Join Chat By The Pitch for an inspiring chat with Akeem Gordon, founder of VMR Academy (Vision Meets Reality) and a former football player turned elite speed and agility trainer. From his journey playing college football and pro stints in the NFL and CFL, Akeem pivoted to training athletes in Texas, specializing in soccer players' mechanics, acceleration, and mindset. We dive into assessing young athletes, building proper running form, the role of high-energy coaching, and advice for parents on fostering athletic development. Packed with real-talk insights on turning vision into reality! Subscribe on Spotify, follow @ChatByThePitch on X. Key Talking Points • Akeem's athletic journey from Chicago to pro football and founding VMR Academy. • Transitioning from training football to soccer players, focusing on mechanics like arm movement and foot placement. • Assessing athletes through drills, emphasizing safety, results, and family-like environment. • Importance of high energy in coaching to match and elevate kids' performance. • Common issues in youth athletes: improper running, tablet dependency, and lack of problem-solving skills. Tune In to Learn Tune in to learn how Akeem Gordon transforms athletes by building proper mechanics, mindset, and speed for game-changing performance on the pitch. Quotes from Akeem Gordon • “Proper repetition equals efficiency.” • “It's not the drill that people are paying for. It's the person behind it.” • “My energy is way higher than theirs because I want them to know that most trainers are putting people through drills that they can't do.” • “In order to make crazy plays, we gotta train crazy.” • “You're paying for the experience.” • “Your speed is different than mine. So you're gonna think you're right until you meet someone like me.” • “I guarantee within the first three sessions, you'll see what you're looking for.” • “This is the place to make a mistake. Once you start playing in the game, mistakes have to be very limited.” • “I see potential that you don't see nor feel.” • “The same way you do anything is how you should do everything.” Connect with Akeem Gordon 📲 Instagram: @vmracademy 📘 Facebook: VMR Academy 🐦 X: @vmracademy 🎥 TikTok: @vmracademy 📍 Facility: 5034 Hopkins Rd, Krum, TX 76249 Follow Chat By The Pitch 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe and Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders. #ChatByThePitch #AkeemGordonInspires #SportsPodcast #YouthSoccer #SpeedTraining #AgilityDrills #SoccerMechanics #AthleteDevelopment #Motivation #SportsTalk #TrainerLife #VisionMeetsReality #TeamBuilding #Leadership #SoccerCoach

In Part 2 of Chat by the Pitch with Nate Baker, founder of The Developer’s Way, we dive deeper into the broken U.S. youth soccer system and how to fix it. Nate discusses the dehumanization of players, treated as “slabs of meat” with expiration dates rather than “slabs of clay” to be molded into masterpieces. Through personal stories, like his daughter’s resilience on stage, Nate illustrates how coaches and parents can champion small wins to build lasting values. He shares insights on creating player-centric environments that prioritize potential over short-term results. Tune in for a powerful discussion on fostering resilience, joy, and growth in youth soccer! Key Talking Points • Broken Soccer System: Despite infrastructure growth, U.S. soccer produces fewer top-level American players due to a focus on talent accumulation over development. • Humanizing Players: Nate advocates for seeing players as individuals with endless potential, fostering environments that prioritize growth and resilience. • Celebrating Small Wins: Nate’s story of his daughter overcoming stage fright highlights how celebrating resilience over results builds lifelong values. • Aligning Parents and Coaches: Educating parents and coaches to align with a club’s vision ensures players stay engaged, reducing dropout rates and sustaining development. Tune In to Learn Tune in to learn how Nate Baker’s player-centric approach at The Developer’s Way transforms youth soccer by championing resilience, values, and potential, offering practical steps for parents and coaches. Quotes from Nate Baker • “The game is no longer for the players. It’s been flipped, serving coaches, administrators, and egos instead.” • “Winning is just taking that next step and staying in the game.” • “We’re not developing players; we’re giving the impression they’re being developed.” • “Kids need environments where someone believes in their potential and pushes them to keep going.” • “My daughter froze on stage, came back, and finished. That’s the greatest win I’ve ever seen.” Connect with Nate Baker • 📲 Instagram: @thedevelopersway • 🌐 Website: The Developer’s Way • 🐦 X: @NateBakerCoach Follow Chat by the Pitch • 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch • 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch • 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe and Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat by the Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders. #ChatByThePitch #NateBakerInspires #YouthSoccer #SoccerDevelopment #CoachingCulture #PlayerPotential #Resilience #SoccerParents #Leadership #TeamBuilding

