Join Chat By The Pitch for an inspiring conversation with Kean Barclay, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Columbia State Community College and Director of Coaching at Clarksville Soccer Club. From playing in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to coaching internationally in Ireland, Bolivia, and Scotland, Kean’s journey has shaped a coaching philosophy built on resilience, culture, and player growth. We explore building strong team culture, the unique role of junior colleges in player development, and balancing coaching with parenting. Kean also reflects on lessons from his podcast, Down the Tunnel. Packed with insights for coaches, parents, and players alike, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the game.

Key Talking Points

• How Kean’s global soccer experiences shaped his coaching philosophy

• The role of junior colleges in recruiting and preparing players for four-year schools

• Strategies for building a positive team culture and managing parent influence in youth sports

• Balancing the demands of coaching with parenting while fostering player accountability

Tune In to Learn

How Kean mentors players to grow as athletes and people, with a focus on resilience and strong team culture.

Quotes from Kean Barclay

• “I love the connections, I like the relationships. Whether I’m coaching at the number one Division I school or a Division III community college, it’s about helping players grow.”

• “Failure shouldn’t be a word you feel uncomfortable hearing—it’s about what you do after.”

• “Every individual’s role is crucial in pushing, evolving, and maintaining team culture.”

• “Dissension loves company. Negative influences can spread quickly, especially in youth soccer.”

• “I ask my kids, ‘Did you have fun?’ That’s the main question after a game.”

• “It’s about building accountability in players, whether in college or club soccer.”

• “The familial influence is different in club versus college—it’s more direct in youth sports.”

• “I want players to find a school that fits their personality, not just their soccer goals.”

• “Coaching at a junior college means recruiting players in and recruiting them out.”

• “Your attitude affects your emotions, and your emotions affect your results.”

Connect with Kean Barclay

• 🎧 Podcast: Down The Tunnel

• 📧 Email: [email protected]

• 🌐 Website: www.columbiastate.edu/athletics

Follow Chat By The Pitch

• 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

• 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

• 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

• 🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help us bring more conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.

#ChatByThePitch #KeanBarclay #SoccerPodcast #SoccerCoachLife #YouthSoccer #CoachingTips #TeamCulture #JuniorCollegeSoccer #SoccerDevelopment #SportsLeadership #SoccerMindset #ClarksvilleSoccer #ColumbiaStateSoccer

Mentioned in this episode:

Reeplayer

Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast.

Soccer Coach Weekly

Join Chat By The Pitch for an inspiring chat with Akeem Gordon, founder of VMR Academy (Vision Meets Reality) and a former football player turned elite speed and agility trainer. From his journey playing college football and pro stints in the NFL and CFL, Akeem pivoted to training athletes in Texas, specializing in soccer players' mechanics, acceleration, and mindset. We dive into assessing young athletes, building proper running form, the role of high-energy coaching, and advice for parents on fostering athletic development. Packed with real-talk insights on turning vision into reality! Subscribe on Spotify, follow @ChatByThePitch on X.

Key Talking Points

• Akeem's athletic journey from Chicago to pro football and founding VMR Academy.

• Transitioning from training football to soccer players, focusing on mechanics like arm movement and foot placement.

• Assessing athletes through drills, emphasizing safety, results, and family-like environment.

• Importance of high energy in coaching to match and elevate kids' performance.

• Common issues in youth athletes: improper running, tablet dependency, and lack of problem-solving skills.

Tune In to Learn

Tune in to learn how Akeem Gordon transforms athletes by building proper mechanics, mindset, and speed for game-changing performance on the pitch.

Quotes from Akeem Gordon

• “Proper repetition equals efficiency.”

• “It's not the drill that people are paying for. It's the person behind it.”

• “My energy is way higher than theirs because I want them to know that most trainers are putting people through drills that they can't do.”

• “In order to make crazy plays, we gotta train crazy.”

• “You're paying for the experience.”

• “Your speed is different than mine. So you're gonna think you're right until you meet someone like me.”

• “I guarantee within the first three sessions, you'll see what you're looking for.”

