Healthy Sports Parents

Youth sports have become increasingly all-or-nothing. Make the team. Commit more time. Play at a higher level. Keep up, or eventually there may not be a place for you anymore. Amanda Carey believes there’s another way. Amanda is the President of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and a multi-time professional mountain biking champion. In this conversation, she talks with Jonathan Carone about what happens when youth sports make belonging the starting point instead of something kids have to earn. They get into why kids need safe chances to make bad decisions, how sports can build independence, the value of letting kids choose their own level of competition, why teenagers need opportunities to play just for fun, and how competitive kids can learn to use that drive to make the people around them better. They also talk about exercise and ADHD, the unique benefits of repetitive sports like mountain biking, swimming and running, and why giving kids ownership over their sports experience can help them build a relationship with movement that lasts long after their competitive years are over. This episode uses mountain biking as the example, but the bigger question applies to every sport: How do we create more places where kids of different abilities, interests and goals can play, grow and belong? -------- HEALTHY SPORTS PARENTING COURSE Get access at HealthySportsParenting.com . -------- More from NICA: Website: https://nationalmtb.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalmtb/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalMTB/ -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Sportball Franchising https://sportballfranchise.com/ -------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirts: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coach Travis Hudson has spent 32 years building Western Kentucky volleyball into one of the best mid-major programs in the country. Along the way, he’s learned a lot about what actually matters in developing athletes and raising kids through sports. In this episode, Coach Hudson and Jonathan Carone talk about why parents feel so much pressure to rush their kids to the next team or level, why development matters more than tournaments, how to know when to push your kid and when to back off, and why every child needs a different path. Coach Hudson also shares what he learned while watching his own son go from never playing a high school volleyball match to becoming the starting libero at Ohio State. More than anything, this conversation is a reminder that your kid’s sports journey doesn’t need to end with a college roster spot to be successful. There’s a lot of good happening right now if we’re willing to stop chasing what’s next long enough to see it. -------- HEALTHY SPORTS PARENTING COURSE Get access at HealthySportsParenting.com . -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Interested in sponsoring an episode? Hello@HealthySportsParents.com -------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirts: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every kid develops on their own timeline. The challenge for parents is believing that when it feels like everyone else's kid is getting ahead. Former NFL quarterback and longtime quarterback coach Jordan Palmer has worked with some of the best quarterbacks in football, including Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Trevor Lawrence. But as a dad of four, he's also navigating the same questions the rest of us are: When should we push? When should we back off? How do we help our kids build real confidence? And what happens when they just aren't ready to take that next step yet? In this episode, Jordan and Jonathan Carone talk about why kids have to decide for themselves when they're ready to level up, how parents can support that process without pressing the button for them, and why failure and adversity are an important part of becoming a confident athlete. They also talk about building confidence without making kids dependent on praise, celebrating the things kids can control, why winning isn't the only way to measure progress, the value of playing multiple sports, and why parents may be trying too hard to create the perfect sports journey for their kids. Whether your kid dreams of playing in the NFL or just wants to have fun with their friends, their path belongs to them. In this episode: Why every young athlete develops on a different timeline When parents should push and when they should wait Why it's your kid's "button to press" How to build confidence that doesn't depend on praise What parents and coaches should celebrate beyond goals and touchdowns Why failure and adversity can be good for young athletes The value of traditional and nontraditional sports Why the perfect youth sports path doesn't exist -------- HEALTHY SPORTS PARENTING COURSE Get access at HealthySportsParenting.com . Use code SUMMER15 for 15% off before August 19. -------- More from Jordan Palmer: QB Summit: https://qbsummit.com/ Thread Performance: https://threadperformance.