Are today's parents helping—or unintentionally hurting—their young athletes?

In this powerful episode of the Thinklete Podcast, Derek and Aleka sit down with Kirsten Jones—former Nike executive, Division I Hall of Fame athlete, bestselling author of Raising Empowered Athletes, and one of the leading voices in youth sports parenting.

Together they unpack why youth sports have become more stressful than ever, how parents can stop chasing outcomes, and what actually builds confidence in athletes—especially those with ADHD and other neurodivergent brains.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why parents should be potters, not promoters
• How to build lasting confidence instead of chasing trophies
• The biggest mistakes parents make on the sidelines
• Why body language matters more than talent
• How to help ADHD athletes handle criticism and coaching
• The "3 Fs" every young athlete needs: Friends, Fun, and Fundamentals

• Why college coaches care more about character than statistics
• How to make the car ride home after games a positive experience
• Why listening is one of the greatest parenting skills in sports

Whether you're raising an elite athlete or simply want your child to love sports for life, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can use immediately.

Connect with Kirsten Jones:🌐 KirstenJonesInc.com

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the Thinklete Podcast, leave a review, and share it with another parent or coach who wants to help young athletes build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of sports.

After losing their son Anthony at just 18 years old, Tony and Cassi made a promise that no family should have to navigate the challenges of ADHD alone. That promise became Anthony's Road to Kindness—a nonprofit dedicated to helping families find hope, guidance, and the right support system for neurodivergent children.

In this powerful conversation, we discuss Anthony's journey from his early ADHD diagnosis and struggles with bullying, learning differences, and self-esteem to the lasting impact he continues to have on thousands of families today. Tony and Cassi share how they built a unique roadmap that connects families with ADHD coaches, psychologists, tutors, education advocates, nutritionists, therapists, and other specialists so parents no longer have to navigate the journey alone.

We also dive into the role parents and coaches play in shaping confidence, why traditional discipline often fails with ADHD athletes, the importance of finding each child's strengths, overcoming negative self-talk, and why having an entire team speaking the same language can completely change a child's future.

Whether you're raising a neurodivergent child, coaching young athletes, or simply want to better understand ADHD, this episode is filled with practical advice, hope, and a powerful reminder that every child deserves people who believe in them.

Why do so many ADHD athletes get labeled as "too emotional," "not paying attention," or "badly behaved" when the reality is something completely different?

In this episode of The Thinklete Podcast, Derek and Aleka are joined by Thinklete mentor Janie Kokakis—former Division I track athlete, speech-language pathologist, and ADHD parent—to have an honest conversation about the stigma surrounding ADHD athletes.

Together, they discuss:

• Why emotional outbursts aren't a sign of weakness or bad parenting
• The hidden strengths of ADHD athletes and why they often care the most
• How executive functioning impacts sports performance
• Why visualization should include mistakes—not just success
• The importance of accountability, emotional regulation, and resilience
• How parents and coaches can better support neurodivergent athletes without taking away their love of the game

Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode will challenge common misconceptions and give you practical insights into helping ADHD athletes build confidence, manage pressure, and thrive both on and off the field.

If you've ever felt judged because your child struggles emotionally during competition, this conversation is for you.

For more information about our mentorship program, please visit Thinklete.com

Our guest this episode is Amy Pieczarka, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with over 40 years of experience specializing in functional nutrition, gut health, food sensitivities, and personalized nutrition strategies. She is the creator and director of PrevyMedica Nutrition Services, where she helps individuals and families improve focus, regulation, health, and performance through nutrition.Most parents are trying to coach behavior… without realizing what may actually be driving it.In this episode, Derek and Aleka sit down with registered dietitian nutritionist Amy Pizarca to break down the connection between nutrition, emotional regulation, focus, and performance in neurodivergent athletes.They discuss:-Why ADHD athletes often have higher nutritional demandsThe gut-brain connection and how it impacts behavior-Food sensitivities and inflammation-Why blood sugar regulation matters for focus and emotional control-How nutrition affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin-Strategies for selective eaters and sensory-sensitive kids-Pre-game and post-game fueling tips-What parents can do if ADHD medication suppresses appetiteSimple changes families can start making immediatelyThis conversation connects a lot of dots for parents who feel like they’ve tried everything.If you’ve ever wondered whether nutrition could be impacting your child’s focus, confidence, emotional regulation, or sports performance — this episode is for you.PreviMedica IG: https://www.instagram.com/previmedica/

