Former MLB player Jeff Francoeur and PA co-founders Britt Lee and Brad Williams interview well-known pro/college athletes, coaches, and topical experts to gain insight into the world of youth sports, in order to equip and inspire young athletes, parents, and coaches to successfully navigate their sports journeys. For more info, visit www.pureathleteinc.com
…
continue reading
🎙️Real life stories you need to hear. Hosted by Jeff Hopeck, former U.S. Secret Service Officer. Episodes include: ⚔️ Retired FBI Agent - SOLVED: Most gruesome display of human depravity 🩸Bloody Sunday Survivor + MLK Protege 🏥 Survivor "Mother of All Surgeries" 📸 TikTok Mega-influencer 4 million followers ♣️ 2015 World Series of Poker Champion ♦️ 🧠 Brain Surgeon – Behind the scenes 👀 Blind at 21 – Harvard. Coder. Skier ⚾ Jeff Francoeur – MLB star to sports broadcaster 🧠 12-Year Glioblastoma ...
…
continue reading
If you love Chris Rose and Kevin Millar on MLB Network’s Intentional Talk, then you’ll love Intentional Talk: Caught Listening. Caught Listening will provide fans with an original continuation of the TV show’s antics, interviews, and everything in between. Subscribe and listen, every Wednesday, starting March 28th!
…
continue reading

1
119. Super Bowl Champ & Pro Lacrosse Player Chris Hogan
53:19
53:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:19Chris Hogan is our guest on this week's episode and man, is his story an inspiring one. Not recruited heavily as a football player, Chris signed a full scholarship with Penn State as a Lacrosse player. After playing LAX for 3 yrs, he transferred to Monmouth University to play football, with no aspirations to play beyond college. Several years later…
…
continue reading

1
PA Replay - Hall of Fame Pitcher John Smoltz
50:13
50:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:13The guys talk to Hall of Fame pitcher and MLB broadcaster John Smoltz. In addition to sharing his youth sports story, Smoltzie shares great insights for young athletes, parents, and coaches, as well as valuable baseball-specific advice for young pitchers.By Jeff Francoeur
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 58: Pilot's Trifecta of Near-death Experiences & more …
1:38:40
1:38:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:38:40Most pilots retire having never experienced 1 of these near-death experiences. Not Kelly Fox. As a 747 Pilot, he experienced all 3 ... in one ONE trip! That's correct. In just 72 hours, this pilot stared death in the face and each time his training fought back and wrestled the demon of death to the ground; each time emerging victorious and ready fo…
…
continue reading

1
118. Former NFL QB and Current QB Coach Jordan Palmer
57:59
57:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:59Jordan Palmer grew up in the shadow of his older brother, Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer. Jordan wasn't a starter on his high school team until his senior year, and he attended the one D1 school that offered him a scholarship, UTEP. And while his story was full of adversity, he remained committed to reaching his full potential, eventually spen…
…
continue reading
In this engaging conversation, Nic McKinley shares his unique experiences as a CIA operative, highlighting the humorous and unexpected moments that occur in high-stakes intelligence operations. He discusses the advantages of using Riverside for podcasting, recounts funny stories from combat, and reflects on the challenges faced during covert operat…
…
continue reading

1
117. D1 Training Founder Will Bartholomew: The Power of Performance Training for Young Athletes
57:19
57:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:19After winning the 1998 National Championship at Tennessee and serving as Captain of the 2001 team, Will Bartholomew's football career ended in his first year with the Denver Broncos due to a devastating knee injury. Will took his passion for sports and training and founded D1 Training, one of the nation's fastest growing performance training center…
…
continue reading

1
PA Replay: Dr Mondo: Mental Coach and Wellness Expert
1:01:30
1:01:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:30With it being Mental Health Awareness month, we want to replay this informative episode for our viewers that was recorded in Feb of 2023, but the information is still very current. Our guest is well-known sports psychologist and mental wellness expert Dr. Armando González. Dr. Mondo works with numerous pro athletes such as Dansby Swanson, Lindsey V…
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 56: Retired U.S. Secret Service Agent (Near-Death Story & More!)
2:17:21
2:17:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:17:21What happens when a Secret Service agent stares death in the face—over and over again? Meet Scott Bryson, a man whose career in the Secret Service reads like a Hollywood thriller. From high-stakes missions overseas to life-or-death moments on U.S. soil, Scott’s stories aren’t just intense—they’re jaw-dropping. In this episode, he takes us inside so…
…
continue reading

