In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Maddie Troyer - a former Division I runner and Head Sports Nutritionist at SMU, now working with the ⁨https://www.instagram.com/nutrition_with_wendi/ team - to break down one of the most overlooked performance factors in youth sports today: in-game fueling.

Most young athletes think fueling is simple: drink water and keep playing. But at higher levels, especially in extreme heat, fast-paced games, or multi-game tournament weekends, water alone might not cut it. Hydration, electrolytes, and quick-access carbs become the difference between finishing strong and hitting the wall.

Maddie explains exactly what most athletes get wrong — and why in-game fueling is about far more than thirst. It’s about maintaining blood glucose, avoiding energy crashes, replacing sodium lost through sweat, and keeping your muscles firing when the game gets tight.

But this conversation goes way deeper than “water vs sports drinks.”

Maddie breaks down the science athletes never learn but desperately need. Things like:

Carb timing, electrolyte balance, sweat rate, recovery windows, and how in-game fueling impacts decision-making, reaction time, and late-game explosiveness. Not fad diets. Not body-image trends. Not the “smaller is better” myth that derails so many young athletes.

She also talks about practical, athlete-friendly options players can actually use: sports drinks, electrolyte packets, gels, chews, honey sticks, applesauce pouches, bananas, pretzels — real fueling solutions that fit in a bag, on a bench, or in a locker.

And for parents, Maddie gives the message every family needs:

Under-fueling isn’t just a nutrition mistake — it’s a performance limiter.

Your athlete might be training hard, but if they’re not fueling right, they’re leaving half their potential on the table.

This episode covers:

- The difference between hydration and fueling (and why athletes need both)

- When water is enough — and when it isn’t

- How to avoid mid-game energy crashes

- Why electrolytes matter more than most athletes realize

- The best quick-carb options for tournaments and long practices

- How fueling impacts speed, decision-making, and stamina

- What parents can do to help their athlete fuel consistently

- Why in-game nutrition is the easiest competitive advantage most players ignore

Maddie’s story is a reminder that great performance isn’t just about training — it’s about energy availability, smart fueling, and respecting what your body needs to compete. The right nutrition can elevate everything: your recovery, your consistency, and your confidence in big moments.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe performance isn’t one-dimensional. Skill, mindset, training, and fueling all play a role in helping athletes reach their full potential. Maddie brings clarity to a topic every athlete and parent should understand.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com - the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help athletes excel through great coaching and great habits, on and off the field.

Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for clips and highlights: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with https://www.instagram.com/ganon_baker_/ — a pioneer in modern player development who’s trained hundreds of pros, thousands of kids, and was producing coaching DVDs long before social media existed. Three decades into the game, he’s still obsessed with the craft.

So we asked him the question every young hooper wants to know:

What actually separates players who level up… from the ones who fall behind?

His answer was simple — and powerful:

H2O: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Create Opportunities.

Ganon has coached All-League athletes, champions, and future pros. But the ones who truly rise aren’t just the most talented. They’re the ones who stay grounded after success, chase growth instead of attention, and keep showing up when nobody’s watching. He’s seen players lift trophies at night… and still be back in the gym at 5am the next morning. That’s the difference.

And this conversation goes deep into what players misunderstand about development today.

Everyone wants highlights, mixtapes, and flashy moves — but the best trainers in the world preach something different: footwork, pace, balance, shot prep, decision-making, discipline, communication, and film study. Players think they need more moves. Ganon argues they need more mastery.

He breaks down the difference between kids who train skills and kids who train standards. Why being coachable is a competitive advantage. How to build habits that translate on varsity, and why the details — angles, reads, timing, space, stance — matter more than anything you see on TikTok.

We also talk about what parents get wrong about “development.” Reps matter, but so does mentality. You can invest in training, but you can’t want it for your kid. Humility, hunger, and opportunity — the H2O mindset — has to come from the athlete.

