Episode 64: Michael Lippert (Former soccer coach, current realist) 🎙 In this episode: Michael Lippert brings the unfiltered voice of truth to Youth $ports. Known for saying the hard things most people avoid, Lippert challenges long-held assumptions about pay-to-play, professional coaches, and the upside-down pyramid of youth sports. His central thesis? “Everything in youth sports today is better than it used to be… except the players.” 🔹 The Core Truth Despite more money, resources, and opportunities, players aren’t necessarily improving. 🔹 The Pay-to-Play Distraction Lippert argues the real problem isn’t pay-to-play…it’s parents avoiding accountability. 🔹 Parents Have No Excuse With today’s access to information, parents can’t claim ignorance about the youth sports landscape. 🔹 Coaches for a Living vs. Coaches in the Community Are full-time “professional” coaches better—or are they incentivized to keep parents happy at all costs? 🔹 The Exodus of Good Coaches Community-rooted coaches are leaving, replaced by those chasing club paychecks and multiple teams. 🔹 The 10,000-Hour Trap Malcolm Gladwell’s concept gave parents permission to overtrain kids with “no days off” pressure. 🔹 Cult-Like Club Culture Lippert likens clubs to cults: everyone doing the same thing, no one asking hard questions. 🔹 The Upside-Down Pyramid Youth sports should have the widest base in recreational play, but instead the elite tier has ballooned. 🔹 Talent Always Finds a Way If a kid is truly exceptional, politics won’t stop them from being noticed. It’s not rocket science…It’s obvious on the field. 🔹 Fun, Health, and Longevity Too often, if kids aren’t “college-track,” parents push them out instead of letting them simply enjoy sports. 🔹 The Productive Contrarian Lippert positions himself as the realistic voice among past guests. “I love you Ally, but there’s been some insane people who have come on your podcast…”