Join Chat by the Pitch for Part 1 of an inspiring conversation with Nate Baker, founder of The Developer’s Way and director at Achilles Football Club in Washington, D.C. Nate shares his journey from a youth soccer player captivated by the 1994 World Cup to a coach redefining U.S. soccer culture. We dive into the overuse of “development” in youth sports, exploring how a culture vision rooted in values, combined with a playing vision and game vision, creates a path to unlock players’ endless potential. Nate offers actionable insights for parents and coaches to foster environments where kids grow as athletes and people. Tune in for a fresh perspective on moving beyond the win-at-all-costs mentality! (126 words) Key Talking Points • Nate’s Origin Story: Inspired by the 1994 World Cup, Nate’s Division I and USL career led to his mission to address suboptimal coaching environments through The Developer’s Way. • Redefining Development: Development moves players toward their potential through a culture vision (values and resilience), playing vision (technical/tactical skills), and game vision (applying both in matches), iterated over time. • Parent-Player Unity: Educating parents and players as one unit aligns expectations with a club’s vision, sustaining long-term growth and reducing pressure. • Challenging Short-Term Focus: Nate critiques the win-at-all-costs mentality, advocating for a culture that prioritizes joy, resilience, and holistic growth over weekend results. Tune In to Learn Tune in to learn how Nate Baker’s philosophy at The Developer’s Way redefines youth soccer by emphasizing culture, values, and potential, offering parents and coaches a roadmap for transformative development. Quotes from Nate Baker • “Development is taking a person, a player, and moving them as close to their potential as possible.” • “Everyone has potential. You can’t define it, and it’s an endless horizon we’re always pursuing.” • “If you don’t teach culture, you don’t really teach anything.” • “The game is not about the match on the weekend in its finite form. It’s about how you take the lessons and build into the next week.” • “Parent plus player equals one person. You have to educate both together.” Connect with Nate Baker • 📲 Instagram: @thedevelopersway • 🌐 Website: The Developer’s Way • 📧 Email: [Contact via website] • 🐦 X: @NateBakerCoach Follow Chat by the Pitch • 🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch • 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch • 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe and Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat by the Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders. #ChatByThePitch #NateBakerInspires #YouthSoccer #SoccerDevelopment #CoachingCulture #PlayerPotential #Resilience #SoccerParents #Leadership #TeamBuilding

In Part 2 of our series with Dan Abrahams, we go deep on practical tools for parents and coaches: game faces, match scripts, divergent questions, and creating mentally resilient players. If you've ever wondered how to truly support your child emotionally on and off the pitch, this episode is your blueprint. 🔑 Key Talking Points • What a "Game Face" is and why even Premier League stars use them • The power of match scripts and why three cues are better than ten • How divergent questioning unlocks player self-awareness • Why creativity, emotion, and reflection are critical in sport development • The neuroscience behind confidence and performance 📌 Tune in to learn How to use simple psychological tools to help your child take ownership of their performance—and fall in love with the process. 💬 Quotes from Dan • "You can’t think for your child. They have to work it out themselves." • "The best players in the world construct their own world—why can’t your kid do the same?" • "Tiger, lion, Terry—metaphors shape how our brains behave. That’s why Game Face works." • "Divergent questions are how you coach without coaching. It’s how you listen louder." • "Match scripts are more than mantras—they’re brain hacks for peak focus." • "The worst thing a parent can do? Be the voice inside their kid’s head they didn’t ask for." • "You want your child thinking, ‘What does aggressive vocal tiger look like today?’" • "Confidence is built on cues, not wishes." • "There’s a reason sports psych is everywhere in the pros—because it works." • "Mental training isn’t optional—it’s the fourth leg of the performance table." 📲 Connect with Dan Abrahams 📷 Instagram: @danabrahamssport 📘 Facebook: Dan Abrahams Soccer Academy 🌐 Website: www.danabrahams.com 🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch: 🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe and Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders. #DanAbrahams #GameFace #MatchScript #SoccerParenting #MentalTraining #SoccerDevelopment #YouthSportsPsychology #PerformanceMindset #ChatByThePitch #RaisingPlayersRight

