Episodios

  • The Real ROI of Youth Sports: Lessons from Dr. Travis Dorsch
    Nov 6 2025

    In Part 1 of The Return on Investment Myth — Rethinking Youth Sports, Dr. Travis Dorsch joins Chat By The Pitch to explore what families are truly getting from youth sports. As a professor at Utah State University and founding director of the Families in Sport Lab, Dr. Dorsch shares how his research — and his own parenting journey — reveal the tension between performance, pressure, and purpose.

    We unpack why so many parents chase the wrong outcomes, how goal misalignment drives kids out of the game, and what it really means to “invest” in your child’s sport journey. From NIL deals to the cost of club soccer, Travis challenges families to define success differently — not in scholarships or stats, but in the lessons that last a lifetime.

    💬 Key Talking Points

    • Why parents should expect a return on investment — but not the kind they think

    • The dangers of chasing scholarships and pro dreams too early

    • Goal alignment: how parents, coaches, and players get out of sync

    • What keeps kids in the game past age 13

    • The problem with commodifying young athletes

    • Systems thinking: placing the child at the center of the sport ecosystem

    • Communication tips for the car ride home

    • What questions parents should ask after every game

    • Modeling behavior and emotional control on the sidelines

    • How family dynamics shape athlete development

    • “Snowplow” vs. “scaffolding” parents

    • Defining success beyond wins and goals

    • Building lifelong movers instead of short-term stars


    🗣 Quotes from Dr. Travis Dorsch

    • “Parents should expect some form of return on their investment — but the real question is how we define that return.”

    • “When parents define success as scholarships or contracts, the pressure skyrockets for everyone.”

    • “Goal alignment is everything. If parents and kids aren’t chasing the same thing, conflict is inevitable.”

    • “The child needs to remain at the center. When parents or coaches make it about themselves, that’s when problems start.”

    • “If we can just get kids to come back next season, we’re winning.”

    • “You can’t name Christian Pulisic’s U12 record — because it doesn’t matter. What mattered is that he kept playing.”

    • “Parents are role models first. Kids don’t just hear us — they watch how we act.”

    • “Ask better questions on the ride home. Not ‘Did you win?’ but ‘What was the most exciting thing you did today?’”

    • “Work hard, listen to the coach, and have fun — that’s our family mantra.”

    • “Youth sport is a vehicle to raise better humans, not just better athletes.”


    Connect with Chat By The Pitch

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

    🎧 Listen: Chat By The Pitch on Apple Podcasts


    Connect with Dr. Travis Dorsch

    🌐 Families in Sport Lab — Utah State University

    ▶️ TEDx Talk: “Should Parents Expect a Return on Investment?”


    #YouthSports #ParentingInSports #SportsCulture #PlayerDevelopment #SportPsychology #YouthAthletes #TravisDorsch #FamiliesInSport #SportsParenting #ChatByThePitch #SoccerCulture #SportsEcosystem #PlayerCenteredDevelopment #NIL #ReturnOnInvestment #ParentCoachPlayer #YouthDevelopment #SportsEducation #AthleteMindset #PodcastDFW


    Mentioned in this episode:

    Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds.

    Reeplayer

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

    TeamPlayr

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50%...

    Más Menos
    48 m
  • Crossbar: Building a Soccer Community Center in North Texas — with Tom Boyce
    Oct 30 2025

    In this episode, Tom Boyce, co-owner of Crossbar and London Calling TX, shares how these two soccer spaces are redefining culture in North Texas.

    From weekday pickup and late-night leagues to homeschool sessions and family-friendly weekends, Crossbar has created a space where adults can play, relax, and connect while their kids grow up around the game.

    Tom and Ian dive into:

    • How the adult-first, kid-friendly model changes the soccer experience.

    • The “winner-stays-on” pickup system that keeps games competitive and fun.

    • Why Denton’s cash-rollover challenge became a local legend.

