Especially For Athletes Podcast

Welcome to the Especially for Athletes Podcast for parents, coaches, and athletes. The SPORTLIGHT refers to the time in an athlete’s life when they have increased ability to affect the culture around them and the increased opportunity to learn life’s lessons through sports. This podcast aims to help parents and coaches capitalize on their athlete’s precious time in the “SPORTLIGHT”.

E4A Podcast - E175 - Associate Athletic Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics, Braden Brown Mental health is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation in sports. In this episode of the Especially for Athletes Podcast, we sit down withย Braden Brown, Associate Athletic Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics, to discuss how athletes can train their minds just like they train their bodies. Braden explains why working with a mental health professional can be every bit as valuable as working with a strength coach, nutritionist, or position coachโ€”and why asking for help should be viewed as a commitment to getting better, not a sign of weakness. We also discuss handling pressure and intrusive thoughts, perfectionism and imposter syndrome, competing without becoming combative, the unique pressures facing female athletes, what parents can do to support their kids, and the importance of developing an identity beyond sports. This is an important conversation for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to better understand the mental side of sports. Timestamps: 00:32:17 - Meet Braden Brown: Mental Health at BYU Athletics 00:33:12 - How Mental Health in Sports Has Changed 00:36:01 - What Braden Does With BYU Athletes 00:38:13 - Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health 00:39:27 - Asking for Help Is a Sign of Strength 00:43:08 - Why Elite Athletes Are Talking About Mental Health 00:45:34 - Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body 00:47:13 - Understanding Yourself as an Athlete 00:50:09 - Handling Pressure: Notice, Accept, Commit 00:52:30 - Perfectionism, Anxiety & Imposter Syndrome 00:54:54 - Compete Without Being Combative 00:58:55 - Mental Health & Female Athletes 01:02:32 - What Parents of Athletes Need to Know 01:03:39 - Parents: Listen More, Coach Less 01:05:51 - Talk to Your Kids About More Than Sports 01:07:09 - The Danger of an Athlete-Only Identity 01:08:27 - Who Are You Without Your Sport? 01:14:01 - Building an Identity Beyond Athletics 01:15:52 - How Serving Others Helps Mental Health 01:20:50 - Keep Youth Sports Fun 01:24:41 - Closing Thoughts & Connecting With Braden โธป Especially for Athletes: โ€ข Website: https://e4a.org โ€ข Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ โ€ข X: https://x.com/E4Afamily โ€ข Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathletes/ โ€ข YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbWc7diAvstLMfjBL-bMMQ Join the conversation using #E4APodcast โธป Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith & Shad Martin Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO
E4A Podcast - E175 - Associate Athletic Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics, Braden Brown
August 20, 2026 1:56 pm
Mental health is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation in sports. In this episode of the Especially for Athletes Podcast, we sit down withย Braden Brown, Associate Athletic Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics, to discuss how athletes can train their minds just like they train their bodies. Braden explains why working with a mental health professional can be every bit as valuable as working with a strength coach, nutritionist, or position coachโ€”and why asking for help should be viewed as a commitment to getting better, not a sign of weakness. We also discuss handling pressure and intrusive thoughts, perfectionism and imposter syndrome, competing without becoming combative, the unique pressures facing female athletes, what parents can do to support their kids, and the importance of developing an identity beyond sports. This is an important conversation for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to better understand the mental side of sports. Timestamps: 00:32:17 - Meet Braden Brown: Mental Health at BYU Athletics 00:33:12 - How Mental Health in Sports Has Changed 00:36:01 - What Braden Does With BYU Athletes 00:38:13 - Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health 00:39:27 - Asking for Help Is a Sign of Strength 00:43:08 - Why Elite Athletes Are Talking About Mental Health 00:45:34 - Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body 00:47:13 - Understanding Yourself as an Athlete 00:50:09 - Handling Pressure: Notice, Accept, Commit 00:52:30 - Perfectionism, Anxiety & Imposter Syndrome 00:54:54 - Compete Without Being Combative 00:58:55 - Mental Health & Female Athletes 01:02:32 - What Parents of Athletes Need to Know 01:03:39 - Parents: Listen More, Coach Less 01:05:51 - Talk to Your Kids About More Than Sports 01:07:09 - The Danger of an Athlete-Only Identity 01:08:27 - Who Are You Without Your Sport? 01:14:01 - Building an Identity Beyond Athletics 01:15:52 - How Serving Others Helps Mental Health 01:20:50 - Keep Youth Sports Fun 01:24:41 - Closing Thoughts & Connecting With Braden โธป Especially for Athletes: โ€ข Website: https://e4a.org โ€ข Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ โ€ข X: https://x.com/E4Afamily โ€ข Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathletes/ โ€ข YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbWc7diAvstLMfjBL-bMMQ Join the conversation using #E4APodcast โธป Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith & Shad Martin Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO E4A Podcast - E175 - Associate Athletic Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics, Braden Brown

