Hello Fellow Athlete Parents,



I’m sure like me, your child is in the swing and thick of practice. It’s about this time that their lives have gotten a bit more hectic. Between school life, homework, practice and chores their life is feeling it. I find my child needs more hugs around this time..as well as ice packs, “help” with homework and just needs to know I am there. Even in their most joyous times in their sport they will start to feel pressure from all points. The best thing we can do as a parent is to recognize that and give them support when and how they need it. I find I do better by simply saying, “when you’re ready, I’m here.” They may need time to dissect what is hard. Remember coaches and teachers are there to push your child pass comfort, because, we as adults know, it’s only by pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone is when growth happens, the same is true for our children. So, by being their cheerleader and support system they know they are loved regardless of the outcome. 

I was asked some time ago about food. What does your young athlete eat? FOR DISCLOSURE IT’S NOT PREFECT! I’m in the thick of a very narrow pallet for mine. So by far it can be challenging but I remember this…anything made at home is better than boxed or fast. Here are some ideas I use to sneak in a little extra health:

1. Add protein powder to pancake mix
2. Always have hard boiled eggs available
3. Yogurt, watch the amount of sugar, 12g of sugar is 1 Tablespoon.  
4. String cheese/ sliced deli cheese
5. Chicken breast: use in a quesadilla, noddle soup or with rice
6. Zbars although packaged I do think they are on the healthier side
7. Fruit/ Dry Fruit
8. Whatever vegetable they like
9. Ground Turkey or Grass Fed Beef
10. Deli meat

Some of my Y.A.’s request are: French toast (less milk more eggs) I add a little cinnamon and vanilla, Fried Egg sandwich, Turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato, over the stove or air Popcorn, Fruit, bagel with cream cheese. 



I always try to make sure if there’s something she doesn’t like, i.e. dinner, she can pick out the main thing: Protein, then have fresh fruit that she can eat. I try for a veggie, but this is real life lol so, if I’m getting those main things in her then I know she has the main health items that are going to support her body. 

Things I keep to a very minimum are: chips, soda, bagel bites, pizza rolls, roman noddle (noddles are fine it’s the package seasoning that’s the problem), packaged popcorn, package granola bars, really, packaged anything. These things are treats and they don’t support their young growing bodies in any way.

Things I never let my Y.A. have: FRUIT SNACKS, … between the corn syrup and dyes I say no more. 

I always keep in mind that my Y.A. is using her body hard and it’s really important to support it with healthy nutritious options. Giving her a bowl of cereal or pop tarts or any other packaged breakfasts before a long hard practice is only going to make her crash and burn hard. That is asking for brain fog, muscle fatigue and zero bone support. After practice is equally important, running through a fast food place might be easiest ( and there are healthy choices so make them if you do go there) but a quick fried egg sandwich with good deli cheese and some solid bread with a banana is going to support the whole body, that they just demanded a lot from. It does take time and effort but it’s well worth it. Here’s a true story: My son came home from school and told me about a friend who lost a ton of weight… I’m going to say 100lbs!. Then my son said, “you never let us have any fun foods” in which I replied with, “that’s why you don’t need to lose 100lbs at 18 years old.” Fellow parents, give your child the gift of health while they are demanding a lot from their body, minds and spirit.

Thank you to all who have bought the Young Athlete Stretch Video Series. Please reach out if you have any questions about it. I just recently had a private session with a Young Athlete who bought the video series. She wasn’t feeling the stretches where I was explaining them in the video so we got together and went over that video and it cleared it all up. Now she is doing them correctly, can understand the cueing from the video and is on the road of less back pain. I’m here to help you support your Young Athlete.