• “This is the place to make a mistake. Once you start playing in the game, mistakes have to be very limited.”

• “I see potential that you don't see nor feel.”

• “The same way you do anything is how you should do everything.”

Connect with Akeem Gordon

📲 Instagram: @vmracademy

📘 Facebook: VMR Academy

🐦 X: @vmracademy

🎥 TikTok: @vmracademy

📍 Facility: 5034 Hopkins Rd, Krum, TX 76249

Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.

#ChatByThePitch #AkeemGordonInspires #SportsPodcast #YouthSoccer #SpeedTraining #AgilityDrills #SoccerMechanics #AthleteDevelopment #Motivation #SportsTalk #TrainerLife #VisionMeetsReality #TeamBuilding #Leadership #SoccerCoach

Join Chat by the Pitch for an inspiring conversation with Warren Cottle, Director of Coaching and Player Development at North Texas State Soccer Association, and Christine Ellis, social media manager for Soccer Innovations. In this episode, Warren and Christine share their passion for youth soccer development, focusing on fostering a player-centric culture. They discuss the transformative Soccer for Success program, the importance of ball mastery at young ages, and the pitfalls of prioritizing winning over development. Tune in for actionable insights on creating environments where kids can learn, make decisions, and grow through soccer, packed with practical tips for coaches and parents alike! (134 words)

Key Talking Points

• Soccer for Success: Providing soccer education and equipment to schools in underserved communities.

• Ball mastery: Building technical foundations at home to boost confidence and control.

• Player-centric coaching: Creating environments for kids to make decisions and learn through play.

• Small-sided games: Why 4v4 and futsal are critical for maximizing touches and development.

• Parent education: Shifting focus from winning to long-term player growth.

Tune In to Learn
Tune in to learn how Warren Cottle and Christine Ellis transform youth soccer by prioritizing skill development, decision-making, and inclusive access to the game.

Quotes from Warren Cottle and Christine Ellis

• "The goal is to get soccer education out… it’s unbelievably user-friendly for the elementary perspective as well as the high school PE teacher perspective." – Warren Cottle

• "If you could take that and tie grades to it… use that as a platform to develop not just soccer players, but also people." – Warren Cottle

• "I saw it with my oldest… it took about six months, and all of a sudden it transformed the way that he played." – Christine Ellis

• "It’s so fun to watch and see… it sets them off on the right foot because now they start to feel confident." – Christine Ellis

• "As a coach, you don’t look at the ball. You look at the players off the ball, what they’re looking at, and what they’re thinking." – Warren Cottle

• "I’m big on ownership because they gotta feel like it’s their journey, and they will put more into it if it’s theirs." – Christine Ellis

• "Sometimes your best coaches… put ‘em on the field and let the kids figure it out." – Warren Cottle

• "I wish everybody knew… there’s something about they’re comfortable, they’re at home, they can have a ball at their foot." – Christine Ellis

• "Tournaments end up being more about money than they’re actually about development." – Warren Cottle

• "If they can’t control the ball, how will they be able to play on the field?" – Christine Ellis

Connect with Warren Cottle
📲 Instagram: @NTXODP
📘 Facebook: @NTXODP
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://www.ntxsoccer.org/odp/olympic-development-program/

Connect with Christine Ellis
📲 Instagram: @soccerinnovations
📘 Facebook: @SoccerInnovationsUSA
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/soccerinnovations

Follow Chat By The Pitch
🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch
📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch
📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChatByThePitchPod
🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat by the Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.

#ChatByThePitch #YouthSoccer #SoccerForSuccess #BallMastery #PlayerDevelopment #CoachingTips #Futsal #SoccerEducation #Leadership #Motivation #SoccerInnovations #NorthTexasSoccer #SoccerCulture #YouthSports #TechnicalSkills #SmallSidedGames #ParentEducation #SoccerCoaching #GameChangers #SoccerDevelopment

In Part 2 of Chat by the Pitch with Nate Baker, founder of The Developer’s Way, we dive deeper into the broken U.S. youth soccer system and how to fix it. Nate discusses the dehumanization of players, treated as “slabs of meat” with expiration dates rather than “slabs of clay” to be molded into masterpieces. Through personal stories, like his daughter’s resilience on stage, Nate illustrates how coaches and parents can champion small wins to build lasting values. He shares insights on creating player-centric environments that prioritize potential over short-term results. Tune in for a powerful discussion on fostering resilience, joy, and growth in youth soccer!

