Episode 22: Staying Healthy for the Year-Round Athlete episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 19, 2026 · 20 MIN

Episode 22: Staying Healthy for the Year-Round Athlete

from The Higher Powered Podcast · host Kurt Kessler

In this episode of the Higher Power Podcast, Kurt Kessler delves into the complexities of youth sports, discussing the rapid growth of the industry, the pressures faced by young athletes, and the increasing prevalence of overuse injuries. He emphasizes the importance of strength training, recovery, and mental health management, while providing guidelines for healthy participation in sports. Kessler also highlights the critical role parents play in shaping their children's sports experiences and the potential negative impact of parental pressure.TakeawaysThe youth sports industry has seen explosive growth, projected to reach $70 billion by 2030.Year-round competition increases pressure on young athletes, leading to potential burnout.Overuse injuries are common due to the high demands placed on young athletes.Strength training is often neglected in favor of practice and games.Recovery, particularly sleep, is crucial for athletic performance and injury prevention.Managing stress through mindfulness and limiting social media can enhance performance.The recommended volume of sports activity is 16-20 hours per week to prevent injuries.Taking 2-3 months off from competitive sports each year is beneficial for recovery.Parental pressure can lead to negative outcomes for young athletes.Athletes should drive their own participation in sports, not parents.Link to Shawn Johnson interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8iMhuyKt-sCONNECT:[email protected]: @higherpowersportspt

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 19, 2026

In this episode of the Higher Power Podcast, Kurt Kessler delves into the complexities of youth sports, discussing the rapid growth of the industry, the pressures faced by young athletes, and the increasing prevalence of overuse injuries. He emphasizes the importance of strength training, recovery, and mental health management, while providing guidelines for healthy participation in sports. Kessler also highlights the critical role parents play in shaping their children's sports experiences and the potential negative impact of parental pressure.TakeawaysThe youth sports industry has seen explosive growth, projected to reach $70 billion by 2030.Year-round competition increases pressure on young athletes, leading to potential burnout.Overuse injuries are common due to the high demands placed on young athletes.Strength training is often neglected in favor of practice and games.Recovery, particularly sleep, is crucial for athletic performance and injury prevention.Managing stress through mindfulness and limiting social media can enhance performance.The recommended volume of sports activity is 16-20 hours per week to prevent injuries.Taking 2-3 months off from competitive sports each year is beneficial for recovery.Parental pressure can lead to negative outcomes for young athletes.Athletes should drive their own participation in sports, not parents.Link to Shawn Johnson interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8iMhuyKt-sCONNECT:[email protected]: @higherpowersportspt

PodParley-generated summary based on available episode metadata and transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

Episode 22: Staying Healthy for the Year-Round Athlete

0:00 20:52

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Higher Powered Podcast?

This episode is 20 minutes long.

When was this The Higher Powered Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on January 19, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In this episode of the Higher Power Podcast, Kurt Kessler delves into the complexities of youth sports, discussing the rapid growth of the industry, the pressures faced by young athletes, and the increasing prevalence of overuse injuries. He...

Can I download this The Higher Powered Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!