the Learn-It-All™ podcast 285. Little League Baseball Teaches Kids to Fail — Here’s Why That’s a Good Thing | Damon Lembi
What if the very thing parents try hardest to protect their kids from is exactly what helps them grow?
In this solo episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon Lembi shares why Little League baseball teaches kids to fail, and why that’s one of the greatest gifts youth sports can offer. From the excitement of opening day and breaking in a new glove with his dad, to striking out four times in one game at Arizona State, Damon reflects on the life and leadership lessons that started on the baseball field.
This episode is a powerful reminder for parents, coaches, and leaders that youth sports are about far more than wins and losses. They teach kids how to show up, compete, be a good teammate, handle disappointment, and build resilience through failure. Damon also challenges parents not to “bubble wrap” their kids or make excuses when things do not go their way. Instead, he makes the case for letting failure become a learning moment that builds courage, confidence, and character.
If you care about raising resilient kids, coaching with intention, teaching confidence through sports, or helping young athletes handle failure, this episode is packed with practical perspective and hard-earned wisdom from Damon’s own journey in Little League, college baseball, leadership, and life.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- What Damon believes parents and coaches get wrong when they make excuses instead of helping kids grow through setbacks
- The story of not making a youth soccer team and the tough-love lesson Damon’s dad gave him that stayed with him forever
- How Damon rebounded after striking out four times in one game at Arizona State, and what his coach said that restored his confidence
- Why Little League is not really about winning or losing, but about showing up, giving your best, being a good teammate, and having fun
- How youth sports help kids develop the confidence, discipline, and courage they’ll later need in leadership, business, and life
Timestamps
- 00:00 – Opening memories of Little League and the joy of getting ready for the season
- 01:15 – Damon’s salute to parents and coaches who make youth sports possible
- 01:47 – The lifelong skills kids learn through sports, from teamwork to discipline
- 02:09 – Why parents and coaches need to let kids fail instead of bubble wrapping them
- 02:28 – Damon’s story of not making the soccer team and the lesson his dad taught him
- 03:18 – Striking out four times against Michigan and what happened the next day
- 04:21 – Why sports gave Damon the courage to lead teams and work with thousands of leaders
- 04:43 – What Little League is really about, and why winning is not the point
- 05:38 – Damon’s message to parents about support, perspective, and having a great season
- 06:00 – Closing thoughts and who this episode should be shared with
About Damon Lembi
Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, and CEO of Learnit – a live learning platform that has upskilled over 2 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete’s perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time.
Resources and Mentions:
Connect with Damon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi/
Download Damon’s book: https://BookHip.com/FTZRCJB
Coach Steve Knudsen: https://www.facebook.com/steve.knudsen.9?mibextid=wwXIfr
Podcast Contact Information:
Website: www.learnit.com
Email: podcast@learnit.com
Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.