Why Brannon Snead Says He Regrets Not Slowing Down in His Youth—and What Every Driven Athlete Needs to Hear About Presence, Pressure, and Making Room for Joy Along the Way

“I Wish I’d Smelled the Roses”

Brannon Snead doesn’t regret being driven.
He regrets not stopping long enough to enjoy the journey.

From the baseball field to public service, Brannon was always leading, always locked in. But in that pursuit, something slipped through:
Presence. Celebration. Lightness.

“I wish I would’ve just been a kid,” he says.
That’s the lesson—drive is great, but it needs balance.

What moment did you rush through that you now wish you had paused to enjoy?
Share it in the comments on the full video—someone else needs to hear it.

The Cost of Always Being the Focused One

When you’re a leader, you often feel like you have to carry the weight.
Brannon did that on every team, in every role.

But that burden can make you miss the very thing you’re working so hard to build:
Shared moments. Joy. Laughter. Connection.

And over time, the cost of constant seriousness becomes clear.

Advice That Landed Years Later: “Slow Down. Take Time for Yourself.”

The best advice Brannon ever received?
“You’re just a number.”

What sounded like a cold statement at first eventually became a powerful reminder:
You’re replaceable in systems—but irreplaceable to the people who love you.
So don’t live like you’ll always have tomorrow.

Take the time.
Take the trip.
Take the win in stride.

Coaches and Mentors: You Must Create Space for Joy

Here’s how to build balance into your leadership culture:

✔ Normalize recovery—not just physically, but emotionally
✔ Encourage athletes to pause and reflect on their growth
✔ Celebrate small wins—not just milestones
✔ Model how to lead with purpose and peace

How Sore to Soaring Teaches Athletes to Pursue Balance, Not Burnout

At Sore to Soaring, we train athletes to be disciplined and driven—but not disconnected.

✔ We help them embrace the value of rest, gratitude, and moments
✔ We teach that your worth isn’t only in your work
✔ And we coach young men to lead in life—not just in competition

🌍 Learn how we build complete athletes and leaders:
👉 https://www.soretosoaring.org

Disclaimer:

The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.

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