Our guest this episode is Amy Pieczarka, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with over 40 years of experience specializing in functional nutrition, gut health, food sensitivities, and personalized nutrition strategies. She is the creator and director of PrevyMedica Nutrition Services, where she helps individuals and families improve focus, regulation, health, and performance through nutrition.Most parents are trying to coach behavior… without realizing what may actually be driving it.In this episode, Derek and Aleka sit down with registered dietitian nutritionist Amy Pizarca to break down the connection between nutrition, emotional regulation, focus, and performance in neurodivergent athletes.They discuss:-Why ADHD athletes often have higher nutritional demandsThe gut-brain connection and how it impacts behavior-Food sensitivities and inflammation-Why blood sugar regulation matters for focus and emotional control-How nutrition affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin-Strategies for selective eaters and sensory-sensitive kids-Pre-game and post-game fueling tips-What parents can do if ADHD medication suppresses appetiteSimple changes families can start making immediatelyThis conversation connects a lot of dots for parents who feel like they’ve tried everything.If you’ve ever wondered whether nutrition could be impacting your child’s focus, confidence, emotional regulation, or sports performance — this episode is for you.

Visit PreviMedica Website: https://previmedica.com

In this episode, Derek and Aleka sit down with Michael McLeod, founder of GrowNOW ADHD, creator of the Internal Skills Coaching Model, and an award-winning speaker with over 20 years of experience helping kids and families navigate ADHD and executive functioning challenges. As the author of The Executive Function Playbook and a leading voice in ADHD development, Mike’s work centers on owne core idea: kids with ADHD don’t lack intelligence—they lack an “internal GPS.”

This conversation challenges the traditional view of ADHD, reframing it as a disorder of executive functioning, not attention. Instead of focusing on surface-level behaviors like hyperactivity or eye contact, Mike explains why real growth comes from building internal skills—self-awareness, emotional regulation, motivation, and independence.

Throughout the episode, he breaks down why many common parenting and coaching approaches—like constant reminders, lectures, or forcing accountability—often backfire by increasing dysregulation and creating more conflict.

• ADHD is not about attention—it’s about performance and internal skill gaps.

• Kids need experiences, not constant verbal correction, to build executive functioning.

• Emotional regulation improves when adults remove attention during dysregulation, not add more.

• The car ride home after games is critical—say less, not more.

• True accountability develops through natural consequences, not forced apologies.

• Parents should aim for an authoritative approach with clear structure and less negotiation.

• Coaches and parents can use a simple framework: “ready vs. not ready” behavior.

• Sports and movement are some of the most effective ways to build the ADHD brain.

This episode will change how you think about ADHD—and give you practical tools to help your child build confidence, regulate emotions, and succeed both on and off the field.

Follow Mike: https://www.instagram.com/grownowadhd/

In this episode, Derek and Aleka sit down with Michael McLeod, founder of GrowNOW ADHD, creator of the Internal Skills Coaching Model, and an award-winning speaker with over 20 years of experience helping kids and families navigate ADHD and executive functioning challenges. As the author of The Executive Function Playbook and a leading voice in ADHD development, Mike’s work centers on owne core idea: kids with ADHD don’t lack intelligence—they lack an “internal GPS.”

This conversation challenges the traditional view of ADHD, reframing it as a disorder of executive functioning, not attention. Instead of focusing on surface-level behaviors like hyperactivity or eye contact, Mike explains why real growth comes from building internal skills—self-awareness, emotional regulation, motivation, and independence.

Throughout the episode, he breaks down why many common parenting and coaching approaches—like constant reminders, lectures, or forcing accountability—often backfire by increasing dysregulation and creating more conflict.

• ADHD is not about attention—it’s about performance and internal skill gaps.

• Kids need experiences, not constant verbal correction, to build executive functioning.

• Emotional regulation improves when adults remove attention during dysregulation, not add more.

• The car ride home after games is critical—say less, not more.

