03/06/2026
Words of wisdom for our parents and youth athletes.
Too many young athletes chase instant gratification and focus on getting “bigger” instead of truly getting better. The number on the scale can be misleading. Just because you gained weight does not mean you are faster, stronger, more mobile, or less likely to get injured. All weight is not created equal.
What many athletes overlook is that once you get to the college level, your meals are buffet style. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are set up so athletes can eat what they need to fuel and recover. On top of that, you will have access to unlimited food, protein shakes, strength coaches, and structured development programs designed to help you gain size and strength.
Because of that, your middle school and high school years should be viewed as your foundation years. Just like building a home, the strength of the foundation determines how high the structure can go.⬆️⬆️
This is the time to focus on the qualities that take the longest to develop:
speed, movement quality, coordination, strength relative to your body weight, body composition, and reducing your chances of injury.
Those qualities take months and often years to build, but they can be lost within weeks if they are not trained consistently and properly.
Size will come, but development must be built.
Focus on becoming the best athlete, not just the biggest one. 💪🏾🧠