The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe

Welcome to the 26th Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. 

Today’s word is Resilience — a core skill for sports parents to develop in their children, helping them learn to recover from mistakes, losses, and difficulties in youth sports. 

It’s not about toughening them up or ignoring their emotions — it’s about allowing them to face challenges directly, process setbacks, and build the mental strength and...

After speaking with Shane Watson, i9 Sports franchise owner, my perspective on youth sports shifted.

His daughter was shy and quiet at age 4. Instead of pushing her or rushing into one sport, they let her try multiple sports — soccer, baseball, basketball — in a low-pressure environment. Over time, her confidence grew. She started speaking up, engaging more, and showing up differently.

This short note reminds us: Sports aren’t just about performance — they’re about building identity and confidence.

Most parents focus on talent and early specialization. But real growth happens when kids feel safe enoug...

Shane Watson is a former professional baseball player who was drafted by the Phillies out of high school in Lakewood, California. After nearly a decade in pro baseball, he transitioned into youth sports by becoming an i9 Sports franchise owner in Southern California. As a husband and father, Shane is actively involved in coaching his children’s teams, including running 6U and youth baseball programs with the LMB Sluggers. He brings firsthand insight from both sides: the high-pressure, year-round demands he experienced as a kid that caused him to miss many normal childhood moments, and his current mission to ma...

Welcome to the 25th Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. 

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. 

Today’s word is Responsibility — a key awareness for sports parents to develop, recognizing how teaching your child to own their effort, choices, and outcomes builds essential life skills in youth sports. 

It’s not about taking on more tasks yourself — it’s about gradually shifting age-appropriate responsibility to your child so they learn account...

After interviewing Alyssa Tormala on the podcast, I found myself thinking more deeply about how parents choose schools—and one idea kept coming up: we’re asking the wrong question. Most conversations focus on which system is better—online or traditional—but that debate misses what actually matters, because school is doing something far more powerful than delivering information; it’s shaping something underneath. In this short note, I share a different way to look at education—one that shifts the focus away from content and toward something most parents overlook, a small change in perspective that can completely alter how yo...

Alyssa Tormala is an experienced education leader with nearly 20 years in private and independent schools. She currently serves as Head of School at Laurel Springs School, where she leads academic strategy, oversees faculty, and supports students and families in high-achievement environments.

Before moving into education, Alyssa spent over six years practicing law after earning her Juris Doctor from Stanford University. Her transition from law to education reflects a deep interest in human development, learning systems, and how people perform under pressure.

Throughout her career, Alyssa has worked closely with driven students and families navigating high...

Welcome to the 24th Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. 

Today’s word is Expectations — a crucial pause for sports parents to take, noticing how the silent forecasts and benchmarks you carry can either lift your child up or quietly steal the joy from their youth sports journey.

It’s not about giving up on dreams — it’s about freeing expectations from perfection and comparison, so they res...

After interviewing rower Cara Stawicki on the podcast, my perspective on late bloomers shifted.

Most parents think if talent hasn’t shown up by a certain age, it never will. That’s not how performance works.

Cara started rowing at 18, made the national team at 34, and won gold in her late 30s. The game-changer? She stopped seeing herself as “just someone who works hard” and started seeing herself as a racer who competes and goes for results.Once that clicked, everything followed.

In this short note I share why time is not the enemy (i...

Cara Stawicki is a World Champion rower and high-performance coach who helps athletes and leaders build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and perform at their best. As a member of the U.S. National Team, she won gold at the 2019 World Rowing Championships and spent years training and competing at the highest level of international sport.

Her journey wasn’t linear—Cara has been open about the internal challenges she faced along the way, including confidence struggles and finding her identity within high performance. Those experiences now shape her work, where she focuses on mindset, self-awareness, and helping individuals crea...

Welcome to the twenty-third Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.  

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.  

Today’s word is Identity — a grounding force for sports parents to honor, helping your child build a full sense of self in youth sports that goes far beyond scores, roles, or rankings.  

It’s not about athlete-only labels — it’s about protecting their whole identity, releasing the pressure to let sports define their worth s...

After interviewing two mothers of high-level athletes on the podcast, my perspective shifted.