1
116. What We’ve Learned about Youth Sports + Big Announcement
31:50
31:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:50With more than 115 episodes under their belts, Jeff, Britt, and Brad discuss some of their biggest learnings along the way, and Jeff shares some areas in which his perspective has evolved as his kids get older, and as he has participated in our discussions with guests and each other. This is a fun conversation that parents will relate to... AND...t…
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 55: 4ocean (Plastic Islands & Panic at 150 ft.)
1:23:35
1:23:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:23:35Summary In this episode, Tony Ernst from Four Ocean shares his journey from waste management to leading ocean cleanup efforts. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in their operations, detailing the extensive documentation required for every cleanup. Tony discusses the equipment and partnerships that enable their work, the daily operations …
…
continue reading
With 10 Gold Gloves and 434 career homers, Andruw Jones is regarded as one of the top centerfielders of all time, and the guys have a great conversation with him on this episode. Having shared an outfield together for the Braves, Jeff shares what it was like as a rookie playing next to the best outfielder "he has ever seen," including what Andruw t…
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 54: Military Trained (82nd Airborne). Mission: Protect Your Child.
1:27:33
1:27:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:27:33From Airborne to Unshakable Trust John Nelson’s life reads like a movie script—82nd Airborne veteran, government work across continents, and now the founder of a student tour company built entirely on safety, trust, and integrity. In this episode, John shares wild jump stories, Cold War memories, surviving chaos during the Boston Marathon bombing, …
…
continue reading
NBA shooting great Dell Curry, father to NBA stars Stephen and Seth, shares stories from his own playing days, as well as parenting insights learned from helping his boys and his daughter Sydel, navigate their own journeys in sports and in life.By Jeff Francoeur
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 53: 437 lb. Lie He Told Himself Every Day
1:13:40
1:13:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:13:40👀 437lbs down to 205lbs. Listen to Keith Brock's inspirational story that began with a couch 🛋️ in Miami, FL and a gut-wrenching event that sparked lasting change in his life. One moment he was living the life of a 437 pound frustrated and miserable human being. The next moment he turned his life over and walked out of his old body. Some incredible…
…
continue reading
Our guest on this episode is MLS Cup Champion, 2x MLS All-Star, 2017 Goal Keeper of the Year and the captain & starting goalkeeper for Atlanta United, Brad Guzan. Brad shares insights and stories from his career as a player and parent of four, covering what makes a great teammate, the qualities of an influential coach, and how parents can support t…
…
continue reading
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.By Jeff Francoeur
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 52: TOPGUN Pilot to Renowned High School Teacher
1:41:08
1:41:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:41:08Ray Schenk : The ultimate story of a Top Gun pilot turned high school teacher, whose classes all have waiting lists to get into. Ray’s approach to modern day education, finding and developing leaders for the next generation and his keen sense of using AI & Robotics in the classroom have all landed him on Episode 52 of The 🎙️ Interesting Humans Podc…
…
continue reading
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), …
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 51: World Series of Poker Champion, Jeff Tomlinson
1:15:54
1:15:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:15:54♣️ ♦️ ♥️ Jeff Tomlinson, 2015 World Series poker champion talks poker tells, card counting, rules, and stories ranging from dumbest thing seen at a poker table to the final hand before winning his gold bracelet! Even if you’re like me and do not play poker, you’re in for a real treat on this episode. Plus, jeff is such an awesome person and you’re …
…
continue reading

1
113. Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey
52:51
52:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:51On 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 …
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 50: John MacVeigh, FBI Horror Story
2:51:57
2:51:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:51:57“This is one of the sickest and most gruesome displays of human depravity ever seen at the FBI” — Retired Special Agent John Macveigh. I met John through Retired U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Harry Fuller. Harry is a close friend of mine (and we worked together 2003-2006) who appeared in Episode 30 together with Retired U.S. Secret Service Agen…
…
continue reading

