Preventing Burnout in Your Athlete w/ Sports Mom Rachel Olson

Raising Elite Competitors

In this episode, we chat with Rachel Olson, Elite Competitor Parent Coach, about how parents can support their daughters in sports without contributing to burnout. Burnout is a real issue for young female athletes, and Rachel shares valuable insights on how to recognise the signs, what contributes to burnout, and how parents can create a more supportive, balanced environment for their daughters.

Key Topics Covered:

• What burnout in young athletes looks like and the main signs to look out for.
• How the pressure to perform and fear of failure contribute to burnout.
• The role of communication in helping athletes navigate stress and pressure.
• Shifting from focusing on outcomes (wins, losses) to effort and growth.
• Practical tips for setting boundaries, managing expectations, and fostering balance.

Practical Tips for Parents:

• Learn to recognise the signs of burnout and avoid common parenting pitfalls that add to the pressure.
• Focus on effort and growth instead of outcomes like wins or losses.
• Set boundaries for your daughter to ensure she has time for a well-rounded life.
• Create open, supportive communication lines so your athlete feels comfortable expressing her feelings.

Episode Highlights:
[02:15] Rachel Olson discusses the concept of burnout in young athletes, explaining how it manifests and why parents often miss the signs.
[05:30] Rachel shares the common triggers of burnout—pressure to perform, fear of failure, and a lack of balance between sports and life.
[10:45]Rachel highlights the importance of open, supportive communication between parents and athletes
[15:20] Rachel gives actionable advice for parents on how to set boundaries, manage expectations, and help foster a healthy sports-life balance.
[20:00] Rachel wraps up by talking about the importance of shifting the parental mindset

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

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Chapters

1. Elite Competitors (00:00:00)

2. Preventing Burnout in Young Athletes (00:10:23)

3. Building Relationships and Navigating Burnout (00:16:59)

4. Balancing Youth Sports and Academics (00:20:09)

5. Navigating Sports Parenting Challenges (00:26:35)

6. Developing Mentally Resilient Athletes (00:39:43)

7. Navigating Relationships After Youth Sports (00:46:14)

8. College Sports Recruitment Process and Tips (00:53:15)

9. Expressing Gratitude in the Sports Community (00:59:24)