Managing the MADness is a collection of interviews with the parents of youth athletes.
My name is Tim Meyer and I’m the owner of MAD Training, a personal training studio located in Cedar Park, Texas that focuses on youth sports performance and adult fitness.
After 12+ years as a personal trainer to youth athletes from various sports backgrounds, the one common denominator is that all of my clients have well-intentioned, supportive parents that want to raise happy, healthy, and successful student-athletes. These are their stories about navigating the highs and lows of youth sports.
In the final episode of our 3rd season, Coach Tim sits down with Clinical Assistant Professor Logan Schwartz of the University of Texas. Logan teaches in the Kinesiology Department and has had several coaching positions in college, professional, and the private strength training worlds.
In this interview, we discuss the college students that he works with and the challenges they face in deciding the professional field they wish to enter after graduation. While the education he provides them is extremely important, the bulk of our discussion is centered on helping students develop the softer skills of interpersonal professions like coaching and physical therapy. Recognizing that students need to learn how to communicate effectively and to be able to empathize with others is actually more important than what they learn in books. A great chat that will help incoming freshman and their parents get a better look at how great college professors are teaching these days.
21 Jan 2025
Always Getting Better - Johnny Foss
Today you’ll meet Johnny Foss, head swim coach for McNeil High School. He’s held this role for over 20 years and has earned a wonderful reputation for being not only an outstanding coach, but an amazing mentor as well.
We discuss how the power of positive thinking and doing the small, daily tasks add up to achieving the goals that his swimmers set for themselves. It’s a great chat about how following through on goal-setting, despite the hard work required to get there, helps set kids up for fantastic futures.
9 Dec 2024
It Takes Sacrifice - Sophia Schevers
Sophia Schevers, Director of Sting Austin FC, shares her philosophy of teaching athletes to sacrifice the small stuff for the greater good, empowering them to succeed at higher levels.
29 Oct 2024
Growing the Legend - Alex Olivares
In this episode, Coach Tim sits down with Alex Olivares, the Academy Director of High Performance for Austin FC. Originally from Spain, Alex discusses his move to the US and how he moved his way up to training high level youth soccer players.
He shares his philosophy on how he engages his athletes to think for themselves and take action in developing their own careers as a professional soccer player. His interview offers fantastic insight into how young athletes become better professionals in their sport.
7 Oct 2024
Consistency is Key - John Howie
In the first episode of our third season, Coach Tim speaks with John Howie, the head boys basketball coach for Pflugerville Connally High School.
Coming off a fantastic season which saw them unexpectedly go to the state playoffs, Coach Howie talks about how he establishes trust with his athletes and the wisdom he shares in helping kids from a challenging upbringing succeed after high school.
17 Jan 2023
Riding the Roller Coaster - Makenna Garcia
In the final episode of our second season, Coach Tim sits down with Makenna Garcia, a former goalkeeper at Auburn University who has just completed a transfer to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. A former standout at Lonestar Soccer Club, Makenna’s journey has certainly been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. From winning not only a high school state title, competing for a club soccer national title, to being recruited and signed by a Division 1 school, she’s also suffered two ACL tears and had to grind her way back to the field. Her story is one of perseverance, hard work, struggle, and ultimately, faith.
20 Dec 2022
The Definition of Grit - Maddie and Sydney Sheehan
In this episode, you’ll meet sisters Maddie and Sydney Sheehan. Both were standout youth athletes in their respective sports, volleyball and soccer. Raised in Cedar Park, Texas, they both earned Division 1 scholarships to schools outside their home state. However, after successful starts to their college careers, both Maddie and Sydney suffered career-ending concussions within months of one another and decided to move back home to finish their education. Their story revolves around learning how to deal with adversity, finding your voice and standing up for yourself, and how the bonds of family draw in even closer and prop you up when things don’t go the way you expected. A great listen for any parent or athlete looking to play at the college level or bouncing back from an injury.
6 Dec 2022
Trust the Process - Tate Jackson
In the highly competitive sport of swimming, Tate Jackson has seen it all. A nationally ranked youth swimmer, a college national champion, and a former pro and member of team USA, Tate has a lifetime of experience to share. In this interview, he talks about the massive support his family gave him in pursuing his dreams, his non-traditional recruiting process and stellar college career, and gives tons of great advice to young athletes on how to handle the ruthlessly tight margins and grueling life of a swimmer.
8 Nov 2022
Breakfast of Champions - Sophie (Taylor) Walsh
In this episode, you’ll meet Sophie Walsh, an Austin-area soccer standout, Auburn University alum, and elementary school teacher. Coach Tim and Sophie discuss how her parents supported her dream of playing college soccer, how club soccer helped prepare her for the rigors of college sports, the ups and downs of being a college athlete, and her favorite pre-training meals that she shared with her dad while growing up. This open and honest interview is a great story of how loving and positive parents can raise someone to be both a highly talented athlete and a wonderful human being.
24 Oct 2022
Dropping the Bat - Marion Watkins
For the second season of our podcast, we’ve flipped the script and we’re talking with former youth athletes about the roles their parents played in supporting their sporting endeavors. In this episode, Coach Tim talks to Marion Watkins, a personal trainer at MAD Training, and former University of Texas lacrosse standout. This Houston native pulls back the curtain and talks all about her youth exploits, multiple ACL tears, and how her parents helped shape her into the person she is today through patience and understanding. There are tons of fun stories in this one, so sit back and enjoy!
13 Apr 2022
Treating Kids Fairly - Kevin McHorse
In this episode, you’ll meet Kevin McHorse, a physical therapist for young athletes and father of two. We discuss his approach to raising two athletic daughters and how he helped them deal with hardships that they faced. We take a deep dive into two common injuries he sees, Osgood-Schlatter’s and Sever’s Disease, and how best to treat them. And Kevin also gives his perspective on how parents should balance their child’s injuries and playing time. This insightful conversation with a well respected medical professional is a great listen for any parent looking to help their kid feel and play their best.
6 Apr 2022
Playing the Long Game - Vince Padua
In this episode, you’ll meet Vince Padua, father to Sam and Ben. Having grown up on the golf course, both boys have been making a name for themselves in the junior golf ranks for a few years now. Listen in as Vince shares some great insight into managing sibling rivalry, dealing with major brand sponsorships, and how he’s put a priority on raising good kids who also happen to be good golfers.
30 Mar 2022
Blending Cultures - Cleo Cooke
In this episode, you’ll meet Cleo Cooke, father to Hiro and Mako. At the heart of our conversation, we talk about the strategies Cleo and his wife Chikako used in raising children in a dual culture (American and Japanese) environment. You’ll also get some great insight into how you can help your child navigate the world of youth baseball.
23 Mar 2022
Fighting Your Way to the Top - Chad Brown
In this episode, you’ll meet Chad Brown, a soccer dad to two daughters, Chloe and Ally. During our chat, we go deep into the world of club soccer and follow Ally’s rise through the ranks to earning a college scholarship. There are setbacks and challenges along the way, but Chad’s balanced and measured approach was clearly a key to helping Ally achieve her goal. This conversation is a great listen for any parent trying to help their kid compete at the next level!
16 Mar 2022
Following the Dream - Anne Grieshop
In our first episode, you’ll meet Anne Grieshop. Anne is the mother of Jack, Ryan, and Sean. At the heart of their story is the move the family made to allow Sean to follow his dream of collegiate swimming and how Anne helped manage three boys’ scholastic and athletic careers.
21 Apr 2020
Managing the MADness (Trailer)
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100
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Social presence
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YouTube
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Engagement
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