They’re deeply involved in their children’s path — and doing many things right. There’s a lot we can learn from them. This is not about avoiding pressure, but about evolving while walking the path. In this short note, I share three small shifts that can make a real difference.

Carrie Kimmel episode link--- https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SJDpiljY4NMslhcLPzfjg

Marina Villatoro episode link--https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RJEXBsGrCrtEQMYaqlG0Z?si=f0f00d209e15427d

ParentSh...

Marina Villatoro is the creator and host of Raising Pro Athletes, a podcast that shines a light on the parents behind young athletes—the sacrifices, the struggles, the laughter, and the lessons that never make it into the trophy photos. As a mom actively guiding her son Keanu through the world of competitive rock climbing, Marina has lived the full spectrum of youth sports parenting: the early mornings, the travel, the emotional rollercoaster, and the constant balancing act between pushing hard enough and letting go at the right time.

In this episode she talks openly about how to...

Welcome to the twenty-second Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Energy — the invisible force sports parents carry onto the sidelines, into the car ride home, and through every conversation about the game.

It’s not about faking endless positivity or ignoring tough days — it’s about becoming aware of the energy you bring and choosing one that lifts rather than drain...

ilda Oltean is the co-founder, along with her husband, of San Marcos Basketball, a youth basketball organization launched in 2020 in the San Marcos / San Elijo Hills area of San Diego, California. Both Hilda and Ciprian played basketball in their youth and represented the Romanian National Team. Their club was created to provide affordable, competitive basketball opportunities for boys and girls in grades 4–7, now serving over 200 youth athletes with a focus on skill development, teamwork, and fun. Hilda serves as a girls youth basketball coach and has several years of experience in competitive AAU coaching, national camps, and as a JV...

Welcome to the twenty-first Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Perspective — a quiet superpower for sports parents that lets you step back and see the whole picture instead of getting lost in the heat of a single game, bad call, or tough season.

It’s not about pretending everything is fine or ignoring real struggles — it’s about choosing a wider vi...

Reid Meyer is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) and co-founder of Athletes to Athletes (A2A), a platform dedicated to helping student-athletes navigate college recruiting, admissions, and the transition to collegiate sports. He also founded Play College Sports Abroad and works as a counselor at The Student-Athlete Advisors. Reid’s own athletic path included playing baseball at Texas Tech University on scholarship before transferring multiple times due to poor academic and personal fit, eventually quitting the sport midway through college because of burnout and mental health struggles. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from t...

Welcome to the twentieth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short, 5-minute reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Listen — an often-overlooked superpower for sports parents, one that turns car rides home, post-game silence, or quiet frustrations into real connection by hearing your child fully before offering any words of wisdom.

It’s not about waiting for your turn to speak or solving their problems on the spot —...

Stone Melet is the Founder & CEO of BriteLegacy, a premium legacy company that creates high-end, meaningful keepsakes to preserve the stories and journeys of athletes. His flagship product, “The Fold,” is designed as a lasting heirloom for senior nights, championships, college signings, graduations, and other milestone celebrations. Stone’s mission is to help families capture the full emotional and personal story of their child’s athletic experience—not just the trophies or stats, but the hard work, growth, friendships, and memories that deserve to be remembered for generations. He brings a thoughtful, family-centered approach to legacy preservation, blending premium design wit...

Welcome to the nineteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Balance — a vital skill for sports parents to practice, creating harmony between supporting your child’s sports journey and protecting the rest of their life (and yours).

It’s not about going all-in or stepping away — it’s about finding the healthy middle: balancing encouragement with space, ambition with rest, and sp...

Madison Gates is the Vice President of Marketing at i9 Sports, where she leads national marketing strategy, brand development, and growth initiatives for one of the largest youth sports franchise organizations in the United States. With extensive experience in franchise marketing, she has previously held leadership roles with brands such as CARSTAR and Maaco, helping multi-location businesses scale through strategic marketing and strong franchisee support. In addition to her corporate role, Madison is the founder of Empowered Consulting, where she advises franchise brands on aligning marketing strategy with operations to drive sustainable growth. A former Division I soccer player...

