Raising Athletes

Kirsten sits down with Brian Nash of IMG Basketball Academy and gets into the ins and out of a boarding school that has 1500 student athletes, 9 sports and 600 acres of campus. WOW! We also find out how Brian got into coaching and how his days as a student athlete shaped his career path today. In this clip, Brian speaks to how hard they work to find the right fit for their student athletes. Suppor...

We strive to bring you all things youth sports. And that includes the corporate side of youth and recreational sports. Kirsten's guest this week is Brett MacKinnon, head of SportsEngine (NBC Sports Next), an elite hockey player, corporate athlete and dad. Kirsten and Brett talk about the business of youth sports, and how that fun and recreational sports should be the backbone of our kids’ experien...

We strive to bring you all things youth sports. And that includes the corporate side of youth sports. Kirsten's guest this week is Brett MacKinnon, head of SportsEngine (NBC Sports), an elite hockey player, corporate athlete and dad. In this clip, Kirsten and Brett talk about the future of youth sports and how we can continue to keep kids playing youth sports. About SportsEngine NBC Sports Next’s...

This was a special episode for Kirsten as she got to talk to her book coach, Bob Welch. If you follow her book journey, she often mentions Bob, an amazing coach and partner who took everything that she threw at him and condensed it down and made each story stronger. Bob and Kirsten were so excited to talk to each other that Bob jumped in before she even introduced him! It’s a true partnership. As...

This was a special episode for Kirsten as she got to talk to her book coach, Bob Welch. If you follow her book journey, she often mentions Bob, an amazing coach and partner who took everything that she threw at him and condensed it down and made each story stronger. In this preview of Monday's podcast, Kirsten and Bob talk about how important stories are to Kirsten's (and all!) writing. As Bob sai...

Renowned Psychologist. Human Connection Expert. Bestselling Author Kirsten has a blast talking to Dr. Jody this week. If you are some of our Canadian listeners, you will hear a kindred spirit! If not, you will come away as a new fan. She teaches us such important lessons with humor and energy that you will hear Kirsten laughing and learning along. Dr. Jody Carrington is a powerhouse speaker and fe...

Our guest this week Dr. Jody Carrington, Child Psychologist, is a powerhouse speaker and fearless champion for authentic human connection. In this clip, Kirsten and Dr. Jody speak to the importance of coaching tools for us and our "babies" and how connection matters so much for performance. "Just because you can bounce a ball, doesn't mean you can tell other people how to do it" Home - Dr. Jody Ca...

Kirsten continues her discussions in the “Talking to the Student-Athlete” Series, speaking to Montana Grizzlies Linebacker, Geno Leonard. The Montana Grizzlies put together one of the most memorable seasons in program history in 2023, with a Big Sky championship and made a magical run to the NCAA Division I Football National Championship (FCS) game. Prior to joining the Griz, Geno was a four-year...

Kirsten continues her discussions in the Talking to the Student Athlete Series, speaking to Montana Grizzlies Linebacker, Geno Leonard. In this clip, Geno and Kirsten discuss how powerful it is for a coach to support an injured player and the mindset it takes for that player to get back on the field. Full Episode Drops on Monday! @genoleonard31 @montanagrizfootball Support this podcast: https://po...

You’re in for a treat! Brandin Bryant, Nebraska-born NFL professional and mental performance enthusiast, has had to fight for every opportunity in his pro and college football career. He earned a spot at Florida Atlantic after starting his career at Fort Scott Community College. In 2016, Bryant went undrafted, and he’s been fighting to stay in the NFL ever since. He’s been on an NFL practice squad...

Brandin Bryant, Nebraska-born NFL professional and mental performance enthusiast, joins Kirsten this Monday to speak about overcoming adversity, the benefits of a routine and how he went from junior college to undrafted NFL player for such teams as the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks. Brandin's debut book, So, You Want to be an Athlete? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQTVKD3N/ dropped this past we...

Season 5 kicks off with Kirsten and Susie giving actionable steps for goal setting. The two friends talk about such topics as the power of manifesting, "remembering the future", and the all-important line and parking karma 😂 Getting out of Fear and Getting into Action: Give yourself permission See yourself doing it Feel yourself doing it Take steps Power of Objectivity These women athletes will w...

