Why Youth Sports Needs J.P. Nerbun’s Voice

I met J.P. Nerbun more than 10 years ago and one phrase he shared with me has shaped everything I do as a parent and in my work in youth sports: call them up, not call them out. It’s such a simple line, but it changed everything for me. Instead of focusing on mistakes or shortcomings, it shifted my perspective to how we challenge kids — not through shame, but by reminding them of who they can become. It’s an idea that still guides me today.

That clarity is what makes Nerbun such an important voice in youth sports. He’s not just a coach; he’s a coach of coaches. Through his company, Thrive On Challenge, he works directly with teams and leaders across the country, helping them build healthy, sustainable cultures.

Nerbun has also become one of the most influential authors in this space. His books — Calling Up, The Culture System, and The Sports Parent Solution — are essential guides for coaches and parents alike. Together, they provide a complete framework for rethinking how we lead, how we parent and how we create environments where athletes thrive, not just perform.

What sets Nerbun apart is his ability to cut through the noise. In a youth sports culture often dominated by stats, rankings and pressure, he brings us back to relationships. He challenges coaches and parents to ask: Are you motivating through fear or through trust? Are you developing kids who are resilient and self-driven or kids who perform only when someone’s watching? Are you creating an environment kids want to be part of or one they’ll burn out from?

And his work isn’t just theory. Nerbun provides practical tools and systems that people can use right away. He mentors coaches one-on-one, leads team workshops and shares a steady stream of resources — articles, podcasts, exercises — that translate big ideas into daily habits. His reach extends from high school programs to college teams to everyday parents who want to better support their kids.

Youth sports is at a crossroads. Too many kids are walking away before they reach middle school, burned out or broken down by environments that prize performance over joy. Nerbun's voice is a counterweight — steady, thoughtful and grounded in values. He shows us that coaching isn’t about control; it’s about connection. That parents and coaches don’t have to be adversaries; they can be allies. And that the true measure of success isn’t the record at the end of the season, but whether kids walk away stronger, more confident and more connected than when they started.

If you care about improving youth sports, J.P. Nerbun is someone you need to know. You can explore his work, access his books and learn how to work with him directly at thriveonchallenge.com. His message is one we all need: call them up, not call them out.