The Pure Athlete Podcast
Episodes
165. NBC Sports' Lindsay Czarniak: From Sport Anchor to Sports Mom
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What’s it really like to cover the Olympics? How do elite athletes—and parents—handle pressure, disappointment, and big life moments? In this ep...
164. 7-Yr NFL LB Kaden Elliss: Faith, Family, & Football
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, the guys sit down with Kaden Elliss of the Atlanta Falcons (signed with New Orleans Saints a week after t...
163. Dr. John Delony: Family Balance & Youth Sports: PART 2
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. John Delony, we go deeper into the realities of youth sports culture and what it means for families today. From...
162. Dr. John Delony: Family Balance & Youth Sports - Hard Truths for Parents
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Youth sports can build resilience, character, teamwork, and lifelong confidence.But they can also quietly become something else.In Part 1 of this powe...
PA Replay: A Passion for Volleyball with Kerri Walsh Jennings
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
3x Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings joins the show, sharing her continued passion for volleyball (beach and indoor), and for the growth of women's s...
161. Reducing Injuries, Minimizing Pain, & Enhancing Performance in Young Athletes with Dr. Michael Hatrak
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Injuries are becoming more prevalent with young athletes, from ACL tears to concussions. As parents who what to help our kids pursue their sports drea...
160. Buster Posey: Former MLB MVP & 7x All-Star Catcher
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Frenchy sits down with former MVP, 7x All-Star, 3x World Series champion, and current San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations...
159. Parent Spotlight: D1 Baseball Dad Chris McNeillie
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this special Parent Spotlight interview, Britt sits down with Chris McNeillie, father of three boys, the youngest of which is a junior pitcher for ...
158. FIVE BIG MISTAKES SPORTS PARENTS MAKE
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As sports parents, most of us really want to do youth sports right on behalf of our kids and families; but we often get caught up in the moment. On th...
PA Replay: Jennie Finch-Daigle: Softball Legend and Sports Mom
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Softball icon Jennie Finch-Daigle is our guest on this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast. Jennie shares her youth sports story with us as a multi-sp...
157. George Brett: MLB Hall of Fame 3B
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode we welcome one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, a first ballot Hall of Famer with over 3150 hits, Kansas City Royals legend Geo...
156. Paralympic Gold Medalist Nick Mayhugh: Overcoming Cerebral Palsy
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As an elite young soccer player, Nick Mayhugh excelled on the field but always struggled to overcome some physical limitations that he didn't understa...
155. David Wright: NY Mets All-Star 3B
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most respected players of his era, 7x All-Star 3B David Wright is our guest on this episode. Playing all 14 years of his career with the Me...
154. 2025 Best Moments and 2026 Preview
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff, Britt, and Brad look back on some of the best moments and guests in 2025, with advice to young athletes planning to move forward in 2026. In add...
153. Coach David Cutcliffe: Former Duke & Ole Miss Head Football Coach
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we welcome Coach David Cutcliffe, former head football coach at Duke and Ole Miss, and former Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee. Cut...
152. Does Character Matter in Youth Sports?
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most parents hope their kids develop strong character, but where does it get prioritized when it comes to pursuing youth sports goals? Pure Athlete li...
PA Replay: NFL Coach & Analyst Tony Dungy
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are excited to replay our 2024 episode with one of America’s most admired and respected sports figures, Coach Tony Dungy! Coach Dungy is a Hall o...
PA Replay: Winning & Losing In Youth Sports: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you're playing youth sports, you're experiencing winning and losing regularly. Some experience one more than the other, but over the course of time...
PA Replay: Parenting Expert Dr Tim Elmore
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we head into Thanksgiving week, we are grateful for the wise counsel we received in 2024 from Dr Tim Elmore, sharing his expertise on topics such a...
PA Replay: Dan Orlovsky - ESPN NFL Analyst
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Excited to replay this inspiring and insightful interview we did in 2023 with 12-yr NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky. Dan shares his youth sports journey ...
151. The Parent Coach: the Rewards, the Risks, and the Rules to Follow
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trying to wear both the parent hat and the coach hat at the same time can be both a fantastic and perilous experience (yes, both of those are true), a...
150. Billy Wagner - MLB Hall of Fame Pitcher and High School Coach
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2025 MLB Hall of Fame inductee Billy Wagner joins us this week to share his unique story of how a right-handed kid became a left handed pitcher who ea...
149. Sam Querrey: Former Top American Tennis Player
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we welcome Sam Querrey, one of America’s top male tennis players over the past two decades, winning ten ATP titles and ranked as hi...
