The Strong Youth Project

Today we sat down with Zavier Gozo, a player for Real Salt Lake, to talk about his journey to the pros and the key factors that shaped him along the way. From the influence of his parents and coaches to the importance of humility, faith, and strong character, Zavier shares what truly made the difference in his development, both on and off the field.

In this episode of the Strong Youth Podcast, we’re joined by BYU basketball player Jared McGregor. Jared opens up about his journey to college basketball, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and the inspiration behind The Name of the Game, the non-profit he founded to help others through sports.

In this podcast episode we interview Michael Davie who is the Director of Strength and Conditioning & Sports Science at Brigham Young University. We discuss topics surrounding the development of youth athletes and how to help them train the right way to prepare them for their athletic futures.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction00:43 – Meeting Michael Davie02:34 – Role of a Strength and Conditioning Coach03:53 – Assessing an Athlete’s Current Performance Level05:13 – Common Strengths and Weaknesses in Athletes06:50 – Helping Athletes Control Movement and Strength08:38 – Getting Started with Strength Training11:00 – Goals Athletes Should Set13:12 – How Coaches and Parents Can Support These Goals17:07 – The Nature and Value of Sports17:45 – When to Adjust a Training Program18:50 – Recommended Weekly Strength Training Volume20:20 – The Importance of Recovery Time21:20 – What an Effective Rest Period Looks Like23:50 – Incorporating Injury Prevention into Training26:45 – Understanding Sport-Specific Injuries28:47 – The Value of Multi-Sport Participation30:52 – Working Toward Your Goals34:00 – Having Meaningful Goal Conversations35:50 – Taking Ownership of Your Training39:38 – Enjoying the Process41:05 – Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Strong Youth Project Podcast we interviewed Dr. Bobby Low who is the Assistant Athletic Director for Mental Performance at Brigham Young University. In this discussion we go over what mental strength is and how to develop it in our youth athletes.

@drbobbylow

www.motyv8.com

In this episode we interview Eddie Joseph, a motivational speaker and future author. He discusses his early struggles with obesity, how understanding his identity outside of sport helped him overcome his challenges, and the power of goal setting and how it supported him throughout his journey.

In this episode of the Strong Youth Project Podcast, we sit down with Rachel Higginson, the Director of Olympic Sports Nutrition at BYU and founder of the Nutrition Center for BYU Athletics. 

In this conversation, Rachel discusses how fueling your body goes beyond just food. Hydration and electrolytes play a huge role in performance and recovery. In this episode, she breaks down what electrolytes actually are, when to fuel up during workouts, and how to get excited about staying hydrated. 

This episode is perfect for athletes, parents, and coaches to learn how to recognize what the body needs and build habits that support energy, focus, and long-term health!

In this episode of the Strong Youth Project Podcast, host Kamber Mitchell sits down with Callie Rae Floyd, an original member of the Strong Youth Project, dancer, and character development researcher. In this conversation, she explores the importance of building character through athletics, the risks of early sport specialization, and why sports are truly for everyone. She also dives into the often-overlooked role of mental recovery, reminding us that bouncing back isn’t just physical—it’s psychological too. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode offers valuable insights to foster resilience, balance, and long-term success.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to the Strong Youth Project00:58 - Meet Callie Rae Floyd3:03 - Early sport specialization and how athletics are for everyone5:12 - Lifelong character development and not needing to be the star player8:54 - Recovery is mental, not just physical 10:17 - Find research projects you’re passionate about 11:59 - Character development project 13:55 - The curriculum of the character development project16:00 - Conclusion and gratitude for SYP

