162. Dr. John Delony: Family Balance & Youth Sports: PART 1

University of Georgia senior tight end Lawson Luckie joins Britt and Brad on The Pure Athlete Podcast to share his journey from late-blooming youth athlete to SEC contributor and team leader. Luckie, a pre-season All-SEC player from Norcross, Georgia, whose father and uncles also played for the Bulldogs, talks candidly about not being a standout early on—he was often the bigger kid stuck on the line—and how his parents’ patient focus on effort (not performance) and the example of his younger brother’s challenges fueled his drive. He covers handling rare losses in the 12-team playoff era, what leadership looks like as one of the older players in a young locker room, the real daily life of an SEC football player, and why he’s stayed at Georgia for his entire career instead of entering the portal. He also offers practical advice on recruiting (go where you’re truly valued), building route-running skill and football IQ, responding to Kirby Smart’s high standards, the value of bye weeks, and the importance of simply having fun and not being overly hard on yourself. Plus, he discusses the impact of family, charity work, and his long-term goals beyond the field. A must-listen for sports parents, coaches, and young athletes navigating development, recruiting, and the realities of high-level competition.

In Part 2 of this series, Brad, Britt, and Jeff dig deeper into the forces driving up the price of youth sports—and what parents can realistically do about it. They open with a timely anecdote from Rays manager Kevin Cash about purchasing a $550 bat for his son. The conversation turns to private equity’s growing role in facilities, tournaments, and travel organizations. The hosts examine how the push for more teams, gate fees, hotel mandates, and cost-cutting can affect the quality of competition, coaching, and the overall experience—often leaving parents feeling nickel-and-dimed after already paying steep entry fees. They also discuss the broader ripple effects: increased family stress, kids quitting, and the difficult trade-offs multi-child households face when one expensive trip crowds out other opportunities. Jeff, Brad, and Britt share practical perspectives on evaluating a child’s realistic ceiling, when high-level tournaments or showcases actually make sense versus local or college camp alternatives, and why multi-sport participation can sometimes be the more affordable (and healthier) path. Drawing from their own experiences, they emphasize wise counsel, honest conversations with kids about costs, and focusing spending on what truly moves the needle rather than chasing early rankings or unrealistic scholarship dreams. Whether you’re a first-time parent navigating travel ball or someone who’s already felt the financial pinch, this episode offers grounded advice on protecting both your budget and your family’s long-term enjoyment of sports. Also be sure to check out Part 1 of our conversation surrounding the costs of youth sports.

Youth sports have gotten dramatically more expensive—and not just in one area. In this episode, Britt, Jeff, and Brad dig into the real numbers and lived experiences behind the surge in costs for equipment, travel, tournaments, and more. They discuss Aspen Institute data showing average family spending jumped roughly 70–105% across major sports between 2019 and 2024, share the “oh no” moments when parents first saw the bill for a travel team or a $500 bat, and talk candidly about the pressure to keep up with other families. The conversation covers practical realities like hand-me-downs, setting budgets, gauging a kid’s actual passion and work ethic before spending big, and the hard truth that most families won’t see a financial return on investment. Highlights include Jeff’s story of hitting four home runs in a state championship with a borrowed bat after his dad refused to buy a new one, plus thoughtful debate on where money is worth spending versus where it’s often wasted. The hosts emphasize that time spent with your kid practicing usually matters far more than any piece of equipment. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Next week we tackle the rising costs of clubs, academies, tournaments and the pressure parents feel to do it all.

Scott Linebrink spent 12½ years as one of baseball’s best setup men — the guy opposing hitters sometimes dreaded more than Trevor Hoffman in the ninth. On this episode, Jeff Francoeur sits down with the second-round pick out of Texas State for a conversation about the underdog path that got him there, and the loss that ended it. Linebrink was a late bloomer who walked on at a small D3 school throwing 83. A growth spurt, a move to Texas State, and a Giants draft call later, he was sharing a clubhouse with Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent, Jeff Bagwell, and Craig Biggio — and still not sure he belonged. In San Diego, Bruce Bochy and Hoffman turned him into the eighth-inning guy. Then came September 28, 2011, with the Braves: a 10½-game wild-card lead gone, extra innings, and a Hunter Pence flare that scored the run that ended the season — and, as it turned out, his career. Fifteen years later, he finally tells that story. Not as a setup for a comeback, but as a loss that stayed a loss — and how bitterness gave way to gratitude. He also talks about the people who kept him going , life after the game with Water Mission and Pro Athletes Outreach, and his book Fields of Life. For parents, players, and coaches who need to hear how the struggles shape you more than the wins.

In part two, Alan Jaeger, known for being a founding father of modern arm care and the founder of Jaeger Sports and Jaeger Bands, rejoins Jeff, Britt, and Brad to continue the conversation on how young players can develop stronger, healthier arms—and stay composed when the game doesn’t go their way. Jaeger breaks down his approach to long toss, explaining why he sees it as a foundation for arm health, strength, endurance, and recovery. He discusses building distance gradually, listening to your arm, and adapting throwing routines to a player’s age and role. Jeff shares how he prepared alongside Andruw Jones and Alex Gordon, while Jaeger explains why younger players can begin with something as simple as getting outside and playing catch. The conversation then shifts to recovering from a bad inning or disappointing game. Jaeger shares a simple pitching framework—breathe, focal point, attack—and explains why athletes need to practice their mental routines just as they practice their physical skills. His central message: confidence can rise and fall with results, but trust in your preparation and process gives you something dependable to return to. He also discusses how parents can help kids look beyond the box score and introduces a practical starting point: a few minutes of quiet breathing each day to practice slowing down and staying present—skills that carry well beyond baseball. Be sure to check out part one of our conversation with Alan for more insights on arm care, injury prevention, and the mental side of the game.