In Part 1 of our powerful two-part conversation, we welcome renowned sports psychologist Dan Abrahams to Chat By The Pitch. With over 30 years in high-performance sport and clients ranging from Premier League stars to F1 drivers, Dan breaks down how our culture around youth soccer is failing young athletes. From misguided sideline behavior to a broken obsession with early winning, Dan gives us a blueprint for healthier environments focused on joy, development, and lifelong participation. 🔑 Key Talking Points Why winning should never be the priority in early youth soccer How parents and coaches impact performance psychology, often unknowingly The bio-psycho-social model and how it applies to kids on the pitch Culture-building at clubs and how it shapes player outcomes What true development looks like, and how parents can get out of the way 📌 Tune in to learn How the world’s top athletes win by not focusing on winning, and what that means for your child’s soccer journey. 💬 Quotes from Dan "It baffles me why adults think they have to introduce children to sport through the prism of winning and losing." "Let’s begin at the beginning: soccer should start with fun, enjoyment, and participation." "Your child is not a mini adult. Your child has a child’s brain in a child’s body." "So many kids quit sport not because they’re losing—but because they’re no longer enjoying it." "Culture isn't just a buzzword—it's the operating system of every club, every team, every sideline." "We have to start by letting kids fall in love with the game." "The mental side isn’t a luxury; it’s the core of long-term development." "The behaviors you see on the field are just the tip of the biopsychosocial iceberg." "We’re not raising champions. We’re raising humans through soccer." "Coaches need to be more than technical experts—they need to be emotional architects." 📲 Connect with Dan Abrahams 📷 Instagram: @danabrahamssport 📘 Facebook: Dan Abrahams Soccer Academy 🌐 Website: www.danabrahams.com 🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch: 🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe and Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders. #DanAbrahams #YouthSoccerCulture #SportsPsychology #SoccerParents #CoachingMatters #BioPsychoSocial #MentalSideMatters #PlayerDevelopment #ChatByThePitch #SoccerEducation

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian Babcock sits down with Rey Torres, founder of PAYD FC (Professional Academy of Youth Development), to unpack the heart behind one of Mesquite’s most intentional independent clubs. From his own journey as a player to his philosophy as a coach, Rey explains how he’s building PAYD not just to win, but to shape lives through culture, consistency, and a commitment to development. We dive deep into what makes PAYD different—from how they blend personal training with club play, to their structured off-season and in-season programming, and why he believes Classic League remains the gold standard for Texas youth soccer. Rey talks about developing players from age 5 to U18, how promotion and relegation fuels growth, and what it takes to truly prepare a player for college or the pros—without selling out to flashy badges or trendy leagues. 🧠 Key Talking Points: • Rey’s path from West Mesquite to founding PAYD FC • The meaning of Professional Academy of Youth Development • Why starting young builds stronger bonds and smarter players • A breakdown of PAYD’s dual-track model: club + personal training • The philosophy of training by season, not just by week • How promotion/relegation in Classic League shapes competition • Building a player-first pathway aligned with US Soccer values • Preparing players for opportunities: ODP, MLS Next, and beyond • Why club culture and parental education go hand-in-hand • PAYD’s long-term vision: agents, growth, and purpose-driven expansion 🔍 Tune in to learn: • Why small, development-focused clubs like PAYD matter now more than ever • How training cycles should mirror professional soccer preparation • The hidden value of loyalty, culture, and community in youth sports • How Rey Torres prepares players for the next step—and then helps them get there • What truly separates PAYD from “alphabet league” culture 🗣️ Quotes from Rey: “Classic League