.

With clients like Duncan Keith, Devon Toews, and Zach Benson, Ross has seen what it actually takes to make it to the highest levels of sport. But his message might surprise you: it's not about early specialization, elite camps, or rushing up levels. Instead, Ross advocates for "overcooking"—playing level-appropriate hockey where kids get more reps and meaningful roles.

In this conversation, Ross discusses:

• Why early specialization is concerning from both a professional and parental lens
• The dangerous overuse of the word "elite" in youth sports
• How good people can become "crazy sports parents" in one sport but not another
• What coaches actually want (hint: it's not always the stat-sheet leaders)
• Warning signs for parents when evaluating programs and organizations
• Why the biggest issue in youth sports today is access and facilities
• How to identify a child's unique "internal scorecard" beyond traditional statistics

Ross also shares the powerful moment when his own son told him, "Dad, I don't think I want to be a hockey player"—and why that conversation was actually "really cool."

Whether your child dreams of playing professionally or your focus is on wanting them to develop a lifelong love of sport, this episode offers invaluable wisdom on keeping joy, passion, and authentic play at the center of the youth sports experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:28 Breaking Into the Sports Agency Business

06:48 Growing Up With Unstructured Play in Kelowna

07:54 Parents' Hands-Off Approach to Youth Sports

11:02 What Ross Sees in Today's Youth Sports Landscape

12:13 Why Early Specialization Is Concerning

13:10 Recognizing Kids Who Lack Joy in Their Sport

14:12 How Good Parents Become "Crazy Sports Parents"

15:53 Navigating His Own Child's Hockey Journey

16:30 "I Don't Think I Want to Be a Hockey Player"

18:45 Dealing With the Pressure of the Family Business

19:26 What "Slow Down" Means for Youth Sports Parents

21:05 Most Common Questions Parents Ask Ross

23:15 "What Do We Need to Do to Get Seen?"

25:20 How Life Changes When Sports Becomes a Business

28:14 The Conflict of Talking to 14-Year-Olds About Pro Aspirations

30:14 Elite: A Dangerous Word in Youth Sports

33:43 The Business of Youth Sports & Skill Development

36:27 Passion and the Internal Scorecard

37:50 Finding Each Player's Contribution

41:40 What Sport Has Brought to His Children's Lives

43:18 What a Sports Agent Actually Is (At Their Best)

46:28 Satisfaction Beyond a Client Going Pro

49:50 The Philosophy of "Overcooking"

52:52 Warning Signs: When to Walk Away From a Family

54:56 What Coaches Actually Want vs. What Parents Think They Want

57:16 Warning Signs in Organizations for Parents

01:01:35 Lack of Recreational Pathways for Teenagers

01:04:35 The Biggest Issue in Youth Sports Today: Access

Former CFL centre and Grey Cup champion Angus Reid discusses the troubling state of youth sports, the business model destroying accessibility, and what it really means to develop champions. Reid, now a high school football coach and author of "⁠Teenager: A Story About Finding Your Way⁠," shares why he refuses to charge kids for coaching, how parents unknowingly harm their children's development, and the critical difference between being demanding and demeaning.

In this conversation, Reid reveals his approach to building resilience in teenagers, why he quit football in grade 8, and the coaching philosophy that keeps kids coming back. He challenges the year-round specialization model, advocates for multi-sport participation, and explains why the real goal isn't winning championships -- it's creating high-agency people who can handle life's challenges.

KEY TOPICS:

• The privatization crisis in youth sports and its impact on accessibility
• Why Reid coaches for free and refuses to monetize youth development
• The difference between coaching to win vs. coaching to develop
• How to build real confidence (not false bravado) in teenagers
• The danger of waiting for external validation
• Why football shouldn't be played until high school
• Creating environments where bringing your best is normalized
• The power of asking kids what they want from sports

🔔 Subscribe to Better Sports Parents for more conversations about youth sports, parenting, and coaching

#YouthSports #Coaching #Parenting #Football #AthleteDevelopment #teenagers #SportsParenting #HighSchoolSports #CFL

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:18 The Current Youth Sports Landscape

04:42 The Business Model Problem in Youth Sports

06:20 Defining Success and Winning in Youth Sports

10:50 Why Angus Wrote "Teenager"

12:10 Becoming Somebody vs. Wanting Things

15:46 The Difficulty of Being a Teenager

16:15 Why Angus Advocates for Difficult Challenges

19:42 Finding the Courage to Join Football in Grade 11

23:41 Balancing Firm Coaching with Positive Support

25:10 Asking Kids What They Want from Sports

29:52 The Duty to Give Back - Why Angus Coaches for Free

31:28 Parental Investment and Healthy Sports Participation

35:35 Multi-Sport Benefits Beyond Physical Development

37:46 Learning from Angus's Parents

45:30 Post-Game Conversations with Kids

49:08 Was Football Ever Not Fun?

