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The world of sports has been riddled with sexual abuse and incidents of bullying for many decades. These negative behaviors can come from coaches, peers, parents or anyone in contact with young athletes. Abuse in youth sports reveals itself in many different ways; emotional, sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, harassment and neglect. There are still too many unanswered questions that need to be addressed to be able to protect athletes from the unethical actions of offenders: What screening should be in place to prevent abuse?When should the sport organization enforce professional conduct?When are local authorities to be notified of possible criminal behavior? Must the sport community wait until there is evidence of abuse before they take action?  As is true with many not-for-profit organizations, Safe4Athletes was born out of the personal experience of its founder, Katherine Starr. Discover the how to make sport a safe and positive experience for all athletes when she joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wed, Oct. 15th at 7PM EST. Our repeat broadcasts are Friday at NOON on AMFM247 or on demand at  iHeart Radio,  iTunes and  Stitcher.com.

Pro athletes remain in denial to the reality of their own injuries and the long term effects towards their overall health. Leigh Steinberg, one of the most influential persons in pro sports, has become increasingly vocal regarding the injury of players today. During his 30-year career, Steinberg has represented over 150 athletes in football, baseball, basketball, boxing and Olympic sports.  It’s no surprise that athletes are hurting themselves in a professional sport system that appears to turn a blind eye for the sake of big money. Teams are reluctant to keep their star players out of play for a length of time as this may hamper a playoff run, standings in the league or financial gain. Some people have forecasted the eventual death of football if the lawsuits, concussions and life altering injuries do not cease. The game itself is not likely to change but in order to save the athletes it has been suggested, by many league officials, that Neurologists have a place on the sidelines of every game for players of all ages.  Leigh Steinberg joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, October 8th at 7PM EST. Friday at NOON is our repeat broadcast on AMFM247 plus listen anytime at iHeart Radio.com.

The full impact of violent encounters is often extreme for victims and can affect them for the rest of their lives. The campus environment combined with the culture of big time college athletics can be seen as a devastating mix, especially since one in five women on campus will experience a sexual assault or an attempted rape. Athletes are often seen as role models and leaders in their communities. They can have a huge influence towards minimizing violence and improving societal standards. National Coalition Against Violent Athletes (NCAVA) isdedicated to a concept of sports, as an activity, that promotes positive life skills in athletes so that they develop into respectful, productive role models.  Their mission is eliminate off-the-field violence by athletes, through the implementation of prevention methods that develop positive leadership potential of athletes within their teams and their communities.  Katherine Redmond Brown, founder of the NCAVA joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, October 1st at 7PM EST. Listen to our repeat broadnast on AMFM247 or at anytime on iHeart Radio or iTunes  

The NFL has long been the number one spectator sport in the United States.This marketing machine continues despite the number of skeletons in their closets. The 2007 Patriots were caught up in a videotaping controversy, dubbed Spygate, where the Patriots were caught capturing signals of defensive coaches on film which happened more than once. After an investigation, Patriots head coach Belichick was fined $500,000 by the NFL, the maximum fine allowed and the largest ever in league’s 87-year history. “Spygate: The Untold Story”, author Brian O’Leary examines the full extent of the scandal. Bryan O’Leary joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, September 24th at 7PM EST. You can also listen each Friday at NOON to our repeat broadcast on AMFM247 or listen on iHeart Radio or iTunes

The professional leagues of many sports are not necessarily good places to find role models for young children. The way that some pros handle their injuries, including concussions, doesn’t in many ways promote what many parents, teachers and communities are trying to instill in our youth today. We usually rely upon the concussion knowledge of the athlete in order to recognize when something is wrong. However, many (up to 70% of high school football players) will not admit when they are concussed. Some will continue to play and unfortunately for some, they may unknowingly suffer from either post concussion syndrome or second impact syndrome. Don Brady, PhD, PsyD, NCSP is a licensed clinical and school psychologist. He has presented papers on subtle brain injury for over 20 years and has personal experience with concussion. We are joined by Don Brady LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, September 17th at 7PM EST. You can also listen each Friday at NOON to our repeat broadcast on AMFM247 or listen anytime on iHeart Radio or iTunes on demand and at Stitcher.com. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 in Canada and United States to ask a question, or email our guest in advance.

