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Mike Strati

Mike Strati

Michael Strati, CLF, Executive Advisor at Culture Index and Managing Partner at Stratigic Alliance, is a former Olympic men's soccer team captain (1993–96) and UNM Lobos standout who now coaches leaders and speaks on youth sports culture.

Jun 10, 2026

31:03
So, you know, for you, what is that culture? What does that look like for you? I mean, what do you think today is? And it may have been your household, but what do you think today is the ultimate culture at home first
31:16
in the youth sports? Well, since you and I were playing youth sports, something happened where...
31:22
people believed eSports could lead to a substantial financial career.
31:29
And so I think the culture in general in most households, whether it's because it's more prevalent on TV or you see Yamal who plays for Barcelona at 16 and is having incredible success, or you see Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, or you see the Bronny James at 18, whatever it is, right? I think there's this belief in most households that sports is gonna end up leading to a better life for either the individual or for the family as a whole.
31:55
For me, culturally, I think, again, because I had the chance to play at the national team level and travel and be ultra competitive, our household philosophy and culture was, look, we're not living vicariously through our kids.
32:09
We're just not.
32:10
And if our kids end up being the best athlete around and make a living out of this, we are going to support them like crazy.

10 MINS LATER

41:51
Now, should I have even been negotiating? That's probably where my mistake was, right? But how do you navigate that, right? How do you overcome for parents who do get fear, and I've talked to plenty of them that it is a fear thing, and anxiety, you know, how do you overcome that? My kid's not on

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