When Does Helping Hurt?

There's nothing more exciting than seeing your child succeed. But when they fail, your words as a parent, coach or caregiver can have a lifelong effect. Our intention is to provide a voice for young athletes — to say what they can’t. And by reading the letters, we hope parents, coaches, and even young athletes use them as a catalyst for discussion to help start the conversation and #shutoutthestigma.

Read the Letters Guide the Conversation

Not Good Enough

This documentary is an unflinching look at the challenges facing youth sports. Not Good Enough explores how the pressure of perfection can be detrimental to a youth athlete’s short and long-term mental health and also provides helpful solutions for change.

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Video Library

Not Good Enough Documentary

Watch an Extended First Look at Not Good Enough

Open Letter: I'm Scared to
Let You Down

Open Letter: I Don't Look Forward to Playing

Open Letter: Behind the Scenes

Ryan Lefebvre Shines a Light on Youth Sports

Did you know?

< 3 years

The average child today spends less than 3 years playing sports ¹

¹ barefitness.fit

50%

of lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14²

² barefitness.fit/blog

70%

of young people stop playing organized sports by age 13³

³ yellowbrickprogram.com

Open Letter

All of that Criticism

"All of that criticism, all of that coaching I was gonna do in the car… all it was doing was ruining my relationship with my kids" – Todd Johnson

I'm scared to let you down

"Dear Mom & Dad, I'm writing this because I don't know how to say it to you and I don't want to hurt your feelings..."

Read the Full Letter Watch Video

I Don't Look Forward to Playing

"Dear Mom & Dad, don't be mad at me but the way you yell at me when I play ball, it hurts..."