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Thinking about travel sports for your kid? Before you commit to that club soccer, AAU basketball, or travel baseball team, hit play on this episode of Talkin’ with the A.D.

Coach Sullivan breaks down the rise of travel teams in youth sports, what they offer, what they really cost, and whether they’re worth the time, energy, and financial investment. From recruiting exposure and elite coaching to burnout, overuse injuries, and family strain, we unpack it all.

If you're a sports parent, coach, or athletic director navigating the world of club sports, this episode offers 5 must-hear tips to help your athlete thrive without losing balance.

🎯 Topics Covered:

• What is a travel team vs. school or rec sports
• Pros and cons of joining a travel program
• Hidden costs (time, money, mental health)
• College recruiting and athletic scholarship myths
• How to support your athlete without overcommitting

🔗 Visit betteryouthcoaching.com for tools and resources to help you build better athletes—and better humans.
👍 Follow, rate, and share if this helped you make a smart move for your family or team.

Welcome to Talkin' with the AD!

LET'S GO!!

Better Youth Coaching
Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

Better Youth Coaching
Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

Support the show

Send us a text

You love your kid—that’s not the issue. But sometimes, that deep love can cloud how we see their role on the team. In this episode, we dive into a phenomenon I call “Love Blinders”—the emotional lens parents often wear when watching their child compete. We’ll talk honestly about why playing time decisions are more complex than they appear, how parents and coaches see games differently, and how to support your athlete in a way that builds confidence, not entitlement.

We’ll break down:
✅ What “Love Blinders” are and why they’re normal
✅ The difference between the parent lens and the coach lens
✅ Five practical ways to support your athlete with clarity and perspective
✅ Why trusting the coach matters more than you think
✅ How adversity can be a powerful teacher

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or both—this episode will challenge, encourage, and equip you to navigate high school sports with a healthier mindset.

Go to betteryouthcoaching.com for more ways to help your child navigate their athletic career.

Welcome to Talkin' with the AD!

LET'S GO!!

Better Youth Coaching
Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

Better Youth Coaching
Mission is to improve amateur sports through education of parents, coaches, and athletes

Support the show

Send us a text

Strap in for the very first episode of Talkin’ with the A.D., where host Coach Sullivan—20-year Army veteran, multi-sport coach, and current athletic director lays out the why, what, and how of this brand-new show. In just a few minutes you’ll learn:

• Who’s behind the mic: From combat zones to crowded bleachers, Coach Sullivan's journey and mission to make amateur sports the best classroom in America.
• Why this podcast exists: Pull back the curtain on athletic-director decisions, amplify coaches’ voices, and build healthier sideline cultures.
• What’s coming next: Sneak peeks at upcoming episodes on parental “love blinders,” bad fan behavior fixes, unified strength programs, and the nationwide referee shortage.

If you’re a parent, coach, athlete, or fellow A.D. who believes sportsmanship and player development still matter, hit subscribe and join the conversation. Your download is another teammate in the fight to keep youth and high-school sports fun, fair, and growth-focused.