Want stronger, happier, more athletic kids? Get my weekly playbook for building lifelong fitness and motivation: https://better.biz/newsletter

In this episode, I share the 3 principles my wife and I used to raise athletic kids (7, 11, and 13) across football, track, soccer, and competitive dance. It wasn’t genetics—it was intentional. Use these to build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement.

🏆 The 3 Principles

• Normalize fitness at home: Make movement part of the environment and schedule. Keep it playful first; structure comes later.
• Praise effort over outcomes: Reward hustle, practice habits, positioning, and resilience—not trophies or touchdowns.
• Let them choose: Guide, don’t push. Rotate sports, avoid early specialization, and watch for burnout.

🏠 How to “Normalize Fitness” (No Drill Sergeant Required)

• Make it visible: Garage/home gym, rings, med balls, jump ropes out and ready.
• Play first: Tag, “floor is lava,” relay races, obstacle courses. Keep sessions short and fun.
• Model it: Shift some workouts to when kids are awake so they see you train.
• Layer structure later: As interest grows, add simple strength/skill blocks (bench, KB swings, dance drills).

🎯 Effort > Outcome: Coaching Phrases that Build Grit

• “I noticed how hard you chased that play.”
• “Your practice effort all week put you in position for that goal.”
• “Loved your focus on the little details—do more of that.”

🧠 Autonomy Beats Burnout (Let Them Choose)

• Rotate seasons: Try multiple sports before committing.
• Check-in questions: “What feels fun right now?” “Want to try a different position/event?”
• Watch the load: Too many leagues/practices = fast burnout. Pull back early.

🔗 Why This Works (Self-Determination Theory)

• Autonomy: They pick the sport/activity.
• Competence: They see skills improve (strength, footwork, mobility).
• Relatedness: Family trains together; team/community support.

🛠️ Quick-Start Checklist

• Set a visible movement zone at home (2–3 simple tools).
• Schedule two 15–20 min family “play sessions” this week.
• Use only effort-based praise after practices/games.
• Ask your kid to choose next week’s activity—then back it.

⏱️ Chapters

• 00:00 Why it’s not genetics—it’s intentional
• 00:40 Principle 1: Normalize fitness at home
• 02:30 Play-first approach (tag, obstacles, short sessions)
• 03:30 Principle 2: Praise effort, not outcomes
• 04:40 What to say after games/practice
• 05:20 Principle 3: Let them choose (avoid early specialization)
• 06:35 Spotting & solving burnout
• 07:30 SDT link: autonomy • competence • relatedness
• 08:05 Quick-start checklist & wrap

Final Take: Build an environment where movement is normal, celebrate the grind, and honor their choices. Athleticism follows—and so does a lifelong love of fitness.

Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerred.moon/
My site: https://better.biz
Get my book: https://bit.ly/killingcomfort

#parenting #athletickids #youthsports #motivation #selfdeterminationtheory #familyfitness #tryharder #betterhumanbusiness