Why Your Kid Isn't Active and How to Fix It with Tom Farrey

Why Your Kid Isn't Active and How to Fix It with Tom Farrey

Author: Joe De Sena October 8, 2024 Duration: 30:06

In this episode, Joe De Sena talks with Tom Farrey, author of Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children, about the state of youth sports in America.
 
Tom explains that only 1 in 4 kids are active, largely due to barriers in the U.S. sports system. Now leading Project Play, he works to make sports more accessible and fun for all children.
 
They discuss how Spartan Races promote self-improvement over competition, and how Norway's child-focused sports model could inspire the U.S.
 
Tom emphasizes the importance of letting kids enjoy sports rather than pushing them into activities they don't love. They encourage parents to listen to their children's interests and prioritize fun and accessibility to keep kids engaged in sports.
 
Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:03 Mapping the Problem: Why Aren't More Kids Active?
03:31 Youth Sports Around the World
05:46 Challenging Kids to Do Hard Things
07:46 Screens and Devices as a Competition to Youth Sports
10:23 Rethinking Competition for Kids
11:51 Breaking Through School Bureaucracies to Reach Kids
13:15 How Can Parents Support Their Child's Interests
16:57 Should You Let Your Kid Quit a Sport?
19:01 Parents Overanalyzing Their Child's Performance
21:29 Norway: The World's Best Youth Sports System
25:10 - What the U.S. Can Learn from Norway
26:16 - Final Thoughts: Creating Better Youth Sports Systems


Joe De Sena, the founder of Spartan Race and a New York Times best-selling author, believes the most rewarding path is rarely the easy one. In his The Hard Way With Joe De Sena podcast, that philosophy comes to life through raw, unscripted conversations. Joe travels the globe, sitting down with a diverse array of guests-from elite athletes and pioneering entrepreneurs to acclaimed authors and visionary CEOs-to dig for the unvarnished truths about resilience and achievement. These aren't just interviews; they're deep dives into the mental frameworks and physical disciplines that define a Spartan mindset. You'll hear stories that challenge conventional wisdom, practical advice forged through real struggle, and surprising moments of humor that come from shared experience. Each episode is designed to provide tangible tools for improving your health, fitness, and overall approach to life's obstacles. By bringing together this panel of extraordinary thinkers and doers, the podcast creates a unique space where the secrets to success in business, wellness, and personal growth are examined without shortcuts. Tune in for a dose of motivation that’s as actionable as it is inspiring.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Hard Way With Joe De Sena
Podcast Episodes
How a Navy SEAL Rebuilt Discipline and Control After Service [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:50
When the mission ends, the mindset stays. Navy SEAL veteran and leadership coach Kevin Stark talks with Joe about rebuilding identity after service, finding calm in pressure, and using simple daily discipline to stay gro…
How Discipline Turns Every Obstacle into Growth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:50
What happens when discipline meets adversity? In a world where comfort wins too easily, true progress begins with facing hard challenges head-on. Joe De Sena talks with ZOOZ Fitness founder and adaptive coach Jake Weiner…
How a Four-Time Cancer Survivor Rebuilt His Life With Spartan Races [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:15
How do you rebuild purpose after life knocks you down four times? Nick Klingensmith shares how cancer, addiction, and chronic illness didn't break him. They forged him. Nick explains how hitting rock bottom led him to so…
Navy Pilot Kegan Gill Rebuilds Life After Mach 0.95 F/A-18 Ejection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:06
After surviving a 695-mph ejection, Navy pilot Kegan Gill faced paralysis, addiction, and a broken system. He strips the story down to its core, discipline, ownership, and grit. This isn't motivation; it's survival throu…
The Underutilized Tool To Turn Your Anger Into Raw Power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:53
Most men train their bodies, few train their minds. From cold plunges to carrying rocks uphill, this episode explores mastering the space between chaos and control. Joe De Sena talks with Will Schneider, mindfulness coac…
Build an Indestructible Mindset With This Green Beret's Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:39
He served multiple deployments, faced injury, and returned to duty with discipline and focus. Pain is the best teacher, and failure is where real growth begins. Joe De Sena talks with Ryan Hendrickson, retired Green Bere…
Antifragile Mindset: Lessons from Quadruple Amputee Tom Nash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:26
Summary: Most people break under pressure. Tom Nash didn't. At 19, he lost all four limbs to meningococcal septicemia. Instead of giving up, he built resilience, mental toughness, and a mindset stronger than steel. Tom r…
Brotherhood and Grit Forged in Combat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:30
Ryan Pitts didn't quit when it mattered most. Outnumbered, wounded, and under relentless fire, this Medal of Honor recipient kept fighting. Ryan shares what combat taught him about grit, why brotherhood beats fear, and h…
Addicted to the Suck: Navy SEAL Rules for Mental Toughness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:18
What happens when a Navy SEAL, a Spartan founder, and a Murph workout collide? You get hard truths about grit, discipline, and why your circle determines your ceiling. Jacob Werksman, Navy SEAL, author, and leadership co…