    • The crossover between Crossbar and London Calling in growing community culture.

    • How partnerships with leagues, gyms, and coaches expand opportunity across DFW.

    This episode is a reminder that soccer isn’t just a sport — it’s a community heartbeat.

    ⚽ Key Talking Points

    • Crossbar’s mission: create adult-first soccer community centers where parents can play too.

    • Locations: Dallas (formerly Richardson) and Denton, both with full-service bars and turf.

    • League nights: Open, Co-Ed, and Over-30 divisions.

    • Pickup culture: 5v5, first to two goals, winner stays — no cleats allowed.

    • GoodRec and FieldSpace apps for sign-ups and scheduling.

    • The cash-rollover pickup pot that’s become part of Denton soccer lore.

    • Daytime blocks for homeschoolers, youth training, and open play.

    • Community partnerships with gyms, coaches, and local soccer groups.

    • Expansion plans: new outdoor turf and long-term franchise potential.

    • “Happy parents = better players.” The ripple effect of Crossbar’s culture.

    💬 Quotes from Tom Boyce

    “We’re adult-first, but kids are always welcome. It’s a soccer community center.”

    “If parents are comfortable, coaches can coach and kids can just play.”

    “Pickup should be fun — 5v5, winner stays, no pressure, no cleats.”

    “That cash pot in Denton? It started small, now it’s legendary.”

    “We’re not here to nickel-and-dime. We’re here to belong.”

    “Think the Cheers bar — but for soccer.”

    📲 Connect with Tom Boyce

    📷 Instagram: @crossbar.dallas

    📷 Instagram: @londoncallingtx

    🌐 Websites:

    🔗 www.crossbardallas.com

    🔗 www.londoncallingtx.com

    ⚽ Follow Chat By The Pitch

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch


    #ChatByThePitch #Crossbar #LondonCallingTX #DallasSoccer #DFWSoccer #AdultSoccer #PickupSoccer #IndoorSoccer #DentonTX #RichardsonTX #SoccerCommunity #SoccerParents #YouthSoccerParents #TexasSoccer #NorthTexasSoccer #SoccerCulture #FiveASide #CommunitySoccer

    Mentioned in this episode:

    ***Cursing Warning***

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

    TeamPlayr

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Coach Weekly

    Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds.

    Reeplayer

    Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

    Soccer Innovations

    Más Menos
    54 m
  • Brenden Lee: Rooftop Futsal With Vanta Athletics , Mental Health, and the Heart Behind Project 214
    Oct 23 2025

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Brenden Lee, founder of Project 214, we go deeper into how futsal connects people, purpose, and personal growth. Brenden shares the next phase of his vision — from partnering with Vanta Athletics to bring rooftop futsal to downtown Dallas, to shaping a mentorship culture built on empathy and expression. He opens up about the challenges that shaped him, the role of mental health in coaching, and how Project 214 is evolving into a creative hub where players, parents, and mentors come together through the love of the game. This episode is equal parts inspiration, vulnerability, and vision — a reminder that sport is just the beginning. (138 words)

    Key Talking Points

    • Partnering with Vanta Athletics to launch rooftop futsal at Plaza of the Americas

    • How futsal becomes a platform for mentorship and community impact

    • Creating safe spaces for kids and families to connect beyond the game

    • Blending art, culture, and sport into a creative ecosystem

    • Building confidence and self-expression through the game

    • The importance of mental health and self-awareness for coaches and players

    • Lessons from personal struggles and rediscovering purpose through service

    • Bridging generations and cultures through pickup play and shared experiences

    • The rise of futsal facilities and grassroots energy across North Texas

    • How Project 214 is inspiring the next generation to play, create, and belong

    Tune In to Learn

    How Brenden Lee is redefining what futsal means for Dallas — as a game, a community, and a space for healing, growth, and connection.

    Quotes from Brenden Lee

    • “Project 214 feels like servitude — a way to give purpose and connection to something bigger than me.”

