Bad Soccer Dad

It is a couple days after Thanksgiving, and my hope is that you had a great time hanging out with friends and family and that you spent time cataloging the many things that you are, or could, or should be thankful for. Here's a few things I am thankful for in this youth sports season.

My guest today is Tracy Hanson, who had a successful All-American Collegiate golf career at San Jose State University that included: eleven individual tournament wins, an NCAA Team Championship, a USGA Public Links Championship, and Low Amateur honors at the USGA Women’s Open.

She played her first year professionally in thirteen different countries and was named an Order of Merit Winner in Asia & Rookie of the Year on the Ladies European Tour.

Tracy enjoyed fifteen successful seasons on the Ladies Professional Golf Tour before retiring in 2009. She is also a writer, speaker, and founder of the Tracy Hanson Initiative, a program that provides safe opportunities for elite athletes to talk about stories of trauma, and training for those who serve them.

Reflection:

Tracy talked about a season in her career when she was “leaking pain.” Where are you leaking pain these days? Is it through silence, anger, passive-aggressive behavior? Do you have a safe circle of friends you can process it with? Is it time to seek out a trusted, professional counselor? Or check out a recovery program?

We can’t outrun our hurts, but we can turn and face them. It’s not fun, it’s not easy, but it’s critical step in our personal growth and healing journey. If you don’t know where to find help, message me on Facebook or Instagram and I’ll do my best to connect you to a place where you can take the next step.

Thanks again to Tracy Hanson for joining me today. Tracy is currently writing a book about her story and I look forward to reading it when it’s done.

In this mini-episode, Steve reflects on some of the principles on the importance of rest and play in three books he's recently read. If you want to add to your BSD reading list, check these out:

Elite? A Christian Manifesto for Youth Sports in the United States by Adam Metz

The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How transforming your inner life will deeply transform your church, team and the world by Peter Scazzero

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant

Brian is on staff with Athletes in Action and the author of The Assist: A Gospel-Centered Guide to Glorifying God Through Sports. Brain is married to his high school sweetheart, Linsey, has three kids and is a Detroit Lions fan. He ran track and cross country at Wake Forest University, where he graduated with a degree in communications.

Brian said one of the great gifts his parents gave him was reminding him that, when he got cut from a high school team, that God had a plan. That God sees something we can’t see and even when things look bleak, God is committed to our good, our growth and our joy. Have you had an opportunity to talk with your kids about how sometimes our Plan A isn’t God’s best for us? And that what we see as Plan B has some benefits and blessings that will be revealed over time?

He also reminds me that God cares more about our personhood than our performance. It’s possible to come away with the win and lose when the battle for honor, integrity and kindness. What aspect of your personhood, your character is God inviting you to grow in this season?

Finally, Brian reminds us that practice is worship. Giving our all at practice not only honors God, it shows respect and commitment to our teammates. How is your athlete viewing practice these days? How can we help them frame practice as more than a necessary evil, but a chance to stretch, push themselves and shine?

If you liked what you heard today, subscribe on your favorite podcast app. If you have a minute, please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews help other people find the show.

Thanks again to Brian Smith for joining me today. Don’t forget to check out his book “The Assist: A Gospel-Centered Guide to Glorifying God Through Sports”

Where did you go get ice cream after games as a kid?Does your family have a go to spot to celebrate after games?Does everyone in your family know everyone else's favorite ice cream flavor? If so, what it is?If you want to get on Steve's mailing list to get more information about upcoming projects or events, go to stevejnorman.com to sign up.