Olympic gold medalist Steve Mesler (Vancouver 2010, Bobsled) delivers a nuanced perspective on youth sports that challenges both the "winning is everything" and "winning doesn't matter" camps. As co-founder of Classroom Champions and a father navigating today's youth sports landscape, Steve explores the complex relationship between achievement, self-worth, and the purpose of sport.

This conversation digs deep into uncomfortable truths: Why do we tell kids winning doesn't matter while screaming at the TV during playoffs? Can we value podium performance AND lifelong participation? Steve shares insights from his Olympic journey, working with elite athletes as a performance coach, and raising his own children in an era of intense sports pressure.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The paradox of achievement in sport
• Separating results from self-worth
• Why it's okay to be sad when you lose
• The danger of "either/or" thinking in youth sports
• Broadening success metrics for young athletes
• The American vs. Canadian approach to youth sports
• Creating space for both competition and participation

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

05:13 Steve's Athletic Journey & Early Influences

06:45 Defining Success in Youth Sports

08:20 Access to Sports as a Child

09:58 The Current Landscape of Youth Sports Specialization

13:13 Formative Experiences and Lessons from Losing

17:53 The Need to Be Explicit about Lessons from Sport

19:27 Steve's Difficult Battle with Depression

23:05 Asking for Help and Overcoming Depression

30:13 The Role of Hope in Recovery

32:57 Classroom Champions: Empowering Youth Through Sports

38:25 Navigating Youth Sports: Balancing Passion and Pressure

42:17 Treating Sports Like Other Healthy Habits for Kids

46:18 Changing the Value Proposition in Youth Sports

48:05 The Complexities of Hockey Culture in Canada

53:30 The Culture of Entitlement in Sports

56:20 Defining Success Through Sports

01:00:02 Long-Term Athlete Development & Bobsledding

01:02:54 What Makes a Good Coach in Youth Sports?

01:06:54 Trust and Communication in Coach-Athlete Relationships

01:12:12 Redefining Success in Sports

01:17:40 Balancing Winning & Personal Growth in Sports

Resources:

Steve Mesler | Executive Performance Coaching

Classroom Champions