In partnership with

Keep Yourself Informed…

As you’ll see below, today’s DML REPORT is about a kid making something of himself—a goal that’s getting harder these days. Consider how AI is taking over everything. Imagine being young, aspiring to achieve greatness, only to learn AI might take your place. Without a solid understanding of AI, you—the parent or grandparent—will likely be out of luck when trying to help your kid and grandkid. Therefore, consider one of the best (free) AI newsletters in the world:

When you visit the safe & no obligation Superhuman AI website (our sponsor), you could potentially help yourself by getting the information that is shaping the planet.

Find out why 1M+ professionals read Superhuman AI daily.

In 2 years you will be working for AI

Or an AI will be working for you

Here's how you can future-proof yourself:

1. Join the Superhuman AI newsletter – read by 1M+ people at top companies

2. Master AI tools, tutorials, and news in just 3 minutes a day

3. Become 10X more productive using AI

Join 1,000,000+ pros at companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon that are using AI to get ahead.

Sign up and start learning AI

Today’s kids… few are like we were.

“This boy is a rare gem, he needs to WIN the prize.” - DML

As teens, we played sports, strove for greatness, and showed heart. Today, few teens aim to achieve like we did. Every generation critiques the next—claiming, “I walked to school in the snow, but kids today get snow days.” We’re justified: most kids now seem weaker, tethered to computers and iPhones rather than playing sports like we did, even if it was just street kickball or stickball. When did you last see kids playing roller hockey in the street? I haven’t seen it in 15 years—not since my own kids played.

FACTS
In the 1950s and 1960s, school sports were central to childhood. Physical education was mandatory in most schools, often daily, and interscholastic sports were widely available, especially for boys. However, participation stats weren’t tracked then, so I’ll shift to the 1970s and 1980s.

In the 1970s and 1980s, youth sports participation was much higher, with an estimated 65–75% of kids aged 6–17 taking part. By contrast, the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health reports only 53.8% of kids in that age group played sports, down from 58.4% in 2017. This drop from 75% to 53.8% means millions fewer kids play sports today, driven by pay-to-play fees, reduced PE (only 8% of schools offered daily PE in 2022, compared to 50% in the 1980s), and a preference for digital screen time over outdoor activities, highlighting a decline in physical activity compared to the more active, accessible sports culture of the 1970s and 1980s.

THE PROBLEM
Beyond health benefits, as kids ditch sports for digital screen time, we risk raising a generation of couch potatoes. A 2017 University of Kansas study in the Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies surveyed 257 adults employed for 10+ years and found high school athletes fare better professionally. Former athletes were more likely to hold leadership roles (68% vs. 52% of non-athletes) and earned 7% more annually—$8,000 more after 20 years—due to skills like teamwork and discipline. Notably, 92% of athletes applied time-management skills to work, compared to 74% of non-athletes. The study shows sports foster traits for career success.

KIDS TODAY
In the 1970s and 1980s, kids admired tangible, community-oriented roles like firefighters, nurses, teachers, doctors, and astronauts—jobs visible in daily life and celebrated in media. Today, many kids aspire to be influencers, aiming to become the next YouTube or Instagram star. Our country cannot sustain itself on such aspirations.

I’m deeply passionate about this topic. First, I’m concerned about our country’s future. Second, I want our kids to have more than we did. For years, I ran the DML Foundation, my self-funded charity, occasionally donating to kids who worked weekend jobs others avoided or supporting those striving for college through diligent study or excelling in sports. I closed the DML Foundation this year due to time constraints and Mary’s illness. Still, when I spot a standout kid today, I try to help—even if it’s just shining a light on them. Amid so many unmotivated kids, I believe these gems deserve recognition. Thus, I introduce you to a boy named John Curley.

DID YOU SEE JOHN?
Last Saturday night, I attended a small gathering with some friends. The conversation spanned politics to the stock market—typical guy talk. Then my friend Bill remarked to Mike, “Hey, I saw your son John running at 6 a.m. He’s really dedicated.” Mike replied that John works harder than any kid he knows, serving as captain of the track and field team despite being only a 10th grader. This caught my attention.

