In High School, Azzi Fudd Flew to South Carolina to Work Out With Steph Curry’s Trainer.
The headline stopped me cold.
So… am I doing enough for my kid, or have we all lost our minds?
UCONN women’s basketball star, Azzi Fudd—one of the most electrifying basketball players in the country—was flying to South Carolina, in high school, to work out with Steph Curry’s trainer, Brandon Payne. She was grinding through NBA-level workouts while most teens were stressing over prom or algebra tests.
And just like that… I felt it.
That little pang.
Are we doing enough? Should I be doing more? Could I have done more?
One of my daughters plans to play college beach volleyball. Another is already playing soccer in college. We’ve logged the miles. Made the sacrifices. Given our all. But still—I’ll admit it—stories like this mess with me. They tug at that tiny thread of doubt that’s always there in the background as a sports parent.
STOP WASTING TIME AND MONEY IN YOUTH SPORTS: THE SMART WAY TO SUPPORT YOUR ATHLETE
And yet… I’ve also built an entire platform to help fight this mindset.
To help parents step off the hamster wheel of “more, more, more.”
Because the truth is, it’s not just Azzi. In every gym, on every sideline, there’s a parent doing the most. Extra clinics. Flights for private sessions. Professional-grade nutrition plans for a 13-year-old. And the unspoken message to the rest of us? You’re falling behind.
But here’s what I keep coming back to—what works for Azzi, or any other elite-level player or phenom, isn’t automatically right for your kid. Or mine. It’s not a one-size-fits-all formula.
The better questions are:
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What does your kid need to thrive?
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What’s your family’s definition of success?
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Are your choices based in love… or fear?
Yes, Azzi’s dedication and access are inspiring. But that level of intensity isn’t realistic—or necessary—for most athletes. And pushing our kids into someone else’s story just because it looks impressive from the outside? That’s where burnout lives. That’s where joy disappears.
They need to know they matter—not for how much they do, but for who they are.
There will always be someone doing more. There will always be another level, another accolade, another headline that makes you question it all.
WHAT NOONE TELLS YOU ABOUT BEING A SPORTS PARENT
But our children?
They don’t need to be the next anyone.
They just need to feel like they’re already someone.
So yes, I had that moment. I still do, sometimes.
But then I breathe, I look at my girls—at all they’ve accomplished, at how much they still love the game—and I remember:
More isn’t always better.
Sometimes enough… is exactly right.
