FamilyLife Today®

Youth Sports Burnout: Escape Fear-Parenting & the Scholarship Trap - Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski

Youth Sports Burnout, FamilyLife Network

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24 min·February 4, 2026

About this Episode

Tired of pouring thousands into travel teams, private coaches, and endless weekends—only to watch your child's joy disappear? Research shows the more money and pressure parents invest, the less kids actually enjoy sports. Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, expose the $50B+ industrial complex fueling fear and youth sports burnout. Discover how to break free, reclaim fun, and turn games into real character-building moments—without chasing scholarships or status.

Show Notes and Resources

  • Helpful tools and encouragement for parents available at FamilyLife.com/parentinghelp
  • "Away Game" by Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith — a thoughtful look at youth sports, identity, and what really matters for families is available at your favorite bookstore. 

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