148. A Mom's Perspective on the World of Youth Sports
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some moms are as passionate (or more) about youth sports as dads, and even those who aren’t are often deeply involved because they are passionate ab...
147. Lindsay Davenport: Former World #1 Tennis Player
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former World Number One tennis player Lindsay Davenport joins Jeff and the guys on this episode, and her journey to the top of the tennis world is any...
PA Replay: The BURNOUT Problem in Youth Sports
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The intensity of youth sports is increasing, and that's not debatable. Kids are playing more at younger ages - more practices, more tournaments, more ...
PA Replay: Matt Ryan, Former NFL MVP
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we replay one of our favorite interviews with NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowler, Matt Ryan! Not only does he bring his perspective as a legen...
146. The 5 Big Parenting Goals for Youth Sports
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When youth sports are over for your kids, what do you hope they and you got out of it? Community? College Scholarships? Life Lessons? Have you even th...
145. Gary Downs, Father of Caleb and Josh Downs: Parent Spotlight
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we sit down with Gary Downs, father to Ohio State Cornerback Caleb Downs and Indianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs. As a former NFL runnin...
144. Derrick White: NBA Champ & Olympic Gold Medalist
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Boston Celtics guard Derrick White joins us to share his basketball journey from a multi-sport young athlete in Colorado to the NBA a...
PA Replay - Sports Nutrition Coach Kelsey Poulter: Why Nutrition Is Key For Young Athletes
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fueling your body with the right fuel is critical to an athlete's ability to operate at peak performance. Professionals in every sport have discovered...
143. Greg Olsen: NFL Pro Bowl TE and Fox NFL Analyst
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad sit down with 3x Pro Bowl Tight End, 14-year NFL veteran, and NFL on Fox Analyst Greg Olsen. Greg’s ...
142. Have You Ever Faced These Youth Sports Situations?
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do we do when a coach isn’t being fair to our kid? Or what if the coach only cares about winning, at the expense of development? Or maybe your ...
141. Greg McElroy: National Champion QB and ESPN CFB Analyst
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we talk with ESPN college football analyst and current host of the popular "Always College Football" podcast Greg McElroy. Greg'...
PA Replay: The Wonderful, Wacky, Messed-Up World of Travel Sports
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we dive deep into the world of travel sports. While travel has long been a crucial aspect of a young athlete's journey, it has slowly becom...
140. Dr. Riley Nickols: Managing Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Building Healthy Mental Habits for Young Athletes
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you are a parent or coach of young athletes, you need to learn all you can about the common mental health challenges and issues experienced by many...
139. Chris Sale: Atlanta Braves Cy Young Award-Winning Pitcher
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While rehabbing from a fractured rib, Cy Young winning pitcher Chris Sale joins the show to hang out with Jeff, Britt, and Brad and talk a little base...
138. Season 4 Kickoff: Are You Navigating The Three Phases Of Youth Sports The Right Way?
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Britt launch Season 4 of the show looking back at some of the best moments in Season 3 and sharing some of the exciting plans for the next ye...
PA Replay: Dr Neeru Jayanthi: Research Expert on Youth Sports Specialization
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joining us today is one of the world’s leading researchers and experts on injury prevention. Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, the Director of Emory Sports Medici...
PA Replay: Clemson Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As summer ends and college football approaches, we thought it was time to replay one of our most popular episodes, with Frenchy's good buddy Coach Dab...
PA Replay: Matt & Leslee Holliday on Sports Parenting
26 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Having just Ethan Holliday drafted in the first round of the MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies, following his brother Jackson being drafted #1 overall...
137. Coach Ballgame: The Right Approach to Sports Parenting & Coaching
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you aren’t familiar with Coach Ballgame (James Lowe), you are missing out on one of Major League Baseball's best and most important ambassadors. ...
125. Dr. Mark Kovacs: What You Need To Know About Physical Development in Youth Sports
19 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we welcome back renowned Sports Science expert Dr. Mark Kovacs, who shares a wealth of valuable and practical insights to help coache...
124. Mental Performance Coach Justin Su'a: Developing a Winning Mindset For Young Athletes
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Struggles with confidence, poor body language, negative self- talk, and response to failure are just some of the mental performance challenges that yo...
123. "TAKE BACK SPORTS" with ESPN Executive Kevin Martinez
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Take Back Sports” is a major new Youth Sports initiative from ESPN focused on some of the critical challenges in Youth Sports. This week, Kevin M...
PA Replay: Parenting on Game Day
28 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
122. 7x National Champion HC Nick Saban
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Head Coach Nick Saban won seven national championships on his way to being known as the GOAT of college football coaches. On this episode, Coach Saban...