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanpalmer -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Sportball Franchising https://sportballfranchise.com/ JAX Athletics Coupon Code: HSP15 for 15% off https://jaxathletics.com/ -------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirts: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Epstein has spent years making the case for range, exploration, and giving kids time to discover what fits. His new book, Inside the Box , makes what initially sounds like the opposite argument: sometimes we need more constraints, not more options. David joins Jonathan Carone to explore what happens when you put those two ideas together in youth sports and parenting. They wrestle with some of the messier questions parents face: When does persistence become a sunk cost? How do you know when it's okay to let your kid quit? Why can immediate feedback actually make things worse? How can we give kids enough structure to grow without taking away the curiosity that helps them figure out who they want to become? It's a conversation about giving kids room to explore, challenges that help them grow, and the freedom to fail while they're figuring it all out. -------- HEALTHY SPORTS PARENTING COURSE Get access at HealthySportsParenting.com . Use code SUMMER15 for 15% off before August 19. -------- More from David Epstein: Website: https://davidepstein.com/ Inside The Box: AMAZON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidepstein -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Sportball Franchising https://sportballfranchise.com/ Hour-a-thon https://www.hour-a-thon.com/ -------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirts: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents #youthsports #sportsparent #travelball #raisingathletes New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it actually take for a kid to love sports for the long haul? World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach joins Jonathan Carone for a conversation about what happens when adults stop trying to manufacture motivation and give kids the space to discover what they actually love. They talk about the pressure inside modern youth sports, why a kid's desire has to come from within, and why reaching the highest levels isn't the only way sports can matter in a child's life. Abby also opens up about realizing that part of her own drive as a young athlete came from wanting her mom's attention and love, and what that experience has taught her about parenting and the messages kids can attach to achievement. They also dig into what girls need from sports, why relationships and belonging can be such powerful motivators, and how parents can create environments where their daughters want to keep playing. Finally, Abby shares one of the most important ideas from the conversation: sports can give parents and kids a shared language that lasts long after they're done playing. For parents raising young athletes, this conversation is a reminder that kids don't need adults to map out where sports will take them. They need the space to figure out why they want to play in the first place. -------- HEALTHY SPORTS PARENTING COURSE Get access at HealthySportsParenting.com . Use code SUMMER15 for 15% off before August 19. -------- More from Abby Wambach: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbywambach/ Welcome To The Party podcast: https://welcometothepartyshow.com/ Website: https://abbywambach.com/ -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Sportball Franchising https://sportballfranchise.com/ Eleven11 https://eleven11teamsports.com/ -------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirts: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents #youthsports #sportsparent #travelball #raisingathletes New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports is one of the most influential institutions in childhood. It teaches teamwork, resilience, leadership, confidence, and community. Millions of families invest thousands of dollars and countless hours into it every year. Yet unlike schools, parks, or public health, no one is really in charge. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Renata Simril, president and CEO of LA84 Foundation and founder of the Play Equity Fund, to discuss California's groundbreaking Youth Sports for All Act, a bipartisan effort that passed with 97% support and could reshape how youth sports are supported for generations to come. They explore why youth sports has become the "Wild West," what a state commission could actually do, why every kid deserves access to play, and what it would look like if we treated youth sports as an investment in the next generation instead of just another extracurricular activity. Whether you agree with California's approach or not, this conversation raises a bigger question every parent should be asking: What kind of youth sports system are we building for the kids who come after ours? -------- HEALTHY SPORTS PARENTING COURSE Get access at HealthySportsParenting.com . Use code SUMMER15 for 15% off before August 19. -------- More from Renata Simril: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renataangeleno/ LA84 Foundation: https://www.la84.org/ Play Equity Fund: https://www.playequityfund.org/ -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Tomahawk Shades https://tomahawkshades.com Code: HSP50 for 50% off -------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirts: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents #youthsports #sportsparent #travelball #raisingathletes New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some of the healthiest things we can do as sports parents feel completely wrong in the moment. We want to correct every mistake. We want to protect our kids from failure. We want to solve their problems, give them feedback after every game, and keep them from feeling disappointed. But