54:20 The Mission: Raising Better Youth

01:00:33 Why Football Despite Safety Concerns?

01:02:11 The Evolution from Contact to Collision Sport

01:06:33 How Parents Can Identify Good Coaches

01:09:46 The Unlimited Impact of Coaches

01:11:02 Making Kids Want to Be Coached

Resources: https://angusreid.ca/book-teenager/

Former Canadian national team soccer player Steve Kindel shares invaluable insights on youth sports development through the lens of a player, a parent, and a coach. As Senior Technical Director for North Vancouver FC, father to NHL player Ben Kindel and Canada U17 soccer player Lacey, plus husband to former national team player Sara, Steve offers a unique perspective on balancing competition with healthy development.

Among the issues Steve discusses in this episode:

✅ The benefits and drawbacks of early sport specialization

✅ How multi-sport participation develops better athletes

✅ Managing playing time conversations with parents

✅ When and how to implement age-appropriate tiering

✅ The decision to let Ben leave home at 16 for major junior hockey

✅ Why compete level matters more than outcome

✅ The impact of social media and video games on youth sports

✅ Cost barriers and accessibility challenges in modern youth sports

Connect with Better Sports Parents:

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👍 Like if you found this valuable

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

06:18 Developing Competitiveness as a Youth Player

09:21 Nature vs. Nurture: Can You Teach Compete?

10:15 Understanding When Youth Engage in Sports

12:53 The Four Pillars of Player Development

16:22 Building Strong Parent-Coach Relationships

20:52 Common Parent Concerns: Playing Time & Selection

23:58 Club Philosophy: Healthy Lifestyle Beyond Youth

25:51 Zooming Out: Long-Term Development Goals

32:10 Tiering Young Players: When and How?

39:14 Fluid Systems and Late Bloomers

41:24 Removing Adult Pressure from Kids' Sports

44:42 Steve's Youth Development and His Parents' Approach

47:27 Are We Better Off Now? Accessibility & Free Play

49:15 Connor Bedard's Path vs Patrick Kane's Path

51:20 Teaching Kids to Miss Their Sport

53:01 Multi-Sport Benefits: Soccer's Impact on Hockey IQ

57:57 The Tough Decision: Leaving Home at 16

1:02:56 Fostering Love Without Parental Pressure

1:06:43 The School Sports Debate

1:11:07 The Biggest Challenge in Youth Sports

1:15:32 Trying to Parent in the Social Media & Smart Phone Era

Resources: https://nvfc.ca/

Former NHL captain Andrew Ladd opens up about the hard truths facing kids in today’s youth sports system and what parents must change to help their children thrive. From early specialization to unhealthy pressure, entitlement, burnout, and the myth of the “perfect path,” Andrew shares powerful lessons from his pro career, his parenting journey, and years spent studying youth development after retirement. He also details "1616" - a mental health initiative he founded to equip young hockey players, coaches, and parents with tools to navigate the challenges that arise in both sport and life.If you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode will shift the way you think about growth, motivation, confidence, mental skills, and why fun is the fuel kids actually need.

Topics include:

• Why today’s youth sport model pushes kids out too early

• The critical difference between development and performance

• How parents unintentionally block growth

• Why success is never linear• The emotional skills kids must learn to thrive long-term

• What Andrew wishes every parent understood sooner

• How we can rebuild sports into a healthier, more joyful experience

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:45 Life as a sports parent with three kids

04:30 Multi-sport benefits and free play

06:41 The loss of Free Play for today's kids

10:55 Growing up with inclusion and special needs family members

14:17 The importance of modelling behaviour as a parent

15:16 How Andrew's parents approached youth sports

17:57 Falling in love with hockey

18:56 His grandfather as his biggest advocate

22:07 Being a late bloomer and getting cut from teams

25:00 Playing the long game in athlete development

27:35 Teaching kids what "hard work" actually means

29:12 How coaches and parents unintentionally create pressure

32:36 Career struggles and mental health challenges

38:35 Getting help from a mental performance coach

39:36 Introduction to 1616 and the buffalo metaphor

45:19 Making 1616 accessible to everyone

49:19 The car ride home after the game

55:41 How tools from 1616 might have helped Andrew as a teenager

57:36 Helping today's youth open up about their challenges

59:25 How coaches can benefit from 1616

01:01:55 Advice for youth coaches

01:04:10 Setting expectations with parents

01:06:12 Stop directing your kids from the stands

01:07:33 Social media's impact on youth athletes

01:11:15 Identity beyond sport

01:13:25 Biggest issue in youth sports: Early specialization

Resources:https://1616.org/