Ep. 145: MVP & 7x All-Star Buster Posey
This week, Frenchy is joined by former MVP, 7-time All-Star, 3-time World Series champion, and current President of Baseball Operations for the San Francisco Giants, Buster Posey. Buster opens up about his journey through the game, the emphasis his parents placed on balance growing up, how much baseball he actually played as a kid, and his perspective on youth sports now as a dad. It’s a conversation packed with insight and experience you won’t want to miss.
Ep. 144: Parent Spotlight Chris McNeillie: What It Really Takes to Navigate Youth Baseball and Recruiting Lessons From a Baseball Dad
On this special Parent Spotlight interview, Britt sits down with Chris McNeillie, father of three boys, the youngest of whom is a junior pitcher for the Florida Gators. Chris shares his story of navigating youth, travel, and high school baseball with all three of his sons, offering insights he learned along the way, sometimes the hard way, from the oldest to the youngest. As Luke, the youngest, began to blossom as a teenage left handed pitcher, Chris sought guidance from coaches to help advise both Luke and himself throughout the journey. He discusses the benefits and challenges of high level travel baseball, along with some of the approaches Luke used throughout the recruiting process. Chris also shares the impact his wife had on the boys athletically and in life before cancer took her to be with the Lord while Luke was in high school. For parents currently walking through the baseball journey, this conversation offers honest perspective from a humble dad who speaks candidly about raising and supporting all three of his boys, making this an episode you will not want to miss.
Ep. 143: Five Big Mistakes Sports Parents Make
As sports parents, most of us really want to do youth sports right on behalf of our kids and families; but we often get caught up in the moment. On this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad each bring their list of mistakes that sports parents make, and they share their own experiences and insights from making some of these mistakes. Most parents will relate to this discussion, recognizing some of the challenges we all face. Other parents will be challenged to watch out for these pitfalls before encountering them. In either case, you will enjoy the first part of the discussion in which the guys discuss some current events around college football and the NFL, and you will be both challenged and inspired as the discussion turns to the common mistakes sports parents make.
Ep 142: Hall-of-Fame 3B George Brett
In this episode, we welcome one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, first ballot Hall-of-Famer and Kansas City Royals legend George Brett. With more than 3,150 hits and all 21 of his big league seasons spent in Kansas City, George shares unforgettable stories from his playing days and explains why he never wore another uniform. He offers his candid thoughts on today’s hitting approach, including exit velocity and launch angle, and makes it clear he is not a fan. George also reflects on the guidance he received from Royals hitting coach Charlie Lau, advice that helped turn him into a perennial .300 hitter after never reaching that mark in the minor leagues. As always, he delivers his insights with humor, honesty, and plenty of personality.
Ep. 141: Paralympian Nick Mayhugh
As an elite young soccer player, Nick Mayhugh excelled on the field while quietly battling physical limitations he couldn’t understand, and despite those challenges he was on track to play the sport at the highest level until everything changed at 14 when he suffered a grand mal seizure that led to a series of tests and a life-altering diagnosis revealing he had been born with cerebral palsy and was told he would never play soccer again, a moment that ultimately became fuel as Nick shares in this episode how he channeled that news into motivation, went on to play Division I college soccer, represented the U.S. Paralympic soccer team, and later reinvented himself as a Paralympic sprinter, winning three gold medals and one silver at the Tokyo Paralympics, making his journey a powerful story of grit, determination, and inspiration you won’t want to miss.
Ep. 140: 7x All-Star & Mets' Captain David Wright
Seven-time All-Star third baseman David Wright, one of the most respected players of his era, joins us for this episode to reflect on his 14-year career spent entirely with the New York Mets, where he became known for his leadership, disciplined preparation, relentless work ethic, and being an exceptional teammate—qualities that earned him the role of team captain. David shares his youth sports journey, including being underestimated early on and using that motivation to outwork everyone around him, the influential role his parents played in his development, and what being a great teammate truly means. He also offers fun stories from his time in the dugout with Frenchy, thoughtful perspectives as a dad and youth sports coach, and valuable advice for young athletes and parents.
