Injuries are a natural part of sports. Whether it’s a sprained ankle, a pulled muscle, or something more serious, being sidelined can be incredibly tough-not just physically, but emotionally. For young athletes, the most challenging part often isn’t the rehab itself, but the feeling of being separated from their team. 🧠 The Psychological Challenge When a young…
Author: mashealth
Why Sugary Coffee Drinks Can Hold Young Athletes Back
If you walk by a high school or middle school campus in the morning, you’ll notice a common sight: students carrying Starbucks cups or sipping on specialty coffee drinks. Pumpkin Spice Lattes, caramel frappuccinos, refreshers, and other seasonal or “fun” drinks have become part of the daily routine for many teens. But here’s the problem—these drinks simply don’t serve…
How My Health Views Have Changed—Lessons for Young Athletes and Their Parents
Over the past couple of years, some of my views on health have evolved. I’ve learned it’s important to stay open-minded—especially in a world full of fads, promises, gear, gimmicks, and conflicting advice. If you Google almost any health topic, you’ll find completely opposite views, often with data supporting both sides. That’s why I’ve come…
Let Them Struggle: The Hidden Value of Doing Hard Things
One of the most effective ways to help kids and teens grow into resilient, capable athletes and therefore humans is by incorporating more planned discomfort into their lives. That doesn’t mean dropping them in the middle of the wilderness and saying “figure it out.” It means intentionally introducing physical, mental, and emotional challenges into their weekly…
It’s Not Just What You Eat—It’s When
I spend a lot of time talking about what to eat, but something that often gets overlooked is when to eat. And for youth athletes trying to train hard, grow, and recover well, food timing can make a significant difference in energy, performance, and sleep. Here are a few important guidelines to consider: Do your best to eat within a 12-hour…
Stop Undereating for Game Day Success
Stop Undereating for Game Day SuccessWhy fueling matters more than you think As a middle school basketball coach and someone who grew up living off Purple Skittles before practice, I’ve seen firsthand how youth athletes often eat and drink like they’re trying to make game-day performance harder. Mouthfuls of chips and candy, chased down with…
Focus is a Superpower
Focus is a superpower, especially today, for young athletes growing up in the age of distraction. In a world full of notifications, short videos, and nonstop stimulation, focus is a game-changer that can separate the average from the elite. Focus isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for youth athletes. And like strength, speed, or coordination, it’s a skill you…
Youth Sports Parental Behavior
Parents, grandparents, and future parents of youth athletes, today’s newsletter is for you! The topic is “What Appropriate Behavior Looks and Sounds Like during Your Child’s Sporting Event.” Right off the bat, I will tell you that it doesn’t involve yelling, screaming, or being boisterous, which you are bound to encounter a parent or two…
Sleep Variability and its Importance for Better Performance
70 A sleep study by Whoop determined that a sleep variability of more than 70 minutes can drastically affect performance and recovery. Sleep variability refers to the difference in sleep patterns, primarily bedtimes and wake-up times, from day to day. In other words, consistency in going to bed and waking around the same time, seven…
Unhealthy Normalized Practices in Youth Sports
As a society, we have normalized numerous unhealthy practices in sports for kids and teens. If we were to step back and view from afar, we might ask, what are we doing to the health and well-being of our future superstars!? Convenience has overtaken eating healthy, and highly processed foods that are easy to hand…