The Most Overlooked Factor in Youth Sports (That Impacts Everything)

When we think about what it takes to help young athletes grow and succeed, we usually focus on the physical stuff: strength training, speed, agility, nutrition, flexibility, or even time management.

All of those are important. No doubt.

But there’s one area that gets overlooked far too often, and it’s the one that influences every other part of performance.

Their mental well-being.

I work with athletes every day who train hard, play harder, and give their all. But behind the hustle, many of them are silently struggling. They’re dealing with pressure, comparison, expectations, fear of failure and they don’t always know how to talk about it or manage it.

Even with the growing number of professional athletes, like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Kevin Love, and Naomi Osaka, speaking out about mental health, many kids (and even some adults) still carry misconceptions that hold them back.

Let’s clear a few of them up.

Misconception #1:

“If I focus on my mental health, I must be mentally weak.”

This one is probably the biggest lie in sports. Mental performance is not about pretending everything’s fine or pushing through until you break. It’s about building awareness, having tools to handle pressure, and knowing when to ask for help.

True mental toughness doesn’t mean burying your emotions. It means recognizing them, understanding where they come from, and learning how to respond in a way that fuels growth.

Misconception #2:

“Top athletes don’t struggle with mental health.”

We often view elite athletes as unstoppable forces. What we don’t see is what they’re carrying off the field or court. The truth is no one is immune to emotional challenges, not even Olympic champions.

What separates great athletes isn’t that they never struggle, it’s that they learn how to face struggles with the right support.

Misconception #3:

“Mental health doesn’t affect my performance.”

Wrong. Everything starts in the mind.

While some athletes might be able to compartmentalize stress and still perform at a high level temporarily, it’s not sustainable. Bottling up emotions or ignoring inner battles can lead to burnout, inconsistency, and a loss of love for the game.

Your child is more than just an athlete. They are a whole person. And how they feel mentally and emotionally affects how they show up,on the court, in the classroom, at home, and in life.

NBA star Kevin Love once said:

That quote hits home.

Because behind every uniform, there’s a real person. And that person deserves to feel supported, seen, and strong, from the inside out.

What to Expect from Coach Dave

As a parent, it’s not always easy to know how to help your athlete navigate the mental side of the game. That’s where I come in.

Through my mental performance coaching, I help young athletes develop tools to manage pressure, build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and create a mental foundation that sets them up for success in sports and life.

If you’re looking for support, clarity, and a plan to help your athlete thrive, not just physically, but mentally, let’s connect.

📅 Click here to schedule a free call and see how we can build that foundation together.

They’ve got big goals. Let’s make sure they have the mindset to reach them.

Also, follow me on all the socials and share this newsletter for free advice and tips as always!

Stay Resilient,

– Coach Dave