    • “I want kids to feel seen, heard, and safe — that’s what this project is about.”

    • “Futsal is just the bridge; what we’re really building is community.”

    • “Vanta Athletics shares the same ethos — it’s about people coming together through the game.”

    • “Sometimes you have to shed old versions of yourself to find the authentic you.”

    • “Sports culture rarely talks about mental health — but it’s okay to say you’re down and seek help.”

    • “Project 214 was born from pain but built on love — that’s what makes it real.”

    • “The World Cup will bring energy, but our goal is to sustain that culture long after.”

    • “Every kid deserves a place to belong, to create, to express who they are.”

    • “My greatest inspiration is the little kid version of me who just needed a hug and a chance to be seen.”

    📲 Connect with Brenden Lee

    📷 Instagram (Personal): @brendenlee17

    📷 Instagram (Project 214): @project_2.1.4

    🌐 Website: theproject214.com

    Follow Chat By The Pitch:

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

    🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review:

    Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more authentic conversations with players, coaches, and creators driving the game forward.

    #ChatByThePitch #BrendenLee #Project214 #DallasFutsal #VantaAthletics #RooftopSoccer #FutsalCulture #FutsalTraining #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerCommunity #SportsMentorship #CreativeCoaching #YouthSoccer #SoccerPodcast #TexasSoccer #MentalHealthInSports #GrowTheGame #StreetSoccer #DallasSoccer #PlayWithPurpose

    Mentioned in this episode:

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

    TeamPlayr

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer...

    Más Menos
    39 m
  • Brenden Lee: From the Court to the Culture — The Vision of Project 214
    Oct 16 2025

    Join Chat By The Pitch for an inspiring and creative conversation with Brenden Lee, founder of Project 214 and a driving force in Dallas’s futsal community. Brenden shares how Project 214 evolved from a simple idea into a cultural movement — blending futsal, art, music, and mentorship into one collective. He dives deep into the roots of street culture, the influence of skateboarding, and why creating safe, expressive spaces for players to grow matters more than ever. From local training sessions to community impact, this episode explores how futsal can reconnect people, creativity, and purpose — both on and off the court. (128 words)

    Key Talking Points

    • The origin and inspiration behind Project 214

    • Bridging futsal, skateboarding, and creative expression

    • Building a community-first, culture-driven environment

    • Creating safe spaces for players and families

    • Balancing structure with freedom in player development

    • The role of parents in aligning with their athletes’ goals

    • Mentorship through futsal and creativity

    • Finding joy and authenticity in the process

    • How futsal becomes a bridge for art, music, and life

    • Why Project 214 is always evolving — never finished, always growing

    Tune In to Learn

    How Brenden Lee is using futsal as a platform for culture, creativity, and connection — building an ecosystem where athletes, artists, and dreamers can grow together.

    Quotes from Brenden Lee

    • “Project 214 is about creating a safe place — safe to train, safe to play, safe to just be creative.”

    • “Futsal is the bridge between structure and street — it’s raw, expressive, and human.”

    • “Community is culture. It’s about breaking bread, not breaking each other.”

    • “We’re all weird in some form or fashion — and that’s what makes us special.”

    • “I skateboarded growing up, and that freedom of being yourself is what I want players to feel in futsal.”

    • “If I can help one kid find joy in the game again, that’s success.”

    • “I’m not trying to own the culture — I’m just trying to add to it.”

    • “When players and parents align their goals, real growth happens.”

    • “This project feels like the most authentic version of me.”

    • “It’s called Project 214 for a reason — it’s always evolving.”

    📲 Connect with Brenden Lee

    📷 Instagram (Personal): @brendenlee17

    📷 Instagram (Project 214): @project_2.1.4

    🌐 Website: theproject214.com

    Follow Chat By The Pitch:

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

    🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review:

    Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more authentic conversations with players, coaches, and creators driving the game forward.

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast.

    Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

    https://soccercoachweekly.net/scw-usa...

