20 Women to Follow in the Youth Sports Space
My social media feed is a daily source of inspiration, largely because of the incredible women who fill it with wisdom, passion, and positivity. These women are coaches, mentors, parents, and game-changers in youth sports. Each one brings a unique perspective – whether it’s on coaching strategies, mental training, parenting in sports, injury recovery, or athlete development – and their insights have helped me become a better advocate for young athletes. Supporting and elevating each other is powerful; when women support women, especially in youth sports, we create a ripple effect that empowers the next generation of athletes to thrive. Here are 20 remarkable women who influence my feed and whose voices are shaping youth sports for the better. Let’s celebrate their contributions and learn why they’re absolutely worth a follow.
Our Favorite Youth Sports Ted Talks
1. Kirsten Jones – Peak Performance Coach & Sports Parenting Author
- What I love: Kirsten’s grounded advice on nurturing strong, confident young athletes. Her interviews with coaches, parents, and pros are a goldmine of tips.
- Links:
- Website: kirstenjonesinc.com
- Instagram: @kirstenjonesinc
- Podcast: Raising Athletes
- Book: Raising Empowered Athletes
2. Jennifer Breheny Wallace – Award-Winning Journalist Tackling Achievement Culture
- What I love: Jennifer’s insights on achievement culture and its impact on youth sports. One of the best books I’ve read in years. Her work teaches how to focus on your kids’ well-being over pressure and perfection.
- Links:
- Instagram: @jenniferbwallace
- Book: Never Enough
3. Shay Haddow – Confidence Coach for Girl Athletes
- What I love: Shay’s relatable and actionable mindset tools that help girls build confidence and resilience in sports.
- Links:
- Website: shayhaddow.com
- Instagram: @alphagirlconfidence
4. Linda Martindale – Mental Fitness Coach & Podcast Host
- What I love: Linda’s focus on the human side of sports—comebacks, mindset shifts, and character-building moments.
- Links:
- Podcast: Game Changers
- Website: Martindale Coaching
5. Jen Jones – Sports Dietitian for Young Athletes
- What I love: Jen’s practical and realistic advice on fueling young athletes, making sports nutrition simple for busy families.
- Links:
- Website: jenjonesnutrition.com
- Instagram: @jenjones_nutrition
6. Kassie “Coach K” Gray – Founder of Female Footballers (Soccer Mentorship)
- What I love: Kassie’s honesty about soccer culture and her focus on helping young female athletes develop confidence and leadership.
- Links:
- Website: femalefootballers.org
- Instagram: @femfootballers
7. Leah Jantzen – Sports Mom & Performance Coach with “Car Ride Home” Wisdom
- What I love: Leah’s practical, reassuring insights on how to support young athletes without overloading them with pressure.
- Links:
- Instagram: Leah Janzten
8. Gabby Reece – Legendary Athlete Turned Wellness Podcaster
- What I love: Gabby’s down-to-earth interviews on parenting, youth sports, and wellness, always with actionable takeaways.
- Links:
- Podcast: The Gabby Reece Show
9. Emily Barnhart – “The Injury RD” (Sports Nutrition for Injured Athletes)
- What I love: Emily’s niche expertise in helping injured athletes use nutrition to recover faster and return stronger.
- Links:
- Website: injuryrd.com
- Instagram: The Inury_RD
10. Ally Tucker – Youth Sports Podcaster Telling It Like It Is
- What I love: Ally’s candid take on the rapidly changing youth sports landscape, from burnout to rising costs.
- Links:
- Podcast: Youth $ports Podcast
11. “Coach Bre” Breanne Smedley – Co-Founder of The Elite Competitor (Confidence for Girls & Moms)
- What I love: Coach Bre’s tools for helping young female athletes build confidence and teaching moms how to support them.
- Links:
- Website: elitecompetitor.com
- Instagram: @elitecompetitorcoach
12. Erica Suter (a.k.a. “Fit Soccer Queen”) – Youth Female Performance Trainer and Educator
- What I love: Erica’s science-backed training advice for young female athletes, emphasizing long-term development over quick wins.
- Links:
- Website: ericasuter.com
- Instagram: @fitsoccerqueen
13. Celeste Gehring – Podcast Host & Women’s Sports Advocate
- What I love: Celeste’s podcast covers everything from females who work in sports and how they got their jobs, sports parenting to coaching strategies, featuring top experts who share valuable insights on sports culture.
- Links:
- Podcast:GirlGigPodcast
- Instagram: @celestegehring
14. “Coach Michelle” (Ace Volleyball Clinic) – Volleyball Coach & Content Creator
- What I love: Michelle’s hilarious insight into the volleyball world! She is a coach, but her authentic and ‘real’ vibe resonate deeply with me and all volleyball parents.
- Links:
- Instagram: @ace.volleyballclinic
15. Emily Perrin – Mindfulness & Mental Training for Athletes
- What I love: Emily’s mental strategies for young athletes, focusing on stress management, resilience, and confidence.
- Links:
- Website: perrinwellnessperformance.com
- Instagram: @emilyperrinLMSW
16. Brianna Garza (“Shooters Shoot”) – Basketball Shooting Coach & Mentor
- What I love: Brianna’s technical shooting drills and mental strategies, making skill development fun and accessible.
- Links:
- Instagram: @shootersxshoot70
17. My Rink Tribe – A Hockey Mom’s Life
- What I love: There is a lot of humor AND practical advice in this fun hockey mom social channel.
- Links:
- Instagram: @MyRinkTribe
18. Libby Triolo – Athlete Mindset Coach & Counselor
- What I love: Libby’s practical mental training advice, helping athletes navigate performance anxiety and build confidence.
- Links:
- Instagram: @libbytriolocoaching
19. Whitney Fleming – Writer Sharing the Heart of Parenting
- What I love: Whitney’s honest, emotional takes on parenting that makes us all feel understood and less alone in the journey.
- Links:
- Website: ParentingTeensandTweens.com
- Book: You’re Not a Failure
20. Chrissy Stragisher – Former WNBA Strength Coach Turned Motivational Leader
- What I love: Chrissy’s expert training tips and mindset messages for athletes at all levels, blending physical and mental toughness.
- Links:
- Instagram: @chrissy.strags