Healthy Sports Parents

What happens when everything you worked for suddenly feels like too much?This week’s guest, Jackie Reyneke, opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of being a Division I athlete at Princeton — from high expectations and identity struggles to injury, loss, and the quiet moments when she questioned if it was all worth it.In this powerful episode, Jackie shares:What her parents did right while she was growing up in sportsHow the death of her best friend shifted her entire pathThe invisible overlap between concussions and mental healthWhy returning from injury isn’t just physicalAnd how parents can become a steady presence instead of added pressureJackie now works with athletes to build confidence, set meaningful goals, and navigate the mental side of sports and life. Her story is raw, honest, and full of insight for any parent raising a kid through competitive sports today.Whether your child is dealing with an injury, mental health challenges, or the pressure to perform, this episode is for you.FOLLOW JACKIE ON SOCIAL:Follow Farrell on social:https://www.instagram.com/powerforward.coach/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567147372336VIEW JACKIE'S WEBSITE:https://www.powerforward.coach/---------Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirt:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop---------Get your Weekend Playbook:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook-----------Follow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparentsNew 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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobby Muuss has coached at the highest levels of college soccer for nearly 30 years. But when he’s not on the sidelines at Wake Forest, he’s coaching his son’s rec team right alongside the rest of us.In this episode, Coach Muuss shares the powerful perspective he’s gained from both worlds: the high-stakes world of Division I soccer, and the joy (and chaos) of Saturday morning youth games. He opens up about what he’s learned as a dad, why parents need to stop coaching from the sidelines, and how pressure can rob kids of the joy that brought them to sports in the first place.Whether you’re raising a future college athlete or a kid who just wants to play with their friends, this episode will remind you what really matters.---------Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirt:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop---------Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirt:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop---------Get your Weekend Playbook:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook-----------Follow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparentsNew 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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremi Barnes didn’t plan to become a youth sports ref with millions of views across social media. But what started as a way to help out turned into a calling — not just to officiate games, but to connect with kids, model respect, and remind everyone why youth sports actually matter.Jeremi shares his own athletic journey (including how he set a school record in triple jump just two months after learning the event), how he became a referee, and why he believes how you treat kids matters more than the scoreboard.We talk about:Why younger referees can connect with players in a powerful wayWhat kids actually hear (and feel) when parents yell from the sidelinesWhy your sideline behavior is shaping your kid’s characterHow older siblings can play a huge role in the journeyThe real impact of encouragement, presence, and modeling emotional controlIf you care more about your kid than the scoreboard, this conversation will hit home. It’s honest, funny, and full of perspective every sports parent needs.FOLLOW JEREMI ON SOCIAL:Follow Farrell on social:https://www.tiktok.com/@theyoungrefhttps://www.instagram.com/jeremibarnes---------Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirt:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop---------Get your Weekend Playbook:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook-----------Follow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparentsNew 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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food is one of the most personal - and complicated - parts of parenting.In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Farrell Frankel, a Licensed Sports Dietitian who works with youth and college athletes, to talk about how we approach food, body image, and nutrition as sports parents. The conversation covers everything from fueling young athletes to unlearning harmful food messages we grew up with.Farrell shares practical, compassionate advice for how to talk to kids about food without triggering shame, how to handle dinner during packed practice nights, and how sports can set the stage for lifelong well-being, even if dinner sometimes comes from the drive-thru.You’ll hear:Why some well-meaning food talk can backfireHow to make food a positive part of your child’s lifeWhy your kid’s body is going through normal (and necessary) changesWhat Farrell wishes every parent knew about fast food and busy nightsHow sports shape kids beyond the field—and why that matters more than macrosIf you’ve ever wrestled with how to feed your kid, what to say about their body, or how to keep things healthy without getting weird, this one’s for you.ABOUT FARRELL:Farrell Frankel is a Licensed Sports Dietitian who specializes in sportsnutrition and athlete performance. Farrell has worked with elite athletes for ten years. Farrell worked at Penn State University as the Assistant Director of Nutrition, she was the Director of Football Nutrition at West Virginia University, and Farrell started the Sports Nutrition Program at Boston College where she was the Football Dietitian for 4 years. Farrell currently has a sports nutrition private practice where she meets with athletes for nutrition