    #ChatByThePitch #BrendenLee #Project214 #DallasFutsal #FutsalTraining #FutsalCommunity #SoccerCulture #YouthSoccerDevelopment #CreativeCoaching #StreetSoccer #DallasSoccer #FutsalLife #PlayerDevelopment #SportsCulture #GrowTheGame #SoccerPodcast #TexasSoccer #SoccerMentorship #CommunityThroughSport #PlayWithPurpose

    Mentioned in this episode:

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

    TeamPlayr

    Thanks to...

    Más Menos
    40 m
  • Sam Junqua: Resilience, Trades, and MLS Life
    Oct 9 2025

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Sam Junqua, we dive deeper into his MLS journey with FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake. Sam reflects on the realities of trades, adapting across multiple positions, and how mindfulness and journaling keep him grounded in high-pressure moments. He shares the differences in club culture, the value of versatility, and his advice for young players chasing the dream. From resilience to family support, Sam’s story is one of growth, grit, and perspective—with an eye still set on the World Cup stage.

    Key Talking Points

    • Transitioning from FC Dallas to Real Salt Lake

    • Experiencing the shock of MLS trades

    • Evolving into a consistent, versatile player

    • Club culture: Houston vs Dallas vs Salt Lake

    • Mindfulness, journaling, and reframing nerves as privilege

    • Advice for kids: enjoy the game and embrace pressure

    • The dream of playing in a World Cup still alive

    Tune In to Learn

    How Sam Junqua built resilience through change, embraced mindfulness, and found consistency across his MLS career.

    Quotes from Sam

    “At Dallas, I matured into a player who could perform consistently across 90 minutes.”

    “In MLS, you can be traded without even knowing—it happened to me on vacation.”

    “Salt Lake emphasizes grit, and that’s become our identity as a team.”

    “Versatility is both a blessing and a curse, but it’s shaped who I am as a player.”

    “Mindfulness and journaling have been game-changers for me.”

    “Nerves mean the moment matters—you just have to embrace it.”

    “Pressure is a privilege—it means you’re playing in something that counts.”

    “You don’t have to be great at everything; you need to master your strengths.”

    “My parents have been the greatest influence on my career.”

    “Playing in a World Cup still remains a dream of mine.”

    Hashtags

    #ChatByThePitch #SamJunqua #RealSaltLake #FCDallas #SoccerMindset #SoccerJourney #SoccerAdvice #SoccerParents #MLSTrades #SoccerPodcast

    📲 Connect with Sam Junqua

    📷 Instagram: @sjunqua Instagram+1

    🐦 X (Twitter): @SJunqua X (formerly Twitter)

    🌐 Website / Player Profile: RSL.com – Sam Junqua

    Follow Chat By The Pitch:

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch


    🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.


    #ChatByThePitch #SamJunqua #MLS #SoccerJourney #CollegeSoccer #HoustonDynamo #SoccerDevelopment #USSoccer #SoccerLife #SoccerPodcast


    Mentioned in this episode:

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

    TeamPlayr

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

    Soccer Innovations

    Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds.

    Reeplayer

    Más Menos
    44 m
  • Sam Junqua: From Backyard Ball to the MLS Draft
    Oct 2 2025

    Join Chat By The Pitch for Part 1 of our conversation with Sam Junqua, defender for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. Sam takes us through his journey from playing AYSO in Santa Barbara to competing in Japan, rising through Bay Area clubs, and becoming a standout at UC Berkeley. He opens up about the challenges of balancing academics with soccer, navigating the MLS draft, and breaking into the league with Houston Dynamo. Sam also reflects on the unique experience of playing through the COVID-19 bubble and shares how pickup soccer and adaptability shaped his game. Packed with insights for parents, players, and fans, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of chasing a professional soccer dream.