Concussions are completely different than other injuries. When you facture a limb, there's recovery time gauged by how you feel and your ability to return to activity. Most injuries require rest or immobilization, however some activity may be possible with limitations.  Concussions are an invisible injury unlike any other.  Wendy Clawsey suffers from post concussion syndrome. She can't completely escape the effects of what happened on the ski slopes nearly six years ago. There are many others, like her, who continue to suffer. Wendy has authored a book called, “Concussion” to share her invisible illness and the process of fighting her way back to full recovery.  Wendy joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wed., Sept. 10th at 7PM EST. Listen Fridays at NOON to our repeat broadcast on AMFM247 or anytime at iHeart Radio iTunes and Stitcher.com. 

Whether you are a sports hobbyist or a top professional athlete, the mental component is what differentiates those who are continually frustrated from those who succeed. Gene Jones is an expert on breakthrough thinking and creator of the Triviation® method. “Breakthrough thinking is an essential element in all sports endeavors”, he says. How many times has it been heard that an athlete or team has to “get over the hump” to win a championship, or that one athlete or team has a “mental edge”?   Breakthrough thinking is defined as thinking that facilitates an athlete’s ability to reach new levels of awareness and clarity, which leads to what is called the ‘flow’ state.   Gene Jones is our LIVE guest at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wed., September 3rd at 7PM EST. Listen each Friday at NOON on AMFM247 or anytime oniHeart Radio,  iTunes or Stitcher.com.Call 1-877-357-2448 to ask a question or email our guest.

Tai Chi makes your brain bigger, keeps you on your toes, and helps you shake off stress effortlessly. World Champion and United International Kung Fu Hall of Fame inductee Sifu Romain has been studying and training in Kung Fu for 34 years. He is the owner and master instructor of the Edgewater Kung Fu Academy in New Jersey and founder of the online training program Tai Chi for Healthy Living. Find out how Sifu Romain can make your life better through martial arts (Kung Fu and Tai Chi)tips on how to deal with bullies at school, office and life   We are joined by Sifu Romain at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, August 27th at 7PM EST. Each Friday at NOON our repeat broadcast is on AMFM247 or listen anytime oniHeart Radioor iTunes and Stitcher.com.

Dangerous, deadly andextreme sport offers the possibility of death or injury but usually has the ability to attract a large audience. The greater the risk, the larger the crowd. Extreme injury and death are often overlooked, beyond enjoyment of the fans. Hal Marcovitz, veteran journalist, questions the public’s passion for dangerous and extreme sports and joins us to engage our listeners: What do death defying sports and their participatants have in common?Do you have to be crazy to run in front of a 1,500-pound bull?Why are we more aware of dangers in contact sports? ???We are joined by Hal Marcovitz at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, August 20th at 7PM ET. Listen Fridays at NOON on AMFM247 or anytime on iHeart Radio, and  iTunes. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 to ask a question. 

14 year-old Ben Robinson played rugby for his school. After being treated three times for blows to the head and sent back onto the field following each, he collapsed and later died in hospital. Ben is one of the rare documented cases in the world of young athletes dying from Second Impact Syndrome (SIS). Death from sport-related head trauma, although devastating in every case, occurs less than death by other causes. Since Ben died, his dad has become an advocate for change. Peter Robinsonmakes some valid points: There should be a chain of health-and-safety procedures in place.Responsibility for safety should be shared by players, coaches, referees and parents. There are ways to reduce the risks and save lives. Ben's concussion should have been spotted and his son may have survived. Peter shares with us how his family and life has been altered. Join us for this interview at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, July 9th at 7PM EST. Listen each Friday at NOON to our repeat broadcast on AMFM247. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 to ask a question, or email. Listen to any BtC episode at any time → via iTunes Radio on any iPhone, iPad or on iTunes.

