Being the Best Version of Yourself

About Being the Best Version of Yourself

Wish you could be happier, more productive, and less stressed? Whether you are striving to conquer your own daily goals or navigating the busy worlds of parenting and youth sports, this podcast is your ultimate mental toolkit. Dr. Heller breaks down the psychological roadblocks holding you and your family back, offering actionable, evidence-based strategies for: ADHD & Executive Functioning: Beat procrastination and stay organized. Anxiety & Stress: Learn practical ways to manage worry and relax. Parenting & Youth Sports: Help young athletes build resilience and handle pressure.

Publisher

Dr. Carey Heller

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2021

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

58 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   Consider This Before Moving Your Child Up to the Next Level in Youth Sports

   The advice most parents get about youth sports can backfire fast: pushing harder, moving up sooner, and chasing the next level can actually derail a kid’s love of the game. Dr. Jen Fry, a former college volleyball coach who has worked at nearly every level of the sport, reveals what really drives burnout, wasted money, and stressed-out families—and what parents should look for instead.Jen brings a rare perspective from coaching youth, club, college, and elite volleyball, and she doesn’t sugarcoat the tradeoffs. She and Dr. Carey Heller unpack why “more” is not always better, how pressure starts when a kid shows early talent, and why the move from rec to travel can become a financial and emotional trap if families don’t ask the right questions first.You’ll discover: Why young kids often burn out after being pushed too hard too early The real reasons to move a child up a level, and the red flags when it’s just social pressure How to think about travel, time, money, sibling impact, and work schedules before signing on Why many private lessons teach bad fundamentals instead of building them When fundamentals actually matter in team sports and why age matters less than readiness How sideline coaching and car-ride critiques can create anxiety, confusion, and mistakes Why cheerleading beats cross-examining if you want your child to stay confident and engaged Jen also breaks down a truth many parents miss: if you don’t understand the next level, you can’t accurately judge whether your child is ready for it. That gap leads to overinvesting in the wrong teams, overtraining at the wrong age, and expecting kids to perform like the family is on the line every time they step onto the court or field. This conversation is essential listening for parents navigating rec, club, travel, or elite sports—especially if you want your child to improve without losing joy, confidence, or balance along the way. ABOUT Dr. Jen Fry (she/her) is a conflict literacy expert, aka she says the things everyone else is thinking but avoiding. She’s a Sports Geographer (PhD, Michigan State University), tech founder, TEDxDuke speaker, and international presenter. She leads JenFryTalks, a firm at the intersection of conflict and culture, helping teams turn tension into clarity, accountability, and trust instead of awkward silence and side conversations. A former NCAA volleyball coach with 15 years across the PAC-12, Big Ten, and MEAC, Jen has delivered over 270 talks and trainings. She teaches leaders and teams how to communicate clearly, handle conflict without blowing things up, and actually fix things when things go sideways. She is the author of I Said No: How to Have a Backbone and Boundaries Without Being a Jerk, a practical and direct guide to setting boundaries, communicating with confidence, and saying what needs to be said without guilt or apology. Her new book, Before You Blame the Coach: A Parent’s Guide to Conflict, Perspective, and Pressure in Youth Sports, is a direct, practical guide for parents navigating the reality of youth sports, where emotions run high, expectations are unclear, and conflict shows up whether you’re ready for it or not. @jenfrytalks on IG, linkedin, twitter, facebook. ABOUT THE HOST Dr. Carey Heller is a licensed psychologist and founding partner of Heller Psychology Group based in Bethesda, Maryland. He specializes in ADHD and executive functioning and focuses a fair amount on youth sports and ADHD.

2. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Youth Sports: Sideline Chat with a Psychiatrist and Psychologist