• True accountability develops through natural consequences, not forced apologies.

• Parents should aim for an authoritative approach with clear structure and less negotiation.

• Coaches and parents can use a simple framework: “ready vs. not ready” behavior.

• Sports and movement are some of the most effective ways to build the ADHD brain.

This episode will change how you think about ADHD—and give you practical tools to help your child build confidence, regulate emotions, and succeed both on and off the field.

Follow Mike: https://www.instagram.com/grownowadhd/

ADHD Isn’t About Attention — It’s About Building the Internal Skills Kids Actually Need to Succeed

In this episode, Derek and Aleka sit down with Michael McLeod, founder of GrowNOW ADHD, creator of the Internal Skills Coaching Model, and an award-winning speaker with over 20 years of experience helping kids and families navigate ADHD and executive functioning challenges. As the author of The Executive Function Playbook and a leading voice in ADHD development, Mike’s work centers on one core idea: kids with ADHD don’t lack intelligence—they lack an “internal GPS.”

This conversation challenges the traditional view of ADHD, reframing it as a disorder of executive functioning, not attention. Instead of focusing on surface-level behaviors like hyperactivity or eye contact, Mike explains why real growth comes from building internal skills—self-awareness, emotional regulation, motivation, and independence.

Throughout the episode, he breaks down why many common parenting and coaching approaches—like constant reminders, lectures, or forcing accountability—often backfire by increasing dysregulation and creating more conflict.

• ADHD is not about attention—it’s about performance and internal skill gaps.

• Kids need experiences, not constant verbal correction, to build executive functioning.

• Emotional regulation improves when adults remove attention during dysregulation, not add more.

• The car ride home after games is critical—say less, not more.

• True accountability develops through natural consequences, not forced apologies.

• Parents should aim for an authoritative approach with clear structure and less negotiation.

• Coaches and parents can use a simple framework: “ready vs. not ready” behavior.

• Sports and movement are some of the most effective ways to build the ADHD brain.

This episode will change how you think about ADHD—and give you practical tools to help your child build confidence, regulate emotions, and succeed both on and off the field.

Follow Mike: https://www.instagram.com/grownowadhd/

In this episode, Derek sits down with Special Olympics athlete leaders Declan Fawcett and Amanda Harrinauth, along with Alyssa Cress, Manager of Inclusive Leadership Development for Special Olympics North America, to explore the true meaning of leadership, inclusion, and opportunity.

Together, they share how Special Olympics has created a space where athletes can not only compete, but lead—amplifying their voices, shaping their communities, and breaking down misconceptions around intellectual disabilities.

From powerful personal stories to practical insights on coaching, parenting, and mentorship, this conversation highlights a simple but important truth:

Inclusion isn’t about doing more—it’s about listening, understanding, and creating space for every athlete to thrive.

You’ll learn:

• How leadership opportunities transform confidence and identity
• Why “nothing about us without us” is critical in sport and life
• What great coaches and mentors do differently
• How parents and communities can better support neurodivergent and differently wired athletes

This episode is a reminder that being different isn’t a limitation—it’s an edge.

Learn more about Special Olympics at SpecialOlympics.org

Follow: @SONorthAmerica

#ChooseToInclude #neurodivergentathletes #differentisyouredge

What if the biggest threat to your child’s development isn’t failure… but the environment they’re in?

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Frazier—best-selling author of The Bullied Brain and The Gaslit Brain—to unpack the hidden impact of bullying, toxic coaching, and psychological abuse in youth sports.

A former award-winning educator who taught at the University of Toronto, Jennifer left her career after exposing the coverup of student abuse—fueling her mission to bring brain science into youth sports.

Her work has reached #1 on Amazon in sport psychology, been endorsed by leading neuroscientists, and influenced organizations across North America.

In this conversation, we break down how “old school coaching,” verbal abuse, and humiliation don’t just hurt feelings—they can actually change brain development in young athletes.

You’ll learn:

• How bullying impacts the brain
• Why toxic environments are often normalized
• Warning signs parents miss
• Why neurodivergent athletes are more vulnerable
• How to build healthier, high-performing environments

🎯 Because toughness should never come at the cost of a child’s brain.