Ep. 139: Ex-College Football HC David Cutcliffe
In this episode, we welcome Coach David Cutcliffe—former head football coach at Duke and Ole Miss, and former offensive coordinator at Tennessee. Known for developing Peyton and Eli Manning in college, Cutcliffe has earned the reputation as the “Quarterback Whisperer” for his exceptional ability to shape young QBs. One of the most respected figures in college football, he remains actively involved with the SEC today. Parents, players, and especially coaches won’t want to miss his perspective on the current state of college football, the Manning quarterback legacy, and the lessons he’s learned from more than 40 years of coaching the game—and life—the right way.
Ep. 138: Does Character Matter in Sports?
Most parents want their kids to develop strong character—but how often is it truly prioritized in the pursuit of youth sports success? Pure Athlete identifies character as one of its five core pillars, and in this episode, Jeff, Britt, and Brad break down why it matters. They explore how character is developed, why it’s essential both on and off the field or court, and the critical roles parents and coaches play in the process.
Ep. 137: The Parent Coach: The Rewards, the Risks, and the Rules to Follow
Balancing the roles of parent and coach can be both incredibly rewarding and unexpectedly challenging, and after many requests to explore this topic, Britt and Brad share lessons from their own journeys while Jeff adds perspective from coaching his own kids. They discuss why parents should consider getting involved—even as assistants—especially at younger ages, and they explain what “daddy ball” looks like and how it impacts other players and families. As kids grow older and the tension between the two roles becomes harder to manage, the guys offer practical guidance to help parents coach with intention, fairness, and wisdom.
Ep. 136: Hall-of-Fame Pitcher Billy Wagner
2025 MLB Hall of Fame inductee Billy Wagner joins us to share how a right-handed kid became a dominant left-handed closer with 422 saves and seven All-Star nods. He reflects on overcoming a tough childhood, starring in football and baseball at Division III Ferrum College, and becoming an unlikely first-round pick. Billy also gives a peek behind the scenes of his Cooperstown induction weekend and the legends he met along the way. Now a successful high school coach and dad to two rising players, he offers valuable advice for young athletes, parents, and coaches in today’s game.
Ep. 135: Former American Tennis Player & Commentator Sam Querrey
On this episode, we’re joined by Sam Querrey — one of America’s top tennis players of the past two decades. A 10-time ATP champion and former world No. 11, Sam shares his journey from growing up in California to turning pro straight out of high school. He reflects on career highlights, including wins over Djokovic, Murray, and Nadal, and what it was like facing Federer. Sam also weighs in on the future of U.S. tennis, his transition into pickleball, and his new role as a tennis analyst. With his trademark humor, Sam makes this episode both insightful and entertaining.
Ep. 134: Megan Cannon: The Truth About Moms in Youth Sports
Some moms are as passionate about youth sports as dads—and even those who aren’t are deeply involved because they care about their kids. In this episode, Megan Cannon, former D1 soccer player, coach, mental health counselor, and mom of two young athletes, joins us to discuss moms’ roles in youth sports. Beyond being the “team mom,” they help maintain family balance, support kids’ emotional needs, temper dad’s sports intensity, and often coach, too. This episode offers encouragement for moms and valuable insight for dads.
Ep. 133: Former World #1 Tennis Player Lindsay Davenport
Former World No. 1 Lindsay Davenport joins Jeff and the team to share her “accident” rise to tennis stardom. Raised in a volleyball family with an Olympian father, she chose tennis instead, turning pro as a teen and winning multiple Grand Slams, Olympic gold in 1996, and later becoming a coach. Now a sports mom with kids excelling in tennis and volleyball, Lindsay discusses following her own path, turning pro young, and whether today’s players should go pro or play college tennis.