11. Kayla Buck: Normalizing Parent Uncertainty in Youth Sports

11. Kayla Buck: Normalizing Parent Uncertainty in Youth Sports

From Youth Sports United by Jason Magennis

May 12, 2026 · 1h 8m

About this episode

Kayla Buck discusses the importance of supporting parents in youth sports and normalizing their uncertainties.

My guest this week is Kayla Buck, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant who supports athletes, performers and coaches to develop the mental skills needed to perform under pressure while supporting their overall wellbeing. Recently, Kayla has expanded her practice to support parents navigating the youth sports landscape. She believes that while athletes get coached and coaches get trained, parents are often left to figure it out on their own - despite playing a critical role in shaping their child’s experience. During our conversation, Kayla shares a lot of insight into the benefits of approaching the role of youth sports parent with a learner’s mindset. We discuss navigating vulnerability and failure, strategies to manage the pressure and expectations our kids may be feeling and the importance of understanding your “why” when encouraging your children to sign-up. This conversation is a must-listen for parents looking to explore their own relationship with sports to better support their children. That tension and uncertainty you’re feeling is normal, and Kayla and I explore how you can recognize it and pivot to create really positive sports experiences for your kids. Episode…

People in this episode

Host: Jason Magennis

Guest: Kayla Buck

Topics covered

  • parenting
  • youth sports
  • mental performance
  • athlete support
  • parental guidance

Keywords

  • youth sports
  • parenting
  • mental skills
  • athlete support
  • pressure management

Sponsors

Bare Ware

More episodes of Youth Sports United

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Youth Sports United podcast page.