Valiant Sports Society

Rapid Fire with Joel Votaw!

What’s the most common thing referees hear from the sidelines? Harder to manage — parents or coaches? And what can parents actually do that helps the referee?

We put veteran soccer referee and Arizona Soccer Association State Referee Administrator Joel Votaw on the spot for Be Valiant Rapid Fire.

A little fun — and some insight from someone who sees youth soccer from a very different perspective: the middle of the field. ⚽️

🎙️ Hear Joel’s full Be Valiant Rewind and find more free resources for sports parents at the link in bio. https://playfearless.org/episodes/joel-votaw-the-view-from-the-middle-of-the-field

HEY SPORTS PARENT: Two things every parent should know about raising a healthier athlete.

Sports medicine physician Dr. Eric Dean's advice is refreshingly simple:

Let your child play multiple sports for as long as possible. And give them real time off.

Why?

Young bodies are still developing. Growth plates are still open. Repeating the same movements year-round increases the opportunity for overuse injuries — and kids need mental breaks, too.

As Dr. Dean points out, even the professional athletes he treats take time away from their sport.

Our kids should, too.

And through all of it, make sure they're still having fun.

🎙️ Hear the full conversation with Dr. Eric Dean on Be Valiant. https://www.playfearless.org/episodes/dr-erik-dean-what-the-body-is-telling-you

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

Rapid Fire with Dr. Erik Dean, sports medical professional and former sports parent. 🔥

What’s the most common youth sports injury Dr. Dean sees?

Which injury worries him most?

What sport do parents underestimate when it comes to injury risk?

And what’s a red-flag phrase he never wants to hear from a young athlete?

Dr. Dean’s answers are quick — but there’s a lot here for sports parents to think about.

Especially this one:

“My mom or dad is making me play.”

🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Dr. Erik Dean on Be Valiant.
https://playfearless.org/episodes/dr-erik-dean-what-the-body-is-telling-you

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

Hey Sports Parents...What does it mean to Be Valiant in your youth sports journey?

Dr. Erik Dean offered a perspective every sports parent should hear: always have your child’s best interests at heart — and understand that if they want to stop, if the sport is no longer enjoyable, or if they don’t reach the next level, that’s absolutely okay.

Youth sports can provide incredible experiences and lifelong lessons without ending with a college roster spot.

Sometimes being valiant means supporting the pursuit.

Sometimes it means being willing to let it go.

🎙️ Hear the full conversation with Dr. Erik Dean on Be Valiant. https://playfearless.org/episodes/dr-erik-dean-what-the-body-is-telling-you

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

Hey Sports Parent — remember the 3 F’s.

FUN. FRIENDS. FEEDBACK.

Andrew Beinbrink shared research pointing to three core reasons high school athletes play sports: they want to have fun, be with their friends, and get feedback on how they’re doing.
Not scholarships.
Not rankings.
Not the top club team.
Fun. Friends. Feedback.

It was worth repeating during our conversation—and it’s worth remembering the next time the pressure and expectations of youth sports start taking over.
Sometimes the best thing we can do as sports parents is remember why our kids wanted to play in the first place.

🎙️ Andrew Beinbrink on this week’s Be Valiant Rewind.
Watch, listen and go deeper at https://www.playfearless.org/episodes/andrew-beinbrink-failure-is-an-ingredient.

🔥 RAPID FIRE with Andrew Beinbrink

Pressure showed up at 10 years old.

Something parents worry about too early? Being on the top club team.

A mistake families make about college sports? Falling in love with the brand instead of the fit.

A habit that separates athletes who thrive? The ability to let go of failure.

And the one word he hopes kids associate with sports when they’re adults?

Joy.

Former Arizona State University and professional baseball player and SportsForce Founder & CEO Andrew Beinbrink takes on Be Valiant Rapid Fire.

🎙️ This week’s Be Valiant Rewind.

Watch, listen and go deeper at PlayFearless.org.

What does it mean to Be Valiant?

For Andrew Beinbrink, it comes down to pursuing your purpose with values and passion.

That idea runs throughout our conversation with Andrew—from his journey as an Arizona State and professional baseball player to the lessons he now shares with athletes and families navigating youth sports and college recruiting.

Develop. Compete. Learn from failure. Find the right fit. And don't lose sight of why you started playing in the first place.

🎙️ This week’s Be Valiant Rewind features Andrew Beinbrink, Founder & CEO of SportsForce.

Watch, listen and go deeper at https://www.playfearless.org/episodes/andrew-beinbrink-failure-is-an-ingredient

Hey Sports Parents...

IDENTITY LOSS. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOUR ATHLETE.

Most parents worry about injuries.

Far fewer realize that one of the biggest risks in youth sports isn't physical—it's when an athlete begins to believe their value depends on their performance.

Former Division I baseball player Will Proctor lived that reality. In this powerful moment, he shares what happened when baseball became more than just a game.

This clip comes from Part 3 of our special three-part Be Valiant series with the Proctor family.

🎙️ Watch or listen to Will's full episode—and explore free resources created specifically for sports parents—at:
https://www.playfearless.org/episodes/will-proctor-you-are-more-than-your-sport

Because better-informed sports parents create healthier outcomes for young athletes.

💙 Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

⚡ Be Valiant Rapid Fire with Will Proctor

Quick questions. Honest answers.

From the biggest pressure he faced to the advice he'd give today's athletes and parents, Will Proctor's Rapid Fire reveals the perspective of someone who chased an elite dream, faced unexpected adversity, and found purpose beyond the game.

This clip comes from Part 3 of our special three-part Be Valiant series with the Proctor family.

🎙️ Watch or listen to the complete series—and explore free resources for sports parents—at:https://playfearless.org/episodes

Because better-informed sports parents create healthier outcomes for young athletes.

💙 Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

What does it mean to Be Valiant?

For former DI baseball player and student athlete, Will Proctor, it isn't about avoiding obstacles.

It's about overcoming them and continuing to show up.

After chasing his dream of professional baseball, navigating performance anxiety, and seeing his career unexpectedly end because of injury, Will found a new purpose—and a new perspective on resilience.

This powerful moment comes from Part 3 of our special three-part Be Valiant series with the Proctor family.

🎙️ Watch or listen to the complete three-part series—and explore free resources created specifically for sports parents—at:https://playfearless.org/episodes

Because better-informed sports parents create healthier outcomes for young athletes.

💙 Be Valiant. Play Fearless.