    Key Talking Points

    • Growing up in Santa Barbara and discovering soccer through family

    • Playing in Japan and the discipline of youth soccer abroad

    • The role of pickup play and guesting with teams in development

    • Journey through De Anza Force, San Jose Earthquakes, and academy soccer

    • College years at UC Berkeley, balancing economics and athletics

    • The whirlwind of MLS combines and draft day with Houston Dynamo

    • Adapting to the unique challenges of MLS contracts and rights

    • Surviving the COVID-19 bubble and its impact on his career

    Tune In to Learn

    How Sam Junqua turned backyard ball, discipline, and resilience into an MLS career while navigating the challenges of contracts, transitions, and the grind of professional soccer.

    Quotes from Sam Junqua

    • “I knew I wanted to play professionally when I was 11 or 12 years old—I just didn’t know the path yet.”

    • “I was always kicking the ball in the backyard, even when my parents got mad at me for breaking things.”

    • “Watching Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo on YouTube made me fall in love with the game.”

    • “Guest playing and adapting to new teams helped me learn how to adjust in any environment.”

    • “Academics never came before soccer, but I made sure they never got in the way of soccer.”

    • “Going through the MLS Combine felt like an open tryout—you had to adapt fast.”

    • “Being the last player invited to the MLS Combine changed the trajectory of my career.”

    • “The draft was a whirlwind; I didn’t even know I’d be picked until the morning of.”

    • “The bubble during COVID was strange but gave me the mental reset I needed.”

    • “Structure is important, but kids still need freedom to just play the game.”

    📲 Connect with Sam Junqua

    📷 Instagram: @sjunqua Instagram+1

    🐦 X (Twitter): @SJunqua X (formerly Twitter)

    🌐 Website / Player Profile: RSL.com – Sam Junqua

    Follow Chat By The Pitch:

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

    🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.


    #ChatByThePitch #SamJunqua #MLS #SoccerJourney #CollegeSoccer #HoustonDynamo #SoccerDevelopment #USSoccer #SoccerLife #SoccerPodcast


    Mentioned in this episode:

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

    TeamPlayr

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

    Soccer Innovations

    Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete

    Más Menos
    42 m
  • Dr. Hillary Cauthen: Leading with Empathy in Sport
    Sep 25 2025

    In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Dr. Hillary Cauthen — licensed clinical sport psychologist, author, and President-Elect of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology — we dive deeper into the culture of youth sports, the pressures athletes face, and the role coaches and parents play in creating safe, healthy environments. From the hidden costs of monetized youth sports, to the importance of leadership, to the fine line between resilience and burnout, Dr. Cauthen shares hard truths and practical strategies for building a culture of care in athletics. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode will leave you rethinking how we measure success on and off the field.

    🔑 Key Talking Points

    How parents can evaluate clubs and coaches for athlete safety and development.

    The importance of SafeSport training, background checks, and coach education.

    Why 70% of athletes quit sports by 13 — and how to fight the dropout crisis.

    Toxic cultures, sideline fights, and referee shortages: the dark side of youth sports.

    The impact of monetization and NIL trickling down to youth levels.

    Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Kevin Love, and Naomi Osaka — lessons from elite athletes on mental health.

    The dangers of “mental health days” becoming a crutch vs. being used for recovery.

    How parents can celebrate small wins and build resilience at home.

    The power of player-driven culture and empowering athletes as leaders.

    Dr. Cauthen’s vision for trauma-informed practices in youth sports and her upcoming mastermind projects.


    Quotes

    “Culture builds development — and development builds everything else.”

    “Seventy percent of kids drop out of sports by 13. That’s not just a stat, that’s a crisis.”

    “We wouldn’t accept certain behaviors in a classroom — why do we allow them on the sidelines?”

    “It’s never okay to not be okay. If you’re not okay, we need to intervene.”

    “Simone Biles didn’t quit — she protected her health and came back stronger.”

    “Every athlete wants to be seen as more than the number on their back.”

    “The monetization of youth sports is changing culture, and not always for the better.”