Key Talking Points

• Broken Soccer System: Despite infrastructure growth, U.S. soccer produces fewer top-level American players due to a focus on talent accumulation over development.

• Humanizing Players: Nate advocates for seeing players as individuals with endless potential, fostering environments that prioritize growth and resilience.

• Celebrating Small Wins: Nate’s story of his daughter overcoming stage fright highlights how celebrating resilience over results builds lifelong values.

• Aligning Parents and Coaches: Educating parents and coaches to align with a club’s vision ensures players stay engaged, reducing dropout rates and sustaining development.

Tune In to Learn

Tune in to learn how Nate Baker’s player-centric approach at The Developer’s Way transforms youth soccer by championing resilience, values, and potential, offering practical steps for parents and coaches.

Quotes from Nate Baker

• “The game is no longer for the players. It’s been flipped, serving coaches, administrators, and egos instead.”

• “Winning is just taking that next step and staying in the game.”

• “We’re not developing players; we’re giving the impression they’re being developed.”

• “Kids need environments where someone believes in their potential and pushes them to keep going.”

• “My daughter froze on stage, came back, and finished. That’s the greatest win I’ve ever seen.”

Connect with Nate Baker

• 📲 Instagram: @thedevelopersway

• 🌐 Website: The Developer’s Way

• 🐦 X: @NateBakerCoach

Follow Chat by the Pitch

• 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

• 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

• 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat by the Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.

#ChatByThePitch #NateBakerInspires #YouthSoccer #SoccerDevelopment #CoachingCulture #PlayerPotential #Resilience #SoccerParents #Leadership #TeamBuilding

Join Chat by the Pitch for Part 1 of an inspiring conversation with Nate Baker, founder of The Developer’s Way and director at Achilles Football Club in Washington, D.C. Nate shares his journey from a youth soccer player captivated by the 1994 World Cup to a coach redefining U.S. soccer culture. We dive into the overuse of “development” in youth sports, exploring how a culture vision rooted in values, combined with a playing vision and game vision, creates a path to unlock players’ endless potential. Nate offers actionable insights for parents and coaches to foster environments where kids grow as athletes and people. Tune in for a fresh perspective on moving beyond the win-at-all-costs mentality! (126 words)

Key Talking Points

• Nate’s Origin Story: Inspired by the 1994 World Cup, Nate’s Division I and USL career led to his mission to address suboptimal coaching environments through The Developer’s Way.

• Redefining Development: Development moves players toward their potential through a culture vision (values and resilience), playing vision (technical/tactical skills), and game vision (applying both in matches), iterated over time.

• Parent-Player Unity: Educating parents and players as one unit aligns expectations with a club’s vision, sustaining long-term growth and reducing pressure.

• Challenging Short-Term Focus: Nate critiques the win-at-all-costs mentality, advocating for a culture that prioritizes joy, resilience, and holistic growth over weekend results.

Tune In to Learn

Tune in to learn how Nate Baker’s philosophy at The Developer’s Way redefines youth soccer by emphasizing culture, values, and potential, offering parents and coaches a roadmap for transformative development.

Quotes from Nate Baker

• “Development is taking a person, a player, and moving them as close to their potential as possible.”

• “Everyone has potential. You can’t define it, and it’s an endless horizon we’re always pursuing.”

• “If you don’t teach culture, you don’t really teach anything.”

• “The game is not about the match on the weekend in its finite form. It’s about how you take the lessons and build into the next week.”

• “Parent plus player equals one person. You have to educate both together.”

