In this episode of Sports Will Save Us All, Sasha Graham sits down with Ryan Downey—athlete, coach, and executive director of East Atlanta Kids Club—for a dynamic conversation about the power of sports to shape lives and build communities.

Ryan shares his journey through soccer, rugby, and Aussie rules football, and how those experiences fueled his commitment to youth development and nonprofit leadership. From the challenges of working in underserved communities to the importance of resilience, Ryan explains why sports are more than just games—they’re tools for transformation.

If you care about kids, community, or the future of sports, this episode is for you.

Sports fam, you can Ryan on Instagram @RDowney404 and @EastAtlantaKids, If you are in the Atlanta area and are interested in learning more about the kids club please visit EastAtlantaKids.org.

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Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Want to be a guest on Sports Will Save Us All? Send Sasha Graham a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/16966997407772582e273f473 or via email, SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com.

Sasha's guest today is Henry Abbott, a fellow child of the Oregon countryside who grew up to become an NBA fanatic, an award-winning journalist, the leader of ESPN’s 60-person NBA digital and print team—and now, the author of a groundbreaking new book, Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance.

In this lively and insightful conversation, Henry and Sasha explore the powerful intersection of sports, movement, and injury prevention. They talk about the biomechanics behind athletic performance, the joy of movement rooted in our childhood experiences, and the surprising ways storytelling shapes our understanding of sports. Henry shares key insights from Ballistic, including the role of personalized training, how the wrong footwear can derail performance, and why embracing play is essential—not just for athletes, but for anyone who moves.

Sports fam, you can find lots more info about Henry online at www.HenryAbbott.com, and his book, “Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance” is available right now wherever you buy your books.

Join our Sports Fam online!

Instagram: @sportswillsaveusall

Website: www.SportsWillSaveUsAll.com

Want to be a guest on Sports Will Save Us All? Send Sasha Graham a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/16966997407772582e273f473 or via email, SportsWillSaveUsAll@gmail.com.

In today's 10-Minute Take, Sasha opens up about how sports can been a powerful source of strength, inspiration, connection, and motivation—especially during life’s toughest moments.