Be Valiant

Ep. 27 Episode 14 - Jody Jackson on Youth Sports, Pressure, and Raising Healthy Athletes

"In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with longtime Arizona sports broadcaster and sports parent Jody Jackson for a candid conversation about navigating youth sports, competition, and mental health.

Jody shares her unique perspective as a former collegiate athlete and the parent of two high-level youth athletes—a quarterback and a pitcher—two of the most pressure-filled positions in sports. Together, they explore the realities of club volleyball and club softball, the emotional toll of tryouts, early specialization, coaching dynamics, and the financial and mental strain placed on families.

The conversation also highlights the importance of character, resilience, and perspective—reminding parents that athletic performance does not define a child’s value. Jody reflects on moments of adversity her children faced, how they learned to bounce back, and why allowing kids to own their journey is essential for long-term growth and well-being.

This episode is a powerful reminder that youth sports should build confident, healthy human beings—not just athletes."