Be Valiant

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


Todd sits down with his daughter, Madison, for an honest conversation about growing up in the world of competitive volleyball. From indoor gyms to the sand courts, Madison shares the highs and lows of her experience: the pressure of tryouts, the emotional toll of tough coaching, the challenges of injuries, and the joy of finding her place in beach volleyball. This episode offers a raw, first-person perspective on what it’s really like to be a youth athlete today — and why family support, culture, and perspective matter more than chasing scholarships or short-term wins.

All Episodes

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