Project 3P

Send us Fan MailThe fastest way to stall a young athlete’s growth isn’t a bad coach or a tough loss. It’s when the sport stops being fun and every practice feels like a test you can’t fail. I sit down with Spence Cowand, Co-Founder and President of Edge Elite Athletics, to talk about the reality behind youth sports pressure: self doubt, performance anxiety, and the burnout that hits when your identity gets swallowed by the grind.Spence shares his own journey through high level hockey, including the moment he realized he was playing “like it was a job” and how stepping back helped him return with a clearer mind and better results. From there, we get practical about athlete development: why cookie cutter workouts miss the mark, why “winning the workout” is a trap, and how recovery and readiness are just as important as training intensity for sports performance and injury prevention.We also dig into the tech side, including how AI and athlete intelligence can help coaches act on what matters most. Think personalized training plans by sport and position, age-appropriate progressions, form feedback, readiness tracking, and injury reporting that can change what a coach does today, not just summarize yesterday. The goal isn’t to replace coaching, it’s to make coaching more human by giving coaches better insight and more time for real connection.If you care about youth sports, mental health, smarter training, and building resilient athletes, hit play, subscribe, share this with a coach or parent, and leave a review. What’s one change you’d make to protect the joy of the game?

Send us Fan MailYouth sports can be the best classroom a kid ever has or the loudest source of stress in their life. I sit down with Nick Brown, Husband, Father, Football Coach, Operating Partner, Director of Operations and Owner at Shoebox Sports in Fenton, Michigan. We get honest about what young athletes actually need to thrive: purpose, poise, passion, and adults who keep the focus on the kids rather than their own egos.Nick shares how he got his start in coaching, what it takes to build a multi-sport facility that feels like home, and why community matters as much as competition. We discuss Friday night open gyms, creating a space where families want to stay, and the “leave a shoe, take a shoe” wall at Shoebox Sports that helps lower the cost for families by giving kids free access to the shoes they need. It’s a practical look at athlete development, access, and how small systems can create big impact.We also get into the tougher side: the business and operations load that can grind down even great leaders, the stress of managing multiple teams and parent expectations, and how youth football and youth basketball have changed under social media pressure. Nick explains how he limits phone access, pushes sleep and structure, and teaches athletes to watch film so they learn from mistakes instead of chasing highlight clips. The coaching takeaways hit hard: you cannot want it more than your players do, results show up later than you want, and one-size-fits-all coaching fails kids who need a different approach.Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of youth sports and mental health, share this with an athlete, coach or parent who needs it, and leave a review with the one change you want to see in youth sports.https://youtu.be/nLXVuvRevRchttps://www.theshoeboxsports.com/

Send us Fan MailYouth sports can shape a kid for life, or convince them they’re “not good enough” by age 12. I talk with Scott Heinze, Founder of Whole Child Athletics about why the current system pushes so many kids out, and what it looks like to rebuild youth sports around belonging, confidence, and lifelong physical activity instead of nonstop wins, losses, and highlight culture. Scott shares his 30-year journey through policing, K-12 education policy, and school board leadership, and how those experiences led to a simple but radical idea: Every kid is an athlete if they move their body regularly.We dig into what families and kids actually ask for: affordable programs, fun with friends, and coaches who know how to communicate without judgment. Scott explains Whole Child Athletics as an “operating system” for youth sports with coach training, common language, and tools to measure outcomes beyond performance metrics. We also get into player development that keeps kids engaged, like 3v3 formats that create more decision-making reps, more touches, and more learning.Then the conversation widens to public health and mental health. Scott connects sport to community in a time of isolation, and shares the “three warm welcomes” approach that helped shift Tacoma’s graduation rate from 55% to nearly 92%, plus how that same culture-building can show up at practice. If you care about positive coaching, social emotional learning, and real access through recreation, intramurals, and ethical public-private partnerships, this one will stay with you. Subscribe, share with a coach or parent or athlete, and leave a review so more people can help change the youth sports experience.https://wholechildathletics.com/