CrossFit is a workout lifestyle that allows you to prioritize your health and fitness abilities. According to Crossfit headquarters this workout phenomenon has been steadily growing for a decade. Crossfit combines weightlifting, gymnastics, core training, and cardio into a constantly evolving workout plan. Its rigour and structure is reminiscent of military training. Those involved in CrossFit say it’s an entirely different way to work out. A mentality exists along with a lifestyle that improves health of mind and body in an evolution from where you begin. A team atmosphere in a group provides a bonding experience with others that become your family.   During his NHL career Scott Thornton was referred to as the most fit guy on the ice. He now owns Crossfit Indestri, which has provided him a more rewarding opportunity then he ever imagined.   Scott joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wed. Aug 6th at 7PM EST. Friday’s at NOON is our repeat broadcasts on AMFM247. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 to ask a question, or email in advance. Listen to any BtC episode at any time via iTunes Radio or Stitcher.com.  

Major League Baseball is in the in the midst of a “golden era” with a long and prosperous future according to commissioner Bud Selig. Being a ballplayer and an advisor for one of the best baseball movies ever made, seems downright unfair, but Ken Berry has had the good fortune to do both. And he’s got plenty of stories to share along with many of his experiences. Ken Berry can cover a lot of ground about baseball: How he’s the only outfielder to make a putout at all three bases.How he hit .750 against Nolan Ryan.What type of baseball player John Elway would have been.Which actors actually had some baseball ability. Ken Berry is with us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wed. July 30th at 7PM EST. Each Friday at NOON is a repeat broadcast on AMFM247. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 to ask a question, or email in advance. 

The World Cup is more than just a sporting event; even those of us with limited knowledge of the game can get into the spirit of things. What’s not to love about the drama, the action and spectacle of watching players from around the world compete? The World Cup is a tournament of 32 national soccer teams. In order to qualify to play, national teams compete in tournaments according to their FIFA confederations, of which there are six.  Kerrie Hopkins will share her insight into how teams really get along in the locker room and on the field as a personality profile expert and creator of Namezook. Kerrie of Namezook joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, July 23rd at 7PM EST. You can also listen each Friday at NOON to our repeat broadcasts on AMFM247. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 in Canada and United States to ask a question, or email in advance.   

Pro athletes remain in denial to the reality of their own injuries and the long term effects towards their overall health. Leigh Steinberg, one of the most influential persons in pro sports, has become increasingly vocal regarding the injury of players today. During his 30-year career, Steinberg has represented over 150 athletes in football, baseball, basketball, boxing and Olympic sports. It’s no surprise that athletes are hurting themselves in a professional sport system that appears to turn a blind eye for the sake of big money. Teams are reluctant to keep their star players out of play for a length of time as this may hamper a playoff run, standings in the league or financial gain. Some people have forecasted the eventual death of football if the lawsuits, concussions and life altering injuries do not cease. The game itself is not likely to change but in order to save the athletes it has been suggested, by many league officials, that Neurologists have a place on the sidelines of every game for players of all ages. Leigh Steinberg joinsus LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, July 16th at 7PM EST. Friday at NOON is our repeat broadcast on AMFM247. 

14 year-old Ben Robinson played rugby for his school. After being treated three times for blows to the head and sent back onto the field following each, he collapsed and later died in hospital. Ben is one of the rare documented cases in the world of young athletes dying from Second Impact Syndrome (SIS). Death from sport-related head trauma, although devastating in every case, occurs less than death by other causes. Since Ben died, his dad has become an advocate for change. Peter Robinsonmakes some valid points: There should be a chain of health-and-safety procedures in place.Responsibility for safety should be shared by players, coaches, referees and parents. There are ways to reduce the risks and save lives. Ben's concussion should have been spotted and his son may have survived. Peter shares with us how his family and life has been altered. Join us for this interview at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, July 9th at 7PM EST. Listen each Friday at NOON to our repeat broadcast on AMFM247. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 to ask a question, or email. Listen to any BtC episode at any time → via iTunes Radio on any iPhone, iPad or on iTunes.  

There is nothing hotter than the UFC right now. Grown men and women fighting until one is knocked out or give up. For decades, boxing has been in the spotlight, and now, Mixed Martial Arts combines all facets of fighting into one. The numbers of younger men and women training in MMA is growing. With the UFC once again pushing for legalization of their sport in the state of New York, and the White House following through after up on an interesting and successful summit on concussion and youth sports, the issue has never been more heatedly discussed. Best-selling author, MMA expert and founder of Scientific Wrestling Jake Shannon has been training potential MMA stars with his own breed of Catch-As-Catch-Can wrestling for years, and has a lot to say on the issue. Jake Shannon joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, July 2nd at 7PM EST. You can also listen each Friday at NOON to our repeat broadcast on AMFM247. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 in Canada and United States to ask a question, or email in advance. Listen to any BtC episode at any time → via iTunes Radio on any iPhone, iPad or on iTunes.

