The State of Youth Sport and Opportunity for Children’s Health

Published February 11, 2021 | Last Updated April 9, 2026

Child Running

Recorded in the month of May 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, WithAll’s What to Say Instagram Live Series, “The State of Youth Sports and Opportunities for Children’s Health” featured four amazing women who are incredibly influential in sport.

They shared practical information, tips, and stories about the influence of coaches on young athletes’ physical and mental health.

Did you miss this great series? Catch up on the episodes below!

To learn more about our resources for coaches, including the What to Say Coaches Challenge, click here.

Lea B. Olsen
Founder, Rethink the Win

Lea discusses the pressures youth athletes face and how what adults, especially coaches, say matters in helping them develop a healthy relationship with food and body.

Carlin M. Anderson, Ph.D, LP, CMPC
Co-owner, Premier Sport Psychology

Dr. Carly Anderson discusses what contributes to a healthy mindset for young people, and the emphasis on food and body as part of a healthy self-concept is important for youth athletes.

Jessie Diggins
Eating Disorder Survivor, Author, Olympic Gold Medalist

Jessie discusses her many experiences with coaches over the years, and how what they said to her impacted her self-esteem and body image.

Kitty Westin
WithAll Board Chair, Eating Disorder Activist

Kitty discusses her journey as an eating disorder activist, why she believes in What to Say and WithAll, why what adults say to young people matters, and how it impacts their well-being & mindset.


Coaches have power far beyond the game. Take our free Coach’s Challenge and learn how to discuss healthy body image and behaviors with young athletes.

By WithAll
WithAll is a nonprofit working to help kids feel good in their bodies and with food. We give adults simple, research-backed tools to prevent eating disorders before they start, and we provide direct financial support to people in treatment through our Recovery Support Program.

Related Articles

coaches
Feb 11, 2021
Coaches play a powerful role in shaping young athletes—far beyond performance. The way coaches talk about food, bodies, and training can influence how athletes see themselves, how they eat, and how they care for their bodies for years to come.
Coaches
Feb 11, 2021
Kids aren’t born worrying about carbs, calories, or body size. They’re born with energy to move, curiosity to explore, and pride in what their bodies can do.
Coaches
Sep 18, 2025
Worried about how a young athlete feels about food and their body? You're not alone. Athletes hear constant messages about food, body, and performance, and these influences can shape how they see themselves.