In this episode of the Strong Youth Project Podcast, host Jennings Genho talks with Dr. Melani Kelly, an athletic trainer and assistant professor at Utah Valley University. Dr. Kelly specializes in exertional heat stroke and shares vital knowledge on how to identify, prevent, and respond to heat illness in youth sports.From practical tips for parents and coaches to real-life anecdotes, this episode delivers powerful insights to help keep young athletes safe during hot weather training and competition.Topics Covered:- What is heat illness? Definitions and types- Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke- Risk factors and prevention strategies- Emergency response and treatment- Role of coaches, parents, and athletic trainersResources mentioned:- NATA Position Statement on Exertional Heat Illnesses: https://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/externalheatillnesses.pdf - Utah High School Activities Association Heat Guidelines: https://uhsaa.org/Publications/Handbook/Handbook.pdf- Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Tracker: https://www.weather.gov/tsa/wbgtTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the Strong Youth Project01:02 - Meet Dr. Melanie Kelly02:00 - Dr. Kelly’s heat illness research background02:55 - What is thermoregulation?04:00 - Types of heat illnesses explained07:00 - The myth of the heat illness "continuum"09:00 - Risk factors: Environment, hydration, and fitness11:00 - The danger of overtraining and lack of acclimatization14:00 - Why prevention matters most16:30 - The coach’s role in recognizing heat illness18:00 - Water breaks & hydration guidelines20:30 - Misconceptions about training when sick22:00 - How to recognize heat stroke symptoms23:40 - Why rectal thermometers are the gold standard25:00 - Proper cooling methods: Cold water immersion & alternatives27:40 - Resource challenges in youth sports30:00 - Emergency Action Plans: What parents should ask33:00 - Long-term effects and heat tolerance testing35:00 - Parent responsibilities for athlete safety38:00 - Final advice: “Cool first, transport second”39:32 - Outro

In this episode of the Strong Youth Project Podcast, host Jennings Genho sits down with Peter Williamson, a dedicated lacrosse coach, current Doctorate of Physical Therapy Student, and SYP advisory team member. Together, they explore the essential role of research in youth sports, discussing the concepts of intrinsic versus extrinsic coaching cues, and the importance of understanding how these cues impact performance.Peter shares his valuable experiences with the Strong Youth Project and offers insights into how coaches can evaluate research to enhance their coaching practices. They also delve into the psychological aspects of coaching, emphasizing the importance of character building and decision-making in sports.Join us as we uncover how to create positive, fun, and effective sporting experiences for youth athletes. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more engaging content on improving youth sports!Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to the Strong Youth Project Podcast1:02 - Guest Introduction: Peter Williamson1:26 - Peter's Background in Exercise Science and Lacrosse2:05 - How Peter Got Involved with the Strong Youth Project3:40 - Importance of Research in Coaching4:13 - Peter’s Research Focus: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Coaching Cues6:06 - Coaching Interaction with Youth Athletes10:03 - Overview of Peter's Research Methodology14:24 - Key Findings on Jump Performance and Coaching Cues16:38 - Correlation Between Hip Angle and Jump Distance36:04 - Transition to Coaching Experiences: Building Character36:31 - Coaching Philosophy: Preparing Athletes for Decisions37:54 - Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

Welcome back to the Strong Youth Project Podcast! In Part 2 of our concussion series, hosts Bree Campbell and Alex Bingham continue their insightful conversation with Dr. Darren Campbell and Dr. Marc Steed from Utah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.In this episode, we discuss the importance of a comprehensive team approach to concussion care, the misconceptions surrounding concussions, the role of youth as advocates for proper care, and how to navigate the emotional challenges during recovery. We also share valuable advice on seeking professional help and reliable resources for concussion management.Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or just curious about concussion care, this episode is packed with practical knowledge and evidence-based insights!👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on more episodes from the Strong Youth Project!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Welcome1:03 - Episode Overview and Guest Introductions2:00 - Importance of a Team Approach to Concussion Care3:42 - Concussion Education and the Role of Reporting5:32 - Misconceptions and Challenges in Concussion Diagnosis8:42 - Youth Advocacy for Proper Concussion Care10:25 - How Early Treatment Makes a Difference13:04 - Recovery Times and Expectations16:45 - Treatment Differences Between Youth and Adults18:29 - Initial Visit and Patient Experience21:45 - Addressing Emotional and Psychological Challenges24:17 - Instilling Hope and Encouraging Recovery27:47 - When to Seek Professional Help29:03 - Reliable Resources for Concussion Treatment31:21 - Evaluating Resource Credibility32:44 - Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts34:55 - Closing Remarks