What if the path to a stronger athlete and a healthier family starts with less grind and more intention? We sit down with Coach Joel “Mo” Molina—former baseball player, collegiate coach, and founder of 1822 Fitness—to unpack the pressures of youth sports, the myths of early specialization, and the habits that turn potential into sustainable progress.

Joel’s story—from civil engineering to performance coaching—sets the tone for a practical, human approach to training. He explains why he loves working with hungry, developing athletes, how questions create buy-in, and why movement quality beats chasing numbers. We explore multi-sport benefits, from transferable power and coordination to the mental reset that prevents burnout. Joel offers real examples of auto-regulating training based on stress, sleep, and cycle, and how one workout never wins or loses a season.

The conversation widens to parenting and leadership. We talk about regret, boundaries, and saying no as a skill. Joel lays out his morning routine—quiet space, faith, journaling, and a clear plan—to bring “vacation dad” calm into daily life. He shares his work with Baseball Chapel, serving pro and minor league players with mentorship that values people over ROI. We close with how to ask better questions at home, get beyond “good,” and open 30-minute talks that reveal what kids truly need.

If you care about youth athlete development, family rhythms, and evidence-based coaching, this one brings clarity and a plan. Subscribe, share with a parent or coach who needs it, and drop a comment: where do you draw the line between commitment and burnout?