This episode covers:

• What separates good players from truly great ones
• Why humility and hunger matter more than talent
• How the H2O mindset shapes long-term development
• The fundamentals young hoopers ignore but desperately need
• The difference between skill trainers and real developers
• Why pros obsess over footwork, pace, and habits
• The mindset Ganon learned from training LeBron: “Greatness is consistency.”
• What parents can do that actually supports their athlete
• How players can create their own opportunities at the next level

Ganon’s story is a reminder that development isn’t about overnight results — it’s about stacking days. It’s about discipline, consistency, and a mindset that stays the same whether you’re a beginner or a pro.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe the best coaches don’t just build better players — they build better people. Ganon has been doing that for 30+ years, and this episode is a blueprint every athlete and parent should hear.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who elevate both skill and mindset.

Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for clips and highlights: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Isaac Hadac — a small-town New York athlete who played at multiple college football programs and has become one of the clearest voices on football training for young athletes.

If you spend any time around youth sports today, you see it everywhere: parents running their kid’s recruiting process. Parents controlling the Instagram account, sending the DMs, emailing coaches, even trying to negotiate offers.

But Isaac puts it plainly:

College coaches don’t want to talk to parents — they want to hear from the athlete.

Growing up far from major exposure, Isaac had to learn ownership the hard way. He didn’t have politics, connections, or a giant platform. What he did have was initiative — the willingness to message coaches himself, share film, follow up, and advocate for his own development. And that’s exactly what earned him opportunities at the next level.

But this conversation goes way deeper than recruiting mechanics.

Isaac breaks down the things young football players overlook long before the college process even begins. The habits that actually separate varsity from JV… and college-ready from not even close. Things like:

Footwork, discipline, conditioning, film study, and becoming coachable.

Not the highlight tapes. Not the gear. Not the 7v7 clout.

He talks about the difference between players who train skills and players who train standards. Why the best athletes he played with weren’t always the most talented — they were the ones who communicated, took criticism, prepared like pros, and made every rep matter.

And for parents, Isaac gives the reminder every family needs:

Support your kid. Encourage them. Help them stay organized.
But don’t drive the process for them.

Ownership is part of development — and coaches can see instantly when an athlete lacks it.

This episode covers:

• The #1 mistake parents make during the recruiting process

• Why coaches trust athletes who communicate for themselves

• What growing up in a small town taught Isaac about work ethic

• The football fundamentals athletes ignore but desperately need

• How to stand out to coaches without politics, exposure, or hype

• Why accountability beats talent in every locker room

• How athletes can build confidence through preparation, not perfection

• What parents can do that actually helps their athlete — and what hurts

  
  

Isaac’s story is a reminder that recruiting isn’t about being discovered — it’s about being ready. It’s about maturity, communication, and doing the uncomfortable work that most players skip.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe the recruiting process is just another part of an athlete’s growth — an opportunity to build character, independence, and ownership. Isaac embodies that message perfectly.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by h⁠ttps://athletesuntapped.com — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who elevate both skill and mindset.

Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for clips and highlights: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with someone who changed the way an entire generation sees the game of baseball: Mo’ne Davis.

Most people remember Mo’ne as the Little League phenom who took over the sports world with a 70 mph fastball and a calmness far beyond her years. But today, she’s writing her next chapter — and it’s a big one. The WPBL just officially signed her, marking one of the most exciting moments yet for women’s professional baseball.

But our conversation with Mo’ne goes far beyond the headlines.

Because behind the highlight moments and viral fame is someone who’s grounded, thoughtful, and committed to helping the next generation navigate sports with confidence and purpose.

Mo’ne opened up about what it was like transitioning from being a baseball icon to playing college softball — a shift that forced her to rethink her identity as an athlete. She talked about the pressure of being known so young, the importance of staying connected to who you are, and why mentorship matters even more than performance.

And maybe most importantly, Mo’ne shared what she wishes young athletes understood: being a good teammate is a superpower. Not just showing up, not just performing — but actually caring about the people beside you. She explained how the best players she’s ever been around were the ones who lifted their teammates, communicated well, and brought consistency every day.

