Real Talk for Sport Parents Podcast

Hosted by Samantha Livingstone

Two time Olympian Lindsay Mintenko - Rooted in Values, Rising in Sport

In this candid and heart-filled conversation, Samantha welcomes longtime friend, fellow Olympian, and sport parent Lindsay Mintenko to the podcast. Lindsay shares her journey from small-town Indiana to Olympic gold, reflecting on the foundation her family gave her and the challenges of balancing identity, performance, and spotlight.

Now a mom of two, Lindsay opens up about parenting elite athletes, choosing the right club environments, and supporting kids through the highs and lows of sport—without losing sight of the bigger picture: raising good humans.

Together, Sam and Lindsay unpack what it means to let our kids lead, to be present without overpowering, and to trust that performance doesn’t need to come at the cost of wellness. This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating sport culture today—and proof that greatness and groundedness can coexist.

06:05 – Cultural roots, family values & John Wooden's legacy
11:00 – Multi-sport childhood and early sport experiences
15:10 – Parenting athletes through transitions and prioritization
18:45 – Supporting identity development vs. performance identity
23:30 – How her parents held space without pressure
37:00 – Identity struggles and the relief of college
46:20 – Separation, support, and letting kids lead
54:00 – Failing forward: celebrating the “bad days”
1:08:15 – Club choice: alignment over chasing wins
1:14:30 – Raising siblings with different skills and spotlights
1:19:00 – Social media pressure & mental health in today’s youth
1:26:50 – Letting kids grow: where we might be missing the mark

Quotes

· “My job isn’t to raise an Olympic champion—it’s to raise a good person.”
[1:09:00]

· “No one knows your kid better than you do. Just listen.”
[1:32:00]

· “Let them fail. Let them fall. Let them grow.”
[1:26:45]

Social Media and Links

· RTSP Instagram

· samanthalivingstone

Books Mentioned:
Pyramid of Success by John Wooden

Websites:
SameHere Global Mental Health Movement
5 in 5 Mental Health Campaign