#RaisingAthletes

In this episode you will hear so many amazing takeaways and advice for parents, coaches, athletes, and PEOPLE! Here is a clip of Todd Durkin discussing the importance of energy!

We start our next 100 episodes with a very special guest!!!

Kirsten has the opportunity to sit down and talk with her oldest son, Caelan, about his basketball journey and the lessons sports have taught him. From the highs to the lows and everything in between Caelan and Kirsten go back and forth about their moves throughout his childhood, high school basketball, the transfer process from D1 to D3, and his most recent journey at Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

There are so many amazing takeaways and wonderful moments in this honest conversation between a mother and her son. This is a supersized episode because they had so much to talk about!

The Journey is the Reward!

In this clip from Monday's supersized "Talking to the Student Athlete" episode, Kirsten has the opportunity to sit down and talk with her oldest son, Caelan, about his basketball journey and the lessons sports have taught him. He went from D1 to D3 and had a bunch of bumps on the way (Covid!).

There are so many amazing takeaways and wonderful moments in this honest conversation between a mother and her son.  This is a supersized episode because they had so much to talk about and even recorded it over 2 days!

It's our 100th Episode !!!!!

And.....drumroll please....we have a guest who needs no introduction…Susie and Kirsten are joined by one of the most successful people in the NBA, Golden State Warrior Head Coach Steve Kerr.

Winning 9 NBA championships as player and coach, Steve (or Stevie as Susie calls him!) is a proven winner who discusses his experience working with NBA legendary players like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant and learning from legendary coaches like Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich and Lute Olson.

He explains the importance of leading with joy and how creating a positive environment is most important when the going gets tough. You don’t want to miss this episode!

It's our 100th Episode (on Monday) !!!!! But here's a preview of the JOY we felt.

Susie and Kirsten are joined by one of the most successful people in the NBA, Golden State Warrior Head Coach Steve Kerr.

Winning 9 NBA championships as player and coach, Steve (or Stevie as Susie calls him!) is a proven winner who explains the importance of leading with joy and how creating a positive environment is most important when the going gets tough. Here, Steve (and Susie) spend time discussing the importance of living out your values.

American Soccer legend, Marcelo Balboa, joins Kirsten this week and two old friends and former peers (SDSU Aztecs!) discuss things like growing up as the son of a pro athlete, the importance of sports (“If it wasn’t for sports I would have failed [out of school]”) and his coaching style.

Marcelo is one of the first American soccer greats, he has played in 3 World Cups and over 150 MLS games for the Colorado Rapids. He is now a coach at the Colorado Rapids Academy and is using his experience to educate the next generation of American soccer while working as an announcer for Apple TV. Marcelo discusses his beliefs on how kids need to be kids while also coaching with discipline. His experiences of being raised by a former professional athlete gives excellent insight for all parents.

We are always growing and changing at #RaisingAthletes podcast, and we are adding a recap at the end of our episodes.  We have the luxury of recapping from two different perspectives, Kirsten and Matt McGonigle (our newest member or Team KJ), both former D1 athletes a generation apart!  So, stick around after Kirsten and Celo’s episode to hear how Matt and Kirsten feel about it.

SHOW NOTES:

Currently Working with Real Salt Lake Academy, Apple TV MLS Announcer

1990, 1994, and 1998 World Cup Appearances

1st American to have 100 International Caps

1st Name in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005

@marcelobalboa17

On next week's #RaisingAthletes podcast, American Soccer legend, Marcelo Balboa, joins Kirsten and she asks how do you balance full time soccer as a kid? Listen here for a sneak peek as two old friends and former peers (SDSU Aztecs!) discuss the importance of work ethic!

Marcelo is one of the first American soccer greats, he has played in 3 World Cups and over 150 MLS games for the Colorado Rapids. He is now a coach at the Colorado Rapids Academy and is using his experience to educate the next generation of American soccer while working as an announcer for Apple TV. Marcelo discusses his beliefs on how kids need to be kids while also coaching with discipline. His experiences of being raised by a former professional athlete gives excellent insight for all parents.

