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Episode Summary:

You can be doing everything right as a parent or coach; but if a young athlete is carrying stress, you’re building on shaky ground. In this episode, Ian Hawkins unpacks the hidden impact of stress in youth sport and how it often shows up as injury, tightness, loss of confidence, or repeated setbacks. Drawing on his own coaching experience and insights backed by sports medicine, Ian highlights how pressure; from expectations, selection battles, school demands, and subtle parental influence; can quietly accumulate without young athletes ever voicing it. Instead, it shows up in the body and in performance

The episode shifts into practical solutions for parents and coaches; focusing on creating safe environments, improving communication, and helping young athletes focus on what they can control. Ian breaks down the importance of understanding each child’s unique wiring, removing unnecessary pressure, and guiding rather than reacting; especially in emotional moments like post-game conversations. The message is clear: reduce stress, build connection, and you don’t just improve performance; you protect your child’s love of the game and set them up for long-term growth.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

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Theme Music Artist:

One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/

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#264 – Youth Sport | The Hidden Stress Breaking Young Athletes