Building the Athlete

The Truth About Youth Sports Every Parent Needs to Hear

What does healthy sports parenting really look like? In this episode of Building the Athlete, Scott Benson welcomes Jonathan Carone, founder of Healthy Sports Parent, for a thoughtful conversation about the challenges facing today's youth athletes and their families. Together they discuss the pressures of modern youth sports, early specialization, emotional regulation, skill development, technology, and how parents can support their children without adding unnecessary pressure. If you're a parent, coach, or athlete looking to create a healthier sports experience, this episode provides practical strategies for developing confident, resilient athletes while keeping the focus on long-term growth. Topics Covered: * Youth sports culture * Healthy sports parenting * Athlete development * Emotional regulation * Skill development vs. competition * Overtraining and burnout * Supporting young athletes * Building confidence through sports Connect with Benson Sports Training🌐 https://bensonsportstraining.com [https://bensonsportstraining.com]📸 Instagram: @bensonsportstraining

Turning Adversity Into Purpose w/ Joe Horst

Joe Horst shares his remarkable journey from foster care and juvenile detention to becoming an athlete, mentor, and source of inspiration for others. In this conversation, Joe discusses the challenges he faced growing up, the mindset shifts that changed his life, and the role faith, gratitude, and perseverance played in helping him overcome adversity. He also shares lessons on resilience, personal growth, leadership, and finding purpose through life's toughest moments. This episode is a powerful reminder that your circumstances don't have to define your future. Topics Covered:• Foster care and juvenile detention• Overcoming adversity and trauma• Mental toughness and resilience• Faith and purpose• Gratitude and self-awareness• Leadership and personal growth• Helping others through mentorship

Wyatt Reeder on Injuries, Recruiting & Becoming a Division I Athlete

Wyatt Reeder joins the podcast to share his journey from playing multiple sports growing up to earning the opportunity to compete at the Division I baseball level. In this episode, Wyatt talks about transitioning from hockey to baseball, overcoming injuries, building mental toughness, and the role his family played throughout his athletic journey. We also discuss athlete development, training for speed and mobility, the recruiting process, and what young athletes can do to separate themselves both on and off the field. If you’re an athlete, coach, or parent looking for insight into high-level sports development and mindset, this episode delivers valuable lessons and real experiences. Topics Covered: * Multi-sport athlete development * Baseball recruiting process * Injury recovery & resilience * Strength, speed & mobility training * Mental toughness in sports * Family support and accountability * Life lessons through athletics Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders. #WyattReeder #Baseball #Division1Baseball #SportsPodcast #AthleteMindset #BaseballRecruiting #MentalToughness #Training #CollegeAthletics #MultiSportAthlete

Inside the Transfer Portal w/ Caleb Hollenbeck

Fresh off his commitment to Tennessee Tech University, Caleb Hollenbeck joins the show to share his journey through college basketball, the transfer portal, and the process of finding the right fit both on and off the court. Caleb opens up about the realities of today’s college basketball landscape, the importance of strength training and physical development, and why basketball IQ, discipline, and mental toughness can separate athletes at the next level. He also discusses how training from a young age helped shape his confidence and competitive edge throughout his career. This episode is a great listen for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone interested in the mindset and development required to compete in modern college sports. Leave us a comment if there's any topics you want covered! Be sure to check out bensonsportstraining.com and follow our instagram @bensonsportstraining to stay up to date!

The Road to D1 Basketball Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Connor Hollenbeck shares his journey from small-town basketball to Division I, breaking down what truly drives long-term success. This episode covers the importance of athletic development, the realities of the transfer portal, and how team culture and accountability shape high-level athletes. Connor also explains how the junior college route played a key role in his growth—and why consistency in training separates good from great. If you're serious about development—whether as an athlete, coach, or parent—this episode offers practical insight into what it actually takes. Check out our instagram and youtube channel @bensonsportstraining