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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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MORE FROM KATE:

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Your kid is not defined by their wins and losses.

In this episode of Healthy Sports Parents, Liberty University Head Coach Ritchie McKay joins Jonathan Carone for one of the most grounded, heartfelt conversations we’ve ever had about identity, faith, family, and loving the game more than the win.

Coach McKay has led Liberty basketball to NCAA Tournament wins and conference championships, but what stands out most is his perspective on people, not performance. He shares:

• Why kids need to find joy in the process, not just the scoreboard
• How parents can help their child’s identity stay separate from performance
• The role gratitude and unconditional love play in raising healthy athletes
• His take on specialization vs. multi-sport athletes
• Encouragement for parents who feel the pressure to get everything right

If you’re a parent trying to raise kids who love the game and grow into strong, healthy adults in the process, this conversation will give you perspective, encouragement, and a whole lot of wisdom.

New episodes every Wednesday.

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When people talk about Daddy Ball, it usually comes with eye rolls and complaints about favoritism. But the truth is far more complicated.

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with state champion coach Julie McCann and her daughter Audrey to talk about what it’s really like when your parent is also your coach.

They share the blurred lines between coach and mom, the higher expectations that come with being “the coach’s kid,” and the honest conversations it takes to make that relationship work.

This isn’t the cliché story of unfair playing time. It’s a real look at the challenges, tensions, and surprising gifts of living through what people call Daddy Ball.

New episodes every Wednesday.

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Youth sports motivation for parents - intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation - playing for yourself vs playing for the team - practical ways to support your athlete without adding pressure.

Mental performance coach Lindsey Nadler joins us to unpack what truly drives kids in sports and how parents can lead in a way that fuels growth instead of shutdowns. We cover internal motivation vs external rewards, why “finding the why” matters, and a second layer most people miss - being motivated by personal improvement vs being motivated by the team.

You’ll hear real stories from the field - from dollar-per-goal experiments to chicken-nugget dugout chants - and how those quick wins can be used to steer kids back to love of the game. Lindsey also explains what’s happening in the brain, how to praise the process, and how to guide instead of push.

What we cover

• Internal vs external motivation - and how to shift kids toward internal drive
• Fun as a real tool - using short-term incentives without creating long-term dependence
• Praise that builds resilience - process, discipline, effort, and being a great teammate
• Playing for self vs playing for team - strengths, pitfalls, and how sport type changes the calculus
• The “motivation triad” in the brain - conserve energy, seek pleasure, avoid pain
• Age-appropriate expectations - why a nine year old’s “why” looks different from a teen’s
• Travel sports and pay-to-play - clarity on goals, roles, and what you’re actually signing up for
• Guiding over pushing - questions that build ownership and confidence

Helpful prompts you can use this week

• What do you love most about your sport right now
• What do you want from this season - fun, friends, getting better, playing time
• If you could practice one part every day, what would it be
• You said your goal was X - is today’s energy getting you there

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Youth sports should be about more than pressure, performance, and early specialization. In this episode of Healthy Sports Parents, we sit down with Jonny Martin, cofounder of Football Fun Factory, to explore how parents can help their kids fall in love with sports first, before worrying about competition or skill development.

Drawing from years of coaching experience and working with thousands of kids across the UK, Jonny shares practical, emotionally grounded advice for parents who want to raise happy, confident, and resilient young athletes without pushing them too far, too soon.

Whether your child plays recreational or elite-level sports, this conversation will help you shift your mindset, build stronger connections, and create an environment where your kid actually wants to keep playing.

In this episode:

• Why fun should come before fundamentals
• How early pressure kills long-term love for the game
• The difference between encouragement and performance pressure
• How to respond after mistakes or losses
• What “being their biggest fan” looks like in real life

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Former MLB outfielder Travis Snider joins us to talk about one of the biggest challenges in youth sports today: identity. When our kids start believing their value comes only from performance, stats, or wins, it sets them up for anxiety, burnout, and a shaky sense of self.

In this conversation, Travis shares openly about his own struggles tying his worth to baseball — from being labeled “that kid” at 10 years old, to fighting pressure and panic attacks in high-stakes games, to the identity crisis he faced when his career ended. Now as a dad and coach, he’s determined to help the next generation of athletes develop resilience, joy, and identity that go deeper than sports.

We cover:

• How early pressure and achievement-based identity shape kids
• What parents can do to protect their child’s sense of self
• Why rest, fun, and unstructured play matter more than extra reps
• Practical ways to handle the car ride home, feedback, and emotional control
• How apologizing and repairing with our kids builds long-term trust

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your child from tying their entire self-worth to wins and losses, this episode will give you perspective, tools, and encouragement.

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What happens when a world-class athlete becomes a youth sports parent?

In this episode, former professional runner and NCAA champion Sara Slattery joins us for a real, vulnerable conversation about the shift from elite competition to everyday parenting. We talk about what it’s like watching your child navigate sports, how early pressure can steal the joy, and why stepping back is sometimes the most loving thing a parent can do.

Sara shares what drove her as a young athlete, what led her own daughter to walk away from sports, and the quiet ways we pass down expectations without even realizing it. If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension between pushing and protecting – or wondered how to help your child find their own path – this conversation is for you.

We cover:

The cost of early success in youth sports

How to respond when your kid wants to quit

Letting go of your own identity to support theirs

Why fun matters more than we think

EDITING NOTE: We had some audio issues and lost the first ten minutes of the conversation where Sara had the opportunity to talk about her kids and what it's like being mom to them. Sorry about that!

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