A former soccer star finds his calling training 6-year-old children in Los Angeles to find their superpowers on and off the pitch.

Director’s Vision for ‘Coach Pancake’

I’ve always been fascinated by stories of people who embody the change they want to see in the world—those who, even through small, incremental efforts, manage to make a meaningful difference. This short film gave me the chance to explore the story of someone who has profoundly impacted hundreds of children, including my own son, by fostering confidence, resilience, and kindness — through soccer training of all things.
I don’t think I fully appreciated the magic of the environment Coach Pancake creates until I saw the growth and transformation in my son firsthand. This project allowed me to uncover just a glimpse of what drives Coach Pancake and how he views his role in shaping young lives. I walked away inspired to do more in my own life.

Much of my filmmaking work takes place in the world of advertising, which I thoroughly enjoy, but I rarely have the opportunity to choose the subjects or the people I interview. Working on this documentary was a refreshing change. It felt deeply personal to focus on someone who has touched my own life and to channel that positive energy into rallying a talented team of collaborators I’ve worked with on commercials for years.