Episode Description
To kick off our new Player POV series, Rhett sits down with Houston Astro's 2025 first round draft pick Xavier Neyens following the powerful parent episode with his dad, Steve Neyens. Player POV flips the perspective. After hearing from the parent navigating the journey, we now hear from the athlete living it.
Xavier reflects on what it meant to watch his dad step outside his comfort zone and what “it worked out” truly means to him. He shares how process over results shaped his development, what his parents did behind the scenes that made the biggest impact, and why relationships matter more than trophies or draft status. From travel ball memories to playing multiple sports, he offers a grounded reminder that development is not about chasing the next opportunity. It is about staying present and doing the work where your feet are.
For parents, athletes, and coaches, this short episode is a simple but honest look at what actually sticks when the game moves on.
“The person you are is going to reflect on the baseball player you become.” - X
Subscribe
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Key Takeaways
• “Working out” means becoming the right person, not just the right player
• Relationships built in youth sports last longer than wins and rankings
• Playing multiple sports created some of his best memories
• Nutrition, discipline, and daily habits matter more than hype
• There is no secret recipe. What you do outside the spotlight makes the difference
Soundbites
• “It’s not about him at all. He just enjoyed being along for the ride.”
• “The person you are is going to reflect on the baseball player you become.”
• “There’s no secret recipe.”
• “Stay in the moment. It goes by extremely, extremely fast.”
• “It’s what you do outside of playing that actually gets you better.”
Final Reflection
Success in youth sports is often measured by milestones. Draft picks. Championships. Scholarships.
But from Xavier’s perspective, what lasts are the habits, the relationships, and the character built along the way. The rest is a bonus.
Call to Action
If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe and follow the show.
Share this episode with a parent or athlete who needs a reminder to stay in the moment.
If you have a story to share, reach out. We are all just trying to keep on surviving youth sports.
Andrew Walling: Who Are You Without the Game?
At one point, Andrew Walling was at the top. Throwing mid-90s. Big opportunities. A path that looked like it was only going one way. Then it didn’t. Injuries, pressure, and the weight of expectations started to take over. Confidence slipped. The yips showed up. And for the first time, he questioned ...
Marc Wiese: The Game Ends, The Relationships Don’t
Rhett sits down with longtime coach and mentor Marc Wiese, whose career spans youth baseball, high school state championships, college programs, and USA Baseball. Having coached his own sons and thousands of players along the way, Marc brings a perspective shaped by both success and reflection. This...
James Lane: The Truth About Youth Sports Parents
In this episode of Surviving Youth Sports , host Rhett Parker sits down with basketball coach James Lane to talk about the reality of youth sports from multiple perspectives. James has lived nearly every side of the game. He played Division I basketball, coached at the college and high school level,...
Tara Henry: When Winning Becomes the Point, Kids Lose
In this episode of Surviving Youth Sports , Rhett Parker sits down with Tara Henry, General Manager of Softball America and a leader in international softball development. Tara shares what she’s learned from coaching and traveling around the world and how youth sports culture in the United States of...
Ian Ritchie: When Rankings Don’t Tell the Whole Story
In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Ian Ritchie shares an honest look at youth sports rankings, projection versus performance, and the emotional pressure placed on families navigating elite baseball. From Perfect Game rankings to development on the national stage, Ian explains why rankings can ...
Ian Ritchie: When One Son Keeps Playing and One Walks Away
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Ian Ritchie, father of Atlanta Braves first-round pick JR Ritchie, shares honest lessons about parenting in youth sports. This episode explores coaching your own child, holding a higher standard without damaging the relationship, and supporting siblings who c...
Angie Mentink on Parenting Athletes Without Living Through Them
In this episode of Surviving Youth Sports , Rhett sits down with Angie Mentink. Many know Angie from her work covering Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners. Others remember her playing days with the UW Softball Huskies and the Colorado Silver Bullets. But here, she speaks as a parent navi...
Justin Cunningham: From Coach to Dad in the Stands
In this episode of Surviving Youth Sports , Rhett Parker sits down with college baseball coach Justin Cunningham to talk about youth sports parenting, perspective, and what changes when you move from the dugout to the stands. Justin has coached at multiple levels of college baseball and currently le...
Xavier Neyens: There’s No Secret Recipe
In this Surviving Youth Sports Short, Xavier Neyens shares a humble and genuine player’s perspective on what it really means to “make it.” After listening to his father’s episode, Xavier reflects on his journey through youth sports, high school baseball, and basketball, and what truly mattered along...