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 JonesGuest: Dr. Jason RonaiEpisode 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: Feeling of trying your best Coach treats players with respect Getting playing time Playing well as a team Getting along with teammates 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 Focus on helping others - This is the foundation of real leader