Steve Magness, a world-renowned performance expert and author, joins Ryan to discuss the pitfalls of the American sports system, particularly concerning youth athletes. They explore why many kids burn out and how parental pressure can exacerbate the problem. The conversation shifts to Norway’s successful approach, emphasizing participation and joy over competition. Magness also highlights the importance of positivity in achieving athletic success and advocates for parents to support their children’s passions, fostering intrinsic motivation for lifelong love of sports.
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insights INSIGHT
Norway's Youth Sports Model
Norway's youth sports culture de-emphasizes competition and focuses on fun.
This approach fosters intrinsic motivation and leads to higher long-term athletic participation and elite success.
insights INSIGHT
Early Specialization vs. Exploration
Early specialization in sports often leads to burnout and prevents kids from finding the right sport.
The US system's focus on early achievement overlooks late bloomers and diverse athletic potential.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Developing Intrinsic Motivation
Focus on developing intrinsic motivation and joy in sports.
Encourage exploration and delayed specialization to allow children to find their passion.
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In 'Do Hard Things,' Alex and Brett Harris combat the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility. They weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life. The book maps out five powerful ways teens can respond for personal and social change, and is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life 'rebelutionaries' in action. It challenges a generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.
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Performance coach and expert Steve Magness joins Ryan for a deep dive into the flaws of the American sports system and what we can learn from Norway’s successful youth sports culture. Steve breaks down why kids burn out, how parents accidentally make things worse, and what actually helps kids stay motivated and love sports for life.
Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert on performance and author of Win the Inside Game: How to Move from Surviving to Thriving, and Free Yourself Up to Perform. His writing has appeared in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Men’s Health, and a variety of other outlets. Steve’s expertise on elite sport and performance has been featured in The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and ESPN The Magazine.
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