In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Danny dive into the rising problem of youth sports injuries, the balance between health and performance, and why early specialization is hurting athletes more than helping them. They break down how the NFL Combine creates short-term athletes instead of long-term pros, the responsibility shared by coaches, parents, and agents, and why true longevity comes from smarter planning, recovery, and communication.

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Timestamps

00:00 – 02:22 – Opening banter and setting the stage
02:22 – 06:12 – Rise in youth injuries since 2000; early specialization issues
06:12 – 10:10 – Balancing performance vs. health; smarter stress management
12:01 – 13:32 – S&C’s growth and risks of over-relying on data
15:31 – 17:18 – NFL Combine critique; Dr. Marcus Elliott insights
23:03 – 25:56 – Longevity and dynamic athlete profiles
35:37 – 41:27 – ACLs, UCLs, and stress fractures in youth sports
46:52 – 49:52 – Advice for parents: breaks, oversight, and avoiding early specialization
53:26 – 57:44 – NFL rookies’ transition struggles and workload spikes
60:15 – 63:16 – Coaching accountability and communication
67:02 – 70:42 – NFL as a starting point, not the end; athlete ownership
73:28 – 76:03 – Evolution of strength coaches and embracing variability
76:21 – End – “Strong enough is strong enough”; closing thoughts

Rob Greene: "To the Young Second Lieutenant Standing Behind Me in Line"