The Thinklete Podcast

Are youth sports becoming more about parents than kids?

In this episode of The Thinklete Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Alec Baker, a clinical psychologist specializing in sports and family dynamics, to discuss parental pressur

Beyond Medication: A Holistic Approach to ADHD

In this episode, Derek and Aleka sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Courtney to explore why supporting kids with ADHD goes far beyond any one treatment. While medica

Your Child Is More Than an Athlete: Raising Kids With ADHD in Sports

In this episode, we sit down with Allison Solomon, ADHD parenting coach, educator, and founder of ADHD Parenting Boot Camp. As a mom of three boys with ADHD—and someone

Are We Ruining Youth Sports? Raising Confident ADHD Athletes

Are today's parents helping—or unintentionally hurting—their young athletes? In this powerful episode of the Thinklete Podcast, Derek and Aleka sit down with Kirsten Jon

How One Family's ADHD Journey Is Changing Thousands of Lives

After losing their son Anthony at just 18 years old, Tony and Cassi made a promise that no family should have to navigate the challenges of ADHD alone. That promise becam

Breaking The ADHD Stigma in Sports

Why do so many ADHD athletes get labeled as "too emotional," "not paying attention," or "badly behaved" when the reality is something completely different? In this episo

What ADHD Athletes Actually Need Nutritionally

Our guest this episode is Amy Pieczarka, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with over 40 years of experience specializing in functional nutrition, gut health, food

Why ADHD Athletes Struggle With Emotions (And How to Fix It)

In this episode, Derek and Aleka sit down with Michael McLeod, founder of GrowNOW ADHD, creator of the Internal Skills Coaching Model, and an award-winning speaker with o

From Participation to Leadership: Inside the Special Olympics Movement

In this episode, Derek sits down with Special Olympics athlete leaders Declan Fawcett and Amanda Harrinauth, along with Alyssa Cress, Manager of Inclusive Leadership Deve

The Bullied Brain: What Coaches Are Doing That Harms Kids

What if the biggest threat to your child’s development isn’t failure… but the environment they’re in? In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Frazier—best-selling aut

Inside IMG: How Elite Athletes Are Actually Built

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Cat Lutz, Director of Mental Performance at IMG Academy, to break down what truly separates elite athletes from the rest—and why it

The Youth Sports Problem No One Wants to Talk About

Youth sports should build confidence, resilience, and character. But too often, pressure, comparison, and adult expectations get in the way.In this episode of Thinklete,

Helping Neurodivergent Athletes Handle Pressure, Mistakes, and Competition

On this episode of Thinklete, Derek Shunk sits down with Emma Lapierre, an Accredited Social Worker specializing in athlete mental health, to explore the unique mental pr

The Athlete You’re Frustrated With Might Be Processing Differently

On almost every team, there are young athletes who want to succeed. They look capable. They understand the game. They care. But something isn’t clicking.They’re inconsist

Parent First. Coach Second: Raising Competitive Kids Without Losing the Relationship

Every parent says they just want what’s best for their kid.But in youth sports, that line gets blurry fast.When does support turn into pressure?When does coaching cross i

Building Grit: From the NFL to Developing the Next Generation with Vernon Kearney

Talent gets you noticed. Character keeps you in the room. In this powerful episode of the Thinklete Podcast, Derek sits down with former NFL defensive back, Vernon Kearn

We’re Blaming the Kid Instead of Fixing the Problem

In this episode of the Thinklete Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child and Lost at School, to challenge everything we’ve been taught abo

More Than Medals: The Real Purpose of Jiu-Jitsu for Kids

In this episode of the Thinklete Podcast, I sit down with Coach Werther Marciales, founder of Fellowship Jiu-Jitsu in Sarasota, Florida, for a deep, honest conversation a

Building Strength Beyond the Gym with Eric Chessen

In this powerful episode of Thinklete, Derek Shunk sits down with Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, to explore how fitness can become a lifelong skill for neurodiv

The Starting Line — Rethinking The Athlete

In this introductory episode, host Derek Shunk, a former professional baseball player, Division I baseball coach, and Villanova Hall of Fame inductee, shares the story be