Healthy Sports Parents

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.

Sarah Lessig is currently a high school senior who has signed to play college basketball at Princeton next year. But recently Sarah has gone viral all over social media because she is the girl who plays literally everything. I’ll let her tell the full story, but in high school, she’s played basketball, baseball, softball, flag football, and been a good enough skateboarder to attract sponsorships. Not only that, she plays multiple instruments and is the epitome of the kid who has tried everything.In our conversation, we talk about her journey growing up playing multiple sports, how those other sports helped her become a better basketball player, and what the college recruitment process was like.We also hit on the struggles of club sports, how expensive they are, and the realities of trying to balance everything both as a student athlete and for the parent involved as well.I was a fan of Sarah before this conversation just from watching her social media, but after spending some time talking to her, I can’t help but root for her as she enters college basketball next year.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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At 15, after never playing club/competitive soccer, Nick’s stepson, AJ, made an unexpected jump to the highest level of youth soccer in America. To make the story even more out-of-nowhere, Nick and his wife Sabrina are not your typical elite athlete parents - they’re both self-described computer nerds who don’t have athletic backgrounds.In our conversation with Nick, we talk about what it was like being thrust into that level of competition, what he and his wife learned throughout the years AJ played at that level, and how he would advise parents who have kids wanting to play at elite levels. We also hit on the dynamic of blended families and how sports helped Nick and AJ build their relationship.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/healthysportsparentshttps://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparentshttps://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparentshttps://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.