The Line Between Support and Pressure in Youth Sports (with D1 Coach Stacey Nuveman-Deniz)
Healthy Sports ParentsShow Notes
Most parents want the same thing: to support their kids well and help them grow through sports.
But somewhere along the way, support can quietly turn into pressure, often without us realizing it.
In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Stacey Nuveman-Deniz, a Division I head coach, Olympian, and sports parent, to talk honestly about where that line actually is and how easy it is to cross it. They dig into ego, expectations, competitiveness, and why so many kids end up burned out or disconnected from the game they once loved.
Coach Nuvey shares real stories from recruiting, coaching, and parenting, including what she sees in athletes who thrive long-term and what shows up again and again in kids who flame out. This conversation isn’t about blaming parents. It’s about helping them recognize the difference between leading with care and unintentionally adding weight their kids were never meant to carry.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re helping or hovering, encouraging or pushing, this episode will give you language, perspective, and clarity to support your kid in a healthier way.
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