1
112. Dave Francoeur: Parenting Insights From Jeff's Dad
56:34
56:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:34If 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 …
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 48: Saltwater Stories: A Captain's Life at Sea
1:08:22
1:08:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:22[Folks, there was no way I could produce this episode in my studio! It had to be done on the deck of Captain Allen’s boat, so we hit the road and spent a sunny afternoon on his boat!] Captain Allen Mills — He’s a good friend, a client, and 45+ year charter fishing captain. He is owner of ACCharters in Amelia Island, Florida. I fished will Allen 50+…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 47: Susana Eshleman - Living Life with Purpose & On Purpose
1:20:00
1:20:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:20:00“God honors treating people well.” — Susana Eshleman, CEO Children International I was introduced to Susana by a mutual friend and former Chairman of the CI board of directors. She has such an inspiring story beginning with how she had to hide books under her bed as a child then how and why she got into college then accepted into Harvard. Full of t…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 46: MLK Protege, Bloody Sunday Survivor
1:29:53
1:29:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:29:53My good friend Jack was at an event watching John Suttles share his story. Jack called me right after the event and said “Jeff you HAVE to get this guy on your podcast. His story was so amazing I walked up to him afterwards and got his number for you.” Wow, Jack was right! And then some. Mr John Suttles shares his story of surviving Bloody Sunday, …
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 45: 17 Brain Surgeries. 7 Misdiagnoses. 13mos ICU
1:29:31
1:29:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:29:31Shaun & Julie Francis have endured what hopefully no other human being has to endure. 17 brain surgeries, 13 months in ICU, multiple comas, seizures and more. When 7 surgeons told Julie her husband's only option is to enter hospice, she said "figure out a way" and they did. Without her advocacy on his behalf while in a coma, Shaun would be dead lon…
…
continue reading
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 Col…
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 44: Dave Cormack: Owner of Aberdeen Football Club
1:19:14
1:19:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:14Dave Cormack. I’m so thankful a mutual friend connected us. Our first pre-interview was at Starbucks and lasted 3 hours and 50 minutes! Dave is such an incredible human. Of course he’s successful with a business exit of $800 million. But there is so much more to this man. In this episode you’re going to hear Dave’s entire life story from growing up…
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 43: From Homeless to Fortune 500 Lanyard King
54:25
54:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:25I’m so glad a mutual friend introduced us. Mike Barnhill has such an exciting story from couch jumping and homeless to becoming #1 badge/lanyard supplier in the world. But how and why is this even possible? The answer is what makes this episode so extraordinary! It was ONE sentence in ONE book that changed everything for Mike. Prepare yourself for …
…
continue reading
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 b…
…
continue reading

1
Ep 42: 4 Million TikTok Followers [An Influencer's AMAZING Life Story]
1:17:09
1:17:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:17:09Meghan McCarthy turned a disadvantage into a significant ADvantage! As you will hear, her voice is truly unique and millions agree. They love her funny and engaging videos on TikTok, Youtube and Instagram where she has 8+ million followers. Her family business (Mccarthy Taxi and Flowers) was in 3 episodes of The Office! Enjoy the episode! Her entir…
…
continue reading

1
108. Dealing with Disappointment in Youth Sports
37:44
37:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:44From the beginning of the youth sports journey to the end, disappointment is a present emotion that is a counter-balance to the fun of the overall experience. Disappointing losses. Disappointing performances. Disappointing injuries. Disappointment with coaching decisions. Disappointing behavior. Teaching our kids to handle it, to bounce back from i…
…
continue reading

1
Ep 41: For Parents: Big 6 Theory, COVID Developmental Effects on Kids by age, Hannah Rinehart, LPC
1:09:35
1:09:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:35I'm a father of 4. This episode blew my mind. Listen as Hannah explains the Big 6, the COVID developmental effects on kids, her lemonade stand story, parenting tips & hacks, and much more. If you're a parent or know parents, don't miss this one. It's critical and I assure you'll glean several important nuggets. Thanks for listening to Interesting H…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading
We are excited to replay one of earliest and favorite episodes with Atlanta Braves fan favorite Austin Riley. The son of an NFL punter, Austin Riley grew up playing multiple sports while chasing his dream of playing major league baseball. In this episode, Austin shares his story of grit and hard work, on his way to becoming a first round draft pick…
…
continue reading

1
Ep. 40: Art of Training Seeing Eye Dogs [Behind the Scenes]
1:13:48
1:13:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:13:48Lehman Brothers to Training Seeing Eye Dogs! Jim flew in from New Jersey, headquarters of Seeing Eye Training Institute. We go behind the senses starting day 1 arrival when blind students arrive. Jim explains what it takes to train these incredible dogs, how the students get chosen and matched to their dog, and so much more. He even gives the day-t…
…
continue reading

1
106. Want To Play In College...Things You Need To Know
38:33
38:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:33For those of you who have a goal to play sports in college, or for your kid to play in college, how much do you really know about what that entails? What will each day look like in-season or during the off-season? What will my “college experience” be like? What are the biggest challenges, and why do more than 30% of college athletes quit early? Yes…
…
continue reading

