KidFirst Sports

Dave Vassilaros

70% of kids quit youth sports by age 13. Too often because the adults suck the fun out of it by having a WinFirst mentality. The mission of this podcast is to convert WinFirst adults into KidFirst adults. Listen to powerful conversations with KidFirst coaches and parents around the world, and see if it works.

  1. Ep: 51 - Please Don't Tell My Parents, with Robin Bousquet

    01/03/2025

    Ep: 51 - Please Don't Tell My Parents, with Robin Bousquet

    "Please don't tell my parents" Robin Bousquet, founder and owner of Inspire Physical Therapy in Nike's hometown (Beaverton, OR), has heard this request from far too many youth athletes. Her answer every single time? "Absolutely not. We're talking with your parents because you need a team of grown ups working together to get you healthy." Join us for the whole episode to be inspired by a health care provider whose life is dedicated to building kids back up physically and mentally. Inspireptforkids.com SHOW NOTES We delve into managing setbacks and injuries in youth sports, with Robin sharing her experiences from her career, including her time at Children's Hospital in Oakland and her practice's philosophy. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing physical and mental recovery, aligning goals between children and parents, and fostering an empowering and inspiring environment. Robin also reflects on her personal sports experiences and offers invaluable advice to parents and coaches on supporting young athletes. 00:00 Welcome to the Kid First Sports Podcast 00:07 Introducing Robin Bousquet: Physical Therapist 00:52 Inspiration Behind Inspire Physical Therapy 01:36 The Mental Side of Physical Recovery 03:14 Robin's Early Sports Experiences 05:48 Challenges and Reflections on Coaching 09:56 The Cost and Commitment of Figure Skating 12:23 Creating a Supportive Environment 15:20 Dealing with Setbacks and Injuries 17:10 Overcoming Setbacks: A Tale of Two Responses 17:31 Parental Influence on Child Motivation 18:12 The Role of Innate Drive and Parental Support 19:53 The Reality of Division 1 Athletics 21:04 Kids' True Feelings About Their Sports 22:07 Balancing Fun and Commitment in Youth Sports 23:08 Aligning Goals Between Parents and Kids 23:56 The Importance of Rest and Breaks 25:05 Encouraging a Balanced Life for Young Athletes 29:55 The Power of Communication and Support 33:32 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements

    36 min
  2. Ep 45: Do you believe in your players? With Boston College women's head coach Chris Watkins

    05/30/2024

    Ep 45: Do you believe in your players? With Boston College women's head coach Chris Watkins

    Do you believe in your players? Chris Watkins, long time Division I women's head coach, wants every youth sports coach in the country to really believe in the kids they coach. Not the best player? Believe in them. Not the fastest? Believe in them. Not the best shooter? Believe in them. 30 years of top level coaching has taught Chris some tough lessons. Are you ready to learn? SHOW NOTES Special guest, Coach Chris Watkins, shares his journey transitioning from Gonzaga to Boston College and discusses his coaching philosophy centered around treating players as he would want his own son to be treated. He provides deep insights into the difficulties of making team cuts, the importance of perseverance, and building confidence in young athletes. Chris emphasizes the significance of doing hard things and acquiring life skills through sports. Stories of influential coaches and lessons learned through personal experiences highlight the timeless impact coaches can have on their players. The episode wraps up with the essential message of believing in your players and the lasting legacy of great coaching. 00:00 Welcome to the Kid First Sports Podcast 00:20 Mixed Feelings About Alumni Games 00:55 A Special Alumni Game Experience 01:31 Introducing Coach Chris Watkins 01:52 Chris Watkins' Move to Boston College 02:46 Challenges and Opportunities at Boston College 04:04 The Importance of Treating Players Well 04:41 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Coaching 05:58 Handling the Difficult Task of Cutting Players 07:09 Building a Positive Team Culture 10:42 Reflecting on BYU Soccer Tryouts 13:03 The Role of Confidence and Effort in Player Selection 15:30 Challenges in Youth Sports Coaching 19:19 Embracing Feedback and Continuous Improvement 20:07 Character and Performance in Business 20:56 The Rarity of a Growth Mindset 21:36 Coaching Philosophy and Culture Building 22:34 Lessons from Working with Jen Rockwood 23:08 Reflections on Coaching at BYU 24:41 Overcoming Failures and Learning from Defeats 28:20 The Impact of Belief and Mentorship 33:31 Heart Lessons for Youth Coaches 39:08 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

    40 min
4.8
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

70% of kids quit youth sports by age 13. Too often because the adults suck the fun out of it by having a WinFirst mentality. The mission of this podcast is to convert WinFirst adults into KidFirst adults. Listen to powerful conversations with KidFirst coaches and parents around the world, and see if it works.