E4A Podcast - E175 - Associate Athletic Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics, Braden Brown

Especially for Athletes August 20, 2026 1:56 pm

Former BYU safety and current Las Vegas Raiders defensive backย Tanner Wallย joins the Especially for Athletes Podcast to discuss resilience, leadership, mental preparation, and why pursuing excellence in every area of life makes you a better athlete. Tanner shares his remarkable journey from preferred walk-on to All-Big 12 safety, the lessons he learned from Kalani Sitake and Jay Hill, and why competing with respectโ€”not hatredโ€”helps athletes perform at their highest level. In this episode you'll learn: Why great competitors don't need contempt to compete How to gain an edge through intentional preparation Why "how you do one thing is how you do everything" The difference between watching film and studying film How relationships shape your future Why excellence off the field leads to excellence on it Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or fan, this episode is filled with practical principles to help you become your best both on and off the field. Timestamps: 00:32:17 - Introduction 00:33:02 - The Quote: "Always Have the End in Mind" 00:34:32 - The Viral 9U Baseball Video Explained 00:37:37 - The Controversial Appeal That Erased the Home Run 00:40:32 - Why Adults Lose Perspective in Youth Sports 00:45:12 - Coaching Is Teaching, Not Just Winning 00:47:22 - The 10-Year-Old Tennis Story 00:50:17 - Learning to Lose with Character 00:52:42 - What Sports Are Really Supposed to Teach 00:55:52 - Advice for Parents and Coaches 00:59:22 - Final Takeaway: Sports Are a Tool... Don't Be a Tool โธป Especially for Athletes: โ€ข Website: https://e4a.org โ€ข Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ โ€ข X: https://x.com/E4Afamily โ€ข Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathletes/ โ€ข YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbWc7diAvstLMfjBL-bMMQ Join the conversation using #E4APodcast โธป Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith & Shad Martin Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO E4A Podcast - E174 - Tanner Wall, BYU Safety and Las Vegas Raider

