What does the future of college sports really look like—and how will it impact youth and high school athletes?

In Part 2 of this topic, we sit down with Josh Brooks, Athletic Director at the University of Georgia, to break down the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics—from NIL and the transfer portal to the realities of recruiting, roster building, and long-term athlete development.

Josh shares his journey from college equipment manager under Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher to leading one of the top athletic programs in the country. But beyond the wins and championships, this conversation dives deep into what truly matters—both as a leader and as a sports dad.

We cover:

• Why youth sports should prioritize development over winning
• The impact of NIL and the transfer portal on college athletics
• What parents and athletes need to understand about recruiting today
• The importance of fit: “Go where you’re celebrated, not tolerated”
• How track and other individual sports teach real growth and accountability
• The shrinking opportunities in non-revenue sports—and what it means for the future
• Why identity shouldn’t be tied to your child’s sport
• Practical advice for athletes chasing college opportunities (at any level)

Josh also shares candid thoughts on parenting in youth sports, the pressure culture surrounding kids today, and how to keep sports fun while still pursuing excellence.

Whether you're raising a young athlete, coaching, or navigating the path to college sports, this episode offers a grounded, honest perspective from someone at the highest level of the game.

In Part 1 of this 2-part series, the guys sit down with Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the rapidly changing world of college sports.

From NIL and the transfer portal to scholarships and recruiting, Graham breaks down what’s really happening—and what it means for today’s athletes. He shares his personal journey into college athletics, offers practical advice for students who want to work in sports, and explains why opportunities are actually expanding across all levels and sports.

The conversation also tackles big questions around player loyalty, the business of college athletics, and where things are headed next. Whether you're a parent, athlete, or fan trying to make sense of it all, this episode delivers clarity, perspective, and real insight from someone in the middle of it.

Key themes:

• The reality of NIL, revenue sharing, and recruiting today
• How student-athletes can still find opportunity at every level
• Why college sports are becoming both more complex—and more valuable
• Advice for athletes navigating the modern landscape

A must-listen for anyone serious about understanding the future of college athletics.

What does it really take to develop an elite pitcher—and are we getting it wrong with today’s youth athletes?

In this episode, we sit down with Rob Friedman—better known as the creator of Pitching Ninja—to break down the evolution of pitching, the science behind velocity, and the biggest mistakes parents and coaches make with young players.

From coaching his own son to a college career at Georgia Tech baseball to building one of the most trusted platforms in baseball, Rob shares insights that every parent, coach, and player needs to hear.

We dive into:

• Why velocity is dominating the game—and the risks that come with it
• The truth about early specialization and “pitcher-only” kids
• How to choose the right pitching coach (and red flags to avoid)
• When kids should start tracking velocity and throwing breaking pitches
• The mindset and habits that separate good pitchers from great ones

Rob also gives practical advice for parents navigating today’s high-pressure youth sports environment, including pitch counts, injury prevention, and how to keep the game fun while still pushing for growth.

Whether your child is just starting out or chasing the next level, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom to help you develop athletes the right way.

Resources Mentioned:

• Unhittable by Rob Friedman

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we dive into one of the most challenging and emotional questions parents and coaches face: how hard should you push your kids in sports? From early development through the high school years, we unpack what “pushing” really means—and where the line exists between healthy accountability and harmful pressure.

Through honest stories and personal experiences, we explore the tension between wanting the best for your kids and knowing when to step back. We talk about effort vs. results, preparation vs. performance, and why pushing for attitude, consistency, and work ethic matters far more than stats or outcomes. You’ll hear real-life examples of getting it right—and getting it wrong—and how those moments shape not just athletes, but young adults.

We also break down how pushing should evolve as kids grow, why middle school years are so critical, and how parents can shift from hands-on guidance to helping their athletes take ownership. Whether you’re a parent in the thick of it or a coach trying to lead the right way, this episode will challenge your perspective and give you a clearer framework for developing resilient, motivated athletes—without sacrificing the relationship that matters most.

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys take an honest and thoughtful look at how faith intersects with youth sports—and the challenges parents and coaches face in keeping priorities aligned.

They dive into the growing visibility of faith in sports, discussing both the opportunities and concerns that come with that. From there, the conversation gets personal—exploring how faith shapes their own identities as parents, coaches, and competitors, and sharing authentically where they still fall short.

This episode tackles real questions parents wrestle with every day:

• How do you keep sports from becoming your child’s identity?
• What does it actually mean to “play for something bigger”?
• How should faith show up in wins, losses, and adversity?
• How do you handle pressure, performance, and even Sunday sports conflicts?

With candid stories and practical perspective, the guys emphasize a powerful theme: sports are a tool—not the foundation. The goal isn’t just to raise better athletes, but to raise grounded, resilient young people whose identity goes far beyond the scoreboard.

