Re-Release: Madison Merkow — Pressure, Perspective, and Owning Your Youth Sports Journey
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Release Date: 01/01/2026
Part 3 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Will Proctor, The Athlete’s Voice
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In the final episode of the three-part series “When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes,” Todd Merkow sits down with longtime family friend Will Proctor to hear the athlete’s full story—after earlier conversations with Will’s parents, Jeff and Lisa Proctor. Will shares how sports shaped his identity from a young age, how baseball became his obsession, and how early success brought elite opportunities—and intense, self-imposed pressure. He opens up about the anxiety that quietly built behind the scenes, the moment everything shifted during his senior year of high school under heavy...
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Part 2 of 3 - When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Lisa Proctor, A Mother’s Perspective
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In Part 2 of 3 of When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes, Todd Merkow sits down with Lisa Proctor—attorney, former ranked junior tennis player in Texas, marathoner, and the mother at the center of the Proctor family’s youth sports journey. Lisa shares her own athletic story first: a highly competitive tennis career that unraveled in her senior year as she struggled with what we now recognize as the “mental game” and the yips—long before mental health support was part of the sports conversation. That lived experience shaped how she approached parenting two very different athletes:...
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Part 1 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Jeff Proctor, A Dad’s View
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In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow is joined by longtime friend, sports media executive, and Valiant Sports Society board member Jeff Proctor for the first conversation in a three-part family series examining youth sports, pressure, injury, and identity. From Jeff’s perspective as a former collegiate athlete and father of two, this episode explores what it’s like to support a child navigating elite youth and collegiate sports—often without fully realizing the mental and emotional weight they are carrying. Jeff reflects on his own upbringing in a very different sports era,...
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Jody Jackson: Sports, Youth Sports Parenting, and Perspective
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In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with longtime Arizona sports broadcaster and sports parent Jody Jackson for a candid conversation about navigating youth sports, competition, and mental health. Jody shares her unique perspective as a former collegiate athlete and the parent of two high-level youth athletes—a quarterback and a pitcher—two of the most pressure-filled positions in sports. Together, they explore the realities of club volleyball and club softball, the emotional toll of tryouts, early specialization, coaching dynamics, and the financial and mental strain...
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Mark Hilinski: What Parents Don’t See — Student-Athlete Mental Health and Hilinski’s Hope
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In this powerful and deeply human episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with Mark Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski’s Hope and father of Tyler Hilinski, the Washington State quarterback who died by suicide in 2018. Todd opens with the sobering reality that college sports continues to face devastating losses—reminding listeners that high-achieving athletes can carry unseen mental and emotional weight. Mark takes us back to the Hilinski family’s youth sports journey: three athletic sons, a multi-sport upbringing, and the family-centered culture that many sports parents will...
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Re-Release: Madison Merkow — Pressure, Perspective, and Owning Your Youth Sports Journey
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As we take a short holiday pause from releasing new episodes, we wanted to re-share another conversation that continues to resonate deeply with parents and athletes. This episode features an open and thoughtful conversation with my oldest daughter, Madison, about her youth sports experience — including pressure, expectations, confidence, setbacks, and how athletes learn to advocate for themselves as they grow. Madison shares her perspective on: Navigating competitive environments Managing pressure — internal and external The importance of perspective and balance Finding...
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Re-Release: Sydney Merkow — Identity, Pressure, and Finding Your Way Through Youth Sports
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As we head into the holiday break and take a brief pause from releasing new episodes, we wanted to re-share one of the most meaningful conversations from the Be Valiant podcast. This episode features an honest and deeply personal conversation with my daughter, Sydney Merkow, about her youth sports journey — including identity, pressure, expectations, confidence, and the emotional realities that often go unseen by parents, coaches, and even athletes themselves. We’re re-releasing this episode because the themes remain timeless: How pressure shows up for young athletes How identity can...
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Kirsten Jones: A Conversation on the Importance of the 3 F’s and Empowering Athletes
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Host Todd Merkow talks with Kirsten Jones — former Division I volleyball player, Nike executive, performance coach, and author of Raising Empowered Athletes — about what it really takes to help kids thrive in sports and in life. Drawing on her experiences as both a parent and professional, Kirsten shares insights into confidence, mental health, motivation, and how to redefine success in youth athletics. Together, Todd and Kirsten explore how parents can model resilience, create healthier home cultures, guide their kids with perspective in an often high-pressure sports world, and the...
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Coaching Beyond the Game: Leadership and Legacy with Charli Turner Thorne, former Arizona State University Women’s Basketball Coach
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Host Todd Merkow sits down with former Arizona State University women’s basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne — one of the winningest coaches in Pac-12 history — for a powerful conversation about leadership, culture, and the evolving landscape of youth and college sports. Charlie shares insights from decades of coaching elite athletes, discusses the mental and emotional challenges young players face today, and offers guidance for parents navigating their kids’ sports journeys. Together, they explore what great coaching really means, how to build confidence instead of fear, and why...
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Taking Back the Game: A Conversation with Author, Youth Sports Advocate, and Sports Parent, Linda Flanagan
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In this powerful conversation, Todd Merkow sits down with journalist, coach, and parent Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids’ Sports — and Why It Matters. Together, they unpack what the modern youth sports ecosystem really looks like — from the billion-dollar pressures on families to the hidden toll it takes on kids’ mental health. This book is a must have, and go to, for parents starting out and in the thick of their youth sports journey. Todd and Linda explore how families can redefine success at home, create healthier...
info_outlineAs we take a short holiday pause from releasing new episodes, we wanted to re-share another conversation that continues to resonate deeply with parents and athletes.
This episode features an open and thoughtful conversation with my oldest daughter, Madison, about her youth sports experience — including pressure, expectations, confidence, setbacks, and how athletes learn to advocate for themselves as they grow.
Madison shares her perspective on:
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Navigating competitive environments
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Managing pressure — internal and external
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The importance of perspective and balance
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Finding ownership in your journey, even when the path isn’t clear
We’re re-releasing this episode because these themes are evergreen, especially for families reflecting during the holidays and preparing for a new season or year ahead.
If you’re a parent trying to better understand what your athlete may be feeling — or an athlete learning how to find your voice — this conversation is worth revisiting.
Originally released: October 22, 2025
Re-released: Holiday 2025 as part of our year-end reflection and reset
New episodes of Be Valiant return in January 7th, 2026.
Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society
Powered by Valiant Sports Society
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Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child’s health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.
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