You're listening to the Sports Moms United 15 minute huddle: Episode #52 How important is it for your athlete to learn how to train their brain? Is it actually the most important skill? Listen in as I talk with Austin Byler (who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks) as he shares his experience. Austin gives us some mental training tips and tools that you and your athlete can use to get started training your brain today! Austin and I discuss... His mission for Major League University and what "Rewrite Your Destiny" means for an athlete. When he started taking mental training seriously and why he didn't own it earlier in his journey. When an athlete is injured, why mental skills are so important. His best advice for athletes and parents as they help their athletes navigate their own sports journey. Where you can find Austin and Major League University.

Sports Moms United Podcast

EPISODE #52 - How Can Your Athlete Build Their Mental Muscle?

We could all use a little more laughter right now...like deep belly laughs. So buckle up and get ready for this huddle because I'm chatting with a sports mom who will make you laugh and drop some wisdom as well. Brandalyn is a humorist and softball mom with a big heart and the spiritual gift of humor. Here is her recent rant and our conversation that follows. We chat (and laugh) about all these things... Tell us who you are, what you do, and why you do it? Let's have some fun and find out more about you as a sports mama... Her softball mom rant where you share some discoveries about the softball world, tell us about your experience as a softball mom? What advice/tips would you give our sports moms/parents as they help their athletes navigate their own sports journey? Bio: Brandalyn Shropshire is a humorist, writer, and actress. Making people laugh has always been Brandalyn’s passion and she has found much success with her alter egos “Shrop the Cop” and “Ms. Pointsetta”. She believes the number one “violation” in life is that people often do not enjoy the funny side of life. As a humorist, she has opened for such artists as comedians Rickey Smiley and Michael J, R&B artist Kem, and renowned saxophonist Angella Christie. She has written, directed, and starred in stage plays including her one-woman show, “Won't He Do It” and “BrightStar Assisted Living: Not Your Ordinary Nursing Home” under her Production Company BJS Productions. Now Brandalyn is using her humor, personal insights, and positivity to motivate others by addressing professional conferences and conventions. Brandalyn is employed at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she also received her B.A. in Communications. Brandalyn Shropshire is the eldest daughter of Pastor Willie and Cheryl Paul of New Horizon Church in Chattanooga, TN. She is blessed to have a wonderful husband, Daniel Shropshire and they are the proud parents of Little Miss Sydney Shropshire. LINKS: Facebook Fanpage Instagram YouTube 

EPISODE #51 - Nobody Told Me THIS Would Happen as a Sports Mom - Brandalyn Shropshire

When sports shut down, we all had some downtime to refresh, but quickly we missed seeing our kids compete. Chet Arnold, the author of Bean and Baseball in Time Flies, reminds us to enjoy the journey and embrace the ups and downs. We talk about some really important ways parents can develop a positive perspective as they navigate life with their athlete. Chet and I discuss... Bean and Baseball is a book about baseball and how quickly Time Flies from the first practice to High School Graduation and the milestones in between. Tell us about why you wrote Bean and Baseball? How has baseball created a bond btw you and your son? What advice/tips would you give our sports moms/parents as they help their athletes navigate their own sports journey?   BIO Meet Chet A. Arnold I am an Army infantry Veteran, a product of Sand Hill from July 1989 through July 31, of 1992, 4/30th Infantry. Ft. Benning, Georgia, is where I grew up and put earlier lessons taught haven been raised in East Texas. Growing up in East Texas during the 70s and as a teenager in the 80s was a lot of fun. If reality shows had been a thing then, what an amazing show that would have been. Football is king in East Texas—it has always been and it will always be. A few stars emerged as baseball players in the 80s, but that was only a drop in the hat compared to football. Friday nights in Tyler, Texas, were a no brainer during the fall; football at home or on the road was the plan. High school graduation was bittersweet. I would be leaving my family and friends, and the known for the unknown. After training was complete, I was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, and I spent the next two years and nine months stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. I must have been the luckiest guy on earth. I enjoyed my time in the military, my fellow soldiers, and being a soldier. We enjoyed the service, but we loved our free time even more. We didn't get in much trouble, or at least, we didn't get caught. We held each other accountable, and that brotherhood from 1989 continues on in 2020. I raised boys. I loved our community and I loved being a part of whatever was going on. One day, my son brought a football flier home from school. Our lives would forever be changed; our weekends now belonged to Mesquite Pee Wee Football. It didn't take long before the majority of our friends became the parents of the other children. One day, a parent asked if we were available to guest play; it turns out, they had a player unavailable due to football happening during the time the baseball game was scheduled to be played. Reluctantly, we agreed to guest play. This one weekend, a chance opportunity to play, started our obsession with baseball. As a kid, I remember sitting outside on the porch with my grandfather on Walton Dr. in Tyler, Texas, in the 70s. While my grandfather listened to the game on the radio, I would hear the crack of the bat, and the cheering that immediately followed. To this day, I still get excited at the crack of the bat—unless my son is pitching. Then, all I can think of is, Don't throw it to that spot again! I am a youth baseball fan. I started writing the idea for a book, stage play, and a movie awhile ago. Baseball came to an abrupt halt in March of 2020 and like so many others I was suddenly home with nothing to do. I worked on Bean and Baseball during what would have been my office hours.

