The Playbook for Raising Resilient Athletes – With Alex & Kevin

Hello Tribe,

What does it really take to guide your child through the complex world of youth sports — not just to succeed, but to grow as a confident, resilient human being?

This week on The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alex Compton and Kevin Dalafu, two former professional athletes who have dedicated their lives to helping families navigate youth sports with clarity and purpose.

Together, they co-authored Guiding Your Child’s Athletic Journey — a thoughtful, practical book that gives parents a roadmap for long-term success, without losing sight of what truly matters.

In this episode, Alex and Kevin share:
  • Lessons from their own athletic careers and how those experiences shaped their approach to parenting.
  • Why leadership and character development are just as important as technical skills.
  • Common mistakes parents make (and how to avoid them).
  • How to keep the bigger picture in focus — building life skills and resilience that extend far beyond the field or court.

I found this conversation deeply inspiring, and I believe every sports parent can take away something powerful, whether it’s a mindset shift or a practical tool to use with your child.

If you enjoy this episode, hit reply and let me know your biggest takeaway. Your feedback helps me continue to bring valuable conversations like this to The Tribe.


👇 Full episode at

PS: If you know another parent or coach who could benefit from Alex and Kevin’s wisdom, please forward this email to them — it might be precisely what they need to hear this week.

Tech Founder, Pastor, Dad: Meet the Man Behind The Loovy

Hey,
This week on The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe, we welcome Troy Fink — a father of three, pastor, jiu-jitsu brown belt… and the unlikely tech founder behind The Loovy, the world’s most advanced potty training device.

Troy doesn’t come from Silicon Valley. He never wrote code. He barely knew how to share his screen on Zoom.

But he had an idea — and more importantly, a purpose:

To turn one of parenting’s most frustrating challenges into a joyful milestone.

👉 In this episode, we talk about:
  • What parenting taught him about product design
  • How he built a team of NASA interns and hydrogen plane engineers
  • Why your past doesn’t define your future
  • And how The Loovy is helping parents everywhere reclaim the joy in early childhood
🎧 Listen now:

Troy’s story is equal parts inspiring and practical — the kind of reminder we all need that resilience, purpose, and love still matter in business and parenting.

🎙️ New Episode Out Now – Gifty Enright on The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe

From Burnout to Radiance – Gifty Enright joins The Tribe
Dear Tribe,

Today’s episode is a powerful one.
Gifty Enright—international speaker, author, coach, and mother—is in the house.

Once a high-performing corporate consultant, Gifty hit a wall. Burnout forced her to stop, reflect, and rebuild. What emerged is a woman who now helps others reclaim their health, balance, and purpose—with a mix of Western science, Eastern philosophy, and African wisdom.

She’s the author of Octopus on a Treadmill, a refreshingly honest and research-backed guide for working mothers who feel like they’re doing everything—except taking care of themselves.

In this episode, we talk about:
  • Her journey from Ghana to the UK—and what shaped her worldview
  • The breaking point in her career and how she found the way back
  • Why emotional bandwidth starts in the body
  • The shift from equality to equity in the workplace
  • The power of showing up—and how she does it with such radiant energy
  • How mothers can release guilt, prioritize self-care, and pass on strength
  • The African flavor she brings into her wellness framework
  • Her concept of a productive workforce that every leader should hear

Gifty is sharp, inspiring, and real. This conversation is full of insights not just for mothers, but for anyone who’s ever felt stuck on life’s treadmill.


👇 Full episode at

Thanks for tuning in—and for being part of The Tribe.

Each week, we learn something new to help us raise stronger kids—and become better parents and leaders ourselves.

New Episode — Travis Snider: «My Worth Wasn’t My Batting Average»

This week on The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe, we sit down with Travis Snider, former MLB outfielder whose 16-year career spanned the Blue Jays, Pirates, and Orioles.

But this episode isn’t just about pro baseball.

It’s about what happens when the cheering stops.

Travis opens up about the identity struggles that began in his youth sports days and followed him to the big leagues. The pressure to perform. The anxiety. The silent weight of tying self-worth to results.

Now, as a father of three and CEO of 3A Athletics, Travis is committed to changing the narrative. He’s helping parents, coaches, and athletes create an environment where kids can grow, not just as athletes, but as people.

🎧 Listen now for an honest, vulnerable, and eye-opening conversation.


👇 Full episode at

Thank you for being part of the Tribe.

P.S. If you haven’t already, leave us a review and help spread the message of healthier, more intentional sports parenting.

🚨 Just Dropped: Noah Rubin Unfiltered – Mental Health, Federer, and the Future of Tennis

🎧 Now Live on The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe:
NOAH RUBINBehind the Racquet

This week, we welcome a special guest whose story transcends sports.

👉 Noah Rubin — Junior Wimbledon champion, NCAA star at Wake Forest, top-125 ATP pro — has lived the tennis dream. But it’s what happened off the court that truly defines him.

In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Noah shares:
  • Why he chose college over the pro tour (and what it taught him)
  • The emotional cost of chasing rankings
  • What losing to Federer taught him — and how comparisons can mess with your mind
  • Behind the Racquet movement: breaking the silence on mental health in tennis
  • What he’d do if he were in charge of the ATP
  • Life lessons from Roger, Venus, and the locker room
  • His bold new mission at the Hudson River Tennis Club — where purpose meets community

We also discuss parenting, pressure, marriage, fashion, and sports betting. Noah’s honesty is refreshing, and his journey is a roadmap for any young athlete (or parent) navigating ambition and identity.

🎙 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

👇 Full episode at

Thank you for being part of The Tribe.

