The Sports Mom Playbook

Is your child burned out from youth sports? Here are the warning signs every sports parent should know.Youth athlete burnout is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing today's sports families. Research shows that 70–80% of young athletes quit organized sports by age 15, often because they've lost the joy that made them love the game in the first place.In this episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, Rachel explores the science behind athlete burnout, youth sports mental health, and what parents can do to protect their children's emotional well-being while still supporting their athletic goals.<...

Youth sports are worth the investment. But does that investment really need to cost your family thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars every year?In this episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, Rachel Heller gets real about the rising cost of youth sports, from club and registration fees to travel, hotels, equipment, private training, showcases, recruiting platforms, and all the hidden expenses nobody warns you about when your child first joins a team.Rachel also tackles one of the biggest pressures driving sports parents to keep spending: the dream of an athletic scholarship. What...

Summer somehow came and went in the blink of an eye, and now sports moms everywhere are stepping into one of the busiest seasons of the year.In this solo episode, Rachel opens up about the emotional and logistical reality of transitioning from summer break into back-to-school season while juggling youth sports. From endless permission slips and overlapping practice schedules to school supplies, tournament fees, and the invisible mental load moms carry, this conversation is a reminder that if you're overwhelmed— you are not alone.Rachel shares practical strategies to help simplify the chaos, reduce stress, an...

Sports moms get ready for This!In today's episode real conversations take center stage in this heartfelt episode of The Official SportsMoms Podcast. Rachel and Yaritza reflect on the new year, the chaos of post-holiday routines, and a major transition for the Sports Mom Playbook.Today, the hosts candidly share what it’s really like getting kids back into school after winter break, juggling packed schedules, homework overload, and finding moments to reset as busy sports moms.  From laughing about routines to navigating exhaustion, this conversation feels like chatting with friends who get it. The...

If you’re raising an athlete, you already know: youth athlete hygiene is a full-time job. Between sweaty practices, all-day tournaments, and sports bags that never fully air out, it’s easy for funk to become the norm.In today’s episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, we’re joined in-studio by Chantel L. Powell (CEO, mom of three, and founder of PlayPits) for a practical, honest conversation about keeping active kids clean, confident, and comfortable, without harsh ingredients or complicated routines.This episode covers:The most overlooked youth athlete...

Manners matter — and as sports moms, we’re teaching them everywhere: at the dinner table, in the locker room, at restaurants, and in real life.In this episode of The Official SportsMoms Playbook Podcast, hosts Yaritza and Rachel dive into the often hilarious, sometimes frustrating, and always important topic of teaching manners to our kids. From food etiquette and table manners to bathroom habits, eye contact, respect, and being a good teammate, this conversation is full of real-life stories, relatable parenting moments, and practical takeaways you can actually use.Inspired by a parenting book built around 52 esse...

The cost of kids sports is no joke. From registration fees and uniforms to travel tournaments and camps, being a sports parent adds up quickly. In this episode of The Official SportsMoms Playbook Podcast, Rachel and Yaritza break down the real cost of youth sports and how families are making it work.We celebrate one full year of the podcast (happy anniversary to us!) and then dive into research on the most expensive and least expensive youth sports, including why ice hockey tops the list, where gymnastics, cheer, lacrosse, and equestrian land, and why humble track and field...

In this episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, hosts Eritza and Rachel get real about what self-care actually looks like in the busy holiday season when you are living at the fields, juggling tournaments, car line, work, and home life. From weekly nail painting rituals and slow coffee mornings to Factor meals, mid-day workouts, clean kitchen resets, and family dinners with phones put away, they share simple, realistic ways they refill their cups without needing a full spa day.They also talk about holiday spending boundaries, why they broke up with Uber Eats, how to protect your peace...

Holiday hustle, but make it joyful. In this episode of The Sports Moms Playbook Podcast, Rachel and Yaritza dive into real-life holiday rhythms for sports families: decorating without the chaos, choosing gifts vs. experiences, stocking-stuffer ideas that don’t break the budget, team tryouts and winter leagues, decluttering before the new year, and easy coach and teammate gift ideas.We even do a live Play Pits smell test and share which scents our kids will love. What you’ll hear:Holiday decorating that feels good, not overwhelmingGifts vs. experiences for kids who live at th...

What do you do when other parents groan, roll their eyes, or make comments when your child messes up? In this candid episode, Rachel and Yaritza respond to a listener who asked for help navigating those painful game-day moments. We dig into real-life scenarios across any sport and offer practical ways to protect your child’s confidence, set boundaries with adults, and model the behavior you want to see on the field. Inside the episode:How to check in with your child first and keep “fun” at the centerScripts for addressing rude comments and when to loop in a coachT...

Parenting in today’s digital world feels like uncharted territory — from YouTube searches gone wrong to the rise of inappropriate content, early curiosity, and social pressures that start way too soon.In this honest, adults-only episode of The Official Sports Moms Playbook Podcast, hosts Rachel and Yaritza get real about what modern parenting looks like when technology, curiosity, and growing up collide. From awkward school calls to uncomfortable conversations about online safety, bullying, and body awareness — nothing is off-limits.Join us as we laugh, cringe, and share real-life stories every parent can relate to. This one’s for th...