what if those instincts are actually getting in the way of what our kids need most? In this episode, sports psychologist Dr. Joey Case returns to discuss seven things that feel like bad sports parenting but aren't. We explore why confidence grows through struggle, how kids develop resilience, and what it looks like to support young athletes without trying to control every outcome. Topics include: • Why correcting every mistake can hurt learning and confidence • The value of letting kids fail in public • Why the car ride home is usually the wrong place for feedback • When parents should step in and when they should stay out • Why connection matters more than performance after a tough game • The surprising benefits of boredom • How to know when quitting is the wrong choice and when it's the right one If you've ever wondered whether you're helping your child grow or simply easing your own anxiety, this conversation is for you. The goal of sports parenting isn't protecting kids from discomfort but rather helping them develop the tools to handle discomfort when it comes. -------- HEALTHY SPORTS PARENTING COURSE Get early access at HealthySportsParents.com/Course . -------- More from Dr. Case: TikTok: @josephccase Instagram: @drjosephcase Substack: https://josephccasepsyd.substack.com -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Hey Coach https://heycoach.team/ Tomahawk Shades https://tomahawkshades.com Code: HSP50 for 50% off -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports are supposed to help kids grow, compete, fail, learn, and have fun. But somewhere along the way, a lot of adults started acting like fun and hard can’t both exist at the same time. In this episode of Healthy Sports Parents , Jonathan Carone sits down with former player, coach, and creator Jake Savickifor a conversation about what kids actually need from the adults around them in sports. Jake shares stories from coaching high school baseball, raising his own daughter through youth sports, and learning firsthand how much weight parents’ words, reactions, and expectations can carry. The conversation dives into why so many kids stop loving sports, how parents unintentionally add pressure, and why creating the right environment matters more than chasing the perfect development plan. Jonathan and Jake also talk about: Why fun changes as kids get older The difference between hard work and pressure Helping kids stay connected to the game long-term Why comparison and FOMO lead parents into bad decisions The importance of understanding each kid individually What happens when kids feel safe to fail Why parents matter more than they realize This episode is a reminder that most kids don’t need perfect coaching, year-round training, or adults obsessing over outcomes. They need support, perspective, encouragement, and the freedom to enjoy the process of growing up through sports. -------- More from Jake: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jakesavicki?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakesavicki/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Jake-Savicki-100066450740049/ -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Hey Coach https://heycoach.team/ Onsides https://www.getonsides.com/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congressman Chris Deluzio and Senator Cory Booker join Healthy Sports Parents creator Jonathan Carone for a conversation about the newly introduced Let Kids Play Act and why they believe youth sports in America are becoming inaccessible for too many families. Instead of focusing only on the details of the legislation, this conversation explores the bigger questions underneath it all: Why do youth sports matter so much? What happens when sports become a luxury item instead of a community experience? And what role, if any, should the federal government play when families are being priced out? Jonathan talks with Congressman Deluzio and Senator Booker about private equity in youth sports, stay-to-play requirements, rising costs for families, youth sports data privacy, and the growing concern that community-based leagues and facilities are disappearing as larger companies consolidate control over more parts of the sports ecosystem. The conversation also goes beyond policy. Senator Booker shares how sports shaped his life and taught him lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and unity, while Congressman Deluzio reflects on growing up in community baseball and why he believes every kid deserves the chance to play regardless of their family’s income. Whether you agree with the bill or not, this episode is ultimately about something much bigger than politics: preserving the role youth sports can play in helping kids grow into healthy adults and keeping those opportunities accessible for future generations. Episode recorded May 13, 2026. -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Hour-a-thon http://www.hour-a-thon.com Hey Coach https://heycoach.team/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports can feel like they’re all about the next game, the next season, or the next level. But what if the bigger opportunity has nothing to do with any of that? In this episode of Healthy Sports Parents , Jonathan Carone sits down with Lisa Willis to talk about what sports are really meant to give our kids. From her journey through UCLA and the WNBA to her work as a coach today with Texas Sports Academy, Lisa shares how the lessons that mattered most had nothing to do with stats or