The Pure Athlete Podcast

Enjoy this special replay of this timeless topic that originally aired in May of 2024. It's finally game day and a chance to pay off all of those hard hours of work and practice. A day meant for relaxation and having fun with other parents as we watch our athletes compete oftentimes morphs into something entirely different. For those of us who have experienced it, we know there are three major components to game day for parents: before the game, during the game, and after the game. Each of these aspects comes with their own challenges that can be both enjoyable and stressful. There are times we're able to help our young athletes and other times when we're just making it harder for them; so how can we know when we're doing our part?Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down to discuss the best and most challenging parts of being a parent on game day, encouraging parents and athletes to take stock of their own approach while being intentional at making the most of this sacred day in sports.

Nick Saban, the legendary former head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, dives into his unexpected journey into coaching, initially eyeing a career in car sales. He discusses the importance of player development and emphasizes valuing individual excellence over sheer victories. Saban reflects on his leadership style, shaped by personal doubts and accountability. He also shares thoughts on the evolving college football landscape, touching on NIL deals and the transfer portal's implications on the sport's future.

Greg Maddux, a Hall of Fame pitcher and four-time Cy Young Award winner, shares wisdom from his illustrious 23-year career. He dives into the importance of arm care and effective pitching mechanics, revealing strategies that made him an all-time great. Maddux also reminisces about memorable encounters with legendary hitters and discusses the evolution of pitching techniques. Listeners will enjoy his reflections on youth sports, the significance of personalized coaching, and humorous anecdotes from his path from Little League to Cooperstown.

In 2017, Sean McVay became the youngest NFL head coach in the modern era, at 30 years old. In his second year, Coach McVay led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance and three years later he became the youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl. In Part 2 of our conversation with Coach McVay, he shares his advice to coaches, discusses the coaches he loves to compete against, talks about his approach to balancing his roles as coach and dad, and so much more. If you haven't already, be sure to check out Pt. 1 of our interview with Sean!

In 2017, Sean McVay became the youngest NFL head coach in the modern era, at 30 years old. In his second year, Coach McVay led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance and three years later he became the youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl. In Part 1 of our conversation with Coach McVay, he shares the story of his love for sports as a high school state champion quarterback and an elite level youth soccer player whose passion for preparation, grit, and leadership qualities were the foundation for his success both on and off the field. Coach McVay talks with great humility and authenticity about the influence of his parents and his grandfather (the GM for the multi-Super Bowl winning 49ers), the high school and pro coaches that mentored him, what he has learned about investing in others, and so much more. This episode will inspire coaches, young athletes, and parents about the value of sports, of teammates, and of the life lessons that translate to who we become off the field - you don't want to miss it.

Chris Hogan is our guest on this week's episode and man, is his story an inspiring one. Not recruited heavily as a football player, Chris signed a full scholarship with Penn State as a Lacrosse player. After playing LAX for 3 yrs, he transferred to Monmouth University to play football, with no aspirations to play beyond college. Several years later, Chris made the Buffalo Bills roster, after being cut from multiple other NFL teams, where he played for several years before the Patriots picked him up, and everything changed. Chris talks about the winning culture he experienced with the Patriots and playing with Tom Brady, his Super Bowl experiences and much more in his story of overcoming adversity. He also talks about returning to lacrosse as a professional player after retiring from the NFL, and as a father of four, his thoughts on today's youth sports culture and being a sports dad.

The guys talk to Hall of Fame pitcher and MLB broadcaster John Smoltz. In addition to sharing his youth sports story, Smoltzie shares great insights for young athletes, parents, and coaches, as well as valuable baseball-specific advice for young pitchers.

Jordan Palmer grew up in the shadow of his older brother, Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer. Jordan wasn't a starter on his high school team until his senior year, and he attended the one D1 school that offered him a scholarship, UTEP. And while his story was full of adversity, he remained committed to reaching his full potential, eventually spending several years playing as a backup QB in the NFL, UFL, and the Arena Football League. Jordan's commitment to his craft led him to become a "go-to" quarterbacks coach, working with numerous high-profile NFL and College quarterbacks still today. In addition, Jordan is also a highly successful entreprenuer, having co-founded of several very successful businesses, including his latest venture. Thread Performance. Jordan shares his journey as a player, coach, and sports dad with our guys in this episode.

Will Bartholomew, founder of D1 Training and former Tennessee football captain, shares his journey from athlete to performance trainer for youth sports. He emphasizes the importance of structured training, discussing when kids should start and how it shapes resilience and skill. As a dad of three athletes, Will reflects on the balance between motivation and independence in parenting. He also explores innovative training methods, including speed and agility, to enhance athletic performance, ensuring young athletes are set up for success both physically and mentally.

With it being Mental Health Awareness month, we want to replay this informative episode for our viewers that was recorded in Feb of 2023, but the information is still very current. Our guest is well-known sports psychologist and mental wellness expert Dr. Armando González. Dr. Mondo works with numerous pro athletes such as Dansby Swanson, Lindsey Vonn, Charles Goodwin, Mallory Pugh, among others. Our discussion with him explores the cultural challenges our young people are facing, and he shares great insights and thoughts for young athletes, parents, and coaches to help maximize mental performance and prioritize overall mental wellness.