Strava’s Co-Founder on Sport, Belonging, and Fixing Youth Play

Mark Gainey didn’t set out to fix sport.He set out to rebuild the feeling that kept him in it: connection.In this powerful conversation, the Strava Co-Founder and former elite rower opens up about his own burnout, the real reason most kids walk away from sport, and the moment he realized tech could recreate what a locker room once gave him—belonging.We talk about:Why performance-only pathways are failing kidsWhat Strava taught him about human motivationThe quiet danger of ignoring “the middle 60%”And how we can design youth movement to feel meaningful before it feels “good”If you’ve ever wondered how to keep kids moving—not for medals, but for joy—this one’s for you.🔁 Share this with a coach, parent, or leader who believes in building the future of play.And subscribe for weekly conversations with the people reimagining childhood.