P.S. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a friend or fellow sports parent who could benefit from hearing it.

🎧 Just Released: Dr. Joy Macci on Inner-Winner Excellence & Purpose-Driven Leadership

Welcome to The Tribe!

We’re thrilled to bring you a brand-new episode featuring Dr. Joy Macci — a Global Peak Performance Coach, Motivational Leadership Speaker, and creator of Innergetic Intelligence™.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Joy shares how she has helped shape champions like Serena and Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, and Jennifer Capriati — and how parents and coaches can apply the same principles to unlock excellence in young athletes.

With over 20 years of experience in sports, business, and life coaching, she has worked with Olympic athletes, Fortune 500 executives, and high performers worldwide. But her mission is simple:

Empower individuals to lead with purpose, compete with clarity, and live with joy.
🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform:
👉 SPOTIFY and APPLE
In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How to develop inner-winner excellence
✅ The role of purpose-driven leadership in sports and life
✅ Mental and emotional strategies for peak performance
✅ What parents can do to support—not pressure—their kids
✅ Stories from coaching the world’s greatest athletes

If you’re a parent, coach, or mentor, this episode is required listening.

👇 Tune in now and fuel your week with wisdom from one of the world’s top coaches.


Full episode at

Apple

Spotify


Thanks for being part of The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe.

🎙️ New Episode: Coaching Gen Z with David Durand – A Psychological Edge in Youth Sports

Now Live: A Fresh Approach to Coaching Gen Z Athletes
with David Durand, Author of B.E.T. On It

We just dropped a powerful new episode of The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe—and you don’t want to miss this one.

Our guest is David Durand, a sports performance and psychology coach who’s changing the game when it comes to developing Gen Z athletes. As the author of B.E.T. On It: A Psychological Approach to Coaching Gen Z and Beyond, David brings a unique perspective that blends clinical psychology, strength and conditioning, and real-world coaching experience.

And—he’s Gen Z himself.

In this episode, we delve into the psychological challenges that today’s athletes face and explore how parents and coaches can better support long-term growth and well-being, without overexertion.

🎯 Episode Highlights:

• How Gen Z athletes are wired differently—and what that means for you

• Nervous system regulation: the missing link in performance and mental health

• Why short-term wins can hurt long-term development

• How to build athletes who are strong on and off the field

• Fundamental tools from David’s practice and his book B.E.T. On It


🎧 Listen now:

Spotify

Apple


If you’re raising, coaching, or mentoring young athletes, this is one of those episodes that sticks with you.

Thanks for being part of the Tribe,

P.S. Love the episode? Please forward this to a coach or sports parent who needs it.

🎙️ Just Dropped: Zach Lutz on What Every Sports Parent Needs to Hear

New Episode Out Now!
Zach Lutz joins The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe Podcast

Our latest episode just dropped—and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

Today’s guest is Zach Lutz, a former Major League Baseball player with over a decade of professional experience. However, this conversation extends far beyond statistics and big-league moments.

Now a coach, director, and mentor, Zach opens up about how parents can truly support their young athletes without adding pressure or noise.

Inside the episode:

• ⚾ What Zach learned about resilience from the grind of the minors
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How his own experience shapes the way he parents
• ✅ The key mistakes sports parents make—and how to fix them
• 🧠 Why purpose and mindset matter more than performance
• 💡 How to help your child face adversity with confidence

If you’re raising a young athlete, this episode will provide you with fundamental, actionable tools to support their growth both on and off the field.


🎧 Listen Now: Zach Lutz on The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe

Thanks for being part of the Tribe.
Each week, we bring you honest conversations with athletes, coaches, and thought leaders shaping the next generation.
Stay curious. Stay supportive.

Rick Macci

Tennis icon Rick Macci returns for his fifth appearance on The Tribe with Hernan, delivering a masterclass in the mindset of champions. From coaching legends like Venus and Serena Williams to mentoring rising stars, Macci shares game-changing insights on mental resilience, Grand Slam preparation, and life beyond the court. This episode is a deep dive into the art of coaching, competitive grit, and the wisdom that builds greatness—on and off the court.

Rick’s Social Media Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rick-macci-tennis-academy/about/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rickmaccitennis 
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/RickMacci 
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RickMacciTennisAcademy 
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rickmaccitennis

Website: https://rickmacci.com/ 

You can explore more of Hernan’s work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at klauersebas@gmail.com.

Graphic and Web Design is the creativity of Elizabeth Arnez, founder of DIDEPRO DG. You can reach her at dideprodg@gmail.com.

Behind the Mic: Hernan’s Journey in Parenting, Podcasting & Purpose (Ft. Angela Kerek)

For this special 100th episode, the tables turn as Angela Kerek steps in to interview Hernan—the usual host turned guest. They explore the spontaneous Twitter/X moment that sparked the podcast, its global evolution, and the personal growth Hernan has experienced along the way. From his tennis roots to parenting, coaching, and writing a novel about his son, Hernan opens up about persistence, learning, and the power of connection. He also shares insights from his work helping parents support their kids in sports, emphasizing communication, adaptation, and stronger family bonds.

Angela’s Social Links:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelakerek/?locale=en_US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelakerek/?hl=en
Website: https://angelakerek.com

Hernan’s Social Media Links:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/hernan.chousa
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hernan.chousa/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hernanchousa/
X: https://x.com/ChousaHernan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hernanchousa9787
 

You can explore more of Hernan’s work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

The music enriching our show is the creative work of Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at klauersebas@gmail.com.

Graphic and Web Design is the creativity of Elizabeth Arnez, founder of DIDEPRO DG. You can reach her at dideprodg@gmail.com.