Pump the Brakes (Ep. 031)

Episode 031 | Pump The Brakes | October 2022

Are we headed toward a cliff in the youth sports world? Possibly. Can we avoid it? Absolutely.

In this episode of The MentalCast, host Dan Mickle explores the growing concerns in youth sports from burnout to corruption to declining participation. The problem is not one group or issue; it is a systemic challenge that requires everyone at the table: coaches, parents, players, administrators, and officials.

Dan shares why the time to pump the brakes is now — before things slide further. This is not a blame game, but a call for education, collaboration, and collective solutions. The clock is ticking, but change is still within reach.

Topics covered:

• Current risks and trends in youth sports
• The need for collaborative solutions
• Why finger-pointing does not work
• The role of education in driving change
• How all stakeholders can help fix the system

Resources mentioned:

• Washington Post Article — "Billions flow through youth sports. And some of it keeps disappearing."
• Shitty Haiku (Volume 1) by Dan Mickle

Contact the show: podcast@mentalcast.com

Follow Dan on social: @RealDanMickle and @717Soul