is the best league competitive-wise here in the Metroplex, specifically because of promotion and relegation.” “I don’t want to lose players either, but if it’s for the right situation, I feel better about it.” “Our goal is to take players from the rec level all the way to the professional level—on a structure built around development and culture.” “We're not just a club—we're a training system, a mentorship program, and one day an agency.” “If you're doing things the right way, you're gonna be seen. You don’t need a big badge.” “It all starts with culture. That’s what made me successful in business, and now it’s why PAYD thrives.” “I’m the first coach most of these kids have ever had—that bond is different.” “The goal isn’t just to win; it’s to build. Win the right way.” “If you're ready for MLS Next, we’ll take you there. But not just to say you’re there—when it’s the right time.” “I ground my feet. Where we are today is built on doing it slow, right, and with purpose.” 📲 Connect with Rey Torres Instagram: @paydfc | @paydtraining Facebook: @paydfc | @payd Email: Torresrey9@yahoo.com 🎙️ Follow Chat By The Pitch 🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe and Leave a Review: Love the episode? Make sure to subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and leaders shaping the future of the game. #ChatByThePitch #PAYDFC #YouthSoccerDevelopment #TexasSoccer #SoccerCulture #PlayerPathways #ClassicLeague #IndependentClubs #SoccerTraining #BuildFromTheGroundUp

In this powerful episode of Chat By The Pitch, we welcome Victor Jaramillo of SportXplore Travel to peel back the curtain on one of the most frustrating parts of youth sports: the "stay to play" tournament model. Victor breaks down how families are being squeezed by hotel schemes, what really goes on behind those “official travel partner” links, and how clubs, coaches, and parents can push back without risking their players' spots. Whether you're new to the travel game or a seasoned parent navigating another tournament season, this conversation is your roadmap to informed decisions, financial clarity, and better experiences for your team. 📌 Key Talking Points What “Stay to Play” really means and how it impacts families financially How the hotel cost structures are inflated—and who benefits The leverage clubs do have, but rarely use How to negotiate hotel rates without being a travel agent The importance of communication between parents, coaches, and club leadership Real examples of tournaments that rejected the system and thrived Why language barriers create a bigger issue in tournament logistics Tips on navigating cancellation policies and refund traps How Victor leverages his travel agency to advocate for families What it will take for the youth sports community to change the system 🎧 Tune In To Learn How to identify red flags in tournament lodging agreements The exact questions to ask your team manager before the season starts Why “going rogue” might be the only way to regain control How clubs and parents can work together to break the cycle What Victor believes is the tipping point to fix youth travel culture 💬 Quotes from Victor Jaramillo “A hundred-dollar hotel rate can turn into $180 overnight—and the quality often doesn’t match the cost.” “Parents are being held hostage by a system they don’t understand and didn’t choose.” “The teams that reject ‘stay to play’ and choose their own path? I respect that deeply.” “This isn’t just about saving money—it’s about building trust, clarity, and fairness.” “Tournaments bake kickbacks into hotel prices, and families are left paying the bill without knowing.” “The players may speak English fluently, but their parents might not—and that silence creates a power imbalance.” “You have power as a customer, but the system counts on you not realizing that.” “I’m not here to make a quick buck. I started SportXplore Travel to solve a real problem.” “It’s time for big clubs to take a stand and say, ‘We’re not playing by these rules anymore.’” “Never arrive. Stay ready, stay learning, and stay in the fight for what’s right.” 📲 Connect with SportXplore Travel 📷 Instagram: @sportsxplore_travel 📘 Facebook: sportsxplore_travel 📧 Email: v.jaramillo@sportsxtravel.com 🌐 Website: sportsxtravel.com 🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch 🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch 📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch 📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch 🎧 Subscribe and Leave a Review: Support the show by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform and leaving a review—it helps us bring more voices like Victor’s to light.#YouthSoccer #PayToPlay #StayToPlay #TournamentTravel #SoccerParents #ClubCulture #TeamLogistics #YouthSportsReform #TravelSoccerTruth #ChatByThePitch