The podcast created for the car ride to and from your child's athletic event. The Athletic Commute is the go-to resource for parents of youth athletes. Focusing on the critical aspects of sports and athletics, this podcast explores the areas that shape a youth athlete’s development during their playing career.
From nutrition and mental health, to physical training and sleep, you’ll get practical tips and advice from top experts on how to empower and support your youth athlete.
Concussion Safety for Youth Soccer Players: When in Doubt, Sit Them Out
Host John Ciampa interviews licensed athletic trainer Brett Gustman about recognizing concussion symptoms and prioritizing player safety in youth soccer.
16 Apr 2026
What Actually Matters at Tryouts
In this episode, host John Ciampa explores one of the most important and impactful periods of youth soccer: the tryout process. Drawing from years of coaching experience, John breaks down what coaches look for during tryouts. From effort and attitude to decision-making and response to mistakes, this episode gives players and parents a clear understanding of what truly stands out.
The episode also addresses the mental side of tryouts, helping players manage pressure and focus on what they can control, as well as the role parents play in navigating through this process. This is a valuable listen for any family during the tryout season. Whether it’s your first experience, or one of many, understanding the process can help reduce stress and improve performance.
24 Feb 2026
What Players Wish Parents Knew: The Car Ride Conversation That Matters
The car ride to and from a game might be the most powerful moment in youth sports.
In this episode of The Athletic Commute, host John Ciampa explores how conversations between parents and players before and after competition can shape confidence, emotional regulation, and long-term development.
Featuring real quotes from youth athletes, this episode dives into what actually helps players perform, why timing matters more than content, and how simple shifts in language can build trust instead of pressure.
Because long after the score is forgotten, players remember how they felt in the car.
Listen in for practical takeaways every sports parent can apply immediately.
11 Dec 2025
The Power of Communication in Youth Sports with Dr. Jen Fry
This episode of The Athletic Commute dives into one of the most critical factors in youth sports development: communication. Understanding how athletes talk, lead, and connect on the field can dramatically improve performance, team culture, and overall athletic growth.
Dr. Jen Fry, a leading expert in communication, culture, and conflict in sport, draws from her background as a former athlete, collegiate coach, and global consultant, Jen breaks down how strong communication skills improve teamwork, reduce conflict, build leadership, and elevate competitive performance.
Players will learn why communication is a non-negotiable skill in team sports and how to use their words clearly and confidently during training and competition. Parents will gain practical tools for supporting healthy communication, self-advocacy, and leadership development in their young athletes.
13 Nov 2025
The Final Whistle featuring Michael Roman: Lessons Former Pros Want Young Athletes to Know
Michael Roman, former U.S. Youth National Team player and UCLA/University of Louisville standout, shares insights from his youth journey, college soccer career, professional experience, and his work as a sports performance coach with Racing Louisville FC, Angel City FC, and the U.S. Youth Girls National Teams.
This episode is a must-listen for youth players and parents who want to understand the demands of competitive soccer, long-term player development, and the habits that shape success. Michael explains how mentorship, consistency, and resilience influenced his growth and how those same lessons can guide the next generation of young athletes striving to reach their potential.
16 Oct 2025
Rethinking ‘Eating Clean’: Building Healthier Relationships with Food and Performance
Renee McGregor shares actionable insights on youth athlete nutrition, under-fueling, and how to nurture healthy eating habits without triggering disordered eating. She draws on her work with adolescent athletes, elite performers, and sports organizations to guide parents and athletes toward balanced performance and long-term well-being.
11 Sept 2025
From Poolside to Podium: Coaching Katie Ledecky and Raising Olympians with Bruce Gemmel
Bruce shares lessons on mindset, embracing failure, and guiding both his own children and Olympic champion Katie LeDecky to the world stage
14 Nov 2024
A Professional Scout's Perspective: Advice on How to Navigate a Youth Soccer Career
Richard Gunney, Director of Scouting and Roster Development for NWSL pro team Gotham FC, joins John Ciampa in a discussion on talent identification and skill development in soccer. In this episode you'll learn about what it takes to be a high-performing soccer player and what coaches look for when developing talent and making selections for their roster. Richard's experience as a professional coach and scout provides a special behind the scenes look at how to be a top performer.
8 Oct 2024
An Athlete's Dinner Plate: Eating Right for Athletic Success
Leslie Bonci, licensed sports dietitian and nutritionist, joins the Athletic Commute podcast to discuss proper eating habits and dieting for youth athletes. Listen in to learn how to fuel properly to be your best on the field and how to become your own chef in the kitchen with simple, affordable, and good tasting meals.
10 Sept 2024
Injury Recovery and Prevention in Youth Athletics
Kevin Boyle, director of Explosive Performance, joins John Ciampa in a discussion on injury recovery and prevention in youth athletics. In this episode you’ll learn about the influence of sleep, nutrition, and hydration on injuries, the consequences of over training, the debate of specializing too early in sports, and more. Kevin provides several excellent takeaways along with practical advice and stories on his 20+ year career in youth and professional athletics.
Inside a recent episode
Concussion Safety for Youth Soccer Players: When in Doubt, Sit Them Out
Published 24 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] As we look at the need for immediate removal, we understand that those athletes that actually continue to play with symptoms have a nine times greater likelihood of a prolonged recovery, right? That's one of the biggest factors that we've learned is if you get hit and you stay in play that day, even if you don't get hit again, your chances of taking longer to get back on the field go up significantly. So that old adage that we grew up with of when in doubt, sit them out has really been proven scientifically, and we have research to back that. So The idea and the knowledge that we have to pass along to our athletes and to our coaches that can maybe see some of these symptoms or signs appearing with some of our athletes is, hey, the quicker we get out, the likelihood is the faster we'll get back in the game. […]
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