Project 3P

Shirod Ince

Behind every athlete is a story that goes far beyond the scoreboard. While youth sports offer incredible opportunities for growth, they also bring pressure, expectations, setbacks, and the constant challenge of balancing competition with well being.  As parents, coaches, educators, and mentors, it's worth asking: Are we developing great athletes, or are we developing healthy, resilient young people? Welcome to Project 3P. I'm your host Shirod Ince, and together we'll explore the intersection of mental health, youth sports, and the emotional journey of competition. We'll have honest conversations about the highs of victory, the lessons found in defeat, and the importance of building confidence, resilience, and character both on and off the court. We'll dive into three guiding principles that can shape every athlete's journey: Purpose, Poise and Passion. These aren't just ideas, they're practical tools that help young athletes thrive in sports and in life. Whether you're a parent trying to support your child, a coach trying to build a positive team culture, or an athlete striving to reach your potential, this podcast is for you.  We'll share practical strategies, expert insights, and real life stories to help navigate the challenges of competition while protecting what matters most: mental health, confidence, and personal growth. Because at the end of the day, success isn't measured only by wins and championships, it's measured by the people our athletes become along the way.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    A Playbook for Rebuilding Youth Sports (feat. Scott Heinze)

    Send us Fan Mail Youth sports can shape a kid for life, or convince them they’re “not good enough” by age 12. I talk with Scott Heinze, Founder of Whole Child Athletics about why the current system pushes so many kids out, and what it looks like to rebuild youth sports around belonging, confidence, and lifelong physical activity instead of nonstop wins, losses, and highlight culture. Scott shares his 30-year journey through policing, K-12 education policy, and school board leadership, and how those experiences led to a simple but radical idea: Every kid is an athlete if they move their body regularly. We dig into what families and kids actually ask for: affordable programs, fun with friends, and coaches who know how to communicate without judgment. Scott explains Whole Child Athletics as an “operating system” for youth sports with coach training, common language, and tools to measure outcomes beyond performance metrics. We also get into player development that keeps kids engaged, like 3v3 formats that create more decision-making reps, more touches, and more learning. Then the conversation widens to public health and mental health. Scott connects sport to community in a time of isolation, and shares the “three warm welcomes” approach that helped shift Tacoma’s graduation rate from 55% to nearly 92%, plus how that same culture-building can show up at practice. If you care about positive coaching, social emotional learning, and real access through recreation, intramurals, and ethical public-private partnerships, this one will stay with you.  Subscribe, share with a coach or parent or athlete, and leave a review so more people can help change the youth sports experience. https://wholechildathletics.com/

  2. Jul 29

    A Playbook for Building A Village

    Send us Fan Mail Your talent can open doors, but your village decides what happens next. We’re talking about the real support system behind sustainable success and how to build one that actually fits your life instead of distracting you from it. From the meaning of “it takes a village” to the hard truth of outgrowing certain relationships, we get honest about why trimming your circle can be an act of self-respect and growth.  We also dig into the idea of having multiple villages at once and why different groups can serve different parts of your identity, as long as you’re intentional about what you give and what you get. Then we shift into what it looks like when a village becomes magnetic, when you pour into a program or community and suddenly others want in. That attention can be exciting, but it also raises the stakes: not every person or influence belongs in your ecosystem.  For athletes and high performers, we lay out a clear playbook: find people who speak your language, keep different perspectives around you so you don’t get trapped by yes-people, and build chemistry through mutual motivation and accountability. We also talk about balance, making sure your village fills your cup as much as it empties it, and protecting the culture so nobody poisons the water. If you want stronger team chemistry, better decisions, and real support through highs and lows, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with the one trait you believe every village needs.

  3. Jul 29

    A Playbook for Rebirth And Resurgence

    Send us Fan Mail Burnout doesn’t always look like quitting. Sometimes it looks like doing everything right on paper while slowly running out of yourself. After time away, we’re back with a personal reset and a practical framework for athletes, parents, and coaches who want real growth without the constant pressure. I share what changed in my life from dating to marriage to becoming a first time dad, and how learning to protect my energy reshaped the way I think about development, leadership, and balance.  From there, we get specific about athlete rebirth and resurgence. When an injury hits, a role changes, athleticism dips, or your skill set gets exposed, transformation becomes a choice. The playbook is built around three levers that connect: performance, mindset, and trajectory. We talk player development that actually translates to games, from changing play style to adding tools to the toolbox to rebuilding mechanics that hold up when it matters.  We also dig into the mental side of sports performance, especially in youth basketball where pressure can come from everywhere. I break down how to play free: parents stop coaching from the stands, coaches stay steady instead of riding emotional highs and lows, and players build short-term memory with better body language and a simple “next play” focus. When consistency shows up, efficiency follows, and that’s when your trajectory changes and you become dependable in big moments.  We close with a message that cuts through the noise: be a star in your role, and choose a program that highlights your strengths while developing your weaknesses, not just a big name. If this helped you, subscribe to Project 3P, share it with a parent or athlete who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Behind every athlete is a story that goes far beyond the scoreboard. While youth sports offer incredible opportunities for growth, they also bring pressure, expectations, setbacks, and the constant challenge of balancing competition with well being.  As parents, coaches, educators, and mentors, it's worth asking: Are we developing great athletes, or are we developing healthy, resilient young people? Welcome to Project 3P. I'm your host Shirod Ince, and together we'll explore the intersection of mental health, youth sports, and the emotional journey of competition. We'll have honest conversations about the highs of victory, the lessons found in defeat, and the importance of building confidence, resilience, and character both on and off the court. We'll dive into three guiding principles that can shape every athlete's journey: Purpose, Poise and Passion. These aren't just ideas, they're practical tools that help young athletes thrive in sports and in life. Whether you're a parent trying to support your child, a coach trying to build a positive team culture, or an athlete striving to reach your potential, this podcast is for you.  We'll share practical strategies, expert insights, and real life stories to help navigate the challenges of competition while protecting what matters most: mental health, confidence, and personal growth. Because at the end of the day, success isn't measured only by wins and championships, it's measured by the people our athletes become along the way.