Healthy Sports Parents

The Most Grounded Conversation I’ve Had About Youth Sports (with D1 Head Coach Ritchie McKay)

Healthy Sports Parents

Show Notes

Your kid is not defined by their wins and losses.

In this episode of Healthy Sports Parents, Liberty University Head Coach Ritchie McKay joins Jonathan Carone for one of the most grounded, heartfelt conversations we’ve ever had about identity, faith, family, and loving the game more than the win.

Coach McKay has led Liberty basketball to NCAA Tournament wins and conference championships, but what stands out most is his perspective on people, not performance. He shares:

Why kids need to find joy in the process, not just the scoreboard How parents can help their child’s identity stay separate from performance The role gratitude and unconditional love play in raising healthy athletes His take on specialization vs. multi-sport athletes Encouragement for parents who feel the pressure to get everything right

If you’re a parent trying to raise kids who love the game and grow into strong, healthy adults in the process, this conversation will give you perspective, encouragement, and a whole lot of wisdom. New episodes every Wednesday.

---------

Get your Healthy Sports Parents gear: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/shop

---------

Get your Weekend Playbook: https://www.healthysportsparents.com/playbook

-----------

Follow us on social:

https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents https://www.tiktok.com/@healthysportsparents https://www.facebook.com/healthysportsparents https://www.threads.net/healthysportsparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Healthy Sports Parents

Oct 21, 2026

Kids need time to figure out what they love. But in a youth sports culture that pushes kids toward travel teams, year-round training, and specialization earlier and earlier, it can feel like there’s no time to wait.

Oct 14, 2026

What happens when helping your kid reach their potential starts hurting your relationship with them?

Oct 7, 2026

What if the way we’ve been trying to build toughness in young athletes is actually making it harder for them to grow?

Sep 30, 2026

Two-time MLB All-Star Carlos Quentin joins Healthy Sports Parents for a conversation about youth sports parenting, athlete development and why kids don’t need to be great at sports right now.

Sep 23, 2026

Youth sports are getting more expensive, more competitive, and more structured at younger ages. So what happens to the kids and families who simply want a chance to play?

See all episodes →