Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young joined Greg Olsen on the Youth Inc. podcast this week. Throughout the episode, Young opened up about joy, discipline, resilience, and the habits that have shaped him both on and off the field. Watch the full episode here.
From starring at Mater Dei High School in California to leading Alabama as a Heisman Trophy winner, Young’s path to the NFL was defined by excellence. Selected No. 1 overall by the Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft, he entered the league carrying both momentum and pressure. But as he shared during his conversation with Youth Inc. host Greg Olsen, success is not only about accolades, but about growth as well.
Key Takeaways
Joy in the Journey
“I think one of the things it opened me up to was just finding joy in the journey,” Young said.
Young emphasized that fulfillment doesn’t come only from results. For him, development and daily progress matter just as much as the scoreboard.
Work Ethic Sets You Apart
“I was never the prototype,” Young said. “I was never the strongest arm, fastest, I was never the the big guy... I have to master myself and master being the best version of what I can be."
Rather than comparing himself to others, Young built his success on self-discipline and becoming the best version of himself.
Habits and Consistency Matter
For Young, consistency is what separates good from great: "It's not what you're doing, but it's how you're doing it."
Young focused on what was best for himself regardless of what everyone else thought: "I always put what I felt like was the best for my process and my journey above the opinions."
Adversity Builds Resilience
“When I got benched and I wasn't playing, that was something that was very different for me,” Young reflected. “and it was just a different way to to challenge myself, a different way to try to work to to find new goals, to set new things, to again experience everything in just a different light. And I'm super grateful for the journey.”
This moment shaped his mindset: control what you can, learn from setbacks, and keep improving.
Lessons for Parents
- Sports are about more than scholarships or wins. They are opportunities to help young athletes build resilience, discipline, and character that will serve them long after the final whistle.
Lessons for Coaches
- Every drill, every meeting, and every conversation shapes more than performance — it shapes identity. The habits you reinforce today become the foundation athletes rely on tomorrow.
Lessons for Athletes
- Your mindset is your competitive advantage. Focus on preparation. Embrace adversity. Compete against yourself first — and let the results follow.
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