From Ireland to Jacksonville: Building Elite Youth Soccer with Gavin Carlin of Good Lad Soccer

Dr. Greg sits down with Gavin Carlin — owner of Good Lad Soccer, the largest youth private soccer training company in Northeast Florida — for a conversation about what it really takes to develop elite young athletes.Gavin shares his journey from signing professionally in Ireland at 16 and representing his country at the European stage, to playing Division I collegiate soccer in the U.S., and ultimately building a youth soccer organization that has worked with over 1,300 players in 10 years. This year, Good Lad is taking 70 players to compete in a 950-team international youth tournament in Ireland — the largest of its kind in Europe.In this episode, Dr. Greg and Gavin cover:Why the 14–15 age range is the critical fork in the road for young athletesThe ongoing debate around early sports specialization — and why both Gavin and Dr. Greg believe it's happening too soonHow athletic diversity (not soccer-only training) builds more complete players and reduces injury riskWhat separates good players from great ones, and how much of it comes down to the individualWhat Good Lad Soccer is doing this summer — including camps in Ponte Vedra and World Golf Village for ages 7–13Whether you're a parent of a young athlete, a coach, or someone who loves the intersection of sports performance and player development, this episode is packed with real-world insight from someone who's lived it at every level.To learn more about Good Lad Soccer, visit goodladsoccer.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @goodladsoccer.For movement and injury support for your young athlete, visit movementdriven.com or call 904-257-5765 to schedule your $79 first evaluation or a free 15-minute discovery call.