The Next Level Training Soccer Podcast with host Aaron Byrd and Jeff Suffolk
May 10, 2026 · 1 hr 37 min · 33 segments
In Episode 60, Jeff and Aaron bring on US Soccer Educator and USSF A License Coach, Jason Smith, from one of the largest grassroot programs in the Midwest United States, in Traverse City Michigan.
Would you rather have the best player on the team or the kid that every parent wants their player sitting next to on the bus?
I, I mean, I guess maybe it's just my, my mindset of, you know, maybe my last 20 years doing what I do, but I always strive to be the best.
Like I, I tell my kid, "Do every single thing you can to be the best." But there is the character piece that we always talk about.
I don't ever want my kid to sacrifice integrity, attitude, or character to be the best.
And I, I think that if my kid could be the best, he probably is the kid that everybody wants to sit next to on the bus anyway, as long as he's a good human being and, and treats people like I want him to treat them, I wanna be the best, 'cause being the best is...
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Would you rather have the best player on the team or the kid that every parent wants their player sitting next to on the bus?
I, I mean, I guess maybe it's just my, my mindset of, you know, maybe my last 20 years doing what I do, but I always strive to be the best.
Like I, I tell my kid, "Do every single thing you can to be the best." But there is the character piece that we always talk about.
I don't ever want my kid to sacrifice integrity, attitude, or character to be the best.
And I, I think that if my kid could be the best, he probably is the kid that everybody wants to sit next to on the bus anyway, as long as he's a good human being and, and treats people like I want him to treat them, I wanna be the best, 'cause being the best is...