The Pure Athlete Podcast

The guys have a great conversation about Sportsmanship in Youth Sports, discussing what Sportsmanship is (and isn’t), why it matters, and how parents and coaches teach it to young athletes.

USA Baseball recently announced that Mark Derosa would return as the Manager of the 2026 WBC Team USA. That prompted us to replay the entertaining and info-packed interview we did with DeRo back in 2023. You will really enjoy hearing his story as a two-sport Ivy League athlete, the fun back-and-forth between Mark and Jeff (his next-door neighbor), some great MLB stories, and his take as a sports dad in the challenging world of travel ball. Mark's opinions and insights are informed, thoughtful, and full of passion. Enjoy!

On this episode, the guys talk to NFL Hall of Fame and 7x All-Pro Cornerback Champ Bailey. Champ was a shut-down NFL cornerback, who is often cited as a comparison player to Travis Hunter because of his ability to play both offense and defense at the University of Georgia, earning him a spot in the CFB Hall of Fame. Champ shares some great stories and insights from his playing days as a kid, a college player, and in the NFL, including his thoughts on playing against and for Steve Spurrier, the difference between college and the NFL, playing against Peyton Manning in college and in the pros, and his current thoughts as a sports dad.

If you're a loyal listener, you’ve heard Jeff Francoeur talk about his dad pulling him off the field during a game, or the time when he took Jeff back to the gym to apologize to a referee. You've also heard him talk about how his parents never allowed sports to be the number one priority in their family. Yes, they had to work to balance their time among three kids, and yes, they struggled with the same challenges we all struggle with. On this episode, Dave Francoeur, Jeff's dad, joins Jeff and Britt to talk about life in the Francoeur home during Jeff's journey. Dave shares great wisdom for parents as well as some fun stories from Jeff's youth and high school sports days, how he kept Jeff grounded, and the parenting role he continued to play in key moments of Jeff's professional career. This episode will make you think and make you smile.

As we enjoy March Madness 2025, we are pleased to replay our 2023 conversation with ESPN's lead college basketball analyst Jay Bilas. Jay had much to share about the mental side of sports from his book "Toughness," sharing some great stories from his childhood, his time at Duke, and his insights from being a sports dad himself. And speaking of Duke basketball, Jay shares some interesting insights about playing for Coach K, as well as reveals the guy who was the toughest guy he ever played against...you will be surprised! Enjoy!

Joey Logano didn't grow up in a racing family, but when his dad bought him a go-cart at age 6, he quickly became hooked. in no time at all, he was winning at a pace that by the time he was 18, people were already saying he was the next Jeff Gordon. And he believed it, until he hit some major adversity in the sport. On this episode, Joey shares his story growing up and falling in love with racing and provides some insight on the skill and talent required to get to the top of the sport. He also gets real about his career eventually going off track, the difficulty that presented, and how he eventually responded to get to a point of now saying it was one of the best things to happen to him. in addition, Joey shares his thoughts about being dad, talking about helping his kids to find their passion and to live their own dreams. Finally, Joey answers some fun rapid-fire questions and talks about the mindset that he and other drivers have to have to overcome any fear of the danger of racing. Whether you are a NASCAR enthusiast or not, you will enjoy this episode.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Kirk Herbstreit, Kirk dives into more of his experiences as a sports dad, his thoughts on early specialization in youth sports, and the future of college football as it relates to NIL and the transfer portal. The guys also put Kirk on the hot seat as he answers 5 rapid-fire questions, ranging from his favorite College GameDay campus to his current favorite MLB player. If you thought Part 1 of our interview with Kirk was entertaining, then you don't want to miss out on Part 2 ... check it out!

One of the hardest-working and most respected voices in sports, Kirk Herbstreit brings preparation, expertise, and a passion for excellence when he's in the broadcasting booth or on the set of College GameDay, having won 5 Emmy awards over his impressive career. But if you think the job is the most important thing in Kirk's life, you're missing a big part of his story. On this episode, Kirk talks to the guys about growing up in a broken home and the role that youth sports played in his life. And if you assume that being the MVP QB of the Ohio State football team was the culmination of a fantastic four years at the university, well, there's more to that story as Kirk shares authentically about the adversity he had to overcome at that stage of his life, and the growth that came from it. All of those experiences shaped his own commitment to making family relationships his priority and he and his wife Alison, have done just that with their four boys. As all four sons were heavily involved in youth sports, Kirk shares the epiphany he had looking in the mirror as a sports dad, and how that changed his outlook and approach to the journey with his boys, and he passionately shares his insights into youth sports that every parent needs to hear. Part 1 of our time with Kirk is rich and will leave you looking forward to the rest of the story in Part 2.

Disappointment is a constant companion in youth sports, affecting both kids and parents alike. The discussion dives into the emotional rollercoaster young athletes face, from losses to injuries. Personal anecdotes provide insight into coaching decisions and coping mechanisms. The speakers emphasize resilience and teachable moments, encouraging a balanced view of effort versus outcomes. They also tackle accountability, highlighting the importance of modeling positive responses to setbacks, ensuring that joy in participation prevails over mere competition.

Following February's compelling hockey matchup between the U.S. and Canada, we are excited to welcome 19 yr NHL player and former Nashville Predators captain Mike Fisher as our guest. Mike shares his story of growing up as a young player in Ontario, the grit that enabled him to overcome injuries, the role that his faith played in his journey as an athlete and now as a sports dad of two boys, and his favorite song from Carrie Underwood, who happens to be his wife.