On this week’s episode of ExpandAbilities MEETS, Alex and Rob dive into a topic that shows up in sports far more often than people realize: abandonment. For some athletes, sports become a safe place — a space to find support from coaches and teammates when relationships at home are strained or distant. For others, the feeling of abandonment comes when a coach they trusted suddenly leaves, often causing athletes to question themselves, their value, and what they meant to that coach.

Alex and Rob unpack the emotional impact of both experiences — the loss of support at home and the loss of stability within a team. This week’s conversation also highlights the recent news surrounding Lane Kiffin accepting a new coaching position, using it as a real-time example to explore how players might feel, react, and process the change.

It’s a powerful discussion about connection, trust, and what young athletes go through behind the scenes.

Catch this week’s episode of ExpandAbilities MEETS.