SHOW NOTES:

Currently Working with Real Salt Lake Academy, Apple TV MLS Announcer

1990, 1994, and 1998 World Cup Appearances

1st American to have 100 International Caps

1st Name in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005

@marcelobalboa17

This week, Kirsten welcomes Linda Martindale, a former college athlete (Arizona Wildcats Basketball!), a dedicated mental fitness coach, a motivational speaker, a high school boys basketball coach, a former college basketball coach and an entrepreneur. Linda is also a proud mother of four college athletes and two dogs (one is athletic and one is definitely not).

Kirsten and Linda dive into their mutual passion about mental fitness and its’ impact on student-athletes. They talk about how honesty and being straight with kids is so powerful to their being “seen” whether they are getting a lot of playing time.

Another impressive woman to end our Women's History Month series!

https://martindalecoaching.com/

@martindalecoaching

SHOW NOTES: The Team Captain’s Leadership Journal by Jeff Jansen

https://www.janssensportsleadership.com/resources/leadership-for-captains/

In this clip from Monday's new episode, Kirsten and Linda talk about being "seen" and how honesty and being straight with kids is so powerful and important for coaches.

Linda Martindale is a former college athlete (Arizona Wildcats Basketball!), a dedicated mental fitness coach, a motivational speaker, a high school boys basketball coach, a former college basketball coach and an entrepreneur. Linda is also a proud mother of four college athletes and two dogs (one is athletic and one is definitely not).

Kirsten and Linda dive into their mutual passion about mental fitness and its’ impact on student-athletes. They talk about how honesty and being straight with kids is so powerful to their being “seen” whether they are getting a lot of playing time or not.

Another impressive woman to end out Women's History Month series!

Week 3 of Women’s History Month highlights Dr. Emily Edlynn, clinical psychologist, and new published author. Kirsten and Emily speak about the idea that each of us has 3 fundamental needs: to be autonomous, competent and connected.

They speak about how it went wrong, and it all starts with “Intensive Parenting” and they role play different ways to parent. Dr. Emily speaks about how sports is a huge help in countering the challenges our youth face like social media and Covid isolation.

Dr. Emily talks about all these parenting themes in her book, podcast, blog, and guest column in Parents magazine.

Dr. Emily lives in Oak Park, Illinois outside of Chicago with my husband, three children, ages 13, 11, and 8, and two rescue dogs. She earned a Master’s and Doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the child and adolescent program at Loyola University of Chicago. She works in a small private practice with children, teenagers, and adults, specializing in health psychology.

She digs into the reality of parenting in this fast-paced, uber-tech, hyper-media world, and trying to remind each other that we are all doing okay by our children because we are doing our best. Not only does science say so, but if we pay attention to the art of motherhood, our instincts tell us so too.

@dremilyedlynn

SHOW NOTES:

(1) Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children

https://www.amazon.com/Autonomy-Supportive-Parenting-Parental-Competent-Confident/dp/1641709766/ref=sr_1_1?crid=E5Q1HKJHDNPU&keywords=Edlynn&qid=1674221114&sprefix=edlyn%2Caps%2C630&sr=8-1

(2) Podcast: Psychologists Off the Clock co-host

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-sports-and-raising-athletes-with-kirsten-jones/id1176171178?i=1000645283762

(3) Substack: https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/

(4) Blog: The Art and Science of Mom

https://www.emilyedlynnphd.com/

(5) Parents: Ask Your Mom parenting advice column

https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/ask-your-mom/

Week 3 of Women’s History Month highlights Dr. Emily Edlynn, clinical psychologist, and new published author. Kirsten and Emily speak about the idea that each of us has 3 fundamental needs: to be autonomous, competent and connected.

They speak about how it went wrong, and it all starts with “Intensive Parenting” and they role play different ways to parent. In this clip, the speak about how intensive parenting can lead to dreams deferred for your kids.

This week, during Women’s History Month, we bring you another powerhouse woman, Jessica Mendoza. Kirsten and Jessica get into Jessica’s beginnings with a dad as a coach and how that helped shape Jessica as an accomplished athlete (All American! Olympian!), sportscaster (ESPN and Dodger Baseball), trailblazer and mom.

