How can sports parents create well-rounded kids in youth sports, which can be hyper-specialized and intense?

David Murray's book, Soccer Dad, is the story of a "soccer-ignorant, sports-ambivalent writer who saw his daughter from the kiddie leagues through the travel-sports gauntlet to a coveted Division I scholarship. And then realized his work had only begun," says his book's Amazon description.

In this interview, he discusses the challenges of helping kids find a balanced life when they're immersed in the youth sports world.

He suggests:

--Introduce larger heroes (Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King)

--Anchor the sport in values (teamwork, sisterhood, purpose)

--Seek meaning beyond scholarships

About the guest:

David Murray's daughter, Scout, "loved soccer from toddlerhood. Her drive and skill pulled the Murray family into the world of youth sports―one as culturally obsessive as it is economically exclusive, where each new achievement presents more challenges." Learn more on Amazon.

Visit LisaECohn.com to learn more about host Lisa Cohn.

Visit our youth sports psychology blog at YouthSportsPsychology.com

True leaders in sports don't need the spotlight. They earn trust through preparation, emotional control and how they show up every day—not by being the loudest voice, said Dan Gold, a sports dad, former surgeon and businessman and the author of Game Changers.

The foundation of quiet leadership is emotional regulation. When pressure rises, strong leaders stay steady rather than escalating emotionally, he said.

Guest:

Dan Gold, author of Game Changers

Send podcast episode ideas to LisaEllenCohn1@gmail.com

Subscribe to and rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts

Visit our blog at YouthSportsPsychology.com

Visit host Lisa Cohn at LisaECohn.com

High performance in sports doesn't necessarily translate into mental well-being, said Hania Taduran, a former Division I beach volleyball player and founder of the nonprofit Breaking Barriers, which aims to redefine the narrative about mental health in athletics.

During her college career at the University of the Pacific, especially during COVID isolation, she and her teammates experienced mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and burnout. Fear of stigma, losing scholarships, or being seen as weak prevented many athletes from seeking help, said Taduran, who is 23.

Send ideas for podcast episodes to LisaEllenCohn1@gmail.com

Subscribe to and rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts

Visit our blog at YouthSportsPsychology.com

Learn about host Lisa Cohn at LisaECohn.com