The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe

ilda Oltean is the co-founder, along with her husband, of San Marcos Basketball, a youth basketball organization launched in 2020 in the San Marcos / San Elijo Hills area of San Diego, California. Both Hilda and Ciprian played basketball in their youth and represented the Romanian National Team. Their club was created to provide affordable, competitive basketball opportunities for boys and girls in grades 4–7, now serving over 200 youth athletes with a focus on skill development, teamwork, and fun. Hilda serves as a girls youth basketball coach and has several years of experience in competitive AAU coaching, national camps, and as a JV & Varsity High School coach assistant. She is deeply involved in running seasonal programs, summer camps, and community initiatives that emphasize accessibility and family involvement in youth sports. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa Connect with Hilda Oltean Instagram: @hildaoltean San Marcos Basketball Organization: smbball.org You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Welcome to the twenty-first Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. Today’s word is Perspective — a quiet superpower for sports parents that lets you step back and see the whole picture instead of getting lost in the heat of a single game, bad call, or tough season. It’s not about pretending everything is fine or ignoring real struggles — it’s about choosing a wider view: remembering that one missed shot or benching isn’t the end of the story, and that your child’s growth happens in the long game, not just on today’s scoreboard. Next time emotions run high after a match, pause and ask yourself: “If I zoomed out five years from now, would this moment still feel as heavy?” That simple shift can turn frustration into understanding, pressure into patience, and worry into trust. Take a breath. Reset. Your broader perspective becomes the calm anchor that helps your child navigate youth sports with less fear and more freedom. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Reid Meyer is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) and co-founder of Athletes to Athletes (A2A), a platform dedicated to helping student-athletes navigate college recruiting, admissions, and the transition to collegiate sports. He also founded Play College Sports Abroad and works as a counselor at The Student-Athlete Advisors. Reid’s own athletic path included playing baseball at Texas Tech University on scholarship before transferring multiple times due to poor academic and personal fit, eventually quitting the sport midway through college because of burnout and mental health struggles. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, focusing on sport development and youth sport policy. Today he uses those hard-earned lessons to guide families through the recruiting process with a holistic approach — emphasizing academic, personal, and financial fit in addition to athletics. Reid is SafeSport certified and holds professional memberships with IECA, TACAC, and NACAC. He is based in the Greater Houston area and continues to advocate for student-athletes through free webinars, speaking engagements, and personalized advising. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa Connect with Reid Meyer LinkedIn: Reid Meyer Instagram: @reidmeyer Website: Join2A Website: The Student-Athlete Advisors You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Welcome to the twentieth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short, 5-minute reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. Today’s word is Listen — an often-overlooked superpower for sports parents, one that turns car rides home, post-game silence, or quiet frustrations into real connection by hearing your child fully before offering any words of wisdom. It’s not about waiting for your turn to speak or solving their problems on the spot — it’s about creating a safe space where they can unpack wins, disappointments, or doubts without interruption, judgment, or instant fixes. Put the phone down, make eye contact, nod, and let their words land completely. Next time they vent about a missed shot, tough coach feedback, or feeling benched, resist the rescue urge. Try a simple “Tell me more” or just stay present in the quiet. Often, what they need most isn’t advice—it’s to feel truly heard. Take a breath. Reset. Your genuine listening becomes the bridge that deepens trust and lets your child open up about their inner world on and off the field. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Stone Melet is the Founder & CEO of BriteLegacy, a premium legacy company that creates high-end, meaningful keepsakes to preserve the stories and journeys of athletes. His flagship product, “The Fold,” is designed as a lasting heirloom for senior nights, championships, college signings, graduations, and other milestone celebrations. Stone’s mission is to help families capture the full emotional and personal story of their child’s athletic experience—not just the trophies or stats, but the hard work, growth, friendships, and memories that deserve to be remembered for generations. He brings a thoughtful, family-centered approach to legacy preservation, blending premium design with deep storytelling to turn athletic journeys into cherished, tangible keepsakes that can be passed down. ParentShift course 30% OFF with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa Connect with Stone Melet: LinkedIn: Stone Melet Instagram: @stonemelet BriteLegacy Website: britelegacy.com You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Welcome to the nineteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. Today’s word is Balance — a vital skill for sports parents to practice, creating harmony between supporting your child’s sports journey and protecting the rest of their life (and yours). It’s not about going all-in or stepping away — it’s about finding the healthy middle: balancing encouragement with space, ambition with rest, and sports with family, school, and fun. This week, check one area that feels off-balance—maybe too many extra sessions or too much post-game analysis—and gently adjust it so everyone stays energized instead of exhausted. Take a breath. Reset. Your balance becomes the steady example that helps your child love the game without losing themselves in it. