Celebrating Youth Sports and Life Lessons-Reflecting on Season 1 of the Podcast

In the final episode of the first season of the podcast, Mary and your host Carrie are taking time to reflect on the incredible journey that this podcast has embarked upon, celebrating the diverse stories and insights shared by their guests. Hear clips from several prior guests. From Alysia Montano‘s reflections on the evolving landscape of youth sports, Alicia Sacramone Quinn‘s insights on sacrifice and perseverance, to Elle St. Pierre’s insights into a strong work ethic, each conversation offers a unique perspective on the intersection of sports, life, and family.

Guests like Regan Smith and Gwen Jorgensen also share their experiences navigating the pressures of elite competition while prioritizing mental health and self-worth beyond athletic achievements, and Carrie and Mary discuss the importance of supporting children’s athletic endeavors while maintaining a balanced approach, emphasizing the value of multi-sport participation and the life lessons learned through dedication and commitment.

Throughout this reflective episode, Mary and Carrie respond to Buzz Schneider‘s comments about mental health among athletes, and they explore the role of parents in fostering a positive sports environment, encouraging listeners to prioritize support and encouragement over excessive pressure. They highlight the significance of community and teamwork, drawing from personal experience and insights shared by their guests to underscore the importance of showing up for one another, both on and off the field!

In this episode:

[0:37] – Mary and Carrie are doing a wrap-up show to celebrate the end of the first season!

[1:38] – Hear a clip from Alysia Montano in which she advocates for diverse youth sports experiences.

[4:49] – Mary discusses the balance between pushing kids in youth sports and allowing exploration.

[7:19] – Carrie emphasizes gratitude and life lessons learned through sports, advocating for well-rounded experiences.

[8:21] – We get a clip from Alicia Sacramone Quinn in which she prioritizes representing her country over typical social experiences, valuing unique opportunities.

[9:16] – Carrie shares her personal views on the idea of sacrifice.

[12:02] – Carrie advocates for a balanced approach to youth sports, emphasizing supporting her children rather than pressuring them.

[13:54] – Hear from Regan Smith, who stresses the importance of listening to her body and taking breaks to maintain mental health.

[16:28] – Mary highlights the importance of equipping children with coping tools for mental health support.

[19:52] – Buzz Schneider emphasizes the significance of mental health support for athletes, urging individuals to seek help when needed.

[21:20] – How have sports helped with mental health for Carrie?

[24:27] – We listen to a clip from Gwen Jorgensen, who focuses on personal values in sports, promoting self-worth beyond just performance outcomes.

[27:19] – Carrie reflects on the enduring impact of sports on her identity, emphasizing life lessons beyond athletics.

[29:49] – Elle St. Pierre, in a clip, attributes her success to a strong work ethic and supportive coaches despite limited resources.

[32:25] – Mary suggests that despite marketing pressure, kids benefit from diverse sports experiences over expensive equipment.

[34:02] – Carrie echoes Buzz’s earlier sentiment about advocating for diverse sports experiences; parental presence matters most.

[34:56] – Mary finds inspiration in Reagan’s story, realizing parental support matters more than expertise in sports.

[35:16] – Carrie cherishes the insights shared throughout the first season, particularly resonating with Gwen Jorgensen’s mom’s perspective on parenting.

Links and Resources:

Agora Sports Network https://www.agorasportsnetwork.com

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

Alysia Montanohttps://agorasportsnetwork.com/journey-together/breaking-down-barriers-in-sport-with-mother-founder-and-olympian-alysia-montano/ 

Alicia Sacramone Quinnhttps://agorasportsnetwork.com/journey-together/finding-your-voice-in-elite-sports-with-olympic-gymnast-alicia-sacramone-quinn/ 

Regan Smithhttps://agorasportsnetwork.com/journey-together/swimming-in-the-fast-lane-with-regan-smith-2020-olympic-medalist/ 

Buzz Schneiderhttps://agorasportsnetwork.com/journey-together/from-underdog-to-olympian-with-buzz-schneider/ 

Gwen Jorgensenhttps://agorasportsnetwork.com/journey-together/go-gwen-go-with-gwen-nancy-jorgensen/ 

Elle St. Pierrehttps://agorasportsnetwork.com/journey-together/from-the-farm-to-the-world-championships-with-elle-st-pierre/ 

Connect with Carrie:

C Tolle Runhttps://www.ctollerun.com/

C Tolle Run Podcasthttps://www.ctollerun.com/category/podcast/

Carrie on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/carrie_tollefson/?hl=en

Carrie on Facebookhttps://facebook.com/ctollerun

Carrie on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/ctollerun

Carrie on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-tollefson-41ab89180/