Connect with Nate Baker

• 📲 Instagram: @thedevelopersway

• 🌐 Website: The Developer’s Way

• 📧 Email: [Contact via website]

• 🐦 X: @NateBakerCoach

Follow Chat by the Pitch

• 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

• 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

• 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat by the Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.

#ChatByThePitch #NateBakerInspires #YouthSoccer #SoccerDevelopment #CoachingCulture #PlayerPotential #Resilience #SoccerParents #Leadership #TeamBuilding

In Part 2 of our series with Dan Abrahams, we go deep on practical tools for parents and coaches: game faces, match scripts, divergent questions, and creating mentally resilient players. If you've ever wondered how to truly support your child emotionally on and off the pitch, this episode is your blueprint.

🔑 Key Talking Points

• What a "Game Face" is and why even Premier League stars use them

• The power of match scripts and why three cues are better than ten

• How divergent questioning unlocks player self-awareness

• Why creativity, emotion, and reflection are critical in sport development

• The neuroscience behind confidence and performance

📌 Tune in to learn

How to use simple psychological tools to help your child take ownership of their performance—and fall in love with the process.

💬 Quotes from Dan

• "You can’t think for your child. They have to work it out themselves."

• "The best players in the world construct their own world—why can’t your kid do the same?"

• "Tiger, lion, Terry—metaphors shape how our brains behave. That’s why Game Face works."

• "Divergent questions are how you coach without coaching. It’s how you listen louder."

• "Match scripts are more than mantras—they’re brain hacks for peak focus."

• "The worst thing a parent can do? Be the voice inside their kid’s head they didn’t ask for."

• "You want your child thinking, ‘What does aggressive vocal tiger look like today?’"

• "Confidence is built on cues, not wishes."

• "There’s a reason sports psych is everywhere in the pros—because it works."

• "Mental training isn’t optional—it’s the fourth leg of the performance table."

📲 Connect with Dan Abrahams

📷 Instagram: @danabrahamssport

📘 Facebook: Dan Abrahams Soccer Academy

🌐 Website: www.danabrahams.com

🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch:

🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.

#DanAbrahams #GameFace #MatchScript #SoccerParenting #MentalTraining #SoccerDevelopment #YouthSportsPsychology #PerformanceMindset #ChatByThePitch #RaisingPlayersRight

In Part 1 of our powerful two-part conversation, we welcome renowned sports psychologist Dan Abrahams to Chat By The Pitch. With over 30 years in high-performance sport and clients ranging from Premier League stars to F1 drivers, Dan breaks down how our culture around youth soccer is failing young athletes. From misguided sideline behavior to a broken obsession with early winning, Dan gives us a blueprint for healthier environments focused on joy, development, and lifelong participation.

🔑 Key Talking Points

Why winning should never be the priority in early youth soccer

How parents and coaches impact performance psychology, often unknowingly

The bio-psycho-social model and how it applies to kids on the pitch

Culture-building at clubs and how it shapes player outcomes

What true development looks like, and how parents can get out of the way

📌 Tune in to learn

How the world’s top athletes win by not focusing on winning, and what that means for your child’s soccer journey.

💬 Quotes from Dan

"It baffles me why adults think they have to introduce children to sport through the prism of winning and losing."

"Let’s begin at the beginning: soccer should start with fun, enjoyment, and participation."

"Your child is not a mini adult. Your child has a child’s brain in a child’s body."

"So many kids quit sport not because they’re losing—but because they’re no longer enjoying it."

"Culture isn't just a buzzword—it's the operating system of every club, every team, every sideline."

"We have to start by letting kids fall in love with the game."

"The mental side isn’t a luxury; it’s the core of long-term development."

"The behaviors you see on the field are just the tip of the biopsychosocial iceberg."

"We’re not raising champions. We’re raising humans through soccer."

"Coaches need to be more than technical experts—they need to be emotional architects."

📲 Connect with Dan Abrahams

📷 Instagram: @danabrahamssport

📘 Facebook: Dan Abrahams Soccer Academy

🌐 Website: www.danabrahams.com

🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch:

🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.