accolades, and everything to do with mindset, resilience, and identity. Together, they unpack why so many young athletes are more skilled than ever but often struggle with confidence, pressure, and failure, and what parents can do to help shift that. Lisa explains why habits matter more than highlight moments, how to help kids handle tough emotions after games, and why separating identity from performance is one of the most important things we can teach them. This conversation keeps coming back to one simple idea: sports should be bigger than sports. Not because of what kids achieve, but because of who they’re becoming in the process. If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting your kid to succeed and wanting them to enjoy the experience, this episode will help you approach it in a more grounded, intentional way. At the end of the day, the goal isn’t simply to raise a great athlete. It’s to raise a great human. -------- More from Lisa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawillis40/ Website: https://lisacwillis.com/ Texas Sports Academy: https://sportsacademy.school/ -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Eleven11 https://eleven11teamsports.com/ Hey Coach https://heycoach.team/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports are not about winning. They’re about helping our kids become the best version of themselves possible. In this episode of Healthy Sports Parents, Jonathan sits down with Dr. Jeremy Alland, team doctor for the Chicago Bulls and White Sox, for a practical and honest conversation about injuries, overuse, and what parents need to understand about their child’s long-term health. They discuss why kids are getting hurt at younger ages, how fatigue and year-round play are driving many of these injuries, and what that means not just for this season, but for the next 30 to 60 years of a child’s life. The conversation also covers how to think about training volume, the role of free play, when to introduce strength training, and why most families should focus on nutrition before supplements. The goal isn’t short-term success this season. It’s raising a kid who leaves sports healthy, confident, and equipped for life. -------- More from Dr. Alland: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyallandmd/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyallandmd -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Eleven11 https://eleven11teamsports.com/ Hey Coach https://heycoach.team/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot of families hit a point where rec league doesn’t feel like enough anymore, and the next step seems obvious: move to club (travel) sports where kids will get more games, more training, and more opportunity. But before making that jump, it’s worth slowing down and understanding what actually changes when you leave rec behind. In this episode, Jonathan is joined by author Karen Scholl – a mom who navigated the club sports journey with both her sons and wrote a book about it called Surving Soccer. In the conversation, they walk through what club sports really are, why so many families feel pulled in that direction, and what parents should be thinking about before committing. They talk about the time, the cost, the pressure, and the tradeoffs that don’t always get talked about upfront. This isn’t about saying club sports are good or bad. For some kids and families, they can be a great fit. But club sports are not the only path, and it’s not always the right next step just because it feels like the natural one. If your family is starting to wrestle with the rec vs. club decision, this conversation will help you take a step back, think it through, and make a choice that actually fits your kid and your life. -------- More from Karen: Buy Surviving Soccer Substack: https://karenscholl.substack.com/ -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Hour-a-thon http://www.hour-a-thon.com -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot of families start the youth sports journey with the same goal in mind: play at the highest level possible and see where it goes. But what happens when you actually get there… and realize it wasn’t what you thought it would be? In this conversation, Jonathan sat down with Britt Lee, co-founder of Pure Athlete and a dad who’s walked the full path. His son reached Division I tennis. He also had another son burn out. And somewhere along the way, he learned what actually matters and what doesn’t. They talk about the pressure parents feel to specialize early, why so many well-meaning families get pulled into decisions they never intended to make, and how easy it is for sports to slowly take over more of our lives than we realize. Britt shares what he wishes he knew at the beginning, what he’d do differently, and how parents can take a step back and lead their kids through sports in a healthier way. They also get into identity, both for kids and for parents, and why it can be so hard to let go when a sport ends even if we’ve kept the right perspective the whole time. And maybe most importantly, we talk about how to keep sports in the right place so they add to your family instead of taking it over. If you’re in the middle of it right now, trying to figure out what’s best for your kid while managing all the noise and pressure around you, this one will hit close to home. -------- More from Britt + Pure Athlete: https://www.pureathlete.