Craig Young, author of Growing Up Young: One Family's Faith Journey to the NFL and father of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, says he damaged his relationship with his son by being overbearing about Bryce's success in sports.

"I was just hell-bent on, 'he is not going to squander this gift,'" he said.

His wife told him that Bryce felt increasingly uncomfortable around his father.

"To hear that my behavior was pushing my son away was just like a dagger to my heart," Young said. "And I immediately just sought the help that I needed and then also made those changes."

Young now advises parents to separate their children's confidence from playing time, rankings and performance. Sports, he said, offer lessons that extend far beyond competition, including teamwork, perseverance and the ability to perform under pressure.

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Money has always played a role in youth sports, from club fees and private lessons to travel costs and college scholarships. But as athletes gain access to name, image and likeness (NIL) income at increasingly younger ages, financial decisions are becoming part of the mental game, as well.

Tom Henske, a former two-time All-American and three-time national champion at the University of Virginia who now teaches personal finance, said young athletes often receive money before they have learned how to manage it. NIL opportunities, once concentrated among college stars, are spreading across sports and even reaching high school athletes.

That can create a new source of stress. According to Henske, athletes who have some financial education are more likely to "master the pause" before spending. Making thoughtful decisions can boost confidence. But athletes who spend impulsively may experience regret and guilt—and those emotions do not necessarily stay off the playing field.

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For young athletes, the mental game is often about confidence, focus, resilience and staying present under pressure. But eating issues can quietly consume that mental space, affecting an athlete's focus, confidence, identity and performance.

Eating-disorders dietitian Adee Levinstein said that athletes face constant messages about nutrition, exercise, body image and performance.

"There's just a lot of messages happening from all directions. So it can get really confusing," she said.

Athletes who want an edge may begin to hyperfocus on specific diets or nutrition rules. While some recommendations can improve performance, Levinstein cautioned that taking them to extremes can cause both physical and psychological harm.

About the guest: Adee Levinstein is national manager of strategic partnerships and virtual growth at EatingRecoveryCenter.com.

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Read our blog at YouthSportsPsychology.com