   Parents are often going about youth sports the wrong way - and Dr. Alli Young explains why pushing harder, specializing earlier, or tweaking medication without considering the full picture can backfire. If you have a kid in sports and want them to stay confident, motivated, and in the game longer, this conversation is for you. Dr. Carey Heller sits down with Dr. Alli Young, a psychiatrist specializing in lifestyle and sports psychiatry, to unpack the mental side of athletic performance for young athletes, parents, and coaches. From ADHD and anxiety to executive functioning, burnout, and the hidden pressure of juggling multiple teams, Dr. Young breaks down what actually helps kids thrive on and off the field. You'll discover: Why sports can reveal ADHD and anxiety symptoms that school and home might miss How executive functioning shows up in real game situations like following plays, processing coaching, and reacting in fast-paced sports When medication can help and when it may blunt creativity, speed, or a child's sense of being themselves Why parents should listen for "I don't feel like myself" instead of dismissing it How to reduce pressure by keeping sports kid-led, identity-light, and balanced with unstructured time The two mental health professionals also dig into the real tradeoffs of rec versus travel, playing multiple sports in the same season, and why "more reps now" is not always the smartest long-term strategy. Dr. Young shares a clear reminder that the goal is not to max out one season - it's to help kids build a sustainable relationship with sports that lasts for years, not months. Perfect for parents, coaches, and anyone supporting a young athlete who wants practical guidance without the usual pressure-cooker advice. If you're trying to help a child enjoy sports, handle challenges better, and avoid burnout, this episode delivers grounded, useful insight you can put to work right away. ABOUT Dr. Alli Young is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in lifestyle and sports psychiatry, with more than a decade of experience at the intersection of mental health, sports, and performance. She founded a private practice that serves athletes throughout Florida and New York and is an Affiliate Professor of Psychiatry at FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. She is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. More recently, she founded SidelinePsych, which aims to help parents, coaches, and leagues navigate the mental side of sports. @Sidelinepsych Carey Heller, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist and co-founder of Heller Psychology Group based in Bethesda, Maryland. He specializes in ADHD and executive functioning. As part of this work, Dr. Heller does some work helping young athletes, especially those with ADHD, thrive on and off the field. Furthermore, he provides trainings to sports leagues and other organizations on supporting kids with ADHD in team sports.

3. 

   10 Sept 2026

   The Youth Sports Parent: How to Coach, Support, and Help Your Kid Thrive

   In this episode of Being the Best Version of Yourself, host Dr. Carey Heller sits down with Brad, founder of The Coaching Dad platform. Drawing from his experience coaching various youth sports and playing college hockey, Brad shares practical strategies for both volunteer coaches and parents. Key topics discussed in this episode include: Behind-the-Scenes Coaching: Why organization, pre-season communication, and structured practice plans (with "Plan B" backups) are essential for successful coaching. At-Home Skill Building: How short 10-to-15-minute practice sessions at home boost player development and create meaningful parent-child bonding. Managing Lineups & Playing Time: Navigating fairness vs. equality, balancing skill levels on the field, and using roster management tools. Creating a Positive Team Culture: Establishing a "mistake-free zone" where kids can build confidence without fear of judgment. Sideline Guidance for Parents: Best practices for supporting young athletes, including positive cheering, managing body language, and avoiding "joysticking" from the sidelines. Tune in for actionable advice on how to foster growth, confidence, and long-term life skills through youth sports! About the Guest: Brad Roberts is the founder of The Coaching Dad, a youth sports platform created to help parents and volunteer coaches better navigate the challenges of youth athletics. A longtime volunteer coach and former college hockey player, Brad has spent years coaching youth sports across multiple levels and has experienced the youth sports world from just about every angle: as an athlete, coach, and parent. Through The Coaching Dad, Brad shares practical coaching advice, resources, and perspective designed to make youth sports a better experience for kids and the adults supporting them. Brad is also the host of the Uncoached podcast, where he talks with coaches, parents, sports psychologists, athletes, and other experts about the issues shaping youth sports and what adults can do to help kids get more from the experience. LINKS: Website: https://www.thecoachingdad.com/ (https://www.thecoachingdad.com/) Podcast: https://uncoached.transistor.fm/ (https://uncoached.transistor.fm/) Newsletter: https://thecoachingdad.beehiiv.com/subscribe (https://thecoachingdad.beehiiv.com/subscribe) Book: https://amzn.to/46g5E8Q (https://amzn.to/46g5E8Q) About the host: Carey Heller, Psy.D., host of the Being the Best Version of Yourself podcast, is a licensed psychologist and co-founder of the Heller Psychology Group in Bethesda, Maryland. Specializing in ADHD and executive functioning, Dr. Heller blends evidence-based psychotherapy with practical executive function coaching to help children, teens, and adults improve organization, time management, and performance. Known to many young athletes as "Coach Carey," he combines his clinical background with years of hands-on experience coaching youth sports. Dr. Heller is passionate about helping young athletes develop mental resilience, focus, and confidence both on and off the field. Website: https://hellerpsychologygroup.com/ Free resources: https://linktr.ee/AthleteDHD On-Demand course: https://psychopayments.gumroad.com/l/krboli

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

62

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

75

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.