EPISODE #50 - Can Youth Sports Teach Adults Humility and Patience?

Your kiddo comes home from practice complaining about a sore, maybe sprained, ankle. It's kinda swollen, but nothing major. What do you do next? You just need a quick answer. Don't google it. You have another choice...help from an athletic trainer. Listen in to learn more from my conversation with certified athlete Michelle Cordero. Michelle and I talk about... What is your main goal for Athlete Remedy? Why is it so important to have a resource like Athlete Remedy? What gaps are you filling for parents and their athletes? What advice/tips would you give our sports moms/parents as they help their athletes navigate their own sports journey from your perspective?   ABOUT MICHELLE I know that a lot of the information out there can be daunting and even intimidating (especially when you’re simply trying to get a quick answer about something as simple as ‘how long should I apply ice when I sprain my ankle?’) and so it is my goal to provide you with information that you can not only UNDERSTAND, but also DO so you can maintain and care for your body efficiently so that you can perform at your best. If you have the tools and information to better understand and care for your body, you will be empowered and confident knowing that you have one less thing holding you back. So here’s a little bit about me…I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and pursued both a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training at the University of Connecticut and then a Master’s of Science in Sports Medicine at Florida International University. I was fortunate to have been mentored by the leading expert in heat illness in the United States as well as learn from top educators in the field. I attribute my success to being able to put into practice what I learned in the classroom early on as well as getting exposed to so many different sports and injuries that complimented my professional experience. In addition to my primary certification, I also pursued and acquired the Corrective Exercise Specialist certification by the National Academy of Sports Medicine to compliment my expertise and add value to how I approached injury care and rehabilitation with my athletes. Being an athlete since a very young age (I started doing ballet and playing basketball at 4 years old), I also faced many of the aches and pains associated with being an active kid. Working with kids of all ages and competition levels has also given me further insight into what works and doesn’t work from a practical standpoint when treating injuries. I have a passion for sports and love nothing more than to help athletes overcome their struggles and get back to competition. YOUR success…is MY success! CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #49 - Is This Injury Serious Enough to go to the Emergency Room?

Get ready..this is a powerful 15-minute huddle with practical wisdom for you and your family. Who you are, what you do, and why you do it. The Coach's Diary and how it started? How much influence do you think the parent's EXAMPLE (versus just talking) has on their athlete? We talk about this... WISDOM is doing NOW what you will be happy with later. STAY READY and STAY PREPARED so that you don’t have to rush to get ready. Don’t be lazy. Don’t be complacent. Don’t be passive. Don’t be inactive. Don’t be a procrastinator. BE who you want to become. Have the HABITS and live the LIFESTYLE of who you want to be so that when your opportunities come, you are ready. You never know when you are going to get your big opportunity, so stay ready for it by the way that you live and your habits. What are some ways parents can encourage their athletes (and themselves) to stay ready....particularly mentally ready? What advice/tips would you give our sports moms/parents as they help their athletes navigate their own sports journey? BIO: Meet Reggie Bibb: I am a coach, a teacher, a mentor, and a leader. I love the game of basketball, I love what sports can do for a person, and I love helping others become better people while also growing as a man. I hope you like what you see, and if you have something to add, please comment. I love learning and growing myself as a coach, a teacher, and as a man. CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #48 - What Would Sports Parents Learn If We Could Read A Coach's Diary?

Nelson Mandela said this "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” As a sports mom and a former athlete, I believe he is right and the sports community, in this moment of crisis, can be a place where the work of changing begins, but only if we look straight into what needs to change, recognize it, and take action to move forward united together. In today's huddle, I talk with John Babb, who was a multi-sport athlete in high school, played football at Baker University where he earned his undergraduate degree. John went to earn his doctorate of physical therapy at Wichita State and is a physical therapist in Topeka, KS. John shares his experiences with us as we talk about sports and the future. CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #47 - Please Sports, let's do more than hashtags