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Madison Gates is the Vice President of Marketing at i9 Sports, where she leads national marketing strategy, brand development, and growth initiatives for one of the largest youth sports franchise organizations in the United States. With extensive experience in franchise marketing, she has previously held leadership roles with brands such as CARSTAR and Maaco, helping multi-location businesses scale through strategic marketing and strong franchisee support. In addition to her corporate role, Madison is the founder of Empowered Consulting, where she advises franchise brands on aligning marketing strategy with operations to drive sustainable growth. A former Division I soccer player at the University of Michigan, she brings a team-oriented leadership philosophy and a strong commitment to youth development and community engagement. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa Connect with Madison on LinkedIn: Madison Gates Follow her work with i9 Sports: Instagram: @i9_sports Facebook: @i9sports LinkedIn: i9sports You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Welcome to the eighteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. Today’s word is Gratitude — a transformative mindset for sports parents to cultivate, shifting focus to the positives in your child's youth sports journey, like the effort put in, the lessons learned, and the simple joy of participation. It’s not about ignoring challenges — it’s about intentionally appreciating the small wins, the team's spirit, or even the opportunity to watch your child play, fostering a sense of abundance amid the competition. At the end of a practice or game, pause to express genuine thanks—maybe for their hustle or your time together; it reframes setbacks and builds a positive family dynamic. Take a breath. Reset. Your gratitude becomes the warm light that helps your child appreciate their own path and stay motivated through highs and lows. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Luke Zaientz is an Operating Partner at Rally Ventures and CEO of OTTO SPORT AI, an AI-powered platform simplifying youth sports management for athletes, families, coaches, and admins. Previously, he founded, served as COO, and CEO of Reigning Champs, a student-athlete recruiting platform that grew from inception to over $200M in annual revenue before being acquired by IMG Academy. With a B.S. in Economics & Transportation from Northeastern University and a Master's in Engineering Logistics from MIT, Luke has deep expertise in strategy, scaling, and operations, focusing on tech solutions for sports and education. Based in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, his work emphasizes removing friction in youth sports through tools like club management, tournament ticketing, and athlete recruitment, fostering connections and insights to help young athletes thrive. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa Connect with Luke on LinkedIn: Luke Zaientz OTTO SPORT AI Links: Website: https://www.ottosport.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottosportai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottosportai/ You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Welcome to the seventeenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. Today’s word is Process — a foundational mindset for sports parents to adopt, shifting focus from final scores or immediate wins to the ongoing journey of learning, effort, and development in youth sports. It’s not about ignoring results — it’s about valuing the steps along the way, celebrating daily habits, small improvements, and the grit built through consistent practice rather than just outcomes. When reflecting on a week of games or training, highlight what was learned in the process; it reminds your child that true success lies in the building blocks, not just the end goal. Take a breath. Reset. Your emphasis on process becomes the steady path that guides your child toward long-term growth and fulfillment. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Liz Pryor is an author, speaker, parenting columnist, and one of America’s most trusted life advice experts. She gained national recognition as the “Dear GMA” advice guru on ABC’s Good Morning America after a nationwide search. She is the author of What Did I Do Wrong? (a book on female friendship) and the memoir Look at You Now, and has written extensively for Family Circle Magazine. As a single mother of three, Liz has lived the sports-parent journey firsthand — watching her daughter fall in love with tennis and rise through the ranks while learning to balance support, fear, and independence. Today she continues to help parents and families navigate relationships, divorce, friendship, and the emotional realities of raising children in today’s high-pressure world. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa Connect with Liz Pryor LinkedIn: Liz Pryor Instagram: @lifewithliz1 Website: www.lizpryor.com You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.

Welcome to the sixteenth Monday Reset for Sports Parents, a short reflection inside The Youth Sports Parenting Tribe. Each Monday Reset brings you one word, one idea, and one mindset to help you start the week calm, clear, and connected. Today’s word is Attention — a deliberate choice for sports parents to make, focusing your energy on what truly matters in your child's youth sports experience, like effort and growth over scores or comparisons. It’s not about constant oversight — it’s about mindful focus, directing your attention to positive moments, constructive feedback, and your child's emotional cues rather than distractions or negatives. In the midst of a game or practice, notice what you highlight: praise the hustle, acknowledge the learning, and let that shape their self-view. Take a breath. Reset. Your focused attention becomes the spotlight that guides your child toward meaningful progress and joy in the game. ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daa You can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.