Raising Empowered Athletes by Kirsten Jones: A Must-Read for Sports Parents

When I was a young athlete, my sports — gymnastics and diving — were very individual-focused. And even though there were some, for lack of a better descriptor, “excitedly invested” parents and coaches, the nature of these sports (or at least the teams I was on) had a different vibe than team sports like basketball, soccer, and football.

So when my son got into basketball a few years ago, I felt like I’d entered a whole new world. He played for both a school team and an AAU team, and suddenly, I was immersed in the whirlwind of team sports.

Now, luckily, his teams were led by caring coaches and supported by amazing families. And there were other lovely coaches, teams, and families at games, too.

But there were those moments at games…where,

I felt for kids who were yelled at or sideline-coached by their parents.
I felt for coaches who were yelled at by parents.
I felt for parents who watched their kids get yelled at by coaches or other parents.

And for me — someone who endured some “really tough” coaching as a child athlete — those moments could be surprisingly triggering.

So, I decided I needed some help… or at least some validation and skills to get through them.

Enter Kirsten Jones’s book, Raising Empowered Athletes.

As both a parent and a psychotherapist who works with athletes, I found Raising Empowered Athletes to be grounded, compassionate, and practical. Kirsten writes and speaks from lived experience — as both a Division I athlete and a parent of athletes — and her wisdom is wrapped in realism and encouragement.

Honestly, it was exactly what I needed when I was beginning my journey as the parent of an athlete.

In a world that often glorifies wins and highlight reels, Kirsten reminds us what really matters: raising confident, self-aware, emotionally strong humans who happen to play sports.

She helps parents move from fixing and pushing toward guiding and partnering. Her stories, reflections, and “Parent Practice” tools offer something tangible yet freeing, kind of like a roadmap for supporting our kids without losing ourselves (or them) in the process.

If you’re a parent, coach, or anyone walking alongside young athletes, add this book to your library. It will bring comfort, wisdom, and most of all, a caring reminder that in the end, it’s about raising whole people.

And if you enjoy the book, you’ll love Kirsten’s podcast, Raising Athletes. She and her guests bring candid, heartfelt, and inspiring conversations to life. Truly, a perfect companion for anyone raising, coaching, or supporting today’s athletes!

Note: This and every Athlete Illuminated post is for educational purposes only and not a replacement for mental health treatment. If you are in urgent need of mental health support, please call 9-8-8. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room. For ongoing mental health concerns, consider seeking professional support or therapy.