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pureathleteinc/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086392548798 https://www.tiktok.com/@pureathleteinc -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Hour-a-thon http://www.hour-a-thon.com -------- READ MY ARTICLE IN MOCKINGBIRD: https://mbird.com/sports/the-gospel-according-to-youth-sports/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports can quickly take over family life, leaving parents feeling pressure to specialize early, chase opportunities, and keep up with everyone else. But what if taking youth sports back starts with one simple shift at home? In this episode of the Healthy Sports Parents podcast, ESPN college football reporter and sports mom Heather Dinich joins the conversation to talk about balancing youth sports, family life, and ambition. As a parent of three boys navigating multiple sports, Heather shares what she’s learned about helping kids find the right fit, avoiding unnecessary pressure, and keeping sports in their proper place. We discuss the realities of club sports, the pressure families feel to specialize early, and how parents can support their kids without letting sports take over their identity or family time. This conversation also explores how to let kids take ownership of their sports journey while still providing guidance and perspective along the way. If you're a sports parent trying to balance busy schedules, rising expectations, and what’s actually best for your kid, this episode offers a practical and encouraging perspective on taking youth sports back one family at a time. In this episode, we discuss: • Balancing youth sports and family life • The pressure to specialize early • Letting kids find the sport that fits them • How parents can avoid comparison and urgency • Taking youth sports back one family at a time -------- More from Heather: https://www.instagram.com/cfbheather/ -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: ESPN's Take Back Sports https://www.takebacksports.org Hour-a-thon http://www.hour-a-thon.com -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when we stop trying to control our kids' sports experience and start helping them own it? In this episode, retired USWNT player and current youth coach / pro team owner Leslie Osborne shares why the healthiest sports journeys are the ones driven by kids, not adults. From playing multiple sports growing up to navigating injuries and life after soccer, Leslie reflects on how ownership, passion, and perspective shaped her career and now shape how she parents and coaches. We also explore what it looks like to support kids without pushing them, how parents can balance competitiveness with emotional development, and why youth sports should be about developing confident, capable humans more than elite athletes. Our job isn’t to control the journey. It’s to give kids the tools, space, and confidence to own it themselves. This conversation is about stepping back, trusting our kids, and remembering that sports are simply the vehicle. The real goal is helping them grow into resilient, confident adults who can handle whatever comes next, both on and off the field. That long term development mindset sits at the heart of Healthy Sports Parents and the idea that youth sports are ultimately about raising healthy adults, not just athletes. -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Hour-a-thon http://www.hour-a-thon.com Smallside http://www.smallside.co New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports matter. We care because our kids care. But somewhere along the way, it’s easy for that care to turn into pressure, stress, and taking things way more seriously than we ever intended. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with comedian and sports dad Dustin Nickerson to talk about the realities of being a sports parent – the long tournaments, the awkward sideline dynamics, the pressure we feel to show up to everything and get it all right, and the moments when we realize we might need to take a breath and laugh a little. Dustin shares what youth sports look like through the lens of an introvert, how he balances being on the road with being present for his kids, and why effort matters more than perfect attendance. They also get into failure, perspective, participation trophies, arguing with refs, and why kids notice our effort more than our perfection. This is a conversation for parents who care deeply about their kids, want to support them well, and are trying to keep youth sports healthy for their family. Youth sports are serious. Just not that serious. -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Hour-a-thon http://www.hour-a-thon.com New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports can feel heavier than it’s supposed to. Not because parents don’t care. But because they care so much. