As we prepare for the 2026 Player Development Summit in Detroit (May 29–30), this episode gives you a real look at what makes this experience different.

In this episode, I break down the true return on investment of the summit. From access to high-level professionals, to the intentional community that’s built, to the real outcomes attendees experience after they leave.

You will also hear:

What separates this from a typical conference

Why community matters more than networking

A speaker spotlight featuring Reggie Calhoun Jr

A real attendee testimonial from Emily Del Real

If you’re in player development, athlete development, or looking to grow in this space, this episode will help you understand why this summit exists and why it matters.

📍 2026 Player Development Summit

Detroit, Michigan

May 29–30

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

Four years ago, I started The Player Development Pod for one reason:

To clear my name.

After being let go and hearing things about myself that didn’t align with who I was, I made a decision…

If I showed up every week and gave real value to coaches, athletes, and professionals in this space, the truth would speak for itself.

What I didn’t expect was what this podcast would actually become.

In this 4-year anniversary episode, I take you behind the scenes of the journey from that moment… to building a global platform that has reached hundreds of thousands of people in the player development space.

We cover:

The real story behind why the podcast started

The interview that changed everything for me

How pain turned into purpose

The 4 original pillars of The Player Development Pod

What 300+ episodes have taught me

The biggest lessons from showing up consistently for 4 years

Why interviews, athletes, and high school coaches are the future of this space

How this podcast helped build Beyond The Field, books, and the Player Development Summit

We also reflect on what’s been built:

300+ episodes

600,000+ listens and views

A global audience across multiple continents

A growing movement around player development

But more than anything… this episode is about impact.

Because this was never just about a podcast.

It’s about helping people:

Develop people. Elevate programs.

If this podcast has ever helped you, challenged you, or supported your journey…

Share this episode with someone else who needs it.

And if you’ve been listening since the early days…

You already know what to do.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

As we prepare for the 2026 Player Development Summit in Detroit, Michigan on May 29 and May 30, this episode shares insights, conversations, and real experiences that help explain what the Summit is truly about.

In this episode you will hear three perspectives that bring the Player Development Summit to life.

First, an insight about the Summit and the story behind why Detroit became the host city for 2026. What started as a conversation with Jessica Gray quickly turned into a vision for bringing the Summit to a city with a strong sports culture, passionate professionals, and a growing ecosystem of leaders who care about athlete development.

Detroit's pride, history, and community of sports professionals make it a powerful setting for the next chapter of the Summit.

Next, you will hear a speaker spotlight from the 2025 Player Development Summit featuring a conversation with Tobruk Blaine, founder of The Athlete Career Lab and Director of Player Development at the University of Arizona. In this discussion, she shares insights on leadership, mentorship, creativity, and helping athletes build identity and purpose beyond sports.

Finally, you will hear a reflection from Taja Dotson, who attended the 2025 Summit in Kansas City and shares what the experience meant to her. Her perspective highlights the energy, connections, and powerful conversations that happen when professionals who care about athlete development gather in one space.

This episode also includes an invitation for organizations interested in becoming strategic partners for the 2026 Player Development Summit. The Summit brings together decision-makers, athlete development professionals, athletic leaders, and organizations that serve athletes across youth, college, professional, and international sports.

If you want to attend, speak, or explore sponsorship opportunities, all of the information is linked in the show notes.

The 2026 Player Development Summit will take place in Detroit, Michigan on May 29 and May 30.

If you are not in the loop yet, it may be time to get in the loop.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program