Jessica Mendoza is an American sportscaster and former softball player. Currently, she serves as a color commentator and analyst for ESPN's coverage of Major League Baseball and Los Angeles Dodgers coverage on Spectrum SportsNet LA. As a softball outfielder, Mendoza was a collegiate four-time First Team All-American at Stanford and two-time Olympic medalist. She won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She played professionally in National Pro Fastpitch and was named 2011 Player of the Year and currently ranks in the top 10 for career batting average and slugging percentage.

In this clip from Monday's new episode, Kirsten and Jess talk about how important it is to expose your kids to as many different things as possible. They both tell funny stories how exposure shaped experiences.

Jessica Mendoza is an American sportscaster and former softball player. Currently, she serves as a color commentator and analyst for ESPN's coverage of Major League Baseball and Los Angeles Dodgers coverage on Spectrum SportsNet LA. As a softball outfielder, Mendoza was a collegiate four-time First Team All-American at Stanford and two-time Olympic medalist. She won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She played professionally in National Pro Fastpitch and was named 2011 Player of the Year and currently ranks in the top 10 for career batting average and slugging percentage.

To kick off Women’s History Month, Kirsten and Susie are back to help guide you through the DOs and DON’Ts of sports parenting.

In this clip, Kirsten and Susie break down meeting kids where they are at! Let them play multiple sports. Let them try multiple things. Let them slow it down or speed it up on their timeline. Check in with your kids. Success will find them if you let them find their own path. Give them the chance to find their passion.

FULL EPISODE DROPS ON MONDAY

Kirsten sits down with Brian Nash of IMG Basketball Academy and gets into the ins and out of a boarding school that has 1500 student athletes, 9 sports and 600 acres of campus. WOW!

We also find out how Brian got into coaching and how his days as a student athlete shaped his career path today.

Brian Nash, an NCAA Division I head and assistant coach for more than 20 years, joined IMG Academy as Director of Basketball in 2016. Brian Nash came to IMG Academy from Duquesne University where he was the Associate Head Coach, overseeing student-athlete recruitment and backcourt player development, as well as playing a significant role in mentoring student-athletes.

Prior to Duquesne, Nash held coaching roles at Fairfield, St. Francis, Seton Hall, Siena, St. Bonaventure and Sacred Heart, leading teams to multiple NCAA and NIT postseason appearances. Brian was a basketball student-athlete and team captain at Keene State, where he graduated with a degree in economics.

In his role, Nash oversees the basketball program for its youth and high school student-athletes, as well as its camps and training programs for post-graduate and professional players.

Brian.Nash@imgacademy.com

Kirsten sits down with Brian Nash of IMG Basketball Academy and gets into the ins and out of a boarding school that has 1500 student athletes, 9 sports and 600 acres of campus. WOW!

We also find out how Brian got into coaching and how his days as a student athlete shaped his career path today.

In this clip, Brian speaks to how hard they work to find the right fit for their student athletes.

We strive to bring you all things youth sports. And that includes the corporate side of youth and recreational sports. Kirsten's guest this week is Brett MacKinnon, head of SportsEngine (NBC Sports Next), an elite hockey player, corporate athlete and dad.

Kirsten and Brett talk about the business of youth sports, and how that fun and recreational sports should be the backbone of our kids’ experiences.

They talk about how Brett's youth sports soccer and (later) elite hockey experiences shaped his career and professional life with common themes of discipline, teamwork, community and communication.

We hope you enjoy and learn about a different side of youth sports!

SHOW NOTES:

Kirsten was a guest on NBC Sports Next/SportsEngine podcast, "For the Love of Sport"

https://discover.sportsengineplay.com/for-the-love-of-sport-podcast

ABOUT NBC SPORTS NEXT and SPORTSENGINE

NBC Sports Next is the tech division of NBC Sports. Within NBC Sports Next, there are two areas of focus: Youth & Recreational Sports; and Golf. Brett is the leader of the youth sports area, and SportsEngine is the driving brand.

SPORTSENGINE

NBC Sports Next’s Youth & Recreational Sports area, led by leading club and team management technology platform SportsEngine, is creating powerful digital tools and services to simplify youth sports – making it easier for organizations to connect with coaches, families, athletes and fans. Mission is to build the best technology platform for youth sports.

In total, SportsEngine serves over 35k small and medium-sized business sports operators (youth sports organizations), tournaments, the USOPC and Governing Body community, professional sports leagues and thousands of municipalities. Over 16M coaches, families, and fans use SportsEngine suite of products and services annually.

