START HEREWhy Be Valiant?
New to Be Valiant? Start with Episode 1 — Todd Merkow introduces the podcast and the vision behind fearless sports parenting.
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MORE HAPPY MOMENTS.LESS HARMFUL ONES.
Helping parents reduce pressure, prevent burnout, and protect the mental and physical well-being of young athletes—through free education, media, and trusted resources.
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WHY VALIANT SPORTS SOCIETY EXISTS
Youth sports leave a lasting mark on every child.
The experiences young athletes have — both positive and negative — shape far more than athletic performance. They influence confidence, identity, relationships, emotional well-being, physical health, and whether a child develops a lifelong love of sports or walks away from the game altogether.
MORE HAPPY MOMENTS
Creating experiences that build confidence, resilience, healthy relationships, unforgettable memories, and a lifelong love of the game.
LESS HARMFUL ONES
Reducing the unnecessary pressure, anxiety, burnout, injuries, identity loss, and emotional challenges that too often become part of youth sports.
HOW WE HELP PARENTS BE VALIANT
We give sports parents free access to trusted education, conversations and resources — helping them make informed decisions, advocate for their children and create healthier youth sports experiences.
SEE OUR OUTREACH →EDUCATE.
EMPOWER.
ADVOCATE.
IT STARTS WITH PARENTS.
BE VALIANT. SO THEY CAN PLAY FEARLESS.
Parents have tremendous influence over a child's sports experience. Valiant Sports Society gives sports parents trusted information and perspective to make healthier, more confident decisions — without losing sight of why kids play in the first place.
THE VALIANT PARENT Q&A
Real questions sports parents face. Straightforward perspective from a parent who's lived the journey.
What does athletic anxiety actually look like?How do you encourage your child without adding pressure?Should your child specialize in one sport?What does a healthy sports culture at home actually look like?
EXPLORE THE VALIANT PARENT Q&A →Free Education for Parents
Everything you need to raise a healthier athlete — in one place.
The Valiant Sports Society Learn hub brings together expert guidance, trusted research, real conversations, and practical resources — organized by the topics that matter most to sports parents right now.
BE VALIANT — THE PODCAST
The conversations sports parents need — and rarely get.
Be Valiant brings coaches, athletes, researchers, and parents together to talk honestly about what's happening in youth sports — the pressure, the money, the mental health toll, and what families can actually do about it. Every episode is free. No agenda. Just real talk.
Browse All EpisodesSTART HERELoading latest episode…
MUST WATCHSydney Merkow
After the Final Whistle: Identity Loss, Anxiety & Finding Yourself Again
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FEATUREDCharli Turner Thorne
The Hall of Fame Coach on Culture, Mental Health, and What It Really Takes to Raise an Athlete
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MORE HAPPY MOMENTS START WITH INFORMED DECISIONS.
Every part of youth sports — from coaching and development to injuries, recruiting and mental health — can shape a child's experience. The more parents understand, the better equipped they are to recognize challenges, make informed decisions and help reduce harmful experiences.
Explore what your family is navigating.
🧠Mental HealthAnxiety, pressure, confidence, identity, burnoutBrowse →👨👩👧ParentingCommunication, sidelines, car rides, family cultureBrowse →🏃Athlete DevelopmentSpecialization, motivation, playing time, developmentBrowse →🎓Recruiting & CollegeScholarships, NCAA, club sports, college pathwaysBrowse →📋CoachingCoach relationships, team culture, conduct, conflictBrowse →🌍Sports & CultureMoney, access, commercialization, changing youth sportsBrowse →🩺Injuries & HealthInjuries, overuse, concussion, recoveryBrowse →⚽SportsSoccer, volleyball, baseball and moreBrowse →
Youth Sports NewsView All
Parent EducationYouth Athletes
Terry McLaurin Got Cut in 9th Grade. Here's What He Learned About Long-Term Success.
The Washington Commanders Pro Bowl receiver was cut from his high school baseball team as a freshman. He credits that moment — and the patience, multi-sport background, and unconditional support that followed — with everything that came after.
August 15, 2026Read More →
Coaching
What Happens When We Actually Train Coaches to See the Whole Athlete
Coach Beyond has trained 77,000 coaches in mental health support, inclusive environments, and life-skills development. The results — more confident coaches, better team climates, higher athlete outcomes — point to something every sports parent should understand about what coaching can be.
August 1, 2026Read More →
Youth Sports
Youth Soccer Is Burning Kids Out. These Young Coaches Say It Doesn't Have To.
Keanu Stingone quit club soccer at 12, burned out by the pressure. Now 21, he's a director of coaching at Youth 4 Youth FC — a peer-led program built on the idea that American youth soccer has the priorities exactly backwards.
July 18, 2026Read More →
"Everything has been leading towards, 'get a scholarship, get to college', and then they get to us, and when they should have the most joy and the most freedom and the most good habits, they're completely burned out.
Protect the Mental Health of Young Athletes
Every child deserves the chance to love sports without fear, burnout, or overwhelming pressure. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donation keeps our trusted education, podcasts, videos, and resources free for every family who needs them.
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PLAY FEARLESS.
