Sports can build confidence, discipline, and character — but when pressure comes too early, they can also steal joy.

In The Power of Play, James Mwangi and Ahmed join Akili Pod to explore how young athletes navigate talent, expectation, and identity. We discuss how parents can nurture ambition without letting success define a child, and why play should remain playful even when competition and trophies enter the picture.

This episode asks an important question: when do we push forward, and when do we step back to protect joy?
Because raising a young athlete isn’t just about performance — it’s about perspective.