Fighting For Overtime: Addressing Anxiety and Achievements in Youth Sports

In this podcast, we dive deep into the world of youth sports, exploring the highs and lows of young athletes. Join Coach Tony as he uncovers the triumphs and tribulations of young athletes striving for excellence amidst the pressures of competition, parental expectations, and societal demands. This program will offer listeners a personal connection to the challenges and triumphs faced by athletes and parents as they strive for success while grappling with their mental health. These stories capture the raw emotions and personal insights of young athletes and their parents, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between sports and mental health. Through insightful interviews with athletes, coaches, psychologists, and parents, Coach Tony explores strategies for fostering a positive and supportive environment in youth sports.

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Episodes

7 days ago

From Burnout to Balance to Breakthroughs........
In this powerful episode of Fighting For Overtime, Coach Tony sits down with Hanna Howard, CEO of Rematch U.S. and former Division I basketball standout and college coach. With over 15 years of experience on the sidelines at elite programs like TCU and Fresno State, Hanna brings a rare perspective—as an athlete, coach, parent, and now a tech leader—on how youth sports are evolving.
Together, they dive into how Rematch U.S. is using cutting-edge technology to transform how young athletes capture, share, and learn from their own performances. From the platform’s game-changing "auto-rewind" highlight feature to the deeper mental health conversations surrounding burnout and athlete development, this episode covers it all.
Whether you're a parent, coach, or young athlete, this discussion offers honest insight into the challenges and solutions shaping the future of youth sports.
📌 Topics Covered:
How Rematch U.S. is more than just highlight reels
The balance between talent and tech in youth sports
Mental health, burnout, and the role of parents
Coaching insights from the D1 level to the boardroom
🔗 Learn more about Rematch U.S.: https://www.rematch.tv/us/ 
***Follow the Pod - Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Also, please leave your stories in the comments or send them to me privately. Remember, you are not alone! #mentalhealthawareness #YouthSports
Follow the show everywhere here: https://linktr.ee/fightingforovertime

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025

When a youth athlete battles herself inside and out, it brings out the ultimate competitor. This is her story......
In this episode, we sit down with Noelle Baxter, a former standout in both AAU and high school basketball, who carried her love of the game from the travel soccer fields of CRUSA to the hardwood of Kutztown University. Raised in Warminster, PA, and shaped by top-tier programs like Heat Hoops, Mid-Atlantic Magic, and Archbishop Wood, Noelle brings us inside the mind of a competitor who never stopped grinding.
We explore the full arc of her sports story—starting in youth travel leagues, pushing through the intense AAU circuit under Coach Kari Cairone, and later elevating her game under Coach Mike McDonald at one of Pennsylvania’s most dominant high school programs. She opens up about life as a student-athlete in college, mental burnout, rediscovery, and what it took to fight through the moments most people never see.
Segment by segment, we dig into:
The early days of soccer and the transition to basketball
The unglamorous grind of AAU ball and its mental toll
High expectations and emotional walls at Archbishop Wood
Life lessons from Kutztown, both on and off the court
Setbacks, sacrifices, and how she rebuilt herself mentally
Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or someone who’s ever struggled to stay in the game—this episode delivers the heart of what it means to fight for overtime.
***Follow the Pod - Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Also, please leave your stories in the comments or send them to me privately. Remember, you are not alone! #mentalhealthawareness #YouthSports
Follow the show everywhere here: https://linktr.ee/fightingforovertime

Thursday Jun 05, 2025

Do you feel today's young athletes are overworked and on the edge of burnout? How did you find balance as a youth athlete while still trying to be a kid? Former Softball Pitcher turned Real Estate Agent Mackenzie Marino joins Coach Tony to break it down.
Before being a kick ass Real Estate Agent, Mackenzie Marino was a “BEAST” on the Softball Field. Her career spans 9+ years playing for Northampton Hawks and Council Rock South HS. You wouldn’t know by looking at her, but her demeanor on the mound struck fear into the opposition and now has carried her into a successful career in Real Estate!
She used her experiences to make her stronger while building a recognizable name within the industry. You can catch her at Roc Hous Real Estate in PA and NJ. Trust me; she will fight for you to get you what you want! 
E/M her for your Home Buying/selling needs: mackenzie@rochous.com
Follow Mackenzie Marino for all your Real Estate Needs on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mackenziemarino.realtor/
***Follow the Pod - Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Also, please leave your stories in the comments or send them to me privately. Remember, you are not alone! #mentalhealthawareness #YouthSports
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fightingforovertime/
About Fighting For Overtime
 In this podcast, we dive deep into the world of youth sports, exploring the highs and lows of young athletes. Join Coach Tony as he uncovers the triumphs and tribulations of young athletes striving for excellence amidst the pressures of competition, parental expectations, and societal demands. This program will offer listeners a personal connection to the challenges and triumphs faced by athletes and parents as they strive for success while grappling with their mental health.

Monday May 19, 2025

Are parents pushing their kids too hard on their pursuit of the next level? We discuss............
In this episode of Fighting for Overtime Youth Sports, Coach Tony sits down with Mike Odes (his former 7th Grade Teacher) — whose experiences on the field/court and in the classroom, set the stage for a positive foundation in youth sports. During this passionate conversation, Mike opens up about all the outside interference a current day youth athlete hears and how he tries to change the narrative of current day competition. His resume below.......
Basketball Referee for 34 years - CYO, Department of Recreation, PIAA High School Girls Varsity Basketball
Baseball Umpire - 22 years CYO, Department of Recreation, Suburban Travel, Tournament Select Baseball
Volleyball Official - 3 years - CYO, PIAA High School Girls
Coached Boys Basketball and Girls Softball at Archbishop Ryan High School
Supervisor of Student Assistance Program at Archbishop Ryan (social intervention)
***Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Also, please leave your stories in the comments or send them to me privately. Remember, you are not alone! #mentalhealthawareness #YouthSports

Monday May 05, 2025

When you feel lost and defeated as a youth athlete, who do you turn to?..........
In this episode of Fighting for Overtime Youth Sports, Coach Tony sits down with Taylor Cutillo (his daughter) —former softball player and current advocate for a positive foundation in youth sports. During this candid and heartfelt conversation, Taylor opens up about the struggles of growing up in competitive environments, learning to lead by example, and the mentors who made all the difference. 
Taylor shares her personal journey through the highs and lows of youth athletics, the importance of finding your voice, and how sports can shape more than just skill—it can shape character. She speaks directly to the heart of what so many young athletes are feeling today. This powerful conversation dives into resilience, representation, and what it truly means to fight for overtime, on and off the field. A must-listen for parents, coaches, and young athletes alike. 
***Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Also, please leave your stories in the comments or send them to me privately. Remember, you are not alone! #mentalhealthawareness #YouthSports

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