This episode covers:

• What signing with the WPBL means to her now versus who she was as a Little League star
• How college softball helped her grow as a leader, friend, and teammate
• Why young athletes underestimate the impact of mentorship
• The difference between being talented and being dependable
• How to stay grounded when expectations and comparisons start stacking up
• Why finding yourself after sports might be the most important part of the journey
• The responsibility she feels to open doors for the next generation of girls in baseball

Mo’ne’s story is a reminder that greatness isn’t just about talent or velocity — it’s about growth, humility, and purpose. She broke barriers once, and now she’s stepping into a league that’s breaking them all over again.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe sports can shape character just as much as skill — and Mo’ne embodies that better than anyone. Her story is one every athlete, parent, and coach should hear: you can chase big dreams, you can push limits, you can achieve at the highest levels… but you never have to lose who you are in the process.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who elevate both skill and mindset.

Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for clips and highlights: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Dennis Stanton — former pro player, longtime basketball trainer, and one of the most respected minds in player development — to talk about one of the biggest blind spots in the modern recruiting process: how athletes use their coaches.Most players assume their high school or travel coach will “get them recruited.” But according to Dennis, that mindset is exactly what holds so many athletes back. If you want to stand out, you need to be proactive — you do the legwork, then let your coach be the conduit who amplifies your effort.Among other basketball training topics, this conversation breaks down exactly how the best athletes take ownership of their recruiting journey while still leveraging their coaches the right way.We cover:- Why athletes should build their own college shortlist before involving their coach- How to help athletes connect their mind and body- Shooting and dribbling techniques for young hoopers- Why proactive athletes rise above the noise and stand out to college programsThis episode is essential for any athlete or parent navigating recruiting. It’s a clear blueprint: take ownership, be organized, and then use your coach as the connector who can open the right doors.At Athletes Untapped, our mission is to help athletes grow on and off the field — not just by improving skills, but by teaching them how to think, lead, and take control of their journey. Conversations like this shine a light on the habits that separate average from exceptional.🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. We help athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who elevate both skill and mindset.Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for clips and highlights: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/#UntappedStories #AthletesUntapped #CollegeRecruiting #RecruitingTips #HighSchoolAthletes #TravelSports #CollegeCoaches #YouthSports #AthleteMindset #SportsParenting #PlayerDevelopment #RecruitingProcess #CollegeSports #AthleteLife #SportsJourney #LeadershipDevelopment #AthleteTips #YouthCoaching #SportsMotivation #TakeOwnership

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Jaelynn Penn — former UCLA basketball standout, pro player, and current Athletes Untapped coach — to talk about one of the most overlooked skills in youth basketball: footwork. Jaelynn breaks down why young athletes focus so much on highlights, speed, or strength, but often forget the foundation that truly separates great players from the rest.

But this conversation goes deeper than footwork. Jaelynn shares a powerful mindset lesson from her time at UCLA — a quote her coaches required the entire team to write down before every single practice:

“My value comes from who I am, not what I do.”

It’s a message every young athlete needs today. In a world obsessed with instant results, social media highlights, and constant comparison, Jaelynn explains why grounding your identity in character — not outcomes — is the real key to long-term success.

In this conversation, Jaelynn opens up about:

- Why footwork is the biggest weakness she sees in young athletes today

- How footwork improves confidence, basketball IQ, and consistency

- The UCLA quote that reshaped her mindset and helped her handle pressure

- What athletes get wrong about development in the era of quick results

- How to compete intensely without tying your worth to performance

- Why coaches at the highest level still hammer fundamentals daily

- The difference between doing drills and actually mastering habits

Jaelynn’s story is a reminder that the fundamentals matter — not just the footwork you use on the court, but the values and habits you build off of it. Her perspective is one every athlete, parent, and coach will benefit from: the game can elevate you, challenge you, and grow you, but it never defines you.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe in building complete athletes — players who can move, think, lead, and stay grounded in who they are. Jaelynn is one of the coaches who embodies that mission every day, helping the next generation improve their skills while strengthening their confidence and character.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who elevate both skill and mindset.

Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for clips and highlights: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

#UntappedStories #AthletesUntapped #BasketballTraining #YouthBasketball #Footwork #BasketballCoach #UCLAWBB #AthleteMindset #SportsParenting #PlayerDevelopment #MentalPerformance #BasketballIQ #AthleteConfidence #ProAthlete #CollegeBasketball #WomenInSports #AthleteLife #FundamentalsFirst #TrainingMindset #SportsJourney

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Stefano Muniz — one of New Jersey’s top private soccer trainers, Rutgers–Camden standout, and a coach who believes the game teaches far more than technique. Stefano’s message is simple but powerful: sports aren’t just about skill development. The lessons athletes learn on the field often matter even more than the drills, goals, or wins.