Up to 35 million kids between the ages of 5-18 are playing organized sports and the trend continues towards kids beginning at even earlier ages. More than 3.5 million children under age 14 receive medical treatment for sports injuries annually and according to the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than half of all sports injuries are preventable. Kids are not always receiving proper training or coaching. Only one of every five coaches, with teams under age 14, say they have been trained in motivational techniques. Just one of every three are trained in skills related to the primary sport they coach. The National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute is becoming the recognized leadership and advocacy group with the latest research and evidence-based education, recommendations and policies to enhance the experience, development, health and safety for youth in sports. Dr. Bergeron of the NYSHSI joins us at BEYONDtheCheers on Wednesday,June 4th at 7PM EST. Listen to a repeat broadcast each Friday at NOON on AMFM247. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448. Ask a question, or email in advance. BtC is on the air any time → via iTunes Radio on any iPhone, iPad or on iTunes.  

Joga is growing in popularity as a workout that responds to specific demands of athletes, who are both results and achievement oriented individuals. An athletic based style of yoga, Joga incorporates a unique blend of postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation tools to find balance in strength and flexibility, improve breath control and recovery, and maintain a calm mind. Joga helps athletes to feel stronger, more flexible and re-energized and provides all the other physiological and psychological benefits of yoga. Organizations like the Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts and the Olympic Men’s Beach Volleyball team incorporated Joga into their training. Jana Webb’s unique blend of postures and breathing techniques improves performance and helps prevent injury. Joga has become part of Jana’s offerings to both NHL and OHL players during off-season and is creating jobs via Joga teacher training for others. Jana Webb joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, June 18th at 7PM EST. Listen each Friday at NOON repeat on AMFM247 or to any BtC episode via iTunes Radio.  

In the United States, the annual incidence of sports-related concussion is estimated at 300,000. In Canada, it is estimated to be 30,000. Estimates regarding the likelihood of an athlete in a contact sport experiencing a concussion may be as high as 19% per season.  It is becoming exceedingly difficult to detect a concussion because symptoms may not become apparent to the athlete, trainer, coach or medical professional for hours or days. Sport needs to remove the guess work on whether an athlete is concussed. Remove the athlete’s decision to cover up a concussion. Cerora, which is based at Ben Franklin TechVentures, recently obtained early financing that will help it improve its MindReader device. The technology is designed to pick up even mild concussions, which MRIs and CT scans can’t diagnose, Simon said. Between 85 to 90 percent of all concussions and traumatic brain injuries are mild so many go undiagnosed, Simon said. Adam Simon, CEO of Cerora, joins us LIVE at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio on Wednesday, June 11th at 7PM EST. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 in Canada and United States to ask a question, or email in advance. 

Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Manziel's behavior has raised questions about athletes as role models. Too often, the dark side that includes performance enhancing drugs, a party lifestyle and poor sportsmanship, can overshadow an athlete's true ability. Before you urge your child to take after his favorite ball player, consider the pros and cons of the influence that the athlete can have on your child’s life. Another notable epidemic, that is dismantling the hopes and dreams of young athletes, is the alarming trend towards "professional-level" injuries among youth players. Overuse injuries that may seem short-term will often lead to long-term consequences for the young athlete. Issues and behaviours towards pain, injury and the need for proper recovery can influence our young athletes. Traumatic injury can come at a cost to young athletes who model behaviours of the injured athlete unwilling to nurse an injury to full recovery. Dr. Paul Dennis joins us in conversation on how to make sports a safer environment with positive behaviour from the grassroots level to the pros on Wednesday, November 20th @ 7PM EST at BEYONDtheCheers on blogtalkradio. Dial-in TOLL FREE 1-877-357-2448 in Canada and United States to ask a question, or email in advance.