coaching. She also speaks to teams, high schools and colleges. Farrell has over 100K followers on Tik Tok and uses her platform, Fueled By Farrell, to highlight how sports dietitians are an integral member of an athletes performance team. Her Tik Tok videos have been featured by ACC Network, College Gameday, Overtime SZN and ESPN CFB.Fueled by Farrell:https://www.fueledbyfarrell.com/Follow Farrell on social:https://www.tiktok.com/@fueledbyfarrellhttps://www.instagram.com/fueledbyfarrell---------Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirt:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop---------Get your Weekend Playbook:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook-----------Follow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparentsNew 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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeff Shilt joins us to break down what’s really happening when kids grow, get injured, or struggle in youth sports. We talk about overuse injuries, how to spot red flags, and why rest might not be the thing that helps your kid recover from an injury.Dr. Shilt also shares what he’s learned from raising four kids with very different approaches to sports and how parents can create healthy patterns at home that build strength without burnout.Whether your kid is tired, sore, or just not playing like themselves, this episode gives you a better way to understand what their body’s going through.---------Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirt:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop---------Get your Weekend Playbook:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook-----------Follow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparentsNew 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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports have the potential to be one of the most powerful classrooms in a child’s life — but only if we approach them with intention.In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Jason Sacks, CEO of Positive Coaching Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation on the real lessons kids take away from sports. They explore how character development doesn’t happen automatically, why access and equity in sports is a growing crisis, and what it actually means to “take back” youth sports in a culture driven by winning and status.Jason also shares:Why some communities are losing rec leagues altogether and what that means for kidsHow to make sports fun and developmental without sacrificing eitherThe emotional triggers behind common sideline behavior (and how to handle them better)Why coach training is the most underrated solution to fixing youth sportsWhat parents can do before, during, and after the game to support their kids wellWhether you're a parent, coach, or league organizer, this episode will help you reframe what really matters and give you the tools to build an experience kids want to come back to.ABOUT POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCEPCA is a national nonprofit organization working to unlock the life-changing power of sports for all kids, regardless of social or economic circumstance. Learn more at PositiveCoach.org.---------Get your Healthy Sports Parents shirt:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop---------Get your Weekend Playbook:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook-----------Follow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparentsNew 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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports are a gift. But they can also get real messy.In this episode, we’re breaking down the Ten Commandments of Healthy Sports Parents — the core values behind everything we do. These aren’t just rules. They’re a framework for showing up well, leading with perspective, and keeping your kid’s well-being at the center of the journey.From emotional control to encouragement, rest to respect, we unpack what healthy really looks like and why it matters more than ever.If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” – this one’s for you.---------Get your Weekend Playbook:https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook-----------Follow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparentsNew 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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen and ESPN's Leroy Arrington as they dive into the world of youth sports. Ray champions the mindset of prioritizing the journey over results, stressing how kids can grow from failures. Leroy shares insights into crafting unforgettable experiences at youth sports tournaments and the crucial role parents play in fostering a supportive environment. They also discuss the life lessons youth sports teach, including teamwork, resilience, and the importance of emotional support for young athletes.

James Lowe, known as Coach Ballgame, is on a mission to instill a love for baseball and softball in kids while teaching valuable life lessons. He discusses redefining success in youth sports, emphasizing joy over pressure and the importance of nurturing resilience. Coach Ballgame shares insights on creating a supportive environment for young athletes, advocating for balanced coaching, and the significance of personal growth and teamwork. His experiences traveling the country with the National Sandlot Tour enrich the conversation about fostering passion and character in sports.

In this enlightening discussion, performance coach and author Steve Magness shares his insights on the world of youth sports. He addresses the pervasive fear of kids falling behind and the psychological impact of failure. Steve advocates for the power of unstructured play in fostering creativity and resilience. He also critiques societal pressures that overshadow children's genuine love for sports, emphasizing the importance of nurturing their interests without overwhelming them. This conversation is a refreshing take on balancing competition and fun in youth athletics.