If you’re a sports parent trying to navigate faith, competition, and culture, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a much-needed reset on what really matters.

What’s it really like to cover the Olympics? How do elite athletes—and parents—handle pressure, disappointment, and big life moments? In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we sit down with Emmy-winning sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak, host of Things No One Tells You and longtime ESPN, Fox, and NBC sports reporter/anchor, to dive into her experiences from the Olympic desk, the power of mindset, and the human side of sports.

Lindsay shares:

• Her inside look at the 2026 Winter Olympics, working alongside legendary athletes and analysts.
• The emotional highs and lows of pressure-filled competition—on ice, in hockey rinks, and on the field.
• Real talk about parenting young athletes: navigating team selections, setbacks, and helping kids build confidence.
• Stories that prove even top-tier sports parents sometimes lose their cool… and what they learn from it.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode offers a rare glimpse at the triumphs, failures, and lessons that shape sports at every level. Get ready for laughter, emotion, and insight from someone who’s seen it all—on TV, in the Olympics, and at home.

Tune in and discover why the journey, not just the scoreboard, defines a true athlete.

On this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys sit down with Kaden Elliss of the Atlanta Falcons (signed with New Orleans Saints a week after this recording) for a powerful conversation that goes far beyond football.

Kaden shares his incredible journey—from being overlooked in recruiting and chasing a dream at quarterback, to carving out a career in the NFL through grit, faith, and relentless belief. But what truly defines his story is family. Growing up in a household of 12, with seven adopted siblings, Kaden opens up about how adoption shaped his identity, his values, and his purpose.

Brought to you by Promise 686 (promise686.org), an organization dedicated to placing vulnerable children into safe, loving homes, this episode dives deep into:

• The life-changing impact of adoption and what “family” really means
• Navigating doubt, setbacks, and the recruiting process
• Why multi-sport athletes have an edge (and why specialization can hurt development)
• Faith under pressure—and representing your beliefs in the heat of competition
• Lessons from the NFL on leadership, discipline, and consistency

This is more than a football story—it’s a conversation about purpose, perspective, and the people who shape who we become.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. John Delony, we go deeper into the realities of youth sports culture and what it means for families today. From the pressures of travel sports to the rising anxiety among young athletes, Dr. Delony offers honest and thought-provoking insight for parents trying to do the right thing.

We discuss the difference between true shared experiences and the pressure that can come with elite youth sports. Dr. Delony also shares why kids often absorb the stress of the adults around them, how sports can either help or harm a child’s mental health, and why loving the game matters more than mastering it at a young age.

The conversation also touches on issues facing today’s teenagers—including social media, sports gambling, and the growing pressures of modern culture—and what parents can do to guide their kids through it all.

If you're a parent navigating youth sports, this episode offers practical wisdom about raising resilient kids, keeping perspective, and making sure the game stays healthy for the whole family.

Youth sports can build resilience, character, teamwork, and lifelong confidence.

But they can also quietly become something else.

In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Dr. John Delony — bestselling author, two-time PhD, and host of The John Delony Show — joins the Pure Athlete team to unpack the hidden emotional weight many kids are carrying in today’s sports culture.

From travel ball schedules that dominate family life to parents unknowingly tying their self-worth to their child’s performance, Dr. Delony challenges us to ask a deeper question:

Are our kids playing for themselves… or for us?

This episode dives into:

• Why youth sports still have incredible value
• The danger of kids feeling responsible for regulating their parents’ emotions
• How to know if you’ve crossed the line from supportive to over-invested
• Why family dinners, marriage health, and shared values must come before the sports calendar
• The “Uncle Rico” effect and living vicariously through your kids
• Why adult loneliness may be fueling the travel sports explosion

Dr. Delony doesn’t attack sports — he loves them. He was an athlete. His kids play today. But he offers a clear warning: Don’t make your child carry the emotional weight of your identity.

If you’re a sports parent, coach, or leader who wants to build healthy families — not just successful athletes — this conversation is essential listening.

Part 2 drops next week.

3x Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings joined the guys, sharing her continued passion for volleyball (beach and indoor), and for the growth of women's sports. Kerri shares how her love for volleyball began at an early age, in the midst of playing multiple sports and loving the "free play" aspect of childhood sports that was strongly encouraged by her parents. She also shares her experiences and development as a club and high school player who was eventually recruited to play Indoor at Stanford, where she became a 4x All American, NCAA Player of the Year, and NCAA Champion. Kerri also shares what drew her from Indoor to Beach, discusses her thoughts on what makes a great teammate, shares her advice on playing both club AND school volleyball, and also talks about her 1440 organization. In addition, as a mom of three young athletes, Kerri discusses her approach to sports parenting.