Send us Fan MailBurnout doesn’t always look like quitting. Sometimes it looks like doing everything right on paper while slowly running out of yourself. After time away, we’re back with a personal reset and a practical framework for athletes, parents, and coaches who want real growth without the constant pressure. I share what changed in my life from dating to marriage to becoming a first time dad, and how learning to protect my energy reshaped the way I think about development, leadership, and balance. From there, we get specific about athlete rebirth and resurgence. When an injury hits, a role changes, athleticism dips, or your skill set gets exposed, transformation becomes a choice. The playbook is built around three levers that connect: performance, mindset, and trajectory. We talk player development that actually translates to games, from changing play style to adding tools to the toolbox to rebuilding mechanics that hold up when it matters. We also dig into the mental side of sports performance, especially in youth basketball where pressure can come from everywhere. I break down how to play free: parents stop coaching from the stands, coaches stay steady instead of riding emotional highs and lows, and players build short-term memory with better body language and a simple “next play” focus. When consistency shows up, efficiency follows, and that’s when your trajectory changes and you become dependable in big moments. We close with a message that cuts through the noise: be a star in your role, and choose a program that highlights your strengths while developing your weaknesses, not just a big name. If this helped you, subscribe to Project 3P, share it with a parent or athlete who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Send us Fan MailYour talent can open doors, but your village decides what happens next. We’re talking about the real support system behind sustainable success and how to build one that actually fits your life instead of distracting you from it. From the meaning of “it takes a village” to the hard truth of outgrowing certain relationships, we get honest about why trimming your circle can be an act of self-respect and growth. We also dig into the idea of having multiple villages at once and why different groups can serve different parts of your identity, as long as you’re intentional about what you give and what you get. Then we shift into what it looks like when a village becomes magnetic, when you pour into a program or community and suddenly others want in. That attention can be exciting, but it also raises the stakes: not every person or influence belongs in your ecosystem. For athletes and high performers, we lay out a clear playbook: find people who speak your language, keep different perspectives around you so you don’t get trapped by yes-people, and build chemistry through mutual motivation and accountability. We also talk about balance, making sure your village fills your cup as much as it empties it, and protecting the culture so nobody poisons the water. If you want stronger team chemistry, better decisions, and real support through highs and lows, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with the one trait you believe every village needs.

Send us Fan MailEver feel like your ambitions are constantly being pushed back, as if the universe is saying "not yet"? Join me, Shirod Ince, as we unveil the incredible stories of individuals who’ve turned their delayed dreams into triumphant realities. Prepare to be inspired by the tales of Dennis Rodman, whose path from janitor to NBA rebounding legend defied all expectations, and the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, who rewrote the rules of tennis and became symbols of power and resilience. Through these narratives, we uncover the profound truth that while success may not come overnight, perseverance can eventually turn rejection into celebration.Get ready to be moved by stories that resonate with anyone who has ever faced obstacles on their journey to greatness. We explore how Rodman's sheer willpower and dedication propelled him from repeated rejections to the pinnacle of basketball success, and how the Williams sisters overcame racism and sexism, turning their delayed recognition into an era-defining domination of tennis. Their stories are not just about sports—they're about the strength found in family, the courage to fight for change, and the indomitable spirit required to transform delayed dreams into realized achievements. Tune in for an episode that honors the legacy of these legendary athletes and reminds us all that a setback is merely a setup for a comeback.

Send us Fan MailPromises of glory and accomplishment constantly surround young athletes, but have we ever paused to consider the fundamental values underpinning their journey? Welcome to a compelling conversation on youth athletes' mental health, where we dissect the role of Purpose, Poise, and Passion in shaping their lives and sporting pursuits. In this power-packed episode, I, Shirod Ince, aim to tune your focus towards understanding purpose as the guiding beacon, poise as the weapon to withstand pressure, and passion as the fuel that drives them towards their maximum potential. This isn't your typical discourse on theories; we're talking action! Ever wondered how you as a coach or parent can aid in nurturing these values in your young athletes? Together, let's embark on an exercise aimed at defining purpose, maintaining composure, and providing positive reinforcement, all while balancing accountability and fostering confidence. We also discuss strategies to stoke your athletes' passion, allowing room for decision-making, learning from blunders, and the pursuit of excellence over perfection. Tune in for some practical advice, techniques, and real-life examples that would serve as valuable takeaways for anyone involved in nurturing a young athlete. Trust me; it's more than just a game!

Send us Fan MailHost Shirod Ince welcomes listeners and gives insight on what to expect from Project 3P.