If your athlete was showing signs of energy imbalance, would they recognize it? Would you? This is an important topic because athletes who find their "sweet spot" and maintain an energy balance will have an edge, be less at risk for injury and set a foundation for a healthy life. In today huddle, I talk with Rebecca McConville about the topic of Relative Energy Deficit in Sport (or RED-S) We discuss how to be proactive and avoid RED-S so athletes stay in their sweet spot all season long. Rebecca and I discuss... who she is, what she does and why she does it and her book, Finding Your Sweet Spot: How to Avoid RED-S (Relative Energy Deficit in Sport) by Optimizing Your Energy Balance how her personal journey led to her profession as a sports dietitian, specializing in eating disorders. What is RED-S? Why is it important for you and your athlete to know about RED-S? When can an energy imbalance occur? What would cause it? What can we do recognize RED-S in our athletes and what can we do to address it? Why it's important to be intentional about where we get nutrition information for our active kids. Why is consistency so critical to healthy athletes? What Rebecca wants parents and athletes to take away from reading her book? Why talking about injury prevention with your athlete could be a great intro conversation to the importance of energy balance. CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #46 - Is Your Athlete Getting Enough Fuel to Run the Machine?

The topic of confidence always seems to surface when taking with other sports parents. How can my athlete be more confident...what about when my athlete loses confidence? But are we even asking the right questions or is there something else we should be asking? In today's huddle, I talk with Kathy Finesteen, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Sports Performance Consultant, about mental health and mental performance, both for our athlete and for ourselves. She gives us very practical ways to increase our own awareness and to help our athlete increase their awareness, too.   Kathy and I discuss... who she is, what she does and why she does it. how her daughter's sports performance anxiety (and the lack of resources available) sparked her interest in sport's psychology why self-reflection is the first place for us to start so we can be our best for our athlete. What is a fixed mindset vs a growth mindset? How should we praise our athlete? How do athletes develop confidence? What three questions are important to ask our athlete to help them with confidence? Why is it important for our athletes to see us fail? How her podcast (Season 5) will be a deeper dive into solutions for mental performance.   CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #45 - What 3 Questions Should Every Sports Parent Ask Their Athlete?

WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN TODAY’S 15-MINUTE HUDDLE: What does it really take to play at the next level? From youth sports to professional sports, every next step requires an athlete to grow and mature. In today's huddle, I talk with Austin McCarthy, who was just named Captain of the Topeka Pilots, a team in the Northern American Hockey League. Austin candidly shares with us his insights into his hockey life as he follows his dream to one day play in the NHL. Austin and I discuss... His journey from Michigan to Kansas to play hockey at the next level. How important his relationship with his sports mom has been in his hockey journey. Why playing for the love of the game has to be a priority to play at the next level. What has surprised him the most about moving to the next levels? What advice he would give to young athletes. Where his hockey skills are taking him (hint: Russia). How important is a pregame routine and how the team talks about the mental side of the game? How the energy/chemistry of the team matters. Meet Austin McCarthy: From his Sports Mama, Erica McCarthy Howe I adore most from Austin is his passion and dedication. I have never in my life seen someone as driven as Austin. He truly gives 1000% always.. he strives to be the best he can be and he pushes himself beyond what I could ever do or what I would ever expect him to do... He is conscious of his health from what he eats and drinks to his workouts and skates. Every day he amazes me! He has had several hardships and struggles, but he is always determined to become better and stronger. When Austin was 10, I remember saying in an interview about him that I see anything is possible for him...I think he can do anything he puts in mind to and that he's an amazing kid. I'm just so proud to be his Mom! CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #44 - What Does It Really Take...

CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

Episode #43: Can You Emotionally Disconnect from Your Athlete's Sports?

Ever feel like the communication gap between a coach, you, and your athlete is the size of the Grand Canyon? It happens. Hey, we're emotional, complex humans, right? In today's huddle, I talk to Ian Goldberg who is a passionate sports dad, youth sports coach and Founder of iSport360.com. Ian created an APP to get parents & coaches communicating....talking and sharing information without emotional baggage, judgment, blame, and shame. Say what? Yep, we can do it. If you don't use this tool and you have a kid in sports who has a coach and you have to communicate with them.....turn the volume up and join us for solutions. Ian shares who he is and why he started his company and developed this App. Why there is a disconnect btw parents & coaches when communicating with the kids. Why creating an infrastructure for youth sports communication makes sense. How we can Take best practices from education and apply them to sports. How the APP works and why it brings everyone together on the same page. What type of feedback the APP allows and why it's so important. How being a sports parent is so emotional and how important it is for us to respond from the unconscious and unconscious. Why aren't we better, as the mature adults, at managing our emotions? What Ian and isport360.com would like to accomplish with the APP. Where Ian sees youth sports headed in the next 5 to 10 yrs   CONTINUE THE HUDDLE    WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!  If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #42 - How We Bridge the Expectation Gap Between Coach and Parent