Welcome to the eighteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Gratitude — a transformative mindset for sports parents to cultivate, shifting focus to the positives in your child's youth sports journey, like the effort put in, the lessons learned, and the simple joy of participation.

It’s not about ignoring challenges — it’s about intentionally appreciating the small wins, the team's spi...

Luke Zaientz is an Operating Partner at Rally Ventures and CEO of OTTO SPORT AI, an AI-powered platform simplifying youth sports management for athletes, families, coaches, and admins. Previously, he founded, served as COO, and CEO of Reigning Champs, a student-athlete recruiting platform that grew from inception to over $200M in annual revenue before being acquired by IMG Academy. With a B.S. in Economics & Transportation from Northeastern University and a Master's in Engineering Logistics from MIT, Luke has deep expertise in strategy, scaling, and operations, focusing on tech solutions for sports and education. Based in the Los Angeles...

Welcome to the seventeenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Process — a foundational mindset for sports parents to adopt, shifting focus from final scores or immediate wins to the ongoing journey of learning, effort, and development in youth sports.

It’s not about ignoring results — it’s about valuing the steps along the way, celebrating daily habits, small improvements, and the gr...

Liz Pryor is an author, speaker, parenting columnist, and one of America’s most trusted life advice experts. She gained national recognition as the “Dear GMA” advice guru on ABC’s Good Morning America after a nationwide search. She is the author of What Did I Do Wrong? (a book on female friendship) and the memoir Look at You Now, and has written extensively for Family Circle Magazine. As a single mother of three, Liz has lived the sports-parent journey firsthand — watching her daughter fall in love with tennis and rise through the ranks while learning to balance support, fear, and...

Welcome to the sixteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Attention — a deliberate choice for sports parents to make, focusing your energy on what truly matters in your child's youth sports experience, like effort and growth over scores or comparisons.

It’s not about constant oversight — it’s about mindful focus, directing your attention to positive moments, constructive feedback, and your c...

David Murray is an acclaimed journalist, author, and sports parent who chronicled his family’s deep dive into competitive youth soccer in his upcoming memoir Soccer Dad (Disruption Books, April 2026). A self-described soccer-ignorant father, David watched his daughter Scout’s passion for the game pull the entire family into the intense world of travel soccer, college recruiting, and Division I athletics at Ohio University. Through funny, vulnerable storytelling, he explores the joys, frustrations, and life lessons of being a sports parent in today’s high-stakes environment. David has shared his insights on numerous podcasts and in publications like The Washin...

Welcome to the fifteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short  reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Acceptance — a liberating mindset for sports parents to practice, fully embracing where your child is right now in their youth sports journey, without the weight of “should be” or comparisons.

It’s not about giving up or lowering the bar — it’s about meeting them exactly where they are today, honoring...

Dr. Brenna Chirby and Dr. Virginia Jones are licensed psychologists with over 20 years of combined experience in private practice. Dr. Chirby began her career as a Sports Psychologist at a major university athletic department. Together, they have built strong reputations helping teens and adults overcome mental health challenges.

Drawing from both their clinical expertise and their personal experience as mothers of three athletic children each—who competed from youth sports through elite club and collegiate levels—they founded MindBalanceSPORT. Their unique approach combines traditional mental health strategies with practical mental performance training to help young athletes develop a he...

Welcome to the fourteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short, 5-minute reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Trust — a powerful mindset for sports parents to practice, believing in your child’s ability to grow, learn, and handle challenges in their own youth sports journey.

It’s not about stepping back completely — it’s about choosing to trust their effort, their process, and their capacity to bounce back...

Marty Schupak is the President and owner of Schupak Sports, one of the most comprehensive youth sports media companies, producing instructional videos, books, and drills since 1999. Starting with youth baseball coaching videos, Marty has expanded to basketball, soccer, and other sports, authoring over 30 books like "101 Youth Baseball Drills" and recently publishing "Tee Ball Myths & Solutions"—a practical guide for parents and coaches to make tee ball fun and meaningful. He has delivered easy-to-follow resources that help families teach fundamentals at home, emphasizing fun, repetition, and skill development without expensive equipment. Marty has appeared on podcasts and forums discussing youth sp...