John Curley rises every Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m., while it’s still dark in Florida, to run 7 miles—unlike other kids his age who sleep until 10:30 a.m. During the week, he excels in school, attends track practice, and, according to his father, Mike, John is a great son who loves America.

I asked Mike, “What does John want to be when he grows up?” It’s a tough question that puts parents on the spot. Most kids today lack clear aspirations, often telling their parents, “I don’t know what I want to be,” which leads parents to dodge my question. Not Mike—he knew exactly what his son wants. “John wants to be a D1 runner at Florida University,” he replied. I clarified, “I meant when he grows up.”

Mike proudly shared, “John wants to be a lawyer or maybe an investment banker—but he also aspires to be a marathon runner.” It was refreshing to hear such ambition. A 10th-grader with goals, running at 6 a.m., excelling in school, striving to be a great son, and already envisioning a career points to a bright future. We need more kids like John.

THE PARENTS
My son Denny and I recently discussed the toughest jobs in the world, agreeing that parenting is brutal work—but when done right, the rewards are unmatched. Great parents are hard to find these days, which I believe contributes to our society lacking the vigor we had as kids. Great parents often raise children who become exceptional members of society.

If the above is true, then John is undoubtedly set to be a winner. His mother, Cathy, spends her weekends working long hours selling real estate. Just a few years ago, she knew nothing about the industry; today, she’s one of the top sellers in our town, her work ethic evident to all, including her children. Then there’s Mike—a machine in the financial services business, which sounds glamorous but isn’t. Mike moved to our town knowing no one, with zero clients, and built his business through sheer grit and dedication to provide for his family, ensuring his kids could attend school and have more opportunities than he did. We need more parents like Mike and Cathy; with them, we’d have more kids like John.

THE AWARD
I learned today that John is nominated for Student Athlete of the Week, competing against many kids from rival counties, some over 50 miles away. I heard about this and checked on his progress. It’s an online vote, and John is currently tied with another kid. His write-up reads as follows:

“Boys Track and Field: John Curley, St. Edward’s - The Pirates sophomore captured the district title in the 1,600-meter run at the District 13-1A meet after turning in a time of 4 minutes, 36.66 seconds. He later finished second in the 3,200 and helped the 3,200-relay team to a third-place finish.”

I see how much this award could mean for John, boosting his confidence and shaping him into a leader for years to come. If you admire his story and work ethic—if you want to encourage this young man to keep working hard, leading with integrity, and pursuing excellence—please consider voting for him. It costs you and me nothing to vote for this kid — but it will mean everything to him. And full transparency, there is no upside for me personally if John wins — I have no personal skin in the game — I’ve never met John, but hearing his dad speak about him convinced me he’s a shining star in the making. It takes a community like ours to make his star outshine any YouTube celebrity. Below is a photo of John and screenshots from the voting page. When you get there, scroll down and consider voting for John Curley if you believe in this young man’s future. Go here to vote.

PHOTO OF JOHN CURLEY

REMINDERS & NOTICES…

1. The DML Health Newsletter launched last week, if you did not receive it, go to DMLHealth.com and enter your email.
   

2. Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast: 10am ET. Watch on X, FB, Rumble or TeamDML. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
   
   NOTICE:
   Still running a deal on our coffee mugs. Use coupon code LIFE to save 10% and free shipping. Buy one already so I can fund this newsletter and feed my dog. 😄 

Have a great rest of your day.
Your Friend,
DML

_{DISCLAIMERS: This newsletter is for fun purposes only. I share my opinions. And I am not a doctor or a stock professional, so contact your doctor and financial planner for advice on that kind of stuff. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe button below. Links provided may result in you visiting a website that generates income for TeamDML Inc. My wife thanks you for reading my newsletter, writing it keeps me out of her way. Copyright 2025 TeamDML Inc.}