In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with a https://www.instagram.com/baseballmama_tx/ - seasoned travel baseball mom who shared one of the most honest and nuanced conversations we’ve had about burnout, balance, and what youth sports are really about.

Her perspective challenges a narrative many parents feel pressured by — that playing “too much” automatically leads to burnout. She’s fully aware that her two kids play baseball seven days a week. They live it. They breathe it. Their schedules are packed with practices, games, lessons, and long weekends at the field. And from the outside, it might look intense.

But here’s the part that stops most parents in their tracks: they love it.

They’re the ones asking for extra reps. They’re the ones pushing for more. And as she put it so simply — if the passion is coming from them, why stop?

That insight opens the door to a much deeper conversation about what burnout actually is — and what it isn’t. Burnout isn’t about the number of practices on a calendar. It’s about pressure. It’s about motivation shifting from internal joy to external expectation. It’s about kids feeling like the game is a job instead of a choice.

Throughout this conversation, we break down how parents can stay aware without being fearful. Watching for the real warning signs — chronic fatigue, recurring injuries, emotional withdrawal, or a loss of love for the game — matters far more than counting practices per week. When kids are healthy, smiling, and choosing the grind on their own, competition can be a powerful and positive force.

We also zoom out to the long view. Youth sports move fast. Childhood moves even faster. The early mornings, long drives, post-game talks, and emotional highs and lows don’t just disappear — they become core memories. They shape confidence. They build resilience. And years later, they often become the “good old days” families look back on together.

This episode is for parents who find themselves asking the hard questions: Is this schedule insane? Are we doing too much? Are we pushing too far?

The answer, as always, isn’t black and white. It’s about awareness, communication, and remembering that every child is different. When parents stay tuned into their kids — not rankings, not outside noise — sports can be one of the most powerful tools for growth a child ever experiences.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Why travel sports parents often get a bad rap

- How to distinguish healthy passion from unhealthy pressure

- The real signs of burnout every parent should watch for

- Why motivation matters more than volume

- How sports create lifelong confidence and memories

- Why the “good old days” are happening right now

At Athletes Untapped, we believe youth sports should build kids up — not wear them down. When done the right way, they teach resilience, self-awareness, work ethic, and joy. This conversation is a reminder that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s presence, perspective, and letting kids fall in love with the process.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com — the nation’s leading platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help young athletes grow through great coaching, healthy competition, and positive experiences in youth sports.

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