Be Valiant - Powered by Valiant Sports Society

REVISITED: Mark Hilinski on Athlete Mental Health, Suicide Prevention & the Conversations That Can Save Lives

Some conversations are too important to be heard only once. This week, we're revisiting one of the most impactful episodes of Be Valiant with Mark Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski's Hope and father of former Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski. After losing Tyler to suicide in 2018, Mark and his wife Kim turned unimaginable grief into a national movement dedicated to improving mental health awareness, education, and support for student-athletes. Through Hilinski's Hope, they have reached hundreds of college campuses and helped spark critical conversations about mental health in sports. In this powerful discussion, Mark shares the story of Tyler's life, the warning signs that weren't obvious, the lessons learned as a sports parent, and what families, coaches, and athletes can do to create environments where asking for help is not only accepted—but encouraged. We also explore athlete identity, the pressures of competitive sports, the importance of multi-sport participation, the role parents play in supporting their children's emotional well-being, and why mental health conversations should begin long before a crisis occurs. Whether you're a parent, coach, athlete, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of young people, this is a conversation that deserves your attention. Key takeaway: "Let's not let the crisis be the first time we talk about it." Learn more about Hilinski's Hope at Hilinskishope.org [https://www.hilinskishope.org]. Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. PlayFearless.org [https://www.playfearless.org] Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show. © 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

Revisited: Hall of Fame College Basketball Coach Charli Tuner Thorne; Mental Health, Toughness & Youth Sports Culture

Former Arizona State women's basketball coach and Hall of Famer Charli Turner Thorne joins Valiant Sports Society CEO Todd Merkow for one of the most important conversations Be Valiant has had about youth sports, mental health, coaching culture, and parenting. Over a 25-year coaching career at ASU, Charli built nationally respected programs centered not just on performance, but on mental wellness, emotional resilience, leadership, and athlete development. In this Mental Health Awareness Month re release, she shares what parents, coaches, and athletes urgently need to understand about today's sports environment. Topics include: * The growing mental health challenges facing young athletes * Why injuries can trigger anxiety, depression, and identity loss * The difference between healthy toughness and harmful pressure * What parents should (and shouldn't) say after games * How coaches impact athlete mental health far beyond the scoreboard * Why multi-sport athletes are often healthier mentally and physically * The danger of "fear of other people's opinions" in today's youth sports culture * Why parents should ask colleges about mental health support during recruiting * The importance of culture, joy, balance, and purpose in sports Charli also opens up about her own experiences as a sports parent, the evolution of her coaching philosophy, and why she believes the best coaches develop the whole person — not just the athlete. This episode is a powerful reminder that youth sports should build confidence, resilience, connection, and joy — not fear, burnout, or emotional harm. Guest: Charli Turner Thorne - Former Ariozna State University Women's Basketball Coach Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show. © 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

Revisiting Madison Merkow: Injuries, Pressure & Mental Health in Youth Sports

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we're revisiting one of the most personal and important conversations we've had on Be Valiant. Todd sits down with his oldest daughter, Madison Merkow, for an honest discussion about the emotional realities of youth sports; including pressure, injuries, recruiting, confidence, identity, burnout, and the mental health struggles that often go unseen by parents, coaches, and teammates. Madison shares her journey from indoor volleyball to beach volleyball, the impact injuries and concussion had on her confidence and mental well-being, the pressure surrounding college athletics, and why so many young athletes lose their love for the game. Together, Todd and Madison explore: * the emotional toll of injuries in sports * fear and confidence after concussion * recruiting pressure and college expectations * supportive vs harmful coaching environments * the importance of communication at home * how parents can better support their athletes emotionally * preserving joy in youth sports This episode is a raw parent-athlete conversation designed to help families better understand the mental and emotional side of competitive sports. If you're a parent, coach, or athlete navigating the pressures of youth sports, this conversation matters. Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show. © 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

I Lost Myself After Youth Soccer: Sydney Merkow's Story of Identity Loss, Eating Disorder, Anxiety & Healing

Content Note: This episode includes discussion of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm thoughts, and mental health struggles related to youth sports. In this deeply personal episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down again with his daughter Sydney to talk about what happened after her youth soccer journey ended. Sydney opens up about identity loss, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, eating disorder struggles, and the painful process of finding herself beyond the sport that once defined her. This conversation is honest, emotional, and necessary for parents of youth athletes. Sydney shares what she wishes parents understood, how pressure builds silently, why athletes often hide their struggles, and how healing became possible through therapy, writing, self-reflection, and learning to reconnect with joy. Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show. © 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.

Linda Flanagan: What Youth Sports Can Be (Part 2)

In this follow-up conversation, Linda Flanagan returns to Be Valiant to move beyond the problems in youth sports and focus on what parents can actually do to create a better experience for their kids. After unpacking what youth sports has become in Part 1, this episode shifts to a more empowering conversation—centered on perspective, priorities, and the choices families can make to take back control. Linda shares real-world insights from her experience as a parent, coach, and author of Take Back the Game, including how to navigate pressure from clubs, how to think about specialization, and why outcomes like college sports and elite competition are often misunderstood. We also explore what true "success" in youth sports really looks like—and why it has far more to do with long-term health, enjoyment, and identity than wins, rankings, or scholarships. This episode dives into: • Why stepping back can actually benefit your child's development • How to evaluate team culture and coaching environments • The importance of multi-sport participation and avoiding burnout • What parents should prioritize when making youth sports decisions • How to help kids maintain a healthy identity beyond their sport Linda also shares a powerful reminder for parents: youth sports are not as important as they've been made to feel—and that realization can be incredibly freeing. If Part 1 helps you understand the system, this conversation is about navigating it with more clarity, confidence, and intention. Because youth sports doesn't have to stay what it is today—it can be something better. Watch this Epsiode Here [https://youtu.be/y8pcpvAYLn4] Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society Powered by Valiant Sports Society Be Valiant. Play Fearless. www.PlayFearless.org Valiant Sports Society is a non-profit organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child's health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show. © 2026 Valiant Sports Society. All rights reserved.