Aaron Pridmore on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Aaron Pridmore and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
Over the past five years, I’ve been chasing ways to help youth athletes build confidence, rediscover joy in their sport, and truly understand their worth — not just as players, but as people. Through The SLIDE Podcast and the youth events we’ve created, I’ve made it my mission to remind every kid that they are seen, valued, and capable of something great.

If I stopped chasing that, I think a piece of the movement we’ve started would fade. Kids need voices that build them up, communities that encourage them, and leaders who model positive energy. If I stopped, some of those young athletes might not hear that message when they need it most, and that’s not something I’m willing to let happen.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Aaron Pridmore, and I’m the founder and host of The SLIDE Podcast, a platform built around a straightforward idea: to make baseball and softball fun again. Over the past five years, what began as a small side project has grown into a national youth-sports network featuring inspiring stories from athletes, coaches, parents, and professionals who share one common goal: helping kids fall in love with the game and believe in themselves.

The SLIDE brand stands out because it’s not just about stats or scores; it’s about people. We give young athletes a voice through our Field Reporter program, where kids from across the country get to interview pros, host shows, and share their own stories. We’ve partnered with some incredible organizations in baseball and softball, but at the heart of it all is a message of confidence, leadership, and joy.

What makes this journey truly special is seeing how far it’s come from recording episodes in my home studio to building a community that celebrates positivity in youth sports. Right now, we’re expanding The SLIDE Network with new shows, on-site tournament coverage, and creative opportunities for young voices to lead the conversation. It’s been an incredible ride, and we’re just getting started.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Honestly, my wife has probably had the most significant impact on how I see myself. She’s always believed in me, even during the times when I didn’t really believe in myself. She’s the one who’s pushed me to take those leaps of faith and step outside my comfort zone, and because of that, I’ve grown in ways I never expected.

She’s been there through all the long nights, the new ideas, and the moments of doubt that come with chasing something you care about. She’s helped me realize that confidence isn’t something you have; it’s something you build, and it’s helpful when someone’s in your corner, reminding you of what you’re capable of. I can honestly say I’m a stronger person today because of her.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I’d spend that time building him up. I’d tell him to believe in himself a little more, to take chances, not be afraid to fail, and to understand that being good isn’t the goal… he’s capable of being great.

I’d remind him that confidence doesn’t come from getting everything right; it comes from showing up, learning, and trusting that each step has a purpose. And most of all, I’d tell him to stay close to the Lord, because His plan is bigger and better than anything we can imagine. Looking back now, I think that kind of encouragement would’ve changed how I saw myself, and that’s the same message I try to share with kids today through The SLIDE Podcast.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
The person I admire most — and who really inspires me from a distance — is Coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. What stands out about him isn’t just his success or his influence, but his character. His faith comes first, then his family, and then his mission to lead and challenge the norm in everything he does.

Coach Prime is bold. He speaks with intelligence, passion, and most importantly, experience. He’s not afraid to be different, and that’s what makes him powerful in the right way. A lot of people don’t always like his style, but instead of changing to fit the so-called standard, he stays true to who he is and holds himself — and his players — to a higher level of excellence.

What I admire most is how he’s using his platform to turn boys into men. He teaches accountability, respect, and heart, both on and off the field. That’s the kind of leadership that leaves a real mark — not just in sports, but in life.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people say that I cared, truly cared. I know not everyone will have agreed with everything I did, but I’ve never had a problem standing up for what I believe in. My intentions have always come from a place of wanting to help others, especially kids who needed encouragement or someone in their corner.

I hope I’m remembered as someone who stood up for people who couldn’t always stand up for themselves, and who tried to make a difference, even in small ways. More than anything, I want my family to know how much I loved them. I want them to remember that no matter what was going on —projects, the podcast, travel, family— family always came first. That’s the story I hope gets told long after I’m gone.

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