Now More Than Ever,
We Need to Get
Youth Sports Right

Pure Athlete helps young athletes, parents, and coaches become the best versions of themselves to elevate their game... on and off the field.

Drawing on insights from the world’s top athletes and leading experts, we deliver powerful, media content that informs & inspires our audience and impacts youth sports culture.

JEFF FRANCOEUR
JEFF FRANCOEUR

"Parents…don’t be afraid to push, but push on effort and attitude…
don’t push on performance.”

MALLORY PUGH SWANSON
MALLORY PUGH SWANSON

"If you want something, you have to work for it.”

DABO SWINNEY
DABO SWINNEY

“You can win, win, win... but if you’re not impacting lives in a positive way, I think you lose.”

KIRK HERBSTREIT
KIRK HERBSTREIT

“If we can shift the focus, youth sports can be the best classroom for life lessons.”

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The Pure Athlete Podcast

Catch up on the latest episode, or check out some of our favorites.

Ep. 159: David Pollack: The Hardest Part of Sports Parenting Is Learning to Let Go
Ep. 159: David Pollack: The Hardest Part of Sports Parenting Is Learning to Let Go

In this powerful return episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we welcome back College Football Hall of Famer and host of See Ball Get Ball, David Pollack, three and a half years after his first appearance. Now raising a 17-year-old son committed to Clemson football and a 16-year-old standout basketball daughter, David shares raw, honest insights on how sports parenting evolves in high school—from shifting roles as “commander” to “coach” to “friend,” to giving kids true ownership of their journey. He discusses the challenges of the modern, transactional NIL recruiting world, balancing support without taking over, and why surrounding your children with the right people and culture matters most. David also opens up about his wife Lindsay’s major brain surgery and ongoing battle with cancer, and how their family has grown stronger through adversity, gaining powerful lessons in resilience, faith, and perspective. With his signature intensity, humor, and vulnerability, he covers why parenting gets harder yet more meaningful with independence, building family values that outlast sports, praying through hard things, and what coaches and parents must prioritize for long-term success and character. A must-listen for parents, coaches, and athletes. Tune in now—also check out David’s new book, Every Day Counts: Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can.

Ep 158: Reclassifying: The Controversial Extra Year in Youth Sports
Ep 158: Reclassifying: The Controversial Extra Year in Youth Sports

In this candid episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad tackle one of the most controversial topics in youth sports: reclassification — holding kids back a grade primarily for athletic advantages. They break down what reclassification really means and how it’s evolved from a rare academic choice into a common sports strategy, the potential benefits for late bloomers, and the serious downsides including social, emotional, and academic impacts. The hosts also examine why some high school programs quietly encourage it, how club teams have adapted with grad-year rules, and whether the extra year truly leads to D1 scholarships or simply creates unfair advantages. With honesty and personal stories, they question if athletics are being placed above kids’ holistic development in the growing trend of older athletes in high school and college sports. This nuanced, thought-provoking conversation is a must-listen for parents and coaches. Have you reclassified your child? Share your experiences — the good, the bad, and the ugly — in the comments.

Ep. 157: Aspen Institute’s Tom Farrey: The State of Youth Sports
Ep. 157: Aspen Institute’s Tom Farrey: The State of Youth Sports

In this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast, we sit down with Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play and a leading voice in youth sports. With decades of experience and groundbreaking research, Tom shares the latest data on participation trends, the effects of commercialization, the risks of early specialization, and the growing influence of NIL at younger ages. He also explores powerful lessons from Norway’s highly successful youth sports model, explains why joy and love of the game matter more than wins in the early years, highlights the importance of multi-sport play, and offers practical ways communities can drive real change through the “power of the permit.” Whether you’re a parent, coach, or youth sports leader, this conversation delivers honest insights, renewed hope, and actionable ideas for building healthier, more inclusive youth sports environments. Tune in for a big-picture look at where youth sports stands today — and where it’s headed.

What They're Saying

Please leave a review on your podcast platform and send us a DM on social media; we love to hear your feedback.

As a high school head coach and parent I can't get enough. Thank you.

It’s great getting to learn from dads who are ahead of you on The Journey! Timeless wisdom and fun stories are what you’ll hear on this podcast.
If you are the parent of an athlete, this podcast is for you!

I listen to every episode with my kids. Great story telling, and very good lessons on every episode.

These guys are bringing on some fantastic guests that help to give some practical advice on navigating the challenges of youth sports.

Love listening to these with my son, especially when he won’t hear it from me. The lessons and perspectives are great. Really thankful for this podcast!

As a father of a soon to be college athlete who came through the club ball ranks, I relate to this show so much.

Speaking Engagements

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Speaking Engagements

Speaking Engagements

Jeff, Britt, and Brad love to share insights, stories, and answer questions with live audiences at schools, churches, or sports-related organizations. Contact us to explore.

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