1
Ep 39: Gary Young : Survivor, “Mother of All Surgeries”
1:14:17
1:14:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:14:17Gary Young survived one of (if not the most) complicated surgery known to man. Listen as he tells the horrific yet heroic story of having 8 organs removed and scrubbed with chemo. And it didn't end there. His body was filled up with chemo and he was shaken around for 2 hours. Help Gary raise awareness for this rare, often mis-diagnosed form of canc…
…
continue reading
On this episode, the guys welcome our first current college athlete to the pod to discuss his journey to become one of college football's leading quarterbacks going into the 2025 season. Cade discusses why he has turned down transfer portal offers for several years, and the value he has placed on staying at a place like Clemson for his entire colle…
…
continue reading

1
Ep 38: Ty Bryant's Life Story: Adoption, Loss & Redemption
1:24:02
1:24:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:02Ty's first night was spent in an Electrolux Vacuum Box. His narrative begins with a touching tale of adoption, when a woman offered him to his mother just three days after his birth, a moment that resonates with biblical stories of destiny and community support. Ty's alcoholic father left the family early on, leaving him to be raised by his mother,…
…
continue reading

1
104. SNEAK PREVIEW... Parent Spotlight: Todd Peterson
1:02:31
1:02:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:31On this episode, we provide a sneak peek into our upcoming, new Parent Spotlight Series as Britt interviews Todd Peterson. Todd was an NFL kicker for 13 seasons, but more importantly, is a sports dad whose son played D1 college football. Todd shares his experiences and insights as a sports dad, how he and his wife Susan approached parenting to keep…
…
continue reading

1
103. Comedian John Crist on Youth Sports
1:06:23
1:06:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:23This week’s special episode will definitely have you laughing as we welcome former Division 1 college tennis player—who then became one of America’s funniest stand-up comedians, John Crist! Find out how @johnbcrist ’s tennis “career” prepared him to take the stage as a comedian, the lessons he learned playing sports, hilarious takes on youth sports…
…
continue reading
Are parents raising kids to be too soft? Some high school and college coaches think so…and they are speaking out. Are they right, or does the older generation always believe the younger generation lacks toughness? And if they are right, why are kids softer? Is it possible that today's environment is, in some ways tougher for young athletes to navig…
…
continue reading

1
101. Rorke Denver: A NAVY SEAL'S Playbook For Youth Sports
52:07
52:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:07If you ever wonder how lessons learned in sports translate to life, look no further than to former NAVY SEAL Commander Rorke Denver. Rorke couldn't have led missions all over the world and become the leader of every phase of training for the SEALS, including the infamous BUDS, without the grit, team-first orientation, and leadership skills he began…
…
continue reading

1
100. Making Youth Sports Better in 2025 - 100th Episode Special
45:31
45:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:31As we celebrate our 100th episode AND kick off 2025, we welcome back five of our previous guests - Dan Orlovsky, Rece Davis, Misty May-Treanor, Mark DeRosa, and Inky Johnson. Each of them share their thoughts and experiences as youth sports parents and coaches, as well as their hopes and ideas for how youth sports can be better in the coming year. …
…
continue reading

1
PA Replay: CFB Hall of Famer David Pollack
52:31
52:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:31Whether you never heard this or it's been a long time, David's insights into youth sports, from a parent, coach, and player perspective are spot on. So good, that we wanted to replay if for all out listeners, especially the newer ones. And oh yeah, it's fun to listen to Pollack and Francoeur relive their games playing against each other in Georgia …
…
continue reading

1
Ep 34: CRYPTIC Home & Auto Insurance Industry SCAMS, Practical Tips
1:25:14
1:25:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:25:14Buyer beware of CRYPTIC-ness: Home and Auto Insurance SCAMS! And great practical tips to help keep you safe from the continued lies and empty promises of such a snake-filled industry. Today, we're diving deep into the world of home & auto insurance with none other than Brandon Smith, a seasoned expert in the field and Super Lawyer. If you've ever w…
…
continue reading

1
99. Olympic Gold Medal Softball Legend Jennie Finch-Daigle
47:14
47:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:14Softball icon Jennie Finch-Daigle is our guest on this episode of The Pure Athlete Podcast. Jennie shares her youth sports story with us as a multi-sport athlete, and how that helped her develop her softball skills and abilities. She talks about the role her parents played in her development, how she developed as a young pitcher, and compares her c…
…
continue reading