What if your child’s behavior problem is not just a behavior problem? In this episode of the Faithful Fitness Podcast, Coach Alex sits down with Dr. Stacy Haynes, a licensed professional counselor, educator, speaker, author, and children’s ministry leader, to discuss a truth every parent needs to understand:Mental health is physical health. Together, they explore how sleep, nutrition, movement, technology, family rhythms, and spiritual formation all shape the emotional and behavioral health of children—especially neurodivergent children.This is not a conversation about replacing counseling, diagnosis, medication, or professional care with “just eat better and exercise.” This is about seeing the whole child: body, mind, emotions, environment, and spirit.Coach Alex and Dr. Stacy discuss:Why children’s behavior is often connected to physical wellnessHow sleep, hunger, blood sugar, and screen time affect emotional regulationWhy neurodivergent children may be more sensitive to food, tone, noise, and routineHow parents can support children without shame or fearWhy labels like ADHD or autism can be helpful when used wiselyHow churches can better support neurodivergent children and tired parentsWhy exercise helps regulate emotions, sleep, gut health, and anxietyHow to build healthier family rhythms around food, movement, screens, and restWhy technology should be treated as a privilege, not a rightHow parents can lead by example instead of trying to fix one child in isolationThis episode is especially helpful for parents, children’s ministry leaders, teachers, coaches, and anyone who loves a child whose brain or body works a little differently.Your child is not a problem to solve. They are a person to steward, love, guide, and understand.And by God’s grace, your family can build rhythms that help everyone flourish. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Stacy Haynes 01:14 – “Mental Health Is Physical Health” 02:54 – Why Parents Need a Holistic View of Behavior 04:13 – Dr. Stacy’s Journey Into Counseling and Ministry 05:35 – Children’s Ministry, Trauma, and Positive Childhood Experiences 08:48 – Coach Alex’s Childhood, ACE Score, and Church as a Safe Place 09:51 – Dr. Stacy’s Heart for Children With Autism 11:14 – Why Labels Can Help When Used Wisely 12:18 – Releasing Fear Around Diagnosis 14:24 – Making the Most of How God Made Your Child 16:52 – Dysregulation: What It Looks Like in Kids 18:50 – Blood Sugar, Breakfast, and Behavior 20:08 – What Sugar Can Do to a Neurodivergent Child’s Day 22:01 – Children’s Ministry Lessons From Neurodivergent Kids 25:20 – How to Talk With Parents Without Shame 26:26 – Helping Parents Become Detectives 29:01 – Dandelions, Orchids, and Different Kinds of Resilience 33:48 – Sabbath, Rhythm, Rest, and Recovery 35:17 – Exercise and Emotional Regulation 37:44 – Exercise, ADHD, and the Brain 40:36 – Leading by Example as a Family 42:21 – Changing the Pantry and Building a Culture of Health 43:12 – Christ Is in the Details of Family Rhythms 47:24 – Screen Time, Technology, and Stewardship 48:26 – Practical Technology Rules for Families 51:40 – Replacing Screen Time With Connection 55:28 – Rapid Fire: Three Things That Help Kids Quickly 56:12 – What the Church Needs to Know About Neurodivergent Families 56:39 – Encouragement for Parents Who Want to Shift 57:07 – Closing Prayer Join The Faithful 5k - August 15th! 👉https://www.raceentry.com/faithful-5k/race-information Download Dr. Stacy’s free family guide: 👉https://www.drstacyhayneslpc.com/ Get your copy of Faithful Fitness: A 40-day devotional for health, strength, stewardship, and faith. 👉 https://faithfulfitnessdevo.comJoin the Faithful Fitness community: Stop doing this alone. Get coaching, accountability, workshops, and Christ-centered support. 👉 https://faithfulfitness.co/join Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.
