Authenticity That Earns Respect
What separates authentic athletes from pretenders? Evidence. In this Sore to Soaring Podcast episode, Coach Leo Young and former college pitcher Brannon Snead unpack what it means to have belief through objectivity. This isn’t about fake motivation or loud leadership—it’s about putting in the work, getting real results, and letting your presence do the talking. Learn how authenticity built on proof attracts respect, earns trust, and sets a tone that every great team needs.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
5/18/20252 min read


Authenticity That Earns Respect
Some Athletes Talk About It—Others Prove It
In baseball, it’s easy to talk about wanting it.
But the ones who stand out are the ones who back it up—with results, consistency, and presence.
That’s where Brannon Snead separated himself.
Who’s the most authentic athlete or coach you’ve ever been around—the one who earned respect because their belief was backed by proof? Let us know in the video comments
Coach Leo Young says it plainly:
“Authenticity is belief through objectivity. It’s not just saying, ‘I believe in myself.’ That’s delusion without evidence. You had the proof.”
Brannon didn’t need hype. His confidence came from his preparation. His presence came from performance. And that kind of evidence-based belief? That’s what makes leaders.
Have you coached or played with someone whose actions earned more respect than any words ever could? Tell us what made them different in the comments on this video:
Authenticity That Attracts
Some players are respected because of what they say.
Others are respected because of how they show up every day.
Brannon’s leadership wasn’t loud or self-declared—it was magnetic.
He attracted teammates, coaches, and attention because his confidence was real. Earned. Repeated. Measured.
“You have a gravity about you,” Coach Young told him. “It’s noticeable. And it pulls people in.”
That kind of athlete authenticity changes a team. It builds trust. It sets a standard.
Delusion vs. Evidence-Based Confidence
At Sore to Soaring, we teach athletes to build belief through evidence.
True confidence is built from: – Doing the work when no one’s watching
– Seeing consistent results in the cage, in the weight room, and in-game
– Knowing your preparation puts you in position to perform
– Letting results—not ego—do the talking
Brannon didn’t just believe he was good. He knew he had worked to be good.
That’s why coaches believed in him, too.
The Standard That Sticks
Brannon’s name came up again and again in college coaches’ meetings—not just because of what he threw, but because of how he carried himself.
“You acted like a grown man when you were 18,” Coach Young says. “You brought a presence that set a tone—and coaches felt that.”
Authenticity, backed by proof, always rises to the top.
Key Takeaways
✅ The best athletes lead with results—not noise
✅ Confidence without evidence is delusion
✅ Authenticity attracts respect and elevates team culture
✅ Coaches notice maturity, preparation, and presence
✅ Real leadership is built through habits, not hype
How Sore to Soaring Develops Authentic Athletes
At Sore to Soaring, we don’t teach fake motivation. We build real, repeatable systems that help athletes perform, evaluate, improve—and earn belief.
We teach our players how to lead with clarity, speak with results, and train in a way that gives them real confidence—not false hope.
This is what authenticity looks like in sports.
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Disclaimer
This episode is for informational purposes only. Any mention of a company, product, or business does not constitute an endorsement by Sore to Soaring. Always consult with a qualified professional before making training, medical, or career decisions.
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