Stacey Kauffman: Why 70% of Kids Quit Sports by Age 13

What happens when a seasoned media executive applies 24/7 industry survival skills to solve youth sports’ biggest crisis? Stacey Kauffman, founder of SK Collective, is on a mission to keep 70% of kids from quitting sports by age 13 - and her approach might surprise you.In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Stacey to explore her journey from radio station management to creating the Athena program, why girls drop out at twice the rate of boys, and how asking one simple question changed her entire parenting approach.You’ll discover:How 24/7 media industry chaos prepared her for rapid business problem-solvingThe shocking statistics: 70% of kids quit by 13, girls drop out at twice the rate of boysWhy 93% of female executives played sports - and what that means for our futureHer “this is their experience” mantra that transformed her parentingThe Athena program’s innovative approach to reducing sports burnoutKey Insights:The Crisis: Youth sports has become a billion-dollar business, but we’re losing kids faster than everThe Solution: Integrated mental performance training for players, coaches, AND parentsThe Parent Trap: Well-intentioned actions (like immediate post-game analysis) can backfire spectacularlyThe Business Connection: Sports skills directly transfer to executive leadership successGame-Changing Questions:“What does success look like to you this season?”“What’s your favorite way that I show up for you?”“What’s a way that I show up that you wish I didn’t?”Practical Takeaways:Different kids need different post-game processing (24-hour rule vs. immediate feedback)Stop assuming your child’s goals haven’t changed - ask regularlyThe fastest decision-makers come from high-pressure, 24/7 environmentsConsistency beats intensity when building habitsWhether you’re a parent navigating youth sports, a coach looking to improve player experience, or a business leader seeking transferable skills from athletics, Stacey’s insights on leadership, resilience, and creating environments where kids can thrive offer a masterclass in making impact at scale.Connect with Stacey: SK Collective and the Athena ProgramResources mentioned:“The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown“Atomic Habits” by James ClearPositive Coaching AllianceYou Think (Greg Olsen’s platform)Changing the Game ProjectInside Out Coaching (Joe Iman)The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, youth sports reform, and building championship mindsets.