Welcome to the thirteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short, 5-minute reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Courage — a quiet strength for sports parents to draw on, facing the discomfort of uncertainty, tough moments, or necessary boundaries in your child’s youth sports journey.

It’s not about bravado — it’s about showing up authentically, whether that means letting your child risk failure on the field, havin...

Carrie Kimmell is a baseball mom and youth sports content creator based in the US, running "Baseball with JR & Carrie" alongside her son JR to empower parents in training kids from scratch to elite levels. With no initial baseball knowledge, she shares relatable videos on drills, mindset, motivation, and parent challenges, helping families build skills at home without expensive coaching. Featured in youth sports summits like the "Youth Sports Success Summit," Carrie discusses navigating coaching-parenting balance, overcoming insecurities, and fostering commitment over talent. Her mission focuses on making baseball accessible and fun, inspiring parents to support their kids' dreams...

Welcome to the twelfth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short, 5-minute reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Humility — a grounding virtue for sports parents to embody, acknowledging limits, embracing learning, and modeling graciousness in the competitive arena of youth sports.

It’s not about self-diminishment — it’s about perspective, celebrating wins without arrogance and viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

When refle...

Patricia Rodríguez Barrios, born March 10, 1982, in San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, is a Spanish businesswoman and sports executive with over 17 years in senior roles. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Deusto and a Master's in International Business from ISC Paris, with advanced programs in leadership from IESE Business School. Starting her career in operations and finance, she became the first woman to manage a First Division Spanish football club at SD Eibar in 2016, where she served as financial director from 2014 and led the club through key growth phases. She later held management positions at...

Welcome to the eleventh Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short, 5-minute reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Consistency — a cornerstone habit for sports parents to embody, maintaining steady support, routines, and responses through the ups and downs of youth sports.

It’s not about rigidity — it’s about reliability, showing up with the same positive energy, encouragement, and boundaries every practice and game to build trust and...

John Davey, born in Detroit, is the Founder and CEO of Fast Track Tennis, a company dedicated to making tennis accessible and fun for kids through portable training devices that allow practice anywhere without a court or coach. A self-taught tennis player who became a standout #1 singles player on his NCAA Division 1 team, John aspired to go pro but pivoted to entrepreneurship after recognizing the 80% dropout rate in youth tennis by age 13 due to barriers like cost and access. Launched in 2021, Fast Track Tennis offers an easy, affordable tool to teach fundamentals, helping families reduce dropout and build skills...

Welcome to the tenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short, 5-minute reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Expectation — a key awareness for sports parents to cultivate, recognizing how your hopes and standards shape your child's experience in youth sports without overwhelming them.

It’s not about lowering the bar — it’s about aligning expectations with reality, focusing on effort, growth, and enjoyment rather than perfect outcomes o...

Vlado Platenik, a Slovak tennis coach and former professional player, is the founder of the Professional Tennis Coaches Association (PTCA) and vice president for Slavic countries, dedicated to elevating coaching standards worldwide. With over 25 years on the professional tour, he has coached players to remarkable achievements, including Daria Kasatkina to multiple WTA titles and Grand Slam finals, Dominika Cibulkova to a WTA Finals victory, Nadia Petrova to a career-high #3 ranking, and currently Lulu Sun in her breakout 2024 season. A native of Bratislava, Vlado transitioned from playing to coaching, emphasizing ethical practices, player development, and innovation in training. His work...

Welcome to the ninth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short, 5-minute reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected.

Today’s word is Control — a balanced approach for sports parents to recognize what’s truly in their power, focusing on their own responses and support rather than trying to dictate every aspect of their child’s athletic journey.

It’s not about micromanaging — it’s about discerning the difference between what you can influe...

Dr. Tommy Floyd is the President of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), a nonprofit that has introduced archery to over 20 million students since 2002, promoting focus, confidence, and inclusivity in youth sports across 10,000+ schools. With a background in education—including roles as a teacher, principal, and superintendent—he holds an Ed.D. and has dedicated his career to student development, serving on boards like the Kentucky Association of School Administrators. Tommy's leadership at NASP emphasizes archery's unique ability to engage all kids, regardless of physical ability, fostering life skills like discipline and teamwork. He has appeared on podc...