Breaking the Sports Stigma with Grant H. Paulsen

Raising Resilient Adults, Not Just Athletes with Jonathan Carone

In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Philip Reynolds talks with Jonathan Carone, creator of Healthy Sports Parent, about shifting how parents view youth sports. They argue that our goal isn’t to produce elite athletes but to raise resilient adults — letting kids fail, learn, and grow so sports become training for life rather than a measure of identity. Jonathan and Philip cover practical advice for parents and coaches: prioritize relationship over results, treat the scoreboard as data not identity, communicate clearly with coaches, rotate kids through positions to aid development, and remind children that parental love and pride are unconditional. They also discuss modern pressures like rankings, social media, and NIL, and why creating a healthy environment matters to keep kids in sport and thriving long-term.

The Trap with Taking Shortcuts with Toshay Harvey

In this episode of Beyond The Game, host Phillip Reynolds sits down with former Division I basketball player Toshay Harvey for a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, and the responsibility of giving back. Growing up in the projects and navigating the challenges that came with it, Toshay shares his journey to Division I basketball while carrying personal hardships, loss, and setbacks that few people around him fully understood. He reflects on the lessons learned through adversity, the mental and emotional challenges athletes often face in silence, and how those experiences ultimately shaped his purpose beyond the game. Toshay offers candid advice for young athletes and their families on navigating today’s sports landscape, from choosing the right college program and evaluating coaching culture to avoiding the traps of chasing rankings, constant transfers, and shortcuts to success. He emphasizes the importance of academics, character development, and building an identity that extends beyond athletics. The conversation also highlights Toshay’s work through Longway Academy, where he is helping develop the next generation of athletes through discipline, accountability, emotional intelligence, and mentorship. Together, they discuss breaking the stigma around mental health, the importance of asking for help, and why preparing athletes for life after sports may be the most important coaching responsibility of all. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, coach, or mentor, this episode is a reminder that success is about far more than what happens on the court—it’s about who you become along the way.

Who's Protecting Our Athletes with Shanay Howard

Former D1 athlete and school counselor Shanay Howard discusses how academics, identity and mental health must be prioritized alongside athletic development. She breaks down the effects of NIL, social media, reclassification and coaching culture, and explains why parents and coaches should protect young athletes’ emotional safety. Key takeaways: build consistent habits early, define success beyond pro dreams, treat visibility as separate from true development, and center academics and well‑being to keep long‑term opportunities open.

Athletes Facing Identity Crisis: From Being a Player to Soldier with Aida Bakhos

In this episode of Beyond The Game, former professional basketball player and U.S. Army veteran Aida Bakhos shares her extraordinary journey from Beirut to the United States in pursuit of basketball, purpose, and personal growth. After competing professionally and representing Lebanon on the international stage, Aida balanced the demanding worlds of elite athletics and eight years of military service in the U.S. Army — all while navigating identity, pressure, leadership, and life beyond the game. Aida opens up about the lack of mentorship she experienced throughout her journey, how discipline and faith became anchors during difficult moments, and why travel and cultural experiences helped shape her perspective on resilience and self-worth. She also reflects on coaching middle school athletes, the responsibility adults have in shaping young people, and why athletes must build an identity beyond sports before the game ends. Together, the conversation explores mental health, transition, leadership, and the importance of preparing athletes for life — not just competition. This episode is for athletes, coaches, veterans, and anyone navigating pressure, purpose, and personal reinvention beyond performance.

The Cost of Winning Young with Coach Steve Turner

Coach Steve Turner joins CLSI's Beyond the Game to discuss the growing mental health challenges facing athletes and the responsibility of coaches, parents, and schools to develop the whole person—not just the player. They cover NIL, transfer portal pressures, family dynamics, and why winning alone can’t replace guidance, balance, and long-term development. Turner emphasizes listening, relationship-building, allowing productive struggle, and seeking professional help when needed, offering a clear call for adults to prioritize care, resilience, and education so athletes thrive on and off the court.   00:00 Introducing Copious Life Sports Initiative 03:07 Coach Turner's accomplishments and philosophy 06:22 Early coaching experiences 12:14 Building lasting mentorship relationships 14:50 Balancing academics and athletics 18:25 Debating high school athlete compensation 21:02 Coaching beyond athletics 25:17 Athlete mental health challenges 27:11 Guiding young athletes' development 32:04 Coaches prioritizing health and stress management 35:37 Creating a safe space for athletes 38:24 Mental health pressure on athletes 41:27 Supporting young athletes' mental health 44:55 The importance of continuous learning 46:58 Advice for supporting student athletes 51:24 Discussing athlete mental health 54:08 Developing athletes beyond sports