In this straight-talking episode of "Coach Rodo's Winning Regardless," host Rodney Marshall tackles one of the most contentious topics in youth sports and life: playing time. Coach Rodo dives deep into what it truly means to earn your spot, challenging the common entitlement mindset that plagues sports today.

He argues that playing time isn't a given—it's earned through effort, readiness, and a relentless commitment to improvement, both on and off the field. Using powerful analogies from childhood games and his own experiences as a coach and business owner, he illustrates the difference between expectation and earned reward.

Coach Rodo also addresses difficult conversations with parents who demand playing time for their children and shares his unique coaching philosophy on how to handle disappointment, keep kids engaged in "the long game," and foster a strong work ethic. This episode is a crucial listen for athletes, coaches, and parents who want to understand how effort in sports directly translates to success in life.

Key Discussion Points:

What Playing Time Really Means: It's not about time on the clock, but about the effort you put in when no one is watching.

Earning vs. Expecting: Why entitlement is a dangerous mindset and how to teach kids to earn their place.

Handling Disappointment: Strategies for dealing with setbacks and using them as fuel for future success.

The Long Game: How to keep athletes engaged and motivated by asking questions and teaching in real-time scenarios.

A Parent's Role: Why a child's playing time is not a parent's negotiation and the importance of letting kids advocate for themselves.

In this inspiring episode, Coach Rodo sits down with Ryan Norman, a marketing intern at Aldevra, for the podcast's very first guest interview. Ryan, a junior at Michigan State University, shares her remarkable journey from being a high-achieving high school student to navigating the complexities of college life.

Ryan opens up about the struggles she faced with time management and how a simple change—using a calendar—transformed her approach to academics. She discusses her incredible community service work with Inner City Youth for Change, which took her all the way to Tanzania, Africa, where she learned the importance of "being in the moment."

The conversation also covers Ryan's personal definition of "Winning Regardless," her unwavering faith, and her role as the president of the East Neighborhood Black Caucus at MSU. She also touches on the mental health challenges she faced during a serious knee injury and her powerful message about being proactive and confident, especially when you're the only person of color in a room.

Finally, Ryan shares her experience with the Kalamazoo Promise and the Hire Promise program, explaining how it helped her secure her current internship and why she chose to work at Aldevra. This episode is a must-listen for any student or young professional looking for inspiration on how to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and build a powerful, purpose-driven life.

Episode Highlights:

From Kalamazoo to Tanzania: Ryan's incredible story of community service and cultural immersion.

The Power of a Calendar: How a simple time management tool helped her succeed in college.

Finding Your Inner Strength: Overcoming mental health struggles and finding confidence in uncomfortable situations.

The Kalamazoo Promise: Ryan breaks down how this scholarship and the new Hire Promise program work, and the impact they've had on her career journey.

Welcome back to another episode of Coach Rodo's Winning Regardless podcast. In this powerful discussion, Coach Rodo tackles a controversial topic head-on: the "trophies for everyone" culture.

Drawing from his experiences as a Marine veteran, a coach, and a parent, Rodo argues that rewarding participation over competition can have long-term consequences. He shares a personal story about his son's reaction to a participation trophy and uses real-world examples to explain why competition is an essential part of life—from sports to the workplace.

Rodo makes a clear distinction between a "participant" and a "player," exploring how a coach's role is to find a child's competitive drive, not just their athletic ability. This is a must-watch for parents, coaches, and anyone who believes in teaching kids the value of effort, accountability, and the sweet taste of earning a win.

Episode Highlights:

The "Trophy for All" Debate: Rodo’s candid take on why rewarding participation can hinder a child's development.

The Marine Corps Mentality: How a culture of high standards and a focus on winning shaped his own perspective.

Encouragement vs. Excellence: A clear breakdown of how to properly encourage children to achieve excellence without making them feel entitled.

Finding the Competitive Spark: Rodo's advice for parents and coaches on how to identify and nurture a child's unique competitive spirit.

This episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to be a winner and how we prepare the next generation for a competitive world.