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The Sports Mom Playbook

The Sports Mom Playbook

Written by: Rachel Heller
Listen for free

Welcome to The Sports Mom Playbook, the podcast for moms navigating the beautiful chaos of youth sports and motherhood.

Hosted by Rachel Heller — a Jersey girl, baseball mom, soccer mom, and coach’s wife — this show is for the moms running on cold coffee, packed schedules, camp chairs, and unconditional love for their kids.

Each week, Rachel dives into the real side of youth sports with honest conversations, relatable stories, practical advice, and the moments people don’t talk about enough. From sideline struggles and mom guilt to big wins, tough losses, and everything in between, no topic is off limits.

But this podcast isn’t just about raising athletes. It’s also about the woman behind it all — motherhood, marriage, friendships, identity, aging, hormones, and navigating life in this season. With humor, heart, and her unapologetically spicy personality, Rachel is your built-in bestie through it all. Because behind every athlete is a mom making it happen.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-sports-mom-playbook--6315731/support.Rachel Heller Parenting Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 41. Sports Mom Guilt: What to Do When You Can’t Be at Every Game

    41. Sports Mom Guilt: What to Do When You Can’t Be at Every Game
    Oct 9 2026
    Two kids. Two fields. Two schedules. And somehow, only one of you.

    In this episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, Rachel gets real about one of the hardest parts of raising multiple kids in sports: what happens when everyone needs you at the exact same time?
    From conflicting game schedules and missing shin guards to the sibling who spends every weekend on someone else’s sideline, Rachel shares practical ways to manage the chaos without letting mom guilt take over.

    She also tackles the game you inevitably have to miss, how to help every child feel seen even when you can't divide your time equally, and why being fully present matters more than being physically present at every single game.

    Plus, Rachel shares her seven-part “Two Fields Playbook” with simple strategies you can start using this week to make sports weekends a little less overwhelming.

    Because your kids don't need a perfect sports mom. They need to know you're in their corner.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-sports-mom-playbook--6315731/support.

    Connect with Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsmomplaybook/

    Shop: https://officialsportsmommvp.myshopify.com/
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    16 mins
  • 40. Stop Calling It “Mom Brain”: What Your Body May Be Telling You with Priscilla Sachiko

    40. Stop Calling It “Mom Brain”: What Your Body May Be Telling You with Priscilla Sachiko
    Sep 18 2026
    What happens when you’re doing all the “right” things, but you still don’t feel like yourself?

    In this episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, Rachel Heller sits down with bioscience expert, entrepreneur, and O Peptides founder Priscilla Sachiko for an open conversation about women’s health, aging, perimenopause, hormones, brain fog, energy, inflammation, peptides, and learning to advocate for yourself when something simply feels off.

    Rachel and Priscilla share their own experiences with postpartum changes, stubborn weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, changing hormones, afternoon crashes, and the frustration of being told everything looks “normal” when you know your body doesn’t feel normal.

    They also unpack the growing conversation around research peptides and compounds, why health literacy matters, the importance of understanding your bloodwork, and why no supplement or intervention replaces the fundamentals of nutrition, movement, hydration, sleep, and taking care of yourself.

    For the mom who spends her life taking care of everyone else, this episode is a reminder to start paying attention to the person underneath all those responsibilities: you.

    This episode shares personal experiences and an educational discussion and is not medical advice. Research peptides and other compounds discussed may not be FDA-approved for the uses mentioned. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health and treatment options.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-sports-mom-playbook--6315731/support.

    Connect with Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsmomplaybook/

    Shop: https://officialsportsmommvp.myshopify.com/
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • 39. Youth Sports Burnout: 7 Signs Parents Should Never Ignore

    39. Youth Sports Burnout: 7 Signs Parents Should Never Ignore
    Sep 4 2026
    Is your child burned out from youth sports? Here are the warning signs every sports parent should know.

    Youth athlete burnout is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing today's sports families. Research shows that 70–80% of young athletes quit organized sports by age 15, often because they've lost the joy that made them love the game in the first place.

    In this episode of The Sports Mom Playbook, Rachel explores the science behind athlete burnout, youth sports mental health, and what parents can do to protect their children's emotional well-being while still supporting their athletic goals.

    You'll learn:
    -The difference between a performance slump and true burnout
    -Common warning signs parents often miss
    -Why early sports specialization increases burnout risk
    -How parental pressure can unintentionally impact young athletes
    -The importance of intrinsic motivation in youth sports
    -How to support your child after games and tournaments
    -Sports psychology strategies that help kids enjoy competition again
    -Research-backed ways to prevent burnout and keep kids engaged in sports

    Whether your athlete plays baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, hockey, lacrosse, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, or any competitive youth sport, this episode offers practical advice to help parents raise confident, resilient athletes who love the game for years to come.

    Subscribe for weekly conversations helping sports moms navigate youth athletics with confidence, perspective, and practical tools.

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    Connect with us at:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsportsmommvp
    Website: https://www.thesportsmomplaybook.com/

    Shop The Official Sports Mom MVP Merch: https://officialsportsmommvp.myshopify.com/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs
    Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-sports-mom-playbook--6315731/support.

    Connect with Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsmomplaybook/

    Shop: https://officialsportsmommvp.myshopify.com/
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
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