E4A Podcast - E174 - Tanner Wall, BYU Safety and Las Vegas Raider

Especially for Athletes July 29, 2026 11:18 am

Every athlete experiences highs and lows. The difference between athletes who continue to grow and those who burn out isn't talentโ€”it's how they think. Former BYU baseball standoutย Bryker Hurdsmanย joins the Especially for Athletes Podcast to discuss the mental side of sports, why staying emotionally steady matters, why athletes should enjoy playing multiple sports, and how focusing on the process instead of the outcome changes everything. In this episode you'll learn: โšพ Why Bryker wishes he had continued playing multiple sports โšพ The importance of developing a daily process โšพ How to stop letting bad games define you โšพ Why confidence comes from disciplineโ€”not results โšพ Lessons from BYU's mental performance coaching โšพ How sports prepare you for life after athletics Whether you're an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode will help you think differently about success. Remember... Eyes Up. Do the Work. Timestamps: 00:32:17 - Introduction 00:35:27 - Meet Bryker Hurdsman 00:37:37 - Why Bryker Wishes He Played More Sports 00:42:12 - The Value of Multi-Sport Athletes 00:44:47 - The Biggest Lessons Sports Teach 00:50:27 - Process Over Results 00:57:02 - The Mental Side of Baseball 01:01:17 - "It's Never As Good As You Think" 01:03:02 - Staying Emotionally Neutral 01:08:17 - Build a Daily Process 01:15:17 - Confidence Through Discipline 01:23:27 - Eyes Up. Do the Work. 01:27:02 - Final Advice for Young Athletes โธป Especially for Athletes: โ€ข Website: https://e4a.org โ€ข Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ โ€ข X: https://x.com/E4Afamily โ€ข Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathletes/ โ€ข YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbWc7diAvstLMfjBL-bMMQ Join the conversation using #E4APodcast โธป Credits: Hosted by Shad Martin & Justin Miller Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO E4A Podcast - E173 - The Mental Game That Separates Great Athletes | Bryker Hurdsman

E4A Podcast - E173 - The Mental Game That Separates Great Athletes | Bryker Hurdsman

Especially for Athletes July 21, 2026 6:11 pm

A brain surgeon recently shared a powerful observation: "If you do too much for your kids, you build your self-esteem by stealing theirs." That one sentence sparked one of our favorite parenting conversations. Why do parents feel compelled to rescue their children from every disappointment? What happens when we remove every obstacle from our athlete's path? And how do we help our children become resilient without abandoning them? In this episode, Shad Martin and Dustin Smith discuss why struggle isn't the enemyโ€”it may be one of life's greatest teachers. If you're raising athletes (or future adults), this episode is for you. Eyes Up. Do the Work. 00:32:17 - Introduction 00:32:47 - The Brain Surgeon's Quote 00:34:32 - Why Parents Naturally Want to Protect Their Kids 00:37:37 - Helicopter Parenting vs. Bulldozer Parenting 00:40:27 - Are We Protecting, or Preventing Growth? 00:44:02 - The Difference Between Harmful Pain and Productive Struggle 00:47:32 - Helping Instead of Rescuing 00:50:37 - Sports as a Laboratory for Resilience 00:53:17 - The Frozen Peach Tree Story 00:56:37 - When Protection Becomes the Problem 00:59:12 - Practical Advice for Parents 01:01:32 - Final Thoughts: Eyes Up. Do the Work. โธป Especially for Athletes: โ€ข Website: https://e4a.org โ€ข Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ โ€ข X: https://x.com/E4Afamily โ€ข Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathletes/ โ€ข YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbWc7diAvstLMfjBL-bMMQ Join the conversation using #E4APodcast โธป Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith & Shad Martin Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO E4A Podcast - E172 - Are Parents Stealing Kids' Self-Esteem? Character Is Built Through Struggle

E4A Podcast - E172 - Are Parents Stealing Kids' Self-Esteem? Character Is Built Through Struggle

