The Story Behind Rize Up Athletics
I competed in pole vault at Texas A&M University and professionally after college. I've been a certified personal trainer, a middle school teacher, and I've spent 10+ years coaching youth sports across every sport.After years in the classroom and on the field, I kept seeing the same thing: a gap between the kids playing for fun, the kids competing to win, and the parents trying to hold it all together. Too many families are navigating youth sports without real guidance and the data backs it up. Participation drops sharply through early adolescence, with most kids walking away before high school.My own experience in youth sports changed my life. I was lucky to work with coaches who shaped how I think, compete, and show up in the world. Not every kid gets that. I created Rize Up Athletics to close that gap: research-backed resources to help parents and coaches develop strong, confident, resilient young athletes on and off the field.
