The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe

Ken Willner is a dedicated advocate for youth sports, driven by a passion to keep children engaged and flourishing in athletics. As the founder of Active Illustrated and Yellow for Yelling, he brings a fresh perspective to youth sports, blending applied science with practical insights from coach educators, sports psychologists, and former professional athletes. Ken's programs cater to young athletes, coaches, parents, sporting organizations, and schools, aiming to foster inclusivity and positive experiences in sports. With over 50 years of personal involvement in sports, including his role as a youth sport photographer for the past seven years, Ken leverages his wealth of experience to create environments where individuals can thrive and sustain their engagement in sports.

Connect with Ken on LinkedIn.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Laura Vallverdu, a native of Valencia, Venezuela, emerged as a tennis powerhouse during her tenure at the University of Miami. As a student-athlete, she left an indelible mark, achieving records such as being the school's all-time leader in singles wins and total victories. Her outstanding performance on the court includes reaching the finals of the NCAA Singles Championship and earning five ITA All-American distinctions.

After concluding her illustrious playing career, Vallverdu seamlessly transitioned into coaching, joining the University of Miami women’s tennis program. With a comprehensive coaching journey, from volunteer assistant to associate head coach, she played a pivotal role in the team's success, contributing to their ACC Championship title in 2013. Vallverdu's impact extends beyond wins and losses, as she mentors players to numerous accolades, including ITA All-America honors and All-ACC recognition.

Beyond her coaching achievements, Vallverdu is a distinguished alumna of the University of Miami, graduating in 2010 with a degree in psychology and a minor in business. She continued her academic pursuits, earning a master's degree in sport administration from Miami in 2012. As both a player and coach, Vallverdu has been a key figure in the sustained success of the Miami women's tennis program, leaving an enduring legacy on and off the court.

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Dr. Hendrie Weisinger, a renowned and accomplished psychologist, is a leading expert in the fields of emotional intelligence, anger management, and pressure management. With a Ph.D. from The University of Kansas and a diverse background in clinical, counseling, organizational, and school psychology, Dr. Weisinger has made significant contributions to the application of emotional intelligence in specific industries, as evident in his books like "The Emotionally Intelligent Financial Advisor" and "The Emotionally Intelligent Real Estate Agent."

A prolific author with two New York Times Bestsellers, "Nobody's Perfect" and "Performing Under Pressure," Dr. Weisinger has not only written extensively on these subjects but has also made over 200 appearances on television and news programs, including Oprah, Donahue, and The Today Show. His groundbreaking work includes the development of Criticism Training and a pioneering role in the emerging field of pressure management.

As an executive educator, Dr. Weisinger has taught in various business school programs, including UCLA, Wharton, and NYU, and consulted for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and professional organizations such as YPO. In addition to his impactful articles for publications like The Wall Street Journal and TV Guide, Dr. Weisinger is the proud author of "Choke Proof Your Game," an evidence-based playbook designed to empower athletes to perform at their best under pressure.

With a commitment to transforming individuals' emotional intelligence and enhancing their performance, Dr. Hendrie Weisinger continues to be a leading figure in the psychology and self-improvement landscape.

Connect with Dr. Weisinger on LinkedIn.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Javier Palenque is a multifaceted executive, entrepreneur, and tennis enthusiast with a unique perspective on the sport. Born and raised in Bolivia, he experienced a privileged upbringing but harbored discontent with the socio-economic disparities in his home country. At 17, seeking opportunities for change, he moved to the United States and earned an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Boston University.

Currently based in Florida, Javier has made significant contributions as an Investment and Real Estate Consultant. His passion for tennis led him to observe a disconnection between the USTA's reported statistics and the reality within the tennis community, especially in Miami. As a data-driven business consultant, he has highlighted concerns about the declining state of youth tennis, high attrition rates, and discrepancies in reported league numbers.

Javier is not just a critic; he actively engages in discussions about reform within the USTA, addressing issues such as funding allocation and executive compensation. His candid assessments of the organization's challenges and cultural problems underscore a desire for positive change. With a focus on "growing the game," Javier advocates for open conversations with those invested in tennis's future, believing that transformative solutions can only emerge through collaboration and understanding.

Connect with Javier on LinkedIn.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Rod Ray, currently in his remarkable 24th year as the head tennis coach at Wofford College during the 2023-24 season, has left an indelible mark on the tennis program. Taking over in 2000, just three years after the transition to Division I, Ray has meticulously built a highly competitive tennis program. His coaching tenure has been characterized by notable achievements, including guiding the team through a challenging non-conference schedule and earning wins over prominent opponents like Clemson and North Carolina.

Ray's coaching prowess is evident in the numerous accolades earned by his players, including Southern Conference recognitions and All-Academic honors. Under his leadership, the team's success is not only measured on the court but also in the classroom, with consistent appearances on the SoCon Academic Honor Roll and ITA All-Academic Team recognition. Beyond the numbers, Ray has fostered a culture of sportsmanship and excellence, reflected in the team's NCAA special recognition for outstanding academic achievement and sportsmanship.

A respected figure in South Carolina tennis, Rod Ray's coaching journey extends beyond the court. His commitment to youth development is evident in the annual Rod Ray Tennis Camp, attracting young talents from across the Southeast. In 2022, he received a USTA South Carolina Coach of the Year Award, underscoring his impact on the tennis community.

Ray's multifaceted career includes serving as the head women's coach and directing the tennis program at Wofford, showcasing his adaptability and dedication to the sport. Outside of coaching, Ray is undertaking a significant endeavor—writing a book titled "Hard Comes First," slated for publication in 2024. The book will share Ray's insights as a coach and a father of a child diagnosed with Autism, aiming to inspire and support goal setting. With a bachelor's and master's degree in political science, an MBA from Colorado State, and a profound influence on Wofford's tennis program, Rod Ray's legacy extends far beyond the confines of the court.