Especially for Athletes July 15, 2026 2:16 am

A viral 9U baseball video has parents everywhere talking. After a young player hits what should have been the biggest home run of his life, an opposing coach appeals a technicality that erases the moment. Was it within the rules? Yes. Was it the right thing to do? In this episode, Shad Martin and Dustin Smith discuss what youth sports are really supposed to accomplish. Are we trying to win youth gamesโ€”or raise resilient adults? If you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this conversation will challenge the way you think about competition, teaching, and long-term success. Remember:ย Sports are a tool to shape young people into who they're meant to become. Eyes Up. Do the Work. Timestamps: 00:32:17 - Introduction 00:33:02 - The Quote: "Always Have the End in Mind" 00:34:32 - The Viral 9U Baseball Video Explained 00:37:37 - The Controversial Appeal That Erased the Home Run 00:40:32 - Why Adults Lose Perspective in Youth Sports 00:45:12 - Coaching Is Teaching, Not Just Winning 00:47:22 - The 10-Year-Old Tennis Story 00:50:17 - Learning to Lose with Character 00:52:42 - What Sports Are Really Supposed to Teach 00:55:52 - Advice for Parents and Coaches 00:59:22 - Final Takeaway: Sports Are a Tool... Don't Be a Tool โธป Especially for Athletes: โ€ข Website: https://e4a.org โ€ข Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ โ€ข X: https://x.com/E4Afamily โ€ข Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathletes/ โ€ข YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbWc7diAvstLMfjBL-bMMQ Join the conversation using #E4APodcast โธป Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith & Shad Martin Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO E4A Podcast - E171 - Sports Are a Toolโ€ฆ Don't Be a Tool (Viral Video Every Parent Should Watch)

E4A Podcast - E171 - Sports Are a Toolโ€ฆ Don't Be a Tool (Viral Video Every Parent Should Watch)

Especially for Athletes July 9, 2026 12:51 am

In this week's Especially for Athletes podcast, Shad Martin and Dustin Smith explore one of the foundational principles of Especially for Athletes: Seek to Be Your Best, Not the Best. Through the story of Polish sprinter Ewa Swoboda's emotional celebration after a personal record and Kobe Bryant's powerful perspective on becoming an "overachiever," they discuss why comparison steals joy and how athletes can find lasting fulfillment through growth, effort, and personal improvement. This episode is a powerful reminder that true success comes from maximizing your own potentialโ€”not from measuring yourself against everyone else. Key Takeaways 1. Comparison Is the Thief of Joy Social media has made it easier than ever for athletes to compare themselves to others instead of focusing on their own growth. 2. Personal Progress Deserves Celebration Athletes should celebrate personal bests and growth, even when they don't finish first. 3. Greatness Is About Becoming The greatest athletes focus on maximizing their potential rather than protecting a reputation. 4. Kobe Bryant Was an Overachiever Kobe wanted to be remembered not just as talented, but as someone who maximized every gift he was given. 5. Compete Against Yesterday's Version of Yourself The healthiest comparison is comparing who you are today with who you were yesterday. 6. Fill the Tank, Then Empty the Tank Success comes from fully preparing and then giving everything you have when the opportunity arrives. 7. Appreciation Matters More Than Recognition People need to know they are valued for who they are and the effort they giveโ€”not just the results they produce. 00:32:17 - Introduction 00:33:17 - Why Comparison Is More Dangerous Than Ever 00:36:17 - The Difference Between Being the Best and Being Your Best 00:39:47 - The Story of Polish Sprinter Ewa Swoboda 00:42:32 - Why Athletes Must Celebrate Progress 00:44:17 - How to Avoid Complacency and Discouragement 00:46:47 - Ralph Waldo Emerson and Learning From Others 00:50:17 - Kobe Bryant's Final Interview 00:53:17 - Becoming an Overachiever 00:56:47 - Progress Over Outcomes 00:59:17 - Coaching Athletes to Celebrate Growth 01:03:17 - Appreciation vs Recognition 01:07:17 - Fill the Tank, Then Empty the Tank 01:09:47 - Final Thoughts 01:10:17 - Eyes Up, Do the Work โธป Especially for Athletes: โ€ข Website: https://e4a.org โ€ข Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EspeciallyForAthletes/ โ€ข X: https://x.com/E4Afamily โ€ข Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/especiallyforathletes/ โ€ข YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmbWc7diAvstLMfjBL-bMMQ Join the conversation using #E4APodcast โธป Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith & Shad Martin Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO E4A Podcast - E170 - Seek to Be Your Best, Not the Best

E4A Podcast - E170 - Seek to Be Your Best, Not the Best

Especially for Athletes June 30, 2026 6:00 am

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