Healthy Youth Sports

• More Than a Game

  In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports, host Eric Utterback explores the powerful intersection of physical activity, social-emotional learning (SEL), and mental health with Dr. Eduardo Bustamante, a leading public health researcher, and Jim Dower, Executive Director of Urban Initiatives. The episode delves into how high-quality, sports-based youth development programs can nurture resilience, emotional regulation, and academic success—especially in underserved communities. Dr. Bustamante brings a research perspective, highlighting the importance of culturally responsive, evidence-based approaches that scale equitably. Jim Dower shares practical insights from the field, explaining how Urban Initiatives embeds SEL into soccer-based programming across Chicago, serving over 70,000 children. Listeners will hear about the structural barriers to equitable access in youth sports, the importance of intentional SEL integration, and how coaches become mentors who foster real-time growth in young people. The conversation offers a hopeful vision for expanding access and impact. This episode is a must-listen for educators, coaches, parents, and community leaders who believe in the transformational power of youth sports. Urban Initiatives: urbaninitiatives.org

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• Making InPACT in the Classroom

  In this special episode, we’re joined by three dynamic guests to explore how the InPACT (Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Activity) program is transforming the school day—and student outcomes—through simple, effective movement breaks. 🎙 Dr. Rebecca Hasson, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan and Director of the Childhood Disparities Research Lab, shares the research and equity-driven foundation behind InPACT. 🏫 Principal Heidi Roy-Borland of Whitmore Lake Elementary discusses how her school embraced a culture of wellness that supports both health and academic success. 👟 Aimee Taylor, PE teacher and wellness champion, offers a frontline perspective on how movement is energizing students beyond the classroom. You’ll hear how this research-backed, classroom-friendly program is improving attention, behavior, and student engagement—especially in under-resourced communities. From daily classroom routines to statewide adoption plans, this episode provides a 360-degree look at how schools are using movement to drive equity and excellence. Whether you're an educator, parent, or policymaker, this is your inside look at how small movement breaks can spark lifelong habits and healthier school cultures. Learn more about InPACT.

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• Take Back Sports | ESPN's Support of Youth Sports

  In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports, we sit down with Kevin Martinez, ESPN’s Vice President of Corporate Citizenship, to dive into the network’s groundbreaking Take Back Sports initiative. With a $5 million commitment and powerful partnerships—including Steph and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation—ESPN is on a mission to remove barriers, restore fun, and create healthier, more inclusive youth sports environments. Kevin shares insights on the program’s vision, its focus on access, mental well-being, and coaching quality, and why storytelling and culture change are at the heart of transforming the game. Whether you're a parent, coach, or advocate, this conversation will leave you inspired to reimagine youth sports for the better. Learn more about Take Back Sports.

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• Speed Development for Young Athletes

  Today’s episode features none other than Lee Taft, widely recognized as “The Speed Guy” in the world of athletic performance. With over 35 years of experience, Lee is one of the most respected athletic movement specialists globally, known for revolutionizing the way athletes train for multi-directional speed and agility. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Lee shares his journey from growing up as a multi-sport athlete to becoming a pioneer in speed and movement training. We dive into critical topics like the ideal age to begin speed development, the difference between speed and agility, the importance of foundational movement, and how to avoid common training mistakes. You’ll also hear about Lee’s signature concepts like the “Plyo Step” and “Hip Turn,” his approach to designing youth training programs, and the science behind why everyone—not just the genetically gifted—can improve their speed. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why speed isn’t just genetic—and how any athlete can improve ✅ The best age to begin speed training in young athletes ✅ The difference between speed and agility—and why both matter ✅ How foundational movement skills lay the groundwork for athletic success ✅ Key components of an effective youth speed workout ✅ Why overtraining is a real risk—and how to avoid it ✅ The impact of strength training on speed development ✅ How multi-sport participation affects an athlete’s long-term development Whether you work with young athletes or just want to understand how to build better movers, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to level up your knowledge of speed training and help the next generation of athletes reach their full potential. Guest: Lee Taft, CSCS, FAFS – Athletic Movement Specialist, Coach, and Global Educator www.leetaft.com | @leetaft (Instagram/Twitter)

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• Preparing Pediatric Sports Medicine Professionals

  In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports, Dr. Courtney Duckworth and Dr. Jeffrey Lo join host Eric Utterback to discuss the vital role of preparing the next generation of pediatric sports medicine professionals. Dr. Duckworth, a resident physician at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Lo, a sports medicine physician with a background in pediatric rheumatology, share their expertise on navigating medical training and residency programs to pursue a fellowship in sports medicine. They dive into the importance of early exposure to youth sports, the interdisciplinary approach to care, and the unique challenges of treating young athletes. With insights on mentorship, injury prevention, and future trends in the field, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring pediatric sports medicine professionals. Tune in for an engaging discussion on shaping the future of youth sports healthcare. References Chomik, R., & Jacinto, M. (2021). Peak performance age in sport. Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research NPR, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, & Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2015). Sports and health in America. NPR. Miller A. N. (2016). Evaluation of Common Musculoskeletal Injuries in the Urgent Setting. MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources, 12, 10514. de Inocencio, J., Carro, M. Á., Flores, M., Carpio, C., Mesa, S., & Marín, M. (2016). Epidemiology of musculoskeletal pain in a pediatric emergency department. Rheumatology international, 36(1), 83–89. Coleman, N., Beasley, M., Briskin, S., Chapman, M., Cuff, S., Demorest, R. A., Halstead, M., Hornbeck, K., Kinsella, S. B., Logan, K., Liu, R., Mooney, C., Myers, R. A., Ruparell, S., Santana, J., Walter, K. D., Waterbrook, A. L., & Wolf, S. F. (2021). Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Curriculum Guidelines for Pediatric Residents. Current sports medicine reports, 20(4), 218–228. Coleman, N., Beasley, M., Briskin, S., Chapman, M., Cuff, S., Demorest, R. A., Halstead, M., Hornbeck, K., Kinsella, S. B., Logan, K., Liu, R., Mooney, C., Myers, R. A., Ruparell, S., Santana, J., Walter, K. D., Waterbrook, A. L., & Wolf, S. F. (2021). Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Curriculum Guidelines for Pediatric Residents. Current sports medicine reports, 20(4), 218–228. 

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