PA Replay - Hall of Fame Pitcher Greg Maddux
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For all of you who missed this popular episode, we are bringing it to you again. Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux sits down with the guys to delve int...
121. LA Rams HC Sean McVay Pt. 2
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Bow...
120. LA Rams HC Sean McVay Pt. 1
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Bow...
119. Super Bowl Champ & Pro Lacrosse Player Chris Hogan
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ful...
PA Replay - Hall of Fame Pitcher John Smoltz
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
118. Former NFL QB and Current QB Coach Jordan Palmer
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
117. D1 Training Founder Will Bartholomew: The Power of Performance Training for Young Athletes
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After winning the 1998 National Championship at Tennessee and serving as Captain of the 2001 team, Will Bartholomew's football career ended in his fir...
PA Replay: Dr Mondo: Mental Coach and Wellness Expert
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 info...
116. What We’ve Learned about Youth Sports + Big Announcement
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With more than 115 episodes under their belts, Jeff, Britt, and Brad discuss some of their biggest learnings along the way, and Jeff shares some areas...
115. MLB 5x All-Star Andruw Jones
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With 10 Gold Gloves and 434 career homers, Andruw Jones is regarded as one of the top centerfielders of all time, and the guys have a great conversati...
PA Replay: NBA Star and Dad: Dell Curry
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NBA shooting great Dell Curry, father to NBA stars Stephen and Seth, shares stories from his own playing days, as well as parenting insights learned ...
114. MLS All-Star Brad Guzan
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on this episode is MLS Cup Champion, 2x MLS All-Star, 2017 Goal Keeper of the Year and the captain & starting goalkeeper for Atlanta Uni...
PA Replay: Sportsmanship in Youth Sports
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The guys have a great conversation about Sportsmanship in Youth Sports, discussing what Sportsmanship is (and isn’t), why it matters, and how parent...
PA Replay: 2026 WBC Manager Mark Derosa
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
USA Baseball recently announced that Mark Derosa would return as the Manager of the 2026 WBC Team USA. That prompted us to replay the entertaining an...
113. Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, the guys talk to NFL Hall of Fame and 7x All-Pro Cornerback Champ Bailey. Champ was a shut-down NFL cornerback, who is often cited as...
112. Dave Francoeur: Parenting Insights From Jeff's Dad
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a loyal listener, you’ve heard Jeff Francoeur talk about his dad pulling him off the field during a game, or the time when he took Jeff ba...
PA Replay: ESPN's Jay Bilas
29 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we enjoy March Madness 2025, we are pleased to replay our 2023 conversation with ESPN's lead college basketball analyst Jay Bilas. Jay had much to ...
111. 3x NASCAR Cup Winner Joey Logano
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joey Logano didn't grow up in a racing family, but when his dad bought him a go-cart at age 6, he quickly became hooked. in no time at all, he was win...
110. Kirk Herbstreit (Pt. 2)
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of our conversation with Kirk Herbstreit, Kirk dives into more of his experiences as a sports dad, his thoughts on early specialization in y...
109. Kirk Herbstreit (Pt. 1)
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the hardest-working and most respected voices in sports, Kirk Herbstreit brings preparation, expertise, and a passion for excellence when he's ...
108. Dealing with Disappointment in Youth Sports
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the beginning of the youth sports journey to the end, disappointment is a present emotion that is a counter-balance to the fun of the overall exp...
107. 19 Yr NHL Player Mike Fisher
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following February's compelling hockey matchup between the U.S. and Canada, we are excited to welcome 19 yr NHL player and former Nashville Predators ...
PA Replay: All Star 3B Austin Riley
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are excited to replay one of earliest and favorite episodes with Atlanta Braves fan favorite Austin Riley. The son of an NFL punter, Austin Riley g...
106. Want To Play In College...Things You Need To Know
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For those of you who have a goal to play sports in college, or for your kid to play in college, how much do you really know about what that entails? W...
105. Clemson Tigers QB Cade Klubnik
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, the guys welcome our first current college athlete to the pod to discuss his journey to become one of college football's leading quar...
104. SNEAK PREVIEW... Parent Spotlight: Todd Peterson
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we provide a sneak peek into our upcoming, new Parent Spotlight Series as Britt interviews Todd Peterson. Todd was an NFL kicker for ...
103. Comedian John Crist on Youth Sports
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s special episode will definitely have you laughing as we welcome former Division 1 college tennis player—who then became one of America...
102. Are We Raising "Soft" Kids?
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are parents raising kids to be too soft? Some high school and college coaches think so…and they are speaking out. Are they right, or does the older ...
101. Rorke Denver: A NAVY SEAL'S Playbook For Youth Sports
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you ever wonder how lessons learned in sports translate to life, look no further than to former NAVY SEAL Commander Rorke Denver. Rorke couldn't h...