We strive to bring you all things youth sports. And that includes the corporate side of youth sports. Kirsten's guest this week is Brett MacKinnon, head of SportsEngine (NBC Sports), an elite hockey player, corporate athlete and dad.

In this clip, Kirsten and Brett talk about the future of youth sports and how we can continue to keep kids playing youth sports.

About SportsEngine

NBC Sports Next’s Youth & Recreational Sports area, led by leading club and team management technology platform SportsEngine, is creating powerful digital tools and services to simplify youth sports – making it easier for organizations to connect with coaches, families, athletes and fans. Mission is to build the best technology platform for youth sports.

In total, SportsEngine serves over 35k small and medium-sized business sports operators (youth sports organizations), tournaments, the USOPC and Governing Body community, professional sports leagues and thousands of municipalities. Over 16M coaches, families, and fans use SportsEngine suite of products and services annually.

This was a special episode for Kirsten as she got to talk to her book coach, Bob Welch. If you follow her book journey, she often mentions Bob, an amazing coach and partner who took everything that she threw at him and condensed it down and made each story stronger.

Bob and Kirsten were so excited to talk to each other that Bob jumped in before she even introduced him! It’s a true partnership.

As Kirsten states in the podcast, “you’re the poster child for exactly what I want to do, which is it's to be an athlete for life. The fact that you took Seven Summer (And a Few Bummers) to do the Pacific Coast Trail in your 60s, right?” Bob and Kirsten talk about how humility, perseverance and flexibility (hello Covid!) were the right combination to get Raising Empowered Athletes finished.

BOB WELCH is the author of more than two dozen books, including "The Wizard of Foz," Track & Field Writers of America's 2019 Book of the Year, and "American Nightingale," an Oregon Book Award finalist and featured on ABC's "Good Morning America."

As a columnist for "The Register-Guard" in Eugene, Oregon, Welch twice won the National Society of Newspaper Columnist's "Best Writing" award. He's also a winner of the Seattle Times C.B. Blethen Award for Distinguished Feature Writing.

Welch is a former adjunct professor at the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication, and founder of the Beachside Writers Workshop in Yachats, Oregon.

As a speaker, Welch has keynoted conferences across America. A storyteller by nature, Welch mines much of his speaking fodder from his books and the nearly 2,000 columns he wrote for The Register-Guard, Oregon’s second-largest newspaper.

Articles of Welch’s have been published in more than a dozen books, including seven in the popular “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.

In addition, he has had articles published in such magazines as "Sports Illustrated," "Los Angeles Times," "Reader’s Digest," and "Runner’s World."

He and his wife, Sally, live in Eugene.

SHOW NOTES:

https://bobwelchwriter.substack.com/

bobwelch23@gmail.com

https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Summers-Few-Bummers-Welch/dp/B0CDK8SMHC

https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Empowered-Athletes-Parenting-Resilient/dp/1637272812

This was a special episode for Kirsten as she got to talk to her book coach, Bob Welch. If you follow her book journey, she often mentions Bob, an amazing coach and partner who took everything that she threw at him and condensed it down and made each story stronger.

In this preview of Monday's podcast, Kirsten and Bob talk about how important stories are to Kirsten's (and all!) writing. As Bob said, “A lot of people like the idea of writing a book” but not a lot of people follow through. BOB WELCH is the author of more than two dozen books, including "The Wizard of Foz," Track & Field Writers of America's 2019 Book of the Year, and "American Nightingale," an Oregon Book Award finalist and featured on ABC's "Good Morning America."

As a columnist for "The Register-Guard" in Eugene, Oregon, Welch twice won the National Society of Newspaper Columnist's "Best Writing" award. He's also a winner of the Seattle Times C.B. Blethen Award for Distinguished Feature Writing.

Welch is a former adjunct professor at the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication, and founder of the Beachside Writers Workshop in Yachats, Oregon.

As a speaker, Welch has keynoted conferences across America. A storyteller by nature, Welch mines much of his speaking fodder from his books and the nearly 2,000 columns he wrote for The Register-Guard, Oregon’s second-largest newspaper.

