Be Valiant

Ep. 28 Episode 15 - Part 1 of 3 — When the Dream Unexpectedly Changes: Jeff Proctor, A Dad's View (Audio)

In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow is joined by longtime friend, sports media executive, and Valiant Sports Society board member Jeff Proctor for the first conversation in a three-part family series examining youth sports, pressure, injury, and identity.

From Jeff's perspective as a former collegiate athlete and father of two, this episode explores what it's like to support a child navigating elite youth and collegiate sports—often without fully realizing the mental and emotional weight they are carrying. Jeff reflects on his own upbringing in a very different sports era, the evolution of youth sports today, and how early success, scholarships, and professional attention can quietly introduce pressure long before failure appears.

The conversation follows Jeff's son Will's journey from multi-sport athlete to elite baseball prospect, including national rankings, SEC competition, and MLB draft attention—before a devastating injury altered everything. Jeff candidly shares what he saw, what he missed, and what he learned as a parent watching from the outside, particularly around mental health, anxiety, and identity loss when the game ends.

This episode sets the foundation for the series, which continues with Part 2 (the mother's perspective) and concludes with Part 3 (the athlete's voice)—offering a rare, multi-angle look at the realities families face when chasing big sports dreams.

This episode is for parents, athletes, and coaches who want a more honest understanding of what youth sports success really looks like—and what it can cost if we're not paying attention.