100. Making Youth Sports Better in 2025 - 100th Episode Special
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we celebrate our 100th episode AND kick off 2025, we welcome back five of our previous guests - Dan Orlovsky, Rece Davis, Misty May-Treanor, Mark D...
PA Replay: CFB Hall of Famer David Pollack
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you never heard this or it's been a long time, David's insights into youth sports, from a parent, coach, and player perspective are spot on. S...
99. Olympic Gold Medal Softball Legend Jennie Finch-Daigle
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Softball icon Jennie Finch-Daigle is our guest on this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast. Jennie shares her youth sports story with us as a multi-sp...
98. KC Royals All-Star SS Bobby Witt, Jr
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the top players in MLB, Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr is this week's guest, and you don’t want to miss it. In 2024, Bobby was the runner-up in the ...
97. Parenting Expert Dr. Tim Elmore: Parenting in the Crazy World of Youth Sports
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can we help our kids develop grit? How do parents help, or hinder, their kids from reaching their full potential, in sports, or life? What are the...
PA Replay: Motivational Speaker Inky Johnson
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Future first-round NFL draft pick, Inky Johnson’s life changed forever with a single tackle at the University of Tennessee. A ruptured artery left h...
96. USWNT Soccer Star Mallory Pugh Swanson
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week's guest is 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2019 World Cup Champion MALLORY PUGH SWANSON. As the USWNT’s leading scorer in the 2024 Olympics...
95. GOING ALL IN....What You Need To Know
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At the end of the day, Youth and High School sports should always be fun, but what if a young athlete has big goals and aspirations? What if they want...
94. 7x MLB All-Star Catcher Brian McCann
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us today as we welcome former 6x Silver Slugger and 7x MLB All-Star catcher Brian McCann! Brian shares his experiences growing up as the son of a...
93. Sports Nutrition Coach Kelsey Poulter: Why Nutrition Is Key For Young Athletes
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fueling your body with the right fuel is critical to an athlete's ability to operate at peak performance. Professionals in every sport have discovered...
92. The Daily Juggle: Family Life and Youth Sports
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a sports parent, and especially if you have multiple kids, you know what we're talking about. Today's youth sports culture is so consuming, ...
91. Former NFL QB Nick Foles
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
11-year NFL QB Nick Foles is our guest on this episode, sharing great insights from his sports story that began as a multi-sport athlete growing up in...
90. Helping Young Athletes Develop a BELIEF Mindset: Mental Performance Expert Dr Caroline Silby
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Renowned sports psychologist Dr Caroline Silby has spent the last few decades working with high performance athletes in a variety of sports, including...
89. The BURNOUT Problem in Youth Sports
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The intensity of youth sports is increasing, and that's not debatable. Kids are playing more at younger ages - more practices, more tournaments, more ...
88. NFL Coach Herm Edwards
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former NFL player, Head Coach, College Head Coach and current ESPN NFL Analyst Herb Edwards guests on this episode, and his reputation as a guy with v...
87. Volleyball Legend Kerri Walsh Jennings
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
3x Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings joins the show, sharing her continued passion for volleyball (beach and indoor), and for the growth of women's s...
86. 17-Year NFL Veteran QB Matt Schaub
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We welcome former NFL 2x Pro Bowl QB Matt Schaub to the show on this episode! Matt played for 17 yrs in the NFL, after a stellar college career at the...
85. Social Media and the Youth Sports Journey
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does social media have a big potential impact on the youth sports journey? You bet it does. With teens averaging over 4 hours per day on social platfo...
84. Ernie Johnson, Jr
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, one of America's favorite and most respected sportscasters joins the guys and begins by sharing his thoughts about the upcoming final...
83. Matt & Leslee Holliday on Sports Parenting
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former MLB Star Matt Holliday and his wife Leslee are raising their four kids in today's complex world of youth sports. Their oldest two boys shared t...
82. Baylor Head Coach Scott Drew
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We kick off Season 3 with a great conversation with Baylor Men's Head Basketball Coach Scott Drew, one of college basketball's most successful and mos...
81. Season 2 Finale - Mailbag Questions from our Audience
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this season's final episode, Jeff and Britt address a number of questions and comments from listeners covering a wide range of youth sports topics,...
80. Winning & Losing In Youth Sports: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you're playing youth sports, you're experiencing winning and losing regularly. Some experience one more than the other, but over the course of time...
79. NBA Veteran Jamal Crawford
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former NBA star Jamal Crawford is our guest on this episode, sharing his youth sports story of growing up with the game of basketball in Seattle. Jama...