Like all great stories, ours began with a simple idea: to bring back the joy of play in a world where youth sports have become anything but fun. From the early days of running around the neighborhood with makeshift gear to creating an organized program that empowers kids and protects family time, this is the true story of how Fun-tathlon came to be.

As a father of two boys and a lifelong sports enthusiast, I've spent years watching the world of youth sports transform. Growing up in Minnesota, my four brothers (mom kept trying for a girl) and I were constantly shuffled from one sport to the next, but here’s the kicker—sports actually stopped with the seasons. Shocking, right? We had time to breathe, to rest, and maybe that was just because we lived in a place where lakes turn solid for half the year. Regardless, those seasonal breaks allowed us to stay balanced, and honestly, I think that’s something today’s kids are missing out on.

I started seeing this shift early in my fatherhood journey. My best friend in Minnesota—great guy, but let’s just say he’s the reason why Minnesota is the “State of Hockey”—started taking his son to out-of-state hockey tournaments at age seven. Seven! I mean, shouldn’t he be more worried about learning to read at that age? And then there was my brother, whose son was forced to choose between soccer and every other sport at the ripe old age of nine because the soccer program demanded year-round commitment. I stood firm for a while, holding the line against early specialization for my oldest son. But eventually, the peer pressure got to me. "You don’t want him to miss out, do you?" they said. Sigh.

Here’s the thing: sports were a foundational pillar in my life. My weekends were filled with tournaments starting from the time I hit double digits, and that only intensified as I got more competitive. Traveling to national track meets eventually earned me a college scholarship—a life-changing opportunity for a kid from a family of four on a teacher’s salary. So yes, my relationship with sports is complicated. I don’t want to withhold that beautiful experience from my kids, but the reality is, the culture they’re growing up in is completely different. The social construct has shifted, and instead of fighting against that gravity, I’ve decided to create what I’ve long envisioned as my "perfect world." And that, my friends, is how the **Fun-tathlon** was born.

The Birth of the Fun-tathlon

Let’s rewind to 15 years ago when I was in college. I came up with this wild idea: a mix of 10 ridiculous events that would test your skills in the most unconventional ways possible. We had everything from a monster golf field goal to a backward 100-meter dash, and even a second-grade timed math test. (By the way, don’t underestimate the challenge of riding a child’s bike for 400 meters—it’s a lot harder on the hamstrings than you’d think.) We brought the Fun-tathlon back for my wife’s 30th birthday, with new events and some good old-fashioned reckless abandon, like wearing colorful leotards and dressing up as Greek gods. Picture this: 15 thirty-year-olds on a NYC public baseball field, all dressed up and ready to compete. Fun fact—did you know it only costs $25 to rent a field in NYC? Crazy, right? Anyway, back to the story. This was the moment I realized that pure, unadulterated fun was what’s missing in today’s youth sports culture.

Why the Fun-tathlon Matters

I’ve always said, if only I could find a few other parents crazy enough to join me, it would be so much fun to introduce our kids to all kinds of sports without the pressure to specialize too early. I mean, when we did AYSO soccer, it felt like it took over my life. Four days a week were dedicated to practices and games, and weekends turned into an endless cycle of early morning games. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I went from spontaneous weekend adventures to being shackled by the soccer schedule. And sure, I’m being a little dramatic, but now that my kids are in full-time school, the weekends and evenings are what’s left of our quality time together.

I know that when my kids hit 10, they’ll want to start focusing on one or two sports that they naturally excel at—and that’s great. But I want them to know that there are over 100 sports to choose from. Yes, I said 100. And if they want to do breakdancing, which somehow became an Olympic sport before Kubb (still bitter about that one), I’m fine with it. What’s important is that they experience a variety of sports before making their choice.

The Case for Multi-Sport Exposure

Now, I’m not just talking out of nostalgia here—there’s actual research to back this up. Studies have shown that early specialization in sports can lead to burnout, overuse injuries, and mental health issues . On the flip side, kids who play multiple sports tend to develop better overall athletic skills, enjoy a longer and healthier relationship with sports, and are less likely to drop out of sports altogether as they get older . Exposing kids to a variety of sports allows them to develop a broader range of skills, figure out what they truly enjoy, and maintain a healthier balance in their lives.

Introducing the Fun-tathlon

So, here we are. Welcome to the Fun-tathlon, an out-of-school youth sports co-op that introduces kids to a variety of sports in a fun, intentional way. We offer after-school sessions ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours, specialist clinics where kids can dive deeper into sports like surfing or rock climbing, and community events that fill the gaps in local offerings—think kids’ triathlons and trail runs.

The Fun-tathlon is built on a co-op model, partnering with local organizations, schools, and parents to bring this program to life. It’s about reclaiming the joy of play, exploring multiple sports, and giving kids the freedom to discover what they love—without the pressure to specialize too soon.

Why This Matters to Me

Sports were a cornerstone of my upbringing, and they’ve been a huge part of who I am today. But I’ve come to realize that the way my kids experience sports needs to be different. The Fun-tathlon isn’t just a program; it’s my response to the cultural shift in youth sports. It’s my way of ensuring that my kids—and yours—get to experience the joy, variety, and balance that I had growing up.

So, here we are. If the Fun-tathlon resonates with you, if you want your child to experience a variety of sports without the pressure of early specialization, or if you’re interested in bringing this concept to your community, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s reclaim the weekends, protect our family time, and give our kids the opportunity to explore, play, and grow.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to seeing you on the field!

Onward,

Josh