Articles of Welch’s have been published in more than a dozen books, including seven in the popular “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.

In addition, he has had articles published in such magazines as "Sports Illustrated," "Los Angeles Times," "Reader’s Digest," and "Runner’s World."

He and his wife, Sally, live in Eugene.

https://bobwelchwriter.substack.com/

Renowned Psychologist. Human Connection Expert. Bestselling Author

Kirsten has a blast talking to Dr. Jody this week. If you are some of our Canadian listeners, you will hear a kindred spirit! If not, you will come away as a new fan. She teaches us such important lessons with humor and energy that you will hear Kirsten laughing and learning along.

Dr. Jody Carrington is a powerhouse speaker and fearless champion for authentic human connection. She is highly sought after for her expertise, energy, and genuine approach to helping people solve the most complex human-centered problems. Jody’s work focuses on the value of reconnection—the key to healthy relationships and productive teams. Her authentic, honest (and often hilarious) approach never fails to inspire and motivate audiences.

Dr. Carrington is the founder and principal psychologist at The Carrington Practice, where she uses her twenty-plus years of experience to empower the clients she connects with. Jody’s unique resume of clients—from kids to major institutions—provides her with insights and depth of experience to present unmatched value to her audiences. Her core message resonates with everyone from the practice to the world stage: our power lies in our ability to acknowledge each other first.

She is the bestselling author of Kids These Days (2019), Teachers These Days (2021), and the emotionally charged and introspective chart topping, Feeling Seen (Harper Collins, 2023).

Jody lives in small-town Olds, Alberta, with her husband and three children (she had three kids in 2 years to test her own resilience), and leads the amazing team at Carrington & Company.

Kirsten continues her discussions in the “Talking to the Student-Athlete” Series, speaking to Montana Grizzlies Linebacker, Geno Leonard. The Montana Grizzlies put together one of the most memorable seasons in program history in 2023, with a Big Sky championship and made a magical run to the NCAA Division I Football National Championship (FCS) game.

Prior to joining the Griz, Geno was a four-year letterman at Sentinel High School in Missoula, MT. He helped lead the Spartans to a 10-0 record and the State AA championship as a senior. Geno shares his story of redshirting his freshman year and then overcoming injury during his sophomore year. Kirsten and Geno talk about mindset, ultimately getting your body healthy, beating the injury and then focusing on becoming better football players. Geno shares how injury led him to be a player-coach from the sidelines and learning to help his teammates as a teacher.

Kirsten and Geno also bonded over the great community the both grew up in - Missoula, Montana, where Kirsten and Geno’s Dad, Brad Leonard, were classmates and respective Male and Female Athletes of the Year for Sentinel High School way back when in 1988.

Go Griz!

Instagram: @genoleonard31 @montanagrizfootball

Kirsten continues her discussions in the Talking to the Student Athlete Series, speaking to Montana Grizzlies Linebacker, Geno Leonard. In this clip, Geno and Kirsten discuss how powerful it is for a coach to support an injured player and the mindset it takes for that player to get back on the field.

Full Episode Drops on Monday!

@genoleonard31

@montanagrizfootball

You’re in for a treat!

Brandin Bryant, Nebraska-born NFL professional and mental performance enthusiast, has had to fight for every opportunity in his pro and college football career. He earned a spot at Florida Atlantic after starting his career at Fort Scott Community College. In 2016, Bryant went undrafted, and he’s been fighting to stay in the NFL ever since. He’s been on an NFL practice squad for five of the last seven seasons and walks us through the cutthroat NFL process. He played in the Canadian football League in 2018 and 2019 to try and keep his dream alive.

Kirsten and Brandin talk about a host of subjects dear to #RaisingAthletes podcast hearts:

• Overcoming Adversity

• Making your own Luck

• Inspirational Teachers and Coaches

• Importance of Discipline and Routine

• Reframing Setbacks and Rejections

Brandin shares his wisdom and experience in his debut book, So, You Want to be an Athlete? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQTVKD3N/.

With an 8-year career in professional football and a belief in the power of a growth mindset, Brandin champions the integral role of education in an athlete's journey. He frequently addresses university audiences across the nation, inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Instagram: @el_sacko

Brandin Bryant, Nebraska-born NFL professional and mental performance enthusiast, joins Kirsten this Monday to speak about overcoming adversity, the benefits of a routine and how he went from junior college to undrafted NFL player for such teams as the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks.

