Raising Athletes cover art

Raising Athletes

Raising Athletes

By: Rob Taormina
Listen for free

About this listen

Raising Athletes is the ultimate guide for parents supporting their young athletes on the journey toward college recruitment and beyond. Hosted by experts in sports development, recruiting, and mental performance, this show provides actionable advice, inspiring stories, and practical tools to help parents navigate the competitive world of youth athletics. From goal-setting and skill development to navigating the recruiting process, Raising Athletes is your trusted playbook for helping your child achieve their athletic dreams while building character and resilience.

Order your copy of the PGM Athlete Performance Planner: www.PGMAthlete.com

© 2025 Raising Athletes
Baseball & Softball Parenting & Families Personal Development Personal Success Relationships
Episodes
  • Turning Weekend Losses Into Long-Term Wins
    Jun 9 2025

    Send us a text

    The wheels have fallen off. Your child's team just lost every game at the weekend tournament. No one played well, parents are frustrated, and kids feel defeated. What now?

    These moments test the character of young athletes, coaches, and sports parents alike. While the natural reaction might be disappointment or even questioning team placement, this episode reveals why these seemingly disastrous weekends might be the greatest gift your young athlete will receive in their sports journey.

    Drawing wisdom from sports history (even the legendary 1927 Yankees lost 44 games!), we unpack specific strategies for athletes, teams, and parents to transform tournament defeats into powerful growth opportunities. Athletes need space to decompress, reflect, and refocus. Teams benefit from honest acknowledgment without emotional criticism. Parents play a crucial role by encouraging effort over outcomes and maintaining positive perspectives about coaches and teammates.

    The real value lies in understanding that sports setbacks build resilience that transfers far beyond the playing field. Champions aren't defined by uninterrupted success but by how they respond when facing adversity. Your athlete is now gifted with the opportunity to write their comeback story—one that will make them stronger, more resilient, and better equipped for challenges throughout life.

    Ready to help your athlete bounce back stronger? Listen now to discover how to frame failure as fuel instead of trauma, and why quitting is never the answer when facing athletic disappointment. The toughest weekends often precede the greatest breakthroughs in both performance and character development.

    Order your copy of the PGM Athlete Performance Planner - www.PGMAthlete.com

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pgmathlete/

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PGMAthlete

    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • Why Every Young Athlete Needs Baseline Testing ⚾🥎 | Exit Velo, Arm Strength & More
    May 28 2025

    Send us a text

    Ever wondered how to truly measure your child's athletic progress beyond game scores or batting averages? The answer lies in baseline data – a powerful but often overlooked tool that transforms how young athletes develop their baseball and softball skills.

    In this eye-opening episode, we dive into why metrics matter for young players aged 10-18. Beyond just numbers on a page, baseline measurements like exit velocity, throwing speed, and agility times create a roadmap for athletic development that benefits players, coaches, and parents alike. These aren't arbitrary figures – they're guideposts that college recruiters and scouts actively look for when evaluating talent and projecting future potential.

    What makes baseline testing truly transformative is its psychological impact. When young athletes can literally see their progress through improved metrics, it creates a powerful motivation cycle that keeps them engaged during the challenging moments of sports development. Rather than waiting weeks for game performance to reflect their hard work, metrics provide immediate feedback and validation. This visibility builds confidence, creates healthy self-competition, and teaches athletes to connect effort with results – arguably the most valuable lesson sports can offer.

    We share practical insights about implementing regular testing (ideally quarterly), documenting progress visually, and using tools like athlete performance planners to track development. For parents and coaches committed to supporting young athletes, this episode provides the framework for informed decision-making about training priorities and realistic developmental expectations. As we emphasize throughout – you can't manage what you don't measure, and measurement is the first step toward mastery. Ready to give your young athlete the competitive edge they deserve? Listen now and discover how data transforms potential into performance.

    Order your copy of the PGM Athlete Performance Planner - www.PGMAthlete.com

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pgmathlete/

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PGMAthlete

    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • When Opportunity Knocks: How I Bought a Training Facility.
    May 14 2025

    Send us a text

    "Have you ever seen the movie We Bought a Zoo? Well, I just bought a baseball and softball training facility."

    What happens when parental support meets opportunity? In this deeply personal episode, I share my recent decision to purchase a training facility near our home—a move that aligns perfectly with my triplets entering ninth grade and their growing passion for baseball, softball, and volleyball.

    This acquisition represents something far more significant than a business venture. It embodies the core philosophy I advocate for all sports parents: creating environments where our children can flourish. When our kids display the magical combination of interest, skill, and passion for a sport, our responsibility shifts from spectator to facilitator.

    For some families, this might mean traveling farther for the right team or investing in specialized coaching. For others, it could involve making sacrifices to provide better competitive opportunities. Whatever form it takes, our role as parents is to honestly assess our children's abilities and desires, then surround them with the support systems that maximize their potential for success.

    The reality is that age or circumstances will eventually determine when competitive play ends for everyone. Until that moment arrives, I believe in giving our young athletes every reasonable opportunity to develop—not just as players, but as individuals who understand discipline, passion, and excellence. What opportunities are you creating for your young athlete today?

    Subscribe to Raising Athletes and join our community of parents committed to supporting young athletes in reaching their full potential both on and off the field.

    Order your copy of the PGM Athlete Performance Planner - www.PGMAthlete.com

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pgmathlete/

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PGMAthlete

    Show More Show Less
    8 mins

What listeners say about Raising Athletes

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.