Stop Raising Athletes, Start Building Leaders: John O’Sullivan on the Future of Youth Sports

In this episode of **What Are You Made Of?**, Mike "C-Roc" sits down with **John O’Sullivan**, former collegiate and professional soccer player and coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and founder of the **Changing the Game Project**, for a powerful conversation about sports, leadership, resilience, parenting, and the lessons that shape us both on and off the field. John shares the journey that took him from a young multi-sport athlete on Long Island to collegiate soccer, professional coaching, and ultimately becoming an internationally recognized advocate for improving youth sports. He opens up about suffering a devastating injury before his senior year of high school, how it changed his trajectory, and how one coach’s willingness to give him a second chance helped him continue pursuing his passion. Mike "C-Roc" and John dive deep into what it really takes to become an elite athlete—and why **talent alone isn't enough**. They discuss sacrifice, discipline, work ethic, perseverance, and the mindset required to compete at the highest levels. John also explains how today's youth sports environment has changed, including the pressure for kids to specialize earlier, do more, and treat sports like a job before they are ready. The conversation also explores **leadership and character development in young athletes**. John explains why kids need opportunities to solve their own problems, navigate conflict, develop confidence, and learn how to lead their peers rather than having adults constantly step in to fix everything for them. As the founder of the Changing the Game Project and host of the *Way of Champions Podcast*, John has dedicated his career to helping coaches, parents, athletes, and sports organizations create healthier and more meaningful environments for young people. His message is simple but powerful: **sports should develop the person, not just the player.** This episode is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, parents, leaders, and anyone who believes that the lessons learned through sports can create stronger, more resilient, and more capable people. Website-www.changingthegameproject.com Social Media Links/Handles: https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheGameProject https://www.instagram.com/ctgprojecthq/ https://x.com/CTGProjectHQ