Brandin's debut book, So, You Want to be an Athlete? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQTVKD3N/ dropped this past week so go buy it now! @el_sacko

Kirsten Jones and Susie Walton are back together to ring in 2024 and celebrate their 5th year together!

They preview their new episode, "Getting Out of FEAR & Getting What YOU Want"

So fun to have them back together! Here's to this energy on our shoulder for all of 2024.

This story is special to me and I wanted to share it again with you as we start 2024. Austin Hatch's episode first aired 3/20/19 and I shared his story in Raising Empowered Athletes (Chapter 13, WE over ME). It's all about living in THIS moment and taking advantage of what's in front of you. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do!

Austin Hatch is a survivor. A two-time plane crash survivor, he epitomizes what it means to be resilient. In 2003, at the age of 8, Austin’s mother, sister and brother were tragically killed plane crash. Eight years later, with many hours of hard work, the 6’6” basketball phenom was offered a college scholarship from his dream school, University of Michigan. Just nine days later, Austin would be aboard a plane with his father and “second mother” (he never considered her a step-mom) and this plane too would go down, killing both his parents and leaving Austin in a coma with severe injuries including traumatic brain injury.

I was so honored to speak with Austin and hear him talk about how he made it to the University of Michigan through tireless work, unrelenting positivity that “a miracle is going to happen” and belief that he was truly blessed to have had all of his amazing family members in his life.

We can learn so much from Austin’s outlook as we parent and raise adults about what it means to be optimistic, even in darkest of times and what the belief in yourself and gratitude for the gifts you have been given can do for you.

A former NIKE colleague, Lauri Kriva, joins Kirsten on this week's podcast.

Lauri’s early life followed a predictable progression of academic and professional accomplishments: overseas study. College degree. HR Management certification. Fifteen years global HR experience with NIKE and Timberland.

In 2006, her heart led her to life coaching, and a cascade of experiences that married her skills with a love of learning: voiceover, real estate, health/wellness, and authoring a children’s book. She often says she lives life with her head in the clouds, her feet on the ground and her heart wide open.

Her son, Axl’s, experience learning how to play golf (and the limited number of kids books on the subject) inspired her to write Fore! The Love of Golf. Lauri took up golf at age 50 and taps into her own mental superpower frequently on the course.

Lauri is a certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher through the McLean Meditation Institute and a certified Dr. Sears Health Coach. Lauri and her family live in Santa Barbara, California and can be reached at: www.swellheart.com.

Kirsten sits down with fellow Sunshine Volleyball Coach, Alex Chigas. Alex explains that he coaches and plays volleyball because he loves the game and tries to give his athletes space to find their passions.

Alex Chigas grew-up in the suburbs of Chicago where he played volleyball for Oak Lawn Community High School and the Ultimate Volleyball Club. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Statistics. While attending university Alex worked as a line judge for Big10 Women’s Volleyball.

Alex is currently the head coach of Sunshine’s 17 Westside team. Alex’s coaching philosophy is mostly based on the “mental game.” He puts a heavy emphasis on what the team is doing when they don’t have the ball, this translates into better movement, ball control, and overall awareness.

Kirsten and Alex align on mindset and communication and Kirsten has worked successfully with Alex’s teams as a result (They tell a fun story of how they both worked together with a team that got in flow at the end of the season and placed #5 at Nationals!!)

SUPRPRISE!!! We have a new @raisingathletespodcast dropping on Monday with @alexchigas 🎉🎉🎉

Parents often ask, What can I do to help my child??? 🤔

Alex gives such important advice here. 🗣️

Listen and learn 👏🥰

...

Alex Chigas grew-up in the suburbs of Chicago where he played volleyball for Oak Lawn Community High School and the Ultimate Volleyball Club. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Statistics. While attending university Alex worked as a line judge for Big10 Women’s Volleyball.

Alex is currently the head coach of Sunshine’s 17 Westside team. Alex’s coaching philosophy is mostly based on the “mental game.” He puts a heavy emphasis on what the team is doing when they don’t have the ball, this translates into better movement, ball control, and overall awareness.

