Brad and Britt sit down with Dr. Katie Friedman—pediatrician, pediatric ER physician, mom of young athletes, co-founder of Forever Freckled, and creator of Big Time youth athlete vitamins (livebigtime.com).Katie makes the case that youth sports remain one of the most powerful environments for kids: they build grit, teach kids how to fail and keep going, get them off screens, support physical health, and instill habits that transfer to school and adulthood. She also talks honestly about the hard parts—injuries, pressure to return too soon, and the daily scramble of late practices and fast food.Key topics include:What she actually sees in the ER: fractures, dislocations, lacerations—and a surprising spike in serious injuries from e-scooters and e-bikesConcussion red flags, when to go to the ER, and why kids should be symptom-free before returning to playSleep as the most overlooked (and free) performance tool—aim for 9–10+ hours and get screens out of the bedroomPractical nutrition: breakfast as fuel, simple carbs before games, smaller meals/snacks kids will actually eat, and giving yourself grace on the 9:30 p.m. pizza nightsWhy she created Big Time after her son’s injury and her own questions about fueling growing athletesAdvice to sports parents: the work is worth it even if they never play college ball—focus on the child and the lessons, not just the scoreboardA grounded, practical conversation for parents who want their kids to thrive in sports without losing the point of it.https://livebigtime.com

14-time All-Star, three-time AL MVP, and 2009 World Series champion Alex Rodriguez joins Jeff, Britt, and Brad for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the highlight-reel numbers.A-Rod traces his path from a Washington Heights childhood (his father leaving when he was 10, his mother’s extraordinary work ethic, and a stretch on food stamps) to Miami, where baseball, basketball, and football became his outlet and purpose. He explains why playing up with older kids as a late-July birthday was an unexpected advantage, how quarterbacking and point-guard vision translated directly to shortstop, and why he believes today’s early-specialization culture is hurting young athletes.The former Westminster Christian star makes a passionate case for fundamentals over launch angle and exit velo: start with the bunt, the hit-and-run, and elite defense. He talks about the two coaches who shaped him for a decade, the value of curiosity and listening (even at the height of his stardom), and the mental approach that let a 18-year-old phenom survive the spotlight.Parents and coaches will especially appreciate his advice on the ride home, process over results, keeping kids off electronics and radar guns before 17, and why the best players he’s ever seen were “black-belt fundamentalists.” Rodriguez also shares the behind-the-scenes story of his trade to the Yankees and reflects with rare vulnerability on early success, self-awareness, and how becoming a more present father has changed him.A must-listen episode packed with practical wisdom for anyone raising or coaching the next generation.

Jeff, Britt, and Brad preview the new season with summer recaps, laughs, and big plans ahead. Jeff shares behind-the-scenes stories from Cooperstown and Andruw Jones’ Hall of Fame induction—hanging with Mike Tomlin, chatting with Tony La Russa, and experiencing “baseball heaven” with the legends. Brad and Britt trade notes on family time, beach trips, yard work, and a special first ice-cream moment with a granddaughter.Then they look ahead: Pure Athlete Baseball’s continues to add great new content and the guys talk about what's coming on that platform. And, the guys discuss a brand new format coming to enable interaction and engagement with parents, kids and coaches around the country, discussing their youth sports journeys in a real-life way.Season 5 begins next week. Stick around—you’re not going to want to miss it.

This week, we're revisiting our conversation with newly inducted MLB Hall of Famer Andruw Jones. Andruw reflects on the journey that took him from Curaçao to the major leagues, the importance of character and discipline, and the lessons he's learned through baseball and fatherhood. It's a timeless conversation filled with wisdom for athletes, parents, and coaches alike.

Youth and high school sports should always be fun. But what if a young athlete has big goals? What if they dream of making the varsity team, earning a college scholarship, or even competing professionally?Many families begin pursuing those dreams at a young age—and we think that's great. But that journey also comes with challenges. Having a healthy roadmap can help your young athlete maximize their potential while still enjoying the process and becoming the best version of themselves on the field, court, pool, or track.We're revisiting this episode because the lessons, advice, and insights are just as relevant today as when it first aired.

In 2024, Bobby finished as the runner-up for the American League MVP Award after delivering an incredible season at the plate while also winning his first Gold Glove at shortstop in just his third year in the majors.Not long ago, though, Bobby was playing travel and high school baseball in Colleyville, Texas. Despite being the son of former MLB pitcher Bobby Witt Sr., he took a different path than many of today's top prospects. He never took a private hitting lesson until after high school. Rather than chasing launch angles and home runs (though he hit plenty of those), Bobby focused on making hard contact to all fields, limiting strikeouts, and becoming the most complete player he could be.Bobby shares his approach to hitting, the relentless work ethic that helped him become a Gold Glove-winning shortstop, the lessons his parents taught him about character and humility, and so much more.We're bringing back this replay of our conversation with Bobby Witt Jr.—one that's still packed with valuable and relevant insights for players, parents, and coaches.

