Helping Kids Set Healthy Boundaries

“No” used to mean no. Nowadays it’s more of a suggestion or an invitation to negotiate just how hard you will work to change my mind. But what if the answer needs to be no? What if the right response is no, but I know you really want me to say yes? What if danger […]

The Joy of Movement: Have You Ever Watched a Child Dance?

Early athletic success may have been the worst thing that ever happened to me. Things came easy. Classwork came easy. Grades? No problem. Even playground games were a delight because I could hit, catch and kick with minimum effort and much success. Who wouldn’t love to play games they are good at? And I did. Lots […]

Parent Delusional Disorder: the Seven Word Recovery Program

I just love to watch you play! That’s what I want my kids to know. That’s what I came for. Not to show you off. Not for bragging rights. Not even to celebrate when you win, although that’s nice when it happens. No, I came to the game because I love to watch you play. […]

Coaching Girls vs Boys – Is it Really That Different? ~ by Mike Mancini

Here is a guest post from Mike Mancini, coach, parent and website owner of “Athletic Training Now,” where he offers health information and training for the youth athlete. Fit2Finish is happy to support others in the field who are leading the way to health in youth sports. Here…..’s Mike! When my daughter was born 13 […]

Nix the Cardio-loading and Balance Your Fitness This Year

This is gonna be a decidedly low tech Christmas and new year for me. I have just read Lenny Bernstein’s blog in the Washington Post magazine highlighting a couple of “science fitness” options: an ear bud who whispers sweet workout feedback into your ear and a hovercraft that badgers you to stay on pace. Not […]

Are Fitness and Fun Important to Your Kid?

All kids will be healthy if Fit2Finish has its way and they’ll have fun doing it. It shouldn’t be a chore or a ‘work’out. We believe in fitness that’s fun for every body, even for elite athletes with performance on their minds. This fall F2F has been on the field with kids from the Vienna […]

A Better Way to Ice an Injury, Here is the Recipe

I am all about prevention here at Fit2Finish, but I know there are bumps and bruises going on out there. We’ve all tried the leaky bags and the expensive store bought “chemical” concoctions and peeling the dixie cups and digging out the frozen peas. I am going these one better – cheap, no leaking, conforms […]

Self Esteem and the Young Athlete by Jeffrey Rhoads

Today, Fit2Finish welcomes author, athlete and longtime coach, Jeffrey Rhoads, to the blog podium. I know you will enjoy his perspective and his obvious heart for our young people and the sports they play. Jeff is the author of The Joy of Youth Sports: Creating the Best Youth Sports Experience for Your Child. He also writes about […]

Save the Knees: Beating ACL Injuries with Prevention

On July 10, 2011, Ali Krieger pounded home the penalty kick that advanced the U.S. Women’s National Team past Marta and the Brazilians in the 2011 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. Remember? We couldn’t stop watching the replays. Now, it’s 2012 and time for Olympic gold, but where is Ali? Out with an ACL, an anterior […]

Thank you, Vienna Youth Soccer Striker Parents

Author’s note: I just finished six weeks working with the Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS) Strikers, 3 teams of U14 girls soccer players who compete in WAGS and ODSL. They are professionally trained by Gerardo Ramirez, Elise Fasick and Andon Tsarev. They invited Fit2Finish to introduce soccer-specific fitness and injury prevention. Dear Striker Parents, You have a […]