On this week of Thanksgiving, I want to say I’m grateful for this women’s insight and friendship.

On our newest #RA podcast, Kristin and I will share tips and words of wisdom for parents and athletes. It is something we often do - hike, talk, coach and learn from each other. So, we hope you enjoy a look inside our friendship and together we came up 5 Top Tips to help YOU and help your child!

Thankful!

Kristin Keefe played four years of volleyball at Marymount High School before playing for Stanford University; she was a four-time All-American Outside Hitter and 1991 National Player of the Year. From 1992 through 1996 she was a member of the US Women’s National Team and participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She played professionally for three years on the Bud Light Pro 4 Women Beach Volleyball Tour.

This is her fifth season coaching for the Sunshine Volleyball Club. In 2018 and 2019 both of her teams, 15s and 16s, won bronze medals at the Junior Nationals.

On this week of Thanksgiving, I want to say I’m grateful for this women’s insight and friendship.

On Monday’s podcast, Kristin and I will share tips and words of wisdom for parents and athletes. It is something we often do - hike, talk, coach and learn from each other.

Thankful!

Kristin Keefe played four years of volleyball at Marymount High School before playing for Stanford University; she was a four-time All-American Outside Hitter and 1991 National Player of the Year. From 1992 through 1996 she was a member of the US Women’s National Team and participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She played professionally for three years on the Bud Light Pro 4 Women Beach Volleyball Tour.

This is her fifth season coaching for the Sunshine Volleyball Club. In 2018 and 2019 both of her teams, 15s and 16s, won bronze medals at the Junior Nationals.

Today’s guest, NYU Coach Andrew Brown, is the head coach of the highly successful (29-7 record and advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament Final Four 2022 season) New York University’s Women’s Volleyball Team.

Coach Brown sits down with Kirsten to talk about how his program has changed from the jungle tiger - practicing ugly mentality to playing from the top and being the hunted vs the hunter. He speaks to how you show up after success, when opponents are so motivated to take you down.

Kirsten and Andrew talk about how to onboard 5-7 new players, and not overload them in the pre-season. And, he talks about how they bring in consultants to give data and science (think Meyers-Briggs) to give another tool in his athletes toolbox for not just volleyball, but life in general.

A fascinating discussion on mindset, grit, expectations, culture and really finding out who your team is!

NYU Violets repeated as UAA conference champs in 2023 and are currently playing in the NCAA DIII tournament.

Monday's return guest, NYU Coach Andrew Brown, is the head coach of the highly successful (29-7 record and advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament Final Four 2022 season) New York University’s Women’s Volleyball Team.

In this clip, Coach Brown sits down with Kirsten to talk about how his program has changed from the hunter to the hunted.

This episode is a fascinating discussion on mindset, grit, expectations, culture and really finding out who your team is!

NYU Violets repeated as UAA conference champs in 2023 and are currently playing in the NCAA DIII tournament.

Kirsten and Joy have a fascinating discussion of NIL and youth sports. Have you wondered how this NIL thing works? Joy and Kirsten try to unpack this process of NIL, entrepreneurship and building your own brand (spoiler – it’s not all about sports!). They talk also about how much NIL is doing for women. Did you know women are getting paid 3:1 to their male counterparts!?

Joy Harris is a successful entrepreneur with over 10+ years of experience helping others scale their ambitions. CEO of Score and Co-founder of Connect Electric, Joy is passionate about student-athlete success and helping families gain the leverage necessary for them to win on-and-off the field. Joy is also a speaker and the author of the book series "How to Get Paid Before Going Pro".

@thejoyharris

Kirsten and Joy have a fascinating discussion of NIL and youth sports. Have you wondered how this NIL thing works? Joy and Kirsten try to unpack this process of NIL, entrepreneurship and building your own brand (spoiler – it’s not all about sports!).

In this clip, they talk also about how much NIL is doing for women. Did you know women are getting paid 3:1 to their male counterparts!?

Joy Harris is a successful entrepreneur with over 10+ years of experience helping others scale their ambitions. CEO of Score and Co-founder of Connect Electric, Joy is passionate about student-athlete success and helping families gain the leverage necessary for them to win on-and-off the field. Joy is also a speaker and the author of the book series "How to Get Paid Before Going Pro".

