Fair Catch

Exploring life lessons children can take away from sports.

by Steven Ungerleider, Ph.D.

Motivating Sedentary Youth

There has been much discussion in the past few years about the increasing problem of obesity among youth. Obesity is defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary as "having an accumulation of fat," but medical professionals often quantify that by saying that women with over 25-30% body fat and men with over 20-25% body fat are obese. Read More

Going With the Flow

I really enjoy watching tennis matches. It can be such an electrifying experience. Even with the quiet of the spectators, the tension, growing with each volley, is so palpable it can almost be heard. It's almost as though with each shot, the pressure for the point increases and more is at stake. Read More

The Company You Keep

Last week the world of sports lost a member of its community. Charlie Francis, a coach of many Olympic athletes, died at the age 61 of Lymphoma. The legacy that Francis left is controversial. As a coach he utilized performance-enhancing drugs as part of his training program, affecting a significant number of athletes whose careers and health were put at risk. Read More

Breaking Through the Shadows

After having attended 11 Olympiads in the past 30 years, I was very blessed to attend my very first Paralympics this year in Vancouver, BC. My two grown daughters took time away from their jobs as a physician and lawyer to join me. Together we were inspired by the incredible will, drive and athleticism of these athletes with disabilities. Read More

Lessons of the Olympics

Olympic Gold Medalist Crissy Perham shares her thoughts on the keys to success, both in sport and life, with youth. Read More

Athletes and Eating Disorders

When we think of athletes, typically we envision individuals who strive to maintain a healthy body. However, there are those athletes who take weight control and physical appearance to extremes and develop eating disorders as a result. Read More

One Deep Breath

Athletic competition can be an exciting, fun, and healthy challenge for young athletes. At times, it can also be stressful and cause anxiety prior to and during an athletic event. During these times it is especially important for an athlete to remain centered and focused. One simple way to keep your cool is to take one deep breath. Read More

Teaching the Value of Good Sportsmanship

Lately it seems as though there have been several, highly publicized incidents of poor sportsmanship. Whether it is Serena Williams berating a line judge or two college football players in a post-game scuffle, poor sportsmanship shouldn't be tolerated at any level of competition. Read More

Youth and Ethics in Sport

As someone involved with sports and psychology, I value the positive effects good sportsmanship can have on both an athlete's mindset, as well as the integrity of a sporting event. I devote much of my time and energy to educating youth about the importance of good sportsmanship and drug-free sport. Read More

Healthy Sport

In the next few weeks I will be talking about healthy sport and making positive choices around drug-free competition. My comments will be based on personal experiences working with athletes, teams, coaches, and parents. Read More