On this episode of Truth Serum, I sit down with Scott Benson, founder of Benson Sports Training and one of the most respected performance coaches in the country.

Scott also hosts the Building the Athlete Podcast.

Scott’s journey in sport started long before he became a coach. He is the South Dakota high jump record holder and one of the most accomplished track and field athletes the state has ever produced. His impact in Rapid City is so significant that he became the first person ever inducted into the Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame twice. Once as an athlete and once as a coach.

Today, Scott runs one of the most impressive private training facilities in the country. At times his gym is working with up to 600 athletes, supported by a large team of coaches, training athletes from seven years old all the way into their seventies.

In this conversation we talk about the truth behind kids lifting weights and why strength training, when coached properly, can be one of the best tools for developing young athletes.

Scott and I also dive into the reality of youth sports today. Many young athletes are operating on packed schedules filled with travel teams, year round competition, and constant pressure to specialize early. Scott shares why this approach can backfire and why balance, smart training, and longevity need to be part of the conversation.

We also talk about something that often gets overlooked in performance training. The relationship between coach and athlete. Scott believes connecting with athletes and understanding them as people is just as important as the training itself.

If you are a parent, coach, or athlete trying to navigate the modern youth sports world, this episode offers a powerful perspective on building strong athletes for the long run.

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Scott's Website

https://bensonsportstraining.com/

Scott's Podcast

https://bensonsportstraining.com/building-the-athlete-podcast/

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