#DanAbrahams #YouthSoccerCulture #SportsPsychology #SoccerParents #CoachingMatters #BioPsychoSocial #MentalSideMatters #PlayerDevelopment #ChatByThePitch #SoccerEducation

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian Babcock sits down with Rey Torres, founder of PAYD FC (Professional Academy of Youth Development), to unpack the heart behind one of Mesquite’s most intentional independent clubs. From his own journey as a player to his philosophy as a coach, Rey explains how he’s building PAYD not just to win, but to shape lives through culture, consistency, and a commitment to development.

We dive deep into what makes PAYD different—from how they blend personal training with club play, to their structured off-season and in-season programming, and why he believes Classic League remains the gold standard for Texas youth soccer. Rey talks about developing players from age 5 to U18, how promotion and relegation fuels growth, and what it takes to truly prepare a player for college or the pros—without selling out to flashy badges or trendy leagues.

🧠 Key Talking Points:

• Rey’s path from West Mesquite to founding PAYD FC

• The meaning of Professional Academy of Youth Development

• Why starting young builds stronger bonds and smarter players

• A breakdown of PAYD’s dual-track model: club + personal training

• The philosophy of training by season, not just by week

• How promotion/relegation in Classic League shapes competition

• Building a player-first pathway aligned with US Soccer values

• Preparing players for opportunities: ODP, MLS Next, and beyond

• Why club culture and parental education go hand-in-hand

• PAYD’s long-term vision: agents, growth, and purpose-driven expansion

🔍 Tune in to learn:

• Why small, development-focused clubs like PAYD matter now more than ever

• How training cycles should mirror professional soccer preparation

• The hidden value of loyalty, culture, and community in youth sports

• How Rey Torres prepares players for the next step—and then helps them get there

• What truly separates PAYD from “alphabet league” culture

🗣️ Quotes from Rey:

“Classic League is the best league competitive-wise here in the Metroplex, specifically because of promotion and relegation.”

“I don’t want to lose players either, but if it’s for the right situation, I feel better about it.”

“Our goal is to take players from the rec level all the way to the professional level—on a structure built around development and culture.”

“We're not just a club—we're a training system, a mentorship program, and one day an agency.”

“If you're doing things the right way, you're gonna be seen. You don’t need a big badge.”

“It all starts with culture. That’s what made me successful in business, and now it’s why PAYD thrives.”

“I’m the first coach most of these kids have ever had—that bond is different.”

“The goal isn’t just to win; it’s to build. Win the right way.”

“If you're ready for MLS Next, we’ll take you there. But not just to say you’re there—when it’s the right time.”

“I ground my feet. Where we are today is built on doing it slow, right, and with purpose.”

📲 Connect with Rey Torres

Instagram: @paydfc | @paydtraining

Facebook: @paydfc | @payd

Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review:

Love the episode? Make sure to subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and leaders shaping the future of the game.

#ChatByThePitch #PAYDFC #YouthSoccerDevelopment #TexasSoccer #SoccerCulture #PlayerPathways #ClassicLeague #IndependentClubs #SoccerTraining #BuildFromTheGroundUp

In this powerful episode of Chat By The Pitch, we welcome Victor Jaramillo of SportXplore Travel to peel back the curtain on one of the most frustrating parts of youth sports: the "stay to play" tournament model. Victor breaks down how families are being squeezed by hotel schemes, what really goes on behind those “official travel partner” links, and how clubs, coaches, and parents can push back without risking their players' spots. Whether you're new to the travel game or a seasoned parent navigating another tournament season, this conversation is your roadmap to informed decisions, financial clarity, and better experiences for your team.

📌 Key Talking Points

• What “Stay to Play” really means and how it impacts families financially

• How the hotel cost structures are inflated—and who benefits

• The leverage clubs do have, but rarely use

• How to negotiate hotel rates without being a travel agent

• The importance of communication between parents, coaches, and club leadership

• Real examples of tournaments that rejected the system and thrived

• Why language barriers create a bigger issue in tournament logistics

• Tips on navigating cancellation policies and refund traps

• How Victor leverages his travel agency to advocate for families

• What it will take for the youth sports community to change the system

🎧 Tune In To Learn

• How to identify red flags in tournament lodging agreements

• The exact questions to ask your team manager before the season starts

• Why “going rogue” might be the only way to regain control

• How clubs and parents can work together to break the cycle

• What Victor believes is the tipping point to fix youth travel culture

💬 Quotes from Victor Jaramillo

• “A hundred-dollar hotel rate can turn into $180 overnight—and the quality often doesn’t match the cost.”

