Everyday Mike

Mike Earles

A dive into youth sports in America from a Coach who happens to also be a parent as well.

  1. #37 Aim Small, Miss Small w/Dave Rolli

    Jun 5

    #37 Aim Small, Miss Small w/Dave Rolli

    What can a competitive shooting sport teach us about leadership, parenting, coaching, sales, and life? A lot more than you might think. In this episode of Everyday Mike, I sit down with Dave Rolli to explore the parallels between high-level competitive rifle shooting, leadership development, and youth sports. Dave shares how a COVID project with his daughter evolved into a national-level pursuit, the lessons they've learned along the way, and why success often comes down to mastering the process rather than obsessing over the outcome. We dive into mental toughness, handling pressure, coaching your own kids, building confidence, time management, and the importance of being present where your feet are. Whether you're a coach, parent, athlete, leader, or someone striving to improve in your own life, this conversation is packed with practical lessons you can apply immediately.

    1h 8m
  2. Players Leave… That’s Not the Problem

    May 2

    Players Leave… That’s Not the Problem

    Players leave. Players quit. Families move on. That’s part of youth sports. But the real question isn’t if it happens—it’s how we handle it and why it’s happening in the first place. In this episode, Coach Mike talks through what this looks like from all sides: as a coach as an athlete and as a parent We get into: helping players leave the right way why “elite” doesn’t mean what it used to what real development actually looks like across different sports and how we might be pushing kids too fast, too early This isn’t about keeping every player. It’s about putting kids in the right environment so they can grow—and stay in love with the game.

    10 min
  3. #35 Passion Isn’t Hype: What Are You Willing to Give Up?

    Apr 4

    #35 Passion Isn’t Hype: What Are You Willing to Give Up?

    We talk about “passion” all the time in youth sports. But what does it actually mean? In this episode of Everyday Mike, Coach Mike takes a step back and looks at the word from a different angle — starting with a simple Google search and working all the way back to its root meaning: to endure and to sacrifice. With Easter as the backdrop, this episode isn’t about hype or intensity — it’s about something deeper. What are you willing to go through? What are you willing to give up? And where are you choosing to spend your energy? From the perspective of a parent sitting in the stands… to a coach balancing time, energy, and commitment… to athletes trying to figure out where to invest their effort… This episode is about being intentional with your 100%. Because you don’t get unlimited capacity. Every time you give more to one thing… you’re taking it away from something else.

    11 min
  4. #34 Keep It Positive w/ Kip McDaniel

    Feb 18

    #34 Keep It Positive w/ Kip McDaniel

    Kip McDaniel grew up in a competitive family of six, caught the coaching bug early, and now serves as Director at Midstate Soccer Club in Decatur, Illinois. As the outdoor spring season approaches, we sit down to talk player development, building club culture, and what it really looks like to keep youth sports positive. We dig into the “Midstate way,” the value of multi-sport athletes, coaching coaches, and what Kip learned from meeting 1-on-1 with nearly 40 Midstate coaches. We also discuss what college recruiters actually notice (both good and bad), how to keep parents aligned with long-term development, and why positivity isn’t just a slogan—it’s a leadership choice. We wrap it up with a rapid-fire round to get to know Kip beyond the clipboard.

    45 min
  5. #33 When 1+1 Doesn't Equal 2

    Feb 2

    #33 When 1+1 Doesn't Equal 2

    Co-ops can be a great thing. But when enrollment math doesn’t match participation reality, and standards don’t evolve with classification, teams feel it. In this episode of Everyday Mike, I explore the good, the hard, and the often-ignored realities of co-ops in youth sports — and why moving up a class requires more than just combining rosters.

    12 min
  6. #32 When the Drill Breaks

    Jan 14

    #32 When the Drill Breaks

    What happens when a drill slows down, gets clunky, or falls apart? In this episode of Everyday Mike, I share a simple basketball drill that reveals something much bigger about teamwork, communication, and response. When mistakes happen — and they always do — teams have a choice. Do we freeze and wait? Or do we communicate, adjust, and move forward together? This one’s for coaches, athletes, and parents who want to build teams — and habits — that hold up when things get hard.

    5 min
  7. #31 The Car Ride Home Still Matters

    12/17/2025

    #31 The Car Ride Home Still Matters

    As a coach and a parent, I’ve seen it from both sides. Some of the best moments in youth sports happen after the game — and unfortunately, so can some of the most damaging ones. In Episode #31 of Everyday Mike, I share a real car ride home after a tough county tournament loss, what it taught me about timing, emotion, and the “30-minute rule,” and why what kids hear between games often matters more than what they hear in them. We talk about the challenge coaches face when they only get athletes for a short window, the long echo of parent conversations at home, and how well-intentioned words can either build confidence or quietly undo it. This episode is for parents, coaches, and anyone who wants to support young athletes the right way — especially when emotions are high. Because kids may forget the score… but they never forget how they felt on the ride home.

    12 min
  8. #30 Standards > Rules

    12/04/2025

    #30 Standards > Rules

    In youth sports, every team has rules — but the best programs live by standards. In this episode, Coach Mike breaks down the three non-negotiable standards that shape culture, effort, and identity: being coachable, being a great teammate, and giving 100% effort. Using real stories from a full program rebuild, a Geno Auriemma quote on fatigue, and a behind-the-scenes look inside his junior high and high school basketball teams, Mike explains why rules only work when someone is watching — but standards work all the time. If you’re a parent, coach, or athlete who cares about building something that actually lasts, this episode is for you.

    15 min
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About

A dive into youth sports in America from a Coach who happens to also be a parent as well.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Earles
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Everyday Mike