6 Risk Factors For Burnout Every Young Athlete Should Know

As many as 35% of elite athletes experience some form of mental health crisis during their competitive years. Early burnout, mental health challenges, frequent injuries, and decreased performance are just some of the potential barriers that can arise when the essential pillars of elite athletic performance are not the foundation for young athletes. In fact, the prevalence of burnout has been increasing for the last 2 decades, contributing to additional challenges. Learn more about how these pillars can set your young competitor up for lifelong success on and off the playing field. 

A Lifetime of Training

Playing competitive sports from a young age allowed me to experience some of the highs and lows of elite sports and understand the consequences of not having a healthy foundation for my athletic identity. My lived experience paired with my education and training has contributed to my passion for helping young athletes have the tools to experience not only a more positive relationship with their sport and training but also support the growth and development of their sports performance.

Burnout can be a real challenge for athletes, sometimes leading to extra stress and performance hiccups, and it might even affect their ability to keep playing their sport. But don't worry! There are plenty of resources out there to help prevent burnout, boost mental health, and enhance sports performance. These tools are helpful for everyone, from teens and young adults to professional athletes.

things I wish i knew as a teen

• The risk of poor sleep hygiene, lack of adequate recovery time, or the lack of relaxation skills.
• The risk of not knowing you are allowed to have balance, set boundaries with adults around you, and not have to be perfect.
• The risk of not knowing the signs of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc.

Many young athletes believe that being the best means doing it all and pushing yourself past your limits. Most young athletes fail to realize it is really about balance and healthy boundaries. This is hard to develop when the adults around us may not be teaching this, and their expectation is pushing past limits. 

things I wish my parents knew

• The risk of not allowing your child to be included in decisions about schedules and commitments, such as how many teams they play on, how many sports they play at a time, training schedule, tournaments, nutrition habits, etc.
• The risk of overexercising on the mental and physical health of your child – including mental health symptoms, perfectionism, chronic injuries/pain, etc.
• The risk of criticism, correction, negative feedback, pressure, and reinforcing high expectations on your child’s inner life and athletic identity.

Parents may be so exhausted themselves from the travel and demand of the sports season they don’t know how crucial it can be to create balance, teach healthy boundaries, and emphasize the importance that everyone understands lifestyle considerations and collaborations for healthy elite performance.

what i've learned about burnout since then

It’s easier to make healthy decisions when you’re not in the middle of a stressful run. I like to tell my clients to:

• focus on listening to their body
• educate themselves on nutrition and proper fueling
• practice emotion regulation skills
• schedule quality time with family and friends outside of sports
• practice positive self-talk
• check in with inner-life and identity, and 
• prioritize recovery time, sleep, and relaxation.

As a Lifeologie Counseling Fort Worth therapist, I specialize in working with athletes and high performers ages 16 and up, as well as couples and families. Whether you’ve got the yips, are struggling to recover from a life-altering injury, or are trying to figure out how to peacefully raise a house full of super-competitive athletes, I can help you and your family manage the stress and make the most of your time together. Reach out to me at (817) 870-1087 to learn more at or request an appointment so we can meet and explore your goals together.