Something special is happening in sports -- a quiet but powerful evolution. For decades, we’ve celebrated performance metrics: exit velocity, spin rates, wins above replacement. But the future of sport isn’t just about sharpening data, it’s about strengthening people.

After two decades inside clubhouses -- first through my time at Major League Baseball’s Commissioner’s Office, then in scouting, front office, leadership development and mind health roles with the Texas Rangers -- I’ve seen firsthand that the true difference-makers aren’t always measurable. Sure, we tracked the numbers, but the greatest victories often came from what we couldn’t track: an athlete battling through anxiety, a coach responding to burnout, a team culture rebuilt through trust.

Mental health, leadership skills and emotional intelligence are no longer luxuries. They’re performance essentials. People are, and always will be, the ultimate competitive advantage.

According to the 2025 Leaders in Sport Performance Institute Trends Study, when more than 200 international sport professionals were asked, more than 80% across 30-plus sports rated psychology services as “very important.” Yet 43% identified it as the most underserved area in high performance.

That disconnect is our challenge -- and our opportunity. It’s not a problem to run from; it’s a sign of progress. We’re seeing the gap, naming it and working to close it.

We’re seeing that opportunity show up in bold ways. At Abilene........

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