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Raising Pro Athletes
It takes a village to raise a professional athlete ...
For the first time ever, this podcast talks to the people that normally get very little mention, but are the ones who are responsible for the underlying success of an athlete.
Marina pulls back the curtain and dives deep into what it really takes to raise an athlete.
What to expect when you listen:
* The real, raw truth
* Laughter, and maybe some tears
* The struggles and the successes
In this podcast, you will find the support you’ve been searching for to RAISE PRO ATHLETES with confidence, and so much more …
Episodes
55 episodes
Your Child’s Goals Called; They Want To Be Outrageous
We explore why kids freeze when told to “think big” and show a simple, repeatable way to make bold goals feel safe and practical. Writing, visualization, and playful exaggeration turn fear into curiosity and help families build a shared habit o...
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5:51
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Breaking The Loop: Teaching Young Athletes The Reset Button
Pressure can turn smart climbers into repeaters. We’ve watched our kids and many young athletes fall into the loop—same beta, same miss, rising panic—while the clock burns. So we built a simple mental toolkit we call the reset button: stop, bre...
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4:54
Why Young Athletes Get Hurt More During Puberty And How Parents Can Prevent It
We explore why injuries spike for young athletes during puberty and how parents can adjust training to protect long-term growth. Marina shares lessons from two climbers, the cost of overload, and how rest and coach quality change everything.
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13:24
Power Poses For Parents And Teens: How A Two-Minute Physiology Shift Boosts Mood, Confidence, And Performance
What if two minutes could flip the script on a bad mood, a shaky practice, or a high-pressure comp? We explore the underrated power of physiology—how posture, breath, and gaze send real signals to the brain that shape feelings and focus. As a m...
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5:01
When Your Kid’s Sport Becomes Your Whole World
What happens when your child’s sport becomes your identity? We open a frank, compassionate conversation about the moment a supportive role quietly turns into a label—soccer mom, tennis dad, climbing parent—and why that shift can derail a young ...
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11:42
How Parents And Athletes Decide It’s Time To Quit
We wrestle with the hardest call in youth sports: knowing when to quit the pro chase without losing love for the game. Real stories from climbing and tennis reveal the pull of sunk costs, identity, and hope.• defining a fair line betwee...
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8:06
Parenting Through Sports Injuries
We're getting real about sports injuries and how to handle them when your child has to walk away from the sport they love. It's a big deal, and as someone who's been through it all—from my husband's insane injuries to my own k...
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5:48
Parents Should Treat Youth Sports Like Serious Learning, Not A Hobby
What if the same energy we pour into college tuition went into a child’s proven passion? That question pushed us to make a bold move: relocate to Spain so our two young climbers could train where the facilities, coaching, and community would st...
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3:03
Rethinking Education When Your Kid Might Go Pro in Sports
In our society, there's an ingrained belief that university education is the only path to success. But what if your child's passion lies in becoming a professional rock climber or excelling in a particular sport? So today, we're diving into a c...
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4:54
How Sports Costs, Sacrifice, And Self-Care Collide For Athlete Parents
Ever feel like you've become a human ATM for your little rock stars? Yeah, me too! This episode is all about the guilt trip we all take – neglecting ourselves for the sake of our kids' athletic dreams.Forget the trophy case ...
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4:43
Parents’ Guide To Building Mental Toughness In Young Athletes
Ever watched your kids crumble under pressure at a competition? Yeah, been there. This episode is all about the ultimate game-changer: mental toughness training!It's not about being born tough, it's about building mental strength! I'll ...
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8:29
Spotting Post-Traumatic Stress After Sports Injuries
Today, I'm going to really open up about a topic that's close to home for many of us: the invisible battles that many extreme athletes face, the trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).Find out how PTSD can sneak up on even the...
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4:01
Keeping Your Partnership Alive While Raising A Competitive Athlete
Let's talk about the elephant in the room (or maybe the belay station) – your relationship with your partner! This episode is all about keeping the spark alive when your life revolves around raising champion athletes.Do you remember why...
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5:01
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Homeschooling & Traditional Schooling: Which One is Best for an Athlete?
Today, let's dive into the often debated topic of homeschooling versus traditional schooling for young athletes. We'll explore the reality, challenges, and alternative education options that can support their athletic journey.As we disco...
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4:18
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Competitive Climbing in Front of Cameras: The Benefits, The Risks & Pressures
With a crew of eight to ten cameras capturing their every move, the climbers' true characters emerged. Some blossomed, energized by the attention and excitement - it was evident that being in front of the camera fueled their performance. On the...
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2:56
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Buying a Team Uniform for Competitive Climbing: Cost Analysis, the Importance, and the Benefits
As parents, we invest in memberships, coaching, federation, and equipment, but often overlook the significance of a uniform. It's not just about appearance; it symbolizes commitment and belonging. When your child is the only one without a unifo...
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3:23
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Joining a National Climbing Team: Federation Costs, the Pros, the Cons, and Costs
Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is a federation? Well, think of it as the governing body for climbers in your country, like the USA Climbing Team or the Spain Federation. These federations play a crucial role when it comes to represen...
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6:46
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Costs of Joining a Competitive Climbing Team: Teams, Gyms, Training and Preparation Costs
Let’s unravel the hidden costs and uncharted territories of joining a competitive rock climbing team. We start by exploring the different types of teams available, focusing on the advanced and competitive ones that propel young climbers to the ...
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12:00
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How to Keep Your Kid Humble While They Excel in Their Sports and Athletics
In this episode, join me as we tackle a crucial topic: not letting your child's success go to their head. Living in Guatemala, my kids trained extensively, mostly self-taught, until we hired a coach from Chile. As we ventured to Spain, a hub of...
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5:45
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What is the Right Training Plan for Your Kid? Tips for Finding the Right One
Today, let’s delve deep into the heart of finding the perfect coaches and team for both of my sons, who are now at the next level of rock climbing. With me, Marina, we will unravel the complexities of both competition climbing and rock climbing...
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8:58
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Parenting an Athlete: Your Role in Building Your Kid's Journey to Pro
Let’s explore the captivating journey of parenting professional athletes. In this episode, we delve into the crucial roles parents play in nurturing their aspiring rock climbers. Living in Spain, we've encountered families from around the world...
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5:52
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Why I Prefer Rock Climbing as a Parent: Benefits Compared to Other Extreme Sports
Let's talk about the one-of-a-kind bond between parents and their children that can be found in the thrilling sport of rock climbing. As a parent who doesn't climb myself, I'm always on the lookout for ways to connect with my kids. And let me t...
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1:05
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Ethics of Rock Climbing: Where to Pee? Tips on How - To and Where
Get ready to climb into the world of rock climbing ethics with me in this episode! As someone who's never climbed before, I was fascinated to learn about the unwritten rules of the climbing community. Did you know there are certain areas where ...
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1:59
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Ethics of Rock Climbing: Learn When to Stay Quiet and Show Respect
Who knew that one of the ethics of rock climbing is being quiet when someone else is tackling a challenging route? It may seem like a small detail, but it's actually a sign of respect and courtesy towards fellow climbers. It turns o...
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2:00
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The Secret Strength of Climber Kai Lightner - Connie Lightner (His Mom)
"Protecting our kids is our number one responsibility", Connie told me when we first connected.And she took this role incredibly seriously, in the non-conventional ways. Because protecting our kids in sports is rarely ta...
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1:10:40
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