Be Valiant

Ep. 5 Episode 3 - From the Sidelines to the Pitch: A Dad–Daughter Soccer Journey Conversation with Sydney Merkow


Todd and his daughter Sydney revisit her years in competitive soccer — from early youth leagues to the pressures of high school and club play. Sydney shares what it was like to balance joy with expectations, navigate challenging team cultures, and grow as both a leader and a player. Together, father and daughter reflect on the lessons soccer gave her on and off the pitch, and what every sports parent can take away about supporting their kids in healthy, empowering ways.

All Episodes

12/10/2025

Ep. 17 Episode 9 - Coaching Beyond the Game: Leadership and Legacy with Charlie Turner Thorne, former Arizona State University Women’s Basketball Coach

12/10/2025

Ep. 16 Episode 9 - Coaching Beyond the Game: Leadership and Legacy with Charlie Turner Thorne, former Arizona State University Women’s Basketball Coach (Audio)

12/03/2025

Ep. 15 Episode 8 - Taking Back the Game: A Conversation with Linda Flanagan

12/03/2025

Ep. 14 Episode 8 - Taking Back the Game: A Conversation with Linda Flanagan (Audio)

11/26/2025

Ep. 13 Episode 7 - High School Sports, Culture, and Community with Kevin McCabe the “Dean of AZ High School Sports

11/26/2025

Ep. 12 Episode 7 - High School Sports, Culture, and Community with Kevin McCabe the “Dean of AZ High School Sports (Audio)

11/19/2025

Ep. 11 Episode 6 - College Sports, Change, and the Youth Connection with former College Commissioner Bob Dranoff

11/19/2025

Ep. 10 Episode 6 - College Sports, Change, and the Youth Connection with former College Commissioner Bob Dranoff (Audio)

11/12/2025

Ep. 9 Episode 5 - Travel Sports, Pressure, and Perspective with Steve Borelli, USA Today

11/12/2025

Ep. 8 Episode 5 - Travel Sports, Pressure, and Perspective with Steve Borelli, USA Today (Audio)

11/05/2025

Ep. 7 Episode 4 - Coaching, Culture, and Sports Parenting: A Conversation with Mike Strati

11/05/2025

Ep. 6 Episode 4 - Coaching, Culture, and Sports Parenting: A Conversation with Mike Strati (Audio)

10/29/2025

Ep. 5 Episode 3 - From the Sidelines to the Pitch: A Dad–Daughter Soccer Journey Conversation with Sydney Merkow

10/29/2025

Ep. 4 Episode 3 - From the Sidelines to the Pitch: A Dad–Daughter Soccer Journey Conversation with Sydney Merkow (Audio)

10/21/2025

Ep. 3 Episode 2 - From the Stands to the Sand: A Dad–Daughter Sports Journey Conversation with Madison Merkow

10/21/2025

Ep. 2 Episode 2 - From the Stands to the Sand: A Dad–Daughter Sports Journey Conversation with Madison Merkow (Audio)

10/14/2025

Ep. 1 Episode 1 - Why Be Valiant? The Parent’s Journey Through Youth Sports - Monologue by Todd Merkow (Host of Be Valiant and founder of Valiant Sports Society) - Audio