Dave Gleason on a Holistic and Well-Rounded Approach to Young Athlete Development

Dave Gleason on a Holistic and Well-Rounded Approach to Young Athlete Development

Author: Mike Robertson November 14, 2025 Duration: 1:15:24

Do you have young athletes?

Work with young athletes?

Or just want to learn more about what young athletes are up against these days when it comes to their training, recovery and mindset?

If so, you’re going to love today’s episode with Dave Gleason!

Dave has been coaching young athletes for over 3 decades and is the former owner of one of the most recognized youth training facilities in the world.

He has worked with thousands of athletes ranging from the shy six-year-old to all-stars at the professional level.

Finally, he’s an acclaimed international presenter on coaching and youth fitness, and widely regarded as the fitness industry’s ‘go-to guy’ for coaching kids ages 6-14.

And in this episode, we’re going to talk about what kids are up against these days, and give you practical strategies to get them back on the right track!

 

Quotable Quotes:

I always feel like we’re right where we’re supposed to be in life, whether we realize it or not.

 

The comeback is always better than the setback; your injury doesn’t define you.

 

You’re not going to be able to help everyone, but you can help every ONE.

 

This Week on the Physical Prep Podcast:

  • Dave’s journey from D2 soccer player to renowned strength and conditioning coach.
  • What he’s seeing as a coach, and the issues his athletes are struggling with.
  • Navigating the balance between “FOMO” workouts and being under-recovered.
  • Why it’s so critical to help athletes develop a positive relationship with working out (and the weight room as a whole).
  • How Dave helps coaches and athletes better understand the high-pressure youth sports landscape.
  • Why he didn’t allow his son to specialize early in soccer, and the struggles that came along with that.
  • The power of helping athletes have a “positive exit” from sports.
  • Dave’s thoughts on how to build more resilient and robust athletes.
  • The role of curiosity and constantly asking questions during your journey.
  • How he helps athletes who have torn their ACL get back to 100% and feeling great again!

 

 

Connect with Dave:

 

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Built on the “help first” ethos, PushPress places an exceptional focus on prioritizing client needs, listening to feedback from their community, and using it as the impetus for its ever-evolving, innovative features.

And here’s the strongest plug I can give them – I’ve actually switched to PushPress for all of my clients and athletes.

Getting things set-up and running smoothly is not only easier, but also far more intuitive than many other solutions.

So if you’re interested in learning more, just head over to pushpress.com/ppp.

 

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Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Physical Preparation Podcast!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and YouTube Podcasts and leave your honest review. I’d also love to connect via FacebookTwitter, and Instagram or visit our website.

Thanks so much for your support – love and appreciate you!

The post Dave Gleason on a Holistic and Well-Rounded Approach to Young Athlete Development appeared first on Robertson Training Systems.


Mike Robertson hosts the Physical Preparation Podcast, a space dedicated to the intricate craft of building better athletes and more effective coaches. Instead of quick fixes or fads, conversations here focus on the principles and practical details that form the foundation of sustainable performance. Each episode features in-depth discussions with leading experts from the health and fitness world, breaking down complex concepts into actionable strategies. You’ll hear honest explorations of training methodologies, injury prevention, and the nuanced decisions that separate good programs from great ones. This podcast serves as a continual education for anyone serious about understanding the ‘why’ behind physical preparation, whether you’re designing regimens for others or refining your own athletic journey. The dialogue is grounded in real-world application, aiming to sharpen your critical thinking and provide tools that can be implemented immediately. Tune in for a consistently insightful look at how intelligent training philosophy translates into tangible results, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art and science of human performance.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Physical Preparation Podcast
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