In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Sammy’s background as a former athlete and how sports shaped her as a parent
(03:00) How Raising Athletes started and why listening to kids matters in youth sports
(06:30) Multi-sport development vs. early specialization in youth athletics
(10:30) Youth sports pressure, burnout, and giving kids space to rest and recover
(14:00) Managing sideline emotions and creating a healthy game-day environment
(17:30) Helping kids handle adversity, mistakes, and confidence challenges
(20:30) Lessons youth sports teach beyond the game: leadership, inclusion, and empathy
(23:30) Travel teams and choosing what’s right for your family
(26:30) Switching teams, coaching relationships, and navigating tough decisions as a parent
(29:30) Sammy’s greatest joy as a sports mom and final thoughts on perspective in youth sports
In this conversation with Athletes Untapped, youth sports parent and creator of Raising Athletes, Sammy Ryann, joins us for an honest discussion about youth sports. As a parent living in Philadelphia, she’s seen firsthand how competition increases while families juggle travel teams, long seasons, and rising costs. Many parents are asking the same question: how do I support my child without losing perspective? Sammy’s message to parents is clear: keep your child at the center of everything. She shares real-life insights about raising athletes in today’s demanding environment, from multi-sport participation, allowing rest, managing sideline emotions, and navigating team changes. She offers practical advice to parents who want to raise their kids as more than just athletes, but also as confident, resilient people.
Youth Sports Parenting Starts at Home: How Sammy’s Athletic Background Built Grit
Sammy Ryan grew up as the only girl in a family of boys, spending most of her childhood playing sports in the street with them. She participated in AAU basketball and even attended boys’ basketball camps, often being the only girl in the gym. In growing up in this environment, she brings grit, hustle, and a deep love for the game into parenting. When she became a parent, she didn’t just want her kids to play sports; she wanted them to experience the passion, growth, and opportunity that she had.
The Start of Raising Athletes: A Viral Moment Turned Into a Movement
Sammy is the creator of the Instagram account Raising Athletes, posting relatable content and tips for parents of athletes. The start of this account wasn’t some strategic brand launch; it started by accident. Her son once came home from a baseball game, grabbed the trim on the doorway, and started doing pull-ups. She recorded and posted it when it went viral. What made the moment stick wasn’t the pull-ups; it was the message she shared. If your child asks for a day off, listen. Her take is that kids today are often over-scheduled, over-trained, and mentally exhausted. Asking for rest is not a weakness, it’s communication. This conversation sparked a large response online, with parent perspectives being split. Some praised her view, others argued that their kids needed to “toughen up.” One thing was clear: many young athletes commented saying they wished their parents would encourage rest and recovery.
Multi-Sport Athletes vs. Early Specialization: Sammy’s Take
One of the biggest debates in youth sports revolves around whether kids should play multiple sports or specialize in one early. Her kids play hockey, though Sammy’s family is hockey-first, not hockey-only. They also play baseball, shoot hoops in the driveway, and stay active beyond just hockey. She says this matters to create a more well-rounded athlete, it reduces mental and physical burnout, and expands a kid’s world. Forcing a kid into one sport can be “detrimental” mentally and physically. Kids should have options, space, and time to discover what they truly love.
How Parents Can Manage Sideline Emotions in Youth Sports
Sideline emotions can’t be sugarcoated: they can be brutal. Sammy has seen parents get heated, escalate conflict, and lose control. Sammy’s advice to center your child, not the scoreboard. Her thought process is simple when observing other parents: “Do I want my kid to see me acting like this?” Sammy’s strategy is to keep it calm, know when to walk away, and protect the experience your kid is there for. Every athlete runs into adversity: less playing time, mistakes, rough games, and criticism. Sammy builds her approach around leadership and perspective, talking to her kids like future adults. In her house in Pennsylvania, the message is that her kids are learning how to be a part of something bigger than themselves. When a mistake happens, she is sure to flip the story. You were in the position to make the play. You had the hustle to take responsibility. Those are strengths, not flaws. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else; compare yourself to who you were in the last game.
Life Lessons Beyond the Rink: Leadership and Inclusion
One of the most powerful moments Sammy shared wasn’t about hockey at all. She shares a story about her son’s school welcoming kids from Ukraine, and the principal reached out to Sammy about something her son did at recess. He stopped a game that was happening and pulled another child in to teach him how to play. That is the kind of leadership Sammy hopes to see in her kids from playing sports. Her parenting goal is to look for the kid watching you. Sports shouldn’t build ego, they should build character.
Travel Teams: What Parents Should Know
Sammy’s family went all in in 2020, with her 10-year-old son playing 96 games that year. They traveled nonstop, but she was honest about the realities. These teams can strain finances, create stress at home, and are not always necessary. Her advice for joining travel-sports is to make sure your kid is the one who loves it. Her mindset is to leave your ego at home, travel as a family experience, keep perspective, and don’t guilt your child for what you chose.
Coaches, Playing Time, and Switching Teams: The Hard Truth
Sammy and her husband don’t “approach coaches.” They believe that the coach is the coach. A parent is a parent. The athlete should communicate with their coach directly. If a kid wants their play time back, then the kid should ask, “Coach, what can I do to improve?” When it comes to switching teams, Sammy reminds her kids that switching is like life. Friendships change, jobs change, and situations change. If the move is made for the right reasons, such as coaching fit, development, or opportunity, it’s necessary that they adapt.
The Greatest Joys of Being a Sports Mom in Youth Athletics
Sammy’s favorite part of watching her kids play sports isn’t the trophies, it’s watching them become good people. Fist bumping other players, kids looking up to them, teams becoming communities, and the belief that her kids will be bigger than the sport all add up. Sports are temporary, character isn’t. Her final message is clear: youth sports should help kids grow into confident, inclusive, and resilient people. If you ever feel overwhelmed, her reminder is simple: keep your children at the center of everything.
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