• “Parents are being held hostage by a system they don’t understand and didn’t choose.”

• “The teams that reject ‘stay to play’ and choose their own path? I respect that deeply.”

• “This isn’t just about saving money—it’s about building trust, clarity, and fairness.”

• “Tournaments bake kickbacks into hotel prices, and families are left paying the bill without knowing.”

• “The players may speak English fluently, but their parents might not—and that silence creates a power imbalance.”

• “You have power as a customer, but the system counts on you not realizing that.”

• “I’m not here to make a quick buck. I started SportXplore Travel to solve a real problem.”

• “It’s time for big clubs to take a stand and say, ‘We’re not playing by these rules anymore.’”

• “Never arrive. Stay ready, stay learning, and stay in the fight for what’s right.”

  
  

📲 Connect with SportXplore Travel

📷 Instagram: @sportsxplore_travel

📘 Facebook: sportsxplore_travel

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: sportsxtravel.com

🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Support the show by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform and leaving a review—it helps us bring more voices like Victor’s to light.#YouthSoccer #PayToPlay #StayToPlay #TournamentTravel #SoccerParents #ClubCulture #TeamLogistics #YouthSportsReform #TravelSoccerTruth #ChatByThePitch

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we sit down with Victor Jaramillo, founder of SportXplore Travel, whose journey from soccer-loving kid in Mexico City to Texas entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. After a layoff pushed him out of the corporate world, Victor turned his lifelong passion for sports and community into a mission: to simplify, humanize, and save families money on youth soccer travel. We talk pay-to-play pitfalls, hotel nightmares, and how Victor is changing the game—literally.

Key Talking Points:

Victor’s early connection to soccer through the 1986 World Cup

The realities of growing up in Mexico’s soccer system

Why being laid off pushed him toward entrepreneurship

The origins and evolution of SportXplore Travel

Disrupting the current youth sports travel model

Pay-to-play challenges from a parent’s perspective

How SportXplore Travel builds partnerships with clubs and hotels

Creating savings and scholarship opportunities for clubs

Transparency, fairness, and why it matters in youth sports travel

Victor’s mission to be more than just a travel service

Tune in to learn:

What happens behind the scenes with those expensive hotel blocks

How one man’s layoff turned into a new way to support youth soccer

The hidden cost of disorganization in team travel

Why building trust—not just bookings—is at the heart of Victor’s business

How SportXplore Travel is returning value to families and clubs

Quotes from Victor:

"Sometimes you take the leap not because you're brave—but because you have no other option."

"I was scared to be an entrepreneur. I never thought I’d actually do it."

"The hotel industry opens up when they hear one word: prepaid."

"This isn’t just about rooms—it’s about respect for parents’ time and money."

"We give money back to the clubs because youth sports should lift families up, not drain them."

"My inspiration was Tom’s Shoes. Do good, and good comes back."

"The system’s broken when parents pay more and get less."

"We’re not charging agency fees—our business is built on transparency."

"A team manager’s job is already hard enough. We're here to be their right hand, not their replacement."

"I believe youth travel should be efficient, fair, and built on trust."

📲 Connect with SportXplore Travel

📷 Instagram: @sportsxplore_travel

📘 Facebook: sportsxplore_travel

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: sportsxtravel.com

🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch:

🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

⭐ Subscribe & Leave a Review on your favorite podcast platform

#ChatByThePitch #SportXploreTravel #YouthSoccer #TeamTravel #SoccerParents #ClubSoccerLife #TravelSmartPlayHard #PayToPlayFix #SoccerBusiness #SupportTheParents