In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Danny dive into the rising problem of youth sports injuries, the balance between health and performance, and why early specialization is hurting athletes more than helping them. They break down how the NFL Combine creates short-term athletes instead of long-term pros, the responsibility shared by coaches, parents, and agents, and why true longevity comes from smarter planning, recovery, and communication. Interested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a quick call with our team.Timestamps 00:00 – 02:22 – Opening banter and setting the stage 02:22 – 06:12 – Rise in youth injuries since 2000; early specialization issues 06:12 – 10:10 – Balancing performance vs. health; smarter stress management 12:01 – 13:32 – S&C’s growth and risks of over-relying on data 15:31 – 17:18 – NFL Combine critique; Dr. Marcus Elliott insights 23:03 – 25:56 – Longevity and dynamic athlete profiles 35:37 – 41:27 – ACLs, UCLs, and stress fractures in youth sports 46:52 – 49:52 – Advice for parents: breaks, oversight, and avoiding early specialization 53:26 – 57:44 – NFL rookies’ transition struggles and workload spikes 60:15 – 63:16 – Coaching accountability and communication 67:02 – 70:42 – NFL as a starting point, not the end; athlete ownership 73:28 – 76:03 – Evolution of strength coaches and embracing variability 76:21 – End – “Strong enough is strong enough”; closing thoughts

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