Healthy Sports Parents

Youth sports were never meant to feel like an all in decision with no off ramp. But for a lot of families, that is exactly where things end up. The pressure ramps up, the schedules get overwhelmed, and the choices for where to play start to disappear.

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Jennifer Paulett, Director of Corporate Citizenship at ESPN, to talk about the Take Back Sports campaign and what they are learning about why kids are walking away from sports. They discuss the importance of rec leagues, the dangers of early specialization, the role parents play in shaping the culture, and why choice matters more than most families realize. Jennifer also shares what she is seeing through ESPN and Positive Coaching Alliance as they work with leagues, organizations, and professional athletes to rebuild a healthier youth sports system.

This conversation is a reminder that youth sports should give every kid a place to play, not just the competitive ones. Our goal is not to raise professional athletes. It is to help kids keep playing, growing, and enjoying sports for as long as they can so we can continue teaching them all the lessons sports can teach.

---------

MORE FROM ESPN + TAKE BACK SPORTS

http://www.takebacksports.org
https://www.espn.com/espn/citizenship/

---------

FROM OUR SPONSORS:

Camp Blue Ridge
http://www.blueridgecamp.com
$750 off summer 2026 tuition for Healthy Sports Parents listeners

PlayPits
https://playpits.com/
HSP15 for 15% 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.

How youth sports can help your kid grow in 2026

As we close out the year, Eric Williams and I sat down to talk through nine lessons we hope every kid learns through youth sports in 2026. This one is fun, honest, and packed with the kinds of conversations we all want our kids to experience as they grow up through sports.

We walk through each lesson on a five minute clock. Some we nail. Others… we definitely race the buzzer. But every one of them points back to the bigger purpose behind these games our kids play.

In this episode we talk about:

• Separating confidence from performance
• Handling hard things without giving up
• Seeing mistakes as feedback
• Why effort creates opportunity
• Navigating big emotions in healthy ways
• The everyday value of being coachable
• How leadership starts with serving
• Why accountability builds trust
• Finding joy in the process, not just the outcome

If you ever wonder what sports are really teaching your kid, this is the episode to start with.

Here’s to a meaningful and healthy 2026 for you and your kids.

---------

FROM OUR SPONSORS:

Strandz
http://www.shopstrandz.com
HSP20 for 20% off
by 11:59pm 01/04/26

Ball-Brand Goods
https://ball-brand.com/
CHILLY15 for 15% 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.

In the Season 2 finale, Jonathan sits down with Brea Schmidt — creator of The Top Bleacher — for an honest conversation about what kids really need to hear from their parents in youth sports. Together they walk through seven simple but powerful phrases that build confidence, resilience, and connection between parents and their athletes. From “You are more than your sport” to “I love watching you play,” this episode is a reminder that the words we use from the sidelines can shape who our kids become long after the games are over.

---------

MORE FROM BREA:

https://www.facebook.com/thetopbleacher/
https://www.instagram.com/thetopbleacher/

---------

FROM OUR SPONSORS:

PlayPits
https://playpits.com/
HSP15 for 15% off

Ball-Brand Goods
https://ball-brand.com/
CHILLY15 for 15% 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.

How does ADHD actually show up in kids — and what does it mean for youth athletes?

In this episode, Dr. Joey Case, a sports psychologist at Mississippi State, joins Healthy Sports Parents to unpack how ADHD impacts focus, effort, and motivation in sports. He explains what parents and coaches often mistake for laziness or attitude, why ADHD isn’t a character flaw, and how to help kids thrive in practice and competition.

You’ll also learn how parents can work with coaches, when to consider testing, and why some ADHD traits can actually become strengths on the field.

If you’ve ever wondered how to better support your child with ADHD in sports or school, this conversation is a must-listen.
---------

MORE FROM Dr. Case:

http://www.tiktok.com/@josephccase
https://www.instagram.com/drjosephcase
https://josephccasepsyd.substack.com/

---------

FROM OUR SPONSORS:

Ball-Brand Goods
https://ball-brand.com/
CHILLY15 for 15% off

PlayPits
https://playpits.com/
HSP15 for 15% 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.

When a child’s self-worth becomes tied to their performance, every game, race, or competition can feel like a verdict on who they are.

In this episode, two-time Olympian Kate Ziegler shares her journey from national records and Olympic appearances to the emotional toll of defining herself by results — and how she finally learned to separate her identity from her performance.

We talk about:

The hidden pressure high-achieving athletes carry

How performance-based identity develops in kids

What parents can do to help their child see their worth beyond results

Practical ways to support kids after both wins and losses

Whether your child is competing at the highest level or just starting out, this conversation will help you protect their joy, confidence, and mental health — while building a foundation that lasts far beyond sports.

---

MORE FROM KATE:

Get coaching: https://kateziegler.com/

---------

Get your Healthy Sports Parents merch:
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

#KateZiegler #YouthSports #SportsParenting #HealthySportsParents #AthleteMentalHealth #ParentingTips #IdentityAndPerformance #RaisingConfidentKids #Olympian
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.