Kirsten Jones and Susie Walton are back together to ring in 2024 and celebrate their 5th year together! They preview their new episode, "Getting Out of FEAR & Getting What YOU Want" So fun to have them back together! Here's to this energy on our shoulder for all of 2024. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsten-jones0/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. S...

This story is special to me and I wanted to share it again with you as we start 2024. Austin Hatch's episode first aired 3/20/19 and I shared his story in Raising Empowered Athletes (Chapter 13, WE over ME). It's all about living in THIS moment and taking advantage of what's in front of you. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do! Austin Hatch is a survivor. A two-time plane crash survivor,...

A former NIKE colleague, Lauri Kriva, joins Kirsten on this week's podcast. Lauri’s early life followed a predictable progression of academic and professional accomplishments: overseas study. College degree. HR Management certification. Fifteen years global HR experience with NIKE and Timberland. In 2006, her heart led her to life coaching, and a cascade of experiences that married her skills with...

Have you ever had something otherworldly lead you on a path? 🧙‍♀️🔮🌠 My guest on Monday's podcast is  @krivadercci  Lauri Kriva, a former NIKE colleague who has written a wonderful book, FORE! The Love of Golf. ⛳📖 Her son, Axl’s, experience learning how to play golf🏌️ (and the limited number of kids books on the subject) inspired her to write her new book! 📚 Support this podcast: https://podc...

Kirsten sits down with Cory Heitz from Prep Athletics to speak about helping high school basketball players find the right fitting prep school, with the goal of finding the best option for student athletes to play in college. They have a great talk on going DI vs DIII and going where the fit is right because if you don’t listen to the signs, you will be miserable playing the game. The break down t...

Kirsten sits down with Cory Heitz from Prep Athletics to speak about helping high school basketball players find the right fitting prep school, with the goal of finding the best option for student athletes to play in college. They have a great talk on going DI vs DIII and going where the fit is right because if you don’t listen to the signs, you will be miserable playing the game. The break down t...

Kirsten sits down with fellow Sunshine Volleyball Coach, Alex Chigas. Alex explains that he coaches and plays volleyball because he loves the game and tries to give his athletes space to find their passions. Alex Chigas grew-up in the suburbs of Chicago where he played volleyball for Oak Lawn Community High School and the Ultimate Volleyball Club. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Ur...

SUPRPRISE!!! We have a new @raisingathletespodcast dropping on Monday with @alexchigas 🎉🎉🎉 Parents often ask, What can I do to help my child??? 🤔 Alex gives such important advice here. 🗣️ Listen and learn 👏🥰 ... Alex Chigas grew-up in the suburbs of Chicago where he played volleyball for Oak Lawn Community High School and the Ultimate Volleyball Club. He graduated from the University of Illi...

On this week of Thanksgiving, I want to say I’m grateful for this women’s insight and friendship. On our newest #RA podcast, Kristin and I will share tips and words of wisdom for parents and athletes. It is something we often do - hike, talk, coach and learn from each other. So, we hope you enjoy a look inside our friendship and together we came up 5 Top Tips to help YOU and help your child! Thank...

On this week of Thanksgiving, I want to say I’m grateful for this women’s insight and friendship. On Monday’s podcast, Kristin and I will share tips and words of wisdom for parents and athletes. It is something we often do - hike, talk, coach and learn from each other. Thankful! Kristin Keefe played four years of volleyball at Marymount High School before playing for Stanford University; she was a...

Today’s guest, NYU Coach Andrew Brown, is the head coach of the highly successful (29-7 record and advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament Final Four 2022 season) New York University’s Women’s Volleyball Team. Coach Brown sits down with Kirsten to talk about how his program has changed from the jungle tiger - practicing ugly mentality to playing from the top and being the hunted vs the hunter. He spe...

Monday's return guest, NYU Coach Andrew Brown, is the head coach of the highly successful (29-7 record and advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament Final Four 2022 season) New York University’s Women’s Volleyball Team. In this clip, Coach Brown sits down with Kirsten to talk about how his program has changed from the hunter to the hunted. This episode is a fascinating discussion on mindset, grit, expe...

Kirsten and Joy have a fascinating discussion of NIL and youth sports. Have you wondered how this NIL thing works? Joy and Kirsten try to unpack this process of NIL, entrepreneurship and building your own brand (spoiler – it’s not all about sports!). They talk also about how much NIL is doing for women. Did you know women are getting paid 3:1 to their male counterparts!? Joy Harris is a successful...