Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen

Episode: CJ Stroud on Character, Leadership, and the Future of Quarterbacks
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Greg Olsen sits down with CJ Stroud, star quarterback and former NFL Rookie of the Year, to explore a range of powerful topics at the intersection of youth sports, leadership, and personal development. Their conversation delves into the value of multisport experiences, resisting early sports specialization pressures, the foundations of character and leadership, navigating tough decisions, and the real behind-the-scenes grind that builds top athletes. Stroud offers honest stories from his upbringing and addresses both the challenges and joys that shaped his journey—from California gyms to Ohio State and the NFL. The discussion also touches on the culture and future of youth sports, with insights from Unrivaled Sports CEO Andy Campion.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Value of Playing Multiple Sports

[00:57–04:13]

• CJ Stroud on Multi-Sport Benefits:

  "Yes, I 100% agree that you can. I would say that it's very important to do such because different sports invite different type of movements, different type of fluidities, different type of mobilities to be able to be best at the sport you ultimately get to pick at the end.” – CJ Stroud [00:57]

• Each sport develops unique skills: baseball (hand-eye coordination), football (physicality), basketball/soccer (footwork, agility, stamina).
• The camaraderie and culture across various teams teach critical social and discipline skills.
• Basketball was Stroud’s first love, but he continued all three sports through high school with support from his parents.

  “Basketball being my first love...convinced by my dad and my mom to continue to play basketball while also playing football and baseball.” – CJ Stroud [02:59]

2. Resisting Specialization and Navigating Pressure

[03:36–08:20]

• On Coach Pressure and Money Motives:

  “If I could be frank, I think it's a money grab and I think it's a, it's a finesse... At the end, they're still kids. You're still developing not only as an athlete, but as a person and as a human being.” – CJ Stroud [04:13]

• Stroud highlights pressures from coaches and trainers to specialize early, calling the trend “stupid” and counterproductive for youth development.
• Stresses the importance of developing character, discipline, and being a good teammate over “going pro.”

  “If your goal is to be a professional athlete at 5, 6, 7, you know, preteen, you know, like, in my opinion, that shouldn't be a goal. The goal should be being a better person…” – CJ Stroud [05:32]

• Greg Olsen asserts:

  “If the goal of youth sports is to be a pro, then everybody should just stop doing it, right? Because...it's not worth it.” [06:47]

3. Family, Faith, and the Foundations of Leadership

[08:20–13:12]

• CJ attributes his foundation to his parents—his dad modeled sports involvement and support, while his mom emphasized morals and finishing what you start.
• Stroud’s leadership philosophy: serve others, acknowledge flaws, and create connections despite differences.
• Early lessons came from faith:

  “Our model...is how Jesus modeled it. So that was our foundation. That was our core, is our faith. Even though we all fall short...that was the standard to try to reach that.” – CJ Stroud [09:02]

• Mistakes and failures are central:

  “The mistakes create vulnerability...They created ability for us to relate to one another.” [10:24]

• Practical leadership advice: Start by being a good follower (as the youngest in a large family), then apply lessons in diverse locker rooms.

4. Building Team Bonds Across Differences

[13:12–15:46]

• For Stroud, meaningful leadership is based on spending time and seeking understanding with teammates from different backgrounds.
• Examples from college: connecting with teammates from vastly different walks of life by sharing stories and supporting each other's interests.
• Genuine gestures—like wearing a teammate’s local brand—help build trust and respect.

  “The more time you can spend with somebody while being vulnerable…it breeds a great relationship…” – CJ Stroud [13:12]

5. Decision-Making and Embracing Discomfort

[28:52–34:40]

• CJ shares his framework for making big decisions (youth teams, high school, college):
  • Writing pros and cons
  • Considering not just sports, but friendships, academics, and overall lifestyle fit
• Going to Ohio State was Stroud’s first big “out of comfort zone” decision; required faith and grit to stick it through, especially in tough early days.

  “Sometimes it takes that blind faith. But you want to make calculated decisions where like, hey, I’m okay with the worst-case scenario.” – CJ Stroud [34:40]

• Greg shares his own story about transferring and adjusting, highlighting the universal nature of uncertainty for young athletes.

6. Grit, Growth, and the Reality Behind the Scenes

[40:06–47:00]

• Both Greg and CJ candidly discuss moments of self-doubt, fear, and the temptation to quit.
• CJ’s advice to young athletes:

  “If it’s too easy, don’t do it. Because there is nothing rewarding to easy…You have to understand that it takes time to become great and it takes pruning.” [43:44] “The days of when I didn't want to do it...those are the reasons why I made it.” [44:33]

• “Sometimes development seems like demotion. It seems like denial. But no, it’s a process of you becoming great.” – Advice given to Stroud by a coach [43:10]

7. Approaching Quarterback Excellence and Development

[47:00–51:22]

• CJ’s journey as a quarterback began without personal trainers—instead, he self-studied drills, watched NFL film, learned coverages playing Madden, and adapted elements from a range of QB styles.
• Recommends young QBs start with camps and infrequent specialized training, emphasizing instinctual, playground learning over constant private sessions.

