The EduCurious Podcast: An Interview with Alek Cosio-Altamirano, Co-Owner of Southside Footy

Business Partner and co-owner of Southside Footy indoor training facility in Lakeland, Florida, Alek Cosio-Altamirano, is a first-generation American whose love of soccer translates into helping others achieve their very best. Montessori-style independence, creative thinking, street-style raw training, pain and struggle, develop athletes who can joga bonito (play beautifully). Alek shares how he gamifies concepts to grab attention, engage players, and develop young people. Mixed ages, grouped by skill and obsession, is Southside Footy’s philosophy, disrupting the traditional competitive model and guiding players on the pathway to becoming elite athletes. Finding passion and purpose from internal strength and generosity guides Alek as he envisions his company growing, reaching, and guiding as many kids as possible, while uniting them through the language of soccer. Southside Footy: https://www.southsidefooty.com/Economist Derek Yonai: https://youtu.be/-8Z7WprYwfA?si=ZJ5ROZlnijPhw_rt Cinco Soccer: https://cincosoccerlakeland.com/ Florida Southern College: https://www.flsouthern.edu/ What is Montessori? https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/what-is-a-montessori-schoolLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexi-cortez-51657b326/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profe_alekcosio/https://www.instagram.com/southsidefooty/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/alek.cosio https://www.facebook.com/southsidefooty TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@southsidefootyChapters00:00 Introduction to Alek01:47 Developing Young Athletes: The Southside Footy Approach05:08 Breaking Traditional Training Norms07:28 Success Stories and Community Impact09:00 Soccer as a Cultural Connector11:30 Personal Journey and Accomplishments15:37 Advice for Young People16:10 Overview of Southside Footy18:14 Unique Experiences at Cinco Soccer19:39 Future Aspirations for Southside Footy22:19 Education Insights and RecommendationsWhether you're a teacher, a parent, or just EduCurious, join the community as we explore various educational topics and learn from each other. Subscribe so you’ll see the episodes when they drop! https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts?sub_confirmation=1Be SocialWebsite: https://educuriouspod.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EduCuriousPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49IJd6WG083nXhZeQWt2hk?si=300fba40fb83456c Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educurious-pods/id1798666772 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edu.curious.podcasts/ Email: [email protected] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@educuriouspods About EduCuriousEduCurious is an evolving platform dedicated to showcasing the incredible work of exceptional educators and delving into the complex issues facing education today. Through engaging podcasts and insightful interviews, EduCurious provides a space for educators to share their experiences, insights, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.EduCurious explores a wide range of topics, from cutting-edge technology in the classroom to the latest research in teacher training and professional development. EduCurious is committed to fostering collaborative PD by connecting and empowering educators and facilitating meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities in education. By highlighting the voices and expertise of educators, we can inspire positive change and empower teachers to create impactful learning experiences for their students.Meet the Host: Dr. Amber Love JohnsonDr. Amber Love Johnson is an educator, lifelong learner, and passionate advocate for teachers and students. As the host of the EduCurious Podcast, she is driven by one central question: How can we better support educators and create meaningful learning experiences for all students?