Do you know your athlete's triggers? What makes them anxious? Are you saying or doing things that actually hurt them when your intentions are to help? In today's huddle, I talk with Teisha Womack, who played college basketball at Seton Hall and then professionally in Poland. She went on to get her Master's in Sports Psychology and now works with athletes on improving their mental skills. This is a conversion you don't want to miss and you'll want to pass along to other sports mamas and their athletes. Teisha Womack and I discuss... Who she is, what she does and why she does. How her "nervous energy" as a teenager affected her as an athlete and how she even though she did well, she struggled with the anxiety. How her brain would shut down once she reached a level that was "unknown" to her. How we think becomes our behavior and can lead to physical injury. How important the mental skills game is and that most kids don't even know that it's a thing that can be "worked on" The concerns when an injury occurs and how to handle the mental recovery while physically recovering. The mind and body connection and why building awareness is the first step. How to get in touch with your athletes "triggers" so that you don't make the situation worse for them. What is a self-talk log and what can it do for your athlete? CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!  If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #41 - Do You Know Your Athlete's Triggers?

Nick and I discuss... Who he is, what he does and why he does it. Why he started The Reformed Sports Parent platform and when he realized he needed to change. How being vulnerable with his boys was a turning point. When he realized it was more about him than his kids he realized he needed to step back and make some changes. How he reached out to others to see if others were feeling like this and so many others were at very high levels. Why parents are feeling the pressure of the pay-to-play and what we can do What should parents focus on? Are sports parents chasing the wrong things in youth sports? Why facing our own heart-posture and setting our ego aside is the place to start with changing the youth sports culture. Why the number one place to start for a sports parent is "this is not about me". CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!  If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community  

EPISODE #40 - What Type of Sports Parent Are YOU?

Can you feel it? The pressure is high. The fear of missing out is real, but what happens to your athlete when they specialize too early? In today's huddle, I talk with Brett Klika from SPIDERfit kids about the very real dangers of early sports specialization. Brett shares important insights with us from his extensive background working with youth athletes all the way to professional athletes. Stay with us for this one...it's information you'll need. Brett shares with us... Why he started the SPIDERfit Kids movement and how his experience with young athletes all the way to professional athletes shapes everything he does. How SPIDERfit Kids empowers coaches, parents, and educators with everything they need. Why working with kids is not just babysitting, it's so much more. The reality that organized sports is where our kids are being active and why it's important to understand this and what it means for youth sports. Who drives early sports specialization? What is sports specialization and why it causes problems for the long-term athlete? What do the national organization for sport think about sports specialization and what are they recommending? What is a parents role? Why is it important for parents to be on the same page with team values?   CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!  If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #39 - Is Your Athlete Specializing Too Early?

Does yelling at athletes prepare them well for the world after sports? Does it really" toughen them up"? Is this the best way to coach/parent? In today's huddle, I bring back J.P. Nerbun, a mentor, writer, coach, and sports consultant. who is, most importantly, I am a husband and father. We talk about what happens when we lead with love, both as a coach and parent, and some practical ways we can change the default response from yelling and screaming to setting high standards and leading with love. JP and I discuss... Are we asking the right questions about how we coach and parent? And what are those questions we should be asking ourselves? Why we shouldn't yell at our athletes and how it's not congruent with leadership in the real world. How our brains work and how we can help our kids/athletes to use their WHOLE brain. Why we want to "engage not enrage their brain" and how to activate connections that strengthen their whole brain. Connect first with your athlete and let them know you see them and understand before telling them what you think they should do. How can you retrain the way we operate? How we can have high standards and still operate and lead with love. Why a parent or coach has to start with their own heart first. Do you see the child as a problem or a person? Can we shift from"how do they serve me" to "how can I serve them?" CONTINUE THE HUDDLE  WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!  If you have a question about today’s episode (or want to ask a question of your own for the podcast), you can email me at beth@sportsmomsunited.com or head on over to the  Sports Moms United Facebook Community

EPISODE #38 - Is Yelling and Screaming at Athletes the Best Way to Coach or Parent?

Because as a sports mom, you are busy. So, I want to honor your time by "huddling" with you once a week to talk strategy. Every Friday, I will bring on an expert guest to share actionable tools, tips and strategies with you to help you raise your athlete to be nutritionally fit, physically fit and mentally fit and I'll also bring on guest experts with tips and strategies just for us Sports Moms to get organizationally fit too. In the spirit of a huddle, the podcast will be a 15-minute "break in the action" of your week to gather together to learn strategies, get motivated and celebrate with each other before going back out into our own game of life.

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Sports Moms United Podcast

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