What does it really take to raise a tough kid in a soft world? In this episode of Action Figures Podcast, hosts Jarrod and Erik Weise sit down with Coach Mike—a former San Diego Padres player and elite youth baseball tournament director—to talk about mental toughness, fatherhood, and how sports can shape the next generation of men.

Coach Mike shares insider stories from the pros, why youth sports are broken, and what dads can do to build resilience, confidence, and character—without burning out.

Whether you're coaching your kid’s team or just trying to survive another travel ball season, this one hits deep.

🔥 Topics We Cover:

• How to build mental toughness in kids through baseball
• Why fathers matter more than coaches
• What most dads get wrong about youth sports
• Balancing family, coaching, and your own identity
• The emotional toll of youth baseball on parents
• The truth about "travel ball culture" and burnout

📣 Quote of the Episode:

“The scoreboard at 12 years old doesn’t matter. What matters is what kind of man that kid becomes.” – Coach Mike

🎯 Perfect For:

• Dads raising boys
• Youth baseball coaches
• Sports parents feeling overwhelmed
• Men navigating parenting, pressure, and personal growth

🔗 Connect With Us:

📸 Instagram: @action_figures_podcast 💥 Subscribe on Substack: [Your Substack Link] 📖 Coming Soon: Bang to Boom — A book about becoming the man your kids believe you are.

Every dad has a second act. This podcast helps him step into it. #fatherhood #youthbaseball #mentaltoughness #travelball #suburbandads #actionfigurespodcast

A one-time-only special episode guest will be starting Jameson. We will discuss the entire library of Transformers movies and TV shows and what makes them special.

Two of the three amigos talk about how to be hard to kill. The mindset of being one percent better every single day.

Episode 1 finds Jarrod, Erik, and Matt declaring our anthem and diving into the world of fictional action-hero parents.