  “I don't think it's necessary that you need to be eight years old, training every weekend...You need to be playing in the neighborhood...learning how to instinctively play at a high level.” – CJ Stroud [49:26]

8. The Culture and Business of Youth Sports (with Unrivaled Sports CEO Andy Campion)

[16:50–40:06 & 53:30–57:19]

• The goal is “epic impact”—striving for both memorable, inspiring youth environments and sustainable sports business.
• Youth sports must “lean into the paradox”—balance growth and commercial realities with the best interests of kids.
• Focus is on expanding access (more kids, more sports) and keeping adults focused on kids’ dreams, not their own—e.g., events like the Mom’s Home Run Derby to foster family inclusion.

  “Focus on the dreams and aspirations of kids, not on the parents or the adults.” – Andy Campion [53:30]

Notable Quotes

• CJ Stroud:

  • “At the end, they're still kids. You're still developing not only as an athlete, but as a person and as a human being.” [04:13]
  • “Being a better person, being better at discipline, learning teammate etiquette, learning sportsmanship—these are the things...that got me to the NFL.” [05:32]
  • “If it’s too easy, don’t do it. Because there is nothing rewarding to easy. If you look at some of the most successful people...it takes time to become great and it takes pruning.” [43:44]
  • “Sometimes development seems like demotion...it's a process of you becoming great.” [43:10]
  • “You have to have some type of blind faith, man. You have to have some type of trust in yourself and give yourself some grit.” [44:38]

• Greg Olsen:

  • “If the goal of youth sports is to be a pro, then everybody should just stop doing it, right?” [06:47]
  • “I can't coach you the best until I know you the best. Getting to know what buttons to push, what levers to pull, that's kind of the art and the beauty of coaching in my mind.” [27:09]
  • “I think the football is a lot better when all of the personal stuff is better, when all the relationships are better, the connections are better.” [21:32]

• Andy Campion:

  • “Our mission is provide unrivaled sports experiences to young athletes everywhere...If we inspire the kids and they have an awesome time, it'll be memory making for the parents.” [18:43]
  • “The more kids playing sports, the better—it's almost that simple.” [53:30]
  • “Focus on the dreams and aspirations of kids, not on the parents or the adults.” [53:30]

Key Timestamps

• 00:57: CJ on multi-sport advantages and developing a diverse athletic skillset
• 04:13: Navigating early pressure to specialize; pushing back against “money grab” sports trainers
• 08:20: Leadership foundations: family, faith, and early lessons
• 13:12: How to connect with teammates from diverse backgrounds
• 28:52: CJ’s decision-making process for school, sports, and moving out of comfort zones
• 34:40: Overcoming doubt, sticking out hard decisions (Ohio State struggles)
• 43:10–47:00: The reality of athlete self-doubt and grit—“development seems like demotion”
• 47:46: CJ’s approach to quarterback development and self-motivated improvement
• 16:50–18:43, 53:30: Andy Campion (Unrivaled Sports) on the business, mission, and best practices in youth sports

Memorable Moments

• CJ’s story of connecting with teammates from totally different backgrounds by investing time and respect (“I’d buy his [teammate’s] meat company T-shirt just to support him”). [15:08]
• Honest talk about nearly quitting—and how “development” can feel like “demotion,” but is vital for greatness. [43:10]
• The call for more patience, grit, and old-school values in the transfer-heavy, instant-gratification youth sports era.
• Insightful look behind the quarterback curtain: film study, self-motivation, learning coverages from Madden. [47:46]
• Andy Campion’s call to “focus on kids’ dreams, not parents’,” and the innovation of family-inclusive activities like the Mom’s Home Run Derby. [53:30]

Summary

This episode offers a candid, personal, and wide-ranging discussion on growing as both an athlete and human being in today's youth sports landscape. CJ Stroud’s vulnerability about the ups and downs of his journey—combined with practical advice on athletic development, leadership, and decision-making—makes this a must-listen for parents, coaches, and young athletes alike. The tone is open, relatable, and full of hard-earned wisdom, as both he and Greg Olsen push back against unhealthy trends in youth sports and advocate for a more grounded, growth-oriented approach. The supplemental discussion with Andy Campion provides real-world context for the future of sports experiences in America.