Raising Athletes
Raising Athletes is the ultimate guide for parents supporting their young athletes on the journey toward college recruitment and beyond. Hosted by experts in sports development, recruiting, and mental performance, this show provides actionable advice, inspiring stories, and practical tools to help parents navigate the competitive world of youth athletics. From goal-setting and skill development to navigating the recruiting process, Raising Athletes is your trusted playbook for helping your child achieve their athletic dreams while building character and resilience.
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Episodes
20 episodes
Why Your Child’s Private Lessons Aren’t Working And How To Fix It
Stop paying for motion when you want progress. We dig into why so many private lessons fail to create real separation on the field and show how to flip the model from selling minutes to producing measurable outcomes. The focus isn’t more reps; ...
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11:45
Why Off-Season Training Is a Game-Changer for Baseball & Softball Players 🥎⚾
Parents want their kids to shine under the lights, but the real transformation happens when the stands are empty and the pressure is off. We break down a clear, no-nonsense plan for using the offseason to make smart mechanical changes, build st...
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14:36
Hustle, Handshakes, and Highlight Reels: Standing Out at College Camps
The secret weapon in college athletic recruiting isn't talent—it's communication. While fewer than 5% of prospect camp attendees follow up with coaches afterward, this overlooked step makes the difference between being noticed and being recruit...
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11:45
USSSA All-American Games: A Father's Honest Review
Wondering if the USSSA-A All-American Games is worth it for your young softball player? Look no further than this revealing father-daughter journey from tryouts to championship week.Having just returned from Florida where my daughter co...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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29:51
The Batting Cage Blueprint: Why weekly hitting reps matter for young athletes
Stepping up to the plate with confidence doesn't happen by accident. Behind every successful young hitter stands hours of consistent, deliberate practice that most spectators never see.This episode tackles a hard truth many parents need...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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11:07
Turning Weekend Losses Into Long-Term Wins
The wheels have fallen off. Your child's team just lost every game at the weekend tournament. No one played well, parents are frustrated, and kids feel defeated. What now?These moments test the character of young athletes, coaches, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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10:39
Why Every Young Athlete Needs Baseline Testing ⚾🥎 | Exit Velo, Arm Strength & More
Ever wondered how to truly measure your child's athletic progress beyond game scores or batting averages? The answer lies in baseline data – a powerful but often overlooked tool that transforms how young athletes develop their baseball and soft...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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11:23
When Opportunity Knocks: How I Bought a Training Facility.
"Have you ever seen the movie We Bought a Zoo? Well, I just bought a baseball and softball training facility."What happens when parental support meets opportunity? In this deeply personal episode, I share my recent decision to purchase ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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7:51
The Private Coach vs. Team Coach Dilemma: What's Best for Your Athlete?
The tug-of-war between a private instructor's individualized techniques and a team coach's system creates genuine confusion for young athletes. This tension—particularly acute for pitchers and hitters—forces kids to choose between specialized i...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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19:35
🏆 Mental Fitness & The Multi-Sport Advantage: Why Young Athletes Shouldn’t Specialize Too Soon – W/ Summer Montabone
🚨 Think early specialization is the key to success? Think again! 🚨Over 90% of NCAA Division I athletes played multiple sports in high school. Yet, so many young athletes are pressured to specialize too early. 🏀⚽🥎🏈
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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50:42
Rec Ball vs. Travel Ball: When Is the Right Time to Make the Switch?
Should your young athlete stop playing rec ball and focus only on travel sports? 🥎⚾🏀It’s a big decision for parents and athletes—when is the right time to transition from recreational leagues to full-time travel ball? In th...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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14:18
USSSA Fastpitch Age Rule Changes: What Parents & Athletes Need to Know. Special guest: Bryan Moyers
🚨 Big changes are coming to USSSA Fastpitch Softball! 🚨In this episode of Raising Athletes, host Rob Taormina sits down with Bryan Moyers, better known as Nashville’s Batman, to break down the recent...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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39:34
Why So Many CEOs Played Sports – The Secret to Success
Did you know over 90% of Fortune 500 CEOs played sports? 🏆In this clip from the Raising Athletes podcast, host Rob Taormina reveals why competitive sports help shape future leaders. It’s not just about winning games—it’...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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22:16
Spring Tryouts: How Parents Can Help Their Young Athletes Make the School Team
Is your child ready for school sports tryouts? Whether it's middle school, JV, or varsity, the key to making the team goes beyond natural talent—it’s all about preparation. In this episode of Raising Athletes, host Rob T...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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19:48
How to Teach Your Young Athlete to Handle Losing Like a Champion
Losing is an inevitable part of sports, but how your child handles losses can shape their confidence, resilience, and long-term success—both on and off the field. In this episode of Raising Athletes, host Rob Taormina
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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9:00
Dad Coach vs. Paid Coach: Which One is Best for Your Young Athlete?
Is a Dad Coach (parent volunteer) or a Paid Coach (club/professional coach) better for your child’s athletic journey? The answer isn't as simple as it seems. In this episode of Raising Athletes, host Rob Taormina bre...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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32:13
Top 6 Struggles Parents Face When Raising Athletes
Raising an athlete is no easy journey—it’s a commitment filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the top six struggles parents face when supporting their young athletes. From managing...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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10:50
Welcome to Raising Athletes: Your Playbook for Navigating Sports With Kids
Welcome to Raising Athletes—the ultimate podcast for parents of young athletes working toward college recruitment and long-term success in sports and life. Hosted by Rob Taormina, a former Division I pitcher, veteran coach, and creator...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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9:12
What is the Positive Grit Method? Building Champions On and Off the Field
In this debut episode of Raising Athletes, we introduce the Positive Grit Method, a transformative approach to athletic development created by Rob Taormina. Rob is a former Division I pitcher at New York Tech, a coach with over 20 year...
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1:00