Episode Description
I’ve been around sports my entire life. I’ve covered some of the biggest games on the biggest stages. But there’s something uniquely intense, and uniquely tender, about youth sports. Because when it’s your child out there, everything feels different.
Jeff Francoeur knows that shift firsthand. Jeff has seen the game from every angle: 12 years in the majors, a World Series appearance, and now a career in broadcasting. But the most revealing perspective? Watching his own daughter look toward him after a strikeout.
In this episode, Jeff opens up about youth sports culture, early burnout, and the mental side of athletics we don’t talk about enough. He shares the moment his daughter told him he crushed her confidence, and how that changed everything about the way he coaches. Jeff also shares about how these experiences led to Pure Athlete and a passion for helping others focus on what matters in youth sports.
We talk about travel teams, unrealistic expectations, the pressure parents feel, and why middle school is a pivotal turning point. Most of all, we talk about letting kids develop a love for the game before layering on performance.
What You’ll Discover:
- Watching your own kid step to the plate (07:54)
- What kids actually want from sports (11:16)
- The three stages of youth sports development (13:28)
- Why passion has to come first (27:07)
- The “hat off” rule for the car ride home (29:02)
- Jeff’s thoughts on specializing in youth sports (47:38)
At its core, this episode isn’t just about baseball or youth sports. It’s about protecting joy. It’s about perspective. It’s about remembering that the goal isn’t just raising strong athletes; it’s raising confident, resilient humans.
If this episode makes you rethink your next sideline moment, share it with a fellow parent. And if you’re loving these honest conversations, subscribe, rate, and review Things No One Tells You.
Check out more from Jeff Francoeur and Pure Athlete:
Follow Pure Athlete on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pureathleteinc/
Follow Pure Athlete on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pureathleteinc
Subscribe to their show on Apple Podcast and Spotify
Check their website: PureAthlete.com
Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefffrancoeur/
You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SBBYDyYLQlI
For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/jeff-francoeur-35
TNOTY Episodes Mentioned in Interview:
“Staying Grounded in the NFL Spotlight with Colts QB Daniel Jones” https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/daniel-jones-23
“Winning the Indy 500 with Álex Palou” https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/alex-palou-03