@thejoyharris

https://snipfeed.co/thejoyharris

Kirsten had such a great conversation on SLEEP with Julie Wright, MFT and Heather Turgeon, MFT — psychotherapists, authors, and sleep experts.

The Happy Sleepers join Kirsten to uncover one of the greatest threats to our teenagers’ physical and mental health: sleep deprivation.

Based in NYC / LA, they help people of all ages (babies, little kids, teens and adults) improve their sleep. As their first book, The Happy Sleeper became a popular parenting book, they’ve expanded to develop tools that help all ages. Adolescents are now the most sleep deprived group in human history.

With that in mind, Heather and Julie written a new book, Generation Sleepless: Why Tweens and Teens Aren't Sleeping Enough and How We Can Help Them, an intimate glimpse inside a silent epidemic that is harming teens and how parents can help them reclaim the restorative power of sleep.

If you could protect your teen from unnecessary anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, and foster a greater sense of happiness and well-being in their life, wouldn’t you?

https://www.thehappysleeper.com/

@TheHappySleeper @heatherturgeon @juliewrightmft

Originally aired June 2, 2022

Former DI Virginia Tech basketball college athletes, turned NIKE executives and now parents of Stanford Women’s Basketball star, Cameron Brink, join Kirsten in discussing raising athletes, recruiting, NIL, the transfer portal and The Curry Family connection!

Stick around for the end to hear about the link to the White House!

Michelle and Greg Brink met as college basketball players at Virginia Tech University. I first crossed paths with them at NIKE, two power brokers inside the Swoosh’s berm in the 1990’s and 2000’s.

The Brinks raised their two children based upon their own experiences as student athletes, heavy on the student, less focus on the athlete, unless it was what they wanted.

Kirsten had a blast talking to Frankie Valdez about his story and how he shapes young people. Kirsten laughs out loud at Frankie's answer to, "The Best Athletes I Know Do This" :)

Francisco Valdez played for the Dominican National team for 14 years, starting in their youth program and continuing to the elite men’s team. After winning the USAV Open division championship, Frankie was recruited to play NCAA D1 volleyball at Long Beach State. He went on to play overseas in Venezuela, Turkey and Puerto Rico.

Frankie is a multiple National title holder in the Dominican Republic, playing pro plus a few USA Open championships. He started out as a tennis player, but once he transitioned to volleyball he never looked back. This is his 7th year coaching with Sunshine VBC and first year as head coach of Louisville High School.

Kirsten had a blast talking to Frankie Valdez about his story and how he shapes young people. In this clip, Frankie talks about letting young people explore other things - arts, sports, whatever! Be curious.

Francisco Valdez played for the Dominican National team for 14 years, starting in their youth program and continuing to the elite men’s team. After winning the USAV Open division championship, Frankie was recruited to play NCAA D1 volleyball at Long Beach State. He went on to play overseas in Venezuela, Turkey and Puerto Rico.

Frankie is a multiple National title holder in the Dominican Republic, playing pro plus a few USA Open championships. He started out as a tennis player, but once he transitioned to volleyball he never looked back. This is his 7th year coaching with Sunshine VBC and first year as head coach of Louisville High School.

Dan Blewett is an author, speaker, YouTuber, former professional pitcher, and mindset coach. He took his up and down career as an athlete and morphed that passion into helping sports families find their way.

As former athletes and current coaches, Kirsten and Dan have very interesting takes about making sports intensely fun, prioritizing the family and how sports help divert us from the hardship of daily life.

A resident of Washington, D.C., Dan is passionate about helping sports families - giving young athletes, parents and coaches the tools to have healthier careers in sports. He is the author of four books - This Slump Shall Pass (2023), Clean Your Cleats (2022), Dear Baseball Gods (2019), and Pitching Isn't Complicated (2013).

@coachdanblewett

In this clip from Monday's episode, Coach Dan Blewett breaks down why he believes character building is a side effect of sports, not why you should play!

Dan Blewett is an author, speaker, YouTuber, former professional pitcher, and mindset coach. He took his up and down career as an athlete and morphed that passion into helping sports families find their way.