Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society

Be Valiant: The Podcast for Fearless Sports Parenting is a thoughtful, real-world guide for those navigating the complex and emotional world of youth sports. Hosted by Todd Merkow, the founder and CEO of Valiant Sports Society, the show brings together a wide range of voices — from parents who’ve been in the trenches, to former youth athletes now reflecting on their journeys as adults, to experts in mental performance, physical health, and orthopedic care. Coaches, trainers, and thought leaders join the conversation to share firsthand insights on what young athletes truly need to thrive — and why parent education is essential to that success. With a focus on honesty, growth, and fearless support, Be Valiant empowers parents to lead with purpose, patience, and perspective — increasing the likelihood that their kids not only develop in healthy, positive ways but also have the most fun possible along the way.

Part 3 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Will Proctor, The Athlete’s Voice 02/04/2026

Part 3 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Will Proctor, The Athlete’s Voice 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 scouting attention, and how mental strain can derail performance even when the talent is there. Will then takes listeners through college baseball at the University of Georgia, an unexpected transition from infielder to pitcher, and a rapid rise that put him back on a pro trajectory—until a devastating shoulder injury changed everything. He describes the physical pain, the emotional fallout, the identity loss that followed, and the difficult process of letting go of the game he loved. Today, Will has built a new path as a filmmaker—carrying the discipline and drive from sports into creative work, including his documentary project American Daredevil. This episode is a powerful reminder for parents and athletes: your sport is something you do, not who you are—and the journey matters more than the outcome. Be Valiant. Play Fearless. Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. 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. © 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved. /episode/index/show/b8fd253f-19f8-4339-a207-378d8d6cac9f/id/39952470

Part 2 of 3 - When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Lisa Proctor, A Mother’s Perspective 01/28/2026

Part 2 of 3 - When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Lisa Proctor, A Mother’s Perspective 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: Hannah, who played with a healthier, more social mindset, and Will, whose discipline, drive, and identity became deeply tied to baseball. This episode goes behind the highlight reel and into the moments families rarely discuss: the pressure of MLB scout attention in high school, confidence swings, the intensity of SEC baseball, and the reality that athletes often hide anxiety behind toughness. Lisa describes the period leading into Will’s shoulder injury—how quickly the dream shifted, what it was like to be in Athens as everything changed, and how difficult it was to watch the physical setbacks fuel emotional weight. She also reflects candidly on parenting differences—how she and Jeff processed the end of Will’s baseball career differently—and why “checking in” matters more than checking stats. Lisa’s message for parents is direct and earned: talk to your kids, pull out what they’re really feeling, and remember it’s their journey. This conversation sets the stage for Part 3, where the story is told by Will himself—the athlete living it. Listen next: Part 3 of 3 — Will Proctor: The Athlete’s Voice. Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. 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. © 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved. /episode/index/show/b8fd253f-19f8-4339-a207-378d8d6cac9f/id/39799135

Part 1 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Jeff Proctor, A Dad’s View 01/21/2026

Part 1 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Jeff Proctor, A Dad’s View 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, the evolution of youth sports today, and how early success, scholarships, and professional attention can quietly introduce pressure long before failure appears. The conversation follows Jeff’s son Will’s journey from multi-sport athlete to elite baseball prospect, including national rankings, SEC competition, and MLB draft attention—before a devastating injury altered everything. Jeff candidly shares what he saw, what he missed, and what he learned as a parent watching from the outside, particularly around mental health, anxiety, and identity loss when the game ends. This episode sets the foundation for the series, which continues with Part 2 (the mother’s perspective) and concludes with Part 3 (the athlete’s voice)—offering a rare, multi-angle look at the realities families face when chasing big sports dreams. This episode is for parents, athletes, and coaches who want a more honest understanding of what youth sports success really looks like—and what it can cost if we’re not paying attention. Listen next: Part 2 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Lisa Proctor, A Mother’s Perspective Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. 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. © 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved. /episode/index/show/b8fd253f-19f8-4339-a207-378d8d6cac9f/id/39791315

Jody Jackson: Sports, Youth Sports Parenting, and Perspective 01/14/2026

Jody Jackson: Sports, Youth Sports Parenting, and Perspective 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 placed on families. The conversation also highlights the importance of character, resilience, and perspective—reminding parents that athletic performance does not define a child’s value. Jody reflects on moments of adversity her children faced, how they learned to bounce back, and why allowing kids to own their journey is essential for long-term growth and well-being. This episode is a powerful reminder that youth sports should build confident, healthy human beings—not just athletes. Key Takeaways for Parents Athletes are human beings first: Performance does not define worth. Pressure positions amplify mental stress: Quarterbacks and pitchers carry unique emotional burdens. Specialization isn’t always the answer: Multi-sport exposure and balance matter. Club sports demand vigilance: Politics, finances, and culture can overshadow development. Let kids own their journey: Parents should guide, not dictate. Resilience is built through adversity: Struggles often teach more than success. College paths are not one-size-fits-all: Club sports can be a fulfilling alternative. Be present: The sidelines, the bleachers, and the quiet moments matter more than parents realize. Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. 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. © 2025 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved. /episode/index/show/b8fd253f-19f8-4339-a207-378d8d6cac9f/id/39718655

Mark Hilinski: What Parents Don’t See — Student-Athlete Mental Health and Hilinski’s Hope 01/07/2026

Mark Hilinski: What Parents Don’t See — Student-Athlete Mental Health and Hilinski’s Hope 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 recognize—practice fields, carpools, snack bars, and the joy that sports can bring. He describes Tyler as the “Mr. Happy” teammate: a funny, caring, relentlessly positive presence who made others feel seen, often by focusing on them instead of himself. The conversation then turns to the questions that haunt so many families after tragedy: What did we miss? What signs were there? Mark shares how few indicators surfaced—and how Tyler’s struggles remained largely invisible until the very end. He also discusses Tyler’s posthumous diagnosis of CTE Stage 1, the uncertainty around what causes CTE and how it manifests, and how those findings shaped difficult conversations about risk, identity, and athlete brain health. Finally, Mark explains how Hilinski’s Hope transformed grief into action—creating campus education, resources, and Student-Athlete Mental Health Week, now embraced by hundreds of schools nationwide. For parents listening, Mark offers a core message: don’t let a crisis be the first time mental health is discussed. Build the habit early. Make every topic safe. Trust your gut when something feels off. And remember that sport can be a gift—when the athlete’s whole person is protected, not just their performance. Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. 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. © 2025 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved. /episode/index/show/b8fd253f-19f8-4339-a207-378d8d6cac9f/id/39635595