Real Talk for Sports Parents w/ Samantha Livingstone
Real Talk for Sports Parents w/ Samantha Livingstone
Podcast Description
Welcome to Real Talk for Sports Parents (RTSP), the podcast where we pull back the curtain on parenting in the world of sports. Hosted by Olympic gold medalist, wife of a coach, and mother of four female athletes, Samantha Livingstone, this show weaves together a mix of expert insights, real-life stories, and practical advice to help parents—of athletes of all ages—feel less alone and more connected to what truly matters in supporting their kids.
RTSP is your go-to space for honest, no-holds-barred conversations that empower you to cut through the noise and navigate the chaos of parenting in the world of sports. Whether it’s solo episodes with Sam, interviews with experts, coaches, fellow sport parents, or advice from current and former athletes, you’ll find the resources you need to thrive on this journey.
Take what resonates, leave the rest, and remember—you’re not alone in this!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers a range of topics centered around the challenges and rewards of parenting athletes, with episodes that delve into mental toughness, identity development, and the balance of performance with well-being. Specific discussions include redefining mental toughness with expert Dr. Andreas Stamatis, sharing personal stories from Samantha on navigating mental health challenges, and exploring the importance of values in youth sports with fellow Olympian Lindsay Mintenko.
Welcome to Real Talk for Sports Parents (RTSP), the podcast where we pull back the curtain on parenting in the world of sports. Hosted by Olympic gold medalist, wife of a coach, and mother of four female athletes, Samantha Livingstone, this show weaves together a mix of expert insights, real-life stories, and practical advice to help parents—of athletes of all ages—feel less alone and more connected to what truly matters in supporting their kids.
RTSP is your go-to space for honest, no-holds-barred conversations that empower you to cut through the noise and navigate the chaos of parenting in the world of sports. Whether it’s solo episodes with Sam, interviews with experts, coaches, fellow sport parents, or advice from current and former athletes, you’ll find the resources you need to thrive on this journey.
Take what resonates, leave the rest, and remember—you’re not alone in this!
Real Talk for Sport Parents Podcast
Hosted by Samantha Livingstone
Ep. 4 – Dr. Andreas Stamatis – Unlocking Mental Toughness
In this thought-provoking episode, Samantha sits down with Dr. Andreas Stamatis – researcher, professor, and mental performance expert – to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in youth sports: mental toughness. Together, they redefine what it actually means, how it can be developed, and why old-school approaches rooted in pressure and punishment fall short.
Dr. Stamatis introduces a more compassionate, evidence-based framework – centered around eight mental skills and three mindset pillars – that equips parents to help their kids handle adversity and strive with intention. Whether your child is elite or just starting out, this conversation is packed with practical insight to guide their growth and your role in supporting it.
00:00 – Welcome + how Samantha met Dr. Stamatis 08:35 – The Special Forces moment that changed his view on mental strength 13:20 – Defining mental toughness: a mindset, not a personality trait 18:05 – Why yelling doesn’t build mental toughness 22:12 – What are the three pillars? Purpose, efficiency, and flexibility 30:14 – Why overprotecting your child can hurt their growth 39:20 – What does real emotional regulation look like in kids and parents? 46:58 – How parent language impacts a child’s confidence 54:50 – Reframing failure through optimistic thinking 1:09:45 – The “car ride home” framework: 3 powerful questions to ask your athlete
Quotes
· “A mentally tough person is not defined by their goals – but by their mindset.”
· “Uncomfortable doesn’t mean bad. Discomfort is the beginning of growth.”
· “Success isn’t winning or losing. It’s showing up with purpose, flexibility, and efficiency.”
Social Media and Links
· LinkedIn: Andreas Stamatis
Instagram: @thecoachstam
Facebook: Andreas Stamatis
YouTube: Andreas Stamatis
Medium: Andreas Stamatis
Resources + Mentions:
· Mental Toughness Index (MTI)
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.