    “As parents, our job isn’t to remove failure. It’s to teach our kids how to respond to it.”

    “Leadership isn’t about captains — it’s about every player taking ownership.”

    “Sport should be about fighting with care and empathy, not just competition.”


    Connect with Dr. Hilary Cauthen

    🌐 Website: www.txopps.com

    🎥 YouTube: Watch Here

    🎙️ Podcast: Highs & Lows of X’s & O’s

    📚 Book: Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate

    📸 Instagram: @drcmindset | @toppstalks

    ✖️ X: @TOPPSTIP

    👍 Facebook: @TXOPPS


    Follow Chat By The Pitch

    🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

    🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations with players, coaches, and leaders that matter.


    #YouthSports #MentalHealthInSports #CultureOfCare #SportsPsychology #CoachingMatters #PlayerDevelopment #ParentingInSports #SimoneBiles #MichaelPhelps #AthleteWellbeing #ChatByThePitch #DrHillaryCauthen


    Mentioned in this episode:

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Coach Weekly

    Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds.

    Reeplayer

    Soccer...

    Más Menos
    52 m
  • Hello Trauma: Dr. Hilary Cauthen on Sports, Resilience, and Mental Health
    Sep 18 2025

    In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we sit down with Dr. Hilary Cauthen — clinical sports psychologist, certified mental performance consultant, and author of Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate. Dr. Cauthen opens up about her journey as a competitive runner, her TEDx talk on the toxic culture of sport, and how trauma shows up in ways athletes, coaches, and parents often overlook.

    We dive into the invisible pressures athletes face — from injuries to fear of evaluation, from peer criticism to the weight of coach expectations. Dr. Cauthen shares how coaches can be emotional role models, why free play matters, and how clubs need to normalize mental performance coaching as a proactive tool instead of a last resort.

    If you’re a parent, coach, or player, this conversation will change how you view resilience, identity, and wellbeing in sports.

    Key Talking Points

    • Why trauma is the “invisible teammate” athletes carry

    • Lessons from Dr. Cauthen’s running career and early challenges

    • How coaches shape athletes as emotional role models, not just tacticians

    • Fear of evaluation and fear of failure: the biggest barriers young athletes face

    • Free play as a tool for risk-taking, growth, and creativity

    • Parents’ role in supporting players post-game (car ride conversations that build confidence)

    • Why professional clubs and youth programs must invest in mental performance coaching


    Quotes from Dr. Hilary Cauthen

    • “Trauma is your teammate now. It can be your best teammate that helps you thrive or a detrimental one that keeps you on the bench.”

    • “Mental health is not mental illness. We all have mental health; it’s about how we manage our thoughts and feelings.”

    • “Connection is essential. Coaches need to be present, make eye contact, and assess how athletes show up to practice.”

    • “Free play allows athletes to make mistakes, take risks, and grow without fear of punishment.”

    • “The two biggest fears athletes carry are fear of evaluation and fear of failure.”

    • “Coaches are emotional role models. Their feedback can shape an athlete more than a parent’s words.”


    Connect with Dr. Hilary Cauthen

    🌐 Website: www.txopps.com

    🎥 YouTube: Watch Here

    🎙️ Podcast: Highs & Lows of X’s & O’s

    📚 Book: Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate

    📸 Instagram: @drcmindset | @toppstalks

    ✖️ X: @TOPPSTIP

    👍 Facebook: @TXOPPS


    Follow Chat By The Pitch

    🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

    🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations with players, coaches, and leaders that matter.


    #ChatByThePitch #DrHilaryCauthen #SportsPsychology #YouthSports #MentalHealth #TraumaInSports #Coaching #SoccerParenting #MentalPerformance #Resilience #AthleteWellbeing


    Mentioned in this episode:

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Coach Weekly

    Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds.

    Reeplayer

    Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

    Soccer Innovations

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

    TeamPlayr

    Más Menos
    52 m