Game Changers: Athlete Edition – Episode Show Notes
The Secret to Youth Sports Leadership: Why Helping Others Beats Winning Every Time – Part 2

Hosts: Kortney Harmon & Julie Jones
Guest: Dr. Jason Ronai
Episode Type: Part 2 of Leadership Discussion

Episode Overview

In this powerful continuation of our leadership conversation, Dr. Jason Ronai joins hosts Kortney Harmon and Julie Jones to dive deep into what real leadership looks like in youth sports. This isn’t your typical leadership discussion – it’s a research-backed exploration of how helping others becomes the foundation of authentic leadership development.

Key Topics Discussed
The Environment Effect on Youth Athletes

• Dr. Ronai shares a fascinating story from the Navy Baseball Leadership Camp
• How parental presence in the stands dramatically changed player behavior
• The impact of external voices on young athletes’ decision-making
• Creating growth-oriented environments free from distractions

The Truth About Why Kids Play Sports

• Research reveals children choose sports for fun and friends – not opinion, but fact
• What “fun” actually means to youth athletes (spoiler: winning was ranked 48th)
• The top 6 reasons kids find sports fun:
  1. Feeling of trying your best
  2. Coach treats players with respect
  3. Getting playing time
  4. Playing well as a team
  5. Getting along with teammates
  6. Being active

The Youth Sports Crisis

• 70% of youth athletes drop out by age 13 because it’s “no longer fun”
• The $40 billion youth sports industry and what it’s breaking
• How exclusionary travel sports impact community leagues
• The importance of sport sampling vs. early specialization

Redefining Leadership for Young Athletes

• Leadership isn’t about titles or being the star
• The power of helping others as the foundation of leadership
• How helping prevents negative behaviors like tantrums and self-pity
• Building relationships that lead to superior team performance

Research-Backed Benefits

• Children with higher ACE scores (adverse childhood experiences) show better mental health outcomes when playing team sports
• Multi-sport participation leads to longer athletic careers
• The physical and mental benefits of diverse athletic experiences

Practical Parenting Strategies

• Developing family core values around sports participation
• Fighting against external validation culture
• Creating intrinsic motivation rather than outcome-focused thinking
• Simple mantras: “I’m safe, I’m empowered, I’m loved, I can do hard things”

The Real Numbers Game

• What parents focus on: Winning (48th), Tournaments (63rd), Private instruction (66th)
• What kids actually want: Fun, friends, respect, playing time, teamwork
• 96-98% of youth athletes won’t receive college scholarships

Notable Quotes

“Great leaders are honest, competent, inspiring, forward looking individuals and choose to be poised, growth oriented, conscientious competitors who positively impact people and organizations in order to achieve mission driven results that exceed expectations.” – Dr. Jason Ronai

“It’s impossible to help and be a jerk at the same time.” – Dr. Jason Ronai

“We don’t play to win because if we played to win, I would have quit coaching immediately.” – Julie Jones

Guest Information

Dr. Jason Ronai is a district athletic director for 17 high schools in Chicago, overseeing approximately 400 coaches. He’s a former Division 1 baseball and basketball player with professional baseball experience. Dr. Ronai is the author of “Endless Teachable Moments: An Expression of the Art and Education of Sport,” which combines essays and poetry to capture the transformative power of athletics.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: “Endless Teachable Moments: An Expression of the Art and Education of Sport” by Dr. Jason Ronai
• Available on Amazon and other book retailers
• International Journal of Coaching Science research on youth motivation
• ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) test research

Key Takeaways for Parents and Coaches

1. Focus on helping others – This is the foundation of real leadership
2. Establish family values around sports participation early
3. Prioritize fun and friendship – these are the real reasons kids play
4. Support multi-sport participation as long as possible
5. Create environments where kids can fail and learn without judgment
6. Fight against external validation culture
7. Remember the statistics – most kids won’t get scholarships, so focus on life lessons

Call to Action

• Reflect on your family’s core values around sports participation
• Consider how you can help young athletes focus on helping others
• Support local community leagues and inclusive sports programs
• Share this episode with other parents and coaches who could benefit

DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional coaching or mental health advice. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining advice from qualified professionals because of something you may have heard in an episode of Game Changers: Athlete Edition. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional coaching, mental performance, or medical advice. Please consult with qualified professionals for proper evaluation and guidance specific to your situation. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions. Neither the Game Changers: Athlete Edition hosts nor any company providing support endorses or opposes any particular training, coaching, or treatment methods discussed in the episodes. They are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The strategies, tips, and information shared in this podcast are based on the hosts’ experiences and professional expertise, but results may vary. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.