In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, Laura sits down with Juan Patarroyo, co-founder and coach at AthElite Lab in Milton, Ontario. Juan shares how his personal soccer journey—shaped by university-level play and a major ACL injury—ultimately led him to discover a passion for coaching and youth development.

AthElite Lab was born out of a desire to offer elite-level, small group training focused not only on technical development but also on building character, consistency, and long-term athletic habits.

Juan explains the importance of honesty in coaching, creating individualized training environments, and moving away from the high-pressure, win-at-all-costs mindset that often dominates youth sports.

AthElite Lab offers age-specific programs that prioritize foundational skills for young athletes and more position-specific, game-intelligent training as they grow older. The conversation also touches on how sport builds life-ready qualities such as discipline, adaptability, and confidence—regardless of whether an athlete goes pro.

Throughout the episode, Juan and Laura explore the evolving role of parents, the impact of supportive coaching, and how programs like AthElite Lab are redefining what success looks like in youth sports.

Whether your child wants to be a pro athlete, a coach, or simply gain confidence through sport, this episode is packed with thoughtful advice and real-life insight.