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with former Nike sports marketer Jordan to pull back the curtain on what’s really shaping the youth sports experience today. From the way brands speak to us, to the rise of travel teams, to the pressure to keep up with other families, there’s more going on beneath the surface than most of us realize. We talk about why so many good parents feel like they’re constantly second-guessing their decisions, how comparison and fear quietly drive a lot of what we do, and why the system feels harder to navigate than it used to. We also get into: The difference between being served and being sold to Why youth sports keeps getting more expensive What happens when kids don’t make the team The loss of free play and what that means for kids The truth about NIL and youth sports social media This conversation is not about blaming parents but rather understanding the environment we’re parenting in. When we can name the pressures we're facing, we can start to lead through it in healthier ways. And that’s where things start to change. -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Hour-a-thon http://www.hour-a-thon.com Phenom Elite https://phenomelitebrand.com/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports need more trustworthy adults in kids’ lives. In this episode, Jonathan talks with Dr. Katlin Okamoto of the U.S. Soccer Foundation about the single biggest thing youth sports needs right now. It’s not better drills, more tournaments, or earlier specialization. It’s adults who understand that their influence goes far beyond the scoreboard. They explore why coaches often become one of the most influential adults in a young person’s life, how the role of a coach is shifting from instructor to mentor, and why relationships are the foundation of healthy sports experiences for kids. Dr. Okamoto also shares the thinking behind the Yes, Coach! campaign , a national effort to recruit, support, and celebrate the adults who step up to lead kids through sports in a healthy way. If youth sports are going to change, it won’t start with policies or platforms. It will start with the adults who show up for kids every week. In this episode we cover: Why kids need multiple trustworthy adults in their lives The hidden influence youth coaches have on young people Why coaching is as much an art as it is a science How youth sports have changed and why families feel more pressure What the Yes, Coach! campaign hopes to change in youth sports -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Brite Legacy https://britelegacy.com/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports development often focuses on skills, reps, and results. But there’s a missing piece that determines whether kids actually grow, last, and enjoy the journey. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Dr. Jonathan Jenkins , Team Clinical and Performance Psychologist for the New England Patriots and Behavioral Sport Psychologist for the Boston Red Sox , to talk about the mental side of youth sports that too often gets overlooked. They dig into what kids really need to thrive, motivation versus willpower, why independence at practice matters, how fundamentals lead to confidence and flow, why resilience and finishing strong matter more than early success, and how parents can support their kids without making sports feel heavier than they need to be. They also break down the four pillars from Dr. Jenkins’ new book Mentality Wins : Focus. Learning to direct attention and filter distractions Flow. Playing freely without overthinking Finish. Responding to mistakes and setbacks with resilience Flourish. Keeping identity bigger than sport This conversation is for parents who care about development, not just performance. About raising confident, resilient kids, not just better athletes. And about making sure youth sports actually serve the kid, not the other way around. -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Brite Legacy https://britelegacy.com/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation is an extended version of my interview with Mike Schultz for Parents ’ 100-Year Digital Issue, where he’s being spotlighted as one of today’s most inspiring parents. What actually lasts when the season ends? What happens once you step off the podium and go back to real life? In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Paralympic gold medalist, inventor, and dad Mike Schultz to talk about what it really looks like to chase something big while raising a 12-year-old athlete. Mike has competed at the highest level in the world. He’s also spent 170 days on the road in a single year trying to balance training for the Paralympic Winter Games with being present for his daughter’s gymnastics meets and middle school milestones. He knows the pull of ambition and the guilt that can come with it. We talk about: What his life-changing injury taught him about identity beyond performance Why progression, not winning, is what truly motivates long-term success The difference between supporting your kid and pushing them How to help kids discover their own internal drive What he hopes his daughter learns from watching him compete Mike shares honestly about the tension of being “just dad” at home while also being a world-class athlete. He explains why pushing only works for so long, why losing teaches more than winning, and why the point of youth sports has to go deeper than medals. If your kid’s sport ended tomorrow, what would you hope remained? This conversation is about making sure the answer to that question is bigger than the scoreboard. -------- FROM OUR PARTNER: For 100 years, PARENTS has provided millions of caregivers with trustworthy advice and a supportive community as they raise the next generation of confident and compassionate kids. Read my full feature on Mike Schultz Read the full Parents 100 Years Issue digital magazine Learn more about BioDapt -------- FROM OUR SPONSORS: Brite Legacy https://britelegacy.com/ -------- New episodes every Wednesday. --------- Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop --------- Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook ----------- Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.