In this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down with U.S. Soccer legend and former US World Cup Captain Carlos Bocanegra to share his story from his remarkable journey—from playing multiple sports as a kid in Southern California, to starring at UCLA Bruins, becoming MLS Rookie of the Year, competing in two FIFA World Cups, and playing in some of the world’s top leagues, including the English Premier League. He also reflects on the lessons he learned along the way and why playing multiple sports helped shape his athletic career.The conversation then shifts to youth sports, where Carlos offers his passionate assessment of the current youth soccer landscape in America. He discusses the challenges facing youth development, the importance of positive coaching environments, why fundamentals matter more than winning at young ages, and what parents should look for when choosing a sports program for their children.Whether you're a soccer fan, a parent navigating youth sports, or simply someone who loves hearing the stories behind elite athletes, this episode delivers valuable insights on development, resilience, leadership, and helping kids fall in love with sports the right way.Topics Covered:The impact and excitement of the 2026 World CupCarlos Bocanegra’s path from youth athlete to World Cup captainLife in MLS and the English Premier LeagueThe value of multi-sport participationWhy technical skill development mattersChallenges in youth soccer todayHow parents can identify healthy sports environmentsBalancing development and winning in youth sportsBuilding a better future for young athletesPlus, Carlos shares why he believes improving the youth sports culture is one of the most important opportunities facing American soccer today.

Former MLS star and current MLS TV Analyst Taylor Twellman shares his youth sports story as a multi-sport athlete who played both baseball and soccer in college before going all-in on soccer. Taylor had a prolific soccer career as a 2x Golden Boot winner and MLS MVP. He shares some strong opinions about American soccer, our current youth sports cullture, advice for parents, and advice for coaches.

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, hosts Britt and Brad sit down with Madison Gates, VP of Marketing at i9 Sports and former University of Michigan soccer standout, D1 player, and coach.They explore one of the biggest challenges parents face today: how to introduce young kids to organized sports in a positive, healthy way. With youth sports shifting toward earlier specialization, intense travel teams, and skyrocketing pressure, many families feel overwhelmed and worried their kids will fall behind or burn out.Madison shares her personal journey—from multi-sport youth athlete to college star—and discusses the real issues plaguing youth sports: parental “keeping up with the Joneses,” early burnout, overuse injuries, and the loss of simple childhood fun. She explains how i9 Sports offers a refreshing, contrarian approach: fun-first, multi-sport leagues for ages 3–14, with just one practice and game per week, age-appropriate coaching, and a strong emphasis on building confidence, character, and a sense of belonging.The conversation dives deep into i9’s Games for Girls campaign, which aims to get 500,000 girls playing annually by 2030. They discuss survey insights on what girls and parents value most (spoiler: winning is at the bottom), the importance of positive coaching, girls-only programming, and strategies to keep girls in sports through the critical middle school years when dropout rates spike.Whether you’re a parent trying to make the right first sports decision, concerned about burnout, or looking for a more balanced youth sports experience, this episode delivers practical wisdom, encouragement, and actionable advice.Tune in for an honest, hopeful conversation that puts kids first.Listen now and visit i9sports.com to find a local program near you.

In this powerful return episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we welcome back former CFB Hall of Fame and the host of the popular podcast See Ball. Get Ball, David Pollack, three and a half years after his first appearance.Now raising a 17-year-old son who just committed to Clemson football and a 16-year-old daughter who’s a standout basketball player, David delivers raw, honest, and deeply practical insight into how sports parenting evolves as kids move through high school. From shifting roles — moving from “commander” to “coach” to eventually “friend” — to learning how to give your children true ownership of their journey, David explores the challenges, failures, and wins that come with raising athletes.He also opens up about the realities of the modern recruiting process in a transactional, NIL-influenced world, how to support your child without taking over, and why surrounding them with the right people and culture matters more than ever. Finally, David shares candidly about his wife Lindsay’s major brain surgery and ongoing battle with cancer, how their family has grown stronger through adversity, and the powerful lessons in resilience, faith, and perspective they’ve gained.Listeners will hear David’s signature intensity as he discusses:Why parenting gets harder (but more meaningful) as kids gain independenceThe importance of letting kids own their journey — even when it’s uncomfortableHow to balance support with space in recruiting and athleticsBuilding family values that outlast sportsThe power of praying for “hard” things and watching your kids rise through themWhat coaches and parents need to prioritize for long-term success and character developmentFilled with humor, vulnerability, and actionable wisdom, this conversation is a must-listen for any parent, coach, or young athlete navigating the beautiful chaos of youth sports.Tune in now and be reminded that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s growth, faith, and enjoying the journey together.Also, check out David's new book...Every Day Counts: Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can.