Raising Athletes

What does it really mean to be mentally tough?In sports, athletes are taught to be resilient, stay composed under pressure, and push through adversity. But sometimes, the expectation to always be “tough” can make it difficult to admit when we’re struggling. In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Avery Nelson, who brings a unique perspective through her training in both performance psychology and mental health counseling.Avery and Kirsten explore what happens when athletes, coaches, and high performers feel like they have to carry everything on their ownThis conversation is a reminder that the person behind the performance matters. Real strength isn’t about carrying the weight alone—it’s having the courage to acknowledge what you’re feeling, ask for support, and figure out what comes next.Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone navigating a high-pressure season of life, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you don’t have to face it alone.

What does it really mean to be mentally tough?In sports, athletes are taught to be resilient, stay composed under pressure, and push through adversity. But sometimes, the expectation to always be “tough” can make it difficult to admit when we’re struggling. In this episode, Kirsten sits down with Avery Nelson, who brings a unique perspective through her training in both performance psychology and mental health counseling.Avery and Kirsten explore what happens when athletes, coaches, and high performers feel like they have to carry everything on their ownThis conversation is a reminder that the person behind the performance matters. Real strength isn’t about carrying the weight alone—it’s having the courage to acknowledge what you’re feeling, ask for support, and figure out what comes next.Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone navigating a high-pressure season of life, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you don’t have to face it alone.

What does it take to build confidence that lasts long after the final buzzer?This week, Kirsten sits down with former WNBA player Chantelle Anderson to explore the powerful connection between confidence, leadership, identity, and resilience. As one of the most accomplished basketball players of her generation, Chantelle broke barriers at Vanderbilt, competed at the highest level in the WNBA, and has since dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations develop authentic leadership and lasting confidence.Drawing from her experiences as an elite athlete, coach, and leadership speaker, Chantelle shares why confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build through intentional choices, embracing challenges, and staying true to your values. She offers practical insights for athletes, parents, and coaches on overcoming self-doubt, leading with authenticity, and helping young people develop the mindset needed to thrive both in sports and in life.Whether you’re raising an athlete, coaching a team, or striving to become a stronger leader yourself, this conversation is filled with wisdom that will inspire you to lead with purpose and compete with confidence.

It’s time to head back to school—and that means a new season of sports, schedules, homework, practices, and plenty of emotions for the whole family! In this annual back-to-school episode of Raising Athletes, Kirsten Jones is joined by special guest host Susie Walton to help parents and young athletes start the school year with confidence, calm, and the right mindset.Kirsten and Susie share practical strategies for creating healthy routines, managing the transition back to school and sports, setting expectations, and helping kids take ownership of their responsibilities. They also dive into how parents can support their athletes without adding pressure, navigate busy family schedules, and make sure the pursuit of athletic success doesn’t come at the expense of mental health, connection, and enjoyment.Whether your athlete is heading into a new school year, a new team, or simply trying to get back into a routine, this episode is packed with simple, actionable advice to help your family make the transition smoother—and set your athlete up for a successful year on and off the field.

In this episode, Kirsten welcomes parenting pair Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen, two experienced psychologists and moms who bring both professional expertise and real-life wisdom to the conversation. Together, they dive into the joys and challenges of raising resilient kids in today’s world, exploring how parents can balance structure with empathy, set boundaries with love, and model the confidence they hope to instill in their children.Listeners will walk away with fresh insights, practical strategies, and a sense of reassurance that while parenting isn’t perfect, it can be deeply meaningful when guided by connection and compassion.