Is Youth Sports Destroying Your Kid's Self-Identity? | Dr. Paul Conti

Is Youth Sports Destroying Your Kid's Self-Identity? | Dr. Paul Conti

From Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen by Youth Inc.

May 12, 2026 · 44 min · Season 4 · Episode 34

About this episode

Greg Olsen discusses the mental aspects of youth sports with psychiatrist Dr. Paul Conti, focusing on self-identity and confidence in children.

Greg sits down with Harvard and Stanford-trained psychiatrist Dr. Paul Conti to talk about the mental side of youth sports — how failure shapes kids' brains, why pre-game anxiety isn't always a bad thing, and what parents and coaches get wrong about confidence, identity, and self-talk. Dr. Conti breaks down the shame reflex, explains why what you see on the outside of a kid isn't always what's happening inside, and shares the reframe that turns post-game frustration into forward momentum. Greg gets personal about his own parenting blind spots with his three kids. 🔗 RESOURCES📖 Dr. Conti's book "What's Going Right" — https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Going-Right-Powerful-Optimizing/dp/1538776049 🌐 Dr. Conti's website — https://drpaulconti.com 🏥 Pacific Premier Group — https://pacificpremiergroup.com Our newsletter: https://www.youth.inc/newsletter

People in this episode

Host: Greg Olsen

Guest: Dr. Paul Conti

Topics covered

  • youth sports
  • mental health
  • self-identity
  • parenting
  • confidence
  • anxiety

Keywords

  • youth sports
  • mental health
  • self-identity
  • confidence
  • anxiety
  • parenting
  • failure
  • shame reflex

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harvard, Stanford, Pacific Premier Group

Books & works: What's Going Right

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