Meet the mastermind behind the boldest socks in sports and pop culture.In this episode of The Sports Moms Playbook Podcast, hosts Rachel and Yaritza sit down with Rob Starkman, founder of Rock ‘Em (formerly Rock ‘Em Socks). Rob shares how a dorm-room idea at UCF turned into a global brand with licenses spanning the NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Broadway, and more—plus why their mantra is “a sock for every story.”From tie-dyeing team socks in a sink to buying UCF’s actual basketball court for Rock ‘Em HQ, Rob takes us behind the...

From pep rallies to PTA, tailgates to teacher appreciation—this episode is your friendly nudge to plug in where it matters most. Rachel and Yaritza swap real-life ideas for staying involved in your kids’ schools and teams (even with a full-time job), shout out local college game-day traditions (Go Knights!), and share easy, crowd-pleasing football snacks. Whether you’re a mom, grandma, auntie, or the family “team manager,” you’ll leave with practical ways to show up without burning out.What you’ll hear:Simple ways to support your school beyond the classroom (PTA, yearbook, sponsors, social media, SAC)How...

Back to school, back to practice, back to… all the forms. In this episode, hosts Yaritza & Rachel keep it real about the first weeks of school for sports families — juggling homework, early call times, practice schedules, and bedtime battles — plus the great water-bottle debate, VIP fundraiser ideas for tournaments, and a surprising lightning-in-the-shower PSA. We also read your viral comments about new backpacks vs. reusing (hello, Jansport die-hards!) and share routines that help kids reset after summer. What you’ll hearSimple after-school → practice routines that actually workHomework from day two?! Managing expectations with teachers and kidsBedtime rhythms, screen time, show...

Managing multiple kids, multiple sports, and multiple schedules can feel like a full-time job. In this episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, Rachel and Yaritza sit down with Zoya Lehrer, co-founder and CEO of the Orgo app, to talk about how she’s revolutionizing the way sports families organize their lives.Zoya shares her journey from 20 years in finance to building a tool that helps parents go from chaos to clarity—importing team schedules, auto-calculating travel and prep times, managing carpools, and even teaching kids “time literacy.” From grandparents jumping in to help, to young athletes learning independence, Orgo is...

It’s that time of year again — back-to-school season is here and your favorite SportsMoms are back to unpack the madness! In this fun, honest, and slightly chaotic episode, Rachel and Yaritza talk everything from supply lists and school routines to mom guilt, snack strategies, and yes — the great backpack debate (Pottery Barn vs Walmart).Whether you're the mom with a color-coded calendar or the one still digging slime out of last year’s backpack, this episode is your pep talk and playbook all in one.We get real about:Back-to-school routinesMeet the teacher gift ideasSpo...

Tryout season is here! In this episode of The Official SportsMoms Playbook Podcast, Yaritza and Rachel are breaking down everything you need to know when choosing the right sports organization for your athlete — from red flags to key questions to ask before you commit.They dive into must-know topics like:Insurance & background checksHow dues are spent (and the importance of transparency)Paid coaches vs. parent coachesFundraising expectationsTournament travel, scheduling, and cultureHow to spot disorganized teams before it's too lateReal stories from moms in the game — the good, the bad, and the chaotic!Whether you're new to the scen...

This week on The Sports Mom Playbook Podcast, we’re sitting down with orthopedic physician assistant Julio Hernandez, whose journey from baseball injury to professional sports medicine is a masterclass in purpose, perseverance, and prevention.In this powerful conversation, Julio shares the inside scoop on what it’s really like working with elite MLB athletes, the rise of youth sports injuries (especially elbow and shoulder pain in young pitchers), and the real talk every sports parent needs to hear. From pitch count myths and recovery timelines to the mental pressure kids face in competitive sports, this episode is pack...

The season's over, the emotions are real, and the memories? Unforgettable. On this episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, your favorite duo, Yaritza and Rachel, are diving into the bittersweet end-of-season feels — from grand slams and growth spurts to emotional wins, weather delays, and the post-season grind.We’re unpacking everything from tournament highlights and team development to off-season routines, summer sports camps, and the importance of building confidence at the plate.Plus, don’t miss our signature Mom MVP Highlight of the Week that will melt your heart.Whether you’re on the bleacher...

Where sideline confessions, duct-taped cleats, and unapologetic mom truths collide—this is the playbook every sports mom needs.As we conitnue with our “We Listen and We Don’t Judge” segment, is a fan-favorite confessional-style conversation where a group of sports moms candidly shares their most relatable, outrageous, and touching stories. Topics include feeling like an outsider on a new team, fabricating excuses to skip games, the drama of guest players, and the raw joys and challenges of raising kids sometimes eight of them! They also dive into summer plans, balancing training with rest, and the emotional toll of paren...