Connect with Rod on Instagram.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Jorgelina Cravero, born on January 27, 1982, is a retired Argentine tennis player who enjoyed a successful professional career from 1999 to 2011. Hailing from San Francisco, Córdoba, Cravero achieved career-high WTA rankings of 106 in singles and 114 in doubles. While she did not secure a title on the WTA Tour, Cravero notably claimed 15 singles titles and 34 doubles titles on the ITF Circuit.

In 2007, she made significant strides by qualifying for three Grand Slam tournaments, including Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Although she faced early exits in these events, her achievements were notable. With a playing style favored on clay, Cravero contributed to the Argentina Fed Cup team, accumulating a win–loss record of 6–7.

Having turned professional in 2000, Cravero announced her retirement from professional tennis in 2011. Post-retirement, she continued her involvement with tennis, traveling with the Argentinian national teams during 2011/12. Since 2012, she has served as a tennis coach at TTA in Tulsa, Oklahoma, showcasing her commitment to the sport beyond her playing years. Cravero, a right-hander, currently resides in Buenos Aires and comes from a family where her father, Carlos, is an accountant, and her mother, Rita, is a math teacher. She has one brother, Eugenio, and three sisters, Monica, Daniela, and Maria Alejandra.

Connect with Georgi on Instagram.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

J.P. Nerbun is a bestselling author, leadership coach, and the visionary founder of TOC Culture Consulting, a globally recognized sports consulting and leadership coaching business. Dedicated to empowering leaders and their teams, Nerbun's extensive experience spans diverse sectors, including sports, education, healthcare, and business, where he has successfully guided leaders at prestigious institutions such as Stanford University, Harvard University, the University of Texas, the USGA, PwC, and Chick-fil-A.

In 2019, Nerbun made a significant impact with the publication of his acclaimed book, "Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership." Following this success, he released the groundbreaking "The Culture System: A Proven Process for Creating an Extraordinary Team Culture" in 2022. Notably, his commitment to coach education led to the launch of The Culture System Online Training Platform in 2023, recognized as one of the most comprehensive and applicable online resources available.

As the co-host of the "Coaching Culture" podcast, J.P. Nerbun continues to influence global sports leadership discussions. Currently residing in Ireland with his wife and three children, Nerbun remains a driving force in shaping transformative leadership in various industries.

Connect with J.P. on X.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Martin Rocca is a distinguished tennis director and conference speaker based in Catalonia, Spain. With a remarkable career spanning across three continents, he spent 9 years honing his coaching skills in Buenos Aires, Argentina, followed by 5 years in New York, USA. For the past 16 years, Martin has been a prominent figure in the tennis scene in Tarragona-Barcelona, Spain, notably serving as the former Junior Tennis Program Director at the prestigious Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona. Passionate about nurturing young talent, Martin recently departed from his role at the academy to establish a program for Mini Players, focusing on developing tennis techniques for children as young as 3 while emphasizing enjoyment in the sport. As the co-founder of TennisAid, a solidarity project, and the director of MiniPlayers, Martin is dedicated to collaborating with clubs, academies, and federations to support and elevate young players. His commitment to tennis education is evident through his role as a Coach Education Specialist with Tennis Australia and authorship of the Kids Tennis-Mini Players book. Martin's outstanding contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Ciudad de la Raqueta Award in 2016 and the Esport Solidari Internacional Foundation Award in 2015, highlighting his exemplary solidarity work in promoting tennis globally. In 2015, he also received a career recognition from the Federació Catalana de Tennis for his 14 years of dedicated efforts in advancing tennis development in the Tarragona Province.

Connect with Martin on Instagram.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Daniel Spatz, a passionate, motivated, and intelligent tennis professional, discovered his love for the sport in 1976 in his native Argentina. With a fervent dedication to tennis, he embodies the qualities of passion, motivation, and intelligence both on and off the court. Throughout his extensive coaching career, Daniel has shared his expertise with various clubs and academies in Argentina, Peru, and the United States, leaving a lasting impact on the players he has trained. As the founder of the Daniel Spatz Tennis Academy and with multiple certifications, including PTR Professional and USPTA Professional, he continues to inspire and guide tennis enthusiasts toward a deeper understanding and appreciation of the game.

Connect with Daniel on Instagram.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].

Ivan Puchkarov, born on July 26, 1985, is a distinguished professional tennis coach and former player hailing from Ukraine. Currently serving as a Professional Tennis Coach at Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, FL since 2012, Ivan has made significant contributions to the sport. His coaching career includes a tenure at Tucker Tennis Academy Grand Health & Racquet Club in Tulsa, OK. As a player, Ivan boasts an impressive history, having been a member of the Davis Cup Team in 2001 and achieving remarkable success during his collegiate career at Oklahoma State University. Notably, he held the No. 3 national preseason ranking, won the Big 12 Championship at No. 3 Singles, and earned accolades such as the 2006 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Ivan's dedication and talent are further exemplified by his triumphs in the Central Region and participation in prestigious tournaments, making him a respected figure in both the playing and coaching realms of tennis. In addition to his impactful coaching career, Ivan is also the founder of WHITE LION TENNIS SCHOOL, a family-oriented tennis program dedicated to providing high-quality training. Recognizing the value of sports in character development, White Lion emphasizes instilling traits such as discipline, courage, focus, work ethic, respect, teamwork, and honesty in young athletes. Ivan's coaching philosophy ensures that participants grow not only in their technical and strategic abilities but also develop physically and mentally. The commitment to a holistic approach makes White Lion Tennis School a standout initiative in fostering well-rounded individuals through the sport of tennis.

Connect with Ivan on Instagram.

You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at [email protected].