In this conversation, Stefano opens up about the mindset he tries to instill in every player he trains. Yes, he can help you sharpen your first touch, improve your decision-making, and elevate your technical ability — but what he really cares about is building strong, confident, resilient people. The type of athlete who shows up consistently, bounces back from setbacks, leads with character, and understands that growth happens long before game day.

Stefano talks about why the life lessons hidden in sports matter just as much as the training itself:

• Why discipline and accountability translate far beyond the soccer field
• How competing — and sometimes failing — builds resilience
• Why identity shouldn’t depend on stats, rankings, or playing time
• How sports teach communication, leadership, and emotional control
• The value of learning to push yourself when no one is watching
• What it means to develop habits that carry into school, career, and adulthood

As a former collegiate player and now a highly sought-after trainer in New Jersey, Stefano has watched countless young athletes grow through the game. The footwork, technique, and tactical understanding are important — but the real transformation comes from who players become in the process. His coaching philosophy focuses on shaping complete athletes: physically skilled, mentally strong, and grounded in the values that sport naturally builds.

For parents, this episode is a reminder that the goals and highlights are only part of the story. For athletes, it’s a push to recognize that every practice, every challenge, and every hard moment is shaping a future version of yourself you can be proud of. And for coaches, Stefano’s perspective reinforces why youth sports matter so much: they create confident, capable young adults.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe sports should be a vehicle for character, confidence, and lifelong growth. Stefano embodies that mission in every session he runs.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help young athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who teach the game and the bigger lessons within it.

Listen weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for highlights and clips: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

#UntappedStories #AthletesUntapped #YouthSports #SoccerTraining #PlayerDevelopment #MentalPerformance #AthleteMindset #LifeLessons #SportsParenting #MultiSportAthlete #SoccerCoach #D3Athlete #SoccerLife #AthleteDevelopment #SportsJourney #GrowthMindset #NewJerseySoccer #PrivateTraining #EliteCoaching

In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Alex Fava, a former Division I soccer player who competed at multiple programs before becoming a coach with Athletes Untapped. Alex opens up about the realities of college recruiting — the highs, the pressure, and the lessons that come from learning to stay grounded through it all.

From navigating the recruiting process to balancing multiple sports, Alex’s story is one that every young athlete (and parent) can learn from. She shares how her journey wasn’t a straight line — transferring schools, adjusting to new teams, and constantly finding ways to rediscover her love for the game. But through it all, she learned that the recruiting process doesn’t define you — your effort, attitude, and ability to stay true to yourself do.

In this conversation, Alex talks about:

- What the real college recruiting process looks like behind the scenes

- Why athletes should play multiple sports growing up

- How to manage pressure and expectations when chasing scholarships

- The importance of balance, joy, and staying connected to your “why”

- How being multi-sport helped her avoid burnout and become a better soccer player

- Why mindset, not rankings, determines long-term success

Alex’s story is a reminder that every athlete’s path is different - and that’s okay. Whether you’re competing for college offers, helping your child navigate youth sports, or coaching the next generation, this episode offers practical advice and perspective from someone who’s lived it.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe sports should build confidence, character, and lifelong lessons — not stress and exhaustion. This episode captures exactly that spirit: play for the love of the game, trust your journey, and don’t let the recruiting process drain you.

:studio_microphone: Untapped Stories is presented by ⁠https://athletesuntapped.com/⁠ — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help young athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who not only teach the game but also shape character, confidence, and mindset.

Listen to new episodes weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram for highlights and clips: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

#UntappedStories #AthletesUntapped #YouthSports #CollegeRecruiting #Soccer #AthleteMindset #SportsParenting #D1Athlete #StudentAthlete #RecruitingTips #YouthAthletes #MultiSportAthlete #PlayMultipleSports #MentalPerformance #AthleteDevelopment #AthleteLife #SportsJourney #CollegeSoccer #AthleteAdvice #StayGrounded