Written by In this new podcast which is part one of two parts, Wesley Livingston and Mike Scaramella speak to Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Saber Youman about his views on athlete mentorship.
Youman discusses his supported upbringing and the influences of his uncle who introduced him to soccer. He describes the positive impact a supportive foundation has on the burgeoning athlete. In a family that support does not need to be represented by focusing on sport, it is also valuable in providing a well-balanced and positive respect for health, wellbeing, education, and sporting pursuits. He also speaks about his experiences seeing skilled players suffering in a toxic culture, disadvantaged by the absence of mentorship. Youman also points out the importance of awareness of your background; acknowledgment of your roots, good or bad, and using life experiences to become a source of learning and a driving force in your future endeavours. This resilience ensures that you will constantly recover from setbacks and not let them pull you down. The concept of permitting failure and using it as a tool for development is paramount to the cultivating of a well-rounded individual.
Youman advocates the lessons that can be learned through involvement in sports. The commitment, sacrifice, and hard work as well as the development of flexibility and the ability to contribute to a team.